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Published on August 2, 2007

Re: "Democracy versus Corruption: the circus of absurdity", Opinion, August 1.

Mr Democracy and Mr Corruption are at it again. And, depending on the country's citizens and the political infrastructure, both are correct.

Corruption cannot be completely eliminated. If people were all good, Mr Corruption could not exist. Laws would not be necessary.

It can be difficult to see the difference between Mr Corruption and Mr Democracy at the stroke of a moonless midnight. This is Thailand's hour of the wolf. And how do we make this hour one of life and not death?

It is the light of sunrise that chases away evil. And for Thailand the light is a free press, an open and free Internet, access to books and movies and theatre and opinion and education that teaches the thought process and the ability to reason and choose amongst different alternatives.

Mr Democracy is correct when he states that only he "allows self-scrutiny and readjustment". But Thailand does not have a fully functioning democracy. Instead, attempted readjustments take place with coups and the shredding of constitutions.

And so a blind vote may be better than no vote. It is the habit of voting that must be implanted in the DNA of the Thai people. And when, in 20 or 30 or 100 years from now, the citizenry will be intellectually and cultural ready, Mr Democracy will trump Mr Corruption.

Tom Fin

Bangkok

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Jakrapob backtracks on old TRT view of UN

Re: "Jakrapob threatens to file complaint with UN", News, July 30.

In regards to the article titled "Jakrapob threatens to file complaint with UN".

I thought the UN wasn't our father? I don't think Thaksin would approve of Jakrapob Penkair's actions.

Amused

Bangkok

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Public-transportation upgrade key in big cities

Re: "Expensive tuk-tuk rides the main option in Phuket", Letters, August 1.

I agree entirely with the sentiments of Stuart. The same situation is prevalent in Chiang Mai where the "red car" brigade have an almost absolute monopoly on the commuter transport system, with few metered taxis or buses. This results in roads blocked with old converted Toyota pickups which are never full to capacity and which lead to high levels of pollution in what is already a dangerously polluted city. The drivers were also up in arms a few years ago when Chiang Mai authorities introduced a public bus service, which is limited to a skeleton service because of route restrictions lobbied for by the drivers.

Apparently, in exchange for this concession, the drivers were allowed to increase their fares. I believe the public transport systems in Phuket, Chiang Mai and probably other Thai cities results from the desire of most Thais to have transport readily available, even though they have to sit in traffic jams once they embark. Alternatively, they may be just simply resigned to their fate due to the lack of municipal courage to get things done.

Peter Moseley

Bangkok

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Bangkok being kept cool at environment's expense

Bangkok is like a power-hungry junkie. I'm referring to the lust for megawatts to power the air-conditioning units, which permeate all interior spaces.

If there were a global prize for the city with the coldest buildings, Bangkok would be a top contender. By all accounts, electricity to quench its lust for a mega-chill will increase dramatically as more and more buildings get built. So, where will additional megawatts come from? Not from alternatives such as solar or wind or burning renewable vegetation.

No, our myopic leaders are squarely focused on nuclear, coal-burning and river-damming options. Be sure to carry a handkerchief around, to wipe the coal soot off your face, and just hope the graveyard for spent nuclear rods is not in your backyard. Oh, and when your kids ask to go camping by a lovely river, kindly tell them that the once majestic free-flowing Mekong and Salween rivers are a quaint remnant of the past.

Ken Albertsen

chiang rai

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IP Dept's credentials make its goals dubious

Re: "Inventors to learn how to make money from their work", Business, August 1.

According to your report, "The Intellectual Property Department will educate inventors on how to reap commercial profits from their work ... and [the department] wanted to increase the number of patents registered by 5 per cent this year by screening only the cream of new inventions".

Here are some points that I'd like to raise:

1) Since when have the officials at this department become experts in commercial and related business, and what are their track records?

2) How will they be able to tell the difference between a not-so-new patent application and the cream of the crop? Do they have enough experts in all the fields involved?

3) From personal experience I can tell you that the 5-per cent objective is just hot-air special for the press. My own patent application filed on June 26, 2002 (that's over five years ago!) is still going nowhere. According to those in this type of business, even Vietnam can process patent applications at a much faster rate than they do here and many foreign investors have been complaining to deaf ears.

Vic Phanumphai

Bangkok

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Education needed to help prevent child molestation

Re: "Northeast tops in sexual abuse of children", News, July 24.

Many studies conducted in various countries (including the survey mentioned in this report) show child abusers are most likely to be directly related to their victims. While it is important to enforce the law to protect children against any type of abuse from any person, including a family member, relative, friend or stranger, this may not be sufficient to prevent/reduce the recurrence of the problem.

Child protection should first begin with proper sex education, which may perhaps be provided at various levels within the educational institution.

Parents, assigned professional educators and guardians should also become more involved in solving this problem of child abuse.

This can be done by teaching children to differentiate between normal and abnormal behavioural activities. The American Psychological Association suggests few ways that should help protect children from being sexually molested. These include:

l Teaching children basic sex education while emphasising "no one should touch private parts of their body".

l Increase children's confidence by asserting that any immoral sexual approach on them is against the law.

l Teaching children to understand their bodies belong to them only and that they have the right to refuse any type of contact whether it is a hug, kiss or even a hand-shake.

It is mostly important to note that children will often do what is asked of them to gain approval and love, and this is what leaves them most susceptible to this gruesome act of misconduct.

With proper educational guidance, our children will have more protection against any type of sexual abuse.

Petros Rigas

Bangkok

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