OPINION

Solution to pollution

It's that time of year again -- air pollution, burning fields and useless attempts to control both. Banning aged vehicles won't do it, nor will legislation prohibiting farmers from burning crop residue.

But there is a solution that would benefit farmers, the environment and the population at large. The snag is that it would require the government to spend money on something other than "bling" weaponry of dubious value to the armed forces.

The solution is straw choppers/chippers or mulchers -- call them what you will. Instead of the tractor towing a machine that bales the straw, it tows a straw chopper, which cuts the collected straw into small pieces and blows them behind it over the field. This residue can then be ploughed into the ground far more easily and effectively than the mass of uncut straw.

The result? No need to burn, so the locals are happy as is the population of towns and cities downwind. The soil benefits from the straw that it ploughed in and the farmers might just benefit from an increased yield and spend less on fertiliser.

So to the government, how about it? The machines are readily available in South Asia and Europe, and no doubt elsewhere as well. They cost about the same as a baler, so not expensive. The solution to Thailand's air pollution is ready and waiting.

Suddenly the media is awash with stories of the authorities and police failing in their duties and telling "porkies" about a situation seemingly out of control. It's like a Rip Van Winkle, awake after a long sleep and now aghast at affairs that have reached comedic proportions.

There is nothing new in the denial and the lies we are now seeing from authorities that for so long have been out of control and answerable only to themselves. The law is nothing but a tool used by authorities to extract money from citizens who either wish to break, or have broken, the law with the profits making certain officials very rich indeed.

Re: "Kamala Harris deserves a more important job", (Opinion, Dec 17).

Thomas Friedman is on the right track in calling for Kamala Harris to be put in charge of rejuvenating rural America. Thailand, as well, needs to urgently give greater attention to the plight of rural communities left behind by economic development. Huge disparities that divide the urban elite from the marginalised rural poor give rise to undemocratic populism such as has taken root in many countries in the past two decades.

The best way to counter such disparities is by investing in rural infrastructure (including high-speed broadband), modern skills training, low-interest loans for small businesses and rural start-ups, and incentives for big firms to relocate to rural areas or hire employees to work remotely from rural areas. Countries are consistently strong only when all citizens advance together.

I am a Singaporean who loves Thailand, its food and culture. I am also aware that being a visitor is quite different from being a resident/citizen, which applies to any country. Thailand can easily be described as most colourful and intriguing. There is no lack of controversy, differing views, locking of horns and blatant honesty in your papers.

It never fails to amuse/baffle me why so many farangs keep complaining about the corrupt and inefficient system here (all true, of course) but yet choose to live in this country. I am sure there are many factors that attract and keep them here despite the many frustrating and ridiculous situations they have to endure.