OPINION

Keep maps simple

Re: "Thap Lan National Park revamp worries official", (BP, July 1).

Why, oh why can't the Bangkok Post just include simple maps with articles that refer to areas and places with which many readers may be unfamiliar?

These range from the ongoing sky train and motorway construction projects to articles such as the recent one on the Thap Lan National Park.

It's not rocket science and it would make a great deal of difference to one's understanding of the article.

Heed his words

Re: "Ankle tags for royal slur cases", (BP, July 5).

Rather than letting those charged under the lese majeste law, also known as Section 112 (S112) of the Criminal Code, wear ankle tags at home while awaiting trial, we should follow His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great's wishes on the matter.

"Thailand's law of lèse-majesté has one very prominent critic: King Bhumibol. In 2005... King Bhumibol [noted that] "The king is a human being and as such should be subject to criticism. Charges against those accused of lèse-majesté should be dropped, and those held in jail for lèse-majesté should be released, and the use of the lèse-majesté law ultimately damages the monarchy" (Grossman and Faulder's palace-approved King Bhumibol Adulyadej: A Life's Work).

The Move Forward Party (MFP) has consistently followed His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great to change the usage of Section 112 so that we no longer "damage the monarchy".

The more Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin pushes his agenda -- including harshly using S112 -- the more he and the Pheu Thai Party will drop in the polls. Mr Srettha should stop defying King Bhumibol's wisdom and join voters and the MFP in protecting our beloved monarchy.

Tax concerns valid

Re: "Quest for tax clarity", (PostBag, June 30).

Songdej Praditsmanont has taken the time to write a series of well-intentioned letters to Michel Barre and other expats on the subject of the proposed tax changes.

He should be applauded for his efforts and sound advice.

However, with all due respect, he seems to have missed the message which the expats have been attempting to convey.

Our letters were not intended to profess confusion at the new and proposed tax changes, nor did they connote a lack of knowledge.

On the contrary, the letters expressed a sound understanding of the proposed tax policies and their impact on expats.

The purpose of our letters was not to "whine" about the policies, but rather express our opinions as expats. To us, the tax changes seem problematic for many long-stay tourists and retirees alike.

Many affluent expats, in the light of professional advice, believe it is no longer in their interests to remain in Thailand.

Many are finding they will pay higher taxes than if they just stayed home or went elsewhere, despite the tax relief available to them in Thailand through tax treaties and the like.

There is also a lack of fairness in paying taxes, with many expats already paying exorbitant visa costs and the like and do not receive any of the benefits extended to other taxpayers.

Our letters express an opinion shared by many expats that the proposed tax policies are a step too far.

They also make Thailand unattractive for long-stay tourists and retirees.

It is now clear that expats are openly repudiating the tax changes rather than accepting them. Many are beginning to avoid Thailand as a long-stay destination, and more are joining an ever-increasing exodus.

This of course will have very serious economic consequences for Thailand.

Our letters express the hope that the Minister of Finance and the government will take pause and carefully consider whether all these changes are really in anyone's interest.

Under these circumstances, it is fair to ask who these tax changes benefit, Western and OECD nations? They certainly do not seem to serve Thailand's interests.

Instead of looking to the West for ideas, perhaps Thailand should take a look at the leading open economies in the region, Singapore and Hong Kong, which seem to have much more in common with Thailand than the West.