A large stretch of road in Muang district of Prachin Buri was widened and resurfaced a few months ago, during the rainy season of course.
The inconvenience caused by the nearly three-month project, the four-inch piles of mud, motorcycle accidents, need not be mentioned.
However, two weeks after the project was completed, parts of the road surface began to seriously deteriorate, resulting in a pothole alley. Every few days a road crew would come to fill the potholes. The road resembled a patchwork quilt. Now a long section is being taken out and resurfaced once more.
The Office of the Prime Minister should investigate Prachin Buri's governor, mayor, the contractor, and anyone else connected with this asinine project. Nothing these days seems to last. Road repairs should last for years, unless someone's fingers were in the till from the beginning.
Roadrunner Mango
Muddled Myanmar
Re: "Fake news strikes again", (PostBag, Oct 29).
Following the logic of this article, all those Bengalis who entered Myanmar after 1824 were illegal immigrants and do not deserve to be treated humanely.
How is it possible to defend this horrible set of values that Myanmar people possess? Although only a long-term guest in the kingdom, I think I speak for most Thais when I say that its success is in no small way due to Thailand not treating all those arriving from China since 1824 in the same way.
Don McMahon
West not always best
Re: "Thai Groundhog Day", (PostBag, Oct 30).
Robin Grant is like many Westerners who think Western-style democracy is the only correct way. But Thailand has survived and kept its sovereignty intact by doing just the opposite. How often have the armed forces saved Thailand when the World Bank was almost at its doorstep?
No matter what Khun Kanit writes about the positive achievements of PM Prayut Chan-o-cha's government, unless Thailand apes a Western-style election, nothing will ever be good enough in some people's eyes. Could it be that the real reason Western countries seek an election in Thailand is that a corrupt government is much easier to manipulate? After all, has Thailand had one single democratically elected government that was not corrupt since it became a constitutional monarchy?
Clara Holzer
Royal respect
Reports about the royal cremation ceremonies in international media that employed some not-so-positive -- and several times, satirical -- words including "overshadow", "fear" and "draconian" make me wonder how insensitive and ignorant the media have become.
I won't take up space explaining what the late King has done for Thailand. I think few people would be able to detail all of his achievements. He did so much for this small country. What I want to know is why so many media, especially from so-called First World countries, reported from such negative angles.
Everyone is different. Only twins share the same DNA -- and even they behave differently. Moreover, people from different countries hold different beliefs. Haven't we been taught to respect and understand each other?
No matter how Thais mourn, the rest of the world can bear witness, and do so respectfully. No matter how much money Thailand spent on the occasion, surely that is Thailand's business. We have our own problems. So do you.
It would be better if you reflected on the problems in your own countries. Don't you have homeless people? Poverty? Orphans? Why do you still celebrate your national day? Shouldn't such events be cancelled and the money spent on those in need? Should all sports events be postponed until we can end poverty?
Sumaetin Saengtriratnukul
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