Re: "Warehouse fire prompts evacuations", (BP, April 23).
Shocking to read about the "accidental" fire of hazardous waste in Rayong. The company responsible has gone bankrupt so the rich owner won't be prosecuted. However, he has damaged the health of every Thai citizen and should be held accountable.
Re: "Seniors not a burden", (Editorial, April 23), "5m seniors must work to live", (BP, April 22) & "1.2k cross Thai border to flee fighting", (BP, April 21).
We're one of the world's fastest-ageing societies, and need a multifaceted approach to combat the problem. While the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security's host family programme is very promising, it has a very small budget.
We desperately need to boost farmer productivity so that the third of the labour force that accounted for just 8.81% of 2022's GDP is financially able to let their family's elders age in place. An effective and quick way is to let Myanmar men, women and professionals fleeing being forced to kill their countrymen work in rural areas at market rates, kick-starting their employers' productivity. To encourage them to help us in the long run, give them an acculturation programme and a merit-based path to citizenship.
Also, concentrate Srettha's 10,000-baht handout on raising productivity, such as subsidising agricultural drones, high-yield seeds or agricultural training.
Re: "Lessons to learn", (PostBag, April 19).
In using inspiration from Netflix's latest Bollywood film -- 12th Fail -- a story of a determined young man pursuing his dream of becoming an IPS (Indian Police Service) officer, Khun Somkid Sirikularkul makes a very good point about serving others, and not for the benefit of yourself when in a position of power. Meanwhile, unelected senators are off on a shindig in Europe on taxpayers' money. Wiping around the trough to mop up the last drop of swill. Quite shameful.
Re: "MFP outlines handout risks", (BP, April 19).
MFP MP Chulapong Yukate has done a good job analysing the worst-case scenarios of the planned 500-billion-baht handout. While a one-time cash injection may boost GDP in the short term, it's a fleeting benefit. Once spent, our country will be left with a larger national debt and increased interest payments for many years to come. This scheme may also create a dangerous precedent -- one where the public expects handouts with every election cycle.
As the smart investor sees things from a long-term perspective, wouldn't it be more beneficial to invest this money in projects that empower our citizens for the long haul? Imagine the possibilities: free education, student loan forgiveness, targeted subsidies, retirement fund investment, strategic oil reserves.
As the proverb goes, "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime". This proposed handout is the proverbial "fish". Let's hope the current administration is a smart investor.
24 Apr 2024
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