Postbag
I believe Naomi Klein ("Geoengineering: testing the waters", Sunday Forum, Nov 4) grossly understated the need for caution for those who would attempt to counter global climate change through scientific and technological means.
I urge all concerned with this issue to consider the following maxim: that which we do not know is always infinitely greater than that which we do know (or would presume to know).
Furthermore, contrary to popular belief, a little self-discipline is far more reliable and easier to accomplish than re-engineering performed in order to compensate for our past and present science-based destruction of the Earth.
MICHAEL SETTER
Bang Saray, Sattahip
Restore capital's canals
I applaud the call by deputy city clerk Manit Techaaphichok and the BMA to utilise and restore Bangkok's canals.
Just 30 years ago London's River Thames was a stinking, septic, wastage drain. With concerted regulation, determination and participation, the fish now thrive, tourists flock to the banks and developers profit from the demand for waterside property.
Bangkok's neglected canals can likewise be the forgotten and undeveloped magic of the city _ functionally, aesthetically and economically.
But a few words of warning:
Use the canals before they're cleaned up. If the clean-up is tried first there'll be inter-departmental arguments of responsibility for 20 years: ''If they're not being used, why clean them up?''
Strictly regulate the design, speed, dimensions and terms and conditions of boats and operators _ preferably integrating them into the public transit system.
If not, a free-for-all hodge-podge of local monopolies and turbo-charged aquatic boy-racers will audibly drown out neighbourhoods and clutter and clog up the canal system exactly the same as the roads.
WILLIAM PENDERGRAST
Victims get nothing
For those who are against the death penalty, I'd like to point out something for your consideration.
People who are condemned to death had their day in court and were convicted of a heinous crime. They have years to prepare themselves before they die. They have time to say goodbye, to ask for forgiveness, to give away their belongings, to talk to a priest. In the final hour, they die painlessly.
But the murder victims did not have the luxury the killers have - no trial, no conviction, just death. They had no time to say goodbye, to give away their belongings, to say I love you to friends and family, no time for anything.
They spent their final hour struggling and screaming with pain, terror, frustration and anger, not knowing what they had done to deserve death.
MEECHAI BURAPA
Chiang Mai
Rice misunderstanding
Re: ''Rice exports short of target'' (Business, Nov 3). Although this year Thailand will surely lose its title as the world's leading rice exporter by volume, the government still insists it will not cut rice prices to stay competitive on the world market, but will focus on looking for export markets that want high-quality rice instead to help it reach the top in value terms.
I think the government is misunderstanding something. Even though Thailand is known as a high-quality rice exporter (compared with India and Vietnam) total exports last year were 10.6 million tonnes, but this year are expected to be only 7.5 million tonnes, a decrease of about 3 million tones, as buyers turn to cheaper rice from India and Vietnam.
The question is, who will buy the government's rice if it is too costly when there are other sources? If the government stockpiles too much rice and for too long (in the hope of forcing up prices), our high-quality rice will become inferior and prices will fall.
I think the government is playing a game of loss, losing not only in terms of volume now but also value in the near future.
SUTIPUNT BONGSUNUNT
Kanchanaburi
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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2012/11/05/restraint-is-needed/
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