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Published on September 11, 2007

That seems strange as the violence was carried out against a policemen by a private citizen, or at least, not a member of the police force. Where I come from that is called anarchy.

Although I live in Yasothon, I know no more about the incident than anyone from anywhere else, but it is evident that it should be handled on a national level because from what I have read, it cannot be done objectively on a local level. I also know what should be done, but if the authorities in Bangkok don't, I feel sorry for them. Anarchy is just that and should be dealt with accordingly.

As for the policemen of Thailand, I think it is sad they are so maligned on a daily basis. I have lived in Yasothon for eight years and have never been harassed by a policeman, nor have I had a crime committed against me, (knock on wood). Nor have I heard of a crime going unsolved. Yes, it is true that the policemen here do little in the way of traffic control, but so what? Despite the fact the number of vehicles here has increased dramatically over the last five years, our accident rate is no better or worse than anywhere else in Thailand, or the world for that matter.

Now I ask you: If there is not an inordinate number of traffic accidents and very little crime, and what crimes are committed are solved with dispatch, and I can walk alone at night on the streets of my city, then why would I want to malign the policemen in my city?

I come from Los Angeles, a city where everyone feels they need a new car and cellphone for fear of a car breakdown; where you need triple locks on your house; where you wouldn't dare walk at night, even down the block, to a convenience store; where more crimes go unsolved than solved; and where the only time you see a policeman is when he pulls you over to issue you a ticket that is sure to be over $100 for some minor infraction of the law.

Policemen, like government ministers, are most desirable when you see little of them, but when the functions they are suppose to carry out are completed successfully. That is the case where I live and I think if most of the people in Thailand were honest with themselves, they would have to admit the same.

The only good thing that has occurred from this incident is that 100 cops got together to protest what occurred. If there is a problem with the police in Thailand, it is in the upper levels, not with the rank and file. Maybe now that the rank and file has found some semblance of unity, they can set about beginning to change what things are wrong.

John Arnone

YASOTHON

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Foreign Ministry should ask for help if it's needed

Re: "Thaksin may have to face new charges", News, September 10.

I find it mind-boggling indeed when Assets Examination Committee spokesman Sak Korsaengruang said the panel would try to find a solution to the problem of translating the CTX scanner contract. According to him, the Foreign Ministry had yet to translate the more than 1,400 pages of documents, citing shortage of time and translators.

How could this happen at an institution where Thailand's "best and brightest minds" are assembled? I seem to remember that in the early 1990s, the Ministry, with the cooperation of the Civil Service Commission and the generosity of the then Parliament, authorised a total of 100 scholarships for young students qualified through competitive examinations, to study all the way from secondary school to PhD abroad; and upon their graduation were to be automatically admitted to the Foreign Ministry.

By now, some 17 years later, most of them must have finished their studies; and if I remember correctly, the field of specialisation that was emphasised was international law, of all aspects. I also happen to remember that these aspects included international law in general, international law on international organisations, the law of the sea, the law on the use of air space and telecommunications traffic, the law on boundaries, and last but not least, the law on crimes against humanity.

The international law on corruption or money laundering was not included because it did not exist then. But even so, this should not deter the ministry from helping the AEC, if that is its intention.

Be that as it may, however. In my days when I felt exhausted, I often turned to my American friends for help if I got stuck in any translation, particularly if the documents came from one of the branches of the US government, because I always knew that in every Department of the US government there is a translation division in every language (just ask Ambassador Boyce about it). Certainly the State and Justice departments have one, and we can rely on them more than we do our own, particularly if ours appears to be reluctant and not forthcoming.

After all, kickbacks to foreign governments for "special favours" is a serious crime in the United States. If only the AEC would ask for help, I am sure our American counterpart would comply. And it would be free of charge.

Prachyadavi Tavedikul

BANGKOK

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Keep doors unlocked for safety's sake

Re: "Stroke kills driver", News, September 5. I was sad to read of the 70-year-old driver who died of a stroke in a Bangkok traffic jam - and not surprised that people trying to help could not do so because the doors were locked.

Most Thai drivers with whom I have ridden lock their doors automatically as they start their engines, and I don't understand it. In other nations, other cities, where theft from car occupants, even "car-jacking" at red lights is not uncommon, fine. But a low level of street crime is one of the joys of living here.

Imagine sliding off a slippery road and coming to a halt upside-down, disorientated, at night, and the petrol tank suddenly catches fire. Do you really want locked doors to further slow your escape?

David Hardcastle

CHIANG MAI

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Retirement visa near the end of its days

It appears the Immigration Department has taken the first steps to retiring the retirement visa, with the 1 September change which requires dependants of retirees (wives, husbands or children) to qualify independently of the retiree for their visa. Effectively this doubles, with immediate effect and no grace period, the amount of bond and/or income required for a foreign married couple retired in Thailand. It also effectively eliminates the possibility of dependants aged under 50 years residing with the retiree (for instance, spouses under age 50 or any dependent children).

The new rules stop most new retiring couples from settling in Thailand, and evicts many of the existing retirees. Strangely, single retirees are completely unaffected. Some investigative reporting on the part of the press on the aim and intentions of the government with respect to future retirees would seem to be in order.

I am aware of three couples on my soi who'll be leaving Thailand when their extension period comes up later this year because they cannot qualify for the new double-income requirement. There must be thousands of similar cases across the country. My heart goes out to them all.

Not Yet Retired

CHIANG MAI

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Service charge a rip-off for customers and staff

It's about time that the 10 per cent service charge is removed from the restaurant bill.

Nearly all well-established Thai-owned restaurants add a 10 per cent service charge to the bill. It is interesting that foreign franchised restaurants don't add any service charges.

Service charges are kept by the owners of the restaurant and are not divided amongst the restaurant service staff, as they should be. Therefore, the customer and the service staff are getting ripped-off while the owners get all the money. Customers are less likely to leave a tip if there is a service charge because they assume the service staff is getting properly compensated. They're not.

I've already stated my objections  to management of these restaurants and now I refuse to eat in any restaurant that levies this 10 per cent rip-off. I encourage others to do the same.

Justin

BANGKOK

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