Re: "Boost young boxers' safety", (Opinion, Nov 16).
With all due respect to the dead youngster there is no such thing as safe boxing.
Any blow to the head is dangerous as is now being found out in American football. Protective headgear is irrelevant; the damage caused by blows to the head are whiplash injuries, caused by the brain impacting the cranium. It is possible to scramble an egg without breaking the shell with vigorous enough shaking. This is what is happening when there is any violent blow to the head causing rapid movement.
The only way to box safely is to outlaw any blows above the shoulder.
Keith Bromley
Honest thoughts
Re: "Suthep's chicanery", (PostBag, Nov 14).
Felix Qui's insight is refreshingly honest and correct with regard (with respect is not the right phrase) to Suthep Thaugsuban's true self.
Kudos to you, Mr Qui!
Now, if you have not already done so, could you kindly write your thoughts to PostBag about Gen Prayut's political practices, his watchman and his said-to-be upcoming election.
Tom Banker
Biblical lessons
Re: "Christmas circus", (PostBag, Nov 16).
Like many who oppose the joyous celebration of the birth of that still troublesome Jew named Jesus, Huubie Lowlands seems sincerely offended by all the good cheer of the hams, the tinsel, the turkey, the lights, the duck, the carols, the rich puddings, cakes and other joyful deliciousness of the season -- a trifle curmudgeonly.
And there are more important lessons for Thais to learn from the life and death, especially the death, of that political radical and arch-criminal who was lawfully crucified for his subversive speech crimes against the Judeo-Roman status quo of ancient Judea. He is a fitting reminder of what happens to those who willfully speak opinions that offend the selfless leaders of society. Jesus, like other radical truth seekers and speakers through the ages, from Socrates onward, was put to death in strict accord with the rule of law that he had knowingly broken. As such, he obviously deserved what he got. Similarly, we are regularly reminded that today's trouble makers get exactly what they deserve according to the rule of law made up by Thailand's selfless oligarchy, who are every bit on a par with the Jewish leaders working so selflessly with the glory of Rome to keep their society peaceful, unified and free of corruption. These are important lessons that Thais need to learn annually -- the rule of law protecting them must be obeyed, or else.
Such annual lessons in respectful prostration before the legal authority of their betters cannot be begun too early. Nor can it be unfitting, as the cheerful shopping malls -- our modern temples to the joyful life -- remind us to show proper seasonal respect by giving the odd luxury watch or other modest symbol of respect to those nobly bearing the burden of enforcing the law against upstart criminals, whether of the youthful Jesus type or of the more aged likes of Socrates.
Felix Qui
Excuses to celebrate
Re: "Christmas circus", (PostBag, Nov 16).
As expected yearly, there will always be complaints from expatriates about major shopping malls in Bangkok commercialising the festive period of Christmas, which in Thailand goes on for two months. Coincidentally, the famous London's Regent Street Light was officially turned on this Nov 15 by Dr Who's Jodie Whittaker. For me, this was the street which forever stayed in my memory as a representation of how a human being would feel in heaven. Thai malls have not achieved that level yet.
Although Thailand is a Buddhist country, the celebrations on Christmas and New Year's Day have never been disrespectful, but rather serve more as forms of admiration of Christianity (though loud by Western standards). Telling us to celebrate the Thai way only is not the Thai way.
Thais always find any excuse to celebrate, even on Valentine's Day, and the latest in fashion is Halloween. Yet, they don't even understand the meaning of that day. Thanksgiving is not on the agenda yet. For me, this is the most important day because it recognises immigration from Europe to North America, without which we would not have the likes of President Donald Trump and the United States of America.
Songdej Praditsmanont
Solar burdens
Re: "B Grimm chief advises caution for renewable energy", (Business, Nov 14).
I agree with Khun Harald Link that the unreliable methods of electric power production like solar panels and wind turbines, which connect with public grid, create financial burdens for other power users -- especially the poorer ones.
Users who have solar panels on their roofs pay one half of their electricity bills, but the half they are saving includes "electricity backup expenses", which are shouldered by others. If the cost is not shouldered by the one who creates it, that means the expenses are either shared with all electricity users, or subsidised with taxpayers' money. It's time for energy regulators to push the cost of "electricity backup expenses" to the one who uses the energy.
James Debentures
Regulation is possible
Re: "Logging speeders", (PostBag, Nov 15).
Barry Wallace raises some interesting options. It is possible to track driving speeds, but only on certain roads and under certain conditions. In Canada, upon entering a freeway, the entry ticket stamps the time of entry automatically, as in Thailand. At the exit, the ticket, when inserted into the machine, not only prints the amount of the toll, but also the time of exit. If the entry time and exit time do not match the posted speed limit, those little bells go off, the barrier does not rise, and a nice policeman comes out of the barracks to write a speeding ticket.
