Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha should look into the case in which the Chiang Mai governor has threatened the editor of a Chiang Mai magazine with criminal charges -- for posting on Facebook a student's painting of ancient kings wearing pollution masks.
Most Chiang Mai people regard the editor in this case as one of our city's leading citizens. He has been fighting for the preservation of the city as a peaceful locality as well as a popular tourist attraction.
Chiang Mai governors are appointed by the central government. They come and go as per the government's command. Hence unavoidable misunderstandings and conflicts sometimes occur between the governor and locals.
The government should be reminded that governors are transitory; while we the people of the city are destined to die here -- along with our children and grandchildren.
With that said, the government should be careful not to allow the misunderstanding between the city governor and the local citizens to develop into a large-scale conflict.
Chavalit Wannawijitr
More misinformation
Re: "Trump fans flames", (PostBag, April 7).
I reiterate. Will Eric Bahrt please take a course in Modern Middle East History 101 and get his facts straight instead of constantly repeating his same, tired, tirades about Israel and the Palestinians over and over, and over again? The man is so misinformed, so emotional over the issue. Robin Grant is not lying at all. If you understood the issues based on fact, not emotional baggage, you might also "see the light".
It is a well documented fact that the Palestinian leadership refuses to negotiate with the Israelis, not the other way around.
Jack Gilead
Punish bus company
Re: "Woman killed, 12 hurt when bus plunges into ditch", (BP, April 6).
Regardless of the cause of crash, if only one driver was assigned for this long distance trip, the operator of the bus, Sombat Tour Co, must be heavily punished for violation of safe operation practice.
RH Suga
Lamphun
Trump 'not a stooge'
Re: "To Russia with love", (PostBag, April 7).
While Chavalit Wannawijitr is correct that President Trump hasn't been the loudest voice condemning Russia, this doesn't mean that he is a Russian stooge. I would suggest that Trump is following in the Theodore Roosevelt school of American strategy in dealing with Russia.
President Theodore Roosevelt was well-known for his foreign policy of "speak softly and carry a big stick." President Trump, I think, is trying to deal with Russia in the same manner.
Escalating the war of rhetoric with Russia would do little more than feed Putin's preferred narrative of Russian victimhood serving to increase his popularity in Russia.
Thus, Trump has been publicly muted in his criticism of Russia.
However, the Trump administration is wielding a big stick towards Russia.
There has been a significant buildup of US forces in Eastern Europe, Poland in particular, and the US recently signed a major arms deal with Poland which includes the Patriot anti-ballistic missile system.
The explicit purpose of this buildup is to counter Russia. Additionally, US forces killed more than 100 Russian soldiers in Syria in February of this year.
Jeff Gepner
Diet for success
Re: "Simple solution to obesity", (PostBag, April 8).
Hallelujah!
Eric Bahrt finally gets something right! Yes, the best way to avoid obesity is to limit sugar and white flour on your diet. Actually, the human body doesn't need carbohydrate and sugar at all. May I also add regular exercise too. Then you can eat anything you want: fruit, vegetables and lean meat and remain in good health.
Somsak Pola
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