OPINION

Mental danger zone

Re: "'Murderers' on the roads", (BP, April 14).

Well, here we go again! While I applaud the authorities for trying something different by introducing the new charge of "premeditated murder" for over-the-alcohol-limit drivers who kill others on the roads, the charge is legally flawed, as the Taling Chan Court ruled.

The problem is there is the constant use of the phrase "road accident"; which, of course, they are not. There is nothing "accidental" about bad vehicle maintenance, bad driving and deliberate flouting of the existing traffic laws, all of which contribute singly or together to road traffic incidents. An "accident" cannot be judged "premeditated murder", there is nothing accidental about a premeditated act. However, it is far more to do with the psyche of drivers in Thailand.

Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha is correct in saying that "if drivers ignore them (legal measures) or find ways to escape punishment, the campaign cannot bear fruit". But surely it is not just about a successful campaign, it is about preventing injury and death on the roads. Once drivers realise that, for example, stopping at pedestrian crossings on a red light, wearing seat belts and wearing crash helmets is about safety for oneself and others and not about not getting caught by the police, the psyche, to which I alluded earlier, might just change and the appalling attitudes seen every day on the roads might also just change for the better.

Martin Kneath

Chavala: elitist snob

Re: "Inappropriate visits", (PostBag, April 14).

What evidence does Vint Chavala have that "most Thais" think it was wrong for foreign ambassadors to observe the junta's interrogation of a political opponent?

Chavala is an elitist snob who does not speak for Thai people! Why doesn't he speak up for the people who have gone through "attitude readjustment", been thrown in jail for peaceful political protest or have even "disappeared"? He's just an apologist for the oppressors of his own people. Human rights abuse is an international issue and it should be of concern to everyone, even if they're not a citizen of the country in which the abuses occurred.

Eric Bahrt

Fear of farang

In Sunday's Bangkok Post, (PostBag, April 14), it was interesting to get the Thai attitude of political interference from Vint Chavala. The mushroom is alive and well here in Thailand.

Perhaps the foreigners just wanted to see a future political career not thrown into jail for the night, with the resultant inability to conduct a great future political career.

A breath of new blood and thoughts is overdue in Thailand instead of what is thrust on the country now.

But I am a farang, and we are not wanted in Thailand with our mind-bending thoughts.

P Brown

Trump shenanigans

Re: "Trump's tax returns back in the spotlight", (World, April 15).

Mr Trump, show us your tax returns! Just what are you hiding, anyway? The American people (and the world at large) have a right to know what potential conflicts of interest lurk within your corporate empire and who may be holding sway over your policy-making as a result of your business dealings.

Personally, I am more than a little curious about how much tax you pay and how much you benefited from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that you pushed through Congress in 2017.

Samanea Saman