OPINION

Noise is pollution too

I agree with the May 31 commentary, "Who are to blame for Airbnb nightmare?'' in particular the conclusion that it's dereliction of duty by the authorities that is the problem.

 As the authorities treated those nightmares as a non-issue, some people lose their patience as we see in the case of the "axe lady".

The breach of other people's rights, especially the use of excessive noise, has become common in Thai society. The main culprits are those in schools and temples who breach the rights of people surrounding them; most tend to turn the amplifier towards people's houses. They must have high regard for themselves, so much so that they believe they can do whatever they want. How can they preach to the youngsters when they fail to recognise noise is a nuisance and the use of excessive noise is a breach of social etiquette?

In my neighbourhood, there are restaurants with karaoke, that always disturb people at night with noise. One night we called police it several times, as they did nothing. Perhaps, they thought it's too small a problem. Only when we told them who we are (my husband is a senior government official), they sent someone to take a look. The noises were gone for a while, only to come back the following nights.

Thais in general fail to regard that noise is pollution, and some even think it's their right to make loud noises, without thinking that it causes a nuisance and breaches other people's rights to a good sleep. We need a serious campaign on this, starting with teachers and monks -- if only they allow us to teach them!

Re: "Complex education," (PostBag, June 1).

I have to wholeheartedly agree with Baffled Mango that the Thai university Central Admission System (TCAS) system is a disaster that should never have been implemented. What I haven't heard is any rational reason from any government officials as to why they feel that this awful system is at all necessary.

On the face of it, the TCAS seems like just another government programme that is ripe for corruption to serve the wealthy. The thousands of worthy students who were denied placement under the TCAS, or placed in a university that doesn't suit their intended fields of study, will likely support this view.

Why the Thai government should choose to create a "middleman" sort of clearing house to deal with college applications is beyond the imagination, other than to ensure that the children of influential people are given preferential consideration.

The Bangkok Post reported in its May 31st edition that "the CUPT (Council of University Presidents of Thailand) said the flaws will serve as a lesson for improving the system for next year." That is hardly good news for this year's qualified graduates who have studied hard, some at the top of their classes, only to be denied their dreams to study at a university that they are certainly qualified to attend.

The whole concept of TCAS denies these students their right of access to the universities of their choice. It reduces gifted students down to the level of cattle to be fed through a chute and divided among the universities without much regard for their abilities.

I am wondering whether they teach anything at all about Thai history in school. If they did, it would seem crystal clear that after 20-odd coups since 1932 that the Thai military won't allow any government that they don't like to operate for long, no matter what they say.

I think it would probably be a better use of everyone's time to buy lottery tickets with the slim chance of winning a really big prize so that you could join the elite and be on the winning side for a change.

I am now in my fifth year of operating a guesthouse. Five times I have obtained whatever licences I need and five times I have used these to obtain my annual visa and work permit.

Now the police want to close me down, along with every other guesthouse. Multiple police teams are operating throughout Chiang Mai, fining people, hauling people to the police station, putting closed signs on businesses.

We can only guess that the big hotels with political influence are behind this campaign. It is not only unjust, but dumb. Hotels and guesthouses do not compete in the same market. Close every guesthouse in Chiang Mai and the hotels will not increase their bookings. Budget travellers simply will go elsewhere in Thailand or Asia. As news spreads overseas, fewer people will see Thailand as the 'Land of Smiles'. And Thai operators may wonder why their own people are determined to ruin them financially.

I spent the past month rereading Marcel Barang's English translations of many Thai classic novels, yes, including Utsana Phleungtham's classic, The Story of Jan Darra. I am amazed till this day at how little to nothing Thai students from elementary level to university level know about Thai literature, including every adult Thai I've spoken to.

I can only read Khun Marcel's English translations under the tmc label. But, oh, if I could only read the originals in Thai, how lucky I would be. Authors such as Arkartdamkeung Rapheephat, Chart Korpjitti, Sila Khoamchai, Thanorm Maha-Paoraya, Marlai Choophinit, just to name a few.

Prime Minister Prayut is promoting "Thainess" in dress, culture, customs, traditions and religion. It would be wonderful if the prime minister added his voice to Thai literature which deserves a special place in the pride of Thainess, and those now almost forgotten Thai authors who made it happen.

Re: "Industrial Defence," (PostBag, June 2).

I would like to thank the Corporate Communications Manager, IRPC Plc, Khun Chanida Sanhakorn, for providing her telephone number. The day after the next IRPC smoke emission, I will ring her and invite her to my house to help clean up the fallout.

Contact: Bangkok Post Building 136 Na Ranong Road Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110 fax: +02 6164000 Email:

postbag@bangkokpost.co.th

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