Re: ''InQuote'' (BP, Dec 11).
Elements of the Pheu Thai Party seem intent on stripping Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva of his military rank, a petty-minded act of revenge if ever there was one.
On the other hand, Prompong Nopparit, Pheu Thai Party spokesman and close Thaksin Shinawatra aide, goes to the defence of the ousted prime minister's recent television broadcast, to the extent of honouring him with the title ''Police Colonel''.
If anyone should be stripped of rank and titles, it is a convicted fugitive felon.
DAVID BROWN
Rayong
Abhisit had no choice
I'm confused. As I understand it, former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is being charged with murder because he authorised the use of weapons with live ammunition to deal with demonstrators.
As I understand it, the demonstrators had guns with real ammunition. So, if he had sent soldiers who did not have live ammunition to control the demonstrators and one had been killed by a demonstrator who used live ammunition, would Mr Abhisit then be held responsible for the soldier's death? Maybe. I don't understand the subtleties of this situation. But it seems like a lose-lose situation for Mr Abhisit and possibly for any politician who follows him and ends up having to give orders to armed men.
In the real world, when people use guns to defend themselves, someone gets hurt.
ALAN REEDER-CAMPONI
Sickened by Sala Daeng
I walk down Sala Daeng Road every morning to buy a newspaper. We could have it delivered, but I enjoy the morning air and the hustle and bustle of workers heading to their jobs.
I enjoy the motorbikes with the pretty girls on the back; I like to watch the vendors prepare breakfast and coffee for the people rushing up and down the road. The sights and activities remind me how much I enjoy living in Bangkok.
What I also see and smell, unfortunately, are the piles of rubbish from the night before, put there, I assume, by vendors. An attempt has clearly been made to bag it and tie it, but it nonetheless stinks and is food for a large number of rats, some of whom scuttle away at the approach of a human, a few who don't bother, and an occasional one who lies dead on the sidewalk.
A situation like this is disgusting, filthy, and dangerously unhealthy. It doesn't take a doctor to know that mixing humans with dead rats and waste is a sure recipe for sickness and disease; neither does it take an historian to know what has happened when that sort of situation was permitted in the past.
Bangkok cannot consider itself a modern city when it mingles dead rats and rubbish with rush-hour office workers and hotels filled with businessmen and well-heeled tourists.
I truly enjoy this city. In fact, it's fair to say I love it. But I'm embarrassed and disgusted by the filth on Sala Daeng.
THOMAS GIESEN
Is new hotel legal?
A new hotel, The Indigo, is being built on a small plot on Witthayu Road in Bangkok.
This construction is close to the now-infamous Aetas Residence on Soi Ruam Rudee, which is subject to a legal challenge against its planning application and approval, and has been ordered to be demolished.
I understand that The Indigo will be 26 storeys high, which seems excessive based on the new planning regulations and especially when compared to its neighbouring structures, which are about one third as high.
It is also interesting to see the promotional materials for this hotel, which apparently shows a rendition of the hotel from a park opposite, complete with someone walking his dog.
This imaginary park would appear to currently be the garden of the US Ambassador's house, which to the best of my knowledge has been there for many years!
Perhaps someone from City Hall or the Pathumwan Planning Office can offer some explanation on the approvals for the construction of this hotel.
KMAC
CONTACT: BANGKOK POST BUILDING
136 Na Ranong Road Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110
Fax: +02 2403666 email: postbag@bangkokpost.co.th
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