Govt must try harder
There seems to be a constant stream of new initiatives emanating from the government "dream factory" on how to boost tourism.
Billions to be spent on airport extensions, marketing campaigns, etc, but no thought is given to the less headline-grabbing business of just getting the basics right.
Last week on arrival at Chiang Mai airport, I was told the wait for a taxi was over one hour, for the 15-minute journey into town! On my return to Don Mueang airport the following day my taxi queue ticket told me there were 63 people in front of me! On finally reaching one of the 50% of desks that were manned I had to wait again for a taxi driver to come into the building with a counterfoil chit, part of which was retained at the desk, before the driver escorted me to his car. It is difficult to imagine a more cumbersome, time-consuming process.
Still, on the bright side it was quicker than the possible four-hour delays to get a visa on arrival.
Don't even start me on the Suvarnabhumi express that used to whisk tourists into town, before it could not operate because it had no budget; or why tourists cannot buy a cold beer between 2pm and 5pm.
End-of-year report: "Must Try Harder".
Phil Cox
The me, me, me era
Re: "Trust must be earned", (PostBag, Jan 1).
Mr Burin Kantabutra is one of the most logical, educated, respected contributors to PostBag that I have read over the years. If all Thais shared his values, what a wonderful country Thailand would be.
But, regretfully, I would agree with Lungstib in his Jan 3 letter, "Stretching credibility."
Mr Burin's conception of Thailand embodies Thais as they once were, not Thais as they are today. Times have indeed changed,
Mr Burin I prefer your version, but the days of a gentler, more honest Thailand has changed in keeping time with the rest of the world, where personal dishonesty, political dishonesty and corruption still reign supreme. We live in an era of me, me, me, mine, mine, mine.
David James Wong
Buffalo travel is best
Re: "Bus crash driver 'high on meth'," (BP, Jan 2).
Drunken drivers running amok during holiday times (and other times), overloaded ferries sinking, an occasional airline pilot caught with a higher blood level of alcohol than permitted. There had better be a fail-safe testing system for the bullet train drivers if that project is ever completed.
It makes me more than happy to stay at home and enjoy a trip to town on one of my lovely buffalos. Smelly perhaps, and slow, but safe and sure. And the tourists love it.
Vasserbuflox
Enforce ivory ban
Re: "Let's ban ivory here", (PostBag, Jan 2).
Yes, China outlawed the sale of ivory. Outlawing something and enforcing the ban are two different things. Drugs are also outlawed, banned, but the drug trade still flourishes, in Thailand, China, and elsewhere. China usually enforces the death penalty for heavy-duty offenders if they are caught, but like drug kingpins, you take down one, another replaces him. As long as there is a market, for anything, there will always be a supplier. For many, the risks taken in the drug and ivory trade are worth the consequences. For "ordinary" folks it is not. As long as there is a buyer, there will always be a seller.
449900
What's so historic?
Re: "Lessons from Thai votes on Jerusalem", (Opinion, Jan 2).
Kavi Chongkittavorn called Thailand voting to denounce the US on Jerusalem issue a "historic decision". What is so historic about it?
Here is my simple analysis. First, we do whatever to please our big brother, China. Second, we went with the flow, jumping on the bandwagon led by the EU. And finally, to thumb our nose at the US for nudging too much about the election and human rights violations. China never does.
Somsak Pola
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