SIR тАУ

Letters

SIR тАУ Struck by the interest The Economist has shown in ThailandтАЩs monarchy, I am obliged to set certain facts straight (тАЬAs father fades, his children fightтАЭ, March 20th). The Thai monarchy is above politics. Portraying it as a partisan actor is simply wrong and misleading. While some groups may advocate their cause by claiming royal support or advancing the notion of the palaceтАЩs involvement in politics, The Economist should not fall into this trap, let alone perpetuate the same misperception. It is too simplistic to pigeonhole these groups, as both have supporters and detractors who do not fit neatly into the тАЬrich versus poorтАЭ or тАЬurban versus ruralтАЭ divide.

Succession is a difficult issue for Thais, but this is not because of the l├иse-majest├й law. Having had such a father figure as monarch for so long has meant that change is unsettling and it is normal for people to be apprehensive. To express doubts about the heir apparent based on rumours and wild conjectures is not the way to initiate debate about the issue. ThailandтАЩs monarchy has been continuously evolving for more than 700 years and will always remain one of the kingdomтАЩs main institutions holding the country together.

Finally, the present administration did not assume office through a тАЬparliamentary fixтАЭ. Abhisit Vejjajiva was voted in as prime minister in the same House of Representatives and through the same provisions under the constitution as were his two predecessors. As in other parliamentary democracies, it is not uncommon for coalition parties to switch their support as dictated by pragmatism, something you think is now lacking in Thailand.

Vimon Kidchob
Director-general
Department of Information Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Bangkok

[krobbie]

Well put Khun Kidchob. I guess this man's intellect and "grasp of the situation" made The Economist Editor sit up and take notice.

Krobbie

The bureaucrats are writing the propaganda now.

[Marsilius]

ThailandтАЩs monarchy has been continuously evolving for more than 700 years and will always remain one of the kingdomтАЩs main institutions holding the country together.

No doubt the Bourbons said much the same thing before the French Revolution...

He'll have a herart attack reading this week's edition
http://www.economist.com/world/asia/dis ... d=15955366

[krobbie]

Andrew, excellent, thought provoking article.

Letters

SIR тАУ Struck by the interest The Eulogist has shown in BritianтАЩs monarchy, I am obliged to set certain facts straight. The British monarchy is above politics. Portraying it as a partisan actor is simply wrong and misleading. While some groups may advocate their cause by claiming royal support or advancing the notion of the palaceтАЩs involvement in politics, The Eulogist should not fall into this trap, let alone perpetuate the same misperception. It is too simplistic to pigeonhole these groups, as both have supporters and detractors who do not fit neatly into the тАЬrich versus poorтАЭ or тАЬurban versus ruralтАЭ divide.

Succession is a difficult issue for the British, but this is not because of a l├иse-majest├й law. Having had such a mother figure as monarch for so long has meant that change is unsettling and it is normal for people to be apprehensive. To express doubts about the heir apparent based on rumours and wild conjectures is not the way to initiate debate about the issue. The British monarchy has been continuously evolving for more than 400 years and will always remain one of the kingdomтАЩs main institutions holding the country together.

Finally, the present administration did not assume office through a тАЬparliamentary fixтАЭ. David Cameron was voted in as prime minister in the same House of Commons and through the same provisions under the constitution as were his predecessors. As in other parliamentary democracies, it is not uncommon for coalition parties to switch their support as dictated by pragmatism, something you think is now lacking in Britian.

Frederick Postlethwaite
Grimethorpe


Mark Herman: Brassed Off. United Kingdom 1996, 107 minutes.