Re: “Enforce booze rules”, (PostBag, Dec 9): I endorse the sentiments of Dr AF Engelkes that we should put the focus on drink drivers rather than regulating sales of alcohol, which is impractical.
Authorities may be able to monitor liquor sales at big outlets like Tesco Lotus and Big C, but it is impossible for them to keep an eye on the tens of thousands of small stores throughout Thailand.
In my small village alone there are six small shops, and I know that any one of them will sell me alcohol regardless of the time of day or any ban that is legislated.
It makes more sense for police to go all out with breathalyser units on the nation’s highways and byways during the particularly dangerous periods of New Year and Songkran.
That might actually achieve something by saving some lives.
David Brown
Graft isn't OK, kids
Between September and October, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) surveyed 1,255 Thai university students concerning their attitudes toward corruption, revealing that 62.8% of them believe it is normal to use personal connections to achieve their goals, and 68.1% of them would pay a bribe to get ahead.
I would suggest that so long as this attitude persists among young people who are unfazed by graft, there is little prospect of success for the present campaign to eradicate corruption in Thailand.
It would appear that it is a habit so ingrained in the Thai psyche that it will take generations to eliminate.
Edward B Duhigg
Beyond a doubt?
Re: "Quest for Brits’ justice", (PostBag, Dec 8)
The parents of the two tourists murdered on Koh Tao don’t want justice. They want vengeance. Let’s see how the entire scenario plays out. There is just too much doubt.
Thailand does not have trial by jury, only trial by judges.
Judges can be pressured; jurors usually cannot be reached once they are sequestered. I’m sure there are enough doubts about this case that if a judge said, "beyond a shadow of doubt” or “if there is any doubt”, in his instructions to the jurors, the two Myanmar men would be freed.
David James Wong
Cell phone zombies
The mobile devices have already killed any conversation and even human contact and behaviour. Now they increasingly contribute to the demise of humankind.
Steven Hawking does not need to tell us that so many people have become zombies enslaved by machines. By now they are already walking dead!
Well said, Jack Gilead (PostBag, Dec 7). No sympathy from me either.
Isan Proofreader, not a zombie
Let everyone ride
The Transport Ministry is planning to restructure the free bus and train project. The plan will be changed to only offer services to poor people and to people who have low incomes. But this doesn’t make sense for everybody.
How do they judge people’s status? Everyone works hard and pays taxes that provide for public transportation. Why shouldn't everyone be allowed to freely use it?
Developed countries help their citizens to use public transport to decrease traffic jams, while Thailand supports its citizens buying a new car. What’s going on with Thailand?
Alisa Khunta
The race problem
Did it ever occur to Kuldeep Nagi ("The fact of racism", PostBag, Dec 8) that “the largest number of people who are incarcerated in America” are there because they are committing crimes?
It is also a know fact that for years if you were driving down South, blacks were being pulled over for no reason. Whites driving with northern licence plates were too. Not so much now but certainly in the '50s to '70s.
Brian
Koh Samui