OPINION

Filial duty?

Re: "PPRP adopts cynical routine of polls past", (Opinion, Nov 28).

Among the "surprise" defections to the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) is that of Dejnattawit Teriyapirom. One cannot help but wonder what role the 42-year jail sentence handed to his father, former commerce minister Boonsong, for malfeasance in the rice scheme, has to do with his defection.

Is it Mr Dejnattawit's hope that as a PPRP MP, he might have a chance to plead for a reduction in his father's jail sentence, especially if the PPRP can form the next government? Still, filial duty might not have anything at all to do with defection from his father's party.

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

According to Pol Col Krisana Patanacharoen, deputy spokesman of the Royal Thai Police, the Thai police cannot adequately ensure public safety from motorbikes on sidewalks because they don't have enough manpower. The Thai police force is 230,000 strong, whereas the UK with a similar population has 122,000. Guess how many motorcycles used walkways in London yesterday?

The truth is that Thai police do not adequately enforce any laws. Before someone talks about Thai culture being different, look at Maejo University in Chiang Mai which by penalising students who do not wear helmets has achieved 100% usage and reduced related annual deaths of students by over 70%. Enforcement works.

Re: "City Hall to double fine for motorbikes on pavements", (Online, Nov 28).

Another incredulous story, running just after a previous report in which police tell us they haven't the manpower to enforce the present laws of no motorcycles on sidewalks. This, coupled with citizens' reported complaints that police see motorcycles on sidewalks and do absolutely nothing. The story about rounding up some of Bangkok's 150,000 stray dogs held infinitely more interest, and, at least was credulous.

Re: "A Thai solution for the Rohingya crisis", (Opinion, Nov 29).

Nehginpao Kipgen has spelled out all the organisations that could or should be involved in any solution to the Rohingya crisis, now that Thailand is the Asean chair. But the elephant in the room is the current population of Rakhine state, especially the Buddhist monks who were so opposed to the Rohingya people returning.

The Myanmar government needs to work closely with local people to put an end to their prejudices and ensure they are ready to positively welcome the Rohingya people. And that of course is a massive task.

King Power Mahanakhon, affectionately known to fans as the "Power Tower", has recently opened its observation deck and Skywalk to the public with much fanfare. Its debut has not been without minor controversy as many social media users were critical of the price, noting that you could buy promotional flights across the country for the same price or less. They have since reduced the price slightly and included a small soft drink.

However, there is another controversy quietly brewing. A while back, Pace Development held a photo contest on social media for their "Night of Lights". Some 10,000 winners were told they would receive complimentary tickets to be the first group to the observatory, but the winners have been left in the dark. After two weeks with no update it is increasingly clear that we have already served our purpose of free promotion.

Eric Bahrt says Mr Trump is a bad president and Mr Obama was a good one. What exactly is the difference? Both support a bloated military budget. Both illegally intervened in Syria. Both support Israel and its West Bank settlement agenda. Both promised to fix America's infrastructure but failed to add it to the budget.

What "changed" when Mr Obama left and in came Mr Trump?

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