Re: "Prayut slams 'unrealistic' poll pledges", (BP, Jan 15).
I fully back PM Prayut in his warning for voters to beware of campaign policies which are "unrealistic and impossible", and not to listen to those who "caused damage to the country".
To test which party planks are the most feasible, I suggest that Thai public TV televise a series of round-robin, face-to-face debates between the four parties with the most members, each debate centring on a key area needing reform, eg, decentralisation, education, the economy, police/military, fighting corruption, or promoting reconciliation. The debate could be on "We agree that the Democrat Party's plan to reform the police/military is superior to that of the Pracharath Party". The winner would be the side getting the most swing votes.
Each team could have two people, including its prime minister candidate (who would be essential, as they would lead reform efforts). The moderator would be neutral and forceful, keeping participants on-topic and ensuring that they didn't evade valid questions. The studio audience could include neutral academics or practitioners whom the moderator might call upon for insights.
Burin Kantabutra
Show, no substance
Re: "Why Thailand will stay in Third World", (Opinion, Jan 16).
As clear as an election lie by dictator politicians is the pre-eminent reason why Thailand has remained socially and politically third world for too many decades. The common element that threads through Thailand's decades of corruptly wasted resources to weave the ugly tapestry of retarded social and political evolution is not the civil politicians, but the regularly repeated interference by self-serving dictator politicians.
It is the dictator politicians who have, decade after decade, set the example of violence as a solution to problems as they obsess with vainglorious show over substance, which is reflected in the failure of Thai education, where mindless uniformity trumps academic ability, with critical thinking, especially about Thai history, society and political issues, being actively demonised.
Felix Qui
Bitter pill to swallow
I was asked to pay 50 baht per a specific tablet in a private hospital in Bangkok. The doctor of course prescribed 50 tablets. I declined as this was an over-the-counter common drug. I found it in local pharmacies for 6 baht per tablet, and in my local government hospital for one baht per tablet. I don't mind being occasionally overcharged (fleeced is more appropriate) as I'm quite used to it. I wonder if those Thais in the pharmacy waiting area ever questioned what they were paying for their medication. I'm not stupid enough to let myself be taken to the cleaners each time I seek medical help. The old expression, the cure can be worse than the problem, comes to mind.
Almost Fleeced Mango
Love, not sleaze
The mood in Thailand for we who once loved it is changing and that is a sad thing. Thailand has become less friendly and less gentle. There is a clashing of cultures when one stays in hotels and a clashing of ways and why people visit Thailand. The sleaze is now in too many parts and brings tourists for the wrong reasons and lets the best parts down. The red light zones areas should be clearly published on maps and by hotels when making travel plans so one can avoid such areas.
I so hope Thailand can look back a little at what made it such a delight to visit.
Stuart
Numbers game works
To decrease pollution in Bangkok, we could rotate cars during the week based on the last number of the licence plate: Monday: 1 and 2 Tuesday: 3 and 4 Wednesday: 5 and 6 Thursday: 7 and 8 Friday: 9 and 0
We do in Brazil's Sao Paulo, and it works very well.
Cyro Sa
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.
