Re: ''Double standards in the animal world'' (Life, June 26).
The writer suggests that people selling or eating dogs are seen as barbaric. I am a dog lover myself and have three dogs at home. Although I would never eat dog meat, I am not against other people eating it. That is a personal choice. What is barbaric though is the dog meat trade itself and the conditions under which the dogs are obtained (sometimes stolen from their owners), transported and treated before slaughtering. This definitely has to be stopped and violators have to receive the highest penalties possible.
All animals raised for consumption deserve our utmost respect. The conditions for raising, transport and slaughter should be as stress-free and humane as possible.
ANDREA LAUERBACH
BMA on right page
I wholeheartedly endorse and support the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's (BMA) progressive reading promotion campaign to nurture a lifelong passion for developing good reading habits which emphasises interactive do-it-yourself IT technology.
The launch of the campaign to encourage reading and leading is setting a positive example to motivated students, teachers, parents and the community for cooperative endeavours promoting Bangkok's purported starring role as the World Book Capital.
It is hoped that the anticipated collaborative efforts of more than 20 leading public and private organisations will expand to more than 100 related campuses, companies and corporations, recommending innovative learner-focused self-access electronic materials through social networks like Facebook.
Especially targeting academic drop-outs and push-outs, a general education literacy campaign should aggressively provide self-help opportunities to motivated taxi drivers, waiters, clerks _ whatever _ to raise their academic skills to at least Mathayom 6 equivalency level, imitating the Sukhothai University independent study model.
I also enthusiastically encourage young and old adults alike to participate in the BMA's excellent career expansion initiatives offered free of charge in such marketable professions as therapeutic massage, Thai food preparation, fruit and vegetable carving, barber training and hairdressing. I especially like the fact that these accredited courses emphasise practical application rather than strictly theoretical approaches.
CHARLES FREDERICKSON
Bangkok
All talk, no action
Reading Chalerm Yubamrung venting his ire over his demotion in the Yingluck Shinawatra government's latest cabinet line-up enlightened me as to how lowly and self-serving Thai politicians have become these days.
In his own words, Mr Chalerm told us the Yingluck government is full of a few kinds of people:
First, the NATO (no action, talk only).
Second, the NATO plus DDT (not only those in a sorry state, but dead drunk too).
Third, as a result, the prime minister herself deserves this question: ''Besides knowing how to pick out stunning dresses and give out sweet smiles _ what else can you do?''
VINT CHAVALA
One upside to reshuffle
The sceptics of the new Yingluck-5 government (BP, July 1) have missed one resultant improvement: that there will be fewer outlandish remarks and attacks on others from former deputy prime minister for national security Chalerm Yubamrung because of his move to the labour minister post. Less divisiveness can be expected.
SONGDEJ PRADITSMANONT
Chalerm needs muzzle
Re: ''Chalerm unleashes his fury at cabinet snub'' (Opinion, July 1).
Khun Veera Prateepchaikul is correct. From Thaksin's lap dog, Chalerm has turned into a mad dog. He has been a loose cannon since his entry into politics. It is high time he was given his rabies shot. It should have been a bit more lethal.
THAI RIDGEBACK
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