I laud the Supreme Administrative Court for ordering the Pollution Control Department (PCD) to pay almost 4 million baht to 22 Karen villagers over the lead contamination of Klitty Creek.
Despite its historical importance, however, the court's judgment will seemingly not do a thing to change the way the PCD operates. The department's director-general, Wichien Jungrungruang, said he'd seek government money to pay the plaintiffs. In other words, dear reader, you and I will be held financially accountable for the PCD's incompetency.
Not only that, but Mr Wichien's going to allow the lead to dilute naturally, in direct opposition to the court's order that the PCD act ''urgently'' to clean it up. It's business as usual, and who cares about the villagers?
This from a government elected by an overwhelming majority and which professes to love the phrai. To prevent future occurrences, and hasten compliance with court orders, the decision-makers must be held accountable. Before Lead Concentrate Co, which was responsible for contaminating Klity Creek, was allowed to operate, the PCD should have first ensured the firm had a system in place to prevent lead contamination that met rigorous international standards. Bank guarantees should have also been obtained to cover any damage.
The chief civil servants responsible for the PCD's incompetence should be held accountable for their ineptitude, by having all but a food allowance of 700 baht per month of their pensions and salaries held in escrow until the court judgment has been fully complied with.
Let those judged to have been negligent be held accountable for their misdeeds, and prevent tragedies in the making.
BURIN KANTABUTRA
Kill the buzz over cuts
Ah, Children's Day, and the Ministry of Education takes a small step forward. It does not surprise me that some school administrators are opposing the new directive concerning the allowable length of a boy's hair (''School children welcome the opportunity to let down their hair'', BP, Jan 11).
After all, it is so much simpler to deal with what is on top of a student's head than it is to consider what is inside it and perhaps provide the quality of education that children deserve. Now we can fight over what constitutes ''tidy'' hair, and all of the pictures I have seen of Albert Einstein over the age of 30 come to mind. Was his hair ''tidy''? Does it matter?
BRIAN QUINBY
More equal than others?
It was disgusting and disgraceful to read that the paramedic team at Government House refused to take a news reporter to hospital after he suffered a stroke.
A news reporter is a productive member of society, working hard for a living, sometimes putting himself into dangerous situations. An MP on the other hand is a public sponge, contributing nothing.
MPs are often shown sleeping during proceedings, uninterested and unaware of their surroundings, usually until the session is over. One would not know the difference between a dead MP and a sleeping MP until a colleague tries to wake him.
JINGLE BELL
Govt ineptitude shines
Tthe consequences of this government's rash campaign promises are starting to show all over the country. Over here, the repercussions have long been evident.
How can you increase wages 35% without expecting all this to happen? What good does it do that they will decrease taxes on corporate profits? The companies that are closing down are not making any profit anyway.
I thought that if they reduced electricity and utilities costs it would help a bit, but people I spoke to said the effect would not be enough.
OBSERVER
Unholy matrimony
Re: ''The case for a new, untainted constitution'' (Opinion, Jan 8).
Songkran Grachangnetara is against amending the constitution section by section, and would prefer to have a brand new one written out. However, he fails to mention specifically what in the current charter is wrong, and why.
The constitution we have is perfect if we want to deal effectively with self-seeking politicians.
Please be reminded that Thailand is currently a world leader in political corruption.
A true democracy needs three pillars of power to balance each other: the legislative, administrative and judicial branches.
As it is, the legislative and administrative branches are acting like husband and wife. This is because they are from the same party: Pheu Thai. They are helping each other instead of balancing each other's powers.
A slight change in the constitution will only make it convenient for the two branches to force the judicial branch to become answerable to them. The answer may be dictatorship rather than democracy. Hence, I disagree with Songkran's proposal.
VINT CHAVALA
Lamphun
Clowns run the circus
Voranai Vanijaka's excellent piece ''Thailand, where no change too absurd'' (Opinion, Jan 10) on political expediency trumping the human rights of political prisoners, particularly those of the lese majeste detainees, is most welcome.
