POSTBAG
The guest column by Asst Prof Atch Sreshthaputra (BP, Sept 12) extolling the virtues of using more timber in construction is a welcome relief from the usual mantra of ''don't cut down trees''. While politically correct environmentalists would apparently have us ban all axes and chainsaws, the reality is that if we are truly concerned about climate change, we should be felling a lot more trees, using a lot more timber in construction, and doing our utmost to avoid the use of concrete, steel and aluminium. The mining and manufacturing of those resource-demanding and energy-intensive materials entails far and away greater greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental damage than the logging of forests, especially when forests are managed and harvested responsibly and sustainably as they are in many countries of the world.
Moreover, when a tree is cut down, the carbon that has been captured by that tree during its growth stays tied up and neatly stored in the durable wood products (houses, tables and chairs, etc) for as long as the items last until they rot away or are burned, often a hundred years later, or longer.
Meanwhile, the exceptional quality of forests is that they are renewable. New trees can rapidly take the spot of a tree that was harvested and repeat the cycle of capturing and storing even more carbon. Cutting down trees is not the end of a forest _ unless people fail to allow the forest to regrow by clearing all the trees and converting the land to agricultural fields or shopping malls.
We need more responsible articles and media reports like the good professor's to re-educate people on the real environmental benefits of sustainably produced timber in construction and everyday use.
SAMANEA SAMAN
Save the old forests
In his article, Asst Prof Atch Sreshthaputra stated: ''Does anybody realise that cutting down old trees and using the wood to construct houses and replanting new trees can help reduce carbon emissions as younger trees absorb more CO2 while growing up?''
I read on the internet that it would be implausible that an old tree with tens of thousands of leaves would absorb less carbon than a young tree. While carbon boosts the height of a young tree, if an old tree were to grow by a millimetre a year it would be imperceptible to the human eye but would amount to a considerable carbon reduction.
Other complicated reasons were given regarding the size of the root system, leaf fall, etc, but, with everything taken into consideration, older trees are just as valuable as younger trees as carbon sinks. And an old tree is a miniature ecosystem, providing homes for insects and the birds and animals that feed on them. They also contribute to keeping weather patterns stable, providing buffers for strong winds. And I would think they would hold water runoff better. Saplings and small trees can do none of these things.
Asst Prof Atch mentions having stayed a hotel in Khao Yai which is soon to be demolished as it encroaches on land that is part of a national park and also writes: ''But when thinking deeply, I am staying in the middle of Thailand's largest national park with millions of trees: why had they to bring concrete from elsewhere to build a resort here? Don't we have enough timber to build such vernacular buildings?'' Disregarding the fact that the resort is encroaching on national parkland, it would have been worse had they cut down trees to build it.
I am also saddened by the loss of skills to build wooden houses, and it pains me to see hotels being demolished. But I deeply admire National Parks Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department chief Damrong Pidech. It takes courage to say ''no'' to powerful people. If he lets them slide, you can be sure that there will be further encroachments until none of the forest is left.
The national parks are one of the things that attract visitors to Thailand. I hope Thais will stand behind chief Damrong on this issue.
ANONYMOUS
Reds' anger is justified
Re: ''A salute to the TRC's courage'' (Editorial, Sept 21). I think the anger shown by some red shirts and the Pheu Thai Party members at the Truth for Reconciliation report that connected them with the ''men in black'' was genuine and warranted.
They believe that these black-clad bad elements should not be put alongside them as the recipients of whatever support from the same source.
Some of them may still be innocent about the inner workings of Thai politics, hence the show of dignity.
VINT CHAVALA
Keep army out of politics
In his letter welcoming the TRC report and recommendations (Postbag, Sept 21), Songdej Praditsmanont writes that if ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra were to follow the commission's recommendation that he withdraw from politics, it would be the most effective way to resolve the current political conflict.
This view contrasts with that of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights who in his press release made no mention of this particular recommendation but instead highlighted the commission's recommendations that the army stay out of politics, the need to strengthen the independence of the judiciary and the need to reform Section 112 of the criminal code to protect freedom of expression.
DOM DUNN
Religious marketplace
The major international issue du jour is new violence over perceived blasphemy by the Muslim world. I particularly liked the opinions of Ayaan Hirsi Ali in Thursday's Global Viewpoint. She expressed the complexity of the issue as being that of America's constitutional respect for freedom of speech at loggerheads with the Muslim world's inflexible demands that any criticism of Mohammed or the Koran be off-limits. And she offered solutions.
