Here's a letter that has appeared in both the Bangkok Post and The Nation over the past couple of days, and a response from today's Post:

PHUKET authorities should look at touristy places which are still okay, even after a long time as tourist destinations. I know it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks, but perhaps they could learn something.

One example: Prague, the Czech Republic. Here are some of the things they do: They close open downtown areas from motorbikes. Pedestrians only. In Thailand, it's near impossible to close anything off from motorbikes. Prague has low-emission/low noise trolleys that circle the downtown area and they're free.

Tourists can get on and off any time, any place. Could that happen in Thailand? There are trash receptacles everywhere. Clean bathrooms nearby. Authorities in Prague aren't afraid to discipline taxi-drivers and others who charge too much.

There are no vehicles with loudspeakers blasting detergent ads. All cultural places are either free or very low-cost to enter. No double pricing.

Okay, we don't expect Phuket to be like a sophisticated European city, but there are still things Phuket bosses (and those from other Thai tourist towns) can learn. One would be standing up to, and eradicating rip-offs like the tuk-tuk drivers, jet-ski operators and others.

Next would be a shuttle from the airport to beach resorts. Without improvements, Phuket will continue sliding down in appeal and, like Pattaya, will increasingly attract bottom feeders.

Ken Albertsen
Chiang Rai

Phuket and Prague

WHATEVER ''downward slide'' Phuket might be on, Ken Albertsen's suggestion (Postbag, Feb 20) that Prague should be used as a positive benchmark, needs to be taken in context.

''Trash receptacles'' and ''clean bathrooms'' there may be, but the last thing Phuket needs is the multitude of drunken English visitors (both male and female), who noisily clog the pedestrian areas, and who wouldn't have the slightest clue (nor care) as to whether they are in Prague, Potters Bar or Phuket.

Prague, like several other cities in Europe, faces a far bigger challenge than Phuket. It has to decide whether it wants the quick money so easily extracted from cheap flights and cheap alcohol, or to remain an enduring destination for people who truly appreciate the culture and historical significance of their city.

Currently, it seems likely that, too late, they will find out they cannot have both. So, by all means let us encourage authorities to improve the Phuket ''experience'', but let us also be careful in our choice of comparisons.

Mike Horner
Wellington