Gold isn't everything
Re: "Nation ranks 44th at Games: 3rd in Asean", (BP, Aug 13).
I take issue with your ranking system based solely on the number of gold medals. Competing against the best athletes from over 100 countries and achieving a silver or bronze is an amazing feat and should not be disregarded. Considering the total medal count, Thailand was #1 in Asean and won more medals than nine other countries ranked above them. I think you should at least mention both tally methods.
Brace for rail blitz
Re: "PM orders tougher rules for imports", (BP, Aug 14).
If Thai manufacturers already feel overwhelmed by the influx of cheap Chinese goods at this juncture, just wait until the high-speed rail link to China via Laos is completed. Any Thai producers who doubt the impacts of a fully functioning high-speed rail link with the northern behemoth should urgently consult with their Lao neighbours. Welcome to Thailand, province of China.
Pushing boundaries
Re: "Guest lecturers under fire for MFP dissolution ruling", (BP, Aug 13).
The actions of student activists are of great importance for several reasons.
Firstly, they demonstrate the students' commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law.
The campaigns against the charter court judges involved in the dissolution of the Move Forward Party reflect concerns about the independence of the judiciary and the integrity of the legal education process.
Secondly, these actions represent a form of civil disobedience necessary in a democratic society to highlight injustices and effect change.
By holding the judges accountable, the students promote a culture of transparency and dialogue.
Thirdly, the actions have the potential to initiate a broader discussion on the role of the judiciary in politics and the significance of the constitution for democracy.
The planned live discussion and the invitation to the judge to face questions are crucial steps in raising awareness and understanding of these issues.
Finally, the students' actions could also affect future legal decisions by showing that the public is vigilant and takes the judiciary's accountability seriously.
This could help to build trust in the legal system and improve educational standards for future law students.
Overall, the students' actions send an important signal for the preservation of democracy and legal principles.
They encourage critical engagement with the judiciary and foster commitment to a just and transparent society.
Masks can be toxic
Re: "Time to prepare for 'Disease X' ", (Opinion, June 4).
In a review paper published this April in the Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety journal, German and Swiss researchers examined 24 studies evaluating 631 surgical, cloth, and N95 masks to determine their composition and the compounds they released.
The studies found they exceeded established safety levels for humans and alarmingly high levels of nano and microplastics.
Mask-wearing has also been shown to increase rebreathing of CO2, reducing the wearer's oxygen uptake.
The Department of Health should provide regular public service announcements notifying the public that mask-wearing is a high-risk behaviour similar to smoking.
This is especially true in the case of children.