I agree completely, but I would add that this extreme reaction from some Muslims expresses a high level of insecurity with their faith. I see an underlying current of fear that criticism of Mohammed or the Koran may ''stick''. Except for firm controls as they demand from others, Muslim proselytising may not bare up under criticism or challenge. Many moderate Muslims may, themselves, fear this in their hearts. Other religions in place of Islam is not the answer, but a more secular world for all of us may well be.
All religions participate in a marketplace of ideas. Time is on our side.
JOHN KANE
Freedom of speech vital
I totally agree with Burin Kantabutra (Postbag, Sept 21) that it's absurd to blame the American government because people were allowed to make an anti-Muslim film.
In a democracy people are allowed to express any view they have regardless of how offensive they may be to some people. For example, the Ku Klux Klan _ the most racist organisation in America _ can non-violently express their opinions. But it would be absurd to say they represent the views of the American government when the president of the United States is an African-American.
Keep in mind that every one of us (especially me!) can have opinions that others think are irresponsible and dangerous. But the same laws which protect the views of those we hate also protect our rights.
ERIC BAHRT
Muslim rallies misguided
The more I think about all the Muslim demonstrations around the world over a stupid little movie made by an Egyptian on American soil, the more bewildered I am. When 3,000 people are killed at the hands of Muslims, there are no demonstrations (as in 9/11). When hundreds of innocent students, teachers , monks and hard working lay people are killed in southern Thailand by Muslim radical secessionists, there are no demonstrations.
When thousands of Muslims are killed by roadside or suicide bombings in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq or some other Middle Eastern country, by other Muslim fanatics, there are no demonstrations. But over a silly cartoon, shallow movie or a respected author's book, then it seems the whole Muslim world rises up. There is something very wrong with this picture. It leaves a non-Muslim perplexed at the value system of Islam. A life is not worth protesting about but silly thoughts are.
BWM
The cost of free expression
The reactions of Muslims all over the world recently to the movie made by some thoughtless, cowardly maniac in America depicting the Prophet Mohammed in an adverse light, was in my humble opinion misdirected and extreme and should have been directed at the guilty party. Why have so many innocent people including eight South Africans, killed in a suicide bombing in Kabul, had to pay for something that had absolutely nothing to do with them?
This said, why do people feel the need to ridicule the religions and Gods of other people? Now a newspaper in France has entered the fray. Surely newspapers and journalists can find innumerable other things to keep their nimble typing fingers busy especially when almost everyone in the world is aware of how the radical elements of Islam react to any slights to their religion and to the Prophet Mohammed.
We talk about Freedom of Expression in the West but with this freedom comes responsibility. If something we do or say causes death or harm directly or indirectly to people totally unconnected to us, we have seriously abused that freedom. To paraphrase another profession's motto: ''First do no harm''.
JOAN D'ARCY
Time to catch Thaksin
It was recently reported the Justice Department was unable to extradite Thaksin Shinawatra as his whereabouts are unknown.
On good authority, that is his lawyer, Noppadon Pattama, he will be in Singapore until tomorrow for the Singapore Grand Prix.
Perhaps you could request detention and extradition legitimately from a co-Asean member. Yes?
RAY GREGORY
BBC cut is the deepest
While I am not a fan of ''me too'' letters to newspapers, Henry Durrant asked a very pertinent question of Sueksith Cholasuek, the Senior Marketing Manager of TrueVisions (BP, Sept 15) which I think deserves a response.
He asked the reason for the intended cut of the BBC World Service on TrueVisions on Oct 9.
As I, and I suspect a lot of others like me, only subscribe to TrueVisions on Gold in order to receive BBC World. If it goes, then after 15 years TrueVisions can do without my subscription.
Mr Durrant quite rightly said: ''For Thailand's main TV/radio subscription broadcaster to cease broadcasting the most widely received source of English-language news on radio is truly astonishing''.
It is indeed! As an aside, what happens to all the BBC staff here in Thailand? Perhaps a posting to Myanmar?
J H THOYTS
Justice at a snail's pace
What cases like that of Sorayuth Suthassanachinda and others shows us is how pathetically slow the Thai legal system is. This case has been ''under investigation'' since 2007 and only now comes to light. About every case, except for the poor marijuana users, takes forever to move. Either there are not enough judges, investigators or other related officials, or they are just incompetent.
If it is the former reason, they should have taken the millions they wasted on the European junket and hired more people in the judicial system. If it is the latter reason of incompetence, then ... oh well, mai pen rai.
MCS
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