Re: “Energy policy needs a push”, (Opinion, Nov 26).
Congratulations on the stand against the expansion of coal-fired power plants in Thailand. However, it is short-sighted to lay the blame for this policy on the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat).
Egat is a wholly-owned state enterprise and issues no policy that is not fully vetted by the Ministry of Energy. In fact, the sitting minister is on record as promoting clean coal (“Fuel price reforms will be fair to all,” BP, Sept 19), as well as the previous minister of the Pheu Thai government (“A crisis to help sell coal power plants?” BP Online, Feb 22).
Even more incredibly, the locations for these coal-fired power plants are the tourist havens of Krabi and Songkhla. The insensitivity to Thailand’s fundamental foreign currency earner defies logic and common sense.
You should be asking why there is a policy to promote coal-fired power plants in a land where the people are dead set against it? Why does this misguided policy transcend opposing governments? Where does the money trail lead? The people of Thailand will have to rally long and hard to overcome the power of crony capitalism in order to protect our health and preserve our beautiful natural heritage.
Coal Crusader
Vet the teachers
Re: “US rape suspect led a double life”, (BP, Dec 1).
It is particularly saddening that the topic of English teacher recruitment should be raised against the background of such serious allegations.
Some years ago I applied to work here in Bangkok as an English teacher. I had previously taught in Japan, Singapore and the Middle East.
The recruitment process for those positions included the submitting and verification of all necessary certificates and documents, and the provision of both a visa and a work permit before travelling.
By contrast the process in the Kingdom was limited to advertising as cheaply as possible in the local press and therefore hiring whoever happens to be in town.
I applied — successfully — to teach at a prestigious government school — however the agency responsible for recruitment took little or no interest in my previous employment, and when I suggested and offered a (UK) verifiable reference it was met with a look of bewilderment.
I soon leaned that my “manager” had no experience or background in education — which perhaps explained the unfamiliarity with references — and the promise of a work permit was about as sincere as “me love you long-time”.
It would be nice — but probably unrealistic — to think that this latest incident would result in an entire overhaul of the system — out of respect for the women concerned and the future students of Thailand. At the very least, local people should be told the truth about the haphazard way in which “teachers” are employed.
Jack Ernest
Globalisation creep
Re: “World needs globalised solutions”, (Opinion, Dec 1).
This article is valuable because it contrasts advantages of globalisation with potential problems, but the analysis falls short.
Issues of trafficking and piracy of intellectual property are affected by globalisation. For example, the United States forces other countries to change laws and “rescue” victims based on its understanding of trafficking. This is only possible by waving the flag of globalisation. That would never have happened before the end of the Cold War.
Globalisation now trumps traditional understanding of national sovereignty. And globalisation also, in some ways, espouses American or first-world values and culture.
I predict it is inevitable that we will eventually have one world government and one world culture run by and for the wealthiest people in the strongest countries. Should we resist that?
John Kane
Big brother's car
Re: “Yingluck carjacked”, (Opinion, Dec 1).
Having “the car” keys taken at gunpoint? Really? The truth is that big brother bought the keys to the state coffers and proceeded to plunder as usual, until someone said “enough”.
KMAC
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