OPINION

Heed water dump danger

Re: "Japan may seek WTO ruling on China seafood import ban", (BP, Aug 30) & "Fukushima fish still safe to eat: govt", (BP, Aug 27).

The Fukushima wastewater dump, totalling 1.3 million tonnes of radioactive contaminants, contains a multitude of hazardous isotopes beyond just Thorium.

Yet both Japanese authorities and mainstream Western media predominantly fixate on thorium when narrating the Fukushima story, effectively disregarding the array of other radioactive elements in play.

This selective focus paints an inaccurate and distorted picture of the true scope of Fukushima's radioactive threats, a lesson Japan should have learned from its history with nuclear bombs.

This scenario brings to mind the Bikini Island nuclear test from 1946 to 1958, during which the United States, the sole nuclear power at the time, reassured Bikini Island residents that it was safe to return home after testing 66 hydrogen bombs on their islands.

It was a bald-faced lie by the US military doctors and subsequent studies have estimated the cancer rate among the Bikini Island population to be as high as 3.6%, a stark contrast to the typical global cancer rate of 0.001%.

Little regard was given to the devastating effect on the Islanders' population. In this waste dumping incident, the Japanese government also has little regard for lives off the shores of Japan.

The swift and decisive actions taken by both South Korea and China emphasise the gravity of this situation. South Korea's decision to suspend fishery imports dismisses any claims that this issue is purely geopolitical as Japan and mainstream Western media may suggest.

The surplus Japanese fish cargo stemming from these bans will surely land in Thailand in the near future. While Thais have grown to love sushi, our foremost concern in this matter should be the safety and well-being of Thai citizens. We cannot allow Thailand to be lured into the Japanese government's PR narratives and possibly suffer the same fate as the Bikini Islanders.

Give them bungalows

Re: "Bookings down as China slumps: Phuket hotels look to alternative markets", (Business, Aug 18).

Thailand should set up a safe haven for young Russian men who are running away from military service. It could be a large fenced yard, akin to a prison, but comfortable, with bungalows. No alcohol or computers or phones.

It would be voluntary, and Russian inmates would pay 700 baht/day to stay there, men separate from women. Granted, it would be like a comfy prison, but it's better than sitting in a cold wet trench in Ukraine, waiting for your head to get blown off. And it would send a message to Putin, that Thailand supports young men who refuse to fight his unprovoked and unnecessary war.

There is precedent: During the USA's war against the Viet Cong, in the 1960s and early 1970s, Canada and Sweden offered safe haven to young American men who didn't want to go to war.

Checks still needed

Re: "Cabinet picks to go before King", (BP, Sept 1).

PM Srettha Thavisin insists of his cabinet choices, that "there was no need to worry about the candidates' ethical conduct, as they were picked based on their qualifications, as required by law".

He appears to forget that exactly the same sort of unethical law was instrumental in making him PM against the wishes of the Thai nation.

Pampering the con

Re: "Ex-PM prepares bid for royal pardon", (BP, Aug 30).

Just as I predicted just over a week ago, the fugitive, criminal has yet to spend 24 hours in prison. He was out, and in a VIP room at PGH in just over 12 hours. Didn't I say he would get preferential treatment? This paper reported the other day that there are thoughts of moving him to a private hospital (probably because he isn't getting enough amenities at PGH).

If he is supposed to be as sick as the doctors say, how come he didn't seek treatment for these problems in Dubai where he lived and where they are supposed to have state-of-the-art hospitals? Something stinks here and it isn't the durian.