Re: “PM warns Yingluck not to flee”, (BP, Feb 13).
If your report on what Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said in regards to the possibility that Yingluck Shinawatra may flee the country is correct, it should be of grave concern to every man, woman and child — Thais and foreigners included.
The sub-headline on this story read: “Prayut says ex-premier must prove her innocence.” This is supported by what he is reported to have said in the body of the story.
If this truly reflects the thoughts of Gen Prayut then he has, in one stroke, totally overturned the concepts of the rule of law and the principle of “innocent until proven guilty”.
Ms Yingluck does not have to say even a single word in her defence. It is totally up to the prosecution to prove her guilt beyond all reasonable doubt. Is that now possible in the environment that Gen Prayut has created?
David Brown
Suspect snooping
The US does not take political sides, we are told. But those are just words. Actions are what count and reveal what you are truly made of.
Did the Thai military intelligence sector get surveillance information from the American National Security Agency (NSA) during last year’s rallies about Thaksin interfering in Thai domestic politics? From that information or lack of information, the Thai military knows which side the Americans are on. By leaking information the military could clear up the confusing and upsetting picture and make Thailand more honest.
As you remember, the NSA had no problems tapping German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s telephone, nor Brazilian President Rousseff’s. Did they keep an ear and eye on Thaksin and share the information with their good and longtime friend, the Thai military?
A well-wisher for Thailand
Misguided clicks
Poll after poll shows that Thais are happy with PM Prayut, the political situation and martial law, but unhappy with American interference. However, readers who click to “like” or “dislike” an online story seem to be totally out of touch with this Thai majority.
When you see the written English in the short comments below online stories, you suspect the opinions stem from native English speaking people. Perhaps the “out of touch” clicks might too stem from the same sources?
A North country man
Fair isn’t always fair
Re: “Shades of greed”, (PostBag, Feb 11).
What Maxwell Brock is saying sounds reasonable, but the subject requires a little more thought. Unfortunately, he, like many other foreigners, thinks not in terms of what is fair, but rather in terms of what is equitable, because all Westerners have been taught that they must have parity in all things.
They will go to a theme park in their own country and pay one hundred dollars to enter and that is okay, but they balk at paying 10 dollars to enter a park or other entertainment venue in Thailand. And why? Because Noi and Bawn are paying only five dollars or less. It matters not that Noi and Bawn are also paying some sort of tax or another to help subsidise the venue, or that poorer Thais have to take their entire families on motorbikes to go and see the doctor, or that they live in houses where the eaves are open, allowing the cold or snakes to enter, or that they get together with neighbours on holidays, pool their money to buy some beer or make some rice wine so that they can karaoke in the streets all night because they can’t afford to do anything else, it only matters that they are getting a better price at a theme park.
The unfortunate thing is that if anyone listens to Mr Brock and gives him parity, it will not be in the form of his price being lowered, but rather in the price for Thais being raised. But that will make him happy, because then he will have parity.
Mr Brock, if you think you are being treated unfairly, then don’t go to the parks or other facilities in Thailand. Stay home and be fleeced in parity at attractions that are so overpriced that almost no one can afford them.
You are not in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Las Vegas or Los Angeles. And if you were, I have no doubt that you would receive parity. I also have no doubt that you wouldn’t find any Thai farmers there.
John Arnone
Yasothon
Double prices abound
The Feb 9 editorial, “Double prices deter tourists” addressed the government’s blatant discrimination against foreigners, tourists and long-term residents in parks and other locations. It is just sad that this time — like the many other times the issue has been highlighted over the years — those in power will most likely not pay any attention to the sound advice to drop the practice. What is also sad is that you will find foreign apologists who concur with such a blatant lack of respect for visitors and long-term residents.
The editorial “forgot” to mention that other Thai nationals are very happy to use this discriminatory practice, since you will find copycats like taxi drivers, museums, and even restaurants that will force you to pay an inflated price not extorted from the “locals”. How can they resist the practice when their government is supporting it officially?
After 24 years in this country we gave up attempting to explain that we pay taxes locally, own property here, speak and read the local language, married locally and plan to remain in the country for the foreseeable future, since it was proven to fall completely on deaf ears: “Pay the foreigner price or get lost.” So we remain far away from all national parks and we discourage any visitors to even think about visiting these locations.
One Mae Rim mountain restaurant owner laughed in our faces when we inquired as to why he published two menus, one in English with very inflated prices and one in Thai and much lower costs. Guess what? We did not eat there, and he closed operation one year later. Too bad the parks cannot go bankrupt.
Please translate your editorial and publish it in Post Today in Thai. Maybe someone in power will pay attention, but I do not hold my breath.
