Postbag
I have a suggestion that I think has some merit. I believe that the Bangkok governor candidate who has the fewest of these great big campaign posters that block the view from bus stops should automatically be declared the winner. That person at least shows that he has some regard for the common folk on the street. And at some stops it is virtually impossible to watch for approaching buses without standing on the street.
The deputy governor's position should go to the candidate who has the fewest of those most irritating trucks with great loudspeakers roaming the streets. Are these not illegal in Bangkok? Possibly any candidate who uses these vehicles should be disqualified for breaking the law.
Just some thoughts from someone who uses the buses as a main mode of transport _ a very frustrated bus rider.
KEN MCGIBBON
Prayuth wrong on draft
Re: ''Army reserve students risk being called up for draft'' (BP, Feb 5). Previously, students who underwent territorial defence training (aka Ror dor) were exempted from the military draft. Gen Prayuth, however, announced that due to a shortfall in army recruits, the current army reserve students may be required to submit their names for a conscription draw.
Gen Prayuth isn't hitting the nail on its head. Having shortages of recruits means that proper incentives aren't there. In Australia, there is no compulsory conscription, yet there is mostly no shortage of recruits over there. Why? Because the Australian Defence Force (ADF) offers generous financial incentives, which are competitive to that of the private sector, and benefits to recruits.
The ADF pays for would-be recruits to earn undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. With stringent recruiting criteria, the ADF knows that its recruits are well-qualified and dedicated army officers. It is also a career for the recruits.
If Gen Prayuth wants to strengthen Thailand's military capacity, look to the USA _ the most powerful country militarily and one without compulsory conscription. Much of their military budget goes into research and development.
But most of this will fall on deaf ears. The army (and the Royal Thai Police) are but one huge money-making machine.
Indeed, the real reason(s) behind the new drafting proposal might be as follows: 1) to generate more ''revenue'' from students wanting to escape from conscription; 2) to show critics the army is toughening its stance on the Thai-Cambodian border dispute; 3) to indoctrinate impressionable students with conformity and army values rather than individuality; 4) to build up the size of the army, thereby increasing its power and presence.
Lastly, Gen Prayuth said that the defence training programme needs improvements to respond to new threats to national security, such as drugs problems. He seems to suggest these threats are externally driven. But, like many pernicious problems plaguing this country, they in fact inevitably come from the inside.
EDWARD KITLERTSIRIVATANA
Irony of Khunploems
Regarding Thailand's Culture Minister Sonthaya Khunploem demanding the removal of the YouTube SNL Rosetta Stone video spoofing Thailand's sex industry via language lessons (''Clip spoofing sex trade upsets govt'', BP, Feb 5).
The irony of the whole thing is absolutely hilarious. Here we have the son of Thailand's notorious gangster, Somchai Khunploem, aka Kamnan Poh, recently arrested, complaining about a rather tame video clip, which by now must have gone, as they say, ''viral''.
Meanwhile, his brother Ittiphon Khunploem, the mayor of Pattaya, successfully manages the city known for its sex industry.
Perhaps Thai politicians should spend more time wondering about the scams and rip-offs that tourists have to contend with rather than a rather silly short video that most people would never have seen or heard of before this storm in a teacup.
RATCATCHER
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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/02/06/city-poll-causes-road-hell/
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