OPINION

A moral exemplar

Re: "Legal eagles voice worries over Thaksin's pardon bid", (BP, Oct 1). Whatever naughtinesses he may have been accused of, it cannot be denied that Thaksin Shinawatra continues to prove a moral exemplar to the nation in at least two areas. The first is that he faithfully follows the traditional example of accumulating the greatest possible sufficiency of extreme wealth; the second is that he entertains as unfailingly as Lisa Manoban herself, albeit with his humorous approach to preached legal norms rather than with her doubtless impressive song and dance routines.

Like the best humour, Thaksin's latest also makes a pertinent point. So, is that impertinence or what? So, add on another 15 years, no? Or are Arnon Nampa's offences still way, way more serious than anything Thaksin or Prayut Chan-o-cha or Capt Thamanat Prompow have ever done?

No to carbon tax

Re: "Climate Act, digital tools key to net zero", (BP, Oct 2).

Now, the real reason behind climate alarmism is finally coming to light: carbon pricing -- a tax on life that global planners (WEF, NV) have been trying to implement since the 1970s. I believe a carbon tax is a bad idea for the following reasons:

Carbon dioxide should not be seen as a pollutant but as a life-supporting gas essential to plant growth. Through photosynthesis, plants create food from CO₂ and sunlight. Rising CO₂ levels have contributed to global greening (the "aerial fertiliser effect") and increased agricultural productivity. These benefits may outweigh potential climate risks, raising doubts about taxing CO₂ emissions.

Uncertainty undermines the case for aggressive emissions cuts, since the link between reducing CO₂ and lowering extreme weather impacts is tenuous. Cost-effective defensive measures -- such as infrastructure improvements -- are more reliable than global CO₂ controls.

Policy priorities should be: eliminating harmful energy regulations, pursuing localised defences against extreme weather, and considering Pigouvian CO₂ taxes only with broad international cooperation. Otherwise, unilateral emissions reductions risk economic harm and energy insecurity.

Fence or fiction?

Re: "A border fence too far", (Editorial, Sept 2).

I have seen various items on social media that Thai people have contributed vast sums of money in order to construct a wall between Thailand and Cambodia. On the other hand, however, I have neither seen anything in the newspaper nor heard anything from the government about undertaking such a project. So are there approved plans to, or is someone perpetrating a tremendous scam on the people?

Crank column

Oh dear, PostBag has degenerated into a tit-for-tat rant fest again. I have many times requested a crank column be inserted somewhere else, possibly in the Life section. I almost miss Eric Barht's contributions, not that I agreed with him on most things. I assume he has retired from PostBag or moved to a different platform.