'Learn' how to drive
Re: "No justice for Nong Cartoon", (Editorial, Sept 19).
In response to your editorial piece regarding the tragic Nong Cartoon incident regarding road safety and responsible driving, may I suggest you initiate such instruction in schools? I believe it would be beneficial in reducing the shocking road statistics in Thailand. There is a large school in my moo ban, and I have had numerous near misses with schoolchildren on their motorbikes driving like maniacs, sometimes four on a bike.
I've contacted the school several times to speak with the principal but have not had the courtesy of a response, so I can only assume it's not high on their list of priorities.
If these children drive these vehicles at such a young age (12-16 mainly), I dread how they'll behave in their adult lives. It's terrifying but explains why the statistics are as they are. It would be very welcome if some schools showed some initiative and initiated a driver education programme to benefit everyone on the roads. I know it's a big ask.
Borders are back in
Re: "Time to regroup?" (PostBag, Sept 17).
Ken Albertsen, Asean has been a paper tiger for decades. So why would your utopian idea of Southeast Asian countries forming a federation-like EU bloc with a common currency work (better)? Just look at the EU (27 member states) as an example.
It's a bureaucratic moloch, interfering and dictating on many levels of national member states' policies. The common currency (euro) has been a huge mistake due to the admission of Greece and Italy and huge cultural, historical and economic differences between members. There is only an economic transfer from the (well-off) north to the (poorer) south, mid- and eastern members.
Even immigration problems cannot be solved nationally anymore. The EU still wants to expand to Ukraine, Turkey, Moldova, Albania, and Serbia. But the tide is turning. People have had enough, and Germany is introducing border controls again. Need I say more?
Thai palm oil shines
Re: "Bananas still a golden ticket for farmers", (Business, Sept 11).
Thailand is known for many farmed goods, such as bananas. Yet, the country has long been walking in the shadow of its two neighbours regarding palm oil cultivation. It can be hard to stand out in such a crowded neighbourhood for agriculture. But where Thailand can really shine is how, unlike its neighbours, it empowers its farmers -- over 70% of Thai palm is grown by smallholders.
This was highlighted at the recent Oil and Fats Conference in Rotterdam, where Palms of Thailand showcased itself, highlighting how Thai palm growers are the ethical and sustainable choice for the future. International players have recognised how Thailand has made great strides in technology and techniques and may soon be on par with the other two giants.
The coming implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulations is likely to disproportionately affect these same smallholders rather than the agri-giants we all think of as responsible for the unprecedented levels of deforestation worldwide. The small players will get squeezed out because they have not been provided the support and technical assistance to prove that they are actually compliant with such regulations.
In a neighbourhood that is all too familiar with cosying up to corporate giants who rule from afar and take what they can, Thailand has been presented with a unique opportunity -- to lead the global charge to help the little guy. Thai smallholders are the backbone of the nation's agriculture. It's time that Thailand supports them, too.
Lessons in history
Re: "Laundry list extra", (PostBag, Sept 17) and "Humble Asean advice for Madame Pae", (Opinion, Sept 10).
Colin Roth's comment on the "Laundry List for PM" does not surprise me, given his mindset. He exhibits a totalitarian approach, where dictators dictate what people should read, how they should think, and what they should learn on their terms, rather than encouraging individuals to "read history and judge for themselves".
Before I counter his claim, I would prefer to begin with a brief history lesson. Both Jews and Arabs have historically claimed the land as their own. From a purely historical perspective, Israel predates Palestine by more than a millennium. However, after the Jewish people were dispersed from their homeland, Palestine became Arab-populated for over a millennium. From the standpoint of justice and equity, both peoples have a legitimate claim to the land. This is why the majority of countries under the UN agreed to the existence of a two-state solution.
Mr Roth claims Israel is responsible for "tens of thousands" of deaths. While no one would argue that colonising countries such as Britain during its occupation of India or new Western immigrants in America purging indigenous tribes caused significant harm, the question remains: do these lands continue to face terrorism today? According to Mr Roth, they should have a legal right to carry out armed terrorist activities. Is that correct?
Furthermore, to provide some facts about Palestine's mainstream government and the terrorist organisation Hamas, Mr Roth should know that Palestinians in the West Bank and the majority of peaceful Palestinian people do not support Hamas, which rules Gaza in a brutal manner.
