OPINION

Good idea, but will it happen?

Re: "Foreigners to get SMS visa alerts", (BP, Nov 30).

I guess we should give the Immigration Bureau some credit for its efforts to make visa requirements smoother for foreigners. The idea of sending SMS reminders to foreigners in Chon Buri whose visas are about to expire, and the recent announcement of a "drive-thru" service in Phuket for routine procedures, are nice ideas.

I have to say, I'm still more than a bit sceptical, however. Immigration police chief Songprode Sirisukha is quoted as saying the SMS approach will save money as it will replace letters sent to alert foreigners that their visas are about to expire. But I've never heard of anyone receiving such a notification letter. Will the Immigration Bureau really send out text messages to the thousands whose visas are about to expire every day? I have my doubts.

As for expectation of the drive-thru service easing the problem of an overly crowded car park at the immigration office in Phuket (or elsewhere, for that matter), of course there will be no "easing" if it takes just as long for officials to process extensions or reporting using the same old tedious procedures. The drive-thru service will only transfer the waiting problem from inside the office to a line-up of cars. And what happens when the foreigner reaches the front of the drive-thru line and faces the inevitable "document must be photocopied"? Will they have to park their car in the "not-so-overly crowded" parking lot, get their document photocopied, and then go to the back of the drive-thru line?

If the Immigration Bureau wanted to make real progress, it would eliminate the ridiculous 90-day reporting requirement for long-stay visa holders and the even-more-ridiculous TM30 requirement that foreigners report to the nearest immigration office within 24 hours of each return to Thailand.

Re: "Food for thought", (PostBag, Dec 1).

There should indeed be food for thought. I remember during my first visit to Bangkok so many years ago, how thrilled I was to partake in Thai street food, sitting at a little sidewalk table, on a little stool, eating noodles. The first few minutes were enjoyable, until one of those red and white buses was stalled in traffic directly to the side of our table.

The black diesel smoke, the miasma of all the other smells, created such a filthy atmosphere that it was the last time I enjoyed "sidewalk street food". If the expression, "you are what you eat" holds true, then we should be spiced up not only with prik thai, with flakes of black diesel residue spewing from the exhausts of not only those run-down, rarely maintained buses, but also the filthy air in most Bangkok streets.

Eating street food can be hazardous to your health. In Bangkok, like most major cities, if you cannot see what you breathe, you are having a good day.

Crack down on pavement riders

Re: "Fines raised for pavement motorcyclists", (PostBag, Nov 29).

The fine for riding motorbikes on pavements should be 5,000 baht with confiscation of the bike until paid, but it has to be properly and enthusiastically enforced. The fine should increase and, on the third offence, confiscation of the bike, then to be auctioned, with funds going to a good cause, maybe even police bonus?

I, also, fail to understand the lunacy of those who ride without helmets because they know they can get away with it, or it's a small fine.

Worst of all, are the children who ride standing on the front with no helmet! It's hard to imagine how moronic the thoughts are of their guardians.

But unless the police show some enthusiasm and conviction, in this and other motoring activities, nothing will ever happen and Thailand will continue to have 12 times more road deaths than some European countries.

Address unpunished murder

Isn't it amazing that the Philippine Supreme Court convicted three police officers for the murder of a 17-year old student in President Duterte's war on drugs yet Thai police who murdered innocent people during Thaksin's war on drugs are still walking around free, without fear of prosecution?

Thaksin's son wants to "restore democracy to the people". How about first going after dear papa and his buddies? Is unchecked, unpunished, murder how Thaksin's democracy works?

The relentless problem of stray animals is stymied by the misplaced concept of compassion and misunderstanding of suffering. The animals are suffering in their current conditions through lack of adequate food, shelter, and medical attention. Capturing them and then humanely euthanising them is the only solution. This relieves the animals of their suffering and the people that suffer from their presence are relieved. Win-win on both sides. For people to state that it is not humane and within Buddhist​ ethics to follow such a prescription limit their understanding of Buddhism and the concept of "rebirth".

If Eric Bahrt had used Pew Research Centre he would know Mr Obama, against Mr McCain, received 41% of the white male votes and 46% of the white female votes. Your quote "Most white Americans would rather have a lousy, racist president than a good black one" is totally false. One more thing. The NBA has 30 teams. Majority 95% black.

All teams play at least once in the south. The southern fans who watch them play are 98% white. And you called them racist?

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