OPINION

Give cabs a fare deal

Re: "For commuters, taxi fare hike is least of worries", (Opinion, Aug 10).

Standard cabbies' metered fares in Bangkok have been ridiculously low compared to other cities worldwide for a long time. I am not defending the rogues who refuse fares or don't turn on the meter, or resort to other poor behaviour, but their attitude could be explained by the costs they incur by renting a vehicle daily (exorbitant), paying for fuel and other household stresses while plying their trade in a metropolis that abounds with competitors.

Bangkok has no idea how lucky it is and a 10% hike is paltry if you are a driver with sometimes difficult customers (mostly Thai), a 12-hour day nailed to the seat (plus or minus), deadly traffic and overheads to meet. Over nearly 40 years, I have had very few disagreeable experiences with them. I have been impressed by their services and tip likewise.

Beware the 'Chosen One'

Re: "Getting off scot-free", (PostBag, Aug 10).

Tread carefully, Somsak Pola. The "Chosen One" is omnipotent. Omnipotence is what is needed to tread or swim in the cesspool of Thai politics for survival. And the "Chosen One" has sharp teeth and a heavy baton. Both are more effective than water wings.

Abolition of TM30 unlikely

Re: "TM30 mishmash", (Postbag, August 10).

Robin Grant is misinformed that airport authorities can check TM registration. Their computers are concerned only with whether the departing foreigner has overstayed or is wanted by the courts or the police.

That is it.

The reality is the TM30 is essentially a local matter. Some immigration offices require participation by one-year visa or visa extension holders, some do not. Some, but not all, require a new form specifically if a tourist is absent from his registered address for more than a day or two.

Campaigning for abolition of the TM30 is likely over-optimistic. Urging immigration bosses to introduce a national and common policy without all the obvious hiccups might be a better way ahead.

UK currency dive disastrous

With regard to the TM30 fiasco, the overwhelming problem that is seriously affecting the majority of your readership is sparsely mentioned. I refer, of course, to the disastrous decimation of the UK currency, which has led to an automatic increase of more than 30% to the considerable financial requirements imposed by immigration, without immigration lifting a finger.

Added to this is the general increase of all aspects of living costs, of course. While (using the US dollar as an example) the Thai baht has risen some 5% or so, massive damage is being done by the sickeningly implausible events that are taking place in the UK. Unfortunately, the full impact of the Brexit shambles is being borne by expats everywhere. Voters in the UK are not generally affected. Clearly many expats are being forced to consider a change in plans concerning their futures!

Suffering has already begun

Another Disillusioned Farang (PostBag, Aug 10) makes the point that being upset about Thai Immigration should not be interpreted as being against Thais. In fact, as more farangs leave or avoid Thailand it is the Thais who will suffer. Just strolling through the tourist section in Chiang Mai and seeing all the empty bars and restaurants I've noticed the suffering has already begun.

El Nino is not imaginary

In the Aug 10 commentary, "Will China turn off the Mekong tap?", Nauvarat Suksamran pretends that the Mekong basin was not hit by the effect of El Nino this year.

Have the World Meteorological Organisation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Mekong River Commission all been spreading Chinese propaganda, and is Thailand's government fighting an imaginary El Nino-induced drought this year?

Get off the hobby-horse

I've come to the conclusion Baffled Reader will use any opinion article as an excuse to get on one of his many hobby-horses irrespective of its aptness. The connection between the original article and his response is often tenuous at best, sometimes almost non-existent. The only subjects that link his Aug 8 letter, "Not seeing the truth", is women's clothing and gender equality. Nothing else in his letter is remotely connected with the article in question, its author or its female subject.

Baffled Reader might be less baffled if he read more attentively, stopped jumping to conclusions, and seeing implications that are not there.

I hope Serbia welcomes them!

Re: "Mysterious Yingluck", (PostBag, Aug 10).

Now that Yingluck Shinawatra has been granted Serbian citizenship, let's hope she (and her ilk) stay there. The Shinawatras can try to establish a Serbian family branch dynasty. Who knows; in a few years, Yingluck or Thaksin might become the prime minister of Serbia. Better both of them in Serbia than in Thailand. The Serbs will soon learn all about the duo they grant refuge to.