Re: ''Poachers poison tiger outside Huai Kha Khaeng'' (BP July 28) and ''Mae Wong dam poses grim threat to endangered tigers'' (July 29).
Once again, the harsh reality of unscrupulous poachers using poison to kill a tiger for its bones has happened just outside Huai Khakhaeng Wildlife Sanctuary.
What was this cat doing out there? The smell of carrion (four dead goats) was too great for the poor creature to resist. The government needs to restrict sales of poison but that will never happen. It is easy to buy rat poison anywhere, and every mom and pop shop in rural Thailand has it.
The only way to save tigers is to increase the budget and personnel, as well as to tighten enforcement at this site which is Thailand's last great tiger reserve.
It is hoped the ''powers that be'' will really take action against this horrendous practice. Put the middlemen and big fish into jail. The Mae Wong dam and the other dams on the government's list need to be buried once and for all.
No matter what the dam supporters say, the construction of these megaprojects will not only open up the interior to poachers and encroachers, but it will kill many species of flora and fauna including tigers.
In the long run, the continued pressure will push this magnificent predator into extinction.
It's a shame that some people still push the kill button on Thailand's natural heritage.
TIGERMAN
All's not well at CTH
Over recent weeks there has been a gradual realisation that all is not well with Cable Thai Holding (CTH) and its ability to offer the services they promised. After several telephone calls and emails, it was made clear to me that CTH will not be able to provide coverage of the English Premier League (EPL) to condo buildings in Bangkok for the start of this season as the cabling work has not been completed.
There is an option for CTH to install a satellite dish, but this needs the permission of the building owners and, mine, like most others in central Bangkok, do not allow individual satellite dishes. This is all bad news for CTH which has paid huge sums to get the rights to the EPL but, more importantly, bad news for the consumer.
Once more, football fans will be left unable to get access (legally) to the games they have been promised. It is now time for this issue to be sent to the EPL themselves as I believe CTH will be breaking their licence agreement if they do not have the capability to offer the services they have promised.
DAVID FIGES
Ditch those revolvers
I was astounded recently to see the guard in my Bangkok Bank branch wearing a revolver.
I strongly object to such a practice for three reasons.
If there's a robbery the first to die will be the guard, killed by the crooks as a pre-emptive move.
And, from having shot handguns for sport before, I know how difficult it is to be accurate _ so I don't want to be around when the gunplay starts.
Lastly, the bank's losses will be covered by insurance anyway.
Bangkok Bank should rethink its policy of armed guards immediately, and prevent robberies and minimise losses in ways that don't put the lives of staff and customers at risk.
BURIN KANTABUTRA
Where's the evidence?
In his July 30 letter ''It wouldn't happen in Oz'' Nik's claim that Australian politicians lie only to stay in office is patently ridiculous.
His second point that the rice-pledging scheme is set up purely for financial gain for political insiders is equally without foundation.
If it is true, where is his evidence?
What end is served through publishing this slanted (against the ruling Pheu Thai party) rubbish?
GEORGE CUPPAIDGE
Hua Hin
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