OPINION

The efficient killing machine

Re: "13 soldiers held over recruit death", (BP, Aug 16).

Once again the Royal Thai Army demonstrates what an efficient killing machine it is. Unfortunately, this prowess is again directed at its own soldiers, not enemies of the state. Recruit Worapratch Phadmasakul, 18, who died after an encounter with his drill instructors on Aug 2, joins a long and growing list of soldiers killed by their own so-called comrades in arms.

Army spokesman Col Ritcha Suksuwanon offered compensation to the dead soldier's family. Just how much compensation does he think will cover the death of a much-loved son, who volunteered for the army?

Here is a list of some of the other soldiers slain by other soldiers over the past few years: Pvt Wanyawut Lampapahe, Pvt Songtham Mudman, Pvt Wichian Puaksom, Pvt Yutthakinum Boonnian, Cadet Pakapong Tanyakan and Lt Sanan Thongdeenok.

Responsibility for this egregious culture that allows for the continued abuse lies not just with the 13 drill instructors charged, but right at the top with army chief Gen Jaroenchai Hintao. When are you, general, going to take positive action to turn this culture around?

Changes to education

Re:"Workers 'need skills upgrade to adapt' to labour market", (BP, July 14).

Post-Covid-19, there is a need for a new set of professional skills. In developing countries like ours, people often acquire knowledge and theory that may not be useful in the workplace.

Our education system has over-emphasised the importance of academic degrees. While there's no doubt that medical students become better doctors and management students better managers because university courses are designed to meet sector-specific skills, this approach is not enough.

The country's education system should be overhauled to emphasise vocational education. Many social science subjects and their related universities are not based on the actual needs of the job market.

Instead, universities should focus on agriculture, fisheries, forestry, pastoral work, herbal studies, river-based industries, rural technology with a modern approach, and other relevant fields.

Traditionally, academic degrees were highly valued. However, in recent years, the focus has shifted towards practical skills.

Major companies like Google, Facebook, and Amazon are increasingly hiring people based on their skills rather than academic qualifications. This is because academic degrees do not necessarily guarantee that individuals can solve real-world problems.

Therefore, in the post-Covid-19 era, it is crucial to develop professional expertise and skills through education, training, and skill acquisition to tackle the challenges posed by the pandemic's impact.

What's up at immigration?

Re: "Immigration updates 90-day online reporting", (BP, Jan 22).

I was thrilled in January this year to hear the Immigration Department had updated their TM47 90-day reporting system. To quote your article:

"All foreigners staying in Thailand on various kinds of long-term visas are required to confirm their address with the Immigration Bureau every 90 days. An online system has been available for several years but it was unreliable and most people continued to visit immigration offices in person.

"The bureau has responded by improving the system in hopes that more people will use online reporting, leading to fewer visits and less overcrowding at immigration offices."

I started using this system as the department wished, and even after overseas visits, was able to do my report online using the same passport and address as the last report. It has been a reliable success -- up until May.

It seems that a change applied for a few months now has the system rejecting such reports with the message:

"For first-time requests of a 90-day notification in each country visit, in-person presentation at the immigration office is required."

There is no need for this change for long-term residents, as there is usually no new information being entered.

May I ask through your esteemed organ: Why has immigration made this change, when it worked just fine before, and there was no logical reason to "fix" it?

What do they mean by ethics?

Re: "Grace under fire", (PostBag, Aug 16).

I agree with Songdej Praditsmanont that former PM Srettha Thavisin handled the event with grace, especially as he was seen leaving without any fanfare or support from his cabinet or party members, as it seems they were all in a hurry to get to a meeting at a certain house in Thon Buri.

However, it seems the court's definition of ethics does not include those who may have been jailed abroad? This is where I am confused.

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