Responding to a frivolous challenge

If I challenge Thongchai Jaidee, for a head-to-head golf match, would he accept it? Of course not. Is he afraid of me? Of course not. Would he rather do something more productive than playing golf with me, something like taking his mother-in-law shopping or cleaning the bathroom? Of course.

But I'm going to show up anyway and tee-off alone. Better yet, I'm going to have a cardboard cut-out of Thongchai standing on a golf cart and following me around the course.

MEECHAI BURAPA

CHIANG MAI

On making our system more democratic

George Cuppaidge (The Nation, 28/6/09) said "At the heart of true democracy is the very simple fact that the real power lies in the Parliament...". It sounds fundamental and simple enough, but the implications would be far reaching in this country. Over recent months several writers have talked about the checks and balances of the three arms of government: legislature, administration and judiciary. One fundamental change that would be required would be that the administration would be answerable to the Parliament. This could go 'as far' as saying that all ministers must be elected by Parliament from amongst parliamentarians. They would be expected to be present in Parliament to answer questions that MPs may have about their portfolios.

This is what happens under the Westminster system in Britain and Australia. Britain's democratic weakness is that its upper house is not elected. Indeed some of its members are there through inheriting an aristocratic title handed down for generations. Australia by contrast has an elected upper house based on statewide representation in multi-member electorates.

A couple of things that are undemocratic but never seem to get aired are the age, education and party membership requirements for being an MP.

In a democracy, anyone entitled to vote should also have the right to stand for Parliament, regardless of education and certainly not be forced to be a member of a political party. The practicality in Australia is that only occasionally do people who are not members of parties get elected, but they have the right to stand.

GARETH CLAYTON

BANGKOK

Technology to keep sugar's boost balanced

Re: Sugarcane turns into hot crop, Business, July 3.

It is good to hear the global sugar price is increasing and that sugarcane farmers are taking this opportunity to increase sugar product. However, I would like to urge precaution to the idea of replacing cassava and maize with sugarcane as this will certainly affect other commodities such as animal feed. Locally made technology such as the white leaf test kit produced by biotec can greatly assist local farmers in increasing sugar production without offsetting other commodity. Let's put locally made technologies into good use, after all it is the product of our tax money.

RAMJITTI INDARAPRASIRT

 BANGKOK