OPINION

Choice of words

Re: "Man dies in tube well fall", (BP, May 4).

It seems the media have difficulties in choosing a suitable word to describe the unique feature in the news, both in Thai and in English. I suggest the right choice in English is "access shaft" (in lieu of "tube well").

Re: "Poll: Slim majority wants new charter to keep existing royalty sections", (Online, May 5).

In the Post's deceitfully titled, "Poll: Slim majority wants new charter to keep existing royalty sections", it is encouraging that a majority favour drafting a new constitution. What is glaring, however, is the question that was not asked: "Would you prefer A) drafting a new charter that reviews every section of every chapter, or B) drafting a new charter that does not touch chapters 1 and 2."

If that most pertinent question had been asked, I believe that at least 80%, or perhaps 97.36%, would have immediately chosen option A.

Re: "Cat shows hope to find good homes for strays", (Art & Entertainment, April 16).

As a student who loves animals, I'm delighted by the latest project on display at MRT Phahon Yothin. The Art Of Meows is an art exhibition which aims to help stray cats find a home. Art can be a medium to initiate the connection between a new owner and a cat. Adopting a stray starts a new relationship, getting to know each other more every day and discovering how special your cat truly is.

The major part of this art-related exhibition that shouldn't be missed is that the artists won't charge any fee for artwork; it's free. It is easier for everyone to find their new furry friends. Visit MRT Phahon Yothin. Enjoy the art. Enjoy the connection with animals. And maybe, take one little stray home with you.

Re: "Change the record", (PostBag, May 1).

Don McMahon would no doubt include my letters as an ingredient in the unwelcome froth on top of his daily dose of PostBag on its more frivolous days, which sends him off to the crossword.

Much as it is easy to criticise PostBag's editor, as I have done in the past for a perceived preference for publishing conservative viewpoints, the editor is obviously constrained by what lands in PostBag's mail inbox.

It is not that there is a dearth of substantive letters published on everything from air pollution to the nefarious machinations of Thai politics and the digital wallet to submarines and frigates. Most recently, one could point to the letter "A failed state?" from (somewhat ironically) Sad Optimist as a very thought-provoking read. But there are only so many points of view that can be expressed on a limited number of weighty topics before there's nothing more to be said. At least with meat-eating, Covid vaccines, climate change, global elites, death rays and the rest, one can have a bit of fun and stand half a chance of getting a reaction.

With absolutely no sarcasm, I would like to hear in what direction Mr McMahon thinks the editorial policy of PostBag should shift. Personally, I feel the current balance is about right, and I have no problem entertaining the views of a few "characters" in the interest of levity. I've suggested before that our anonymous editor could perhaps humanise himself just a little by giving us a weekly statistic on the most popular topic of the previous seven days and even, heaven forbid, by offering an apology or explanation when PostBag just fails to appear online on a particular day.