OPINION

The most natural of acts

Re: "Green light the red light", (Editorial, Oct 1).

Why does the issue of sex cause so much turmoil and consternation for the conservative mindset? After all, it is the most natural act after eating and everyone is here as a direct result of sexual acts.

Why can a person watching a movie where people are killed by the 100s be accepted and yet someone like Miss Rotten Egg, who posts herself making love, be deemed obscene?

Then the idea of prostitution, the consensual selling of one's body for sexual services, generates a fervour of restrictions by the conservative elite. Why? Everyone practices prostitution when they work. They "sell" their body and time just like a sex worker.

There is no difference other than the product or service. Plenty of places around the world from the Netherlands to New Zealand recognise this and have legalised sex work. This generates tax revenue for the government and protections for the workers. Time to get with the programme and capitalise on one of the most basic instincts of humanity.

Post-Covid policymaking

Re: "Transparency essential for reopening", (Opinion, Oct 1).

In every country, the flip-flop on dealing with the Covid crisis is mainly caused by the complexity of political and public health issues.

But whenever the word "reopening Thailand" is used, it implies the country should do everything to welcome foreigners with open arms.

In spite of the excellent medical facilities, the lack of coherent policies, vaccine procurement delays, and poor transparency have hampered the economic recovery. Thais living outside the bigger cities are still waiting for vaccinations.

The time has come for Thailand to adopt a new model of human resource development which does not excessively rely on beaches, massage parlors, and beer bars.

Economic reforms must go hand in hand with education reforms. The post-Covid era will require leaders and policymakers to have a new vision that focuses on public health policies, cutting-edge industries, and a highly educated and skilled workforce.

Vaccines a proven science

Re: "Decisive action vital", (PostBag, Sept 27).

As I've promised not to engage with Eric Bahrt again, largely on account of the fact i have precious little hair left to tear out, I'll deal with Michael Setter -- a proponent of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine to treat Covid-19.

He, however, chooses coyly on this occasion to refer to them as "harmless drugs that have been shown to be more effective than the vaccines".

This is just false. There is zero evidence that either drug is an effective prophylactic or treatment for Covid-19, and they are far from harmless.

Vaccines do work, both for Covid-19 in reducing serious illness and death, as well as historically in protecting from other diseases such as polio, smallpox, measles, mumps, whooping cough, typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, and so on.

The UK, much of Europe, and parts of the USA, are returning to normal precisely because of high vaccination rates.

Expats' bureaucratic burden

The 90-day reporting system is antiquated.

The government says the requirement is in place to protect foreigners from criminals. By way of analogy, the closest thing in other countries would be when criminals are released from prison.

They are required to check in with their probation officers much like foreigners in Thailand with visas and/or work permits having to check in every 90 days.

It is a total waste of time, but we all know that the 90-day report is in place to fine those not checking in on time.

Also, for foreigners with proper visas, we are also required to keep up-to-date a TM 30. This is another antiquated law!

When it was reinforced during the Big Joke era, landlords were supposed to be fined 2,000 baht for not completing the paperwork.

Immigration figured out the Thai owners were not going to do the paperwork or pay the fine. Answer, charge foreigners 800 baht for each instance of not completing the paperwork!

In addition, foreigners are required to have physicals to get a work permit and additional annual physicals to renew work permits.

Why is this required for only foreigners?

Locals are not required to do this to keep their positions of employment.

Now, they are trying to woo foreigners that are wealthy here to stimulate the economy. Foreigners that are living here are already helping stimulate the economy. A lot of us spend more than the tourists do!!

With all of this, I own my own condo, have a yellow book and a pink Thai ID card. By the way, I am still looking for options to move my family to another country!