Since Sunday, the Bkk Post has not published any new letters to their 'Postbag' online. Whereas before, they had done so every day. This morning, The Nation newspaper didn't have their letters (or Opinion) clumn posted online. Are they slacking, or is there a policy shift away from 'Letters to the Editor'?

I'm probably an oddball in this regard, but the Letters columns are my favorite part of the newspapers. It's an opportunity for anyone to voice their opinions, praises, and problems - many of which have no ordinary channels for redress. It's like a PRV (pressure relief valve, in plumber's lingo) for the populace. Perhaps not much gets done, but it's a good thing they have the outlet - whether other's agree or not. A chance to enter 'The Marketplace of Ideas', if you will.

The two Eng.-lang. Bkk dailies are quite free to publish whatever they please - and that's a good reflection on the (various) governments' open policy and also the papers' editorial staff. Indeed, Thailand probably has a more open policy on speaking out in newspapers than any other SE Asian country.

Yes, I noticed the absence of letters. Can't remember if it happened in previous years.

I suspect there's not too many received over Chritmas as the farangs are all out/away celebrating.

Or maybe the staff responsible for collating them have taken a holiday?

Let's see if they reappear in the New Year -I doubt if it's anything sinister.

Most likely the usual standard of incompetence.

For instance, they don't use www standards and neither know that Thailand has a Prime Minister (sometimes) but not a premier.

Postbag is back today.