Re: “On track to becoming Asean’s rail hub”.
I praise Huang Bin’s patriotism in his advocacy of China’s undoubted prowess in rail technology, as well as its vast rail network, largely due to its vast size and population.
I would say, however, that potential rail users here have other areas of concern with the China rail deal, such as the poor safety record in both countries.
Corruption and a lack of government accountability are notorious problems in both Thailand and China, and a government-to-government deal to build railways, sounds like a recipe for disaster.
Bob
Chon Buri
Budget tourists pay the bills
Re: “Time for action against ‘trouble-making’ Chinese”.
I’m flabbergasted that Pichaya Svasti considers herself a travel writer and has such an elitist and frankly short-sighted position on tourism.
If she had actually done much travelling around this country — that she seems intent on “saving” — she’d see that what she is suggesting would actually kill off the tourism sector outright.
The vast majority of people who come to Thailand do so because it’s an inexpensive way to spend a holiday in an exotic, beautiful, tropical location. There is a well-established industry serving these tourists which has grown up along with the popularity of Thailand. What would you suggest that these hundreds of thousands of Thai people and businesses do in the face of a “high-value low-volume” business model? Bhutan began their foray into tourism with this business model. For Thailand to blindly do the same at this point in its development would end up putting a huge amount of the Thai population out of work.
Nobody likes the boorish behaviour of badly-behaved tourists, no matter what the nationality, but let’s hope that cooler and wiser heads prevail on the matter, and Thailand continues to welcome visitors without asking them to declare the contents of their wallets at the border.
Dave Proulx
Pattaya
Beach purge overkill
I have just arrived back to Patong Beach, Phuket, where I’ve visited many times in recent years. One of the things I have always enjoyed is spending endless daytime hours relaxing on the beach. Sadly no more!
There are no sunbeds, no sunshades, no beach tables, no beach staff to keep an eye on things when you go for a swim, no beach vendors to buy a drink, fruit or ice-cream from, or to simply pass the time of day with.
Does the tourism industry here not realise that these are essentials for most people who are wanting a relaxed and comfortable beach holiday?
I have been told that all other beaches in Phuket have been purged in the same way. I originally intended to stay in Patong for one month, but I will be gone in one week, maybe to another location in Thailand or maybe to a different country altogether.
I have noticed that it is much quieter here now than in any of my previous visits and it’s high season. I think maybe there is a connection.
If Thailand wants its tourism industry to continue to flourish, this situation has to change, and quickly, before lasting damage is done. Thailand for me has always been the most wonderful country to spend time in, I dearly wish for it to stay that way.
Farang of York
York, England
Do your homework, NRC
Re: “Premier plan on wrong tack” (Opinion, Dec 20).
I agree with your editorial that the National Reform Council proposal
for the prime minister and cabinet to be elected directly by voters is intuitive at best.
It will likely create disturbances rather than bring about reform, and the government does not need more power, since it has been too strong to contain already.
The NRC should realise that Bangkok is currently the centre of everything. Hence, decentralisation, not vice versa, is the key to reform here.
As your editorial has suggested, the NRC should refrain from any half-baked proposals — and concentrate only on ideas that are to-the-point and carefully thought out.
Vint Chavala
Take out the trash
Re: “Lessons on litter” (PostBag, Dec 20).
I sometimes wonder if Japan has a giant vacuum cleaner that cleans the country when the people go to sleep at night, so they wake up to a spotless environment. A project to clean up Thailand should start in schools.
In the United States it took more than 25 years to get people to stop dropping litter. Many drivers were fined and school children everywhere were taught not to litter, which was eventually passed on to the adults. Sorting trash became a nationwide commitment and as a result the US is an amazingly clean country. Many people supplement their income by recycling trash.
I agree with your letter writer that it would be far more productive to teach children to respect the country for its natural beauty and resources, rather than programme them to behave in an artificial manner. A “Beautify Bangkok” campaign could start with more public bins being provided. The costs of maintaining them could be helped with fines for littering. I realise that sounds comical when people are not even fined for running you down on the sidewalk, but it’s a thought.
Producer Paul
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