Everything is possible, but one needs the technology in place and the will to enforce it. In rural areas, a police plane flies over the roadways, and if vehicles pass specific road markers such as large diamonds or chevrons painted on the tarmac, the car is radioed to a local police cruiser waiting at a convenient spot to stop and ticket the speeder.
Jack Gilead
Take it slow
Re: "Logging speeders", (PostBag, Nov 15).
Barry Wallace's idea is good. But dream on, Mr Wallace. Forget all Western ideas, and enjoy the many great things this wonderful country, and its people, have to offer you.
Take a look at the roads and statistics, too. Be careful!
Safe driving to one and all. Keep smiling.
Life in the slow lane
Fare hikes won't help
Re: "The meter is ticking", (Opinion, Nov 14).
I fully agree that a fare increase will not succeed in making recalcitrant, surly taxi drivers turn a new page: you reward good behaviour, not in hope of it. If being ill-mannered and refusing to take passengers to destinations inconvenient for the driver results in getting a fare boost, then to get more money all the drivers have to do is give even worse service. Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, please think again.
I have no problem with modest fare rises for the larger taxis, and those certified by the Ministry of Transport as meeting the ministry's Taxi OK standards. Fare increases to the others should be only when they join the Taxi OK programme -- and pass regular tests to ensure they maintain those levels of service.
The ministry's mission is to provide safe, convenient, affordable transport to consumers -- not to protect rogue taxi drivers. Thus, the ministry should encourage ride-hailing services like Grab and Lyft to service us, including protecting their drivers against rogue taxi drivers who illegally threaten violence against ride-hailing competitors. Also, I don't see why the ministry has been unable to deal decisively with taxi drivers who chronically prey on tourists, especially at airports.
Reward the many honest men and women who strive to achieve the ministry's mission -- whether drivers of regular taxis or owners of ride-hailing cars -- and crack down on crooks.
Burin Kantabutra
Bye to island resorts
Although people are focusing on the cabs in Bangkok, there is more to be addressed in the resort areas. You have 300,000 tonnes of garbage in Lamai on Samui. You have young children riding fast motorbikes without helmets, sometimes three on one bike. Vans are speeding, with tourists scared to death. What happened to the coconut trees that you were not supposed to build above? No wonder you have severe flooding. There are many more islands with similar problems. If Thailand does not wake up, bye bye to all these resorts.
Froggie
Destroying democracy
We keep receiving warnings that if there is an election in Thailand, billionaires will use their money to influence the results. In every country in the world, people with money and power have more influence than the rest of us. But is that a reason to destroy democracy and give all the power to those who have the guns, the tanks and, may I add, the luxury watches?
It's not acceptable that expats who come from countries where they enjoy freedom and democracy would deny it to the Thais, who they believe are too stupid to be allowed to choose their own leaders and determine their own destinies.
Eric Bahrt
Skyline safety
Regarding the latest mantra from Government House as to the importance of safety and security, not only for tourists but all those living in Thailand, there is a hotel on Thapraya Road in Jomtien that is approximately 30 to 35 storeys high. The building does not appear to have any red warning lights at its highest points during hours of darkness, which I believe is mandatory.
Only a few lights from occupied condos are visible at night. Calls to Pattaya City Hall about the situation do not seem to result in any concern from the management of the building. Perhaps someone with authority might read this column and stir some response before some aircraft or recreational pilot runs into the building at night.
CONCERNED MIKE C
Bizarre fire drills
I was witness to something that turned out to be possibly the most bizarre thing I have seen in Thailand, and I've seen plenty. The annual fire drill was recently held at our condo buildings. A fire engine, ambulance, firemen and volunteers enacted a simulated emergency as the alarm bells continued to ring.
At the assembly point between the buildings, all the action was accompanied by a commentary that boomed above the noise of the alarms and sirens. Only around 20 adults attended in a room complex with a capacity for 900 or more people, despite the electricity being turned off internally.
At the end of the 15-minute lecture, the MC starting handing out big, clear plastic bags and demonstrating how to put them over your head. So if the fire and smoke don't kill you it is still possible to die by asphyxiation.
Fireman Sam
No big deal
Re: "Japan cybersecurity minister admits never used computer", (Online, Nov 15).
Fabulous! So what? My high school fencing coach never handled a foil in his life, yet Morris High in the Bronx went on to win many fencing championships, even sending one team member to the US Olympic fencing team.
I knew a driving instructor who never drove, yet his students were never involved in accidents, and a great chef who never was formally schooled in "cookery". Today, many generals could direct a battle from a computer terminal but not know how to fire a gun. No big deal, folks.
One can bet the Japanese minister who has never operated a computer is a lot saner and stress-free than the rest of us, and will probably live longer too.
President Ronald Reagan once said that if you surround yourself with capable people, you don't have to be overly concerned about many things. He was absolutely right.
What's the big deal with not knowing all about high tech? Many techies don't understand much of it themselves. They just try to convince us they do.
General Golani
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.
