Paying for change
Re: "Bag campaign not consistent with reality", (Opinion, July 23).
The observation that "only foreigners bring cloth bags" to markets and shops points the way toward how to change habits and attitudes. Once conditioned to using durable re-usable bags, people do so without complaint or perceived inconvenience.
The best way to accelerate this conditioning is to charge a small fee for each disposable bag. Having grown up in an environment of unlimited free disposable bags, I too was a late convert. But, I was surprised at how quickly I began remembering to take my re-usable bags to shops when faced with the prospect of paying a few cents for each plastic bag in Europe. It is amazing how effective a charge of just 3 or 5 baht per bag can be in changing people's behaviour and perspectives.
Samanea Saman
Cronyism rules roost
Re: "Justice for all", (PostBag, July 26).
Khun Burin is always logical and never gets hysterical or emotional in his letters. How much better off would Thailand be if Khun Burin were to be appointed to a government ministerial post, namely minister for justice? Yes, Gen Prayut did promise to clean up corruption and ensure justice for all, but, the Yoovidhya brat, the Ubumrung brothers, and a host of others are running around, enjoying life, thumbing their noses at the justice system, all because they can financially afford it. Cronyism was, is and always will rule the roost in Thailand.
It's the way it was, is, and always will be, like it or not. And to use a good Americanism, "Ain't a thing we nor anyone else can do about it".
Jack Gilead
The uncountables
Concerning Michael Setter's July 21 letter, "Thai-ness' faux pas?", I suggest he takes note of Albert Einstein's comment that, "Not everything that counts can be counted and not everything that can be counted counts."
When measures are found to quantify things such as amiability, friendliness, politeness, helpfulness, trust, an absence of anger and other commendable human characteristics, he may find evidence to supplement the sterile statistics which he presently lists with such apparent enthusiasm.
I will agree with him on one point though, which is, there is no 'Singaporean-ness'.
Peter DawsonChiang Mai
Every state counts
Re "Trump truths", (PostBag, July 25).
To say that Obama's economy was on the way to recovery is absolutely untrue as is evidenced by a miserly 1.5% to 2% growth for the better part of eight years. To put it bluntly, the economy was going nowhere until Mr Trump's administration lowered taxes, slashed unnecessary regulations, freed up energy exploration and a host of other positive moves to help the economy.
Further, if Blue Wave is not an American, I forgive him or her for not understanding the Electoral College. If on the other hand that person is an American then one should know that were it not for the Electoral College, the vast majority of middle America would be ignored. Fly Over Country, as it is known, coupled with a collection of smaller states would have no say in the governance of our country. Fortunately, the rest of the country was spared being taken over by the financial sinkholes and liberal policies of New York and California, the two states who loaded the popular vote for Hillary.
Richard Rees
Batman days over
Re: "Bye-bye batman", (PostBag, July 25).
Wake up Khun Robin. The word "batman" has been replaced with the more modern term of adjutant, aide or orderly. This assignment still exists in almost all military services today. Granted however, assigning an orderly to personal domestic chores is definitely out, except of course in the Thai military.
Wombat
Like father, like son
Re: "Chalerm's son surrenders to answer assault charge", it is the old story of "Like father, like son".
David James Wong
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