OPINION

Foreign driver charge wrong

Re: "Govt set to charge foreign drivers for using Thai roads" (BP, Nov 28).

Being from a town bordering Malaysia, I would like to know how the government plans to implement this proposal. I do not know if this will be good for both Malaysia and also Thailand because if we do this, they also will do the same and this could create difficulties and hinder tourists from visiting the country.

Also, there are so many cars coming into Thailand from Malaysia just to enjoy some food and do some shopping and they will leave in a few hours. Is the government going to charge them too for visits of a few hours that contribute to our local economies?

You mentioned that Malaysia has collected 20 ringgit or about 160 baht for Thai vehicles that visit the country since June. From what I know, this is not true. I visit Malaysia almost daily using private cars and we do not pay anything.

I read with amusement the Thai internet responses of disgust and outrage with the display of American derrieres at the Temple of Dawn ("Americans arrested for bare buttocks at temple", Nov 29).

It is of the greatest irony that disciplinary measures designed to remove the embarrassing tendencies of Thais for Victorian-era Western eyes are now being declared by Thais as Thai traditions that Westerners must live up to.

This privileging of the surface over the reality underneath originates in efforts by Thailand to perform as "civilised" to the Western empires in the 20th century. This entirely surface de-eroticisation of Thailand continued to allow for a private domain of a considerably erotic flavour that was hidden from the modest eyes of European and Victorian prudes.

Thailand has obviously kept this regime of images with frequent rituals, priority of aesthetics and the endless face saving, rigidly demarcated from what is common knowledge in private conversation. Obviously, and by way of contrast, Westerners are more used to a demarcation based on what is private and what is public.

The hidden power function in these disciplinary tools of representation should always be kept in mind, not least in the way they distort history, giving the impression of an ahistorical norm, and consolidate power in those with the control of images.

Much has been said recently about two Americans' disrespect for Thai culture -- in this case the infamous butt-baring at a Thai temple. Their act was certainly disrespectful, but possibly done while being unaware of cultural sensitivities.

But, I say to Thais who are rightly outraged, how about a little respect for other countries' sensitivities? On a daily basis one can see Thais wearing shorts emblazoned with the British Union Jack, and, for that matter, the US Stars and Stripes across their butts.

Cultural sensitivities work both ways; I can imagine the furore if tourists did the same with the respected Thai flag, which is surely a no-no.

Re: "Some lives matter less" (PostBag, Nov 28).

I would like to ask Robin if he/she ever considers the fact that the Bangkok Post is laid out in a format that anyone, even Robin, should understand.

From the front page to the back of the main weekday editions, Monday through Friday, it covers, in order, Thai national news, Asean news, Asian news and world news, followed by the editorial, opinion and PostBag. The final section is sports.

Your complaint that the stories on Islamic State, in this case, appeared on page 7 is not a put-down to what happened in Egypt. It simply was printed in the section covering the area where it happened.

Problems between Islam (Muslims) and the rest of the world's faiths are bad enough, so let's not add to it with comparisons of air disasters or any other disaster, as opposed to those including Islam.

In response to Mr Bahrt's letter, yes, it was a trap but a blatantly obvious one.

The pope's visit went ahead despite the actions taken against the Rohingya people as if his advisers were unaware of the possible repercussions. He was made to look weak for fear of retaliation by the brutal regime in Myanmar against Christians living there.

Mr Bahrt refers to Catholics, but they represent less than a quarter of Christians living in Myanmar and all could have suffered if the wrong words had been used. The pope should have done the simple thing and cancelled the visit before stepping on Myanmar soil.

An online news source reports that DNA testing on the organs of the military cadet is on hold because the military forensic institute ran out of chemicals needed to test DNA organs. Oh, come on now. How much more bull you-know-what is the army going to fling around?

Re: "The gathering place" about Oahu, one if the Hawaiian islands (Life, Nov 30).

Your map of Oahu is flawed: Pearl Harbor is placed in the north, even though it is in fact located in the south, next to Honolulu.

Compliments to the BMA on two accounts.

Firstly, new drainage works and the high standard of resurfacing, so far, of the pavement and the roadway (in concrete and not pavers) along Soi 13 at the klong end, and secondly, the commencement of the removal of the unsightly communication lines along Sukhumvit Road in the Nana area. Works like these can only revitalise Bangkok and make it a more enjoyable and safer place for all.

Contact: Bangkok Post Building 136 Na Ranong Road Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110 fax: +02 6164000 Email: postbag@bangkokpost.co.th

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