"Names for top defence posts firm" (BP, Aug 13) speculated that deputy army chief Udomdej Seetabutr is favoured for the post of army chief, succeeding Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha with another candidate being Gen Paiboon Khumchaya.
The story mentions Gen Udomdej being a member of the Burapha Phayak group, but as many people know he is allegedly also very close to Sudarat Keyuraphan, a former Thai Rak Thai Party executive.
So if I were Gen Prayuth, it is clear who would I choose to be the new army chief unless I want to ruin this round of power seizure.
Aram Boy
Surrogacy oversight
In the midst of this debate about surrogacy, everyone is overlooking the most important question: Why should any ethical doctor be involved in this in the first place?
With overpopulation and dwindling resources, shouldn’t we tell people who want children to adopt?
While I’m not equating children to stray dogs, this is similar to the stray dog problem. Instead of bringing more children or dogs into this world we should focus on taking care of the ones who are already here.
Eric Bahrt
Safety checks vital
Re: "Condo death toll climbing" (BP, Aug 12).
The other condominium under construction next to the collapsed building in Pathum Thani should be subject to safety checks if it is being built to the same design and using the same procedures as the toppled structure next door.
RH Suga
Puzzling US paradox
The definition of the word conundrum is something that is "puzzling" or "confusing".
Here are six conundrums of socialism in the United States of America:
1. America is capitalist and greedy — yet half of the population is subsidised.
2. Half of the population is subsidised by government — yet they think they are victims.
3. They think they are victims — yet their representatives run the government.
4. Their representatives run the government — yet the poor in America keep getting poorer.
5. The poor keep getting poorer — yet they have things that people in other countries only dream about.
6. They have things that people in other countries only dream about — yet they want America to be more like those other countries.
Think about it. That pretty much sums up the US in the 21st century.
Hyde Parke
Alcohol absurdity
Re: "Health-warning labelling to extend to alcohol" (Online, Aug 11). A Public Health Ministry proposal to put graphic warning labels on bottles of “alcohol” is ill-advised, ludicrous and just plain ill-informed.
The major problem with alcohol consumption in Thailand is that, unlike other Asean countries, 73% of the alcohol consumed in Thailand is high-proof 30-40% whiskey. The sales of these products are propelled by a corrupt tax system which allows for a 40% alcohol beverage to be sold for 96 baht. Any country that sells such products at such a low cost is going to have alcoholism problems.
I do not believe the Public Health Ministry knows about recent research on alcohol. For example, consuming 12-14% table wine is likely to lead to longer lifespans than consuming other alcohol products or none at all. This research was conducted at the University of Texas, Austin. Modern countries are already seeking to move drinkers from high-alcohol products such as whiskey to lower-alcohol products, such as wine and beer.
Most modern countries use the Alcohol By Volume (ABV) system to tax beverages containing alcohol. For reasons completely clouded by behind-the-door secrecy in Thailand, the highest alcohol products are taxed the least and the lowest alcohol products — beer and wine — the most. This dichotomy remains unaddressed by any government agency. I wonder why.
Whiskey consumption takes thousands of Thai lives every year and will continue unless the ABV system is implemented immediately.
David Swartzentruber
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