OPINION

Phuket plan disaster

Re: "Phuket faces clinic bed shortage crisis," (BP, Sept 17).

How could it be possible that -- with assurances of strict controls on access to the island of Phuket, more than 70% of the population supposedly fully vaccinated, repeated intrusive testing and restrictions on the movement of all visitors -- the province is now facing a critical shortage of hospital beds? Somehow, Covid-19 has managed to sweep over the island like a tsunami.

Of course, the infections have not come from the fully vaccinated international visitors, but from unvaccinated individuals who managed to slip into Phuket from other parts of the country. Perhaps, trying to open up elite pockets of the country while the vast percentage of the kingdom's population is not yet vaccinated isn't such a workable idea after all.

Re: "Alcohol, cigar duty cuts dangled to lure foreigners," (BP, Sept 20).

As the government talks up its magnanimous proposal to halve the import duty on alcohol in what inevitably will be another "pie-in-the-sky" venture to attract foreign visitors to Thailand's shores, I trust that it will make sure foreigners are fully informed on how limited their opportunities will be to enjoy this benefit (if it ever comes to fruition).

Under Thailand's antiquated laws, alcohol sales are restricted to between 11am and 2pm, and again from 5pm to midnight.

Now the governor of Rayong has decreed that there will be no sales after 5pm, leaving the 11am to 2pm window the only opportunity.

So, welcome to Thailand foreign tourists, and enjoy your dry, albeit tax reduced, holiday.

Re: "We must end torture in all its forms," (Opinion, Sept 21).

In his opinion piece rightly emphasising the need for reform of traditional systems and mindsets in the Royal Thai Police, Kavi Chongkittavorn missed an opportunity to make a constructive suggestion to improve Thailand's ugly culture of impunity for those who commit violence against Thai citizens.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha could promptly end the culture of violence that imprisons people for the articulate, peaceful expression of views that some find offensive.

The prime minister should also move to have those undemocratic laws amended in line not only with democratic principles but with good morals. There is no justification whatsoever for the legalised injustice in which people are thrown into prison merely for stating opinions that are deemed to mock, criticise or offend some public figure or allegedly sacred institution. It flatly contradicts basic democratic principles. It is morally wrong.

Amid the rise of garbage from medical treatment during the Covid-19 pandemic, there should be good practices to dispose or recycle those vaccine bottles, needles and other less contaminated PPE after jabs. These practices must be made known. We need separate bins for infectious waste and pick-up services must be provided for communities.

The problem must be solved before it is too late.