OPINION

A modicum of relief

Re: "In search of some extreme heat relief", (Editorial, April 23).

While most of us are cursing climate change for the ferocious heatwave, it is not the only culprit, as the US EPA informs us:

"Heat islands are urbanised areas that experience higher temperatures than outlying areas.

Structures such as buildings, roads, and other infrastructure absorb and re-emit the sun's heat more than natural landscapes such as forests and water bodies."

Once upon a time, Sukhumvit Road in downtown Bangkok was walkable in a pleasant sort of way and dotted with things called trees and little eateries. Now it is a dark labyrinth of almost dystopian proportions.

Thank goodness for oases such as Lumpini Park & other green lungs that afford a modicum of relief.

Re: "High heat, drought to take toll on Thailand", (BP, April 22).

What caught my attention was the comment that we are not experiencing a "heat wave".

Goodness me, certainly here in Nong Khai it could not be described as anything else. The reason for this extreme long-term heat is irrelevant. It is a heatwave.

The power bill after Songkran was a shock. I expected a large bill for the three aircon bedrooms.

The account in the letter box was for almost 6,600 baht.

But the account contained a vague comment, according to my wife, who is no fool.

She rang yesterday, and it turns out the account was wrong: it should have been 8,300 baht. I am inquiring around among Thai family and friends. Some say their bills have doubled.

Re: "Lowdown on the latest Covid variant XBB.1.16," (BP, April 21).

In this letter, "the Ministry of Public Health recommends people, especially senior citizens and those with underlying conditions, get booster shots."

You've published this advice many times in the past few weeks. Trouble is, you never tell us where to obtain the boosters. Please do a service by letting us at-risk people know where and when we can get the jabs. And don't limit the information to just Bangkok. Believe it or not, many of your readers actually live elsewhere.

Re:"Leaders don't care", (PostBag, April 22).

Is Eric Bahrt so desperate to see his name in print that in one submission he would reference pollution, Covid, the government, the media, the medical establishment and argue that veganism can nullify Covid! Eric, take a break, wear oven gloves to prevent the incessant need to type, submit and be heard!