I read, with interest, David James Wong's ''Stop whining!'' (PostBag, April 24). It is an emotional, rather than a rational response that doesn't offer much of a solution to Thailand's problems.
That said, no country is perfect. The UK is great in many ways, but is suffering from self-inflicted wounds at the moment. Some North European countries are wonderful in many ways, but still have their problems. Canada is hard to beat, but also has its faults.
Thailand likes to tout itself internationally as a civilised, developed, democratic country with much to offer expats and tourists alike in terms of culture, facilities, lifestyle. If that is so, then I think it is reasonable that the country meet a ''minimal international standard of behaviour'', especially since it encourages people to come here and support the economy.
So let's be fair and list some good and bad things about Thailand.
Bad first: acceptance of corruption as an everyday occurrence and even ''respect'' for those in high office; ''middle-class'' posers who have either made or borrowed enough money to pretend to be hi-so and behave insufferably to those they consider inferior; a police force almost comically lazy, inept, and corrupt; air pollution, noise pollution and other nuisances such as uncontrolled dogs and their owners, illegal nightclubs, criminally decrepit vehicles, and smog; an almost complete disregard for the rule of law unless it suits someone to use it to extort or victimise; selfish parking; tourist scams supported by the police; and superficial Buddhism.
Finally, on the list of bad points, is an almost pathological inability on the part of many Thais to deal with criticism for fear of losing face, especially if the criticism is justified. Here, everything is always somebody else's fault and few can accept that they have made a mistake, apologise and try to improve.
Now, saving the best for last, the good: the King; the Sangha; the working class people of Thailand, many of whom either live in the countryside still or work in the cities out of economic necessity; the true Buddhists who still understand how to live decently, respecting themselves and others; generally, an excellent tourism industry and infrastructure; good transport, communication and health facilities, particularly in urban areas; wonderful temples and historical sites; beautiful countryside; excellent food, even when very cheap and basic; a robust economy; a genuine desire, among many Thais, to succeed so they can support their families; and a general sense of well-being.
If one lives here, owns property, pays taxes, contributes to the country, then one is entitled to try to improve things by offering both positive criticism and solutions, as many of your PostBag contributors do. That right does not belong only to Thais.
THOMAS SWORD
Thailand still the best
I agree with David James Wong in respect to the attitude of some expatriates. It is too easy to criticise when things go wrong, but easy to forget all the good things.
I lived in Thailand 10 years ago and come here now whenever my work allows. Not a day goes by when I do not wish I was living here again. The Thai smile is very real. The weather is good for my aching bones and the food is the best in the world.
We should not expect paradise in this world but for me, someone who has travelled to many places around the world, Thailand is the best.
ANDREW CARTWRIGHT
Undetected blunder
Re: ''Bomb detector faker faces jail,'' (BP, April 24). It is interesting to read that the British businessman who sold useless bomb detecting equipment to countries around the world has been convicted of fraud.
It was said that he paid bribes to some purchasers and that an Iraqi general is now in prison for corruption.
Didn't Thailand also buy these useless toys and when questions were raised about their effectiveness when soldiers were injured while using them, defend them?
Why is that, I wonder?
RON MARTIN
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