Re: "Asian airlines to fly in more tourists", (BP, Nov 10).
The government's rightfully alarmed at the drop in tourists, with October 2018 figures being down 14.89% year-on-year and down 11.77% since this August. But we're not scratching where it itches, nor is the junta attacking the root causes of the plunge.
In July 2018, a tourist boat laden with Chinese tourists sank in Phuket, drowning 47 Chinese. We have the deadliest roads in the world, killing more tourists (and Thais). Our two-hour immigration lines are legendary. This year, the AOT forecast 51-minute arrivals at Suvarnabhumi, well above its capacity of 45 minutes. No wonder foreigners think twice before coming here.
The government seeking to bring in more tourists by increasing low-cost carrier flights or reducing visa-on-arrival fees are just short-term band-aids that will increase our overcrowding. I don't understand why the AOT cannot solve long immigration lines. But, years ago, it took me several days to renew my passport at the Passport Office at Bang Na, compared to 12 minutes last year: the difference was that the whole process has been outsourced. We need to apply the same kind of creativity to AOT's problems.
Our government must cease its mai pen rai attitude towards safety. Recently, a bus full of tourists was filmed overtaking another vehicle on a blind curve at a high speed, terrifying passengers and making national news. The cops fined the driver a mere 5,000 baht; there was no jail sentence, and no penalty for his employer. He should have been jailed and had his licence suspended for six months -- and his employer put on notice that a second offence by any of their drivers would result in the firm's licence being suspended for several months.
Let's make Thailand a more attractive, safer place for our foreign guests -- and ourselves.
Burin Kantabutra
Dreaming of gondolas
Re: "City to revive 'Venice of the East'", (BP, Nov 11).
What once was, will never be restored, regardless of all attempts. With no forethought, no planning, other than monetary real estate greed, all those fabulous canals were filled in a long time ago. What's left is but a fragment of the once "Venice of the East" trying to restore what was could never happen. The few boats plying the canals at the moment is like reproducing Disneyland on a small scale inside a big city. Pity.
The same claim can be made for the elevated train lines. Rather than State Railway of Thailand -articulated-style trams running through a sunny city, those big, grey, ugly pillars and those multi-storied stations were erected, to block out the sun, trap polluted air, and decrease traffic lanes.
Constructing more underground subways would have been perhaps more expensive, but better in the long run. What more could a "world class city", or one that makes a claim to be, want? More canals? More, bigger, glitzier shopping malls, a bigger airport? An indoor ski slope? Perhaps an indoor rice field with grazing buffalo to attract tourists? Anything is possible in Bangkok, as welcome as a cancerous tumours.
The only thing Bangkok and Venice share in common are the occasional floods, and, both cities are sinking. I look forward to the day when we all own gondolas.
Aqua Alta
Trump hits new low
Re: "Not my president", (Letters, Nov 11).
I fully share Barry Wallace's disgust at the conduct of Donald Trump, especially his playground-style bullying of journalists. Given that "no question is a stupid a one", I was shocked to hear him deriding a White House journalist the other day with the statement, "What a stupid question!" How low can this president go with his intimidating, demeaning, and insulting attacks on people who are only performing their jobs?
Mr Trump speaks of the need for reporters to demonstrate dignity toward the office of the president, but he is the one who is disrespecting the office with his atrocious and appalling behaviour.
Samanea Saman
'Foreign' Thai food
Re: "Food for thought", (Sanook, Nov 11),
Andrew Biggs' examples of foreign fruits and vegetables that Thais have so openly embraced barely scratches the surface.
Yes, chillies are a prime example.
But what is called the Great Colombian Exchange also gave Thailand (and the rest of the Old World) tomatoes, and what would somtam be without them?
David Brown
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