Hotspots exposed
Re: "Open fires face tough punishment", (BP, Jan 22).
We were happy to see the report on Jan 22 of the Pollution Control Department (PCD) warning of penalties for those who might start fires, particularly in agricultural and forest areas.
Readers can easily check how well the national and local government is enforcing those rules, assuming you have access to the internet. Simply search "firms fire map" to see a worldwide picture of active fires.
The PCD has work to do, as the Jan 22 map shows several hundred active fires around Thailand, though not as concentrated as in nearby Cambodia. You can zoom in to about 100 meters, so the precise location should be easily determined by government officials.
As a bonus, you can go back at least a decade to see how each successive government has managed the burning season and the subsequent pollution.
Krungthep Krit
Invest, don't trade
Re: "Executive publishes warning for the SET", (Business, Jan 22).
Very much agree with this article. Yet, none of them ever mentions the important role of the Thai brokerage industry! Trading/speculating is simply not the same as investing.
Many, many studies over many years have shown how most novice traders lose over time. Only to then conclude Thai stocks are a poor savings choice, so leave. When, in fact, their approach was wrong.
Thai brokers should gear investor-seeking retail participants to accumulate high-dividend quality stocks as medium-term investments, with patience. Many of these are for long "investor bargains which go begging".
Had one accumulated 6-8% dividend-paying quality Thai stocks over, say, the past year or so, along with the 10% appreciation in the baht vs US$, one could say the return would be close to or equal to the US stock market.
Investing, which has been all the rage, despite its very high valuations and barely 1.5% dividends in a depreciating currency. So, besides receiving current income while awaiting better times, it is 20 to 25 times higher than Thai bank savings accounts.
Paul A Renaud
Institutions ignored
Re: "Trump unveils peace board at Davos", (World, Jan 23).
The "Board of Peace" cobbled together by US President Donald Trump is like reinventing the wheel. Only he makes the wheel square.
The world already has the United Nations, the EU, Nato, Seato, the IMF, the World Bank, and other international bodies that work for world peace, prosperity, and stability. Not only has Mr Trump put himself at the helm, but he also asks potential members to pay US$1 billion (31 billion baht).
But he invited several people who are indicted for war crimes, like Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli PM, and Russia's Vladimir Putin. It is like opening the chicken coop for the fox!
I wonder why Mr Trump forgot to invite his bosom pal, Kim Jong-un, and the Taliban. Those last two may not have the membership fee, but their experience in torture and cruelty could greatly enhance the executive board. Maybe Mr Trump will let them and other notable tyrants in for free?
Well done, the cultured, wise, and astute Europeans, for not joining this abomination.
The world and Miro King wept!
Miro King
