POSTBAG
I do not know where Cha-am Jamal gets his information (''Bangkok is sinking'', Postbag, June 21) but various datum around the world shows that rising sea levels is a fact.
Since around 1900, the sea has risen by 1-2mm per year. Recent measurements show this rate to be accelerating as also shown since the early 1990s by satellite readings.
Figures from Nasa show that the five warmest years worldwide from 1890 to 2006 have all occurred since 1998. Worryingly 2005 was the warmest on record despite a weak El Nino at the beginning of that year which would have had a cooling effect.
The Met Office in my home country, the UK, says that 11 of the last 13 years have been the hottest since records began.
I would rather give credence to what the majority of the world's climatologists and scientists are saying about the effect mankind is having on climate change and all that comes with it than someone who constantly denies it exists in face of all the evidence.
We owe it to our children and their children to take on board all the warnings and do something now while there still may be time left.
ANDREW PETLEY
Kanchanaburi
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Losing formula
The article by Margaret Carlson of Bloomberg News pitching Al Gore as Barack Obama's running mate (Opinion & Analysis, June 2) reads like a eulogy.
The article argues that Gore has been wronged, that he has suffered, that he has gotten over it, that the 2000 election was a tough loss for him, and that in spite of it all he did not sulk; and therefore the nation owes him.
Let us hope that no presidential candidate ever chooses a running mate on such a silly basis.
As of this writing the oddsmakers have Obama ahead two to one over John McCain. Clearly, this election is for Obama to lose and I can think of no better way for him to do that than to select Al ''global warming'' Gore as his running mate.
CHA-AM JAMAL
Phetchaburi
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Diesel is wise choice
Your two columns about bio-diesel (Motoring, June 20) were very informative.
Over half the cars in Europe are now diesel and the standard is Euro 5. Thailand is at Euro 3, accounting for a very small percentage of cars sold. With much greater fuel efficiency, why is the diesel option for cars not on the table?
With the large pickup diesel market it is a natural to also manufacture cars with diesel engines. With Euro 5 (or even 4) they are very clean also.
Is the government against it? The Japanese auto makers? PTT?
Clean diesel for both trucks and cars makes much more sense than jumping from E10 to E20 to E85 and back again.
JONAS
Bangkok
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Military should provide some clear answers
According to the Bangkok Post, Gen Anupong Paojinda has allegedly ordered all army units to remain on standby and stay neutral in response to the ongoing demonstrations. While this apparently level-headed stance might seem comforting to some, it implies that at least some among the top brass continue to view the use of military force against civilians as legitimate under certain unspecified conditions, and that is not comforting at all.
On the contrary, it raises some serious questions which warrant clear answers from the military leadership: which circumstances could prompt the army to move against its citizens, and which methods could it employ? Should we expect to see soldiers exercising professional riot control with batons and shields, or might they be shooting indiscriminately into the crowds and butting people with automatic rifles, as has been the case in the past?
Given all the uncertainties of the current situation, I think the public deserves to know exactly where the military stands on these questions.
NERVOUS NELLY
Bangkok
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No concern about construction noise
After construction started at the old ''White House'' next to the Omni Tower on Sukhumvit Soi 4, all residents facing the site were bombarded by noise 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Numerous complaints to Omni staff resulted in being told that the police had been notified, but it was up to them to decide whether to shut down the work site from 8pm to 6am, which are normally accepted sleeping hours.
Needless to say, the police did, and still do, nothing to stop this racket, allowing it to continue unabated.
Why? Is there any sort of special permit payment involved that allows contractors to do this? The officers from the Lumpini police station spend much effort making sure that the licensed bars in the ''entertainment district'' on Soi 4 close at 1am, but do nothing to stop the outrageous construction noise that goes on 24 hours a day, in the middle of thousands of residential units, just 100 metres away.
Also, don't overlook the fact that after the police close down the bars (for our protection and rest, I presume), many makeshift ''bars'' suddenly open up and down the soi operating from coolers and ice chests. These ''bars'' are unlicensed and pay no taxes and fees like the real bars that are closed by the police.
Of course, there are fees paid, but to whom? Again, are these operating because of special permits? Where is the proper enforcement of the law?
Call it what you will, but we all know the reasons for selective enforcement
REGGIE MCFARLAND
Bangkok
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Silence anti-US noise
I'm curious. Exactly who on your staff was denied a visa to the USA?
That is the only plausible reason I can figure out for the constant anti-American comments you allow in PostBag.
Who really cares if a few people don't like America. I, for one, am tired of listening to the anti-American rantings of a few.
I suppose they would rather all of Europe today speak German. And if not for the US, Thailand would no doubt have considerably more sushi bars. If only America had not tried to ''push'' democracy on other countries at that time.
Grow up! It's enough already.
STEW
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