OPINION

Asylum offer praise

Re: "New, long visa favours expats," (BP, Sept 3).

Germany is offering political asylum to some of the hordes of Russians fleeing Russia.

It's a smart anti-war move. Thailand could do similar. It would be win-win for Thailand, if Thai authorities don't mind angering war-monger Putin.

I suggest a special two-year visa for applicants, backed by a bank deposit as a form of collateral. The upside is two-fold: It would bring in foreign funds (nearly all foreigners on long-stay need to bring in "outside money" in to make ends meet).

It would also help take some of the wind out of Putin's sails as he seeks to expand the unnecessary war that he started. Along with that, Thailand would gain stature in the eyes of most countries in the world.

Re: "Keep it in the family," (PostBag, Sept 23) & "Let's avoid Thaksin," (PostBag, Sept 21).

While the writer may be correct that political family dynasties have sprung up in other democratic countries, this does not imply that Thailand should follow suit.

Rather than being viewed as normal, the occurrence of family dynasties in politics in supposedly democratic nations shows just how few countries truly are democratic. The Marcos ruling clan in the Philippines or the Bushes in America spring to mind.

Thailand needs to rise above such political corruption, and not allow another member of the Shinawatra family to lead the country.

It is bad enough that two members from this clan have already been elected to rule the nation; having a third would be just about unprecedented in the world, and would virtually invite another military-inspired coup after a government was formed here.

Weed-killer lament

This wet season I spent far more time than I like hoeing weeds along the garden path.

My wife thinks I should spray it with Roundup (glyphosate) but with our water source being a well nearby I'd rather not.

For years we have been told this herbicide is unsafe and the makers have even lost health cases in the courts and paid out big compensation.

A look in my local shop, however, reveals that glyphosate is the only herbicide on sale.

They have many makes with various prices but the one I used two years ago is now double the price which I can only assume is due to the expensive legal battle to keep it in use. Can we ever expect an alternative, an affordable one, something that is demonstrably safe?