8th Memorial of Fr. Ray Brennan

Editor;

Five o’clock today as I wake up, I think back eight years ago at the exact time when Pat, the orphaned adult who stayed at the hospital with Fr. Ray called to tell me that Father Ray was no longer with us. I remember it like it was yesterday, and I remember the sadness of everyone. The young toddlers did not understand, and as many tears were shed, the children just carried on playing and laughing. I am sure Father Ray would have approved - no matter how sad we are, life goes on.

Those of us who had the chance to know Father Ray are better for it. Nothing we can do can change that he is no longer with us, but every day we see his legacy, his children, his students and we should all be thankful that he was part of our lives.

Thank all of you for continue supporting the work our beloved Father Ray Brennan had founded.
Truly yours,
Toy

Proposed underpass

Editor;

I would like to comment on our illustrious ‘City Fathers’ / Planners for their proposal to tunnel under the intersection of Sukhumvit & Central Pattaya Road. Water flows downhill! If they cannot solve the flooding problem(s), refer to past issues of the Pattaya Mail, 2nd Road, as well as other well traveled roads and Sois, how do they propose to keep this proposed tunnel free of water and passable?

In Laem Chabang, the ‘City Fathers’ / Planners there are building overpasses to help alleviate traffic congestion. Is this not a better solution?
Robert De Angel

The Deep South

Editor;

Relevant facts and background information will hopefully clarify inaccurate misconceptions and promote better understanding of the troubled restiveness in Pattani, Narathiwat, Yala and some districts of Songkla. More than 90 percent of Thailand’s 65 million people are Buddhists and many within the country’s Muslim minority have long complained of biased discrimination, especially regarding wronged uncivil rights and equal opportunity jobs. Thai Muslims residing in the deep South share close similarities to Malays across the border in religion, culture, dress, food and language. Romanized Yawi or Pattani Malay is an indigenous dialect of Bahasa Malay, normally written using the Latin alphabet and called Rumi, although a modified Arabic script called Jawi also exists.

The new generation of village-based militant extremists, often referring to themselves as freedom fighters or “pejuang,” has been attempting to divide society along ethnic and religious fault lines by playing on wary mistrust between Buddhists and Muslims. According to Human Rights Watch, insecurity and safety fears, including attacks on teachers and torching of schools by separatist insurgents, have terrorized and intimidated the local populace and prevented children from enjoying their constitutionally guaranteed civil rights to quality education. During the past eight years, violent attacks have increased in frequency, resulting in 4,455 orphaned children and 2,295 widowed mothers.

Tainted by past scandalous crackdown abuses, Draconian emergency decrees, extrajudicial killings and heavy-fisted human rights violations, feeble attempts have been made to institute progressive policy reforms in order to help make the predominantly small, rural community schools safer, while also offering increased protections for dedicated teachers who remain steadfast in their unwavering commitment to maximizing individualized child-focused learning opportunities for each and every student entrusted to their compassionate, resolute guidance. Local administrative bodies should be given increased autonomy and authority to determine what works best for their village populace. Curriculum reform which demonstrates respect for the Rumi language and dignity for Muslim traditions is long overdue, hopefully leading to a fair-minded locally negotiated settlement rather than a Bangkok-centric imposed military solution.

Mindful cool hearts offer gracious thanks, extend utmost admiration and provide moral support for the untiring efforts of the highly regarded educators, generous volunteers and hard-working security providers, aimed at enabling fast-forward momentum progress toward meeting 3 R’s: Respect for tolerant multiversity; Recognition of ethical core family values; and Reconciliation based on peaceful non-violent coexistence.
Dr. Charles Frederickson

8th Memorial of Fr. Ray Brennan

Proposed underpass

The Deep South