OPINION

Wealth for education

Re: "School director accused in 'tea money' scandal", (BP, June 20).

While I condemn offering school admission in exchange for "tea money", a quality education costs a small fortune for quality teachers, small classes and equipment. Thai schools are tremendously underfunded (for example, a Rajabhat institute gets something like one-eighth the public funds that say, Chulalongkorn or Thammasat does, TDRI reports, on a per student basis) -- yet we expect schools to turn out graduates who are creative, critical, and eager for lifelong learning, all on a shoestring budget?

I suggested to a former university rector that: (a) each school float its fees to what its market can bear, (b) each school's average O-Net and other national test results should be posted online so parents will know what they are paying for, (c) admission should be independent of each candidate's financing needs, and (d) a given school should have enough financial aid available for full scholarships of half of each entering class if needed. In short, the wealthy would subsidise the poor.

Imagine my surprise when I went to the Thai immigration website to find it had been completely redesigned. I was also happy to see that they had moved back to the old location on Soi Suan Plu (in Bangkok).

I was also amazed to see the old forms download has been replaced by a Thai-language only table and that the form numbers have been omitted so there is no way for a poor expat to find anything. I did try clicking on the ENG tab in the upper right-hand corner but, well you know how that usually works around here. Trying to use email to contact the Royal Thai Police (RTP) resulted in requests for information that only a Thai person would know and their survey, well let's not even go there!

All in all, what used to be a trying experience, but one that was at least manageable, has now turned into a disaster for anyone trying to figure out the ins and outs of Thai immigration policies, although I would suppose that is the idea!

As a large percentage of those utilising the services of immigration are sure to be foreigners you would think the RTP would show a little consideration in making the information available at least in English!

One step forward, 10 steps backwards, Thai dancing simplified!

Re: "Thai experts get on board Thai-Sino rail", (BP, June 20).

To prevent further delays to the project, it is unavoidable that the project commences with nearly 100% Chinese workers. But Thai authorities should establish mechanisms to keep the door open for Thais to replace those Chinese workers during construction and following commercial operation of the railway.

The facility opens the door for all Thai engineers and workers who want to be modern railway employees. It can provide entrance examination to screen those with basic qualifications and give training programme for qualified applicants. Then, at any time, any Thai worker proved to be qualified for a certain job held by a Chinese worker should be allowed to replace the Chinese.

Running this programme continuously will gradually change who is in charge of the railway's construction and operation from Chinese workers to Thais.

We read that Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has approved a draft reconciliation pact and that it will go to public hearings. I cannot understand why there are public hearings for anything other than a "show".

Nothing the public approves or disapproves, likes or dislikes, has any bearing on the outcome if the government wants to push it through anyway. Why the sham?

The truth is, most issues are usually decided and cemented into place well in advance, regardless of public opinion.

Every generation is plagued with one. First there was Hanoi Jane, now the United States has its Pyongyang Dennis. Who's next?