OPINION

Sandbox saga

Re: "Two more visitors test positive for virus in Phuket", (BP, July 12).

I note that tourists on the Phuket Sandbox scheme are transferred to a quarantine hotel at their own expense, even when the tourist passed the test, but just one other person on the plane fails a PCR test. This is unreasonable and I don't recall this being explained in all the Sandbox promotional material.

Also, if this is how Thailand treats sandbox visitors, word will spread and other tourists will avoid such schemes. The Thai authorities need to treat people fairly if operating such schemes, otherwise people will stay away.

Thailand should find more reasonable ways to deal with these cases. For example daily testing, paid for by the Thai government, as now is the time to help Phuket and to maintain the trust of tourists. Over the long term, the government will recover the money from taxes paid by tourists.

Diversify wisely

Re: "Thais flock to purchase foreign securities", (Business, July 12).

While it may be wise for some investors to diversify around the world, one should note that the SET/MAI has a number of successful export-oriented companies, some of which derive 90% or more of their total revenues from exports to resurgent Western markets. Hence, Thai companies will benefit from stronger recovering developed markets abroad and/or a weaker baht. Many also pay attractive cash dividends well more than savings accounts in local banks. This versus most foreign shares which hardly pay any dividends (or far less) and may require a capital gains tax here, versus Thai stocks which do not.

Anti-Indian racism

Racism towards Indians keeps on popping up in Thai media time and time again. A leading Thai news anchorman explained the different type of Covid-19 and the rising infections with the Delta variant in Bangkok as a cause of concern given its faster transmission rate. However, he repeated that the Delta variant originated in India and it's like an old Thai saying -- "If you see an Indian and a snake, hit the Indian first before hitting the snake" in Thai.

During late May 2021, a new variant emerged in the UK dubbed as the "Thai variant" and many Thais disapproved of labelling it the Thai variant due to fears of discrimination. Following the complaint, the World Health Organization stepped up to announce a simple, easy way to label SARS-CoV-2 using the letters of the Greek alphabet. The main purpose is to prevent stigma and discrimination towards anyone.

Indians have been living in harmony in the Kingdom of Thailand for centuries and Thai Indians play an integral part in Thai society. Back in 2016, a leading publisher in Thailand ran a headline "Time to sort out Khaek Kai Tua (Indians selling nuts)" using the local term to describe Indians as Khaek. Many Indians, myself included, do not like this term, despite being born in this country. Hearing this term makes one feel like an outsider or an outcast.

Education is the key to change, and I believe journalism plays an important role in helping make change in our society. I believe the Bangkok Post has continued to be mindful and respectful towards people of different ethnic groups living in this great nation and it would be time to continue and educate the masses about such sensitive issues.