Beyond subsidies
Re: "Cabinet set to approve assistance for farmers", (Business, July 13). The announcement by Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat is a positive step.
While the proposed measures on temporary relief, such as a fertiliser co-payment project to assist farmers by subsidising fertiliser costs at 500 baht per rai (up to 20 rai per farmer) for the 2024/2025 production season, are good, the government should establish a transparent system to monitor the effectiveness of the measures.
This will allow them to identify whether the fertilisers' subsidy responds to farmers' needs and problems.
That means the government -- apart from just doling out cash -- must encourage meaningful public participation in the planning and implementation of the fertiliser project, as well as other schemes.
Boosting big biz
Re: "Wallet will not cover electronic devices: sub-panel", (BP, July 11) & "Analyst sees scant impact from digital wallet", (BP, July 13).
Who benefits most from Srettha's digital wallet handout? Big business, not consumers. The handout will probably boost our GDP by just 0.4% -- far from Srettha's touted 1.2-1.8% (source: Kiatnakin Phatra Securities/Bank of America).
This drop is due to uncertainties about funding sources and challenges of enrolling 50 million people in the digital wallet system.
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat claimed "the government wants to ensure the money will be spent at small shops, not large department stores"; but the government then allowed convenience stores under CP All's 7-11 chain to accept the digital money.
The question is whether chain convenience will generate digital transactions and a fiscal multiplier as much as 1.2-1.8 times, as the scheme's backers claim?
The handout is for big businesses and their shareholders, not for you and me.
Guns on US streets
Re: "After attempt on his life, Trump sees moment for unity", (BP, July 16).
The public won't be allowed to carry guns into the US Republican National Convention, but they can bring them downtown, probably close enough to shoot people.
Surely, it's time to realise that people shouldn't be allowed to wander around with guns, including hidden guns.
It's time to look at the realistic option of restricting gun access to those protecting us, mainly the military and police. Being armed shouldn't be an automatic right.
Tax troubles solved
Re: "Tax confusion", (PostBag, July 15).
Thank you to the Bangkok Post for printing all the informative letters about the income tax laws that are exciting foreign residents.
I enjoyed the look through Ray Ban's eyes regarding his letter on July 15. His suggestion of looking at "A Simple Guide to Personal Income Tax'' by Mike Lister is the best advice that I have seen in regard to this entire issue. It answered all the questions I had.
I am quite adept at complex tax law in the United States (I file and pay US income tax on my wife's income here in Thailand), but I knew I would need to consult a professional here regarding my need to file and pay Thai income tax, if I couldn't get a few things clarified that had been muddied by previous letter writers and contributors.
After reading Lister's fine information, all my questions were answered, and my life became simpler and less stressful.
Yes, one good old dose of PostBag cured all that was ailing me. Thanks, Ray Ban and PostBag. It was a delightful way to start the day.