OPINION

Reclaim the paths

Re: "Fury after biker rams into girl on pavement", (BP, Nov 28).

How many more people will be cut down on footpaths by ignorant, inconsiderate motorcyclists before the government takes action?

Earlier this year, the BMA announced an email for incident reports. This didn't last long, and no other avenue for complaints has been announced.

Perhaps your publication and the other daily newspapers could step in and each dedicate a daily section to shame offenders? Publish photos of those law violators, there are so many on Srinakarin Road, near Seacon Square.

Sadly though, I doubt these people can be shamed -- they have no manners or morals.

But let's at least try to reclaim the footpaths.

I read the news article "Street vendors rules 'hurting tourism'", published in the Nov 27 edition, with interest. In it, a Mr Adisak Guntamuanglee, described in it as an "expert", is reported as giving a seminar at Thammasat University where he claims that clearing street vendors from Bangkok sidewalks is hurting tourism. However, as no evidence from any survey of tourists is given, one much assume this opinion is hardly academic and is therefore mere worthless subjective conjecture. The reality is, without a proper survey, no one knows. Perhaps he might take the time to do one.

In addition, nothing is said in the article to explain why he should be regarded as an "expert" (I note he is described as plain "mister" and so presumably has no doctorate and may not even have a relevant degree for all we know -- he might just be an undergraduate).

Finally, Mr Adisak says that "sidewalks are not only intended for pedestrians". Sidewalks, Mr Adisak, are not constructed for vendors, but for people to walk in safety on. That is why they are called "sidewalks" and not "street food vendor areas". If he bothered to actually talk to some tourists (I strongly suspect he has not), then he would quickly find out there is no attraction in risking being mown down by Thai traffic because they can't walk on the sidewalks.

Please can we be spared any more ridiculous and subjective opinions from such so-called "experts".

Whenever a case of animal abuse is raised, someone will try to circumvent the truth by alluding to the abuse inflicted on other humans, which is rather like saying we should ignore a bank robbery because people commit rape and murder.

If only logic were taught in schools, no one would get away with this type of deception.

The sheer nonsense of "pardoning" a turkey whilst killing millions which are, by definition, guilty is nothing short of dishonesty, and I believe that most people know this to be unacceptable even if they won't admit it.

If our population could still be counted in hundreds of millions, and animals roamed freely until they were slaughtered, my attitude to meat-eating might be more tolerant.

However, with a population of more than 7 billion, and in view of the terrible conditions most animals are kept in for the duration of their miserable lives, one can only say that the sooner it is brought to an end the better.

Even sheep, which are fortunate enough to spend their lives happily grazing in the fields, can end up being transported under shocking conditions for up to 20 hours only to end up with the terrifying experience of ritual slaughter.

Never mind "God help us"; the Lord Buddha must be in total desperation.

Re: "A punch of power", (Life, Nov 26).

Many thanks to the motoring news team for responding to my appeal to review vehicles that are affordable to most people. This week's cars were a mere 6 million and 3 million baht, both Mercs.

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