POSTBAG
It was reported that two automobiles crashed into two elephants within a week. Both accidents happened at night early this month but the news has been slow in getting out.
Well, the facts are that two elephants in Khao Yai have injuries that may be serious.
The trouble with Khao Yai is it's used as a thoroughfare between Pak Chong and Nakhon Nayok by local traders. Some reckless drivers use the road at breakneck speed because they are in a hurry.
The driver of a truck that hit one elephant was fined 1,000 baht and let go. The second accident was less severe and he was not fined.
How can the Department of National Parks be so lax, and issue such small fines for these serious incidents?
It should erect speed bumps every 500 metres in the ''elephant zone'', especially the long straight stretches of road.
There also needs to be a curfew similar to that in Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary in the East. The road through ''elephant country'' is now closed by the Royal Thai Army from 9pm to 5am. Very few accidents have happened since the policy took effect.
NATURE LOVER
Punish THAI staff
It was just a few years back that Thai Airways management went to the Finance Ministry under Korn Chatikavanich to ask for a huge bailout for the national flag carrier so it could stay in business while incurring huge losses.
At a time when most big carriers are cutting costs and expansion plans during the global crisis and facing higher fuel costs, and when budget carriers are threatening the existence of major airlines, it faces a downgrade by analysts. It is unfair of THAI employees to demand an increase against the terms that have been offered. The management needs to be tough on them and not bow to their demands as they are already paid well above the industry standard and are holding passengers to ransom. They need to be dealt with in the strictest possible terms.
R SRINATH
Lecturer, Assumption University
Publish and be damned
Re: ''Democrat plea misplaced'', (Postbag, Jan 20). I think Edward Kitlertsirivatana was being too narrow-minded when he chastised the 44 current and former Democrat MPs whose open letter to the Bangkok Post last week decried political harassment of their party by the ruling Pheu Thai Party.
It would be better for society to encourage more and more Thai politicians to air their views in the English-language media. This way, not only Thais living in Thailand will understand the political situation and problems in our country, but people around the world as well, via the internet.
We should not confine our debates as to whether we should have a police state or a military state. Neither of them is democratic in nature.
VINT CHAVALA
Lamphun
The last tourist
Note to the Tourism Authority of Thailand: On Friday the BBC fast:track show gave specific travel warnings for Thailand from a number of governments with regard to the ongoing jet ski scams and gang-related violence in Koh Phangan, Phuket and other places.
I must say that rarely do you see warnings of any sort on that show.
Now I know that no one there probably watches the BBC or will take any notice.
But many long-term expats and hotel industry people will tell you the demographics are clearly changing. Many tourists are not returning and social media is spreading bad news by the nanosecond.
PERRY
Chon Buri
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Source: http://www.news.thethailandlinks.com/2013/01/21/protect-the-elephants/
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