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Published on December 22, 2007

We have seen lots of visitors from places such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan who simply cannot get enough of Bangkok. A Taiwanese colleague once told me that it is probably the most interesting city in Asia. So it sounds like we are not doing so poorly, especially with new and quite well-maintained public parks as well as the Skytrain and the subway.

These positive changes have made Bangkok more liveable, and I am thankful to those who have made them possible. And I believe we can do even better. Dust and noise pollution, for instance, must also be dealt with. Take noise pollution and we can identify countless causes for this problem.

One organisation that can actually lead the way, setting a great example for other noise-makers, would be the BTS, the Skytrain operator. It is a modern service that caters to people who value efficiency, and many have abandoned the comforts of their air-conditioned cars for the train so they can get around more quickly, leaving fewer cars on the street. Let them have some peace of mind.

We are not talking about turning everything off completely, but there must be an acceptable decibel level that should be respected on the platforms and in the trains. If BTS can lead the way in improving the quality of life in Bangkok, others, especially noise-makers such as construction companies and shopping complexes with their mighty loudspeakers, will follow the example. The BMA might even join in the effort as well. If we all help, it will not be too late to save Bangkok.

Oraya

Bangkok

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One more option after the election

Re: "Four post-election scenarios, none foolproof", Opinion, December 20.

How about a fifth post-election scenario? In this election there is a solution: after the poll, the Puea Pandin Party forms a coalition with the Democrats. Abhisit nominates Suwit Khunkitti to be the new prime minister. Abhisit becomes House speaker/minister of the Interior/deputy prime minister - to enable him to put the country's law and order back on the right track.

I think this is Abhisit's forte. Suwit can unite all of the Thai people because he is his own man. He is not frightened to stand up and be counted and has shown this over the past 25 years in politics. He will be accepted by the Isaan people, the southerners and the Bangkokians as an honest, trustworthy figurehead to bring stability and lead our country in the right direction during these troubled times.

Suwit has charisma and knowledge and some 25 years experience as an MP. He has been educated in Thailand and also in the West. The same goes for Abhisit, also educated in the East and West. That is why I am sure these two like-minded men can lead our country into a stable future with peace, harmony and honesty. Samak would be just another uneducated, dangerous bully-boy dictator.

FRT

Bangkok

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Who produces more gas, China or the US?

Re: "1.3 billion Chinese produce less CO2 than 300 million Americans", Letters, December 21. Mr Prasan would do well to check his facts before making the ludicrous claim that the US creates four times the emissions of China. In fact, China's CO2 emissions currently exceed that of the US, and even three years ago were virtually the same as the US. Given the growth in the Chinese economy, one can imagine what the future may hold.

Ronald Teigen

Bangkok

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They nearly got away with it

Re: "DSI to look at US case", News, December 21. The most astonishing aspect of this case is not the bribery itself but that it has front-page coverage. Surely, everyone knows that from parking offences to building an international airport to procuring fire trucks to getting elected, "tea money" has to be paid.

If the US authorities have found kickbacks being paid into Juthamas Siriwan's daughter's bank account and the source has been identified, there's really not much point denying it, is there?

This case has far too much exposure for it to be conveniently swept under the carpet; it's just unfortunate for her it was uncovered by foreign authorities rather than here. After all, who has been indicted for such practices over the past year?

James Groveway

Bangkok

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Pity the poor elephants, yet again

Yesterday I was confronted again with the never-ending abuse of what was once the proud symbol of Thailand; two "teams" of mahouts "working" with their elephants in a side soi off Sukhumvit Road. One at one side of the soi and the other just opposite at the other side.

When are the authorities finally going to get rid of these disgusting sights, which are time and again criticised worldwide? This is not a very good image for the Land Of Smiles!

Antoni P Uni

Bangkok

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Dive sites in urgent need of protection

It is obvious that dive sites in the Similan and Surin national parks are overcrowded. Richelieu Rock is now a place where "The fish come to look at the divers", as the local dive guides joke. No one doubts that there must be some urgent restriction of divers and boats on these dive sites to avoid further environmental destruction or a complete loss in the future.

The most practical way to implement restrictions on divers and an equally important restriction on dive boats would be a seasonal permit auction. At the beginning of each season, the authorities could auction 20 or 30 boat permits to the highest bidders, each of whom would be allowed to visit the Similan or Surin national park dive sites for one season. This would not only create substantial revenue but effectively limit both boats and divers, and so better preserve the environment.

To wait any longer is simply not an option.

Orita

Bangkok

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Human rights in Iran nothing to brag about

Muhammad Atif Ali bobs and weaves, desperately trying to avoid the spotlight on the many human rights violations occurring in Iran. Recently the former president of Iran criticised the current president for the harsh crackdown and jailing of students and for the closing of newspapers that oppose his regime. So it would seem the deteriorating human rights situation in Iran is very real and not simply personal opinion or judgmental criticism. And perhaps Mr Ali would like to talk about the horrors of prisons in the Middle East, many of which make the American prisons in Iraq or Cuba look like day-care centres by comparison.

Dean Barrett

Bangkok

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