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In response to Unruly R’s
Editor;
Recent testing, countrywide, of Thai students produced
embarrassing scores as low as 16 points out of a potential of 100 - in
English literacy! Rarely, in other subjects scoring, did the participants
exceed 50 points out of the aforementioned 100.
The author of this article (Unruly R’s, Mailbag last
week), Dr. Frederickson now suggests that the tests and educators are at
fault and I, respectfully, disagree as past testing administered by
different people, with different criteria listed Thailand students as dead
last of all S.E. Asia pupils, particularly in English, math, and science.
Often when Thai students go abroad for university
education they must be tutored to pass entrance exams indicating they simply
are not receiving a modern, useful, up to date education here.
Actually the fact, and it is a fact, that many/most
professionals here advertise that they were educated elsewhere as a big
plus. I believe the entire educational system needs an updating “tune-up”,
not finger pointing, but an overhaul examining the curriculum, teachers, and
administrators as Thai graduates, now, just cannot compete with peer groups
from other countries.
Don Aleman
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Re: Topless sunbathing
embarrasses foreigner & family
Editor;
Well P Browne, here is the reality. Thailand needs
tourists, holidaymakers and indeed encourages them to come to Thailand. In
fact it’s about 15% of the GDP of Thailand. Pattaya is advertised as the
“Extreme City”. Obviously foreigners come to Pattaya, Jomtien for a good
time and spend there hard earned money. Bathing topless on the beach is not
illegal in Thailand and it’s extremely common in Europe. If you or your wife
or children get embarrassed, it’s easy go somewhere else. Whilst I agree
that foreigners should respect the laws and customs of Thailand, it’s a two
way street. Thailand wants tourists, so they have to respect what tourist
want, as long as they don’t break the law.
Mike E
Power of the Pattaya Mail and its readers
Dear Editor;
Thought you would like to know that, following my letter
to you for help on my new I-Pad2 two weeks ago, my plea came out on the
Friday, and by lunchtime a fellow Englishman rang up and came to my home
Saturday morning.
He got me set up and now I am as happy as a boy with a
new toy. So I thought you should know about the power of the newspaper and
also the farang network - in this case a fabulous guy named Ivan. So big big
thanks to both of you.
Derek
Decentralize power
& authority
Editor;
I respect, admire and salute Anand Panyarachun’s
always fair-minded, common sense leadership, recommending that local
administrative bodies be given power and authority to determine what
works best for and within their village communities. The National Reform
Committee is calling for decentralized, cooperative local
decision-making regarding economic, social, political and security
matters. Local administrative organizations should also be primarily
responsible for running their own affairs, including overseeing local
police, operating schools and managing natural resources in their rural
areas.
There is an urgent need for a system-wide overhaul,
especially in the aloof, Bangkok-centric Interior and Education
Ministries, in order to increase community-based autonomy and relegate
out-of-touch, imposed job-related work responsibilities. The aim should
be to promote of the, by the and for the people independence, yielding
to those most involved in critical day-to-day self-determination of
relevant, core value survival issues.
Chanchai Prasertson
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No waiting at
Bangkok airport
Dear Sir,
I have read quite a lot in the local newspapers
lately about the long lines at the immigration desks at the airport, and
in the past I have suffered a long wait myself.
Well I returned from abroad three weeks ago and was
expecting the usual. Instead I received a big surprise. I approached the
masses as usual at the immigration desks with my Thai wife, and was
immediately taken to a new line at the far right. I believe it was a new
line for Thai spouses and children. Is this a first? I hope not because
I was standing there for no more than 5 minutes. This is good news at
last.
Mally
Looking for Vietnamese
boy missing since 1978
Editor;
Around December 22, 1978, 7 Vietnamese people left
the island of Phu Quoc, Vietnam on a small boat. On their journey, they
crossed over near the area of Songkhla, Thailand. After more than 5 days
floating in the ocean, approximately about 50 miles away from seashore
of Songkhla, the boat people were picked up and boarded by a Thai
fishing boat which had the number #21 marked on it. The 7 Vietnamese
boat people stayed on this boat for about 5 days until each of their
fates was determined.
The Captain of the Thai fishing boat left with a
7-month old baby boy that was on board. The father of the boy survived
and now is living in New York, USA. He is searching for his missing son.
The father strongly believes the boy has been raised by the Thai family.
The young boy may not be aware of his Vietnamese heritage or name. He is
about 34 years old now. One distinctive trait he has, is on his right
feet next to the pinky toe (the 3rd or 4th toe). This toe is slightly
twisted. His birth name is Khai Truong.
Finding Khai has been a 30+ year endeavor and hope.
Finding him will be a dream come true for his family. It would be a
dream for his dad in New York to know he is alive and knows of us. Let’s
keep hope alive - please spread the word.
A reward of $1,000 US dollars will be awarded for any
information leading to Khai. For more information, please go to
facebook.com and search for group “Hope for Khai”.
Contact us also at:
Email: howietruong@yahoo. com
Please respond to us in English language
Thank you,
Howie Truong
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