Re: "Pheu Thai sends Yingluck ‘facts’ to US", (Online, Feb 3).
There is an amazing consistency from the Pheu Thai legal team in defending its members and leadership. It is never “Our member is completely innocent and here are the facts to provide it”. It is always “the wrong person made the charge” or “they were charged under the wrong section of the constitution” or “the third 'T' in the charge sheet was not crossed”.
These rules fit in well with corruption in Thailand. Get two different regulations for every eventuality and use the one which suits you to get out of a fix.
The farcical thing about the letter sent is that it declares a charge is “politically motivated” because it is not made by politicians.
RICHARD BOWLER
American doors shut
Re: “Take it on the chin”, (PostBag, Feb 3).
Charlie Brown asked “do Thai diplomats or ambassadors in America not have the right to visit and meet American leaders” from both parties? Well, no Mr Brown, they may technically have the “right”, but they don’t.
Example. There is a current news story that Republicans invited the Israeli prime minister to speak before Congress which created a bone of contention with President Obama who was not included in this offer.
Also, as a former State Department employee I am well aware the Thai ambassador to the United States scores a big coup for Thailand if he is able to secure face-to-face meetings with any truly senior official. Most ambassadors never meet the president.
Sorry Charlie, but America’s door is rarely open to hear any country’s opinions, especially between political parties.
John Kane
No questions asked
Jack Gilead in his Feb 4 letter tells us that he and his friends are not all affected by martial law. Well, Jack, I don’t care!
I care about the Thai woman who was recently given two-and-a-half years in jail for lese majeste. I care about people who get arrested for waving three fingers or are summoned for saying something the government doesn’t like. And my heart goes out to forest dwellers who have been thrown off the land they live on.
As I’ve written before, I have been intimidated (though not by the government) for simply writing: “Would a little more tolerance really destroy this beautiful country?”
Of course no one bothers you, Jack, because you’re a “good soldier” who supports everything the government does without question. But what about the rest of us?
Eric Bahrt
Fines, not entry fees
Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park previously charged foreigners 200 baht. This went up to 400 baht per visit. The entry charge for Thai nationals remains 40 baht for adults and 20 baht for children.
Fewer than 100 foreigners visited Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park last year.
As a foreigner I pay 35% tax on my salary and I will be a farang under the same category as a foreign tourist even with my residency permit.
I am known as a generous person. It’s not about the money; I may give 10 times more than the entry fee in donations or for merit.
However the feeling of being treated this way when Thailand is trying to promote tourism is very strange!!!
The environment is getting worst year by year.
Throwing all the garbage in the parks and on the beaches is bad behaviour, and not only by tourists.
Why not charge a heavy fine for those throwing away foam boxes, bottles, plastic bags and you will have a better environment and income at the same time which is greater than what you earn in user charges a year?
Think about and what else could be done to promote tourism!
Linus A E Knobel
CONTACT: BANGKOK POST BUILDING
136 Na Ranong Road Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110
Fax: +02 6164000 email: postbag@bangkokpost.co.th
All letter writers must provide full name and address.
All published correspondence is subject to editing at our discretion.