Celebrities blame pollution on Government incompetence

[webfact]

Celebrities blame pollution on Government incompetence

 

 

Celebrities have joined residents in and around Bangkok in accusing the Government of being complacent and incompetent in its approach to solving the worsening PM2.5 dust pollution.

 

Well known singer Lydia Sarunrat posted images of her bloodshot eyes on Instagram on Monday, saying the pollution had irritated her eyes after just 15 minutes riding a motorcycle in Bangkok. She said she wore an appropriate face mask, but it didn’t help.

 

Former Ms. Thailand World 2014, Ms. Meya Nonthawan, said she visited a hospital two days after her return to Bangkok from an overseas trip. “I am now resting at home with an air purifier working.”

 

Rapper Apisit Joeyboy Opasaimilikit asked, in his Facebook post, “I wonder why no one is worried?  Are those responsible not worried about us? It is understandable that it (pollution) comes at this time of the year and then goes away, but no apparent action is being taken at this critical time.”

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/celebrities-blame-pollution-on-government-incompetence/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2020-01-21

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[OneMoreFarang]

Can these celebrities please stop pretending that they are smarter or more concerned than the rest of us?

I.e. if someone is a good singer then he/she is a good singer and not an expert or a role model for lots of other things.

We have bad pollution - I can see that just by looking out of the window. And it won't go away until the police enforces lots of laws.

But imagine what would happen if the police would suddenly enforce all those laws? I am sure lots of citizens would be very upset and blame the "military government" for being too strong.

Whatever they do or don't do some people will be upset.

 

[Pravda]

  On 1/21/2020 at 8:02 AM, OneMoreFarang said:

I am sure lots of citizens would be very upset and blame the "military government" for being too strong.

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Netizens 

[unamazedloso]

I agree 100%. We all feel the same for the most part. Just lazy farmers and corrupt governments dont grasp the damge actually being done to ALL life forms and the long term lack of nutrients in the soil by burning everything

Government allows proven deadly chemicals to these same morons that are setting fire to it right now. People really need to think about what they are really breathing.

[SoilSpoil]

The more awareness the better.

[Destiny1990]

Perhaps they can send SOS smoke signals for someone to addressing the problem. By the way why did we never heard these celebrities complaining about the yearly smog in Chiang Mai?

[Thechook]

Be patient people, we'll sort out the submarines and other military needs then we'll have a glance at your concerns

[lemonjelly]

Farmers need some sort of incentive/assistance to plough the sugar cane stubble back into the ground or find another way to deal with it. Simply banning the burning without researching alternative ways to deal with the harvest residue isn’t realistic. This should have been done many governments ago.

[loong]

  On 1/21/2020 at 10:06 PM, lemonjelly said:

Farmers need some sort of incentive/assistance to plough the sugar cane stubble back into the ground or find another way to deal with it. Simply banning the burning without researching alternative ways to deal with the harvest residue isn’t realistic. This should have been done many governments ago.

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It is not burning the cane stubble that is the problem, most years the stubble is left to regrow. 

The foliage is burnt off before the harvest as this apparently makes the harvest easier.

[ChrisY1]

  On 1/21/2020 at 8:02 AM, OneMoreFarang said:

Can these celebrities please stop pretending that they are smarter or more concerned than the rest of us?

I.e. if someone is a good singer then he/she is a good singer and not an expert or a role model for lots of other things.

We have bad pollution - I can see that just by looking out of the window. And it won't go away until the police enforces lots of laws.

But imagine what would happen if the police would suddenly enforce all those laws? I am sure lots of citizens would be very upset and blame the "military government" for being too strong.

Whatever they do or don't do some people will be upset.

 

Expand  

Celebrities have a high status in Thailand.....many people respect them much more than they respect government...of course, they're not smarter or more concerned than the rest of us, but they do have a voice.

[legend49]

  On 1/21/2020 at 9:53 AM, unamazedloso said:

I agree 100%. We all feel the same for the most part. Just lazy farmers and corrupt governments dont grasp the damge actually being done to ALL life forms and the long term lack of nutrients in the soil by burning everything

Government allows proven deadly chemicals to these same morons that are setting fire to it right now. People really need to think about what they are really breathing.

Expand  

Maybe we need to look at the supply chain, the lazy farmers sell their product to who? HISO in charge of biggest food company in Thailand?

[Orton Rd]

Schools closed today in Bkk because of the dust, as if it does not appear around the kids homes!

