Ban all the chemicals

Re: "Chemical ban opponents led by misinformation", (Opinion, Nov 8).

There is controversy and dispute over how dangerous glyphosate is. I'm on the side of rather safe than sorry, so I applaud the members of the government supporting the ban.

There is no controversy or dispute that paraquat is dangerous and unhealthy. The fact that those who want the ban repealed are also supporting the use of paraquat shows just how greedy, selfish and dishonest they are. So why should I trust their judgement on glyphosate? I don't and never will. Ban them all.

JMadisonVatican City
Pharma's far reach

Can't blame the farmers for being manipulated by the global chem giants!! Even a supposed well-educated "hi-so" TV anchorman (station no longer being aired) is still banging his head against the table and talking about the right of farmers to use paraquat!

Those global chem giants have deep pockets and it's their mission to keep making profits regardless of consequences to the environment and the health of people.

Henri Jadis
Marine police needed

Re: "Seafood industry must walk talk", (Opinion, Nov 5).

Art Prapha is right to make the argument that all stakeholders in Thailand's fishing industry must insist that fishermen are accorded proper employment rights. But everyone knows how these get talked about and then completely ignored ... at sea.

The elephant in the room is that no matter how many rights are enshrined in law, the fact is that when the skipper takes his boat out to sea, he can physically abuse his crew in any way he chooses and get away with it.

Ian Urbina who writes for The New York Times went out with crews in Thailand before he wrote a chapter on Thai fishing in his book The Outlaw Ocean. He describes the murky violence that often goes on during trips. No migrant can afford to complain if he wants to keep his job (and his life) and the police are easily bought off anyway.

How can the seafood industry make sure that a skipper follows the law at sea? They would need a determined marine police service going out to sea regularly and checking up on individual boats time and time again. And of course, this would cost money -- lots of it.

Gerry Popplestone
Fix English education

Re: "Blind leading blind", (PostBag, Nov 7).

There is no doubt that the Ministry of Education has no inclination to introduce English as an alternate medium of instruction in Thai elementary schools and beyond.

Should English teaching jobs become more difficult in Thailand? Absolutely. the reasons are obvious. Thai policymakers only provide lip service for reforming their legacy curriculum focused on history, language, culture, and identity. In addition, Thai teachers who received their education in local universities lack skills to implement the English language curriculum effectively. Needless to say that most teacher training programmes being offered in Thai universities are substandard. Hence, students enrolled in English language programmes will need mentoring and consistent coaching from foreign faculty to improve their skills.

We can go back and learn something from the 2018 incident of a junior football team trapped in Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai province. No matter how much resources Thailand may have, only highly skilled and trained professionals can bring positive outcomes. We can clearly see the importance of skills and appreciate their role in the rescue operations. Teaching and learning of the English language in Thailand also require a similar large-scale rescue operation. But while the tasks of rescuing the Thai educational system seem daunting, numerous tools and strategies do exist to support those who want to improve the system. Thai private universities should collectively introduce new English teacher training programmes which focus on intense English language training and classroom teaching. The social attitude about learning English must also change.

Kuldeep Nagi
Neighbourly pals

Re: "Hun Sen finds Thai ally", (Editorial, Nov 8).

Very interesting to see how the three pariah states Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia stick together in their struggle against democracy. I am convinced that the EU, as well as all states in the West who are committed to democratic principles and human rights, are drawing their conclusions. No free trade agreements but considerably higher tariffs for goods from the pariah states will be the consequences.

Dante1000
Heroic Hun Sen

Hun Sen and Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha are soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for their countries. Where was Sam Rainsy when Hun Sen had to build his country from nothing and Cambodia suffered so much? We have seen Hun Sen cry, we have seen Hun Sen think and talk about the future of Cambodia without him. It is easy to judge and think the clever man from Paris believes in democracy and is a good man but Hun Sen had to build his country from nothing -- with one firm single hand.

Ploydonut Togo
The paranoia bug

Re: "Cambodia warns of coup as neighbours detain exiles", (BP, Nov 7).

