I read with dismay Prof Michael Herzfeld's article, ''Pom Mahakan eviction would be a calamitous loss'' (Opinion, Sept 27).
Once again, it would appear, there is still a contingent in the BMA clinging to those modernist notions of urban planning calling for the removal of people to make the city beautiful. It's a destructive approach which continues to hold sway in some dusty corners of the planning profession.
Over the years, the Pom Mahakan (Mahakan Fort) community has itself proven to be adept at community planning, coming up with alternative solutions to eviction which have met the approval of previous Bangkok authorities and the acclaim of scholars and planners around the world. Along with my KMUTT architecture students, I have learnt much from this community and will always be grateful for their inspiration.
I am sure there are those in the BMA who are equally inspired to argue in support of the community's plan. Their fresh voices will be heard along with a growing international chorus.
GRAEME BRISTOL
Executive Director,
Centre for Architecture & Human Rights
Nature has last laugh
Re: ''PM orders floodwater drainage'' (BP, Sept 30). One quick question: How can the PM or her Pheu Thai experts order flood drainage when they promised last year there weren't going to be any floods this year?
It just proves a point. You can't promise anything that has to do with nature, because you just don't know what nature is going to produce.
CHARLIE BROWN
Pattaya
Canal pipe dreams
If Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi was to ask the residents of Prachin Buri, he might be surprised to learn that this is not the first time they have experienced floods.
Now he wants to dig a canal at a cost of 3 billion baht. He might also be surprised to learn that this will necessitate an environmental impact assessment, land acquisition, and many other time-consuming hurdles.
Perhaps Mr Plodprasop might consider attending a refresher course in planning. It might save the lives of some of those Thais for whom he cares so much.
MICHAEL SETTER
Jewellery hub beckons
It's high time the government and fiscal policy-makers realise the real potential of this country's great infrastructure investments, and capitalise on it.
Thailand can be a huge gems and jewellery manufacturing base to cater to the world jewellery market.
If only the government and lawmakers take a non-partisan stance on this issue and remove obstacles such as VAT and import duties, manufacturers from all over the world would be more than happy to have their production bases located here along with their distribution centres.
Based on my experience of more than 25 years in the gems and jewellery business, I am sure it would benefit local traders, not hurt them.
HEMANT DESAI
Wind the clock forward
The photograph of the ''punctual'' clocks being handed to the Chaipattana Foundation by the Science and Technology Ministry (BP, Oct 2) has me mystified and bemused. The caption reads that the ''clocks are designed to deliver great precision in keeping to standard Thai time''.
What possible purpose could that serve in this country?
We all know that ''Thai time'' is anything from 15 to 30 minutes later than real time.
DAVID BROWN
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