OPINION

Rampant road rage

Dear Prime Minister,

I have just completed another wonderful visit to the Kingdom of Thailand.

A few thoughts about my visit: I know that people with disabilities are pleased with the ramps installed on Bangkok sidewalks. Unfortunately, they are now being used as motorcycle taxi ramps and the sidewalk has become a motorway. I have many friends who complain about the motorcycles on the sidewalks as an unsafe walking area.

Sidewalks, as you know, were designed to keep people safe and away from traffic.

One additional issue is road traffic. I don't know if you have ever tried to cross Silom Road or Sathon Road, but it can be a terrifying experience. Many people call it a "dance with death". Motorbike taxis that travel the wrong way; vehicles that don't stop when there are pedestrians on the zebra crossing. As I have got older, I have become more fearful of these road hazards.

I have never seen a police officer that has pulled over a driver for these violations. Where are they?

I have been coming to Thailand for over 15 years and enjoy every visit. Please let me know your thoughts.

It's time that those who work for government agencies were reminded that their role is to serve the public.

In Chiang Mai many immigration services are now located three times farther away from the city centre than the previous service. That would not be so bad except that the service is unhelpful. I was directed to an office where there were no lights working and only one person on duty -- several arrived later when they had finished lunch. No system is in place for people as they arrive. I concluded my business with the rude dismissal from the clerk of "take it away".

Thais and farangs are subject to this and should not put up with it. All it would take is for one or two uncivil servants to be fired for a sudden enlightenment to occur across government services.

Re: "Govt moves to expel diplomats", (Bangkok Post, Dec 31).

US President Barack Obama only last week lauded his administration and predicted he could win another election if he ran again. He, in my opinion, is in a state of denial about his administration, especially in the foreign policy realm.

The last eight years have been a disaster regarding US foreign policy. Libya, Yemen, Iraq, and Syria were all disasters under Obama. And now we see Turkey, a Nato member, cosying up to Putin. Last but not least, Obama's attack on Israel, probably America's only ally in the Mideast. Barack, wake up!

Re: "True drops HBO, 5 others", (Bangkok Post, Dec 27).

How typical of Thai business and regulatory practices that TrueVisions -- a company with a monopoly market position -- can flagrantly flaunt National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) regulations simply because it "could no longer make business arrangements with HBO" (presumably meaning that it no longer wanted to pay the cost of the HBO programming).

Unfortunately, it is emblematic of Thai regulatory institutions that the NBTC simply ignores the plight of consumers and fails to protect them as it should.

TrueVisions are promoting their replacement channels as "quality programming". I disagree. To give just one instance, True are offering Sony Channel as a replacement. Anyone who watches AXN, which is owned by Sony, will have seen the commercials for Sony programmes. Basically junk: soap operas that are poorly acted by mostly B-grade actors and that frequently use soft porn as a selling point; reality shows that are poor copies of the originals on other channels; and soaps from Japan and Korea that only Japanese or Koreans would appreciate. As I said, junk.

Luckily, there are alternatives, at least to the loss of HBO/Cinemax. Netflix is available in Thailand with access to the full library of programmes that is available in the US, and the cost is only 350 baht per month, a little bit more if you want 4k quality. There is a full range of movies and series available. I suggest that True customers who are unhappy about the recent decisions check it out and either cancel or lower the level of their True subscription. I have no alternative to offer for the loss of some (all?) BBC channels other than to look at the possibility of streaming.

It would appear that True may lose a substantial number of their platinum subscribers, and they have only themselves to blame. Communication, and even consultation, with its customers may have eased the situation but it appears True have little or no regard for their customers.

Re: "Losing their religion", (PostBag, Dec 30).

Kuldeep Nagi should realise that religion, any religion, was the world's first true police force. It seems to keep people in line and is easily controllable. Religion is simply a matter of faith. Whether a person chooses to have that faith is an individual thing, not governed by political, religious, ideological or other laws. Many religions started out innocently enough, but as those who led became more powerful, laws became more constrictive, penalties were imposed, earthly, spiritually and "heavenly".

Just look at the power wielded by religious leaders the world over. If one chooses to lead a good life, simple or otherwise, it is fine. If one thinks of others, helps in time of need, is kind and compassionate to both man and most of earth's other inhabitants, then there is no need for religion.