OPINION

Can't see through the smoke

I see from the British media that: "The UK has committed to a programme that will phase coal out of all electricity generation by 2025 ... Canada has also said it will close its coal power stations by 2030, and both countries are urging others to put a stop to coal-powered energy generation."

And Thailand's contribution to reducing carbon emissions that it signed up to? To build a few more coal-fired power stations in areas of exceptional natural beauty! One can't help wondering if the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand lives on the same planet as the rest of us.

A news report on Oct 13 about the welfare card prompted me to devise an imaginary question which might pose an interesting challenge to students of politics and economics. The question is:

"A government introduces a scheme whereby farmers can pledge their rice at a price higher than the market price. The scheme is essentially an agricultural subsidy, serving the same purpose as similar subsidies which provide vital support to rural economies in many countries around the world.

"Another government introduces a scheme whereby people on lower incomes are provided with cards which enable them to purchase items costing 300 baht per month from designated retail outlets.

"Although the two schemes are very different, their ultimate purpose is the same, namely to provide financial support for some of the poorest people in the country. However, one scheme is praised for providing a boost to the economy, while the other attracts furious and sustained criticism, including claims that it has caused a catastrophic financial loss to the nation, and is nothing more than a cynical, populist, vote-buying exercise designed to benefit self-serving politicians.

"Which of these schemes was praised and which denounced? You must provide detailed explanations to support your selection."

The answers could be intriguing.

There is a pattern emerging from the Provincial Waterworks Authority in Surat Thani in the way they do their billing. Firstly, a bill will not be delivered to me or received, then the following bill leaps up by a huge amount. Which seems very strange for a tap that is kept closed and only opened when required.

I have two taps with them. The bill is about 18,500 baht on one and 17,000 baht on the other. I don't believe the meter readings and I won't pay these bills. This is the second incident where non-delivery of the bill has resulted in massive profits for the water company. I've tried calling the call centre, who have asked the local office to investigate. The local office insists that I must pay this bill by Oct 31. What to do? I pay all my other household services by direct debit (electric, cable TV) but it seems the water company is the last to modernise.

What has happened to humankind in this world? I'm not talking about blacks or whites, African, Asian, European or American. I'm talking about everyone. People.

Why is everyone making such a big deal about standing, kneeling, or even prostrating before a song, a flag or a game? If you feel the need, get down on your knees and pray before the game or whatever the occasion, but during the flag raising of whatever country you are in, respect the traditions of that country by following the old saying of "when in Rome, do as the Romans do". It does not mean you are forsaking your own country or what you believe it stands for.

No country, and since this started in the US I'll use the US as my example, should think they have the right to "require" citizens from other countries to follow "only" American tradition, but at least to give them the right to show respect, either by standing or kneeling. What if those citizens, as in this case sports stars, are from a foreign country? Should he not be able to show respect in the way he was taught from childhood? Should we not give him the right to do so just because he is in America, and not in his home country, as long as he is doing it in a respectful way?

It's time to stop the petty nit-picking and start acting like grown-up citizens who can recognise there are differences in cultures in this world.

I see there is continued pressure to curb smoking in public places now to include beaches with very stiff penalties. I hope this is not a ploy to tax unsuspecting tourists. At any rate, the department charged with implementing this ban should enter any disco in Thailand. They could raise enough fine money to pay off the national debt.

I do not visit any discos as I develop a sinus infection from the smoke. The air quality inside is of monumental health-threatening proportions. Why are they excluded from enforcement of regulations?

Re: "New dog atrocities", (BP, Oct 14).

As usual Eric Bahrt puts animal rights before those of humans when he refers to a VA Medical Centre in America giving young dogs heart attacks with "the intention to cause the dogs maximum pain".

No, Eric, such statements are typical of your penchant for exaggeration. If Mr Bahrt would care to visit the centre's website, he would learn that 99% of animals used for medical research are rats and mice, with rare use of dogs. But even this is probably unacceptable to him.

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