Re: "I have nothing to hide" (PostBag, June 20). It took me but a minute to recognise the wisdom in Eric Bahrt's letter, and it reminded me of the Catholic Church.
At one time I worked in the realm of the subject matter, with a security clearance that was quite literally "as good as gold", because you see, kind Eric, once a person gets such a high-level security clearance, then one becomes like a bishop, rather than like a mere priest, and it is far too expensive to let such bishops go. So the money just keeps rolling in for the bishops, and then of course for the cardinals also.
As in the Catholic Church, the likely bishops and cardinals require as many lowly priests as possible to increase the ranks, to protect their jobs and to enhance their influence and power. It just keeps growing.
Yes, wise Eric, be assured there is a type of Catholic Church watching over you, day and night, with growing legions of consecrated souls perusing every email and scrutinising every telephone call so you can sleep safe at night, after of course, you have said your bedtime prayers.
GUY BAKER
Is rice fumigation safe?
Re: ''State fumes over rice fumigation'' (BP, June 18).
Pranee Siriphand, director-general of the Foreign Trade Department, assures us that phosphine, the chemical used to fumigate rice, is safe, and that its residue will vapourise after a week or so. I have questions:
First, chemicals will be safe only when rules on their application, and the length of storage, are strictly observed.
Given that officials here are often surreptitious and underhanded, how can we, the public, be sure of our safety on this issue?
Second, isn't it better to give away the rice from the government's stock that is nearly expired for free _ instead of keeping and treating it with chemicals - if that is a more economical way?
Third, since this rice-pledging scheme is the brainchild of Thaksin Shinawatra, why does the Yingluck Shinawatra government not ask him for a way out, or even for compensation?
VINT CHAVALA
Lamphun
Dead man talking
Re: ''Strange case of the smiling corpse'', (PostBag, June 16).
It is quite strange that everybody has been talking about Akeyuth Anchanbutr. From the day of his murder, friends and foes have churned up many stories and theories. Unfortunately, all these stories lead to finger pointing. But no one is pointing fingers at the deceased over why he took out 5 million baht from the bank and where he was heading with that money.
Evil comes in all colours and it sticks to the hands, no matter how poor or rich a person is. In the end, what goes around comes around. The best thing for all those concerned with his untimely death is to let him rest in peace.
KULDEEP NAGI
Accidentally accountable
The way the luxury car tax law is written is just plain dumb and it's no wonder the law gets abused or ignored.
It's like the unfair law which forbids a farang from putting a land parcel or house in his name. Not surprisingly, it's yet another law which is roundly ignored because of its xenophobic overtones.
Hundreds of ordinary people who follow the national news have known about the luxury car tax-avoidance scam for years.
Why are the police only now becoming aware of it? I jest, of course. The cops have known about it also, but they now can't keep hiding it because all of a sudden, four cars were burnt.
If you put me on the police force, I could uncover dozens of scams which the police choose to ignore. I would start with the daily jet-ski extortions in Phuket.
And yes, I would anger the police brass who receive clandestine revenue from such things.
KIP KEINO
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