OPINION

Too pricey for tourists

There is a lot of talk these days of the decrease in tourist numbers, and there are a lot of reasons why this could be happening.

 The fatal boat incident in Phuket, which killed numerous Chinese tourists, and the time-consuming processing at the immigration desks at Bangkok's two major airports come to mind. But I think there is another major reason for the decline.

When I first visited Thailand some 20-odd years ago, the exchange rate for sterling was in the region of 68 baht to the pound. Today you're lucky to get 43 baht to the pound.

Two people could have a two-course lunch with a glass of wine in one of many restaurants for the reasonable price of 1,200 baht. Now, you will pay 3,200 baht. A doctor's visit to a first-class hospital in Bangkok used to be at most 600 baht. Now, you will pay 1,600 baht.

I could go on. It seems to me that tourists are now seeing that what once used to be a cheap destination for a family holiday has become too expensive and compares in price to any European destination, unless of course the family wants to eat street side.

Re: "Drug war mystery", (PostBag, Nov 15).

Thaksin Shinawatra was not indicted for the murder of 3,000 people in his 2003 war on drugs, possibly because of insufficient evidence and witnesses. This is normal, given Thaksin's influence and power among some Thais.

However, he cannot escape responsibility, because it was he who declared war on drugs before the killings took place.

Former world leaders such as Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin and Mao Zedong were each responsible for several million immediate deaths during their times.

They have never been indicted for murder -- not even posthumously.

But the stigma sticks with them, long after they have died.

Re: "Drug war mystery", (PostBag, Nov 15).

The "drug war mystery" involving Thaksin Shinawatra should not present a mystery at all.

Thaksin has what most countries where he resides consider a most welcome commodity.

As Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey sang in Cabaret, "Money makes the world go round". The will to extradite Thaksin is just about as strong as the will to extradite the Yoovidhya brat.

Money talks, the perpetrator walks.

It should be very obvious, no matter who runs the government. Everything in the world has its price.

Re: "The meter is ticking", (Editorial, Nov 14).

Most Bangkok taxi drivers are good but it's the minority who are the problem. I also agree that the Taxi OK programme is a good idea, and I'm always pleased when a "green light" taxi picks me up. They deserve a raise!

In addition, I think there is a need for passenger feedback and driver supervision. A good start would be to upgrade the 1584 taxi hotline so they are not always busy and so they have operators who speak English. I no longer try to call them because the hotline service is not much better than the taxis themselves. Periodic ride-alongs and/or proficiency testing would also be a step in the right direction. Right now as I understand it, taxis are independent operators and there is little to no accountability.

Since the first week of November, major shopping malls are fully decorated with Christmas trees, lights, music, snow and other stupid gadgets. Why is Thailand making our religious holidays look like a cheap commercial circus? The decorations, Christmas trees, lights, bells and snow are a cheap form of entertainment to lure the tourists back to Thailand.

For me, this is ridiculous. In my country we celebrate Christmas from Dec 15 until Jan 6. Here, the decorations go on for more than two months. I hope these upcoming months will pass by very quickly. Thailand should start thinking and doing the Thai way and not the farang way.

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

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