Re: "Servant soldiers 'consent' to chores", (BP, Oct 30).
The annual military announcement clearly states that the conscripts are drafted "to serve the nation", not the generals.
The current regime must correct this ongoing inhumane practice and return "the servant soldiers" to their rightful military services.
To continue this shameful practice is a black mark on the regime and an insult to the dignity of the Thai people.
CK
Comparing bad apples
Re: "'Plight' before coup was worse", (PostBag, Oct 29).
Tony Ash seeks to play down the incarceration of people who fall foul of the current government by trying to draw some sort of comparison with the deaths resulting from Thaksin Shinawatra's infamous drugs "crackdown". But, as the old saying goes, two wrongs don't make a right.
Thaksin's policy gained wide support at the time from across the political spectrum and from powerful and influential people, although in the end the needless loss of life achieved nothing -- soon after the "crackdown" ended, drugs were just as available as ever they were, and remain so. Let's hope that the current curtailment of freedom of expression, when it is eventually relaxed, will have a more positive and lasting outcome.
Robin Grant
Welfare cards need fix
Re: "Model probed on welfare fraud rap", (BP, Oct 31).
There may be other fraudulent cases given the fact that the scheme was implemented in a very short time with simple application procedures. The authorities need to re-examine all cardholders' data to wipe out the non-eligible elements. Such process requires enormous efforts as there are so many cardholders.
RH Suga
Poor have no friends
In his Oct 31 letter, "Elite don't give a hoot", Eric Bahrt hits the nail on the head when he asks why the elitists did nothing to improve the poor's lot. But who among these so called elitists are capable, or even care about the poor? Perhaps they consider making offerings to the Lord Buddha is sufficient to show their compassion. Even if some do rise to become the super elite and become a member of a political party it has been shown to be only for their own financial benefit.
Ron Martin
Alive in our hearts
The show of unity at the cremation of King Rama IX has shown the world Thai people's immense love for the late King. In her Nov 1 commentary, "Confusion over colours clouds future", Khun Atiya says that things will never be the same and implies, in her usual pessimistic tone, that it will be for the worse.
I beg to differ. I believe that King Bhumibol is still very much alive in the hearts of those millions of people, including myself, and by following his advice, such as sustainable agriculture and economy, Thailand's welfare, if allowed to do so, will improve.
Clara Holzer
Show must go on
I recently went to watch the 14:10 showing of Breathe at Scala, only to be told, 10 minutes before the showing, that it had been cancelled. Only one ticket, to yours truly, had been sold. I do appreciate the commercial folly of showing a movie in a large cinema to one person, and I did get a refund.
However, it was still 10 minutes before the showing was due to start, and I have yet to attend a movie in Thailand were people did not turn up several minutes into the performance. Notwithstanding that, to cancel a showing seems extremely short-sighted.
I usually go to the Scala and or Lido, two or three times a month, choosing, as I am sure many do, to support an independent cinema of the multiplexes. However, following this experience I will be much less inclined to do so.
David Walpole
Hotel bill too steep
As for the demolition of illegal construction of the Aetas Hotel in Soi Ruamrudee (BP, Nov 1), I hope I'm wrong in understanding that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will face a 200-million-baht expense.
A taxpayer
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