OPINION

Complex education

Re: "Students struggle to get seats", (BP, May 31).

Will someone kindly clarify why a clearing house for students applying to universities is needed?

Universities should be independent with students applying directly to the admissions departments without "middlemen departments". An admissions committee then reviews the applicants submitted forms, his/her grades, reasons for applying, etc and makes a decision. The committee then sends either an acceptance or rejection letter to the applicant.

It is the way university admissions are handled in most other parts of the world. Why does everything have to be so complicated having to do with education, (among other things), in Thailand?

A news report recently said a local administration in Nakhon Phanom has been using the oil from yang na (dipterocarpus alatus, or biodiesel) trees for fuel. Too bad for these magnificent trees, a threatened species that takes a very long time to grow.

Apparently the ones being exploited for oil locally are 200-300 years old. Harvesting their oil commercially will likely shorten their lifespan, which villagers are apt to use as an excuse to harvest the wood as well. Wouldn't it be a better idea to conserve these beauties so future generations will be able to enjoy them?

Re: "More celebs express regret over links to Magic Skin", (BP, May 30).

It is becoming increasingly difficult to take the Royal Thai Police seriously after seeing the steady stream of "questioning" of models, actresses and various other celebrities over their roles in promoting dubious cosmetics and health products. Just what does the police force expect to achieve with this parade of "pretties" other than getting their pictures in the paper and perhaps scoring a phone number or two for future who-knows-what purposes?

Everyone knows that promotion of products is a regular part of the job for these celebrities and that they cannot be expected to know the details of product formulations. If the products are substandard, why are the police not focusing on the manufacturers and lead distributers who knowingly put fake products on the market?

Re: "Baloney by any other name is still baloney", (Opinion, May 29).

It is becoming very clear that the US president is suffering from NPD (narcissistic personality disorder). Typical symptoms are said to be an exaggerated sense of self-importance, lack of empathy, an arrogant contemptious behaviour or attitude, a requirement for excessive admiration and no compunction in breaking the rules. The last point he has greatly confirmed by having made "3,008 lies or untrue statements", as reported in this article. To suggest this sick person for the Nobel Peace Price is a sad joke. He instead deserves a place in a psychiatric hospital and the gold medal as the biggest liar in history.

Re: "America the unwelcoming", (Asia Focus, May 28).

It is quite natural that America would not be able to sustain its dominance in world affairs forever. But Erich Parpart is rather short on the erosion of American values, influence and attraction. Before China became an economic powerhouse, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea were also very successful economies. Except for expanding their businesses overseas, none of them had much influence in global affairs.

The US remains a place where freedom thrives. New ideas, excellence and innovation can only flourish in a free society. A country like America is run by top-notch leaders and professionals. A rich combination of leaders from politics, the civil service, military, CEOs, academics, NGOs and activists make it a vibrant ​country and world leader. Even in 2018 people around the world would rather stand in line to immigrate to the US than China. Mr Parpart only needs to visit the Chinese and American embassies one morning to get a clear picture.

I don't know of any US president in recent history who was more blatantly cruel and sadistic to animals than Donald Trump. His latest outrage is backing legislation to make it easier to hunt and kill baby bears in Alaska. Mr Trump is a godsend for trophy hunters and I urge readers to google: "Stop Killing Bears and Wolves in their Homes" and then sign the petition immediately!

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