Re: "Death wish", (PostBag, Jan 2).
The use of many "ordinary" drugs when driving is dangerous and not confined to alcohol. The famous "do not operate heavy machinery" label should include bicycles, motorcycles of all types and sizes, cars, vans, minibuses, buses, coaches and all trucks from four wheels to a dozen or more.
Also being high on meth or skunk weed is as dangerous as being drunk on lao khao or Chivas Regal.
The fact that the laws of the land are not enforced consistently by the the "boys in brown" is why people flout the rules, not a lack of education. It would help though if people stopped believing in superstition and that an amulet or two can keep them safe.
Laws are meant to be enforced every day, not just at the two main public holidays, or when funds are low towards the end of the month. Thailand's roads will remain a dangerous place to be until the police start to do their work properly, and not treat it like a business.
Fireman Sam
Protect the people
Re: "Death wish", (PostBag, Jan 2).
I agree with Jack Gilead that if people choose to be alcoholics it's their own fault. The problem is that alcoholics sometimes drive cars or engage in violence when intoxicated.
And that raises the question of what the responsibilities of bartenders or liquor store owners are when it comes to selling alcohol to those who seem intoxicated. It's not about protecting the alcoholic, it's about protecting us.
Eric Bahrt
Scathing response
Re: "Netflix pulls comedy show that irked Saudi crown prince", (BP, Jan 3).
It is understandable why Saudi authorities so strongly believe the adage "ignorance is bliss" that they have made up cybercrime laws to achieve that desired state of unknowing for their kingdom.
Unhappily, international information sources, Netflix among them, are legally obliged to serve the self-serving Saudi rulers in keeping captive citizens more ignorant of Saudi affairs than foreigners and expatriate Saudis not subject to the same ignorance-enforcing censorship, which is the only kind of censorship there ever is.
Whenever there is censorship, the telling question is always: Who wants whom to be kept in ignorance of what facts, and why?
The international response to the latest developments has honestly been as scathing as the Saudi kingdom's rule of law so richly deserves.
Felix Qui
Vital role of diplomacy
Re: "The biggest security threats in 2019", (Opinion, Jan 2).
There is no doubt that 2019 will be critical for all 193 United Nations (UN) member states for serious reasons. Dealing with global and regional threats and challenges is a fundamental task of both bilateral and multilateral diplomacy.
This obvious truth inspired the world organisation to adopt on Dec 12, 2018 a resolution submitted by a great number of countries, including Thailand, by which it agreed the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace should be celebrated every year, starting on April 24, 2019.
Unfortunately, this significant decision was ignored by mass media.
This is in spite of the fact that it invites all member states, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organisations and individuals, to observe this day in an appropriate manner and disseminate the advantages of multilateralism and diplomacy for peace, including through educational and public awareness-raising activities.
Let's hope that some positive events in 2019 and the preparation of this celebration will contribute to restoring people's confidence in the vital role of diplomacy in the defence of peace as the supreme value of humanity.
Ioan Voicu
First gripe of the year
I must commend the authorities for cleaning up the Nawamin 68 Road junction. Black and white kerbs were painted, and flower boxes were placed along the pavement. It's a pity that the boxes block most of the zebra crossing, which wasn't painted.
But then it doesn't matter. It's only used by motorcyclists getting ready to jump the lights anyway.
Some things don't change. First gripe of the year. Happy New Year.
Ron Martin
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