Unwritten traffic rules

Much has been written about the daily slaughter on our roads. The root cause is well known: a high percentage of dangerous idiots on the road in combination with a dysfunctional police force.

The solution looks like a no brainer.

However, for reasons hard to understand for outsiders, transformation of the police force into a functional organisation will never happen. This has to do with a problem called Thainess. Eventually, the carnage on the roads will solve itself. Thirty years from now all cars will be self driving and private car ownership will be rare.

Until then, be very careful on zebra crossings, never travel during dark hours and avoid double-decker coaches.

Oh, and if you see a car approaching an intersection at a high speed flashing its headlights while the traffic light is changing from yellow to red, it means: Watch out, I am going to drive through the red light.

Just one of the unwritten traffic rules.

John Moss
Subsidise rail fares

Re: "Train fares too high", (PostBag, Oct 2).

Train fares seem expensive when we compare them with those of buses, but they are also faster and more convenient.

The authorities and/or specialists should study this subject and subsidise train fares, if necessary.

RH Suga
The planet's on fire

As I watched 16-year-old Greta Thunberg standing in front of world leaders, I thought how proud her parents must be. Their daughter stood unintimidated on the world stage, full of confidence, passion and conviction and showing concern and empathy for society at large.

I was then shocked by some Thais' responses such as: She should be at school; she obviously has poor parents; and we don't need a 16 year old to tell us that there is global warming.

Stark reminders of the Thai educational system where free thinking, questioning and the confidence to argue with those in authority is suppressed.

The fact is that she has raised world awareness more than anyone since Al Gore made us sit up and listen to An Inconvenient Truth.

Global warming is an existential threat and insufficient action is being taken.

So yes, it appears we do need a 16 year old to tell world leaders that the planet is on fire and they really do need to bring a bucket.

Phil Cox
What are trains?

Re: "Train fares too high", (PostBag, Oct 2).

When does our leader and those in power use a train or any other public transport service? Rarely, if ever.

They sit in the comfort of their chauffeur driven limousines with a police escort to clear the rest of us mere mortals off the road to allow them unhindered journeys.

Train fares? What are they? I presume he was referring to inner city trains.

Ron Martin
CONTACT: BANGKOK POST BUILDING 136 Na Ranong Road Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110 Fax: +02 6164000 email: postbag@bangkokpost.co.th
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