OPINION

Help in disasters

Re: "Focusing on health in disaster risk management" (Opinion, March 10).

It is generally recognised health is an imperative precondition for, and outcome and indicator of, all dimensions of sustainable development.

Challenges in global health, including major inequities and vulnerabilities among and within countries, regions and populations demand permanent and persistent attention.

Therefore, it appears unacceptable that 67% of member states of the World Health Organisation -- a United Nations specialised agency in which 194 countries are represented -- do not comply with the International Health Regulations contained in the "Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030".

The Sendai Framework, adopted by consensus on March 18 last year, is a strategic document aiming to "substantially" reduce global disaster mortality, the number of victims and the volume of economic losses in terms of global gross domestic product by 2030.

Official data circulated in 2015 illustrated tragic realities: Over a 10-year period, natural disasters had catastrophic consequences for more than 700,000 people who lost their lives, more than 1.4 billion injured and more than 23 million left homeless. More than 1.5 billion people overall were affected by disasters, with women, children and other vulnerable people  being disproportionately harmed.

The first-ever major conference devoted to health aspects of disaster risk reduction was hosted last week in Thailand and endorsed the Bangkok Principles for the implementation of the health aspects of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.

These principles represent a strong appeal to all 193 UN member states for collective efforts to make the world safer from the risk of disasters in the years to come for the health benefit of present and future generations.

The president of Thai Airways International is quoted as saying (BP, March 13) that the carrier is struggling to fill seats on existing planes.

On a recent round-trip business class flight to Sydney I experienced one of the most uncomfortable journeys I have ever made. The so-called flatbed seats on the aged Boeing 747 were not able to fully recline, and though I'm not exceptionally tall, my feet dangled over the edge of the seat when in a reclining position, making it impossible to rest properly. Goodness knows what the people in economy had to endure.

On this flight sector, THAI has to compete against Qantas, Emirates, Singapore and Malaysian airlines. Those who have used these airlines will know how comparatively better they are considered to be in terms of comfort and in-flight service.

I am not surprised, therefore, that THAI cannot fill its seats. I believe the only solution is to urgently replace its ageing fleet and to offer more competitive prices. Only then will it return to its former glory which I fondly remember and miss.

Songkran will soon be upon us, which can only mean one thing: For the next few weeks we will have to put up with moaning foreigners who every year complain about this wonderful festival. Every year they suggest going back to the time when water was sprinkled by children over the hands of elders, like in the good old days.

I recently asked an 85-year-old Thai lady about what Songkran was like when she was a young girl. She said it was the same as today, just fewer cars on the streets, but she still threw buckets of water over everyone.

So to all those moaning foreigners who don't like Songkran, to those who hark back to the good old days before they even arrived here in Thailand, Songkran is here to stay, get used to it and don't ever think that your pleas to save water will influence the festivities.

This will be my 15th Songkran, and we're all going to get wet, so join in the fun. And please stop moaning and start to enjoy life.