Re: ``Free rides extended another 6 months'' (BP, April 1).
The stupidity of this mobile cabinet meeting is mind-boggling. Extending the limited free train and bus services is aimed at alleviating hardships from the rising cost of living. If the government did something positive to stop the continued increase in the cost of living instead, that would prove more beneficial.
Limited free public transportation is beneficial only to those who use it, not to the rest of the population who live out of reach of the free train and bus routes.
This is another example of a knee-jerk policy for a quick fix and a grab at retaining popularity. It won't work forever. Our children and grandchildren will pay for this stupidity in the future.
LOBZIG
Respect a two-way street
Voranai Vanijaka (Sunday Forum, March 31) writes that people who believe in Western-style democracy need to show respect to those who staunchly support the lese majeste law and try to reason with them. Is he joking?
How can you reason with people who think you should be thrown in jail for disagreeing with them? If you say anything "offensive" to them, they may have you arrested.
Didn't Thai PBS attempt to have an open debate on the lese majeste law recently? Just look how some people reacted to that.
I come from a country where people can have heated arguments about politics and religion and still remain the best of friends.
In the United States, I had friends who were right-wing Republicans and others who were left-wing Marxists. How can I relate to someone who would not only put me in jail for disagreeing with him, but if I died there would say I got what I deserved?
Mr Voranai, isn't respect and tolerance a two-way street?
ERIC BAHRT
Road horrors all year
Re: "Songkran exodus will again bring misery" (Opinion, March 31).
Once again our attention is drawn to the dangers on the roads in this country, and while statistics clearly show that the problem is exacerbated during the Songkran festival, it is an ongoing and severe problem.
There are several basic ways in which this can be tackled, most important of which is for the Royal Thai Police to properly enforce speed limits, particularly in built-up areas.
First, speed limit signs should be placed on roads so drivers will be reminded of the law, as is the case in most countries.
Second, police officers should be equipped with radar guns and other devices to check speeds and take appropriate action against offenders, namely a fine and an endorsement of their driving licence which, again, is the custom in most countries.
During my time living in Thailand, I have seen countless instances of not just bad but downright dangerous driving, the main culprits being bus and minivan drivers. I soon resolved never to use these modes of transport and feel very sorry for those who have no other choice.
A final thought about Songkran _ it is wise to keep the windows of your vehicle closed, as one of the correspondents here learned to his near-fatal cost (``Songkran danger'', PostBag, April 1).
TONY BINGLEY
Surely you jest?
In his letter "Songkran danger" (PostBag, April 1), Ken Albertsen correctly points out the dangers of driving during Songkran.
However, he said he was driving his pickup with three young girls in the seat next to him, which in itself suggests great danger.
A pickup usually has only one seat next to the driver for one passenger and seat belts for a total of two persons.
I hope Ken was only having his own April Fools' Day joke.
MARTIN R
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