OPINION

Jail holiday for Sira?

Re: "Protest leaders held 'in 5-star' luxury", (BP, April 1).

Since MP Sira Jenjaka assesses the treatment of protest leaders in detention at Bangkok Remand Prison to be on a par with staying at a five-star hotel, perhaps Mr Sira should consider booking a stay at the prison for himself, family and friends for an upcoming holiday. Aside from enjoying the luxurious rooms and surroundings, and the undoubtedly scrumptious cuisine, a few days of relaxation at the five-star facility may help Mr Sira gain a deeper appreciation of how protesters should be treated.

Re: "Bidenomics is as American as apple pie", (Opinion, April 4).

Since Republicans are out of power, they will use their usual hollow rhetoric calling any progressive agenda as bad for the country. The usual rants of the budget deficit, tax and spend government, socialist and leftist spending spree will be on display. The only way to thwart their opposition to Mr Biden's plan is to rid them of a few more seats in the House and the Senate.

Well, the fact is that many interstate highways, airports, and American neighbourhoods look worse than what we see in many Asian countries. Developing countries have done a much better job of improving their infrastructure and economies.

In the past few decades, homelessness and poverty have drastically increased in the USA. Some cities look worse than those in Africa and some parts of Asia. The Republicans obstructing Mr Biden's plan just need to get out and see the progress being made in some of the Asian countries.

There is some hope that the Biden administration will continue to pursue a progressive agenda focused on improving infrastructure, immigration, job creation, poverty reduction, and the environment. Having gone through the past four years of the darkest period in American history people will surely support initiatives that will make the country stronger, progressive, and more attractive for foreign investment.

In spite of detractional views on the recent overture by the Thai government to "lure wealthy foreigners", there is indeed scope for new investors to come to Thailand and to leverage on its vast "greenfields scope" for fruitful returns on investments.

Investing in Thailand is not for the weak-hearted nor for the "talk only, no action" type of investors. Besides, with provisions of the Thailand Board of Investment and the sage advice of the Thai and international chambers of commerce, international businesses are stable and lucrative.

If the success of some of the top global corporations in Thailand for over a century and in the recent past is anything to go by, Thailand offers the best bet for the climate of investments, the availability of well-disciplined labour and geographic proximity to some of the world's most exciting business locations and destinations. The stability of Thailand's government and economic system offer ideal returns on investments and freedoms to diversify business portfolios. There is also the encouraging attitude of the Thai government to live and let live.

Any one pointing to the laxities in the Thai economy and bureaucracy might as well look into their own backyards and take stock of how and where they need to measure up to inadequacies and pitfalls that haunt their own systems.

Thailand is the right place to invest, and will emerge as one of the best bets in Asia and globally as the Covid scare eases off.