[thesetat2013]

  On 1/21/2020 at 9:53 AM, unamazedloso said:

I agree 100%. We all feel the same for the most part. Just lazy farmers and corrupt governments dont grasp the damge actually being done to ALL life forms and the long term lack of nutrients in the soil by burning everything

Government allows proven deadly chemicals to these same morons that are setting fire to it right now. People really need to think about what they are really breathing.

Expand  

Actually you aren't too smart. Burning is good for nature. Good for soil and crops. And it's difficult to believe they lay blame for the pollution on crop burning.

[Cereal]

A well known singer was riding a motorbike? Well known, maybe, but obviously not wealthy.

[Vacuum]

  On 1/22/2020 at 12:48 AM, thesetat2013 said:

Burning is good for nature. Good for soil and crops

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...but very bad for people.

[newnative]

   I hope more celebrities speak out.  This government only seems to do anything when it receives extremely bad publicity.  So speak out celebrities!  And maybe if we're lucky Bill Gates will stop by and complain that the smog is so bad he can't see all the hanging wires.

[lemonjelly]

  On 1/22/2020 at 12:14 AM, loong said:

It is not burning the cane stubble that is the problem, most years the stubble is left to regrow. 

The foliage is burnt off before the harvest as this apparently makes the harvest easier.

Expand  

Thanks for clarification. It seems to me that the government needs to consult with the farmers to find a solution to the fact that the capital city of Thailand is blanketed in smoke, which they don’t seem to be doing. Prayut and his old cronies are damaging the country.

[rickudon]

  On 1/22/2020 at 12:48 AM, thesetat2013 said:

Actually you aren't too smart. Burning is good for nature. Good for soil and crops. And it's difficult to believe they lay blame for the pollution on crop burning.

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Rubbish. SOME animals and plants benefit from burning, others die (ask the Koalas what they think), Good for soil? It gives a short term boost to available nutrients, but also destroys the organic matter which makes humus, important for healthy soil. in the long run you impoverish the soil. Good for crops? Well, you may destroy pests and disease spores, make cultivation easier, but the soil ...... a healthy plant requires healthy soil.

 

Crop burning was phased out in the UK 20-30 years ago. Not just due to air pollution, but to prevent long term soil degradation. Slash and burn - works for 2-3 years, then you move, as soil exhausted.... can extend by adding fertilizers, and the cane and corn fields are just the modern equivalent.

[hotchilli]

  On 1/21/2020 at 8:02 AM, OneMoreFarang said:

Can these celebrities please stop pretending that they are smarter or more concerned than the rest of us?

I.e. if someone is a good singer then he/she is a good singer and not an expert or a role model for lots of other things.

We have bad pollution - I can see that just by looking out of the window. And it won't go away until the police enforces lots of laws.

But imagine what would happen if the police would suddenly enforce all those laws? I am sure lots of citizens would be very upset and blame the "military government" for being too strong.

Whatever they do or don't do some people will be upset.

 

Expand  

If it puts the incompetent officials in a tight spot let them speak-out... lets face it they never listen to the people on the street.. the more media coverage the better and if comes form celebs then so be it!

[tomauasia]

This is not a government they are soldiers maybe not even. They are a group of old men chasing cash. They have destroyed Thailand literally. I can't believe Thais do nothing about it. I thought they were tuff. They ain't and it's going to get much worse.

[tomauasia]

This is not a government they are soldiers maybe not even. They are a group of old men chasing cash. They have destroyed Thailand literally. I can't believe Thais do nothing about it. I thought they were tuff. They ain't and it's going to get much worse.

[richard_smith237]

  On 1/21/2020 at 8:02 AM, OneMoreFarang said:

Can these celebrities please stop pretending that they are smarter or more concerned than the rest of us?

I.e. if someone is a good singer then he/she is a good singer and not an expert or a role model for lots of other things.

We have bad pollution - I can see that just by looking out of the window. And it won't go away until the police enforces lots of laws.

But imagine what would happen if the police would suddenly enforce all those laws? I am sure lots of citizens would be very upset and blame the "military government" for being too strong.

Whatever they do or don't do some people will be upset.

 

Expand  

Any pressure which can be placed on those of decisions making power is a good thing and these celebrities being this pressure through social media. 
 

Those in positions of decision making power only seem to respond to these issues and those similar when forced to though embarrassment or otherwise only if they stand to profit. 
 

