Showing 311 - 320 of 329
Workers' woes
News, Postbag, Published on 19/12/2015
» I read all the “hopes, woes and concerns” expressed by US envoy Daniel Russel (BP, Dec 17), and I am quite sure that government officials also did and are, in fact, seeking to right all that can be seen to be wrong. There is a threat here, that failure to act will mean that "provisos" will be enacted until we agree with what our Yankee "friends" tell us to do.
Foreign lesion
News, Postbag, Published on 03/12/2015
» Re: “Foreigners ineligible”, (PostBag, Nov 28). While it is at least admirable that the CEO of the mass transit system wrote to clarify the policy regarding the use of the senior ticket on the MRT/BTS (or whichever he represents), I would appreciate knowing the rationale and the litmus test for someone to qualify. I have lived in Thailand for five and a half years (and have been over 60 all that time), I have a retirement visa, a Thai driver’s licence, I own (in my wife’s name, of course) a house and a car.
Busted buses
News, Postbag, Published on 21/11/2015
» I can only laugh at the so-called “landmark” Chao Phraya river embankment project which seeks to blitz through the many concerns of residents and the environmental impact advisers who are clearly against even the principle of such a sweeping development.
The TEFL challenge
News, Postbag, Published on 14/11/2015
» The initiative to train Thai teachers in TEFL teaching to reduce the reliance on foreign teachers sounds promising, but the Ministry of Education is missing the point. English language tuition here is driven by the commercial sector, with parents paying enormous levies for their children to learn from native speakers, preferably Westerners. In other words, they expect a "white face" for their hard-earned baht. It’s superficial, and explains why there’s widespread discrimination against qualified Philippine teachers who work for lower wages, en masse, and solve the problem. But the TCT now expects them to have a Master's in Education before licensing them. In May, there was a crisis-like TEFL teacher shortage, which caused the industry to become flooded with gap-year students qualified with cheap "online" TEFL certificates. Those trained properly with a 120-hour practicum-driven course generally do a better job than locals, and teach using modern and effective methods. Thai teachers clearly have their work cut out for them if they are to compete.
Crack Down On Gun Crime
News, Postbag, Published on 25/10/2015
» Re: “Keep our roads safe” (PostBag, Oct 22).
Graft as strong as ever
News, Postbag, Published on 17/10/2015
» Re: “Dubious new charter looms with Meechai”, (Opinion, Oct 16). Despite so many charters and coups, why is the “road to Thai democracy” still riddled with potholes and patches? Mr Pandey is correct in pointing out that the key reason for the failure is the charter drafters’ undemocratic mindsets.
Alcohol an adult issue
News, Postbag, Published on 14/10/2015
» Re: “Law well past sell-by date in beer scandal”, (Opinion, Oct 13). The recent publicity over celebrities posting “selfies” that included bottles of Chang beer underlines the ineptitude of the government in developing meaningful laws for the alcohol beverage industry.
Probe needs third party
News, Postbag, Published on 13/10/2015
» Re: “Prayut calls for calm after Phuket street riots”, (BP, Oct 12).
Water folly
News, Postbag, Published on 14/09/2015
» Agriculture Minister Chatchai Sarikulya (as reported by local media) will propose a ban on farmers growing a second rice crop this year.
There’s plenty to fear
News, Postbag, Published on 13/09/2015
» Re: “It’s not terrorism we fear” (Life, Sept 11).