OPINION

Irked by dual pricing

I do not know what other countries charge foreigners or tourists regarding entry fees to tourist attraction places. But I think over over-charging is a no-no. It will drive tourists away from Thailand. And now the idea of dual pricing for hotel room rates is really, really "amazing" and "unbelievable".

I am a permanent resident here and now have a pink ID card for life (I'm already 63). We have gone through all this dual pricing at tourist places. We know we have been overcharged but if the difference is not much compared to locals, we will visit again. But if the difference is too-too much, we never visit again. Once is enough.

Since Thailand depends on tourism, it should think twice about this dual pricing. You would want tourists to have good memories of Thailand and come back again and again. Not for just one visit and then never return forever.

Darius Hober's argument about gun culture in the USA is pure disinformation. To understand gun culture in the USA, some history is needed. At the time of the ratification of the 2nd Amendment (Right to Bear Arms, 1789), guns were single shot and a skilled shooter took one minute to reload. In contrast, today's store-bought guns in America are high technology, some are capable of firing 60 to 120 rounds per minute. The AR-15 assault rifle, one such rapid-firing gun, is effectively a modern weapon of war and is one of the current big sellers.

Before 1990 one would see in shops guns for hunting, target practice, and personal protection. Nowadays, on display are AR-15 and AK47-type assault rifles and various high-capacity side arms. Now, replacing outdoor wear is a large assortment of body armour and helmets. In summation, these weapons are not for protection (defence) but for offence. Ironically, the people most likely to support a tyrant are those gun owners who support the Jan 6 insurrection of the Capitol whose goal was to prevent the peaceful transfer of power.

I must be the "kind of idiot" who prefers to be unarmed.

Re: "The best job in the world takes its toll", (PostScript, July 10).

Well, I must say that the UK is far better regarding the etiquette and manners of its elected politicians. It took some time for Mr Johnson to realise that he couldn't engage in a high-wire act to hang on to power.

Just look across the Atlantic Ocean, where Mr Trump lost the election but did everything to stay in the White House.

Looking back, the USA looks no better than Sri Lanka or other corrupt vote-bank democracies where prime ministers and presidents can't let go of the "best job" they acquire by hook or crook.

In the USA, Mr Trump unleashed his armed mob on the Capitol to stall his evacuation from the White House.

In Sri Lanka, people had to storm the palace to force President Rajapaksa to step down. They raided his official residence and set their prime minister's house on fire.

With economic woes, hardships, and rising discontent, holders of the "best job" everywhere are now on the ropes. And for all the good reasons.

Yes, Roger, the politicians are indeed loopy.

They have turned a charming concept of democracy into a squid game.