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Published on September 22, 2007

Proponents of nuclear power plants will have us believe that they (the plants) emit no carbon emissions. That's not true, and here's a partial list of the ways in which nuclear plants emit considerable amounts of polluting carbon:

Construction materials, particularly the gargantuan amounts of cement and steel for structures, have to be mined and transported - all of which entails large amounts of carbon emitting processing and machinery. Construction equipment uses either conventionally generated electricity or internal combustion engines.

Uranium fuel has to be mined, processed and transported from overseas to the site.

Spent radioactive rods have to be dealt with responsibly, which most likely will involve packing, transport and deep burial at a geologically stable site that can be secured for tens of thousands of years.

Sometime in the future, the plant will have to be decommissioned - which will entail more materials and construction. So, next time someone tells you that nuclear power plants don't emit carbon emissions, you can look them in the eye and say, "Uh huh, and pop stars never have body odour".

Ken Albertsen

Chiang Rai

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Quake authorities hesitate yet again

Right after last week's first earthquake in Indonesia the US Geological Survey gave out a Tsunami Watch to all the countries around the "Ring of Fire". Apparently, the authorities here did not know the difference between Tsunami Watch and Tsunami Warning, and so they hesitated to say anything for hours.

Vic Phanumphai

Bangkok

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Good riddance and turn the lights out as you go

 

Re: "American on sale to bidders of the world", Letters, September 21.

To Citizen X: I may not be an American citizen, but I would suggest that America is better without you.

Would that more of your ilk "stick it to the administration" and leave America as well.

Perhaps you'll find a home in a more "friendly" country like Burma, Vietnam or Iran. I hear that Africa is a nice place, as well. Maybe one of those rich Nigerians that I keep getting e-mails from will "adopt" you.

Oh yeah, don't forget to pay your taxes.

Grandpa

Chon Buri

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Burmese protesters need international support

The courageous monks in Burma are an inspiration to all of us around the world who care about Burma and the well-being of the people of Burma.

Would it be asking too much to request religious leaders (as well as normal practitioners and lay people) of different faiths in different countries to pray and make merit for the monks, either in front of Burmese embassies or in their own religious compounds or homes for a few minutes a day? Who knows, Bishop Desmond Tutu, the Dalai Lama and other leaders might even lead such activities.

In addition, if the international free press and radio relayed news of the Burma protests, the monks and people inside Burma might feel more support and encouragement.

Saw Lwin

Bangkok

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Night soil fertiliser could cause a stink

This morning I received some disturbing information from a friend of mine who lives in Chumphon. This information affects everyone, especially vegans, and as a public service I want to alert as many people as possible.

It is alleged that the contractors that pump out the waste from septic tanks in the region immediately sell it to farmers to fertilise their fruit and vegetable crops. This untreated waste still contains everything good and bad that humans expel and I'm not sure if certain cells can leach into the crops that evidentially end up in the produce we buy at our markets.

Hopefully someone will investigate and let us know if the alleged untreated human-waste fertilisation process is safe. At the very least this cannot be good news for the vegans among us.

David Barkdull

Bangkok

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Allow detained Hmong to resettle abroad

One hundred and forty-nine Hmong refugees still being detained in Nong Khai have done nothing wrong and yet are being kept in such inhumane conditions. The Thai authorities have a responsibility to protect these people, not persecute them further. Since Thailand doesn't want these people, why are they holding them back from resettling in third countries? Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has promised publicly that they can resettle in other countries if other countries are willing to accept them. Other countries have accepted these people. Why hold them against their will, and Thailand's will, when Thailand can be free of these people by letting them resettle elsewhere?

The Hmong people in Nong Khai are a product of the Thai and Lao governments' ineptitude. The Lao government wants these people because it knows they are Lao people from the hills and wants to punish them. The Thai authorities don't know what to do with them; therefore, they are holding them against their will.

Let's hope that the Thai authorities can live up to publicly stated promises and let these people be resettled in third countries.

Xee Vang

Bangkok

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Low taxi fares result in poor service

It must be over eight years since the minimum fare for taxis was set at Bt35, and it has remained so. Like most things in life, you get what you pay for: in this case, a 50-per-cent refusal ratio when you state your destination, coupled with atrocious driving most of the time.

If the relevant authority were to increase the minimum charge, enforce a mandatory test for drivers and make it mandatory for the driver to take the passenger to the stated destination (as long as it is within the Bangkok metropolitan area), in theory you would get rid of the chaff and be certain of a far more professional and conscientious person behind the wheel.

Who knows, if this worked, the same theory could be applied to politics and the police force.

Dr Kill-Patient

Bangkok

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Bangkok's environment: start with the basics

Recently the Bangkok governor announced plans to transform Bangkok into a utopian paradise. Apparently the urban environment is to be improved through various schemes such as tree planting and creating more open spaces. These ideas and the governor's optimism are to be applauded.

However, one must start with the most elementary of improvements before Bangkok can even begin to resemble anything like a civilised city, let alone an ideal example like that of Singapore.

May I suggest that the governor begin by clearing the sidewalks of vendors and returning them to their rightful owner - the pedestrian. Secondly, he should take appropriate action to rid streets of the thousands of stray dogs.

Without these most obvious of improvements, anything else will be a complete waste of time and effort.

Johnny Walker

Bangkok