OPINION

Jab move 'baffling'

Re: "Thailand again defends decision not to join jab alliance", (BP, Feb 15).

Thailand's decision not to join the WHO-sponsored coronavirus vaccine programme (Covax) is baffling. The Covax scheme was established precisely to ensure that all countries have equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines at prices commensurate with their ability to pay. Perhaps Thailand knows something disadvantageous about the programme that the 190 other countries that have joined it have not yet realised?

Jet-setter US climate envoy John Kerry recently warned the world that there are only nine years left to prevent a climate catastrophe. "There's no faking it on this one," he said.

In 2006, Nobel Laureate Al Gore said global warming will destroy the planet in 10 years.

Writing about Obama's first term in 2009, The Observer commented: "Barack Obama has only four years to save the world. That is the stark assessment of Nasa scientist and leading climate expert Jim Hansen who last week warned only urgent action by the new president could halt the devastating climate change that now threatens Earth".

The New York Times said that "in the case of climate change, we're at a point where alarmism and catastrophic thinking are valuable".

Multiple climate experts, beginning with Andrew Dessler in 2011, predicted the US state of Texas would be extremely hot for the next century. Unfortunately, taking their advice, the politicians decided to deploy a "green" solution using lots of wind generators. Last week this decision killed many people and animals in Texas. They froze to death.

These politicians should have listened to the CIA, when they announced 45 years ago that "problems caused by global cooling would become the central issue of every government".

The Soi Dog Foundation has set up a clinic in Koh Samui to vaccinate and neuter stray dogs. It would be good to see some politicians and some blabber-mouthed others who spout their rhetoric without thinking, checking their facts, spreading utter nonsense, and more, face the same procedures. Well not neutering perhaps, but having their mouths sewn up for a few days. Give our ears a rest from spouting the same nonsense day in, day out. To put it bluntly, who gives a hoot?

In his Feb 20 letter, Crustasian complained about how difficult it is to use disabled toilets at service areas -- this is a problem which is ubiquitous.

Talking about disabled issues in Thailand, I'd like to mention the ridiculously steep wheelchair ramps at some establishments which require a wheelchair scooter equipped with a winch system to climb.

I might as well mention the reserved spots for wheelchairs on modern buses with straps to secure the wheelchairs. But how does a wheelchair get on the bus in the first place? I have no idea.

Re: "Thailand still tracking down Red Bull heir to press charges".

What a crock of unmitigated nonsense. Every Thai knows this. Thailand has tracked down murderers, drug kingpins, rapists, monks who swindle, but simply cannot track down the Red bull heir? I don't believe it. But I do believe a lot of "green" is certainly passing between itchy hands to make sure he is not "found". What we need is Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, Colombo, and a few other heroic, but unfortunately mythical detective figures.