Paraphrasing from your editorial, ''Asbestos kills, that's for sure'', on April 26, the WHO says there are 125 million workers in the world exposed to asbestos and more than 107,000 people die each year.
Public health deputy secretary-general Charnwit Tharathep last week said there is not enough medical evidence to support the view that asbestos poses a health danger. The National Economic and Social Development Board says low figures for asbestos-related diseases result from poor reporting and diagnosis in the healthcare system itself.
Amazing Thailand, but then there is reference to the ''powerful asbestos lobby'' so maybe not so amazing, just big business working hand-in-hand with the government.
WATSON
Bring out the handbags
There is no doubt that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is a snappy dresser, something the many photographs of her in this newspaper attest to. However, I cannot recall her being pictured with a handbag. Bearing in mind what Margaret Thatcher achieved as British PM, it occurs to me Ms Yingluck's performance as a politician may be enhanced if she follows the Iron Lady's example and carries one, preferably large and black. Thatcher was known for her ''handbagging'' of anyone of whom she didn't approve and it quickly brought them into line.
BULLDOG,
Ban Chang
Exam re-think needed
Re: ''Poor scores prompt new tests for grants'' (BP, April 29).
I have no idea how tough these test were, but if only 14 students out of 5,053 who took the test for the first category passed, and only 125 out of 15,328 passed in the second category, I think there needs to be a change in the selection process.
Since these tests are to select students to attend universities overseas, I would think the ones who did not pass the test are the ones who should be chosen to go overseas to get a good education. According to the test results, they sure are not getting a good education here.
CHARLIE BROWN
Pattaya
Exat worsens traffic toll
Re: ''Exat tackles surge in tollway traffic'' (BP, April 27).
This short news piece on the Expressway Authority of Thailand's efforts to address rising traffic underscored the lack of competence and expertise of Exat management.
While expressways in most parts of the world are equipped to deduct tolls electronically without vehicles slowing even a single kilometre/hour in speed when passing toll gates, Bangkok's toll collection practices remain mired in the mid-20th century.
Installation of modern toll collection equipment could immediately eliminate the current back-ups at toll plazas. Easy Pass use could be further encouraged by providing a significant discount for users, similar to the huge savings offered in most other countries.
Sadly, it seems Exat is more focused on squeezing out maximum short-term revenues than providing efficient service.
SAMANEA SAMAN
Kudos to Stephen Young
Your article, ''Dwelling on the past'' (Life, April 31), about archaeological sites in Thailand, mainly Ban Chiang is very interesting.
Perhaps it would have been nice to mention who discovered the site at Ban Chiang. That was the American student Stephen Young, who in 1968 toured Thailand for sociological studies. He happened to fall down at the roadside of the main street in Ban Chiang, and found himself facing a pile of obviously antique shards.
Through his discovery and following reports to the right people, scientific exploration of the site was made possible a few years later. Until then, there were no comparable archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. ''Honour, to whom honour is due.''
ULRICH DENNERLEIN
CONTACT: BANGKOK POST BUILDING
136 Na Ranong Road Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110
Fax: +02 6164000 email: postbag@bangkokpost.co.th
All letter writers must provide full name and address.
All published correspondence is subject to editing at our discretion.