Re: "How to rescue Thailand economy", (Opinion, July 1).
After reading the distinguished writer's article in Wednesday's paper, I couldn't help but think that the two writers, who are researchers at the Thailand Development Research Institute, were suggesting we throw everything out and start all over again.
It sounded extremely complicated, unrealistic and wishful thinking; the changes they proposed seemed only remotely possible. Strangest of all was a picture of a street vendor that had nothing to do with the essence of their article.
Jerry Feldman
Sore loser
Re: "The last dance? Joint pain for queen Serena", (Sport, July 1).
We have two tennis players: one is perhaps the greatest woman player ever, and the other is so nervous that she forgot to warm up. Which is better?
Maya Joint managed to beat Serena Williams fairly easily in the match and presented herself well at the after-match press conference, whereas Serena skipped the conference.
Being a champion is a privilege and a responsibility, and sometimes you need to know when to back out honourably.
Dennis Fitzgerald
Check out Copilot
Re: "True problems", (PostBag, June 30).
True Vision's service issues continue to be reported in PostBag, and customers are left without clear information.
I recommend viewers probe Microsoft Copilot, which can provide neutral but revealing guidance.
Lionel Biers
Property woes
Re: "Leasing a way out", (PostBag, June 25) & "Crackdown targets use of Thai proxies", (Business, March 25).
Khun Songdej Praditsmanont's letter raises the option of extending a 30-year property lease by a further 30 years. My understanding is that this is likely to be problematic.
Firstly, the courts have made it clear that any structure designed to extend a lease beyond 30 years is illegal. A deal can be made as a promise to issue a further lease, but it is likely to become void upon the death of either party.
What would the consideration be to acquire this extension? If it is not market value, then perhaps it could be considered part of the original transaction.
A foreigner could theoretically own the building and not the land, but he would need a servitude to access it.
While lawyers can always structure a contract to achieve the desired outcome, the court has made it clear that leases cannot be made for more than 30 years, and any structure that circumvents this is vulnerable to legal challenges.
To reiterate, a 90-year lease, where the land reverts to the government upon expiry, would satisfy the needs of buyers and sellers and provide certainty for investors in Thailand.
Phil Cox
Codified racism
Re: "Govt claims right to target critics outside its borders", (World, June 25).
This initiative is a well-planned "Cultural Revolution", enforceable by the army, aimed at Sinicising ethnic minorities and silencing independent overseas Chinese.
Indeed, the arrest of Min Zin, a Chiang Mai-based scholar who is a US citizen, is promoted as a "legitimate, lawful, necessary and feasible provision".
In contrast, the Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, adopted on March 12 by the Central Committee, has been criticised by legal scholars and foreign countries for codifying systemic racism, forced assimilation and the erasure of minority cultures, in violation of the UN Charter.
Hans Van Willenswaard
