OPINION

Meat aisle price check

Re: "Govt hails lower prices of goods in markets", (BP, Nov 7).

I read the report of Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit's visit to a hypermarket in Nakhon Ratchasima and his comments that the prices of basic products have fallen.

I was highly sceptical of this claim, so this morning at Lotus's butchery, I checked prices for myself.

Of the nine pork cuts on sale the most expensive was pork neck at 375 baht a kilo, and the lowest was pork butt at 176 baht a kg. The average of the nine prices worked out at 242 baht a kg, some 72 baht a kg more expensive than the 168–170 baht a kg quoted by Khun Jurin.

Of the chicken choices, the most expensive was chicken breast at 128 baht a kg, and the cheapest was chicken carcass at 28 baht a kg. The prices of the seven chicken meat choices averaged out at 92 baht a kg.

If the prices in Nakhon Ratchasima are correct, I will have to consider moving there because the cost of living is the highest I have seen in the 18 years I have lived here.

Re: "Nothing like a cannabis high", (Mae Moo, Nov 6).

So -- "Police charged him with murder. While Natthapong [Promphap] has a history of narcotics abuse, police say a urine test yielded traces of the cannabis [plant] only".

You know folks, I've read the running line from a number of well-intentioned contributors who seem to think that cannabis is harmless, as well as the common and very broad allegation that alcohol is allegedly the most destructive substance commonly available.

We need to remember not only that cannabis itself has been long documented to potentially cause psychosis, which is a hazard to society, but also that many cannabis users will combine or mix-&-match cannabis with alcohol and other drugs.

To conclude, I have no problem whatsoever with hospitals prescribing cannabis-based care for legitimate medical purposes, but I think this is yet another case which demonstrates the potential hazards of opening up cannabis products so broadly and I personally feel incidents like this further demonstrate that Thailand really is not ready for such a broad delisting of a drug which is restricted in much of the world. Even Amsterdam is considering tightening their cannabis policies.

Re: "No laughing matter", (PostBag, Nov 7), and "Who killed our comics?", (PostBag, Nov 6).

A number of readers have been upset by the changes BP has made to the Comic and Puzzle sections. Has anyone at the Post tried to find out what readers like and dislike about your paper? I enjoy the Business section, PostBag and the Puzzles. I do not like the Political Cartoons or the reprints from The New York Times.

Re: "No laughing matter", (PostBag, Nov 7).

Perhaps if you get enough letters.

The decision to lose four comic strips (only two of which are missed by me personally) to increase the size of the already too-simplistic Crossword is at best ill-considered. It can't possibly be budgetary as those strips are bulk-syndicated at a flat rate, certainly.

My modest proposal -- lose a page of sport and add ANOTHER FULL PAGE of comics!

We all need a laugh today.