A national figure for whom I have the utmost respect came down firmly on the side of small stores versus the big retailers. I see his points, but beg to offer additional insights.

He said the mega-chains were taking profits from small operations, significantly aggravating our already severe income-distribution problems. I agree, but if villagers buy from small or medium-sized enterprises at higher prices than those charged at chains, that takes income from millions of people and gives it to a much smaller number, taking from the many and benefiting the few. So income distribution becomes aggravated in any case - and depending upon the price differentials, the end results might even be worse than if mega-stores dominated.

He also noted that small stores gave opportunities for social interaction that enriched villagers' lives that were missing in mega-stores. I agree, but suggest that rather than forcing such opportunities upon villagers, we let them choose whether they want the trade-off.

To me, it boils down to giving consumers a choice, which is the bedrock of a market economy. Evidently they prefer big chains, and we should respect their choice.

At the same time, we must ensure that they have choices in the long term, that mega-stores don't monopolise the scene. Thus, for example, the government might give soft loans for small operators to open franchise convenience stores or boutiques, which would offer the social interaction we prize.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

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Thailand right to turf out undesirables through visa law

Re: "Attempt to place blame for demise of small shops on large foreign chains xenophobic", Letters, September 14.

Why is The Nation so sycophantic towards these letters of complaints from colonial-minded and self-serving Westerners?

The latest is this hypermart issue and the new visa regulations that seem to be incurring the wrath of letter-writers, their reasons against the new visa regulation being they cannot produce any valid personal qualification for a long-term stay.

Why is a country not able to choose whom it accepts or rejects as citizens? I think the key word here is "productive". Why should Thais have to put up with someone who is not?

Other letters have accused small-time shop-owners of being xenophobic, since they have dared protest against the opening of chain hypermarts.

Do they not admit that these hypermarts have also closed down the grocers and bakeries in their country and the Western world over, making life extremely expensive?

We have too many poor people to let that happen in Thailand. The really poor Thais cannot just uproot themselves to go and live in another country.

For decades, Westerners have always been welcomed in Thailand and settled here, becoming an integral part of the community. Of late, new arrivals seem to have come here just to complain - or worse, to get drunk. Perhaps the immigration people just want to give us natives a breather every now and again by sending these drunken complainers out of the country for a while. If they really want to come back, they should strive to get a proper visa and attain the qualifications needed to become productive members of society.

These people are threatening to move to Vietnam and Malaysia ("Protectionist policies could devastate Thailand's economy", Letters, September 14). I just cannot wait to see them go and wish them a warm welcome in those two countries: one a communist state and the other a place that observes Bumiputra law.

Xenophobic in Bangkok

Bangkok

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Long-stay foreigners form stronger bonds with Kingdom

Re: "New visa rules in line with regulations elsewhere", Letters, September 14.

About a year ago, I decided to come and stay in Thailand to study the Thai language and culture. After some consideration, I decided not to join any school or university, because none offered the schedule or courses I was looking for; thus, I couldn't apply for a student visa.

I thanked the loose visa regulations at that time for allowing me to do a visa run every month so as to stay in Thailand for an extended period, and I could decide how to go about studying Thai. After immersing myself in a Thai environment for about 10 months, I am able to speak and write Thai at quite a proficient level.

Not all, but many, foreigners who stay in Thailand for a longer time tend to know the culture better: they eat at local restaurants, they go to places and provinces other than Siam Paragon and MBK and take time to learn the language. Although they may be spending less, many of them are more like cultural-exchange partners than a "farang khee nok" (bird-dropping foreigner).

Despite what I experienced, I don't think the new visa regulations would have much of an impact on tourism, simply because most tourists who come to Thailand are foreigners who know nothing about Thailand, who go only to Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket. Ask the tourists from Hong Kong what Sukhothai is, and they may answer it is a name of a restaurant. But no problem; they may be boring, but they are rich and wealthy; perhaps this is what the Thai government thinks is most important.

Kong

Hong Kong

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A poetic take on the caretaker premier's possible exit plans

How will he go? Some wonder out loud

Will he leave in a blaze, will he leave in a cloud?

Will it be dodging summons, will it be a surprise?

Will he give us some truth or continue his lies?

Alone with his family with thugs at the gate

The once mighty dealer says, "Don't hesitate.

Pack jewellery, pack cash and a cherished photo.

Nobody but me knows how I will go."

Late night and dark limos slip through the streets

His family and entourage feeling no heat

Accusations and answers fall on deaf ears

They're off to the airport - shed nary a tear

To London, to London, as fast as a rapier

They'll read all about it in tomorrow's newspaper

The arm of the law from Thailand can't reach

If no one's at the helm, there's no one to impeach

He'd often wax adamant to forcefully say

Then retract the same words the very next day

His twists and his turns did sometimes astound

Whether zigging or zagging, was hard to pin down

Just as intriguing is the what, where and why,

There'll be years to untangle the convoluted hive

of nefarious dealings with fat cats he knows

Oh fellow taxpayers, oh how will he go?

Former Thai despots are known to have flown

And never admit to the misery they've sown

Some cut their hair and put on a monk's robe

As if acting holy should assuage a legal probe

While Thailand will struggle to connect all the dots

The former big boss will be off buying lots

Or maybe relaxing somewhere in Palm Springs

To count all his money and perfect his golf swing

Brahmburgers

Chiang Rai

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Further suggestions to ensure that new airport is world class

Re: "Taxis will pick you up at airport's first floor", Sawasdee Suvarnabhumi, September 13.

Thank you to the Airports of Thailand Plc for finally conceding that allowing metre taxis to pick up passengers from conveniently located booths outside the arrival hall is one of the most basic service expectations of international travellers. Some additional suggestions:

Signage directing incoming arrivals to the official taxi booths should be clearly visible both inside and outside the arrival hall, with private limousine staff required to stay behind their allocated booths. The behaviour of the touts who currently ambush new arrivals before they have a chance to figure out where to get metre taxis is simply unacceptable.

Second, if taxis must be "registered" to pick up at the airport, free training in customer service and English and requiring taxis to be less than five years old is not good enough. Make sure all registered cabs reflect well on the Kingdom: they should be clean, well kept and with seat-belts and buckles for all passengers. A hotline number for reporting poor driving or rude demands for extra money should also be clearly visible to all passengers.

An Expatriate Who Cares

Bangkok

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Avoiding animal products essential for a healthy heart

Re: "Fruit and veggies 'crucial' for cardiovascular health", News, September 14.

While I agree with Watchara Panchet that fruits and vegetables are essential for good health, it's unbelievable he didn't mention that consuming animal products like beef, pork, poultry, fish, dairy, etc, are the cause of cardiovascular disease. For example, you don't get high cholesterol because you don't eat fruits and vegetables, as Watchara claims, but because you do eat animal products, which are the only foods that contain cholesterol and saturated fats, which make cholesterol in the body. It's what you don't eat that's more important than what you do eat.

Several years ago, a major study in America showed that while male meat-eaters had a 50-per-cent chance of dying from a heart attack, male vegetarians who consumed some eggs and dairy had only a 15-per-cent chance of dying that way. But male vegans who consumed no animal products had only a 4-per-cent chance of dying of a heart attack. To put it another way, stuffing your face with fruits and vegetables won't do you any good if you're also stuffing your face with animal products and foods that are high in saturated fats.

Eric Bahrt

Chon Buri