Economist wises up

POSTBAG

Published: 29 Dec 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Re: ''Oddball news of 2012'' (BP, Dec 28).

Of all the bizarre stories this year, none beat that of House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont's trip to England in September, together with a group of people close to the Pheu Thai Party and the red shirts.

Mr Somsak's appearance at the headquarters of the world-renowned magazine The Economist may have somehow convinced the title that it made a mistake in pitching Thaksin Shinawatra as Thailand's democracy fighter.

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dao
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Discussion 7 : 29 Dec 2012 at 13.267
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I think its more unbelievable that we the public let politicians get away with such shameless behavior .Why are we so indifferent to the wrongs committed all around us .Its not minding your business its being part of the problem or the solution .
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pinky
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Discussion 6 : 29 Dec 2012 at 12.366
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A couple of years ago I rented a jetski at Cha Am. As I went to set off it accidentally sucked the anchor rope into the water intake which got stuck in the propeller. The jetski operator asked me to sit and wait and half an hour later they had fixed the problem and called me back and let me have my full half hour ride. They are not all scammers. Problem is how do you know?
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Renaissance
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Discussion 5 : 29 Dec 2012 at 12.015
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Victor: Tell your niece not to worry. Chalerm is on the job! He has assured us that the situation will be sorted out. Personally, I don't think he has a clue what to do. I have never heard him talking about the causes of the problems and proposing solutions to each of the causes.
Jon: While people are still being scammed by the jet ski operators, I think that word has got around about the jet ski scams. I don't see them being rented in Phuket anywhere nearly as often as 2-3 years ago. I think that they are now feeling the effects of their scamming. At last!
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bkkdave
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Discussion 4 : 29 Dec 2012 at 09.504
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As disc2 suggests, many other businesses/stallholders/ beach vendors are all in on the jet ski scams and would also lose out if people stopped using them.
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egon
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Discussion 3 : 29 Dec 2012 at 09.403
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Kena disc1:Yes!Letters one of the most interesting parts of the newspaper.
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Eggmeng
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Discussion 2 : 29 Dec 2012 at 09.012
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About 14 years ago I worked at a good hotel here where the sea bathers had been targeted by Jet Ski operators, because of the nice beach and room rates. There were occasional scams in which I was asked to intervene but eventually would refuse.

We posted a very prominent warning that no one could miss. The "adventurous" simply ignored them. Many also felt their masculinity challenged by the signs we posted about the dangerous rip tides. There were (and still are) drownings very year.

Don't underestimate the power of testosterone to affect reason. Trust me - with some warnings don't work.
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kena
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Discussion 1 : 29 Dec 2012 at 07.221
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Many letters today. Thanks to Postbag for printing so many - and all had things to say which people (who care about Thailand) need to hear. Bravo!
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Economist wises up | Bangkok Post: opinion