It seems Cambodian dictator Hun Sen has caught the paranoia bug. How on earth is one man -- Sam Rainsy -- going to cause a coup in Cambodia? It is laughable that Thai Airways denied him a flight from Paris to Bangkok as well. Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha should not cater to Hun Sen's paranoia and Prayut should not see bugaboos under every carpet as well. Paranoia and coups go hand-in-hand with Thailand and its neighbouring countries. These guys forget the old saying that it is good to keep your friends close but your enemies closer.

Buttercup
Escaping EU's grip

Re: "Fall from glory", (PostBag, Nov 6).

It is quite clear Kuldeep Nagi has no idea what Brexit is about.

The whole concept of Brexit is to join the world once again and gain freedom from an oppressive, expansionist, corrupt and undemocratic bureaucracy obsessed with European central control.

The UK joined what was a free trade area on Jan 1, 1973, the EEC (European Economic Community, or the EC when you include the other parts of the agreement). Now as the EU (European Union) it has changed out of all recognition into the monster I describe above.

There is no question that both the EU and the UK want to continue trade, given that the EU sells the UK much more a trade deal will be made over the next couple of years in the "Transition Period" while things stay unchanged. What will also happen is the UK will negotiate its own trade deals with the rest of the world. At the end of the transition period, the UK will take back law-making capabilities from Brussels, control its own borders and continue to prosper without having to prop up 25 EU net non-contributing states.

Khun Nagi, Britain became great through world trade, invention and innovation and it freed Europe (eventually with help) from oppression on three occasions over the last 215 years. Maybe soon some of the nations taking the EU's 30 pieces of silver will wake up to what the agenda really is.

And please don't tell me the EU stopped inter-European wars. Whatever misguided award they got, it was Nato that did the peacekeeping.

Fireman Sam
'Kom loy' chaos

Re: "Chiang Mai flights cancelled, rescheduled for Loy Krathong", (BP, Nov 7).

Over the past few years, this religious event has been converted to a large tourism event. According to media reports, this year's mass launching of kom loy will likely involve twice as many as last year. The fanfare event is open for tourists only. Of course, that money goes to tourism-related agencies.

For absolute safety of aviation, Chiang Mai airport must be completely closed during the three festival days. This will hurt the money mongers and give everyone an opportunity to rethink the festivities for next year and the future.

RH Suga
See ya later Thailand

Noted with interest is the fact that as of Oct 31, Thailand will require long-stay (O-A and O-X) visa applicants to carry health insurance. This announcement was made by the US Embassy yesterday. I dutifully went to the websites specified and found the following. Not one company will insure anyone over the age of 70 unless they have a current policy in force. In addition, the list of exclusions is longer than the policy itself. As a US military vet, I am covered by the US Veterans Admin in the US and at any VA hospital. Unfortunately, the policy will not cover me here in Thailand. The fact that I have lived here for 12 years without local insurance and have managed to maintain my health without burdening the local systems is meaningless.

This is poorly thought out, badly researched and will result in a huge exodus of expats but that is exactly what the junta wants. The TM30 was one nail, financial obligations the second nail, and now the third nail in the coffin has been hammered home.

Goodbye Thailand, it's been an experience.

Fred Prager
Fact or fiction?

In a very interesting article that appeared in an international newspaper, I was struck by how the author expressed in just a few lines something we see all the time here in Thailand.

"When powerful people say things, too many journalists simply convey them, acting not as critical interlocutors but convenient conduits." The fact that a politician has said something, apparently, makes the news.

Army generals, politicians from all sides, and big business leaders only have to make a statement and there it is in the news as if their word was gospel and we need to look no further for the truth. Some serious examination and in-depth analysis would show that some of these statements to be nothing more than wishful thinking or plain untruths.

Lungstib
Any pure believers?

It has been suggested that the Thai prime minister does not exactly adhere to the teachings of the Buddha. Can the letter contributor kindly suggest one world leader who completely to adheres or even follows the teachings of his or her own religious beliefs? It would be greatly appreciated.

David James Wong
Clutching at straws

It was recently reported that Thai Airways' management asked staff to cut expenses, I'm surprised the management has not yet come up with the smart idea of charging five baht to use the toilets on Thai flights. It'll come eventually folks. It'll come. Benjamin Franklin is reported to have said, a drowning man catches at straws.

Jack Gilead
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