Re: "New role seen for police cadets", (BP, Nov 6).
While we all would agree that nepotism and corruption are issues that should be addressed in any nation's police reform efforts, Thailand's recent proposal to have academics "supervise" and "recruit" new police cadets should probably not get a passing grade.
As a foreign and internationally recognised research student, I feel compelled to highlight a critical shortcoming in the plan as was reported by the Post. It stems from the difference between theory and practice. Academics with law degrees may seem to have all the answers on paper, but they have repeatedly shown they know little of the realities lurking outside their air-conditioned lecture halls.
I ask you, how often have these academics been in a foot chase? Have they ever arrested anyone? Have they ever been shot at? Have they ever stepped outside their Mercedes Benz and even set foot in so much as one of Bangkok's slums?
The Royal Thai Police have hard lives out in the hot and smog-filled sois of Bangkok. The last thing that any of them need is some privileged, 24-year-old so-called "scholar" from a hi-so university barking out theoretical solutions to real-world problems. Arcane book knowledge and practical street smarts are not the same.
Jason A Jellison
Lead by example
Re: "Refuse your pension, get a medal", (BP, Nov 8).
The junta has kindly allowed old folks to relinquish their meagre monthly "handout", so money will go to those who desperately need it. I think it's the best idea since the rice cooker.
But it's better if you retired generals and civil servants who are holding political positions, or sitting on state enterprise boards, or hanging on to sinecure jobs, give up your salaries too, since you're already getting pensions from your previous jobs. Any volunteers? Prime Minister Prayut? Deputy Premier Prawit? I see no hands. You lead by example, sirs.
Somsak Pola
Samut Prakan
Down with exorcists
Re: "Disease, not malevolent ghosts, killed villagers", (BP, Nov 7).
A recent death from leptospirosis and the involvement of ghostbusters in Kalasin illuminates two of Thailand's major shortcomings.
Fearing the death was caused by malevolent spirits, villagers raised 45,880 baht to pay for an exorcism. How unfortunate the government has been unable to educate these villagers and employ measures prior to the flood season to protect them from infectious disease outbreaks.
The fact that doctors were told to respect villagers' superstitions in this case is tantamount to classifying Kalasin an aboriginal territory inhabited by tribes untouched by civilisation. Education and public healthcare are in dire need of radical reform, as if this wasn't already obvious.
Michael Setter
Stay out of Vienna
Re: "Bad Vienna memories", (PostBag, Nov 7).
I wonder if Yankeleh realises that the people of Vienna today are not the people of Vienna in the 1940s, just the same as the people of Japan today are not the same as the people of Japan in the 1940s?
As an American born in the 1930s, I can well remember what it was like being raised in America during the 1940s, and believe me, the people of today in America are nothing like the American people of the 1940s. Yes, Yankeleh, stay out of Vienna.
I'm quite sure they can get along very well without you.
Charlie Brown
Aspirin blues
For the past couple of years years, I have been unable to locate any aspirin in Bangkok.
This puzzles me. I have seen some claims online that they can be found in the provinces, and others saying it is illegal.
Other painkillers are ineffective for me, especially when tackling headaches.
It seems ironic that a drug considered generally harmless but with many positive medical uses cannot be found yet I can buy drugs generally restricted to prescription-only in other countries selling over the counter here.
Brian Greenhalgh
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