Re: "Law is an ass when dealing with the elite", (Opinion, March 9).
Well, there is a saying which perfectly captures the essence of Thai law enforcement agencies: "Show me the man and I'll show you the law". This expression refers to the reality of law enforcement where the agencies are often persuaded not by the evidence before them but by personal considerations.
It is the same for some other countries in Asean where the establishment has created an environment or a culture where if they want to nail a person, it is fairly guaranteed that they will find some violation of some law to pin some person down. Usually, that person in Thailand has no money, no connections and no power; he could be a mushroom picker, a peasant or innocent migrant worker.
In particular, the regimes in the region are very fond of using the law to punish its opponents. Thailand has become a cheerleader of such laws. Hence, there is no equality before the law. Consequently, there is no law, or deterrence of any kind, especially for the elite.
There is a law in Hawaii, USA, which forbids people from putting coins in one's ears. Just guess where the coins or cash will go in Thailand? There is no secret after Victoria's Secret?
Kuldeep Nagi
Keep devil you know
Khun Chavalit in his March 9 letter, "Bring in young blood", with reference to younger politicians replacing those already fossilised anachronisms currently ruling the roost is interesting.
However, those who caused abdication of the absolute monarchy in 1932 were themselves young bloods, the so-called Young Turks.
What has since followed, to date, were youngsters leading rebellions, the army taking over by coup, falling, more young bloods taking over, and today we are in the sorry mess we are in because young bloods, while energetic and all fired up, have no plans, no platforms, and live on their idealism to establish a democracy.
It was similar in Castro's Cuba, starting out with zeal, almost a religious fervour, which resulted in a dictatorship which lasted for more than 50 years.
The closest thing to a young blood was Abhisit Vejjajiva. He is now no longer young, and his blood must be flowing a lot more slowly. Still, a younger group of politicians with a planned vision would indeed be helpful. Who knows? It may yet happen. They might be successful, or not, and they may be followed by yet another coup.
Actually, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has brought stability, is trying his best to rid Thailand of corruption, no one has attempted to burn down Bangkok once more, and most of the population is either happy with the status quo, or happy to be uninvolved.
In either case, it is always better to follow the old proverb, "It is better to dance with the devil you know". I'm for Gen Prayut to stick around for a long time.
Jack Gilead
Who's a baddy?
Khun Chavalit (PostBag, March 8) says "bad politicians" should be banned from running for office. But who decides who are the bad politicians? The junta, which seems to define a bad politician as anyone who disagrees with them?
What Khun Chavalit and perhaps most Thais don't understand is that in a democracy only the people get to make that choice. And if they make the wrong choice you have to live with it. But in Thailand, red shirts, the Democrats and the junta all believe they're the good guys and thus everyone else is bad. Do the Thais really want democracy or do they want to continue to have one coup after another which ultimately never brings about good results?
Eric Bahrt
No time for THAI
Re: "Thai switches 2 planes", (BP, March 8).
Your readership may be interested, but hardly surprised, at the subplot of this story. On arrival at the airport last night, there was absolute chaos in the Business Class check-in area as THAI staff bumped numerous passengers with confirmed seats, including myself, off the TG910 flight to London. I was informed that it was the same situation the night before. I almost felt sorry for the check-in staff who had to deal with this bedlam. Of course, the issue is that no prior warning had been given to passengers that they would lose their confirmed seats -- only that the plane would be changed. While various other travel options, such as a flight via Europe or the daytime flight the next day were offered, this hardly compensates for missed business meetings and the additional, and much unwanted, stress involved.
If THAI's management cannot understand the importance of honest and open communication with its customers, no one can be surprised at the economic mess in which the national airline now finds itself.
Paul Bromberg
Elderly abuse on rise
Re: "Government help sought to protect elderly", (BP, March 7).
Elderly abuse is an under reported issue. Older people often do not want to talk about their family affairs and older Thais are no exception. So it is great that the Foundation of Thai Gerontology Research and Development Institute (TGRI) conducted a study and disseminated findings, which will be useful for strengthening systems and public awareness. One of the points suggested for preventing elderly abuse is having a guardian to protect the older person, with a family member mentioned as the best option.
The family is indeed the most important source of protection for older persons. We also need to be cautious, however, because elderly abuse most often occurs at home and the vast majority of abusers are family members (about two-thirds are adult children or spouses). One of the risks that leads to abuse is the pressure of providing care, especially for those with dementia and mental problems. We should therefore ensure that family members receive the support they need to cope with the burden of providing care.
