Regarding the analysis on the front page of yesterday's Bangkok Post, ''Reshuffle shows Big Four's clout'', I see things a bit differently. The reshuffle is a pure declaration from Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra that she alone is in charge, and she should be lauded for doing what is right.
First, not giving a ministerial post to red shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan is a sure step toward national reconciliation. Second, retaining the two ministers of finance and trade in spite of the displeasure of Thaksin's old guard is indicative of the PM's independence and courage. She is not afraid to let the ministers face the opposition's censure attacks. Third, as for the members of the old guard who were chosen, it was obviously because of their expertise and reasonable integrity, and not because big brother said so. Fourth, dropped ministers were previous appointees of Thaksin and some were of dubious character. It is a good opportunity to get rid of them.
In sum, Ms Yingluck has shown she is no puppet for Thaksin to play with. The Shinawatra clan is apparently no longer so united and there will likely be fewer Pheu Thai MPs visiting Hong Kong.
Songdej Praditsmanont
Bangkok
RICE RACE A MATTER OF CHANCE
As reported on Thursday, Tikhumporn Natvaratat of the Foreign Trade Department said Thailand is now in third place after India and Vietnam as a rice exporting country. However, despite the decline, Mr Tikhumporn said that the country would continue to lead the market because India might experience a slowdown due to delivery problems while Vietnam is facing a drought. Mr Tikhumporn would have been more accurate in saying that Thailand might regain its place as the top rice exporter if it overtakes India and Vietnam. On the other hand, India may be able to deliver their exports, and if Vietnam experiences drought Thailand would likely share the same misery. It appears that the rice pledging programme is now a casino game.
Don Tetley
EU LEERY OF RELIGIOUS TYRANNY
Last Sunday's comment from Voranai Vanijaka was great as usual. I'd like to make one small point, however: In Europe it is not so much Christians fighting Muslims. It is more a non-religious, sometimes outright atheistic majority (or at least a very big minority) who do not want - after fighting 500 years to get free of the clutches of a very repressive religion, the Catholic Church - to be told by another repressive religion, Islam, what they may or may not do, say, print, etc. Some conflicts are also fights for freedom or to preserve freedom. Sometimes you have to fight against repressive authorities or those who want to impose themselves.
Dr Karl Reichstetter
CHEERS FOR BIOPLASTICS MAKER
I am writing to commend and congratulate Avitez Ltd for taking the initiative to make Thailand the site of Asean's first factory making bottles solely out of bioplastics and thereby reducing the usage of petroleum-based plastics, as reported Wednesday in the Bangkok Post. We all know that plastic is becoming a curse to mankind.
I also want to ask the company to please try to help find a means to replace plastic bags, tonnes of which are used every day, remaining in the environment for years. I do not want to harp on the damage they do, but I hope that a company with vision might be able to provide a solution.
While I'm at it, I'd like to request that whoever is in charge at the BMA please place bins for recyclable materials at all shopping malls, so that those of us who wish to do so can bring in items like newspapers, cardboard, plastics, used electronic items and other recyclables. Many if not most of these items end up being recycled, but it would be great if they could be collected up front without first being lumped with all the garbage and getting dirty.
Dubly Arora
OBAMA'S LIBERAL CHEERLEADERS
I don't blame the Bangkok Post readership for having a distorted view of President Barack Obama when all they know is what they read from the liberal media - AP, the New York Times, etc - from the likes of writers such as Paul Krugman. Most disturbing to me are the facts coming out concerning the timeline in the Benghazi 9/11 attacks last month and the coverup. Does anyone know or care about Tyrone Woods, the Navy Seal who, when told to stand down during the attack, ignored the order and tried to save the US ambassador and was himself killed in the attempt?
This is a story the liberal media refuses to report.
Thought for the day: If re-elected, will Mr Obama continue to blame George Bush for his failures?
TC Soderberg
NEW HOPE FOR EXPAT DEMOCRAT
Whenever I ask myself who is going to win the US presidential election, I try to put aside my own bias and answer the question objectively.
For example, although I am a supporter of Barack Obama, until recently I had to admit the momentum was going with Mitt Romney. But I was most encouraged to read in the Thursday Bangkok Post that a Time magazine poll had Mr Obama leading Mr Romney by 5% in Ohio.
Since 5% is practically outside of the margin of error and Ohio is a must-win state for Mr Romney, I'm beginning to think ''my man'' is going to pull it off after all.
Eric Bahrt
Pattaya
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