OPINION

The subject of 'subjects'

Re: "Why Thailand turns to China", (PostBag, Dec 17).

David James Wong rebukes me for describing myself as a "British citizen". According to him I am a "British subject", but he is wrong, my passport defines my status as a British citizen. In due course there will be no British subjects left. In British law this term only refers to a limited and declining number of people in the UK who were either born in the Republic of Ireland before 1949, or were residents of former British colonies who chose not to accept nationality of these countries upon independence. Always check the facts, Mr Wong.

The writer also states that China never meddles in Thai politics. Well, maybe not publicly, and maybe not even in private, we just don't know, but it wasn't that way in the recent past. From the 1960s to the 1980s the Communist Party of Thailand received logistical support from China during its guerrilla war, and its radio station was based in Yunnan. Now China seeks to assert a form of hegemony over the Southeast Asian region by different means, involving a mix of military expansion, infrastructure investments and trade links extending from Myanmar to those disputed islands in the South China Sea.

In ancient times the kings of Siam used to pay annual tribute to the emperors of China, so in a way, maybe things are coming full circle. However, it will be interesting to see how these geopolitical tides wash up against Thailand when a form of democracy hopefully reappears here in November 2018, a development which has the backing of both Thailand and the USA.

The most menacing group of vehicles in Bangkok traffic are the noisy motorcyclists.

There used to be those workshops modifying motorcycle exhaust pipes to make them more noisy. But that seems to have fallen out of fashion. The current fad is the big bikes, motorcycles with very fat tyres and running with ear-piercing noise. Police should zero in on this group of motorcyclists and have them impounded should they emit higher decibels than allowed.

Re: "'Pacifist' bullies", (PostBag, Dec 17).

Would Eric Bahrt please go to the library or a book store and obtain an accurate history book explaining Middle East history and politics?

Either he makes it up as he goes along, or has absolutely no idea of the actual facts concerning the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 and the inflammatory remarks by the then Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, extolling Arabs to leave because they'd be slaughtered.

It was all such gross stupidity, but then, his followers believed him.

Those Arab families who did not leave, (I have many friends among them there, especially in Kfar Nin close to Afula), who are Israeli citizens, are educated and economically fulfilled. Should you have been around the area in 1948, I'm sure you would have been an adherent of the Grand Mufti.

Re: "Train wreck", (PostBag, Dec 17).

According to Japanese calculations, the fares will have be competitive against the LCCs and buses of provincial transport companies.

The train travelling time nearly compensates for lost time for access to and from airports by LCCs and allows you to get on/off at 12 stations on the route.

Therefore, I believe the new high-speed train can pay off its costs, but it will be very difficult to recover the initial investment.

But the government, local and private sectors may help by investing in the station facilities as commercial buildings.

I visit Thailand for about four months every year and enjoy reading the letters daily.

In commenting on the scandal involving Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, I think Brown, ("Credibility chasm," PostBag, Dec 17) and others of his ilk find themselves trying to get involved in politics of nations not their own.

I call it "If I ruled the world syndrome". I could go on with the incredulity count but you and I get the picture although these "wannabe kings" never will.

Contact: Bangkok Post Building 136 Na Ranong Road Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110 fax: +02 6164000 Email: postbag@bangkokpost.co.th

All letter writers must provide full name and address.

All published correspondence is subject to editing at our discretion.