Fare cut talk is cheap

POSTBAG

Published: 19 Jan 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Thai Ridgeback hit the nail right on the head yesterday with his letter stating, among other things, that talk is very cheap in this country.

This was brought home to me when I read that one of Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen's pledges in his campaign to become Bangkok governor is to push for fare cuts for commuter ferries.

This has about as much chance of success as former PM Thaksin Shinawatra's pledge to clean up Bangkok's traffic problems within six months.

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OldThaiHand
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Discussion 9 : 19 Jan 2013 at 16.349
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re: Thai youth doing great

I don't think anyone who has agree with you has had anything but limited exposure to Thai youth. While it is certainly true that young Thais can be helpful, kind and even generous, it is also true that the vast majority of them cheat in school and feel entitled to always pass, regardless of level of effort or honesty.

I've taught literally thousands of students here over the last 17 years. Most have been exceedingly charming, but many have also been among the worst cheaters I've ever encountered in teaching.
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Renaissance
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Discussion 8 : 19 Jan 2013 at 15.218
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In my opinion, Brian Quimby's letter is indicative of a cause of many problems in Thailand. There are too many aging and old-thinking men in decision-making positions in government. It is time for them to be replaced by young women. Women know how to run a home effectively, and it is not the way that middle-aged men run government institutions, the Police Force, Politics, etc. Mention has been made of the very impressive, ultra-extreme efficiency of the Thai Passport Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I feel sure that the system must have been created by women. Compare this to the Immigration Department, which is a male domain.
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jck
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Discussion 7 : 19 Jan 2013 at 12.367
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Very encouraging to hear positive comments about Thai youth. For those not involved in youth organisations it is easy to form biased opinions that should not be used as generalisations but they do leave negative impressions. eg 3 or even 4 school children in uniform on a motorcycle with no helmets and likely no licence. And too often one sees 1 of them casually discard an empty drink can or plastic bag on the roadside. Blame lies with the parents and schools not the kids.
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dao
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Discussion 6 : 19 Jan 2013 at 12.076
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Of course there are many good role models out there but unfortunately the only ones that make the news are the bad ones .The new governor should build subways to all corners of Bangkok now and build more park space and keep the city clean and liveable .
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bangmodken
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Discussion 5 : 19 Jan 2013 at 10.445
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The good,honest and hard-working Thais rarely makes the headlines in the medias. It's a shame,because there's plenty out there.

D3,Khun Renaissance : I fully agree with your view,but stopped he must be,regardless of the costs.
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lungstib
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Discussion 4 : 19 Jan 2013 at 10.364
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With letters suggesting Thai youth need role models and the controversy as to them being cheats I would like to state that during my incapacitation due to injury young people offered me plenty of help. With a broken leg and crutches I found plenty of young men who helped me into songthaews and off of buses. carried my bag and helped in the supermarket. All help I would be unlikely to get in the UK.
The loudspeakers in Hua Hin start late dont they? Try the far north where 6.30 is much more likely. Its what makes the place different.
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Renaissance
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Discussion 3 : 19 Jan 2013 at 10.053
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I can see the slide towards a dictatorial mode of government happening. Thaksin will try to force through the changes to the Constitution that he wants because he does not want to go through again what he is experiencing, so he will make sure that it cannot happen again. He's never been so close to the finishing line as now, and I think that if demonstrations opposing his return increase, they will start to be harassed by Red Shirt mobs and squashed by the police with multiple court cases against the organizers ensuing to discourage more demonstrations. He will not allow anything to stop him now. Stopping the slide will become messy.
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elvis
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Discussion 2 : 19 Jan 2013 at 09.422
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@David Brown,

I wholeheartedly agree with you. The students at the Matthayom school where I teach have tirelessly gone round the city to collect money for "Operation Smile", an organization that funds operations on children born with a cleft lip or palate. These kids just don't make the headlines in the newspapers.
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Eggmeng
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Discussion 1 : 19 Jan 2013 at 07.191
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@ David Brown

I would love to see Thai youth (and youth everywhere) holds their head up higher. I'm just afraid their arms would get tired from holding their phones at that elevation.
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Fare cut talk is cheap | Bangkok Post: opinion