OPINION

Harsh punishment

Re: "Hoteliers: Poor speedboat safety damaging tourism", (BP, June 9).

Of course the authorities need to strictly enforce the water traffic laws, with severe punishment for violations.

But if we want to secure absolute safety to protect speed boat passengers and Thai tourism, we should mull measures beyond those laws. That is, in any violation of the law or accident, regardless the reason, the operator shall be suspended immediately for one year.

Re: "See China in a positive light", PostBag, June 12.

I wish to respectfully take issue with Khun Yingwai's defence of China as a "peaceful, enlightened" country. On a trip to China about 10 years ago, my tourist guide hurried me inside a department store so as not to see a flatbed truck moving slowly through the street with loudspeakers blaring the names of the condemned standing on it, placards around their necks, going to some place for public execution.

As recently as three years ago, I visited a Chinese public school and was entertained by being shown a shooting gallery for kids where the figures to be shot at were Americans, and asked to have a go. I was further enlightened when both my guide and driver were not permitted to eat with me at my invitation. My car was stopped for speeding on Chang'an, the wide Beijing boulevard. I was enlightened to see my driver passing a wad of banknotes to the traffic cop. (Some things are universal.)

I was enlightened after discovering the "genuine" jade pendant purchased in a Friendship Store was fake. I was enlightened when, having to urinate against a wide wall provided for this purpose, I attracted a horde of gawkers.

I'm enlightened by the present Chinese government building artificial islands to expand its territory, manning them with the military and claiming it's for national defence. I'm enlightened to know China might cause World War III with its persistence that Taiwan is really part of the mainland.

I'm enlightened to see dog eating festivals, enlightened to know human organs are still being trafficked illegally, taken from executed people. I'm enlightened to read about illegal exports of tiger and rhino products. I'm enlightened to see China's open aggressive takeover and subjugation of Tibet, claiming it is Chinese territory. I'm enlightened when China says it will not respect the United Nations decisions regarding territorial disputes with virtually all its neighbours.

I'm so enlightened that further enlightenment might be hazardous to my health. Some people will be enlightened when, in 50 or so years, Thailand is annexed to China. It's coming so subtly it is hardly noticeable.

Jack Gilead in his June 12 letter ("Not stylish, they're silly hats") is allowed to snipe at the British royalty. We're used to it from jealous Yankee types. This time it's hats.

As a Brit who has deepest respect for the monarchy, not least because under British protocol some harmless fun at the expense of royalty is fair game, I would like to comment thus: perhaps some people "across the pond" could be well advised to wear a "silly" hat. Especially a certain presidential hopeful who's hair style would be described in Britain as a "mullet".

Are you really going to end up with that on your bank notes?

I just received an email from Peta about the atrocities committed against crocodiles in Thailand. According to Peta, 700,000 crocodiles are raised in Thailand and virtually none of them will survive.

Some of the methods used to kill them include beating them with a hammer and crushing their spines in order to paralyse them or skinning them alive.

It takes four dead crocodiles on average to make one leather handbag. Needless to say, those who care about animals should not be buying those handbags.