Yingluck turned down chance to become another Mandela
Re: Fleeing was brave and justified, Have Your Say, August 28.
Some people might concur with Somsak Pola in his support for former PM Yingluck in her mysterious flit from the country – presumably escaping from a Supreme Court sentence that could have seen her jailed for up to 10 years.
But I, for one, certainly don’t agree with this notion.
Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi endured a decade of house-arrest without being tempted to flee her country, while South Africa’s Nelson Mandela was sent to jail for 27 years without ever accepting he was guilty of anything. Both became martyrs in their own countries, as well as being praised as heroes of democracy across the world.
Yingluck had a chance to become Thailand’s martyr by staying and being sentenced to jail on Friday, but she ran, breaking her previous pledge to stay on and fight for her innocence.
In short, Yingluck has regrettably abandoned her reputation as a one-time national leader with a heart of gold – simply to flee and assume the role of her brother’s little sister!
Somsak Pola should call a spade a spade.
Vint Chavala
