POSTBAG
I refer to the article entitled "Preserve the Integrity of Preah Vihear" (Perspective, 29 June 2008).
In the 4th paragraph of the third column on Page 8, the author quoted me as saying that "the temple in ancient times was serving the indigenous communities on the eastern side (now in Thailand) and not on the west as distortedly pointed out in Cambodian documents."
I am happy that the author appreciates the concept of integrity. And indeed authenticity and integrity are two important elements which contribute to the universal value of a place to be nominated as a World Heritage site.
However, I am sorry to say that the author might have been confused about the orientation of the temple of Preah Vihear, which is north-south. If you look at the map as appeared in your article, you will see that the temple faces north, that is towards the Thai side, in which naturally lies the geographical and cultural landscape significant to the temple which is an 11th century Hindu temple, such as streams running from the southern watersheds feeding into ponds and finally the Moon River in the lower northern area, as well as traces of ancient setlements whose inhabitants must have been the communities worshipping and looking after the temple.
From this northern area, there is a grand staircase of 162 steps, which is obviously the main entrance to the temple, starting from the large stone base presently in Thai territory and leading up to the higher levels of temple architectural structures in the south now on the Cambodian side.
The southern plain 500 metres down below and the east-west orientation forming the major cultural landscape were found by Thai and some independent international scholars to be a rather unlikely concept, introduced in the recent management reports prepared by some international experts engaged by Cambodia, who might not have access to archaeological survey reports from the Thai side, and therefore neglected the significance and the structural relevance of the northern landscape altogether.
The Preah Vihear issue is a complex and sensitive one. Any small but incorrect information will not only mislead the public but may also aggravate the situation.
SAVITRI SUWANSATHIT
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Test teachers for pronunciation too
In your Guest Column of 29 June 2008, the Ministry of Education's new requirements for foreign teachers to gain a Thai teacher's licence were presented. Courses and tests were mentioned, but unfortunately the most important category was missing - the teacher's fluency, accuracy and accent in using English.
Having taught English in Thailand for over 13 years, I know how some Scottish, Irish, Australian and American accents are difficult not only for Thai students to understand, but also for other native English speaking teachers.
I would recommend the MoE institute an interview procedure for all English speaking teachers to determine if they can be understood. This interview should also apply to Thai teachers teaching English to avoid Roue-see-ah (Russia) or Academy Fan -tay-see-ah (Fantasia). Even the simple suh-ports (sports) or suh-mart (smart) should be avoided.
Most of our Thai students are good imitators and will repeat back the incorrect pronunciation because that is the way the teacher said it.
Some Thai schools have begun to qualify the types of teachers they will consider for their students - no Australians, southern Americans, etc - so their students will hear understandable and unaccented speech.
So MoE, increase your standards for all teachers of English so students can hear and learn the correct pronuciation and fluency.
AJARN M
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Risk comes with territory
A letter from the USA (June 29, 2008) describes the sad pain, suffering, and outrage of an American patient who had sought out unregulated stem cell therapy in Thailand. Yet, Americans who voluntarily leave their regulated land to seek alternative treatment in Mexico and elsewhere surely assume a degree of regulation risk every time they do so; and that risk leaves little room for laying blame after the fact on the unregulated market that they themselves had sought out.
CHA-AM JAMAL
Cha-am
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Greed behind short supply
It seems that a rarely mentioned component of the rising price of petrol is that there are about 30% fewer refineries than 20 years ago.
Squeezing supply in this manner is greed, plain and simple, and is allowed by corporatistic politicians all over the world that could care less about anything other than money.
They know alternative free energy is coming, this is all about squeezing the last possible profits out of an outdated industry.
Why anyone is still enriching them by driving inefficient cars is beyond me.
Meanwhile, the energy crisis will continue as long as corporations (mandated by law to care for nothing but the bottom line) are allowed speculative trade in what should be publicly owned commodities.
MUSTAVA MOND
Phuket
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Mail system must be fixed
As much as the authorities claim the mail system here is reliable, it is as bad as you can get. Here's why I make such a statement. I mailed a total of nine packages to the USA in the last six months from Hua Hin. Three boxed packages weighing 2.5 kilos each, were sent by "slow boat" and six identical envelopes in weight and size were sent 1st class mail with two days of each other in May.
To my amazement as of June 30, only three of the nine packages sent have been delivered. Only one of the three sent "by ship" got through which I had mailed in January and only two of the six first class packages were delivered. Those two arrived in only two weeks when they were sent early last month. All six packages should have reached their destination about the same time.
You might ask the value of the packages? Contents of each of the three by boat were less than 800 baht and cost twice as much of the contents' value to send. These were items you'd find in the souvenir shops around town. The other six? One shirt at less than 200 baht inside each envelope and cost about the same to send. So the value inside of the packages is not an issue here. The fact that six packages out of nine sent didn't make delivery is the real issue.
There was no "contraband" or anything subject to customs rejection. The addresses were correct and very clear to read, with a clear "return address" stated. So why weren't the packages returned if they could not be delivered?
But the important question here is, "Why weren't all these packages delivered in the first place?"
The Thai mail authorities have publicly warned foreign visitors about sending valuables via their mail system. So why don't they fix the problem?
JERRY HOLIDAY
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PoW not presidential qualification
It seems that the US is absolutely desperate for a hero, not just a comic book movie one. In the Global Viewpoint column of 22 June 2008, General Wesley Clark very respectfully questioned whether John McCain's capture as a PoW qualified him to be commander-in-chief.
It is a very legitimate question.
In what way does losing one's aircraft to enemy fire, being captured, and not escaping make one a hero?
Of course it is very noble to risk one's life for his country in time of war. Gen Clark made a big fuss about that, and so carefully worded his questioning of McCain's qualifications, not his service or sacrifice. But I take issue with the constant refrains of McCain the "war hero", and so wrapped up in the American flag no one is allowed to question his ability, qualification, or the nature of his military experience. He should not run for president if he can't take the scrutiny.
If McCain can question Obama's lack of experience, then McCain's experience can be examined as well.
RONALD MURDOCK
Loei Province
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