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Published on February 7, 2008

 China is allowing the yuan to appreciate and the Japanese yen appreciates as increased global risk has diminished the appetite to borrow yen for overseas speculation.

While keeping the currency in line with our neighbours is important, I hope that the temptation to rely on an unusually weak currency is avoided. Ordinary people and businesses are suffering from higher costs and inflation. A weaker baht will only increase these pressures.

A stronger baht will alleviate pricing pressures and allow a relatively lower interest rate. Lower rates should stimulate domestic demand and encourage much-needed investment.

The only long-term solution is to increase productivity and competitiveness.

T Mercer

Bangkok

Internet users of

the world unite

All nations including the United States would like to control the Internet, but freedom of expression is the right of all men and women. China should be made a symbol of that battle in the future. Yahoo and Google in China have betrayed that sacred duty.

A revolution in thinking is absolutely necessary for the survival of mankind. An international boycott of the Olympic Games should be called if China (and of course all other nations) does not pass laws to prohibit control of the Internet. China has stated that it will "loosen" control of the Internet during the Olympics, but this is just a political game.

Adam Rosenblatt

Bangkok

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The difference between our prime ministers

Thailand has two types of prime minister: democratically elected and non-elected. When mentioning the names of prime ministers or former prime ministers, the press should be specific. For instance, "Thaksin Shinawatra, former democratically elected prime minister", "Anand Panyarachun, former non-elected prime minister", and "Samak Sundaravej, democratically elected prime minister".

I think it is fair to give credibility to prime ministers who came to power through a general election, distinguishing them from those who got lucky.

Meechai Burapa

Chiang Mai

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US election could spur change in Burma

The Super Tuesday presidential primaries in America were hotly contested and were an example of democracy in action.

It is becoming clear that Senator John McCain will be the Republican candidate for US president. His vice president or secretary of defence will likely be Senator Joseph Lieberman, who has recently advocated using the US military for covert operations in Burma.

The Democratic primaries were less conclusive. Senator Hillary Clinton won the big states like New York and California, and Senator Obama won in smaller states that usually vote Republican in November. Although the race is very close, Senator Hillary Clinton is likely to win the Democratic nomination. The Burma policy of both these candidates is similar.

There have also been important developments in Burma and significant progress is being made on our "three-step roadmap" to freedom and democracy. The first step is the removal of Than Shwe. The second step is a transition government. The third step is free and fair elections.

Aung San Suu Kyi's most important of two statement last week was not "Hope for the best, be prepared for the worst". Her most important statement was: "She will lead sometimes, and she will sometimes follow the lead of others".

Myint Thein

Bangkok

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Victim may not be as

innocent as reported

Re: "Parachute journos: look before you leap", Opinion, February 1.

I read with great relief that finally one journalist has written the truth about the atrocity that happened in Pai. I was dismayed with the first report that made Carly Reiger (the girl who got shot) look like a lovely backpacker. She was nothing of the sort.

Some people now feel it was probably self-defence on the part of the police officer, and that Carly had started the commotion. I only wish that foreign journalists had come to Pai and got the true story instead of running first to see Carly. I feel very sorry for Leo, but my friends and I have no sympathy for Carly.

I have never had problems with the police in Pai, but some are known to take money under the table from foreigners doing business here.

However, something needs to be done about some police officers who drink during the day and night while wearing their uniform. That is not acceptable. The same applies to them carrying their guns when off-duty. This gives them a bad image, and both Thais and foreign tourists are now more scared of the police since Leo's murder.

Maybe the Bangkok embassies should issue warnings about Pai and drunk, angry tourists and advise their citizens not to get into fights with policemen.

That can be very dangerous, as we know now.

Mark

Pai

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More carriages needed on rush-hour trains

I use the Skytrain and subway every day and have come to depend on their usual ease and convenience. I'm always impressed at how clean, punctual and fast they are. I'm lucky that I don't have to ride during rush hour because I recently had to for the first time in many years, and was shocked.

Both systems are woefully unprepared, understaffed and underdeveloped for the number of passengers that use them in the morning and evening. Lines stretch back to the escalators, while harried staff rush around trying in vain to control the mob.

My question is this: how do the planners intend on expanding the stations? I'm no engineer, but it seems that they can't make the stations or tracks any wider or lower, and to make them taller would be a massive engineering undertaking. Similarly, they don't have room to put in any more escalators or stairs without sacrificing the already limited number of gates - which only means that as passenger numbers increase, the lines will continue to stretch back.

Add to the fact that all stairwells and lifts in and out of the stations are blocked for "security" (any talk about actual security is laughable when you consider the half-second check of bag contents) and you have a problem that won't get any better soon.

Stifled

Bangkok

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