PostBag Soldiers not evident

PostBag

Published: 9/09/2010 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

I have just returned from a 24-hour trip to Bangkok. From reports in the Bangkok Post I had expected to see groups of soldiers on street corners with guns at the ready.

But although I walked from Chidlom through to Pantip Plaza and back through Ratchaprasong, I didn't see a single soldier. Even during my subsequent extensive taxi ride to Lat Phrao and back to Sai Tai Mai (southern bus terminal) to return to my paradise, I saw nothing.

Perhaps the reports are exaggerated?

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Your comments

siamgoody

Discussion 8 : 09/09/2010 at 10:50 PM8
As a person closely in touch with teenage violence, I can say with authority and confidence that it is ONLY the fear element that can keep these youngsters from doing violent acts. NOTHING else will get them to be disciplined. So sending them down south might not be the best idea, but it has a flavor of a solution.
Wombat

Discussion 7 : 09/09/2010 at 12:15 PM7
Khun Burin,
He's been sent down south to investigate the schools closure, so his comments on that will be anticipated with great interest; if they are forth-coming! I suspect he's had his lips sealed.
john p

Discussion 6 : 09/09/2010 at 11:50 AM6
Re Police standing in dangerous locations.

I don't know how many times I have seen police standing on the division lanes of two or three lane carriageways to pull in traffic. This is utterly stupid when cars are zooming passed at 60 or 80km/hr (the lawful speed limit)
thong

Discussion 5 : 09/09/2010 at 10:09 AM5
The school boys were just taking examples from the social divide.
Ghosts

Discussion 4 : 09/09/2010 at 09:35 AM4
Hua Hin Paul - This is Thailand - the soldiers are probably "ghost soldiers" who exist only on paper and the army is collecting extra salaries from the government daily to line somebodies pockets.
Eric

Discussion 3 : 09/09/2010 at 07:55 AM3
violent students sent to violent areas....perfect training ground for more violence. After days of being in a violent area, be back to a home or environment that's also full of violence. Good idea from an education minister. What's next? buy them guns?
Lucky

Discussion 2 : 09/09/2010 at 07:43 AM2
Zero tolerance for these students. Jail time for the worst and army boot camp for the others.
Punish the school directors, teacher and parents too.
An Alien

Discussion 1 : 09/09/2010 at 04:07 AM1
Burin's comments are right on target, but right is not always good though, some school just make money and produce low grade student. Bad behavior student should be punished and should be accountable for their bad conducted behavior. May be close down permanently to set president once and for all, so other schools will set stricter standard and improve overall phases of educations.

PostBag Soldiers not evident | Bangkok Post: opinion