Here in Pattaya, Songkran apparently started on Tuesday on Beach Road but unfortunately it has also started to infect the roads back from the sea. Foreigners are roaming the streets and dominating the bars firing high-powered water guns into the faces of motorcyclists.
Here in Pattaya, Songkran apparently started on Tuesday on Beach Road but unfortunately it has also started to infect the roads back from the sea. Foreigners are roaming the streets and dominating the bars firing high-powered water guns into the faces of motorcyclists.
There are pickups with barrels of water, high-powered water guns made out of blue plumbing pipe, and not a policeman or soldiers in sight.
I am not a killjoy but Songkran has lost all sense and meaning in the name of revenue and tourism.
Sensible Aquaphobic Charlie
Ask the real question
Re: "Prayut blasts parties for attacking CDC draft", (BP, April 12).
Our prime minister posed this question to the two main political parties: "Let me ask them this: Have they used the power given to them by the people correctly? They just let [problems] go unsolved when they were in power."
I think we should revamp the question slightly to ask the prime minister: Has he used the power that he took from the people correctly? And as for unsolved problems, has he reformed education? No. Has he reformed the police? No.
In fact several cops who were trying to do an honest job found it necessary to resign, flee the country or commit suicide. Has he cleaned up corruption within the military? No. Has he protected the forests and green spaces? No.
They are threatened as never before by a slew of megaprojects bulldozed through with Section 44 orders. So much for "happiness for the people".
Regarding the charter, the prime minister also had this to say: "Do you understand the word 'power'? It is I who will decide what to do."
It should be noted that Gen Suchinda Kraprayoon thought much the same, in rather similar circumstances, back in 1992.
It's Songkran. Let us hope for a truly Happy New Year.
Nigel Pike
Serving the generals
Re: "Facing the army's shame," (BP, April 12).
It's time to consider reform of the army. Actually, the reforms of the armed forces and police should be on the priority list of the National Council for Peace and Order.
The army could start with banning the assignment of newly recruited soldiers to work as "servants" at the homes of the generals (including retired generals).
These soldiers are recruited to serve their country and the Thai people, not the generals.
The existing practice is an insult to their rights and their families.
PM Prayut could put a stop to this despicable and inhumane practice. It's the right thing to do and would be a plus for his declining popularity.
Chuchai
Escape is in sight
"Inky" the octopus escaped from New Zealand's Napier aquarium all the way to the ocean by "slipping through a small gap in his enclosure, sliding across a wet floor and squeezing through a 150-millimetre-diameter pipe". If "Inky" can do it, the Thai people can surely find their freedom too.
Happy Songkran to all!
Michael Setter, Bang Saray
No tourist heaven
Re: "Attract a better tourist class", (Postbag, Apr 10).
In response to Vint Chavala, I would respectfully suggest you get the type of tourist that the country appeals to.
With much of the country ankle-deep in discarded litter, air quality verging on dangerous, forests blazing and road traffic at an almost standstill he should be thankful that any tourists at all are arriving in Thailand.
The courageous Chinese, well used to much of the above and fully stocked with face masks form the majority on the streets of Chiang Mai and if they disappear the place will look deserted.
Who in their right mind would come from the scenic villages of Italy, Spain and Greece to spend a week in a concrete shopping mall vibrating with advertising messages at full volume. Not me.
Lungstib, Tha Ton
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