Built to last?
Re: "Five killed in beam collapse on Rama II Road", (BP, March 16).
So regarding the latest in a litany of road construction incidents, Expressway Authority of Thailand governor Surachet Laophulsuk said that collapses are possible during construction, but not after completion. Sorry, but given such a poor record, it's very difficult to have faith in those words.
With what seem to me to be sub-standard construction methods (I'm not an engineer, just a concerned layman), it's very difficult to have faith in the finished product.
Shane
Birthright battle
Re: "Birthright citizenship goes to highest court", (BP, March 15).
When US presidents assume office, they take the following oath: "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."
The 14th Amendment of the US Constitution unambiguously decrees that anyone born on American soil is a citizen. From the first day of his second term, Donald Trump has sought to undermine and eliminate birthright citizenship in the United States; he most decidedly has not acted to "preserve, protect and defend" this article of the American Constitution.
There are clear processes available in the United States for changing and amending the Constitution -- none of which include the president simply ordering a change. Mr Trump's actions are clear violations of the oath he took when assuming office.
Why is he not being held accountable for breaking his oath?
Samanea Saman
DEI never mattered
Re: "US DEI curbs spark local fears", (BP, March 17).
I read the well-intentioned (but fundamentally misguided) comments of many local Thai experts, such as Nathineethiti Phinyapincha, Kittinun Daramadhaj, et al, who lamented the wonderful Trump cancellation of Western DEI policies worldwide.
As an older gay American who remembers the pre-LGBTQ rights, pre-DEI era, I have something to say.
First of all, if Thailand really wants air traffic controllers, pilots, teachers, and other critical experts to be qualified with your most precious loved ones' lives, based solely upon how they look, who they are, or have altered their bodies, Thailand indeed has had transgenders such as ladyboys for a long time and can legally do that on their own.
Finally, I would suggest President Trump's reversal of DEI is wonderful for countries like Thailand because Western DEI comes from a country with a culture that is devoid of and lacks any regard or understanding of Thai culture.
Thailand was appointing unqualified persons into critical jobs based on arbitrary reasons long before DEI anyway, so if these cited experts enjoy that, Thailand can just appoint people on arbitrary merits without any help from my country.
Jason A Jellison
