Re: ''Lead in schools fiasco shows we fail our kids'' (BP, Sept 28).
Kultida Samabuddhi brings to light again a subject we have read about too many times in the past few years.
My comment is on the subject of lead paint used on school playground equipment. Kultida does not identify whether this equipment was manufactured in Thailand or imported from China, which has had numerous complaints in the past of lead paint used on toys and baby furniture.
If it was indeed manufactured in Thailand, the manufacturer should be identified and immediate inspection of its facilities should be performed.
Also, has this equipment been available on the open market to private homes or other organisations? If so, a complete investigation is in order. If imported from China or any other country, put an immediate ban on any future imports.
CHARLIE BROWN
Promises but no action
Re: ''Poor reds lose faith as hopes for homes fade'' (BP, Oct 2).
After reading the lament of 59-year-old Khun Wanee, who lives in the Bang Na slum of Rem Tang Duan, I wasn't sure how to react. I know politics in Thailand is emotional and people vote emotionally, not rationally. Very few people have an idea about local, national or international issues. Most don't care. Voting tends to be on the basis of what one gets personally from a politician and ''screw the neighbour''.
I would say Khun Wanee got exactly what she voted for _ promises but no action. Pheu Thai has proved to be a Thaksin-oriented party with one goal _ to bring him back home. Its concern for the little people is all a sham, nothing more, nothing less.
OHPCHOI RIDGEBACK
UDD chief misses point
Korkaew Pikulthong, a co-leader of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, is challenging academics at Nida to come up with a better rice pledging scheme. Isn't he missing a very important point?
Thailand is harvesting a much bigger volume of rice than what is actually consumed in its domestic market. So the surplus must be sold to overseas markets.
Current export figures are already showing that Thailand is losing its main export markets to other competitors such as India and Vietnam, and it is not an easy job for exporters to get back that business.
How can Khun Korkaew guarantee that Thailand can recover its position of rice exports under current circumstances?
KT
Nitirat remains evasive
Re: ''Nitirat backs '32 democracy philosophy'' (BP website, Sept 30).
I have two questions to ask the Nitirat (Enlightened Jurists) group.
First, all Nitirat members refuse to answer whether their future goal is to pursue a political career. Why is that?
Second, a leader of the group, Kasian Tejapira, claims that the emergence of Nitirat is ''a spectre haunting Thammasat University''. Aren't they proud of their university? Hence, the Nitirat group is here to salvage Thammasat's good name _ is that it?
I think Thammasat's administrative body, together with its alumni and students, must put these questions to Nitirat directly.
It is better than finding out later that its campus and reputation have been allowed to be exploited for individuals' personal ambitions and not for the good of society as a whole.
VINT CHAVALA
Why cut BBC radio?
Once again, the failings of TrueVisions are brought to light, as it is going to terminate the BBC World Service radio service from Oct 8.
Its spokesman's comment that it will ''accommodate the ongoing introduction of standard and high-definition TV channels to our platform'' does not provide a reason for the termination.
Is it again something to do with money or the fact that the best broadcaster in the English language is too good for the locals?
PAUL CLARKE
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