In my 30-plus years in Thailand, it has become quite obvious that corruption in its various forms has had a disastrous effect on the country through the failure of its institutions. Look up the effect of corruption on Google and immediately you will find that politicians, police and the judiciary are the institutions named as most affected. I have watched with disbelief as politicians, wealthy individuals and military leaders have broken laws, engaged in illegal activities and even caused deaths without any repercussions for their actions.
Early in my time here there was awful illegal logging that necessitated the use of huge trucks and the movement of massive amounts of timber but alas, the culprits could not be found. Land designed for occupation by landless farmers has found its way to rich businessmen, other wealthy and connected people have been found to have properties in national parks. One prominent ex-prime minister was obviously guilty of hiding his assets but amazingly found not guilty. The Tak Bai incident which resulted in some 85 deaths, a disaster for both government and military, passed without any fault or blame being pronounced in much the same way that over 2,000 deaths were said to have occurred in a drug war. Similarly, armed occupations of various parts of Bangkok over the years was allowed because both sides had allies in power willing to turn a blind eye.
Almost all the political problems I've witnessed here have been avoidable if the powers that should be dragging offenders into court had been doing their job properly. Presently we have "independent" institutions that are not and leaders who were rewarded for what should be the serious offence of removing a government. Nepotism, in a most awful form, is the new corruption that just like all the others needs removing before Thailand has any chance of becoming a democratic nation.
Lungstib
Sexism in politics
It's 2019 but for Thai women and their careers, specifically in the Thai parliament, it is still about the looks and not the achievements!
The line of attack on Future Forward Party spokesperson Pannika Wanich about her clothes, as widely reported in Thai-language media earlier this week, is not incidental. For centuries, the politics of dress has been manipulated to create national and gender identities in order to legitimise hierarchies of power and personal political identities in our country. But to use the politics of dress as a political weapon and condemnation of disloyalty, in order to plant seeds of hatred and mistrust against opposing views, symbolises immoral authority and power control, a black hole at the very heart of Thai democracy!
To the current MPs or Senate women out there, for decades, the price of political power has been the scrutiny and vilification of women's bodies and wardrobes. It is your duty to see an end to such objectification and abuse. Let women -- young, modern, and forward-thinking -- be judged for what they do!
Sudarat Tanattanawin
Immigrants unheard
I trust Somsak Pola's June 7 letter, "Immigration earful", suggesting expats form a legitimate entity to support the Palang Pracharath Party and PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and thereby hopefully secure favourable immigration benefits, is not meant to be taken seriously. As an expat observer of Thailand's politics, it seems to me that there is little need for support from the expat community as both the PPRP and the prime minister have succeeded in gaining all the necessary support required to run the country. It should also be said that any assistance from the government in relation to smoothing the path for immigration would make little difference because, as most expats are aware, immigration makes up its own rules.
Brian M Corrigan
Bangkok
An expat lobby?
Somsak Pola may be tired of reading expat letters of complaint, but, expats are tired of reading Somsak Pola's comments as well. The shoe fits both ways.
However, Mr Somsak does contribute a valuable comment. Expats should indeed have a strong organisation which might lobby, help financially troubled expats, provide legal services, and more. A candidate in the Senate would be welcome too, and, as long as we support the new prime minister, I'm sure he would support expats. He perhaps might even recognise the need for immigration reform. But, alas, it will never happen. So Mr Somsak, you have a few options. Stop reading expats' complaints, or, put up and shut up. It's that simple.
Simple Simon Expat
Retirement rules
Re: "Immigration blues", (PostBag, June 6).
There are many reasons why some expats are quitting. Falling exchange rates plus rising domestic inflation are likely on the list. Bar owners in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are moaning just like Eric Bahrt's business friend.
On retirement extensions, the "magic" 800,000 baht has been unchanged for almost 15 years. The new feature is that applicants must leave a cash bond -- for five months the full amount and for seven months just half -- in their account all year round.
Local discretion in interpreting government rules is not an immigration monopoly. The procedure for applying for a Thai driving license or for a house registration book varies enormously according to where you live. Try to keep calm folks!
Barry Kenyon
Saving planet Earth
US Democratic and presidential candidate Joe Biden said recently, "Science tells us that how we act, or fail to act, in the next 12 years will determine the very livability of our planet."
Both he and candidate Elizabeth Warren want to spend trillions of dollars on "fixing" the Earth's problems with man.
Twelve years, they say with grave sincerity, as they dream of reaching into our pockets. I am left wondering how it is that politicians and scientists so easily imagine themselves to be in a senior position to the Earth, mankind and God?
Michael Setter
Lottery chicanery
I've been punting GLO lottery since the day I started trying my luck 10 years ago. I have seen lottery tickets selling from a high of B120/ticket to a low now of B80/ticket. Of late, during the last two draws, a new tactic has been applied to get more profits from unsuspecting punters.
The scam is clipping two tickets of the same number together to sell as a set (huay kru) for 200 baht, meaning 100 baht per ticket. You cannot find any ticket selling for B80 as all have been paired for sale as huay kru. It is good investigation material for the Investigative Report Department.
Patrick Neo
Brexit no catastrophe
Re: "Blame it on Brexit", (PostBag, June 6).
Once again the remain voters in the UK 2016 referendum find another bogus excuse to deny a democratic decision with a huge voter majority. It was the biggest since the EC-UK referendum in 1975 when the British public was hoodwinked into remaining in what we were told was an "Economic Free Trade Zone", not this expansionist, bureaucratic semi-dictatorship we now endure.
The start of the 18% drop in the pound as the 2016 referendum results came in has been proved to be caused by algorithm controlled overnight computer trading systems, and was halted only when humans regained control.
Since then the pound has fluctuated by around 5% over three years, which is about average. The UK itself continues to thrive despite what the Guardian, Mirror and Evening Standard print.
Ask any financial expert and they will tell you the Thai baht is overvalued. Looking on the bright side, those expats who are now seriously considering moving elsewhere for their retirement will cash in on the reverse exchange rate. A case of quid pro quo, pun intended.
I am eagerly awaiting the first report that blames climate change on Brexit!
Firemen Sam
Practical footwear
Re "Heels of discomfort," (PostBag, June 7).
If the Japanese Labour Minister was a woman instead of a man, would she also have deemed high heels practical and necessary for women at work?
Jack Gilead
Not 'the real thing'
Dear Coca-Cola Thailand,
As a lifelong Coca-Cola connoisseur, I must address my grievance with Thailand's new regular Coke formula (Not Diet, Coke Lite, Zero, etc). Reducing the amount of sugar by adding artificial sweetener (I presume it's xylitol or stevia) has resulted in an aftertaste that is reminiscent of a regrettable intimate act, orally.
If I wanted to subject myself to a second-rate carbonated libation, I would drink Pepsi or EST (new brand started by former Thai Pepsi bottler). Or one of your diet products.
In short, your regular Coke (Thai edition), with less sugar, gave me a splitting headache.
No thanks and no regards
Colour casting
Re "Blackface light", (Life, June 7).
The introduction to Thailand of the ridiculous controversies over colour casting is nothing but intellectual blackface, imitating African-American identity politics while being Thai. Who exactly is wearing a (metaphorical) frizzy wig or gesturing like an African-American?
What next? Calls for banning black, or white, khon masks? Protest Thai blues, jazz or rap musicians? Boycott Thai performers playing Shakespeare plays or singing Italian opera?
Baffled Reader
'Beaten off'
The headline of the front-page story in June 6 paper sure has me beat.
Where I come from, being "beaten off" is something best done in private, if at all.
R Debacluer
Bangkok
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