It has been proven throughout the long history of mankind that policing the police is by no means an easy task, especially by a civilian, democratic government. Therefore, I am all for it that the present (military) government should take the matter into their hands and start the reform immediately.

Vic Phanumphai

Bangkok

-------------------------------------

Energy-saving inconvenient and produce little results

 If the new government wants to do something good for the people, it should abolish the stupid laws and regulations that were issued during Thaksin's rule. First thing to come to mind is the early closing time for department stores and petrol stations. Both measures don't save energy or money but have killed jobs and made life harder for everyone using them.

I'm quite sure there are a lot of other nonsensical rules which sprang from the genius mind of the former policeman.

Sam Munich

Bangkok

-----------------------------------------------

Tourist authorities forget 'word of mouth' advertising

 Entry fees to any park or attraction, public or private, should be the same - regardless of race or citizenship. Allowances can be made, however, for children or for those who are obviously impoverished.

"Penny wise, pound foolish", is an old English idiom that describes gaining a bit of money in the immediate term but losing a much larger amount of money in the long term. That expression fits the two-tiered pricing policy perfectly. In other words, the attractions might gain a hundred or so baht for each foreigner who does not turn away in disgust, but in the big picture of things, many foreigners will choose to travel to vacation spots where they're not judged by their physical features.

People plan vacations based on gut instinct (among other things) and when they're considering countries to visit, they will likely go places where they're not discriminated against.

The "pound foolish" part of the equation is that tourists spend much more per day in the local economy than the additional amount that's charged at the gate of the park or attraction. So, by turning off a tourist with a foreigner surcharge the local economy might be losing several thousand baht per day from that same irate tourist - particularly when he decides to go somewhere else next time he's saved up several thousand dollars for a hassle-free vacation. So when that same traveller goes back home and his friends ask, "What's Thailand really like and what special attractions are there to see?" what might he reply?

Ken Albertsen

Chiang Rai

-------------------------------------------------

New airport is a bad first and last impression of Thailand

 I am a frequent traveller through Bangkok's new airport, Suvarnabhumi, and am sad to say that even with the billions of baht spent, I can't see any improvement on Don Muang. In fact, many aspects of the new airport are far worse than the old-looking but well organised and convenient Don Muang.

The merging of three terminals at the old airport into one at Suvarnabhumi makes checking in much noiser and slower; the cramming in of as many shops as possible makes the air-side corridors narrower; the design of the gates means enormous distances have to be walked; the general dirtiness and shoddy construction don't appeal; and the departure lounges are cold and unwelcoming.

Whilst previously I could feel sure of reaching Don Muang in 20 minutes from downtown, it now takes the best part of an hour to reach Suvarnabhumi.

It's a poor first and last impression many tourists and businessmen now have of what is still a wonderful country. I beg the Thai authorities to reopen Don Muang as an alternative to the hell of Suvarnabhumi for discerning travellers.

Many other cities in the world have a choice of airports, why not Bangkok?

William Fyfe

Hong Kong

-------------------------------------------------

There's lots of noise pollution in everyday life as well

 There is a hardly a day in the newspaper when there is no mention of the noise pollution arising from the new airport. I hope that it is soon sorted out, since the concerns of the people suffering from the noise are quite valid. The stress, lack of sleep and mental strain caused by incessant noise is enough to cause serious physical and mental ailments.

Hopefully, this public focus on the noise pollution problems will also highlight another nuisance that is much more prevalent - noise caused by dogs barking. Stray dogs can be removed by the authorities; however, pet dogs cause persistent noise pollution. This is a very common problem in many countries, and indeed, most countries have clear regulations to deal with the matter.

In Thailand, however, there seems to be no easy way by which any regulatory action can be enforced to remove this form of mental torture. Appealing to the conscience of dog owners seems to be utterly ineffective, despite the owners' knowledge that their dogs disturb their neighbours, young and old, healthy and sick, especially at night. There are plenty of ways to keep dogs quiet. Just use some common sense or search the Internet for tips. It is a part of the role of a responsible dog owner.

I would also like to highlight the noise pollution caused by religious places, especially mosques, where the call for prayer blares out many times a day. If the faithful cannot watch the time for their prayers, shouting at them probably will not have much effect either. In the process, however, this alienates people not of the faith who are just fed up with the noise. It is not a religious but a civic issue. To these people: please note that you are part of a multicultural and multiracial society which has to coexist in harmony. Occasional disturbance on major events or festivals is okay, but regular noise pollution destroys that harmony. Taking measures to curb this would do wonders to the image.

Hoping against hope that these simple bits of civic sense will prevail and the irritants will be sorted out.

Sebastian Batty

Bangkok

-------------------------------------------------

Rethink approach to HIV/Aids prevention

 A UN Aids report released on Tuesday highlighted the resurgence of the HIV/Aids epidemic in Thailand, in particular in married women and men who have sex with men (MSM). The following night, the police raided Silom Soi 2, host of several famous MSM venues in Bangkok, in search of drug users. Patrons were herded like cattle in the small soi, queuing in the heat to give a urine sample for drug testing.

Whilst the effort of the police in fighting drug trafficking is commendable, it would have been an excellent opportunity to distribute condoms and information to a population which is most at risk, with an HIV prevalence rising from 17.3 to 28.3 per cent between 2003 and 2005.

Concerted approaches are possible and would benefit the fight against HIV/Aids or drugs. With World Aids Day a few days away, it is time for all to rethink our approach to HIV/Aids prevention.

Dr Roger

Bangkok

---------------------------------------------

We should also look forward and stop future corruption

 It is excellent that the Airports of Thailand's new chairman, General Saprang Kalyanamitr, has ordered all Suvarnabhumi contracts to be examined and made available for public vetting. There's been so much talk of corruption, like with the CTX scanners, that we the people need to be assured that any crooks will be severely punished - especially the big fish.

Important as netting the masterminds in this case is, what's more vital is preventing future corruption - whether in the AOT or other government procurement deals. All must be transparent and above board - by putting the draft terms of reference on the Internet and asking engineering or other professional bodies for comments, as relevant to each case. After bids are decided upon, put all bids on the Web, together with the full background, qualifications and ownership structure of the winner. These revised processes, and others, must apply throughout the public sector, not just at AOT.

Let's prevent future crooks as well as punish the current ones.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

----------------------------------------------------------

There are three truths: yours, mine and the real story

 I like to view things from different angles, and wish that the media, the influential and the affluent would do so too. A minority of influential people believes that ousted premier Thaksin Shinawtra's rule was corrupt and horrific. In the meantime, I am waiting for proof.

Objectively consider the remote possibility that the anti-Thaksin bandwagon simply developed out of jealously and fear at the success of the man. He perhaps obtained his wealth and popularity legitimately, with no need to be corrupt or abuse power.

Consider that there are no charges against him yet, while the witch-hunt into his wealth and so-called corruption continues. Given the magnitude of the accusations, one would expect quick results.

Lately the media has been criticised for giving Thaksin too much coverage. But we deserve the media's objectiveness and coverage of all! The media should be the watchdog of the new administration and its true intentions; representing and publishing a variety of opinions.

Johann Scheffer

Bangkok