OPINION

Political karma

Re: "A sad, vicious cycle," (Life, July 12). I read this article a few times and it is so true not only in Thailand but in almost every country. I don't see any people who enter politics really working for the good of their country and their people. Most of them work hard for their own benefit and for their own families and close friends only. It is really a sad, vicious cycle.

In Thailand where most people are Buddhists, few understand what karma is. All religions teaches us to do good. But when they realise on their deathbeds what wrongs they have done, it will be too late.

Re: "Ministry mulls jab export quota," (BP, July 15).

Even before Thailand's change of vaccine policy involving substituting Sinovac second shots with AstraZeneca, the Thai rollout was facing a serious shortfall of AstraZeneca shots of around 4-5 million a month, due to AstraZeneca's local production problems.

The new policy increases the shortfall further, even without taking into account that over six million Thais already fully vaccinated with Sinovac may push for boosters of another vaccine, as is now being offered to medical professionals, or even complete re-vaccination. It has been inevitable, ever since we learned of the production shortfall, that Thailand would have to put a quota on exports of AstraZeneca. Now it looks as if that quota will quickly trend towards zero. This is unfortunate for countries that ordered most of the local AstraZeneca production but no doubt those countries would not hesitate to do the same in a similar situation.

India, which initially did a commendable job in donating and offering vaccines to other countries at cost before its devastating second wave hit, had no qualms about imposing a total export ban. Canada was left in the lurch as a result, since it was unable to procure any more AstraZeneca vaccines for millions of second doses and had to resort to mix and match. The EU, US and China have also all imposed export bans either on finished vaccine products or components at one time or another during this pandemic.

After a few years in which the government stopped lottery sellers from fleecing customers by overcharging and refusing to sell tickets at the correct price, it seems nearly impossible to buy the tickets at the normal rate.

The wholesalers sell to lower traders at face value, forcing them to sell on at 100 baht per ticket or more if you want to buy a set.

A person selling tickets can easily make 20,000 baht every two weeks just selling 1,000 over-priced tickets.

It's time for the government to bring these people back in line with the law.

Expat over 75? Get AstraZeneca vaccine now! No waiting, no registration, no appointment, no daily fight with the website fiasco in some private hospitals.

The Central Covid-19 Vaccination Centre at Bang Sue Grand Station is providing walk-in VIP priority to the elderly until July 18, no discrimination against foreigners (take your passport).

I went on Wednesday at 2pm, was in and out in one hour including a 30-minute observation period.

Took a Thai friend because the forms and everything were in Thai. Don't delay, do it today!