OPINION

Dead music

As the Songkran festival starts I am left wondering "When did the music die" to misquote a certain Don McLean.

As I compose this the local entertainment area is at full volume. I have no complaint with them as it isn't so loud that I can't watch TV or have a conversation and they always close down on time well before my bedtime.

What puzzles me is quite what the "millennials" call music.

What entertained the customers was not rap, which I find objectionable for the sexist and racist lyrics, but what I believe is called techno, R&B, D&B, house or rave.

The up-tempo deep bass thump is not the problem as it the basis for most rock music, but above that is a mixture of repeated sounds reminiscent of polystyrene rubbed on wet glass, finger nails down an old style blackboard and the squeak from a squeezed balloon. All that is topped with someone yelling into a microphone.

I am a fan of a wide variety of music: Led Zeppelin, The Eagles and Bad Company plus various others like Tony Bennet, Annie Lennox and Strauss to name only a few, but I fail to see any merit in this new format.

This cacophony of sound seems to have taken away all musical instruments, natural human singing voices and every possible melodic property. It also repeats just the same for as long as some operas, or so it seems.

The question is: What will the grandchildren of the "millennials" be listening to in the supermarket come 2045?

Inappropriate visits

Re: "Envoys deny interference claim", (BP, April 12).

The incident in which a number of representatives from foreign embassies and international organisations appeared at a police station in Bangkok, to "observe" the legal proceedings against Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit should give a valuable lesson to all parties concerned.

This "visit" by foreign representatives is seen by Thais as utterly inappropriate. Hence, from now on, such visits that could lead to a misunderstanding as this one should be strictly avoided.

Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai's reaction to this visit might be seen by foreigners as bordering on overreaction, but most Thais agree with him.

We believe any foreign minister of any country would do the same thing to protect his country's integrity and legal system. As Thailand's new political arrival, Mr Thanathorn should have grown from this incident -- and henceforth acted accordingly.

Classist prosecution

Re: "Drunk driver kills policeman, wife", (Online, April 12).

Now let's see if the government regulation announcing that anyone who causes death while driving drunk will be charged and tried for murder will hold up. This driver in his Benz is evidently a real big shot, owner of Thai Carbon and Graphite Company, one of the largest in Thailand.

Like the black leopard killer, I'm sure his lawyers will have him out on bail while charges will either be dropped or reduced to a minimum, while a drunken small Toyota or Honda driver, if caught for the same offence will indeed be tried for murder and jailed for life.