Postbag
Congratulations to Bangkok Post Sunday and reporter Chaiyot Yongcharoenchai for a brave and thorough piece of investigative reporting (''Mystery on Rohingya's 'fatal shore''', BP, March 17).
Third Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Tharathorn Khachitsuwan's denial that the navy had shot and killed Rohingya migrants was always too quick off the mark for him to have possibly had time to investigate the allegations.
And other government officials' denials of any wrongdoing had a hollow ring to them.
The government's general reaction and response to the Rohingya refugee problem brings shame to a country that should be known for its Buddhist compassion and concern for people who are suffering.
Keep on the case, Khun Chaiyot, for that is the only way the truth will eventually be told because, for sure, we are not going to get it from the government.
DAVID BROWN
Rayong
Bubble talk exaggerated
Dr Virabongsa Ramangkura voiced his concern on price ''bubbles'' in the stock, bond and property markets (''BoT chairman raises alarm of property, capital bubble'', BP, March 19).
Without a doubt, the culprit for the rise in prices is partly the inflow of Western money jumping from their weak economies to Asia.
However, one should also give credit to our own growth efforts in the markets' booms.
The chance of a bubble is reduced because of the entrepreneurship of the private sector. When was the last time one heard of Thai entrepreneurs acquiring overseas companies? The timing now is perfect for them with a strong baht and weak economies in the West.
Similarly, now is the ideal time to improve our infrastructure while others are weak, allowing us to buy and borrow on the cheap.
With that scenario, the prospect of a bubble is there but it is less conclusive than in 1997.
SONGDEJ PRADITSMANONT
All Thailand's a stage
Re: ''EC sets poll for Kasem's seat'' (BP, March 19).
There are many famous families of actors _ Redgrave, Barrymore, Cusack, Huston, Baldwin _ but none can match the ''acting'' of the Shinawatra family.
The most famous was ''acting'' as prime minister when he was ousted by the military coup. His acting method was to leave the country to its own devices at the time. The peasants' revolt stemmed from ''losing their democracy due to the coup'' (actors all).
Now Thaksin's sister is ''acting'' prime minister with a Skype dictator in charge. Moves are afoot to remove her from office for some minor reasons (pretending to be prime minister is not one of them). Standing in the wings to become ''acting'' prime minister is her sister Yaowapa. Wait a minute, was she not prime minister when her husband was ''acting'' prime minister in 2008? She made a real mess of things then.
RICHARD BOWLER
Join hands on insurance
Re: ''Pradit putting tourists off'' (Postbag, BP, March 14)
High insurance rates for expats over 65 should sound an alarm and get some folks out there who have some experience and some knowhow on this to start a non-profit insurance programme for those of us over 65.
If we could get a few hundred people to pay upfront a one-time sum of 20,000 or 25,000 baht and a small fee each month, say 2,000 baht or so, we could get some kind of limited coverage started. Maybe a small deductible so we can get emergencies covered anyway.
This could be adjusted as more enter the programme, such as lowering the age to attract younger folks who would like some coverage.
We are all in this together and we could help one another.
B HISLER
Treat viewers as adults
Once again I have to ask _ is the public so naive and gullible that it cannot be allowed to watch an intellectual debate and make its own mind up? Surely the good people of this land are not that feeble-minded. Give them some credit and respect and stop treating them like children. First a TV soap is cancelled. Now a debate is cancelled. What next?
A GOBSMACKED FARANG
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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/03/20/revealing-murky-truths/
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