Usa Khiewror
dProgramme Advisor, HelpAge International, Asia Pacific
Whither the weather?
Could you please inform me where the Thailand weather charts have gone to?
Those who live in northern Thailand especially Chiang Mai are suffering from the worst smog for years. The elderly and children are having difficulty breathing. The Chiang Mai cough can be heard all round the area. Eyes are watering and they feel gritty.
Where are the rain-making planes?
We want to know the quality of air pollution in towns round Thailand so we can assess measures that we could take.
An elderly suffer
Praise for Customs
There has been a lot of criticism of the new Thai Customs notification about declaring personal effects being exported. This criticism is unfair and is based on a misunderstanding of the reasons. All countries have rules about declaring hand-carried imported goods, and the basic threshold of value before a declaration is required on entry into Thailand is higher than in many other countries, including the UK and the USA. By declaring the goods at export, customs duties can be waived when the goods are re-imported into Thailand.
I know of a businessman arriving in the UK from Canada that had his work laptop seized by UK Customs and Excise (as was) and he had to pay a fine to get it restored. Asian families returning to the UK with wedding jewellery routinely have it seized if they go through the Green Channel. I am sure if these events had happened in Thailand, the complaints would have been long and loud. Instead of criticising this notification, Thai Customs should be congratulated for raising awareness of this issue and having a policy to help travellers.
Paul Sumner
A word on warnings
Regarding road deaths during Songkran and the campaign, may I offer a suggestion? In the UK, every year, there is a massive campaign regarding drink-driving. There are smaller campaigns for some bank/national holidays.
Here are the stats: In the UK, the number of 1,730 road related deaths per year = 4.7 per day while Christmas/ New Year period of 12 deaths during 11 days = 1.1 per day. A police friend says without constant annual warnings, the deaths would be much worse. However, if you have campaigns all year round, they lose there impact. Draw your own conclusions!
Motoguzzibob
Conserving crabs
I was pleased to learn about the government's policy for crab banks for pou ma for conservation reasons as well as boosting the fishermen's income (BP, March 7). I believe the policy does not go far enough to conserve the crab as long as female crabs are allowed to be caught. As mentioned in the article, only about 1% of crab eggs survive the natural process to become adult crabs. I suggest a policy to prohibit catching and marketing female crabs as being done in the USA where female blue crabs (Callinectus sapidus) along the East Coast of the USA are not allowed to be caught. For info, male crabs are bigger in size and have more meat for consumption.
The situation is even more critical for mud crabs or pou talay as it is a common practice among many Thais to consume crab eggs. As a result, mud crabs become so scarce that the price is around 1,000 baht/kg as most of the bigger size being marketed have to be imported from Myanmar.
As a crab lover, I request the government to issue a policy in prohibiting catching and marketing female pou ma and pou talay so we and our children will have plenty of crabs in the near future at an affordable price.
Paisan Loaharanu
What's Merkel up to?
Re: "Nationalists draw flak for Syria trip", (BP, March 9).
There are allegations that some AfD members have "ties to ... foreign governments considered hostile to Germany ... such as Russia". What excellent investigative journalism. I would suggest that Angela Merkel be also investigated as she has ties with Mr Putin and often speaks to him by phone.
Guena
A poem for wildlife
Somewhere in dark jungles, innocent fauna is preyed upon
Silhouetted miscreants predate the innocent without pity
The cracks of gunshots sound heavy and pithy
Dead nature is looked upon with hatred and scorn
Human nature today has turned victimising and cold
The death of a wild animal is pleasure's play tool
Man the rational is indeed a poor fool
To tear down nature which is a part of him from old
Turn not your eyes away in shameless neglect
From nature's blood marked on the killer's forehead
For though corruption's greed marks civility's death
Nature and wildlife our sustenance proves
If this reflection your human kindness moves
Support preservation of wildlife for humankind's fuller wealth
Glen CHATELIER
Dogs a disease menace
I live in Bangkok and my Thai neighbours let their dogs run loose. They lack the common sense the good lord gave them. Dog poops are everywhere. Walking to 7/11 isn't pleasant because of the dogs. I have asked a few Thais if they have had their dogs vaccinated against heartworms, and found out they don't. Do they realise people die from rabies?
MR P
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