Re: ''Let charter mature'' (PostBag, April 8).
Vint Chavala is wrong to compare the situation in the US a hundred years ago, where senators were chosen by the state legislatures rather than by the people's direct vote, with the current situation in Thailand.
In the US, the state legislatures which selected the senators were themselves elected by the people, and therefore represented them; in Thailand nobody knows who selects the appointed senators but it is clear whose interests they represent and it isn't those of the people.
DOM DUNN
Crooks don't report in
Re: ''Immigration rules unfair'' (PostBag, April 9). I side with Myrtha Leosawasthiphong as a spouse of a Thai national who has lived in this country for 23 years and has grievances about unfair immigration practices against foreigners living here long term. She summarised it well: permanent residency is almost impossible to obtain; yearly visa extensions are subjected to intense scrutiny and bureaucracy; declarations of address are required every 90 days.
As I speak and read Thai fluently, and given that the Nonthaburi immigration office is relaxed compared to the Chiang Mai office, I have never encountered major issues. I also recognise that the Immigration Department under the Royal Thai Police has to follow orders from the government.
Sadly, it does not seem that the Bangkok Post is read by Thai government officials, as this topic has been covered so many times and yet nothing has changed for the better.
What is the reason for keeping the 90-day reporting rule active when we all know that crooks will never report a real address as they are rarely, if ever, checked?
Maybe the real reason is to collect the late fee, which is now 2,000 baht.
I have worked and lived in more than 15 countries - sometimes for half a year, sometimes for many consecutive years - and never have I had to report to anyone during these contract periods once the work permits and visas were in order.
Now on ''retirement'' I, like Myrtha, feel like a criminal on bail and it does not look like this will change anytime soon.
MICHEL BARRE
Follow rule to the letter
With so many complaints against the immigration police, especially concerning the 90-day registration process, I fail to understand why these expats must go in person to complete the requirement.
Immigration provides a simple method of doing it by mail, and they actually prefer this method as it alleviates the crowds in the immigration offices.
It is all relatively simple, requires a few moments to fill out the forms and a trip to the local post office.
I have been doing this for what seems to be an eternity, and, although I too consider the 90-day registration rule rather silly, I just do it. There is really no choice.
LOBZIG
Bahrt right about meat?
After reading a BBC article, ''Red meat chemical 'damages heart', say US scientists'', I'm suddenly inclined to side with Eric Bahrt who is an advocate of giving up red meat as part of one's diet. If Eric hadn't made an impression on me, this article has.
JACK GILEAD
Tiger treatment troubles
A visit to Nong Nooch Garden [in Chon Buri] is certainly worth the trouble - beautiful gardens, with a lot of specimens of flora on show. Yet I was unhappy with what I felt was the poor treatment of the tigers being kept there.
How the owner can create such a beautiful garden yet condone the poor treatment of these majestic animals is beyond me.
EGON
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