Hold negligent to account

POSTBAG

Published: 12 Jan 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

I laud the Supreme Administrative Court for ordering the Pollution Control Department (PCD) to pay almost 4 million baht to 22 Karen villagers over the lead contamination of Klitty Creek.

Despite its historical importance, however, the court's judgment will seemingly not do a thing to change the way the PCD operates. The department's director-general, Wichien Jungrungruang, said he'd seek government money to pay the plaintiffs. In other words, dear reader, you and I will be held financially accountable for the PCD's incompetency.

Not only that, but Mr Wichien's going to allow the lead to dilute naturally, in direct opposition to the court's order that the PCD act ''urgently'' to clean it up. It's business as usual, and who cares about the villagers?

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lungstib
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Discussion 12 : 12 Jan 2013 at 15.5612
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Terrific letters today with so much to agree with. Love the Einstein hair quip.
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bangmodken
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Discussion 11 : 12 Jan 2013 at 14.2511
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"Clowns run the circus" by Robert J Holmes.
You say :"As a member of the international community,Thailand cannot just abide by its obligations when it suits it".
The U.S.,Israel and China is doing so with impunity,so why can't Thailand? Are double standards applicable when it concerns less powerful or influential countries?

Clean your own house before pointing fingers at others!
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egon
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Discussion 10 : 12 Jan 2013 at 11.3810
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Vint and Robert:Bravo!
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dao
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Discussion 9 : 12 Jan 2013 at 10.179
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The river should have been cleaned since the beginning. Where is this company owner .I,m sure he is still in Thailand .I,m sure he has property worth more than 4 million baht too .Why are taxpayers paying for this mans negligence ? 4 million baht between 22 people affected by lead comtamination will afford them to do what ?
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katsumoto
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Discussion 8 : 12 Jan 2013 at 10.098
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Clemente - another armchair expert! Worldwide, an estimated 1.2 million people are killed in road crashes each year and as many as 50 million are injured. Projections indicate that these figures will increase by about 65% over the next 20 years unless there is new commitment to prevention (WHO - 2009).Do you know that in many developing countries, children represent over 50% of those killed on the roads. Perhaps you and your insigificanbt EU organisation should concentrate on letting them get old enough to decide for themselves what is best for them healthwise.
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OldThaiHand
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Discussion 7 : 12 Jan 2013 at 10.007
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re: "the buzz over cuts"

That this was a major story says much about what's wrong with Thai education. The sad thing is, I'll bet the farm that this VERY small move forward will be the sole accomplishment of the current Minister of Education.
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oldairman
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Discussion 6 : 12 Jan 2013 at 09.036
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RE Thinking is critical.
I agree with you 100%, PM Yingluck agrees as well.
Consider however, the child who IS bright enough and has access to the internet on a subject for school and during the lesson dares to point out that the teacher is wrong. In the ensuing one way discussion it will be said that the teacher is NEVER WRONG and the pupil is rarely right. Imagine the loss of FACE to the teacher that a child actually DARED to think for itself and then DARED to question and argue with the supreme autority of the teacher. What will happen to that child?
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bubbs
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Discussion 5 : 12 Jan 2013 at 08.575
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Clemente, why do you not tell us something we don't know
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pete
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Discussion 4 : 12 Jan 2013 at 05.244
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I thought marketing was all about product development. Death is not a product and prevention of watching television is not marketing. Mr Ferrer seems to be all at sea. We all know the EU interferes with everything, but this is ridiculous.
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rod266
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Discussion 3 : 12 Jan 2013 at 04.293
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Caqn I also ask for an update on the stolen 4 million baht that lead to the 20 million baht stockpile disclosure..its been moths now and not a word about the unusually wealthy individual?
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Hold negligent to account | Bangkok Post: opinion