Re:"Govt faces down poll boss drama", (BP, Jan 29).
The Bangkok Post should conduct its own poll from subscribers for publication, several whom must be collectors of fine watches like myself. The only question you need to ask is "Would you loan one of your expensive time pieces to your best friend?"
As all watch collectors know, this is not normal practice and unheard of among collectors, let me be the first poll respondent with a "No". I will also bet one of my Patek Philippe's that Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon's friends who supposedly loaned him the watches are "fake friends," unlike the 25 time pieces he has been wearing.
Avid Watch Collector
Too proud to be fake
Re: "Maybe they're fakes", (PostBag, Jan 29).
Well, hardly. While Elizabeth Taylor wore fake diamonds while the real ones given to her by husband Richard Burton were in a safe, Liz did not have to prove anything. In Thailand, driving the most expensive car, wearing the most expensive jewellery, dressing in the latest fashion, makes a statement. It says, loud and clear, "I can afford it".
There is a vast difference between the Thai mentality about flaunting something, and that of others who do not have to show anything off to prove they achieved success. No, those watches are not Patpong market fakes. Even when I wear a fake Patpong Rolex, my friends all know it for what it is, as they know I could never afford the real thing. But then, I consider the real Rolex an ugly abomination and would not wear one should I be able to afford it. My 20-year-old titanium Seiko, ($175.00), works just fine. Best of all, I do not need to flaunt it to advertise any of my achievements, my status, or my income.
Ohpchoi
Kidneys first
Re: "New hope for kidney patients in rural areas", (BP, Jan 29).
It was heartening to read there is now a method to provide dialysis help at home for those with kidney disease. That is until I got to the part of the article which noted that "some critics say the state should not spend taxpayer money supporting a group of people who in their view are no longer productive".
These callous people should hope they or their loved ones never become sick and require state-aided medical treatment. Perhaps those cruel people would rather spend taxpayer money on more productive things such as Chinese submarines or high-speed railways to Nakorn Nowhere?
Martin R
Kind state of mind
Re: "Yearning for Thainess", (PostBag, Jan 29).
The Thai word metta can be translated as loving-kindness, an antidote to ill-will which prevents clinging to negative states of mind. I suggest that those government and academic types who would define "Thainess" use the term metta and nothing more. All that proud nationalistic explanatory rhetoric is only divisive, racist and xenophobic nonsense which does not serve anyone.
Michael Setter
Poll cash grab
Re: "Electoral college a menace", (PostBag, Jan 28).
Eric Bahrt pointed out the pitfalls of the electoral college in the United States when it comes to presidential elections. I'd like to point out the pitfalls in direct voting.
Most of my Thai friends have always been approached by candidates offering anywhere from 500 baht to 1,000 baht to "secure" their votes. Many have accepted the money, but voted as they pleased, or did not bother to vote at all. No, Mr Bahrt, our founding fathers knew what they were doing.
Until you come up with a better suggestion, the electoral college should remain precisely where it is.
David James Wong
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