It didn’t help the energy debate that the junta invited a fools’ gallery of participants to speak and neglected to bring in experts.
Not discussed at this farce of a debate were the sources of alternative energy production that would wean Thailand off fossil fuels (both domestic and imported) and provide millions of Thais with attractive financial alternatives to replace unprofitable rice crops and rubber plantations, namely through green algae and biomass production.
Thailand is blessed with a tropical climate ideally suited for solar energy.
The coast boasts powerful sea currents that have never been tapped for their energy potential. And biomass and green algae production are not even at the talks stage. Solar power? Name one shopping mall or large building in Thailand that has covered their roof with solar panels.
Given the fact that Thai companies demand an immediate return on their investments, the likelihood of implementing any of these alternatives looks far-fetched, if not impossible.
Egat won’t offer energy producers financial incentives to provide electricity. The government of Thailand and its subsidiaries are the biggest obstruction to moving forward.
PTT is largely controlled by hi-so stockholders, who would abhor any change to the status quo. So what hope is there?
Has the government ever looked at getting foreign car assembly companies to produce low-cost hybrid or electric cars by providing financial incentives? Of course not. That would involve out-of-the-box thinking.
What intrigues me most is that there has not been one reputable media report on that junta’s comedic energy debate, and the fact that it did not bring in any experts, either foreign or domestic, into it.
Oh, what we could have learned!
Johnny Waters
Too many generals
Why is it that when I read about China’s "rubber stamp parliament" in the paper, I see a Thai general leading his country in the back of my mind?
And why is it that when I see more generals appointed to the cabinet and political positions than academics or civilians, I get this gut-feeling that scares the hell out of me?
This is not North Korea or China, but it sure looks like it’s heading in that direction.
Put a stop to it. Please.
Farang observer
Maintain martial law
Re: “Prayuth to limit martial law” (BP, Aug 27).
It is too early to discuss this. Thai society has not yet returned to normal. Therefore, the military is needed to enforce justice. I hope martial law stays in place until the time when a new general election is called.
RH Suga
Lamphun
Guns not child’s play
Re: “Girl, 9, accidentally shoots dead US instructor with Uzi” (Post online, Aug 27).
Why on earth was a nine-year-old girl taking lessons in how to use a sub-machine gun when she accidentally killed her instructor at a shooting range in Arizona? Is there no end to the folly of gun ownership and use in the land of the free and home of the brave?
Edward B Duhigg
No illegality here
Re: “Joint force swoops on ‘illegal’ resorts” (BP, Aug 27).
ARK Resort is not actually a resort. We have dilapidated buildings that housed workers while we were building house boats 15 years ago, other than the building that stored the tool shop and generator, and one the caretaker lives in. I acquired the land in 1996 and was issued a Nor Sor 2 title and have paid the land taxes ever since. To my knowledge the land is not in any national park or forest reserve so I don’t know why the news report would refer to it as illegal.
Alisa Chailert
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