Subs claim sinks
Re: “Subs plan tests navy to sink or swim”, (BP, Aug 9) offers a balanced analysis of the Royal Thai Navy’s case for submarines. The RTN’s main “justification” — to make other countries “stand in awe” — is weak. We already have the region’s second-largest naval force, behind Indonesia and ahead of Vietnam, yet with no conflict in sight. So, who are we going to stare down?
IHS-Jane’s Anthony Davis notes, “For the RTN, real war fighting is not a very high probability. The need to counter non-conventional threats at sea is a daily reality.” For example, Gen Prayut is rightfully seeking to eliminate human trafficking. The routes for this nefarious trade are sea-borne, and patrol boats/aircraft are far more cost-efficient than subs for this purpose.
Creating our region’s most effective coastal defence force using surface ships and aircraft to suppress non-conventional threats would make others stand in awe of us far more, and be more useful than, underwater subs slotted to join the Chakri Naruebet carrier, Aeros 40D Sky Dragon airship and GT200 bomb detectors as costly high-profile toys for the boys that failed miserably at carrying out their missions.
Burin Kantabutra
Awesome burden
One of the Royal Thai Navy’s prime arguments, put forth in its feebly crafted white paper, is that having three Chinese submarines in the Thai arsenal would instil a sense of awe among the country’s neighbours and potential enemies (whoever they may be).
I couldn’t help but note in the Spectrum article, however, the very impressive photo of the HTMS Chakri Naruebet and the fact that Thailand is the only Asean country to have an aircraft carrier in its navy.
Doesn’t the Chakri Naruebet infuse enough awe (or ridicule, as the case may be) among Thailand’s neighbours? Do we really need more?
Samanea Saman
Going off the rails
Pardon my confusion, but did the police really escort two young women to an historic temple site to re-enact their alleged crime of dancing provocatively, thus damaging morals, insulting culture and jeopardising national peace and order (BP, Aug 10)? And may I ask, did this actually occur on the same day the Loei provincial Supreme Court rejected an appeal by a former policeman seeking redress for being sold a fake plot of land by the Justice Ministry’s legal execution department?
Have the Royal Thai Police and the Justice Ministry come up with a new way to bring happiness to the the Thai people that has perhaps gone slightly off the rails?
Michael Setter
Hard-hearted readers
Re: "Student killed in motorbike crash", (Online, Aug 9).
As a foreigner and long term "guest" of Thailand, I was extremely disappointed to see such a negative public reaction to this news report. Were these unsympathetic readers never young? Did they never make a judgement error while driving on poor roads in bad weather? Have they any idea the impact these nasty remarks can have on the grieving parents of what was probably a decent young man enjoying his holiday? At times like this I am ashamed to be associated with the farang community and would like to send my sincere condolences to his family. RIP Thirawat Sonthiniwat.
Lungstib
Where is the justice?
I was horrified to read that a Thai man was sentenced to 30 years in prison for lese majeste, and a 28-year-old woman — who had her whole life ahead of her — was slammed with 29 years of incarceration for the same crime. So much for "reform", "reconciliation", "democracy" and just plain human kindness. Beyond that I don’t know what else can be said. I’m stunned.
Eric Bahrt
Messi loses his cool
Re: “Tempers flare in Barca win”, (Sports, Aug 7).
The usually "cool" Lionel Messi had an altercation with Roma’s Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa in what was considered a friendly football match.
As far as I have seen in the past, most of these so-called "friendlies" are not very friendly. I guess it’s about time to change the name of these matches to "Out of League" matches. There doesn’t seem to be anything "friendly" about them.
Charlie Brown
Trumping all others
Re: “Respect all women’s rights", (PostBag, Aug 9). Hats off to Eric Bahrt on your first coherent contribution to PostBag ... and may Donald Trump lead the US of A.
A Pattaya Yank
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