OPINION

Article on particles

Re: "Change is in the air", (BP, Feb 10).

Thanks to Pattarawadee Saengmanee for compiling a very informative article that pulls together useful past research on PM2.5 sources and some possible actions to address the scourge of filthy air in Thailand. Unfortunately, aside from the prospect of ethnic Chinese curtailing the burning of paper and incense during the Lunar New Year, most of the examples of actions to reduce PM2.5 pollution come from other countries, not from Thailand.

In this sense, the title of the article and the story's subtitle bely reality. The people of Thailand are increasingly unhappy with the PM2.5 nightmare but there is precious little to indicate that real "change is in the air". The proven, albeit difficult, approaches implemented in other countries should be applied urgently in Thailand, instead of merely waiting for changing wind patterns to temporarily clear away the pollution.

Disastrous delay

The Thai government deserves a thumbs-up for containing the initial Covid-19 outbreak. This was a major success and should have allowed for the country to launch mass vaccinations late last year that would have allowed us to open up our borders mid-year. Like China, our economy would have started growing again. A world-class success!

This makes the government's flawed vaccine policy all the more infuriating. Fallacy number one is that Thailand has few cases, so we are in no rush to vaccinate. The recent outbreak shows that high levels of infection can spread very quickly. Also, the refusal to join Covax, which 93% of the world's population have done, undermines the fact that no one is safe until we are all safe. If Covid-19 is allowed to thrive anywhere in the world then we will all face more virulent mutated strains.

Also, the excuse of cost is nonsensical at something over 300 baht per shot. Apart from risking lives by delaying, the cost of destroying the economy is far greater. The argument that Covax is uncertain as to when vaccines will be received is also weak, since meaningful vaccinations are not due to start for months anyway. Until there is mass vaccination it is obvious that even vaccinated visitors will not be allowed to avoid quarantine and our isolation will continue for at least another year. The only way to get millions of unemployed working and alleviate poverty is to have a majority of the population vaccinated urgently. Starting significant vaccinations mid-year is a disaster.

Beyond generous

Re: "Daughter returns 'heirlooms' to former home", (Spotlight, Feb 14).

It was doubly gratifying to read of all the collection belonging to the late Douglas Latchford worth more than US$50 million being passed on to his daughter, Ms Nawapan Kriangsak, and being returned by the lady to Cambodia. The 125 artefacts will be returned and kept at "The Latchford Collection" in Cambodia, the country of origin.

Cambodia's Minister of Culture and Fine Arts expressed that happiness was not enough to describe her emotions. In an obituary in The New York Times on Aug 27, 2020, it was quoted that some of Mr Latchford's collection of Khmer relics were far superior to even those on display in Cambodia's museums.

The part that imprinted most on one's mind was the lady's difficult decision to come to a decision of giving all her possessions, instead of just a part of the collection. It was her Buddhist beliefs that prompted her to give all. Bless her for being so generous and righteous in her life and the late Mr Latchford for the love of Khmer antiquity which was temporarily cared for by him! Finally, they all go back to the rightful owner!