Baht too bold?
Re: "Stronger baht eats into collection", (Business, Oct 30). The Thai baht has been strong for some months versus almost all other currencies.
I think it's likely now overdone, and I believe global-oriented investors may want to tone it down regarding baht holdings. Thai interest rates are still likely on the way down some more. The high season has started, and the important tourism sector, besides the export sector, would like to see some baht currency taming.
Not least: Thailand has likely entered a negative inflation rate period now, surely not something the Bank of Thailand advocates, nor aims for.
Get ready for delays
Re: "TM6 forms sidelined as electronic system is created", (BP, Oct 16).
The decision to use facial recognition instead of boarding passes at six airports, including Suvarnabhumi, before the end of the year is no doubt an inevitable progression. Nevertheless, I fear it will result in chaos and frustration.
My banking app requires facial recognition for transfers over 50,000 baht and rarely works first time, if ever. It doesn't help that the first instruction it gives me is to remove the facial covering, ie, glasses. Apparently it then tells me to blink, smile etc. I say apparently because I cannot read the instructions without my glasses. I have been to the branch to have a new photo taken, but this did not improve the result.
My friend periodically grows a beard, which gives his banking app apoplexy.
I would have thought that starting with one small airport trial first would have been more sensible, and also to continue to issue boarding passes as a fallback in case of difficulty with the facial recognition system. But what fun would that be!
Hub hype rolls on
Re: "Chips set for latest hub push", (BP, Oct 26).
If I had a dollar for every time over the years that I have seen the word "hub" uttered by would-be-if-they-could-be Thai entrepreneurs and duly reported by uncritical Bangkok Post journalists, I would have a very tidy nest egg.
The only Thai "hub" that readily springs to mind is the dubious honour of being a hub of the sex industry.
But on second thoughts, I must admit that when they are good, Thailand's medical and dental services are world-class.
Trump health doubts
Re: "Harris plays health card against her rival", (BP, Oct 23).
The Trump campaign insists the former president is "in perfect and excellent health" and maintains sharp mental acuity. If this is the case, why has Trump refused to release his detailed medical reports and results of any recent cognitive tests? What is he hiding from the American voters?
Come to think of it, voters should be asking why Trump has also still never released his long-promised tax returns? Let us recall there have been reports, such as one in The New York Times in 2023, that Trump paid just US$750 (25,000 baht) in federal income taxes each year in 2016 and 2017 and paid nothing at all for many years before that.
I guess if I were a billionaire candidate for public office, I'd want to hide that fact as well.