PostBag A necessary step | Bangkok Post: opinion

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PostBag A necessary step

In your headline report of Sept 7 about doubts as to the effectiveness of the emergency rule applicable in some areas, the words of Lord Leverhulme ring in my ears. He said that he knew half of his advertising expenses were effective while the other half were a waste. The only problem was he didn't know which half.

Likewise, the emergency rule is necessary and yet could be superfluous in some areas. However, like advertising, it is better with it than without it.

SONGDEJ PRADITSMANONT

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Your comments

  • Jimbo

    Discussion 14 : 08/09/2010 at 10:43 PM14

    Bangkok Rebel - Discussion 6. I agree entirely with what you say here. It's way over due that Thailand cuts out this very insulting xenophobic nonsense. And the only way I can see that happening is for more people to rock a few boats.

  • dao

    Discussion 13 : 08/09/2010 at 08:37 PM13

    Anybody who thinks the country is run by the military can go to Burma and try writing a letter to the local newspaper and compare results .

  • Boy Cott

    Discussion 12 : 08/09/2010 at 02:04 PM12

    I work in the tourism industry and know pretty much all the scams in Thailand. Seeing those dozens of scammers outside Wat Phra Kaew, positioned every few metres, turns my stomach. I have even seen street vendors talking into hands-free mobiles to inform a scammer when a tourist is coming around the corner approaching the scammer's turf.

    I do believe that Wat Phra Kaew should be boycotted by tourists and tour agents to force the government into action. Sadly, sometimes I feel that the entire Thailand is such a scammers' paradise that the whole country should be boycotted.

  • Brian

    Discussion 11 : 08/09/2010 at 01:17 PM11

    Over a dozen years ub Thailand I have been to Wat Phra Kaew innumerable times. Nobody has ever stopped me, nor have I ever read any signs barring Farang, unless that's something new in the last year.

    As for Farang vandalizing, Discussion #1...bollocks!...Any time I've been in there Farang tourists in general have been quite respectful and acted no different than Thais.

  • Screaming Eagle

    Discussion 10 : 08/09/2010 at 01:12 PM10

    If K. Burin wants to find any police officers who are above suspicion he's going to need a bigger magnifying glass.

  • Barny

    Discussion 9 : 08/09/2010 at 12:09 PM9

    Bangkok Rebel, There a very few if any 'real domocratic governments' in the world.Gen Wesley Clark has said that the contracts for the Iraq war were being signed in 1998. When JFK signed an order for US troops to leave Vietnam in Oct 63, he was eliminated the following month. Nixon made the Pentagon angry by going to China, which resulted in the Watergate coup. Democracy american style.

  • Wombat

    Discussion 8 : 08/09/2010 at 12:02 PM8

    "If I were to be confronted with such a sign saying no foreigners allowed, I would show my level of cultural integration and act like a Thai when faced with notices in general, i.e. ignore it and proceed."
    Excellent; well said Stewart.

  • kasper

    Discussion 7 : 08/09/2010 at 10:37 AM7

    Regarding the Grand Palace scams, a standard tourist doesn't stand a chance. Last time I was there to show the temple to a few friends, of course the scam guides told me it was closed. We didn't listen, but instead proceeded to the entrance. At the entrance the armed guard told me in thai the scam guide was right, and didn't let me pass (we were properly dressed). Whether the guard is part of the scam or not I do not know, but he sure makes the scam look convincing, and I'd like to see a tourists who just ignores the guard as well and just passes.
    Seeing the temple was no big deal to us, and I have seen it several times anyway, but as with all other scams, it must add to the country's damaged image!

  • Bangkok Rebel

    Discussion 6 : 08/09/2010 at 09:19 AM6

    I read two articles about the Farang refused entry to a Wat ending with the same advice: Mai pen rai... 'Never mind, no problem, let it be'. It might sound sympathic, peaceful, but in my opinion its the key to many Thai problems. Not complaining, no discussion, no debate always means NO CHANGE. Sometimes a (strong) confrontation is needed to wake and shake up old habits which are not in line with the actual time we live in, morals or peoples needs. Improper refusal of access by monks should not be an exception...

  • Bangkok Rebel

    Discussion 5 : 08/09/2010 at 09:03 AM5

    For disc 4: Sorry, but the difference with real domocratic governments is that the Military does not back the government, but always obey to Government and chosen Parliament decisions. The 'subtle' but important difference is that the Western Military is submissive to a Goverment, whereas in Thailand the Government can only be in power with the permission of the Military... I would not call that a Democracy.

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