Exam cheats must retest

Exam cheats must retest

Re: ''Local panels refuse to revoke test results'' (BP, March 26)

The local sub-committees are entirely correct in refusing the responsibility to revoke the results of an examination in which there was widespread cheating.

As this was a national test, all of the results should be cancelled and a revised version of the test (possibly with multiple forms) be administered. This is the only correct response to the situation. Any less is unacceptable and makes a mockery of the whole system.

BRIAN QUINBY


Keep debt in Thaksin clan

Looking through several newspapers in Thailand over a couple of weeks, something hit me. If the Shinawatra family wants to run Thailand as a family business, and they borrow money to fulfil their promises from the election, then they should also be personally responsible for all red numbers in the budget. In a family-run business you cannot put the burden of debt on your workers.

Thailand is assumed to be a democratic country. Yet politicians who are supposed to be employees of the people are trying to change the constitution in their favour without regard for public sentiment. Some people call it a military constitution, but, as I remember, it won a ''yes'' vote in a referendum and I have a strong belief that in the case of what the people have voted in, only the people (not the politicians) can vote out.

LONG TIME GUEST


Pen names have merits

Eric Bahrt is right. Using one's name does lend credibility to one's opinion. However, using a "pen name" or nom de plume also has its merits.

I've known people here to lose their jobs because their posted opinions differed from those of their bosses and management. While the Bangkok Post keeps PostBag contributors' names confidential, I'm sure that if some high-level government official or general of the police or military demanded a real name from the Post they would be able to obtain it. At the moment it would be too much trouble.

Many of my friends expressed contempt for some of my opinions, and one actually broke off a long-term friendship. Few know the pen name I use when I choose to go by one, and it saves a lot of problems. Not using one's real name is a custom in many countries.

JACK GILEAD


Seeking PostBag fame

I beg to differ with Eric Bahrt's ludicrous assertion that correspondents who choose not to use their proper names, for reasons of privacy or avoidance of recriminations, lose some credibility. Some of the best writers to PostBag use nom de plumes, whilst some of the worst use their own names, often for their fifteen minutes of fame.

MARTIN R


Fire hazard in the harvest

Crisscrossing the Central Plains of the country recently, I was struck by the numerous harvested fields which are burnt by the farmers, leaving blackened areas and lots of smoke and ashes flying around.

With temperatures of 37-38 Celsius in this region of Thailand, you can imagine the danger and the damages arising from this situation.

The farmers say they want to reap as many harvests as possible in order to benefit from the rice pledging scheme of the government. So, it seems the rice policy of the Yingluck Shinawatra government is having a deep impact on the environment. I am just curious: aren't there any laws to prevent the burning of harvested fields?

ARNAUD DUBUS


Blow to boxing credibility

I'd like to commend an article in Sports Sunday on March 24, "Science confirms trauma caused by blows to head". But in the same section, there was a news report that the International Boxing Association announced the rejection of protective headgear in amateur and Olympic boxing so the bouts are more in line with professional fights.

The mind boggles.

BOB VAN ES
Bang Rak


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