Re: "Angry smoker apologises for slapping hotel staffer", (BP, Nov 24).
The case in which an industrial estate boss slapped a hotel employee after she told him not to smoke in the hotel's VIP room should serve as a warning for Thailand's rich and powerful not to misbehave or act childishly in public places.
In this day and age, whatever you do in public has a good chance of being recorded on video. And the video clip of any stupid acts by people can be sent to millions of viewers within a matter of seconds.
As for this industrial estate big boss, the embarrassment as a result of public condemnation for his moronic act will haunt him for the rest of his life.
Vint Chavala
Praise for key principal
Your special report, "Smashing the barriers", (BP, Nov 25), deserves kudos, both to the Bangkok Post writer, and to Mr Prasarn Sarawong, a former school principal of rare courage and intelligence.
In today's world, with everything having to follow political correctness, where a school principal owes his job, indeed his future to the whims of parents, the community, the Thai Ministry of Education, and more, Mr Prasarn took a chance and followed the old creed, that all kids are equal regardless of nationality, religion, or background.
Mr Prasarn deserves public recognition and an award for showing what can be achieved despite parental prejudice who did not want their precious offspring to mix with migrant children whose parents work hard to help improve their own lot as well as contribute to the Thai economy, probably working at jobs most Thais would not accept.
David James Wong
School scams rife
Re: "School probe on 'ghost' claims begins", (BP, Nov 26).
The probe should extend to more than just "ghost" students. Many schools get a budget to pay native English speaking teachers in the area of 30,000 baht per teacher. Instead, some schools hire either local teachers or non-native speakers, pay them 7,000 baht to 10,000 baht a month, and someone pockets the difference. We all know this is has been going on for years, except those in the Ministry of Education. They know little to nothing unless prodded to "probe".
Knowing Mango
Europe's 'rape capital'
Reported rape crimes committed against women in Sweden are approaching 1 per 1,000 population and have increased by about 35% in a decade. Malmo is known as the rape capital of Europe.
In a thoughtful letter, "Unite for gender equality", (PostBag, Nov 25), the Swedish ambassador expresses the characteristic sympathy of socialist democrats for victims of their policies. Calling their suffering heartbreaking and the culture of rape a global phenomenon, he suggests more men should attend demonstrations, support hashtags and engage in activism. Rape is not a "global phenomenon" as the ambassador would have readers infer, just look at Poland or Japan for example.
Dear Mr Ambassador, Middle Eastern men are raping your women like there is no tomorrow. Your government's socialist policies are responsible for it. There is no such thing as gender equality where rape is concerned. Look at the statistics. You call for less silence about reporting rape crime yet your government refuses to collect ethnicity data from rape victims, so I ask you who is keeping silent?
All the sympathy in the world does not equate to lowering the incidence of rape. While it's laudable to create a society where openness prevails, doing something about your government's self-created problem is the necessary course of action. And please, preach to us no longer upon this subject until your country has actually done something to mitigate it.
Michael Setter
Israel must probe abuse
The BBC World Service online news ran a short video about Israeli exploitation of Thai workers and the sordid, disgusting conditions they live in. Then I thought of the way many Thai employers abuse Cambodian and Myanmar migrant workers. Suddenly the shoe is on the other foot.
As a former kibbutz member, I can attest to the wonderful conditions my kibbutz provided for migrant Thais, and I have retained strong friendships with many of my friends both there and those who have returned to Thailand. A few bad apples do indeed spoil the basket, as the saying goes.
It is incumbent upon the Israeli government to fully investigate the abuses of not only Thai workers but all other migrant workers in Israel. Exploitation of slaves, free workers, etc is a no-no, made inherently clear the Old Testament.
Yankeleh
Contact: Bangkok Post Building
136 Na Ranong Road Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110
fax: +02 6164000 Email:
All letter writers must provide full name and address.
All published correspondence is subject to editing at our discretion.
