Cost of meddling
Re: ""Making sense of performance figures", (Opinion, Oct 31).
A shout-out to Dr Chartchai Parasuk for his excellent article "Making Sense of Performance Figures". It is rare to find a practitioner of the dismal science who writes eloquently, and even rarer for one with a sense of humour. His style is reminiscent of the late Bangkok Post contributor Loong Ayumongkhol.
I am curious what Dr Parasuk would have to say regarding Pheu Thai's blatant attempt to reduce the independence of the Bank of Thailand.
If the central bank is seen as being the lackey of the government, willing to print money to finance government debts, then inflation expectations can become unanchored. We are only just beginning to emerge from the damaging effects of a high inflation/high interest rate environment; do our leaders truly want us to head into another upward price spiral?
Monitoring madness
Re: "Monitor Misery", (PostBag, Nov 6) & "Minister to allow farming of water monitors, bird nests", (Online, Nov 5).
Regarding Mr Reptile's objections to exploitation of his race today, I agree with his outrage at abuse and what will be perceived as a new hub for the leather industry.
In a typically Thai U-turn, this formerly reviled species has suddenly been turned into an object of attraction by venal entrepreneurs.
This is paradoxical considering that water monitors are the subject of a strong expletive in the Thai language that can land you with a punch on the nose, or worse.
As such, how are the hi-so's going to explain the source of their new exotic handbags/footware if this noxious project is carried out?
I haven't touched on beady Thai eyes ogling expansion of the bird's nest soup market which is as equally repellent as the one for shark fin soup relished by billions quite close by, whose manners as tourists are outrageous but tolerated as they are cash cows to be milked for all they've got.
Sovereignty reigns
Re: "Far from the truth", (PostBag, Nov 4) & "Naughty Nato", (PostBag, Nov 2).
Tarquin Chufflebottom wonders if I've read a Putin-era history book, for why else would I claim that Finland had invaded Russia? Doesn't he know that Finland invaded the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941 arm-in-arm with the Nazis. What a school-boy howler!
Mr Chufflebottom could have at least done a modicum of online research. But no, confident in his own imaginary worldview, he blundered blissfully ahead.
He then says Mr Putin supports dictators in Kazakhstan and Syria. Perhaps Mr Chufflebottom is unaware of the former's application to join Nato or of its regular training with the US military. And is Mr Chufflebottom not aware that the US has 900 soldiers stationed in Syria conducting a hearts-and-minds campaign to win over truculent Syrians to the wonders of Disneyland democracy?
We could check what other dictatorships the West supports. But let's not open that Pandora's box until after the election.
Mr Trump's draining of the swamp may usher in a new era of US diplomacy, one which (like Russia's) recognises the sovereignty of other states.