Let hospital do job

Re: "GPO sues THG chairman over Moderna vaccine comments," (Online, July 14).

Private hospitals should be allowed to import the mRNA vaccines from J&J, Moderna, and Pfizer without interference from the proven incompetent (and dishonest) Thai government.

Of course, so typical, the GPO's pathetic reaction is to file a defamation lawsuit.

With no testing and fake numbers, in 2020, Thailand initially and inexplicably claimed to be virtually immune from the virus and a model for the rest of the world. The truth eventually came out. Of course, in backwards Thailand, no one has faced the music for this.

The United States, which Thailand previously claimed to be so much better than, has vaccinated 56% of the population with mRNA vaccines available for free everywhere whereas in Thailand the proportion is only 9%.

The Thai government has to get out of the lucrative business of controlling pharmaceutical imports and let the private hospitals import whatever they want. There is a surplus of Moderna and Pfizer in the US and by now Thailand should be fully vaccinated. Instead, Covid-19 is worse than almost anywhere.

It never gets better here.

THE KNOWLEDGE
Be prudent on jabs

Re: "Vaccine policy switch leaves health services confused," (BP, July 14).

As someone who has sustained vaccine-related injuries firsthand, and having previously read the WHO's warning about the as yet largely unknown risks of mixing Covid vaccines, I must say that I understand the prime minister's caution in holding off on mixing two different vaccines which bear structural differences. All the Covid vaccines have a certain element of risk, and we are only starting to learn how each one behaves in the real world, so mixing vaccines should be approached with great caution and I understand his decision.

However, the medical sector needs clear and reliable instructions from the government as to what the national policy will reliably be. I commend the prime minister for what many people, injured from vaccines, would view as a prudent decision, and I think it is wise to acquire much more research on the matter before broadly deploying such a step, but it is clear that Thailand's policy makers need to become much more organised about how and when they announce public health policy.

Jason A Jellison
No to fossil fuels

Re: "Thailand's key role in tackling climate emergency," (Opinion, June 6).

Less than a year after Thailand experienced its worst drought in 40 years, forest fires wreaked havoc in Chiang Mai for the third consecutive year in 2021, contributing to toxic air quality. This is not a coincidence -- increased fires are just one example of how climate change is already impacting Thai people. In fact, Thailand is among the 10 countries most impacted by extreme weather events linked to climate change. We see the impacts here and around the world. In the Maldives, climate change represents an existential threat to the country; its impacts are already being felt across all economic and social sectors, but a sea level rise of even one metre would cause the loss of its entire land area. Every country has an important role to play in this at the global level. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says we have only until 2030 to cut global greenhouse gas emissions by 45-50% and so limit global warming to 1.5C.

I would like to point out that the theory of anthropogenic global warming and climate change states that this situation is a creation of the Industrial Revolution, done wrong by the Global North because of their use of fossil fuels and that the solution to this problem is to rewind and do the Industrial Revolution correctly by using renewable energy instead of fossil fuels.

There is no role for Thailand in this equation. We did not do the Industrial Revolution. Our role in this affair is that of a victim of the Industrial Revolution done wrong by the Global North. We have no role in the "rewind and do the industrial revolution correctly" argument.

Climate change is framed as a global issue such that the whole world must cooperate and participate in the essential matter of reducing global fossil fuel emissions to zero, by going against fossil fuel.

CHAAM JAMAL
S African warning

Re: "Troops to help quash riots in S Africa," (BP, July 16).

What is happening in South Africa is a dire warning of what happens when a country is led by a corrupt and inept government. When a population sees those who are meant to lead them enriching themselves and leaving its citizens in poverty and lacking in facilities which should be expected as a right, it doesn't take much to light the fuse of discontent and rebellion.

RON MARTIN
Come clean on AZ

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

I agreed with Prayut /Anutin's plan to set up our own AZ production line to be assured of having vaccines as and when needed, as Prayut/Anutin insisted was the case. When opposition leader Thanathorn proposed diversifying sources to spread the risk, Prayut lambasted him and ordered him slapped with the dreaded lese majeste charge.

