HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

The great chicken debate continues

Infants who have milk allergies

Chased by a drunk volunteer policeman

KFC again

His heart is in the right place

The great chicken debate continues

Editor;
Before any of Pattaya’s whinging farangs start going on about rights for chickens, think about the rights and conditions of all Thai livestock if you are a meat eater. Anyone who has seen the way pigs are transported for slaughter will know what I mean, there are far more problems with animal rights in the country you call home than the plight of the KFC chicken. If you’re going to advocate the boycott of KFC, you have to question your conscience every time you get a pork dish, etc., in Thailand. Maybe now is the time to turn vegan? Unless you’re like me and love a big juicy steak!
Mickyfin Burnley

Infants who have milk allergies

Dear Editor:
Dick Turpin argues that since so many people drink milk it can’t be that bad for you (letters, March l3). Using that logic we should assume that since so many people smoke cigarettes, drink excessively and do drugs that these activities must be good for you too! A foolish act doesn’t become less foolish by repetition.
In numerous letters and guest columns that I have written for various newspapers in Thailand I have provided the readers with overwhelming evidence that drinking milk has been associated with increased risk for heart disease, prostate, breast and ovarian cancer, juvenile diabetes and a host of other illnesses. I have also provided overwhelming evidence that contrary to popular belief milk does not prevent osteoporosis. In fact while the highest rates of osteoporosis are in countries where people drink the most amount of milk, it’s practically unheard of among vegans who drink no milk.
Infants who have milk allergies see doctors twice as often in their first year of life as children who don’t and are more likely to be hospitalized. (From the book “Vegan Nutrition”) And because of lactose intolerance there is no other food source in the world which makes so many people immediately sick. While Turpin is right that no food is perfect I don’t know of any other food that is so imperfect (maybe arsenic!) and it goes back to my argument that animal’s milk was not designed for humans.
While Turpin to his credit says he doesn’t want animals to suffer is he aware of how horribly milk cows suffer on factory farms? Even worse their baby calves are taken away from them at birth, put into tiny crates where they can’t even turn around, are deprived of mothers milk (so people can drink it), healthy food and sunshine. Unless you can be sure the milk you’re drinking was not factory farmed the moral arguments for not drinking milk are as strong as the health arguments.
Eric Bahrt

Chased by a drunk volunteer policeman

Editor;
I was riding my motorcycle around 8:15 p.m. on Beach Road, Jomtien, Tuesday 10th of March, around Soi 7, heading towards Thappraya Rd. I had just left my home (I don’t drink) when a drunk falang riding the wrong way, weaving in and out of traffic honking his horn on his Honda Phantom motorcycle, almost caused an accident with a couple of people. Then he crosses over almost hitting me. By the way, I’m a good rider. I have been riding motorcycles for many years (8 in Thailand). I honk at this drunk falang without a helmet and he tries to run me off the road. He keeps pulling in front of me telling me to stop. I, being afraid of this large individual, race to the police box at Thappraya Rd and Beach Rd. He races too, weaving behind me.
I go into the police station where he tells me that he is a policeman. A Thai policeman comes into the office, looks at the drunk, and asks for our license. At that time I see the drunk that has been chasing me is a volunteer policeman. The real policeman tells him he is drunk, go home and next time wear a helmet.
I’m starting to realize that “some” of these wan-ta be policemen are a big problem, letting their position go to their head. Maybe more of a back check from where they came from is needed, as I’m sure this guy had many problems in his home land.
One can join the volunteer police force and make a good contribution in assisting the Thai police, but it seems some of these wan-ta bees join so they can show off their power. They should be relieved of their badge.
I thank the Thai policeman for his help. I only wish he had put this drunken danger to the road behind bars for a couple of hours so he could ride home a little more sober and not cause more problems to other people.
A concerned expat

KFC again

Editor;
In regard to the chicken episode, I actually find it a change from all the usual garb. My reply, as many of my letters was a bit of tongue in cheek stuff, so keep up the good work Mr Arnone.
Mickyfin Burnley

His heart is in the right place

Dear Sir,
Dick Turpin (13th March) may have written under a nom de plume but his letter shows that his heart is in the right place. However, he seems to have wandered a little out of his depth concerning the drinking of milk. His statement that a large number of people drink it is completely irrelevant since large numbers smoke cigarettes: one of the most dangerous and stupid habits there is. Huge numbers of people drink coca cola which is harmful and without any nutritive value.
He is confused about allergies and lactose intolerance. They are two completely different conditions. The first may apply to a huge variety of things and has increased tremendously since I studied immunology some fifty years ago. This may be due to vaccinations and/or one of the some four million new chemicals that have been created since then. Lactose intolerance is simply a lack of the enzyme lactase making it impossible to digest and utilise milk sugar. It is neither of these problems which makes milk so bad but the fact that it causes osteoporosis, heart disease, stroke and numerous other health problems.
This is probably why Americans, who drink more milk than anyone suffer from more ostoeporosis than any other nation.
As far as cruelty is concerned it is difficult to avoid this without seeking organic produce and I have to confess that as I eat yoghourt and butter I may be somewhat hypocritical.
Dr. M. Nightingale

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