The power of social media is no small thing, however, in Thailand I’m not even sure that social media is powerful enough to counter the arrogance and carelessness of those who could effect real change. 

[OneMoreFarang]

  On 1/22/2020 at 12:25 AM, ChrisY1 said:

Celebrities have a high status in Thailand.....many people respect them much more than they respect government...of course, they're not smarter or more concerned than the rest of us, but they do have a voice.

Expand  

In principle I agree with you. But having a voice has nothing to do with having knowledge.

It seems many of these celebrities promote almost anything as long as they get paid for it.

It would be great if celebrities would use their position to promote facts and scientific information. But it seems that is not a strength of most of them...

[OneMoreFarang]

  On 1/22/2020 at 3:00 AM, tomauasia said:

This is not a government they are soldiers maybe not even. They are a group of old men chasing cash. They have destroyed Thailand literally. I can't believe Thais do nothing about it. I thought they were tuff. They ain't and it's going to get much worse.

Expand  

That reminds me about that old man and his little incompetent sister chasing cash...

[Toany]

  On 1/21/2020 at 10:06 PM, lemonjelly said:

Farmers need some sort of incentive/assistance to plough the sugar cane stubble back into the ground or find another way to deal with it. Simply banning the burning without researching alternative ways to deal with the harvest residue isn’t realistic. This should have been done many governments ago.

Expand  

They burn the sugar cane to make it easier to harvest by hand.

[robertson468]

  On 1/21/2020 at 8:02 AM, OneMoreFarang said:

Can these celebrities please stop pretending that they are smarter or more concerned than the rest of us?

I.e. if someone is a good singer then he/she is a good singer and not an expert or a role model for lots of other things.

We have bad pollution - I can see that just by looking out of the window. And it won't go away until the police enforces lots of laws.

But imagine what would happen if the police would suddenly enforce all those laws? I am sure lots of citizens would be very upset and blame the "military government" for being too strong.

Whatever they do or don't do some people will be upset.

 

Expand  

What a rediculous post!  The people, including celebrities are allowed to make valid complaints when there is clearly a serious issue and if they can bring additional pressure to bear due to their media exposure, so be it.  I see you are not averse to trumpeting your own opinions in the press!  Pot/kettle springs to mind.

[yokat]

  On 1/22/2020 at 12:48 AM, thesetat2013 said:

Burning is good for nature.

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There are millions of animals in Australia that would like to disagree

[OneMoreFarang]

  On 1/22/2020 at 4:23 AM, robertson468 said:

What a rediculous post!  The people, including celebrities are allowed to make valid complaints when there is clearly a serious issue and if they can bring additional pressure to bear due to their media exposure, so be it.  I see you are not averse to trumpeting your own opinions in the press!  Pot/kettle springs to mind.

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If I write something i.e. here, how many people read that and how many people will believe it because OneMoreFarang wrote it? Very few!

 

But with celebrities lots of people seem to "think" that everything those people say must be the truth and these celebrities seem to somehow be experts in everything. That's why lots of people buy things which are advertised by celebrities even if those celebrities never ever used that product.

I don't trust celebrities because it seems many of them do what they do to make money and it seems many of them advertise anything as long as they get paid for it.

[Baerboxer]

  On 1/21/2020 at 8:02 AM, OneMoreFarang said:

Can these celebrities please stop pretending that they are smarter or more concerned than the rest of us?

I.e. if someone is a good singer then he/she is a good singer and not an expert or a role model for lots of other things.

We have bad pollution - I can see that just by looking out of the window. And it won't go away until the police enforces lots of laws.

But imagine what would happen if the police would suddenly enforce all those laws? I am sure lots of citizens would be very upset and blame the "military government" for being too strong.

Whatever they do or don't do some people will be upset.

 

Expand  

 

These "celebrities" are probably copying the Western ones who like to lecture everyone on politics, social behavior and of course climate change, sustainability and animal welfare. 

 

Being a singer, footballer, or any kind of entertainer doesn't make them an expert on anything; nor a role model.

 

But yes, nothing will change because laws aren't enforced. And when they are, there are massive complaints. They can't even enforce taxis turning on meters and not refusing fares! No chance with farmers.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

  On 1/21/2020 at 10:43 AM, SoilSpoil said:

The more awareness the better.

Expand  

 

In Thailand, celebrities have to care about something in order for the issue to register/matter... They are the (often inane) voice of the voiceless...