OPINION

Feeling unappreciated

Re: "Tourists face arrest, jail for overstaying", (BP, Sept 21).

Memo to Immigration Bureau: As it has apparently escaped your attention, this is to inform you that there is a serious pandemic affecting the world. As a result, most international travel has been halted. Please observe that the pandemic has also caused major economic distress in the kingdom of Thailand, throwing people out of work and jeopardising the survival of thousands of businesses. Further note that economic experts and tourism authorities are desperately seeking ways to bring non-infected tourists to Thailand to inject needed cash into the economy.

You are advised to recognise that the 150,000 foreign nationals stranded in Thailand are decidedly free of Covid-19. Moreover, by necessity, they are undoubtedly spending large amounts of money here.

Taking these matters into consideration, you are hereby authorised to use a modicum of common sense and rescind your threats and intimidation against stranded tourists -- perhaps even taking measures to make them feel welcome and appreciated.

Let's move forward

Instead of blaming protests and protesters for possibly holding back the country, Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha would be better off finding himself a reputable finance minister if he really cares about the country moving forward. Given the poor economic situation, the general seems to be taking an unusually casual attitude about finding someone with a plan to solve our economic problems.

Perhaps that is because most qualified people realise the economic (and political) situation is hopeless while this government continues to stay in power.

Sad state of US

I see that under the Trump health plan -- letting people die -- 200,000 Americans have now died from Covid-19 and an estimated 2 million Americans will have to die before the US achieves Mr Trump's goal of herd immunity.

My condolences go to the United States.

Don't misquote me

Re: "Polio jab is available", (PostBag, Sept 21).

I never said that no one in Europe got the polio vaccine.

What I said was that "most" Europeans were not vaccinated and yet polio nearly vanished from Europe anyway.

In America the rate of polio went down just as rapidly among people who lived in states where most people were not vaccinated as it did in states where most people were inoculated.

Plaque rage

Sirinya Wattanasukchai asked in her Sept 23 commentary, "Can one little plaque do that much 'damage?'"

Best ask the person who was enraged enough about the existence of the original one to have it secretly removed.