Thin buyer guide
Re: "Choosing the right air purifier for Thailand's rising air pollution", (Life, Feb 8).
As a Chiang Mai resident facing severe seasonal PM2.5, I found the article on air purifiers informative in intent but little depth.
The recommended models (Xiaomi 4 Pro ~9k THB, LG ~7k, Coway subscription ~47k over 7 years, Samsung ~8k) are mid-to-high priced without trade-offs or cheaper alternatives.
Independent tests (HouseFresh, Smart Air) show budget options like the Smart Air Sqair (~4–5k THB) often deliver comparable PM2.5 removal with lower filter costs.
Key specs are glossed over: noise on effective speeds (e.g., Xiaomi hits 57–59 dB), localised sensors causing early low-mode drops, and uncalculated filter expenses.
Above all, it does not factor in Thailand-specific practicalities: humidity's effect on filters, fan pairing for circulation, room sealing to reduce infiltration, and positive pressure systems (e.g., PAU/ERV) that prevent outdoor pollution entry.
Articles like this should provide balanced, consumer-focused equipment advice, not steer towards pricier brands with incomplete details.
Martin
No accountability
Re: "Laos vows justice after tainted alcohol kills tourists", (World, Nov 25, 2024).
It is curious that the Bangkok Post has not reported the incredibly lenient sentences handed down this recent Jan 28 by the Lao courts to those found guilty and implicated in the deaths of six foreign tourists who died after unknowingly drinking alcohol contaminated with lethal methanol in Laos in the tourist hub of Vang Vieng in November 2024.
Ten Laotians were fined the equivalent of 4,000 baht in a secret court hearing in which they were found guilty of the destruction of evidence and were handed suspended sentences and a paltry fine. They were not charged with manslaughter.
Two of the victims were Australian: Holly Morton and Bianca Jones. Their fathers are reported today in the Sydney Morning Herald as claiming that they had no correspondence from anyone in the Lao government that the court case was going ahead, and said that the "modest fines are an insult to their daughters' lives".
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong was quoted as saying that she had made it clear to her Laotian counterparts that Australia expected full accountability and that charges should reflect the seriousness of the tragedy, which left six people dead, including Holly and Bianca.
So, Bangkok Post, do you not think it is newsworthy to report our next-door neighbour's lack of judicial accountability?
David Brown
Mandate in doubt
Re: "Ex-MPs face ethics probe", (BP, Feb 10).
After reading recent news regarding the work of the NACC, I asked Mr Google a simple question: "What is the primary work of an elected government?" It answered that there are four main core functions, the first of which is making laws (legislation): parliaments debate, amend, and pass new laws, as well as repeal or update existing ones.
With that in mind, can anyone please explain how an anti-corruption body can find people guilty for attempting to amend a law?
Steve Merchan
