Since the rice pledging scheme has been working so well, according to fugitive prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Pheu Thai, let's see about expanding the programme. How about setting up teak-pledging and durian-pledging schemes.
We'll use the same formula: a promise to pay teak plantation owners and durian orchardists 1.2 times the market rate for their products. A whole lot of teak trees get cut down and a lot of durian (which ordinarily is left to rot) gets sold. It would be along the lines of an earlier plan, also implemented by Thaksin when he was PM: to fly over-ripe fruit by Air Force transport jets to Thai embassies overseas.
Plus, fewer teak trees will translate to added land space for ever more apartment complexes and shopping malls - so everyone's a winner.
HAP HAZARD
Chiang Rai
Clutching at straws
Re: ''Kittiratt hints at pledge ceiling price cut on heavy losses'', (BP, June 14).
Farmers fear rice price cuts as it makes it difficult for them to earn a living. However, the rice farmers jumped at the opportunity to make extra money from the rice pledging scheme (which turned out in reality to be nothing more than a scam).
They jumped into the scheme head-first, without asking any questions, exploring long-term consequences or thinking what would happen to rice crops on the world market as stockpiles increased beyond the government's ability to sell.
They did not really care or think about Thailand's standing as the number-one world rice exporter. It is sad and unfortunate to say ''You sow what you reap'', but it is also unfortunately true.
While Thaksin Shinawatra sits in the Emirates and continues to be the de facto PM, telling his sister what to say, to do, how to act, he is not concerned with the rice farmers or their problems. I bet however, many rice farmers will continue to vote Pheu Thai, because drowning men clutch at straws.
THAI RIDGEBACK
A missed opportunity
Re: ''Expo loss disheartening'' (Postbag, June 14).
There are no shortages of comments being published following the decision by the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) to discard Thailand as a potential venue for World Expo 2020. All the usual blame has come out rather quickly.
A few examples: the government is incompetent and did not respond to inquiries by the BIE in time; the initial proposal was sponsored by the Democrats so the Pheu Thai government would not endorse it; bureaucrats were afraid of another Futsal blunder, but on a much larger scale (remember the stadium that was never completed on time?); officials were afraid that the great floods may return to Ayutthaya, the proposed site for the Expo.
I was 15 years old when Montreal was selected to host the 1967 World Expo. It was ready on time and launched the city, the province of Quebec, and the country (Canada) on the world stage. What a shame that Thailand is missing out on such an opportunity.
MICHEL BARRE
Violation of rights
I agree with David Brown (Postbag, June 16) that it's disgraceful to run a front page photo of a suspect re-enacting a crime that he hasn't even been tried for. What possible purpose does this serve, other than to create an image in the public's mind - as well as in the minds of whoever may eventually pass judgement on the suspect - that he's guilty?
If this happened in America the case would be thrown out of court even if the suspect was guilty. And rightfully so.
By publishing such a photo, the Bangkok Post is guilty of participating in this grave injustice and blatant violation of a suspect's rights.
ERIC BAHRT
Pattaya
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