Birds of a feather
Birds of a featherRe: "New realities in Japan-Thailand ties", (BP, Aug 15).
Japan and Thailand share many things in common; in the past they both were exceptions among Asian and African nations in that Western colonisation did not happen there.
These days, both countries face daunting social challenges such as a dwindling birth rate and an ageing population that will weigh on economic management.
Japan has suffered from its ultra-low growth since the 1990s, and Thailand may follow suit if the government fails to put a prudent, down-to-earth economic policy in place.
While there is no panacea for overnight productivity enhancement, there is little doubt that strong political leadership and a consistent economic policy are required to allocate limited fiscal resources to the most productive sector.
I do believe the two countries can find ways to further foster economic partnership hand-in-hand to rise to the challenge ahead.
The world knows that Japan has long been a good friend and a true contributor to Thailand's transition to an export-driven economic powerhouse in the region.
Despite being eclipsed by China lately, Japan has been Thailand's No.1 foreign investor over the past 20 years. This will likely remain the case if Japan finds better reasons to invest in Thailand rather than neighbouring Asean countries.
Re: "Saving the faltering energy SDG", (Opinion, Aug 14).
The author Woochung Um tells us that every month since June 2023, "has ranked as the planet's hottest average on record for that month, and June marked the third month in a row that Earth had exceeded the 1.5C limit set by the Paris agreement".
Unfortunately for Woochung, there is no reliable data which demonstrates this claim is true. But let's use the "Little Ice Age" which lasted from 1300 AD to 1850 AD to illustrate how little is actually known about the climate and why it changes.
What is worse is the "net-zero" target marketing line.
The refusal to debate, allow air time, or provide print space by mainstream media to opposing views is more than sufficient evidence that "net zero" is a monstrous scam.
Re: "Dynastic peril", (PostBag Aug 17).
I am into my third decade of reading the Bangkok Post (the paper, not online) and I believe Kuldeep Nagi's letter may be the the most intelligent letter I have read.
Khun Kuldeep is able to take the fast changing situation in Bangladesh and show how it isn't an isolated incident but part of a worldwide problem.
I grew up in the Summer of Love in the San Francisco Bay Area and there was a song by The Temptations, Ball of Confusion, that may be more relevant today than it ever was.
Give it a listen, but maybe before that, you may want to hear what gave people the hope and desire for change in the 60s.
A Change Is Gonna Come was written by the late great Sam Cooke who was murdered by the system of which Khun Kuldeep speaks.
There is one last song worth listening to, Marvin Gaye's What's Going On, which became a new anthem for our generation (maybe the last) in a plea for hope and understanding.
Is it also more relevant now than ever?
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 address.
All published correspondence is subject to editing at our discretion.