That these people are imprisoned, denied bail and mistreated is an international disgrace. In advanced democracies, such abuse would not be tolerated by their citizens. There would be a public outcry.
Yet here (apart from Voranai), nothing is said. The national media remains largely silent.
Thailand is a signatory to the United Nations Human Rights convention which specifically outlaws the suppression of political beliefs, freedom of expression and freedom of religion.
To use repressive legislation such as lese majeste and the Computer Crimes Act to threaten and silence dissenters in Thailand is in breach of the kingdom's obligations pursuant to the aforementioned treaty.
If successive governments and their often unseen backers wish to continue in such a vein, they should simply pull out of UN organisations and go it alone.
The same can be said of the demands being made for Thailand to refuse to accept the arbitration of the International Court of Justice regarding its border dispute with Cambodia. As a member of the international community, Thailand cannot just abide by its obligations when it suits it.
A large part of the problem is that because those in power _ politicians and their backers _ believe they are above the law and they can virtually do as they please (of course, only until they lose power). They find it difficult to accept that in the wider international community, it doesn't work like that.
The case of former foreign minister Kasit Piromya trying to get the German government to intervene in a commercial matter involving a Thai plane seized in Munich in 2011 is a prime example of this mindset. He made a complete fool of himself _ but in a way, I understand. He simply reasoned that if the boot had been on the other foot, the Thai government would have been able to step in and bend a few arms.
Kasit and his ilk have no concept of the doctrine of the separation of powers.
ROBERT J HOLMES
Stranger than fiction
What a complete fuss over the television drama Nua Mek 2. Let's face it, we need a political drama to complement the real-world comedy of Thai politics seen on our screens daily. The comedy is so infectious that it has spread to the military and the law enforcement agencies. I am not surprised Thailand is known as the ''Land of Smiles'' in every corner of the world.
BILL
Chiang Mai
Thinking is critical
Today marks national Children's Day, and kids across the country are invited to visit Government House and the prime minister's office as well as enjoy various activities organised by the army.
Outstanding youngsters across the country will be given the chance to meet PM Yingluck Shinawatra at a later date.
While all these activities are fun for children, they are but token gestures. Because after Children's Day passes, it will be straight back to the usual mentality of ''children are to be seen, but not heard''.
What children really need are substantive and long-lasting changes to raise their overall wellbeing.
And the best thing the government and adults can give them is critical thinking skills; skills to question adults' authority based on reasons and logic; skills to reflect on things deeply in place of blind obedience and conformity; skills to have their voices heard; skills to say ''no'' to unacceptable behaviour by adults.
For this gift of critical thinking will set them free and pave the way for a more open society _ things that writing New Year cards to the PM or viewing the army's toys will not.
EDWARD KITLERTSIRIVATANA
Be my guest, cover expats
Re: ''Crimes against guests'' (BP, Jan 10).
Why does one rarely see crimes against foreign residents (including murders) reported in the English-language press?
Even on the rare occasion that such a crime is reported, one hardly ever reads about the results of the investigation, including details of offenders and resulting sentences, even when a murder is involved.
In addition, one consistently reads about the revenue generated by foreign guests but I cannot remember reading references to revenue generated by foreign residents.
M R WISMARK
Get off the couch
According to the latest World Health Organisation (WHO) report about causes of death around the world, non-communicable diseases accounted for 36 million deaths per year, or 63% of all deaths worldwide.
Of these 36 million deaths, 9 million were people who did not reach the age of 60.
The main factors contributing to these deaths are alcohol, lack of exercise, poor diet and smoking, the report said.
The deaths occurred primarily in developed countries, but are also increasing in poor countries.
The predominance of these diseases, which are the leading cause of death in the world, is due to changes in lifestyle, the UN said.
The best prevention against these diseases is a healthy lifestyle, including physical exercise, a balanced diet and family socialising, instead of watching television.
CLEMENTE FERRER
President of the European Institute of Marketing
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