Drop the baht
Re: "BoT ought to revise exchange rate policy", (Opinion, Sept 26).
The above article was one of economist/columnist Chartchai Parasuk's most difficult to read.
He aptly stated that most people would not understand what Nominal (Neer) or Real Effective Exchange Rates (Reer) were, terms which the BoT frequently uses.
He basically claimed that it is indeed a mistake for the Thai government to let the Thai baht appreciate towards 33 baht per US dollar; a more appropriate policy is to let it depreciate towards 36 baht per US dollar. An appreciating Thai baht hurts Thailand's export and services sectors, Chartchai claims. To be more precise, the figure should be around 36.28 baht per dollar.
Chartchai Parasuk came to this conclusion based on a PhD dissertation that he made about 40 years (ago), in which he showed that the best thing for the Thai government to do for the economy is to adopt a flexible exchange rate policy.
Thus, the Thai baht does not always have to be at 36.28 per US dollar and can go up and down, but in the end, the yearly average should be the above-stated rate, he implied.
Based on what the above columnist said, it should come as no surprise that the Thai economy is struggling right now, given that the baht is appreciating against several world currencies.
Hopefully, the Thai baht will start depreciating again.
Tak Bai tensions
Re: "Wanted MP's whereabouts 'unknown'", (BP, Oct 5).
Did Visuth Chainaroon, a Pheu Thai list MP and government chief whip, actually say "no one is above the law" in response to the criminal proceedings against Pheu Thai's list-MP Gen Pisal Wattawongkiri, a former commander of the Fourth Army Region, currently being sought in connection with the 2004 Tak Bai massacre case?
It is hardly more credible, although they often put on a convincing show of being ignorant, that Pheu Thai knows nothing as it insists.
Sharp and savvy
Re: "Next chapter in Thailand's political saga", (Opinion, Aug 22).
This Canadian syndicated columnist who regularly contributes to your publication, Gwynne Dyer, is one smart guy, let me tell you.
He states something which would take most foreigners, and probably even Thais, many years of living in the kingdom when he proclaims: "What has stalled the growth of both the Thai economy, and its democracy, is an unusually strong and united establishment that includes the old rich, the army, the courts and a substantial part of the Bangkok middle class."
The above-mentioned man shows both incredible foresight and insight by making the above quote that he did.
What it shows to me, more than anything, is that one does not have to be born in a particular nation to understand how that nation is run and operated, be it Thailand, the United States of America, or any other country for that matter.
Options for soi dogs
Re: "Dog owners who fail", (PostBag, Oct 5).
Felix Qui says that street dogs should be euthanised. Wouldn't it be better to see if a shelter can find them a new owner first? I am opposed to "no-kill" shelters, which lead to overcrowded and unhealthy conditions for the dogs. At some point, euthanasia is necessary. But first, make an attempt to find those dogs homes.
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