Worthy rivals
Re: "Open up reserved jobs", (BP, Oct 28).
We should reserve certain professions for Thais only for the short period needed to make us fully competitive in international labour markets.
Reserving a given profession for eternity makes us lazy and unable to compete in the marketplace.
For example, during the lull in tourists caused by Covid-19, our tour guides should have up-skilled by learning more languages.
Yet we didn't.
So, when Covid abated and tourists from new markets like the Middle East or Western Balkan countries started arriving, we weren't able to service them adequately.
We should reserve a given profession for a very limited time, such as two years, after which Thais would have to compete on a level field.
During this time, the government could subsidise training courses, equipment, etc.
Nudge us to be competitive, not lazy.
Old problem
Re: "Reform, or repeat monk scandals" (Editorial, Oct 27).
The Bangkok Post is hopelessly naïve when it opens the editorial by proclaiming that "A senior monk promoting what is alleged to be a pyramid scheme disguised as an online direct sales company reveals just how far the clergy has strayed from Buddha's teachings."
Hype to the contrary notwithstanding, the current path has been the tradition for many decades at least.
Nor can it be imagined that reform will be permitted by the establishment (as opinion writer Thitinan Pongsudhirak's opinion on Aug 23 accurately calls them), for whom that supremely traditional Thai Buddhism is another pillar that cannot be sullied by exposure to reason, reality, or good morals.
Still taking shape
Re: "Brics could be catalyst for global revamp", (Opinion, Oct 22).
Brahma Chellaney sounds a tenuous optimistic tone on the potential for BRICS to emerge as one more force in the multi polarisation of countries.
Indeed, we need to assess the efficacy of BRICS members from the time in 2001 that Jim O'Neil of Goldman Sachs offered his thesis on the grouping of these countries based on their potential as emerging economies, which they still are.
Evidently, BRICS has not delivered on its economic promises. With wars flaring in key global regions, economies cannot afford to trust BRICS to be an economic panacea.
Moreover, within individual economies there are systemic and structural problems. Russia has its challenges with oil prices compounded by Western sanctions against it due to its engagement with Ukraine.
Brazil's financial markets have remained shaky and China's crackdown on the tech industry has destabilised the world markets. Compounding these problems is BRICS' rather random assertion of control on member state affairs.
Even with the newer members being inducted into its grouping, BRICS has not as yet found common ground to be effective and meaningful. It thus will remain amoeba-like until it can deliver on the potential it holds to become a real force to contend as a credible multipolar option to the world.
Salt to the wounds
Re: "New strife fears for South: Tak Bai case expiry may stir discontent", (BP, Oct 25).
Authorities, the army and the Pheu Thai Party must stop applying new paint on Tak Bai.
What a shameless example of brashness when the likes of Lt Gen Phaisarn Nusang, commander of the 4th Army Region, calls the people of Tak Bai a "third party" and "ill-intentioned groups", and suggests they might invite unrest.
Lt Gen Paisarn hurt sentiments and further added salt to the wounds of victim's families.
Bombings have already started in the home town of my mother in Pattani, and we expect more to come and more innocent lives will be lost unless the government comes out, brave and clean, and shows patriotism by arresting and bringing Gen Pisal Wattanawongkiri and the others to face justice.
Don't blame third parties. Stop cooking up stupid stories, please.
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