OPINION

Times are changing

At a time when the anti-dictatorship student protesters are back on the streets it was interesting to see your article about Bangkok's trains not being just for the rich.

I was immediately drawn to the similarity of Thailand's political problems with those of Chile.

With a constitution drawn up by a military dictator who also used the army and police to repress opposition, it took an increase in metro fares to produce a mass protest against the record of an unelected leader.

Forty years of living under a constitution that had resulted in huge wealth inequality, but still nowhere near as bad as Thailand's, finally caused an uproar on the streets and a desire for real change.

With protest numbers that no-one can ignore, the Chileans not only pushed for constitutional changes but revised the authority that would create their new document, refusing parliamentary input and opting for an all citizen, equal male/female assembly.

With Thailand's wealth inequality being one of the world's worst it's only a matter of time before the numbers rise to the level seen in Chile -- and I feel sure we will see a similar outcome.

Re: "Beware TV bookshelf backdrop", (PostScript, Feb 14).

Sadly there is no concept of "public toilets" in the USA or in the UK.

I am not sure about the rest of European Union nations.

In colonial times, posh lavatories and latrines were only available in government bungalows, and the rest houses located in all major cities and hill stations.

But in recent years India embarked on the concept of public toilets in a very big way. All major cities in India are now equipped with public toilets that offer basic amenities for a modest fee.

Except for tourist places, such as Pattaya, Phuket, and others, where many private bathrooms are stuck in the alleys, there seems to be a lack of public toilets.

In Thailand, public places such as parks and highways do have excellent bathroom facilities.

But local governments should do more to provide clean lavatories in all big towns and cities.

On the lighter side, I refer to a sign seen in Japan: "Lavatory has separated to the male and the woman. Don't mistake". And another one: "Please refrain from using the bathroom alone." (actually, it meant do not use it for long?)

Lost in translation, I guess.

Re: "Food for thought", (PostBag, Feb 14).

I think the hardest thing about being vegetarians or vegans is that they can't keep it to themselves. We omnivores never go around bragging about it.