I read the Aug 28 editorial, "Injustice on display", about the arrest of Myanmar volunteer teachers with sadness.
I am a retired English teacher and I would love to teach disadvantaged Thai and Myanmar children English here for free, but I would require a work permit, which is expensive and, anyway, unobtainable if one is on a retirement visa. So, rather than risk arrest, I do not.
The Thai Foreign Employment Act 2008 ridiculously and vaguely defines work as anything involving "mental or physical effort, whether paid or unpaid". That means a foreigner could be arrested for jamming on a guitar in a bar, working for Rotary for the benefit of Thais, or even helping your best Thai friend move house.
Thailand is missing out on a huge resource -- the goodwill and expertise of many foreigners living here who would love to do charitable work for a country they love, but without fear of arrest. Amend this definition of work, and many things will become possible.
Andy Phillips
Soi sorry about this
Bob Kneale, "BMA is vigilant", was misinformed. Sukhumvit Soi 13 was only a one-way soi. Fifty years ago the footpath was on the other side of the street only. Then the BMA expanded the soi to two lanes. When they expanded, they removed the footpath in order to have the two lanes. The other sois like this are Sukhumvit sois 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, all of which also don't have footpaths.
Many years ago, the Ambassador Hotel sold land to the Trendy Building and the owners made a sidewalk only in front of the complex at that time. BMA inspectors are in the area daily to be sure there is no encroachment on the two lane soi. Every centimetre of the building is on a chanote land title deed which means it is fully and legally surveyed, and is not on government land. Same as every building on Sukhumvit soi 13. I hope this clears up any misconceptions you may have had.
Greg Lange
Co-owner Margarita Storm
A lesson from Kipling
Re: "Dusit Zoo puzzle", (PostBag, Aug 29).
Jame Bon asks pertinent questions about the relocation of Dusit Zoo, although I wonder if the writer is being disingenuous. In any event, it would probably be a good idea in this matter if he, and indeed all of us, were to follow the advice of a mother to her little daughter as set out in Rudyard Kipling's delightful poem A Smuggler's Song:
Five and twenty ponies, Trotting through the dark Brandy for the Parson, 'Baccy for the Clerk. Them that asks no questions isn't told a lie Watch the wall my darling while the Gentlemen go by!
Robin Grant
Trump's petty politics
Re: "Role model McCain," (PostBag, August 29).
It's not just that Donald Trump missed an opportunity to show leadership in paying respect to Senator John McCain, as Khun Chavalit points out. It speaks volumes about his character that he is incapable of rising above petty politics and "me-ism" to join the nation and the world in honouring a true hero. McCain was flawed -- as we all are -- but he distinguished himself by his integrity, dedication, and honour. All things Mr Trump lacks.
Mr Trump would be wise to take note of the flood of praise rightfully being bestowed on McCain and maybe give some thought to his own legacy. Perhaps he should contemplate what people will remark upon his own passing when that time comes.
Samanea Saman
Ridding the rubbish
Re: "The ecologist within", (BP, Aug 28).
Recently a TV programme recommended an apparatus called a Gross Pollutant Trap which clears rubbish including cigarette butts from drains. Considering the state of Bangkok's drainage systems such a piece of equipment may return the beauty and save the klongs, rivers and oceans of Thailand and protect many species. Perhaps authorities can research further information on this device and improve our environment.
Margaret Jamieson
Red light for tourists
In the interests of the city's image and tourism, red-light areas should be clearly defined. People can then know which areas they wish to book hotels in and stay near. Most couples and families do not want to stay in red-light locations. The red-light area between Nana and Ploenchit is one example of what is not pleasant for many tourists and is not why we want to come to Bangkok.
Stuart Davie
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