Elite system outdated

Elite system outdated

Two letters, “Expats are a resource” and “Opinions are critical” (PostBag, 26 Oct) seem unrelated, but they are connected.

There is a small group of people in this country who hold the real power and wealth and they keep the majority of people away from educational and economic resources.

Open-minded foreigners and an education system as Khun Burin described would totally destroy this system. Therefore, it will not happen and there will also be no reconciliation.

The conflicts will sooner or later only increase in number. In the 21st century you cannot exclude the majority of people forever.

Karl Reichstetter


Drivers lack respect

Re: “Stop road slaughter”, (Editorial, Oct 25).

With the second highest road-fatality ranking in the world, I think some changes are in order.

Obviously the lack of adequate law enforcement is the main problem. However, I would like to address the drivers themselves.

Most cars have tinted windows which makes it impossible to see inside and, at night, these tinted windows are impossible to see out of.

Drivers also know they can chat on their phones without fear of retribution from the police. I’m sure the life of the person you are about to hit is more important than updating your Facebook profile.

When a person steps out onto the road don’t speed up or pretend you don’t see them.

Don’t flash your high beams at people because you are too lazy to stop or because you want to overtake.

Lastly, tailgating is not a way to show off your driving skills. If you want to impress people with your driving, pay attention and treat everyone like they are your mother.

Charlie Stampfer


Road safety no joke

If locals in Kanchanaburi refer to the Tabtao curve as the “curve of a hundred corpses”, (BP, Oct 26) what should international media refer to Thailand as?

Just this week a Chinese tourist and his passengers narrowly escaped death when a cow fell from a truck in front of their car.

Add “cow fall” to a list of road hazards that include slime dropping onto the road from fresh seafood trucks, unlicensed teenage drivers, road rage, drunk government employees, elderly incompetent bumper car enthusiasts and high-speed chase participants.

Thailand is no joke when it comes to the risks faced by road users.

Time to get serious about correcting this horrendous national disgrace.

Michael Setter


Suicide probes needed

In just the past few months, a 26-year-old German woman was found hanged to death. Then a 45-year-old Scotsman, a Russian novice Buddhist monk, a Polish man, and an English teacher from India were all also found hanged to death. Then a 73-year-old German man was found naked after allegedly falling from his 8th floor room.

Have their home countries tried to investigate these questionable incidents?

The rash of unusual deaths is not limited to foreigners. Two Thai policeman were said to have committed suicide recently — both under unusual circumstances. Has Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan looked into these suicides? And how come Human Rights Watch hasn’t investigated these deaths?

Ben Levin


Baffling peak decision

Re: “Ministries agree not curb visitors to Phu Thap Boek”, (BP, Oct 27).

This agreement is upsetting. The joint decision runs against the natural environment protection policy. It also requires amendments of existing laws and regulations including those on land ownership and land use. It is impossible to improve the landscape within three months, as planned.

During this transition period, there may be natural disasters, fires, traffic accidents, sanitary problems of water supply/drainage and waste management, to name a few. The decision challenges law enforcement and court verdicts on land encroachment in other environmentally protected areas nationwide.

RH Suga


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