Dastardly dashes

Re: "Beijing refuses to accept Hague maritime ruling" (BP, July 13).

The Permanent Court of Arbitration's ruling against China's claims to the South China Sea is correct. We can all delve into the vaults of history and produce vague "nine-dash line" maps to justify claims. The most compelling evidence against China is glaringly obvious; even a school kid looking at the map can see the Spratly Islands are closer to Thailand than mainland China.

According to geographic proximity, even Myanmar could lay claim to the area. China is just using gunboat diplomacy to plant its flag in the heart of Southeast Asia. Next they will be drawing dashed lines around Japan and claiming that too.

Andrew
A thieving world

Further to Michael Setter's July 13 letter regarding the leasing of land back to the person who stole it, I see some strange new consequences of such a tactic.

Will we now see the thief who stole an expensive auto from a car park get the chance to lease it from the owner who wasn't using it. Even better, we could witness the maid who stole a gold necklace from a khunying get the chance to keep it as long as she makes monthly payments. A first for Thailand, a chance to set a new standard for dealing with theft without the need to punish the perpetrator.

Lungstib
Ratty old beach

It's been interesting to read the recent letters regarding the downfall of Pattaya. I have lived in the city for the past 15 years, and am still shocked by what I see.

Each morning I exercise along Beach Road and I have witnessed many things that have shocked me. The number of working girls has increased. So has the number of people sleeping on the beach, men, women and children, Thai and foreign. But the one thing that really shocks and sickens me is the number of rats I see each day.

I have tripped over rats, had them run over my feet and each morning I step over numerous dead rats; in my opinion the best type of rat. But who could blame the rats for being there if they are being fed each day? Yes, people actually come to the beach to feed the rats! Who after eating race down the drains and up the coconut trees that line the promenade.

Before the new mayor of the city gets rid of the food vendors, maybe he should take a walk along the promenade on Beach Road.

Ebril
Dead-end track

Re: "SRT told to rejig land contracts", (Business, July 12).

For the past decades, the SRT has failed to modernise and/or improve its management, resulting in accumulated debt and a huge deficit. Fortunately, the agency has some large assets which may be sold and help the agency take care of those problems. A number of committees were set up to explore ways to rehabilitate the agency, yet nothing has materialised.

It seems that the SRT has completely died and cannot be revived. I suggest the SRT be dissolved immediately and that a new organisation be set up to take over those projects and the entire railway operation and management.

RH Suga, Lamphun
Promising union

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent announcement that his government would take steps towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Thailand is good for both countries and bodes well for all.

To nurture the bond and take it to the next level, both India and Thailand should work hard on improving areas such as education and tourism.

India and Thailand have the strength and knowledge to go a long way on the global stage.

P Senthil Saravana Durai
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