135 nations under the UN support the mainstream government led by President Mahmoud Abbas and do not recognise Hamas, which operates as a proxy for nations that are common enemies of Israel. It's worth noting that the EU and the US stopped financial aid in 2006 after Hamas won the parliamentary election, but aid was later resumed through Mr Abbas. Hamas in the Gaza Strip has since withdrawn support for Mr Abbas.
Even powerful Arab countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE have agreed on a two-state policy and have recognised Israel's existence.
At the same time, I do not support the deaths of innocent Palestinians who have fallen victim to Israeli bombings, which are a direct result of terrorism by Hamas, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and now the Houthis.
A wise choice?
Re: "Locals want SEC bills, Land Bridge axed", (BP, Sept 18).
Why do we need the proposed Chumphon-Ranong Land Bridge? A faster or cheaper alternative to the existing all-water Malacca Strait Route for Asian shipments to Europe, the Mid East, South Asia, Africa, and vice versa, perhaps?
Let's take a look at the comparative merit of the Land Bridge vis-a-vis the Malacca Strait Route from the users' perspective by comparing the transit time and probable costing between Shanghai and Colombo (Sri Lanka) and similarly, Hong Kong-Colombo based on container vessels with a typical average cruising speed of 20 nautical miles (nm) per hour.
Their pros and cons would reflect those of other Asia-Europe/Mideast routings.
The all-water nautical distance Shanghai-Colombo via Malacca is 3,804nm against the combined nautical distances of Shanghai-Chumphon and Ranong-Columbo of 3,278nm. The proposed Land Bridge scheme indeed helps save 526nm -- or a sailing time of 26 hours.
Similarly, the all-water nautical distance Hong Kong-Colombo is 3027nm; whereas Hong Kong-Chumphon and Ranong-Columbo combined is 2630nm, with a Land Bridge saving of 397nm and 20 hours.
In short, the Land Bridge would cut about one day off the Malacca Route sailing time on these East-West routes. Nevertheless, the Land Bridge scheme would normally take one day to discharge containers in Chumphon Port, a half-day to load-rail-discharge Chumphon-Ranong and on average 3.5 days to await reloading onto the next connecting vessel westbound -- based on standard weekly sailing frequency. Crossing the Land Bridge would thus take an average of five days -- not to mention additional vessel port expenses and container terminal charges at both ends, plus rail freight Chumphon-Ranong and container costs, to name but a few. The Land Bridge service may end up costing more and taking four days longer.
What commercial entity on earth would opt to pay more?
There are many politically motivated but financially unfeasible projects, especially in developing countries. After being commissioned, they are invariably plagued by continuous operating losses and are labelled as 'long-term' investments, implying only God knows when investors will see their money again.
Even without mentioning inevitable damages to some of Thailand's best countryside, how would Thai voters and future generations look at this financial blackhole caused by construction and the billions needed for upkeep -- as a means to jump-start the slow economy? Surely, there are other less expensive ways to do so.
On the other hand, Kunming, Chengdu, Wuhan, Xian, and most Chinese inland cities are always crazy about a north-south route that promptly rails their cargo to/from more Asean terminals and the Andaman Sea. Does this deserve a higher policy priority instead ?
Zoo life upgrade
Re: "Lessons from 'Moo Deng'", (Editorial, Sept 17) and "A grim reminder", (PostBag, Sept 18).
Bua Noi's removal from incarceration in an oubliette to a "penthouse zoo" is noted. I join Rose Bellini in hoping that soon, this majestic animal will be liberated to live the remainder of its days in an open zoo (it's too late to return her to the wild).
Mad about hippos
Re: "Tourist magnet", (Opinion, Sept 17).
I was surprised to read the caption that Mae Mali -- a 59-year-old hippopotamus -- was indeed "Moo Deng's grandmother". How could it be when the Moo Deng was a pygmy hippo and Mae Mali a regular full-sized one? Indeed, there is an official chart of Mae Mali's family tree, which does not include the popular Moo Deng in the biological family.
Correction
The caption for the image should read: Mae Mali is another famous hippopotamus at Khao Kheow Open Zoo.
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