OPINION

Bewildering rules

Re: "Liquor law may be eased further", (BP, May 17).

After arriving exhausted at Suvarnabhumi airport, I was bewildered to discover that I had missed the directive to fill in a digital arrival card.

An hour later, I was issued a visa-free entry for 30 days. Now I am disoriented, as on my last arrival, I was granted sixty days.

Not a great start to my holiday, and then this was compounded with arguments with taxi drivers concerning them not turning their meters on. Finally, I escaped to Chiang Rai for some peace and quiet.

First night on the town, I wander out and to my astonishment find all bars closed, due to a religious Buddhist day. Fair enough, I surmise, but the next day, the same scenario, as this time, closed due to a local election day.

Now, I am not Buddhist or even eligible to vote, so why am I discriminated against, as I know Thais in their thousands are consuming the local product, lao khao, in far-off rural hamlets.

Not to be deterred from my tourist pursuits, though, I venture out on a bicycle the next day and, when attempting to buy a beer from a local shop, am informed that they cannot sell alcohol in the afternoon.

Now I am disillusioned by the way tourists are treated in Thailand. These archaic rules and draconian immigration hassles are deterring tourists from enjoying the place.

Transparent justice

Re: "20 more witnesses in Thaksin PGH case", (BP, June 14).

Which officials and doctors shall be held as derelict in their duty after this thorough investigation under supervision by the court? By the end of July, the court should know who should be held accountable under section 157 of the Criminal Code and whether Thaksin has to return to prison.

Though the court is not allowing the inquiry to be televised like the American OJ Simpson trial was, the media can report on events. Hopefully, justice will not only be done in this case, but will also be seen to be done!

Staggering discharge

Re: "Thailand's bidet spray: hygienic bathroom culture found in every home", (BP, June 9).

Apparently, by the age of 75, the average man has excreted the equivalent of at least three mature hippos. A lady, 3.5 hippos (I must say!).

This information comes from the internet, so it is not very scientific, but it seems to be an acceptable but alarming assessment.

These staggering statistics, given the world's population, were prompted by this article and my eccentric curiosity. What the rest of the animal kingdom generates beggars belief. Poor old Mother Nature.

At least most of us humans have the very late Thomas Crapper to thank for dealing with these, hopefully, daily exigencies.