OPINION

'Toys' before health

It seems to me that the government has its priorities skewed if there is a budget shortfall for health care.

If it can afford expensive toys like submarines and eventually promote almost every officer to the rank of general (or so it seems), it surely can find the money for the people's health care, which is far more important.

And as for the future of democracy here, after living through eight or nine coups and attempted coups in the last 40 years, I think it is pretty safe to say that eventually the military is going to intervene once politicians start doing things the military leaders don't like, no matter how that government comes to be formed.

And given the current train system has lost serious money over the years, I am mystified as to how a new train system, even a fast one, is going to make money. Also, if a significant number of people cannot seem to see slow moving trains at crossings, how are they going to see fast trains at crossings?

A young woman received a two-year jail term for a drunk-driving incident that killed cyclists, but was her driving licence revoked?

Re: "Top-heavy top brass," (PostBag, June 28).

I'm sure our prime minister must feel helpless because if he tries to curb the flood of generals, he will create a huge undercurrent of discontent within the military to the point where he would not be able to remain in power -- and the same goes for a duly elected civilian prime minister. Once the Pandora's box is opened it is next to impossible to close by either a military or civilian government here in Thailand.

I still remember the day the Royal Thai Police (who use the same rank system as the Thai military) had exactly one four-star general -- the police chief. But now, at any given crime scene, no matter how minor, you will see generals with four, three and two stars on their shoulders bumping into each other trying to position themselves in front of the television news cameras. The scene can be nauseating at times.

With a faint faith, I do hope for the day that a government (military or civilian) with enough clout and determination, and with crucial public support, can rectify the situation and put the military and police on a sane course where promotions are concerned.

Re: "Exat plans to reclaim city plots," (BP, June 27).

Bravo Exat, bulldoze away more public park space for yet more roads. Bangkok is choking under excessive traffic, dangerous pollution, and noise. Every square inch of park space is a blessing.

Why not consider bulldozing those ugly high-rises and shopping malls along Silom and Sukhumvit instead, returning the sunshine, and fresh air (or whatever is left of it) to the people?

Re: Taxing sugar-heavy drinks (BP, June 26)

While I think it's great to use tax pressure to get companies to put less sugar in their beverages, it is just plain crazy to imply that sugar is the real cause of all these dietary-related health problems.

Dean Ornish, who became famous for reversing heart disease in his patients by putting them on a low-fat, vegetarian diet, has argued the link between sugar and heart disease is "weak" (which doesn't mean sugar can't be linked to other health problems).

Before anyone says this is just another pro-vegetarian letter, let me say we also need to reduce our consumption of fried foods, vegetable oil and worst of all, trans-fats.

Re: Court backs jail for cyclist fatalities, (BP, June 28)

I'll bet Phatchuda Jairuean, 24, who was convicted of driving under the influence, curses the day she was not born into a billionaire family.

Instead of being jailed for the dead cyclists, she would be out there with the Yoovidhya brat, roaming free.