Michel Barre
Hogwash tax excuse
When I heard that double pricing was implemented because foreigners don’t pay tax, I went to a national park and showed them both my permanent residency book and my tax registration card, proving I had been paying taxes in the kingdom for 30 years plus. Needless to say, I was still asked to pay the foreign rate. When asked, the park official explained they had been instructed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand to charge all foreigners the high rate, regardless of their status.
Subsequently, I contacted TAT by email to ask for their opinion, given their previous statement on tax payments. Of course no answer was ever received. However, in an interview with the Phuket Gazette some time ago, a TAT official confirmed that any and all foreigners, taxpayers or not, are subject to the high rate without exception. In other words, any explanation otherwise is hogwash.
As I understand it, the reason for the recent increase in rates is that far fewer foreigners have visited national parks than anticipated, leading to a shortfall in revenue. Of course, increasing the entry fee will result in even fewer foreigners going, necessitating another increase, and so on and so on.
Sir Bogdiver
Parks should be free
Regarding the debate on double pricing, the situation is much worse than the editorial explains. I cannot speak for the rest of the world, but in the US all parks — both state and national — are free for the most part. The thing you do pay for is parking. So, if you drove up in a car with five people you just pay the parking fee which could be around 400 baht.
You may walk in, which could be one strenuous walk, or ride your bicycle in for free. National parks charge the same no matter where you come from.
Brian Samui
Which bullet is best?
Now that Prime Minister Prayut has travelled on the Japanese bullet train, I’d advise him to take a trip on the Chinese bullet train for comparison. I have had the opportunity to travel on both, and I can say without reservation that there is little comparison.
The Chinese bullet train may look good, but the ride is far less comfortable, and the inside looks like something furnished by a cheap upholsterer trying to save money. But, as comfort is the main issue, one also needs to travel with peace of mind, not be concerned about flying off the rails, off a bridge, or into a gully somewhere.
David James Wong
Soaps suspend reality
In his Feb 1 “Lakorn brainrot” letter, Mike Flynn asked if someone can explain the attraction of badly-produced TV soaps in Thai society.
Mr Flynn, this is not peculiar to Thailand. Whilst your wife may have viewed documentaries in the UK, Thailand is her native country and Thai her mother tongue. Soaps are country specific and have their own national appeal. I recall a doctor in the UK who rushed home each lunchtime to watch the popular British soap EastEnders.
Such TV programmes take people out of their day-to-day lives. It’s a form of therapy, a fantasy: the more unreal the better.
Generally people are averse to reality, preferring a make-believe world. The smart phone is another example of where people exclude reality and hug their electronic wizardry as their own world of make-believe. This is an increasing trend, even with very young children. Addressing the beauty of the natural world is becoming a thing of the past, unfortunately.
J C Wilcox
Clarity on MacArthur
Re: “MacArthur returned”, (PostBag, Feb 12).
Thank you, Pattaya Yank, for pointing out that General Douglas MacArthur did indeed return to the Philippines on Oct 20, 1944. I wasn’t aware that he did. I appreciate the information. I met the old gentleman general when he was chairman of the board (an honorary title), where I worked for the Sperry-Rand Corporation, Remington Division, in the early 60s in New York City.
Golani
Vaccinated kids suffer
Re: “Vaccine denial is public irresponsibility, not personal risk”, (Opinion, Feb 10).
The most recent study released in 2011 by the US Institute of Medicine concluded that there was insufficient evidence to determine whether vaccines were safe for children.
An ongoing independent survey of the health status of non-vaccinated children versus their vaccinated counterparts is revealing alarming results.
Vaccinated children report having 22 times the rate of ear infections, 32 times the rate of sinusitis, four times the rate of allergies, two times the rate of asthma, four times the rate of hay fever, three times the rate of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and 19 times the odds of developing autism compared with non-vaccinated children.
Big pharma makes enormous profits from government-mandated vaccine use while enjoying protection from liability, also provided by governmental endorsement.
The right of parents to refuse to submit their children to this madness should not be suborned to the greed of a handful of multinational pharmaceutical companies.
Michael Setter
Wrong on Laos kings
Re: “A weekend of love”, (Life, Feb 12).
King Anouvong ruled from 1805-1828. He was not the last king of Laos, as stated in the caption to picture number eight. The last king of Laos was Sisavang Vatthana who served from 1959-1975.
Torben Retboll
Intelligence lacking
One thing keeps cropping up in reports regarding politics and politicians. It seems they keep relying on “intelligence reports” from unknown sources.
The problem is, most of what we read from these reports is lacking one important ingredient. “Intelligence”.
Charlie Brown
Still hating WUMO
I wonder whether John Kane’s Feb 13 letter was rhetorical when he asked if the WUMO comic strip has won anyone over anyone who wasn’t happy at first?
I hated WUMO from day one and continue to regard the cartoon as a complete waste of space especially when there must be numerous talented cartoonists who would give their left arm to be published daily in a quality newspaper such as the the Bangkok Post.
Martin R
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