Don't kill messenger
Re: "PM shrugs off foreign critics", (BP, Aug 8).
Instead of killing the messenger when we don't like the message, we should calmly analyse if their criticisms are accurate -- and learn from them. For example, many envoys voiced concern when the MFP was banned. If they had enthusiastically applauded the verdict rather than raising yellow flags, PM Srettha would have vigorously agreed despite the case being an internal matter. In truth, he didn't object to the messengers -- but to the message.
If Mr Srettha felt that the embassies' concerns were misplaced, he should have shown them how the MFP's banning did not "jeopardise Thailand's democratic progress and run counter to the aspirations of the Thai people for a strong, democratic future" and thus set the record right.
Expat benefits
Re: "Quest for clarity", (PostBag, Aug 8).
There are approximately 300,000 Western expatriates residing in Thailand, with a guesstimated average annual expenditure of 1 million baht per expat. This results in a total spending of about 300 billion baht annually.
In comparison, foreign tourists typically spend around 5,000 baht per day and stay for about 14 days. Therefore, it would require approximately 15 tourists to match the annual spending of a single expatriate. Beyond direct spending, expatriates also contribute economically by purchasing items such as motorbikes, cars, and condominiums. Additionally, some expatriates provide financial support to Thai families in good and bad times, further amplifying their economic impact.
If new Thai tax regulations lead to a significant reduction in the expat population -- potentially halving it -- and if attracting new expatriates becomes challenging, Thailand could lose a substantial economic benefit.
To mitigate these risks and harness the full economic potential, it may be prudent for Thailand to adopt an inclusive expat strategy. This could involve recognising and valuing the contributions of expatriates while developing a premium tourism strategy. The latter might include implementing a tourist fee that supports the enhancement of infrastructure and could attract higher-spending visitors.
A worried expat.
Testing is better
Re: "Quantum computing eyes 'Sputnik' moment", (Business, Aug 8).
The article captures another massive leap in computing power, which will further aid future drug development and other fields. S de Jong and other contributors in PostBag have stated that, unlike the first 1950s versions, the Covid vacs were not properly researched (in the time available).
This article suggests that in fact the opposite is true. The tremendous advancement in computer power since the 1950s has made vaccine testing both faster and safer. Further, if it were not the case, by now, the ever-litigious US public would have swamped big pharma companies with class action suits on a massive scale.
Lessons to learn
Re: "Britain's violent riots: What we know", (World, Aug 8).
The UK school curriculum is going to require teachers to teach their students how to spot fake news and articles that are just clickbait. They will also be taught how to use statistics to examine published results. Fake news has moved on from Elvis and UFO sightings to reports that cause riots and attacks that then lead to real injuries.
As to teaching statistics, something I did or tried to do for over 30 years, there are few teachers that actually know how to use them, so teaching them is difficult. What we have now is potential presidents that claim they won despite getting significantly less votes and the old favourites of election wins with over 100% of the counted votes. The task would be so difficult that you wonder if this objective is itself fake news.
CONTACT: BANGKOK POST BUILDING 136 Na Ranong Road Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110 Fax: +02 6164000 email: postbag@bangkokpost.co.th
All letter writers must provide full name and address.
All published correspondence is subject to editing at our discretion.