OPINION

Bureau-crazy's fault

Re: "Chemical drama shows it's time for agency detox,'' (Opinion, Dec 5).

I thank Ms Anchalee Kongrut for a very clear and objective description of the situation with the three toxic chemicals. The behaviour of the Department of Agriculture and National Hazardous Substances Committee is an indication that "bureau-crazy" has taken over.

For years there have been reports outlining and proving the toxicity of many chemicals used in the agricultural sector. In 2011, Prof Don Huber gave a presentation in many countries about the terrible effects glyphosate has on soil, plants and animals. There have also been several reports on the matter in the Bangkok Post over the years.

There was also a recent report that traces of toxic chemicals have been found in the blood of newborns. Essentially, the "bureau-crazy" knows about the dangers of these chemicals.

Thanks to Deputy Agriculture Minister Mananya Thaiset, a total ban of the three chemicals had been agreed upon, but now the "bureau-crazy" has succeeded in delaying and even stopping it. This makes any objective reader believe that the bad combination of stupidity and corruption is playing a big part in this case. As in the case of big pharma, it's always "profit before people".

Pol Gen Sereepisut Termiyavet, chairman of the parliamentary committee for preventing political corruption, recently told the media that his team will "approach" the Australian embassy about Deputy Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow's 1993 drug saga -- a scandal that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said is a "small issue".

Doesn't the constitution that Gen Prayut drafted state that criminals convicted of major crimes cannot be ministers? Until this matter is clarified, Gen Prayut should follow standard practice and move Mr Thamanat to an inactive post, lest it be thought that the high and the mighty are above the law.

Re: "Kids to get English boost" (BP, Dec 3).

Once again the myopic and gross stupidity of the Education Department is making itself felt. In the article, it was reported that "the ministry is in talks with foreign embassies to find more English teachers". What is wrong with these doddering, dunderhead, archaic blockheads is that they cannot see there is already a supply of good, competent, licenced and qualified English teachers among the retired expats here.

Is it so difficult to ask the government to legislate so we can be used without penalty? The Education Ministry is silly to think embassies can supply English teachers. Also, has any blockhead at the ministry figured out how these foreign teachers will be paid? They certainly won't be living in huts, eating peanuts and surviving on a few baht a day.

Apparently enset -- a staple of Ethopia, described as "bananas on steroids" -- is now considered by scientists as a possible superfood.

Based on what I've read, a variety of it grows in Thailand. It seems to me that this is something the Department of Agriculture should look into as a possible cash crop for Thailand -- especially since it is also known to be drought-resistant.