Think outside the box

Thailand is becoming this and that hub, economy 4.0, digital society, blah blah blah. All kinds of measures have been set. But one central one is missing -- teaching and allowing the people to think.

Wherever you go -- hospitals, banks, companies -- as soon as something occurs that is slightly out of the ordinary, staff cannot handle it. It is not that they are not intelligent but they know they are not allowed to think out the box and are punished should they make a mistake (in the eyes of their superiors). And partially they really do not know how to apply logic. This is the real middle-income trap.

And now we have a government which gives out the clear message -- "do not think, we do it for you" -- and one gets the feeling they are not the best at thinking either.

Karl Reichstetter
Solid commitment

Re :"AEC: One year on", (Business, Jan 4).

The above very informative article about the Asean Economic Community (AEC) deserves to be completed with the idea that AEC cannot be treated separately from the firm commitment of the 10 Asean members to establish an Asean Political-Security Community (APSC) and an Asean Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC), as clearly stipulated in the Asean Charter which came into force on Dec 15, 2008.

This relevant institutional fact was specifically mentioned in a comprehensive resolution adopted last month by consensus by the 193 members of the United Nations (UN), a document which deals with cooperation between Asean and the UN.

This resolution deserves to be well known in all Asean countries as it is the most recent global document on the matter, sponsored by 80 countries representing all continents. The express reference in its text to the APSC has a particular significance this year, as the UN is looking forward to the 50th anniversary of Asean in 2017, which coincides with the chairmanship of the Philippines under the theme "Partnering for change, engaging the world".

The APSC Blueprint is an inspiring document for the celebration of Asean's half-a-century history, because it advocates consolidating Asean's solidarity, cohesiveness, harmony and contributing to the building of a peaceful, democratic, tolerant, participatory and transparent community in Southeast Asia.

Ioan Voicu
Two-wheeled coffins

Re: "Vans not worst killer," (Editorial, Jan 9),

I agree with the editorial which pointed out that the most dangerous vehicle in Thailand is not the van, but the motorcycle, involved in 75% of fatal accidents.

Not long ago I read that there were more than 20 million motorcycles registered in Thailand.

If people carry on riding around on those things, those two-wheel coffins, then it is pretty unlikely that the number of people dying in traffic accidents is going to go down significantly anytime soon.

Innocent Bystander
Off yer bikes

Re: "Stop minibus madness", (PostBag, Jan 7)

I've done the run to Laos from Pattaya several times and the drivers have been excellent. However, other drivers on the road are not. In fact, I would say it is their driving that is horrendous. For a start, there is no lane discipline.

Making minibus drivers wear tags, stopping people travelling in the back of pickups, putting CCTV cameras on major roads, a points system resulting in automatic disqualification, compulsory helmets (the majority of which are useless anyway) and seat belts will not prevent one single accident.

What would be a game changer would be if you could teach this country's drivers roadcraft; but then they would need to apply it. Upon being handed the keys to a motor vehicle, many in this country seem to develop tunnel vision, become profoundly selfish, and believe they are immortal.

The real problem, as I see it, is changing that.

And letting all these farang loose on twist-and-go motorcycles on the strength they have an international driving permit doesn't help either.

Many of them have never been on a motorcycle before, but however old, fat, blind or unfit they may be, they can still, if they produce a permit, get on a bike.

Many Thai schoolkids are, in my experience, better motorcyclists than the farang and I believe it would be unfair to deny them their education by confiscating their bikes.

James Murray
CONTACT: BANGKOK POST BUILDING 136 Na Ranong Road Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110 Fax: +02 6164000 email: postbag@bangkokpost.co.th
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