Khun Atiya Achakulwisut's column made for scintillating reading. It is appalling that the two major parties appear to be at loggerheads even as the country and Bangkok prepare for a second year of floods. This is not the time for making allegations and tirades against each other. Both the Pheu Thai Party as well as the governor's office need to set aside their simmering differences and make sure that the lives and property of more than 12 million people get priority.
R. SRINATH
Airport taxi confusion
Many people seem confused over the one-way gates to be installed at Suvarnabhumi airport. Based on the test earlier this year they will not be placed at the building entrance but at the point where people cross the road from the taxi drop-off.
The test presented passengers with a gate and turnstile, which is fine for passengers with no luggage. The other 99.5% will face a massive problem. Instead of properly dealing with the taxi mafia Airports of Thailand prefers to inconvenience the passengers.
BARRY WOOD
Rice policies cause pain
A group of academics says the government's rice pledging programme violates the constitution: section 84 (1) says the state must encourage ''a free and fair economic system through market mechanisms'' and that the state must refrain from ''engagement in an enterprise in competition with the private sector''. They say the government's rice pledging programme is ruining market mechanisms and competing against rice exporters. Good point.
But if they read on to section 84 (8), the constitution also says the state must ''protect and maintain the interests of farmers in manufacturing and marketing, ensuring maximum profits of the farm products''. The bottom line is the current rice policy benefits farmers but hurts rice exporters. By contrast, the Democrats' rice policy enriched rice exporters but kept farmers down in the dumps.
MEECHAI BURAPA
Truly daylight robbery
After paying my subscription for the True Knowledge package for many years in order to be able to access TV5 Monde (a French channel), I am being told by TrueVisions that I should now pay for an upgraded package at double price in order to access it.
This is daylight robbery, as TV5 is a free channel all over the world!
I hope the Consumer Protection Board will look into this matter. TrueVisions did not deliver the service as promised, with cuts and technical problems every month this year.
ALEX ROSS
An unhappy customer
Once again the failings of TrueVisions are brought to light, as they are going to terminate the BBC World Service radio programme from Oct 8. Their customer service team could not provide a reason for the termination. Is it again something to do with money or the fact that the best broadcaster in the English language is too good for the locals? I will be terminating two contracts with NotTrueVisions.
PAUL
TrueVisions replies
TrueVisions' audio service and TV channel line-up have been reviewed to accommodate the ongoing introduction of standard and high-definition TV channels to our platform. We appreciate the feedback from our subscribers and will maintain the DMX service. Other radio channels, including the BBC, must regrettably be terminated.
MARKETING PR, TRUEVISIONS
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