Re: "Rohingya beg for safe passage", (Online, Sept 18).
The report referring to the Rohingya is a very nauseating story indeed. The Myanmar Buddhists are acting like those insane lunatics who ran Nazi Germany. Have the Burmese so quickly forgotten their own oppression? I wonder if it is a psychological reaction to the oppressed now becoming the oppressors.
Shame on international Buddhist leaders for not speaking out, shame on the other nations and superpowers for remaining shtum. But then, these same nations were quiet during the same horrors perpetrated by the Nazis against minorities during the early days of World War II.
No one spoke out, it was not their business, it was an "internal" affair. The realities and horrors emerged only when the entire world became embroiled in a world war. Everyone paid at the end.
David James Wong
Let Thais decide
Re: "Blind in own cause", (PostBag, Sept 18).
Although we may disagree on some subjects, Robin Grant's letters are well written, his arguments make sense and he doesn't need to resort to insults at those who do not share his opinions.
Regarding his last paragraph -- "what sort of government best suits Thailand" -- I agree in principle as it should be the same in every country. Is it feasible? Even in the US, it doesn't look like Americans are satisfied with the Hobson's choice of candidates supplied by lobbyists and big bucks. It's the same in Thailand.
A few useless submarines and a little nepotism will not push the country to the brink of collapse, unlike when it was ruled by a madman in exile. Let's be patient until "real" elections take place.
Clara Holzer
Smokers pay, too
Re: "No thanks for smoking", (PostBag, Sept 18).
In reply to Andrew Stewart's letter, all his facts seem to be incorrect, i.e. "the cost of treating smoking-related diseases in the UK is enormous", he said. But the cost of treating non-smoking patients is also enormous.
He also said that: "It is only fair that smokers should contribute to those costs." But the tax on cigarettes in the UK is over 85% and has been high for over 10 years. So smokers contribute very high to the costs of health treatment.
He then seems to suggest that maybe state health services be withheld from smokers. But, for me, I think maybe it should be withheld from non-smokers as they contribute less than smokers. If he is going to report on smoking and health please get your facts straight. I am a non-smoker but regard fairness as paramount.
PFM
A teachers' guide
Last Friday, a teacher friend at the local high school called and asked if I would like to talk to a group of newly graduated Thai English-language teachers. Sure. We met last Sunday morning at a local coffee shop to talk. They were excited, but also apprehensive.
The first question: "What is the best method to use to teach English"? Having followed the PostBag controversy about us "fossils" being too old and out of touch with "new language teaching methods, I came prepared, with my old Teaching Methodologies 101 notes from the 1970s. I also emailed to my college alumni fraternity, Sigma Alpha Eta, the American national speech honour society, to see if my notes were still in use. Back came a response. Yes, this is still taught after all these years.
What I told these new teachers was there is no special or more up-to-date method on the books. There are many methods, but one should remember that not all methods suit all students. Pick any method, make up your own if necessary, and jump into the fray, remembering that nothing in any area of teaching is clear cut. What works for some students does not work for others.
And lastly, always be able to laugh at yourself, laugh with your students, but never laugh at them.
Jack Gilead
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