OPINION

Fatbergs ahead

Re: "BMA's sewer war begins", (Editorial, June 25).

In the editorial column on the problem of grease blocking the public sewer system, the writer states, "The best way is to educate the public about the effects of discarding grease and oil into the sewage system." Bangkok is not alone with this phenomenon: London and provincial sewers have frequently had to be cleared of so-called fatbergs.

Here, however, in a society where education is frequently viewed by recipients as criticism, and therefore offensive, I feel that the writer's hope is sadly misplaced.

I have worked for many years in secondary and tertiary education in Thailand, and it has not been unusual for a student who has been corrected to completely switch off for the remainder of a lesson. Change will, I fear, take time.

PM's rookie moves

Re: "Anti-graft body to probe PM's ethics on her phone call with Hun Sen", (Online, June 24).

I have been following the recent news about the leaked phone call that has sparked a political firestorm. It involved Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in a private 17-minute conversation with former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen, aiming to defuse border tensions following the deadly May 28 confrontation.

During the call, she referred to a Thai army commander as "an opponent" and she urged Hun Sen to disregard his position. In my opinion, this incident has led many Thai citizens to view the government as increasingly unreliable and has raised public concern about national security. I believe the prime minister still lacks the experience and caution necessary to handle sensitive situations effectively. Moreover, this controversy has also tarnished the Thai government's reputation on the international stage.

Tech took over

Re: "New grads caught in job fix", (BP, June 23).

"I want the new iPhone", "I want AI to write my academic paper for me," "I want to Google any and every question I have".

There's an old saying in America: "Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it."

Nearing 50 years old, while I certainly feel for young graduates who just got out of university, the last university which I taught at learned in a sudden, lengthy power outage that with only a set of Bermuda dress shorts (no a/c), a polo shirt, chalk and a blackboard I can still teach and don't require the internet for almost anything; but most of today's youth cannot do that.

Sorry about youth unemployment, but they got what they wished for.

Never-ending war?

Re: "Israel praises 'unsurpassed' air attack", (World, June 23).

If Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues his plan to expand Israel's territory at the expense of the Palestinians, the fighting and suffering of people from both sides will never end.

To stop Iran from possessing a nuclear bomb for the sake of making Iran defenceless is wishful thinking.

To bee or not to bee

Re: "Nickel rush for stainless steel, EVs guts Indonesian tribe's forest home", (World, June 7).

Bees are beautiful, but they are becoming scarce.

The number of bees is declining in many countries, as shown by orchardists who now have to hire colonies of bees to help fertilise their trees.

The Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab is facing closure as a result of Donald Trump's 2026 budget cut proposals.

Is this just cost-saving or an example of an apparent anti-science stance?

There is a need for research on how to increase bee numbers, and that includes knowing what is happening at present.