OPINION

Stalk in the parks

Re: "Violence hampers Unesco park quest", (Opinion, June 17).

I'm sure for many expats the plight of indigenous forest dwellers in Thailand's national parks is something of a mystery.

I had to study a map to, vaguely, discover where some of the disputed lands were located.

It is not easy to understand what lies behind labyrinthine forest affairs or state-sponsored policies of violence against the Karen, or why laws were passed in 2019 enabling forest authorities to further destroy their property.

In one's efforts to make sense of this murky business, what little I have gleaned is thanks to the dedicated research and reporting of Sanitsuda Ekachai.

It is reassuring that this senior Bangkok Post columnist recognises her role entails more than rearranging pro-China hand-outs or acting as a state sycophant in defence of the regime's persecution of members of the pro-Democracy movement.

Incentive to get jab

Re: "Too much testing", (PostBag, June 15).

Phil Cox is on the right track in suggesting the way forward for international travel is proof of vaccination against Covid-19 rather than multiple testing. There is a long history of vaccination requirements in affected countries against yellow fever, polio, smallpox, meningococcal meningitis and others. It has always been a rather simple proposition: if you want to travel to affected countries, you get the required immunisations.

Although the ongoing shortage of vaccines precludes implementing strict vaccine requirements immediately, in the long run this is the only pragmatic way to re-open global travel and tourism. One immediate measure that should be taken is the elimination of quarantine and testing requirements for all travellers entering a country who have verifiable proof of vaccination. This would be an incentive for people to get vaccinated.

Credit where it's due

On Monday, India vaccinated 8.5 million people, which is a world record. It's almost the whole population of Israel, more than Hong Kong and two times that of New Zealand's population. Credit must be given where it is due but the international press largely ignores such developments.

There is a lesson for Thailand, which like Japan, has been slow in vaccinating its population. People are sceptical about the vaccines available in the country, chiefly the Chinese one and AstraZeneca which are causing adverse reactions among some. Comparatively, India's Covaxin, produced by Bharat Biotech, and Russia's Sputnik appear to be safe though they are not approved by the local health authorities. I suggest that Thailand import those cheaper and safer vaccines so that things become normal.

It's a mad world

Re: "Nobody suitable to be PM, Prayut second choice: poll", (Online, June 20).

When I blearily collect my Bangkok Post early each morning and scan the headlines, the following quote from Alice in Wonderland often comes to mind: "Why, sometimes I've believed almost six impossible things before breakfast."

Nothing will change

Re: "Bizarre booze rules", (PostBag, June 22).

Sorry, Ray Ban. Four years in Thailand is not long enough to understand the bizarre rules here. After 34 years I still don't understand them and doubt I ever will. I sometimes think they are introduced by someone who has nothing better to do than to think up something to upset his fellow citizens.

Generally using some archaic medieval reason for doing so. Until this country is governed by free-thinking people nothing will change.