Thailand seems to be pushing ahead with promoting its e-commerce society.
No one has considered that many citizens, part of the ageing population that will eventually be the majority, do not have, or know how to use computers.
Most people today who have smartphones, the smart kids included, cannot use about 60-80% of what their mobiles are designed to do, not to mention the expense of running many online programs, (which their parents pay for).
The government should instead be hosting free workshops in many areas of the country to attract and educate the senior generation for an e-commerce economy.
Most people I know simply smile or laugh at the idea, and prefer to use cash instead. You can keep track of anyone who uses a card or computer for a transaction, but you cannot keep track easily of those who conduct their business in cash.
Hand to hand cash transactions still reign supreme, and will do so for a long time to come.
449900
Don't talk to terrorists
I find the US-Taliban talks (BP, March 5) very upsetting.
This is like a stab in the back for the memory and for the loved ones of 9/11 victims and also of all the other victims of Taliban terrorists throughout the years. Sad!
Hakan Tekin
Driven to destruction
Re: "Cardinal sin", (PostBag, March 2).
There is an almighty furore in Australia about the conviction of George Pell for child abuse. Someone said in defence of the priest: "I mean, why someone as prominent as him would do something like this? It doesn't make sense".
But, going back to basics, it does make sense. The driving force of all life is procreation.
Every man reading here understands this unrelenting need quite well.
The Catholic Church is an anachronism, its tenets are anachronistic, and it wasn't that long ago that the leg of a blasphemer was put into an iron boot or worse to force repentance.
According to Papal dictates at this time, the universe was circulating the Earth, how could it be anything else?
George Pell throughout his life was driven by the same strong instincts and desires as all of the male species. Oh yes, it makes quite good sense to me.
Nick Nicholson
Rose of despair
Few visitors to the The Rose of the North (and most residents in fact) realise that Chiang Mai's abattoir is just two minutes away from The Night Bazaar, major hotels and five minutes from Thapae Gate and Wat Phra Singh.
The sight of this place of death and misery (with the fresh meat stall almost next door) is abhorrent especially when convoys of trucks are seen transporting, cows, buffaloes and pigs making their distressing way through the city to meet their fate.
I am not totally vegetarian but I find this sickening, particularly having lived in this predominately Buddhist community for over two decades and where life, in any form, is considered sacred.
I realise that an abattoir is probably necessary but why situate it so centrally and so close to where the joyous community of locals and visitors celebrate the delights of the city and life itself.
The contrast is nauseating.
Chris Anderton
Contact: Bangkok Post Building
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