And now, we're told that how much we get is up to the manufacturer? Worse, the delivery month is up to them, not mutually agreed upon. So now, when we need more, we don't get it -- but at year-end, when there should be a supply glut worldwide, we'll get what we no longer need? But the maker's contacts for export nations specify exact delivery months -- unlike ours?

Who approved our contract : Prayut, as head of our anti-Covid team? If so, face the nation, sir, come clean, krab -- and resign. If not you, then fire those who signed without your consent.

BURIN KANTABUTRA
Vaccine quandary

Re: "Delta curbs cloud European recovery outlook," (Opinion, July 15).

A few months ago, doctors and officials of the Thai government assured the population that the global vaccine market -- which was under the dictates of vaccine manufacturers at that time -- would soon ease up and become a buyer's market. Therefore, we shouldn't rush and go on a shopping spree.

According to them, we Thais would enjoy abundant and cheaper vaccines pretty soon and for sure.

Now, since more and more countries in the world are facing rising infection rates driven by the fast-spreading Delta variant -- and vaccine demand is becoming ever higher -- what should we do, dear government?

VINT CHAVALA
A duty of care

Twenty-six years ago I was invited by your government after a request to my government, to assist the Port Authority of Thailand in their programme to modernise Bangkok port by preparing two single container terminals I had planned to efficiently handle containers with modern equipment aided by modern computer programmes. It was a successful mission thanks to the decisiveness of the management and the enthusiasm of PAT workers and officers who wanted Klong Toey to do better.

Now 26 years later and well over 80. I am still in Thailand, until this year rather happily, but then Covid emerged and for some reason Thailand had not prepared itself to fight this pandemic, not economically and not in the public health sector. The greatest failure is the vaccination, sorry I cannot add plan as there doesn't seem to be one, bizarre for a military-led government.

I have tried all ways to receive a vaccine, first private hospitals, not wanting to intrude on arrangements for Thais, then on websites that were offered by the government that either did not work or flatly refused foreigners.

I am at a loss and at risk of catching the virus with the half measures that are being taken to restrict transmission. As a senior citizen with underlying risk factors I would not stand a chance of survival if ever I caught the virus which seems to be becoming more and more probable.

Maybe it's me getting old fashioned in my thinking but I feel you have a responsibility for my wellbeing in these exceptional times when you refuse to provide the medicine that you have and that I need, thus putting someone you officially invited at such a risk it could cost his life.

HARRY KLONGTOEY
Spelling advice

Re: "Curbs on highway use during curfew," (BP, July 12).

I would like to quote almost the entire first paragraph of the referred news article:

"The Department of Highways (DoH) will restrict the use of Motorway No 7 (Bangkok-Chon Buri-Pattaya-Map Ta Phut) and Motorway No 9 (Bang Pa-in-Bang Phli and Phra Phradaeng-Bang Khuntian Interchange) between 9pm and 4am until July 25."

I vaguely remember having seen a comment in the PostBag similar to what I am going to say here, but it has been long ago; perhaps up to 20 years ago, so I believe it is a proper time to make this reminder.

I would say it is fortunate not to see "Phattaya" in place of "Pattaya" (ha!). Why would you write "Phut" for "Map Ta Phut", "Phli" for "Bang Phli", and "Phra" for "Phra Phradaeng" when the "P" sounds in the three cases are exactly the same as the P sound in Pattaya?

Worse than that, the "P" sound in "Phradaeng" is a heavy sound similar to the "P" sound in "Pa-in". It is outrageous to see is written that way instead of "Pradaeng". (Note that there is an irrational practice by many Thais to put "h" after "p" with a belief that it would soften the "p" pronunciation.)

Therefore, the paragraph would look better this way:

"The Department of Highways (DoH) will restrict the use of Motorway No 7 (Bangkok-Chon Buri-Pattaya-Map Ta Put) and Motorway No 9 (Bang Pa-in-Bang Pli and Pra Pradaeng-Bang Khuntian Interchange) …"

If you say you follow the rules or the guidelines set forth by the Royal Institute, I will suggest that you have to choose between being pragmatic and dogmatic.

Note that I should not put "h" in my name either, ha ha.

THANIN BUMRUNGSAP
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