OPINION

A big no to coups

Re: "Court lifts veil on army's IO ops", (Editorial, Nov 9).

Kudos to the Post's editorial board for the brave and incisive commentary on the urgent need to reform the Royal Thai Army (RTA).

In my view, one of the core issues that perpetuates the RTA's disdain of civilian control is the complete lack of accountability.

As the editorial pointed out, there have been as many as 20 military coups in recent Thai history where the men in green have torn up the constitution and swept away governments elected by the majority, all through threat of force, yet none have faced any repercussions for their actions.

The editorial has also rightly seen through the RTA's bogus claim of acting in the interest of "national defence" when in reality it is to a power structure that fears accountability.

Road to hypocrisy

Re: "Climate lies doing harm", (PostBag, Nov 9).

It is good to read Michael Setter's pertinent prose.

He apparently missed the news that 100,000 trees have been cut in a "protected" area of the Amazon to make way for a four-lane highway. This is an abuse in every sense.

The trees were cut down the highway -- known as the Avenida Liberdade -- in preparation for the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil.

The work sparked significant controversy and accusations of hypocrisy, as the summit is focused on climate action and preserving biodiversity.

How despicable!

Rein in motorbikes

Re: "Pedestrian peril", (PostBag, Nov 10) & "Public Safety No 1", (Editorial, Oct 22).

Like Bangkok Pedestrian, I too walk long distances each day, and experience the lawless attitude of Bangkok motorists daily.

I have to say though, that car drivers do seem to be getting a little better.

Yesterday I even had one slow down almost enough to allow me to cross the road safely.

Motorcyclists, on the the other hand, are an absolute blight on society at large.

They have no consideration for others and are generally rude and aggressive.

As bad, perhaps worse are the ones with exhaust systems modified to make as much noise as possible.

And of course, the "Big Bikes".

How anyone can justify the existence of these machines within Bangkok, or indeed anywhere, is beyond me.

There was a time when Thai people considered others around them.

It was part of the Buddha's teaching. Those days seem to have passed.

We have repeatedly heard from Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt that he wants to turn Bangkok into a "liveable city".

But this cannot happen until he addresses noise, most of which comes from motorcycles.

It is high time to bring these people under control!