OPINION

Blame the Burmese

Re: "CSD probing death of Belgian tourist on Koh Tao", (BP, June 30).

I hope the police on Koh Tao don't find a few convenient Burmese bar boys hanging around. It would make the police investigation so much more convenient, wouldn't it (if the police are at all capable of a competent investigation)?

So far everything they investigate on Koh Tao is like the children's party game, "Pin the tail on the donkey". One wonders who the real jackass is at times.

Re: "Top-heavy top brass", (PostBag, June 28).

This informative letter from Darius Hober regarding the high number of generals in the Thai military comes at a time when their position in society needs to be reviewed by all concerned citizens.

It is quite obvious that this number of generals far exceeds the amount needed for repelling a foreign attack or defending the country, which begs the question, why so many? Once the military is accepted as a sociopolitical group which, like all Thai institutions, works from the top down, it's obvious that the greater the number at the top, the better it is to maintain control. Seeing the military as an institution necessary for the control of the population rather than a method of defence makes sense of the numbers.

Darius then suggests the PM should be doing something about this in his position of maintaining good governance and fiscal administration, but that, of course, is impossible. His position as PM is totally reliant on being at the top of this pyramid. He owes his success to this high number and is therefore unlikely to make any changes to a winning formula.

Re: "China must stop meddling", (Editorial, June 30).

Your editorial says: "Only Beijing can make things right by living up to the one country, two systems principle".

This small island was robbed by Queen Victoria's navy when China tried to stop UK traders who brought in opium to destroy the health of Chinese people and damage China's economy (the annual sale of opium at that time was sixfold higher than China's national budget). Since the occupation of Hong Kong by the UK is not right and fair, why does Beijing have to honour that promise?

Hong Kong cannot be independent because its economy thrives on China's support. It also cannot survive without water supplied from the mainland at a friendly price.

The government proposals for reform of the Universal Health Care Coverage (UC) appear ridiculous. Most normal workers or retirees could not afford to pay 30% or 50% of any treatment cost.

Perhaps keep the number of people eligible for the gold card at a minimum, and let everyone else pay 500 baht or 1,000 baht per year for health care. This would increase the available budget and work with government contributions to allow hospitals to continue supporting the scheme without bankrupting participants or hospitals.

I am a member of a social security fund and I personally do not mind paying more towards the health care scheme even to the extent of 440 baht per month.

Re: "US approves new Black Hawk helicopter sales", (BP, June 30).

It may be easier and cheaper, but Thai armed forces should not buy weapons from China.

Buying weapons from China undermines the strength of our defence forces in case of Chinese invasion since the country will know well what type of arms we have and how to use them. Buying weapons from the US and other countries is a good choice because they have very little intension of invading Thailand, and because Chinese would not have enough knowledge about our military secrets.

ATMs in Bangkok now charge 220 baht for foreign account withdrawals -- an increase of 50%. If you are "lucky" you get a coupon good for a soda worth 12 baht from Family Mart at the end of the transaction. I say "lucky" because not all banks give a coupon.

Last Saturday evening I withdrew from an ATM at Kasikorn Bank. Not only did the bank not offer the coupon, but its defective machine took my card. It was not until Monday night when I was able to retrieve my card from another branch. I had to make phone calls and a couple visits to the branch before getting my card back. I was not compensated for the inconvenience.

Nobody but the poorest of the poor or a foreigner gets punished for committing crimes in Thailand. The latest example of the commuted sentence for TV show host "Nott's" assault in a road rage incident is one of countless others which serve to prove Thailand's failure in delivering justice to society. Terms like truth, justice and democracy are merely meaningless signposts on the country's road to ruin.

Pattaya's only remaining car‐free beach is being destroyed.

Hundreds of local Thais work on the beach, providing beach chairs, massages, and selling souvenirs. Thousands of expatriates and Thais have bought condos along this beach, and hundreds of thousands of tourists come back, attracted to the quiet and natural beauty of Dongtan Beach.

Out of nowhere, the military‐appointed mayor, Pol Maj Gen Anan Charoenchasri, has decided that there should be a two‐lane road along the beach, and a 6-metre concrete walkway. All 60‐year-old pine trees are being cut down and imported palm trees (without shade) planted. Only 9m of beach will be left out of the previous 17m.