Can't buy everything
Re: "Thai army condemns Cambodia for breaking ceasefire agreement", (BP, July 29) & "Ulterior motives" (PostBag, July 29).
As much as I like and admire President Donald Trump, I have noticed in his second term that he seems to think that every geopolitical problem can be solved with money. His trade deal phone calls to the leaders of both countries in this conflict -- as well as a ceasefire agreement which has already been broken -- underscores that not everything is for sale.
The simple fact of the matter is the sacred structures and border in question -- a border drawn through the Franco-Siamese treaties of 1904 & 1907, that marked the border between Siam and French Indochina -- were devised in colonial times by colonial leaders who probably either did not know, or did not care that these sacred historic buildings were there.
I was not surprised to read the ceasefire may already have been broken because the temptation of lower tariffs does not address the root cause of the problem.
I agree with ML Saksiri Kridakorn in that we [Asean] must not only be careful about allowing involvement from non-Asean countries, but moreover that the best possible solution should come out of Asean itself, which has all of the local and cultural knowledge no American president has.
Sorry, Mr Trump, money can't buy everything.
Jason A Jellison
Feeding the forces
Re: "Thai army condemns Cambodia for breaking ceasefire agreement", (BP, July 29).
I have just asked my Thai wife what family donations were being recognised over the village tannoy.
Donations are a regular routine for religious events in the village where I live with my Thai wife. It appears that villagers in this poor Isaan village are being persuaded to contribute to the army facing off against Cambodian units in the ludicrous skirmishes on a long-disputed stretch of the border.
In short, dirt poor Thais are donating to a fund to send rice and water to the Thai military.
In what viable political system does a military which maintains its right to engage in wars regardless of influence from elected politicians, and seeks multi-billion sums to buy submarines and jet fighters, have to whip up nationalist sentiment to feed its troops?
Ray Ban
Bar girl slavery
Re: "Underage girls working in bars", (In Brief, Jan 9).
Is Thailand the Land of Smiles?
Not for the vast majority of the girls that work the bars.
They have no other choice as they did not stay at school long enough to achieve any qualifications. They have children and there are no laws to make the father pay towards the child's upkeep.
The salaries if any are pitiful. Then they have to have huge numbers of exorbitant "lady drinks" bought for them. Some of them sleep in rooms with up to 16 others sleeping elbow to elbow.
It is the low season but many bars have put the lady drink numbers up. In a bar I drank in the previous requirement was 50 drinks during a 10-day contract. It has been put up to 100. If they do not achieve that target they have to pay the full price on the numbers not achieved.
Most have to send money back home to take care of their children. They have nothing and are easy prey for ruthless bar owners. It's virtual slavery as they do not qualify for the minimum daily wage as casual staff.
It is ruthless.
Farlie Chost
