POSTBAG
Dom Dunn (''What people remember'', Postbag, July 19) either understands very little about Thailand and its political history or has a lopsided attitude to make judgements on people's comments as he did.
In the past, the Democrat party was kept busy by its rivals _ on the government side _ to do what was imperative: checking on and finding fault with the ruling parties.
And being on the wrong side of the aisle for too long made it incapable of formulating a policy platform that could make it more attractive and formidable.
The Democrats are too proud to stoop to dirty tactics.
I see the party's aloofness toward populism as a good example. Everybody knows that populism will only bring short-term gratification and long-term pain. So the Democrat party's longevity can verify its integrity very well.
In the recent past, the party under the leadership of Abhisit Vejjajiva has gained a foothold steadily judging from the growing number of MPs it has mustered in recent elections.
It's fair to hope that it will do even better next time around. The party needs to be treated with some fairness _ if not respect.
CHAVALIT VAN
Chiang Mai
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Chuan not to blame for political quagmire
This should help jog Dom Dunn's memory a bit. In his letter he doesn't remember too much.
Chuan Leekpai was not an ostentatious man, not a braggart, not pompous. He was rather lacklustre in a Thai way.
Chuan achieved a fairly stable economy and was improving it. However, it was not quick enough for most people who wanted more with faster results.
A stable economy is built slowly, not overnight. Because of impatience, we find ourselves in this current economic and political quagmire since Khun Chuan left office. Those who followed him were either inept, antiquated, or power hungry megalomaniacs.
JACK GILEAD
Bangkok
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Fuel subsidies a mistake
With world oil prices dropping below $130 a barrel on Friday, drivers in Thailand should see more than a four-baht drop in local prices soon.
This will put petrol 91 below 38 baht a litre. Passing on legitimate reductions will help both consumers and the country's balance sheet far more than selected subsidies. Any subsidies that encourage more driving by the masses are a big mistake. Passing out cash is better.
JONAS
Bangkok
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High-sulphur diesel hazardous to health
That the sale of Russian low-spec diesel fuel with a sulphur content of 5,000 parts per million is against Thai law, as suggested by Coldcrab (Postbag, July 18), is not in doubt.
And it raises the whole question of how much longer Thailand can get away with allowing even 350ppm as its legal maximum. Most countries in Europe are using diesel with 5ppm sulphur or even zero sulphur.
And with good reason. Diesel exhaust is more carcinogenic than cigarette smoke, and diesel with 350ppm sulphur is an extremely dangerous substance.
Diesel exhaust is a chemical cocktail of at least 450 different compounds. The particles are coated in a mixture of toxic contaminants like arsenic, benzene, dioxins, toluene, formaldehyde, heavy metals, and even 3-Nitrobenzanthrone and 1.8-Dinitropyrene, the two most carcinogenic chemicals ever discovered.
At the greatest risk are children, elderly, and people with emphysema, asthma and chronic heart and lung disease. The health hazards, which are well documented, include:
- coughs and phlegm;
- light-headedness, nausea;
- increased susceptibility to allergens like dust or pollen;
- irritation of eyes, nose, throat and lungs;
- inflammation of lungs and increased asthma attacks;
- respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
- lowered resistance to respiratory infection;
- macrophages overwhelmed by particles result in immune reactions that cause inflammation and 'sticky' blood, increasing risk of clots and both heart and lung disease;
- mutations in chromosomes and damage to DNA;
- for people exposed chronically to diesel exhaust, a rate of lung cancer in the range of 34 to 650 people per million;
- possible cause of chemical sensitisation, leading to changes in red and white blood cells, bleeding, liver damage and degeneration of the nervous system;
- death.
It is therefore inconceivable that any self-respecting politician with regard for his people would consider allowing oil with 5,000ppm sulphur into Thailand.
To do so would border on criminal insanity and would only add to the belief that the present government is as clueless as it is careless when it comes to health and environmental issues.
DR SVEN UNDERBERG
Berlin
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THAI an utter delight
As a frequent and happy customer I feel the need to come to the defence of Thai Airways, which has been heavily and repeatedly criticised here in Postbag.
This airline is the only alternative to SAS on the Bangkok-Copenhagen route, and whereas I have experienced gross mistreatment by SAS, flying with Thai Airways has always been an utter delight.
If people consider switching airlines because of the criticism expressed here in Postbag, it would be in their own best interest to check the track record of alternative airlines before making the switch.
JESPER NIELSEN
Bangkok
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Samui road disgraceful
I totally agree with Deputy Interior Minister Sithichai Kohsurat that Koh Samui is a gem of an island.
However, immediately after one leaves the beautiful new international airport the beauty ends abruptly. The one and only road to and from the airport is an utter disgrace. It has to be the worst road leading to an international airport in the world.
The interior minister and his deputies must seriously look into improving this most important road on the island. First impressions count.
SAMUI RESIDENT
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