Not asking the right questions

Under this law, it’s now illegal to drink a beer on a bus or in the back of a taxi. As with most stories that appear in The Nation, the article raised more questions than it answered.  Who sponsored this legislation? Who voted for and against it? What is the logic behind it? How will preventing someone from drinking a beer on a bus make anyone safer? What is the opposing viewpoint? Will the Bt60,000 fine be automatic or be determined in court? What about past alcohol-related legislation, such as the 2-5pm ban on sales? Has that law reduced consumption or fatalities?

Last month an equally strange story appeared about a go-go bar in Pattaya being raided for prostitution. There were no details or comments regarding the obvious question of why one go-go bar in the city would get the attention of the police, when there are thousands of other shops openly doing the same. 

What happened to asking the hard questions? Or even just asking questions at all? Are reporters at The Nation afraid of reporting the real story? 

Chris Kennedy

Bangkok