In good hands
Re: "New PM looks to future", (BP, Aug 18).
The election of Prime Minister Paetongtarn is the best news in Thailand in a long time. A woman with a suitable education and impressive background is ideal. Thailand needs new ideas but they must be carefully planned.
I am Swiss and wish her luck. It is good to know that decisions are in the hands of a woman who will act prudently and cautiously.
Behind the bargains
Re: "Substandard Chinese goods causing alarm in Thailand", (BP, Aug 12).
It should be noted that the recent appearance of extreme undercutting of prices by China-based online retailers both globally and in Thailand is enabled by forced labour and child labour in the Xinjiang region.
The United States Congress and numerous NGOs have investigated and confirmed these facts.
Thailand has a poor human rights record historically, and a notorious July 2015 clandestine repatriation of Uyghur refugees from Thailand highlighted the government's weak-willed and conciliatory posture when it comes to Beijing.
Current trade relations between China and Thailand must be rebalanced in favour of Thais. If not, the exportation of China's current economic chaos to this country will be devastating.
Letters on Trump
Re: "Deranged Trump hate", (PostBag, Aug 7).
Sometimes, the comments about letters to the editor are more interesting than the letters and certainly more colourful. A recent comment referred to "Trump derangement syndrome".
This is a phrase that needs something extra, maybe an apostrophe.
Is it about Trump's derangement being a syndrome of the worst of political battles?
Is it Trump's effort to cause derangement in the election process so that he can return? Is it about a deranged writer's obsession with Trump?
I'll leave it to the reader to decide.
Regards,Dennis Fitzgerald
Things don't add up
Re: "New mpox case could be more transmissible strain", (Online, Aug 21).
In Bangkok's nightlife area, many Africans are working. This raises questions about their activities, which may be in breach of immigration law. Is there any police inspection to ensure such foreigners comply with the law and are not brought in by the power of tea money given to Thai officials? Without seeming racist, there is a mpox pandemic coming from Africa, and illegal entry can add risk to the health system.
A case of dementia?
Re: "Journalists demand probe into Prawit's slapping reporter", (BP, Aug 21).
For the person involved and, more importantly, for those who should be taking care of him, I offer this from a site called Alzheimer's Society -- as a person's dementia progresses, they may sometimes behave in ways that are physically or verbally aggressive. Aggressive behaviour may be verbal -- for example, swearing, screaming, shouting or making threats.
Or physical -- for example, hitting, pinching, scratching, hair-pulling, biting or throwing things. All things we have witnessed from a high-profile politician who needs to be told to stay at home and get proper care.