OPINION

Prizes for letter writers

As the year limps to a close -- a year that most of us would prefer to forget -- I propose an idea that would enliven this column.

PostBag should hold a contest for "letter of the year -- the scribe of the year".

Prizes could be awarded in several categories: Longest letter, shortest letter, most inspiring letter, most boring letter, letter most likely to be ignored by the powers that be, most abusive letter and so on.

The categories could be determined by the sub-editors who preside over this column.

The prize for the longest letter would undoubtedly go to the spokesman for the Chinese embassy who penned a screed some time ago that went on for half a page. The prize for most prolific letter-writer would go to the ever-voluble Eric Bahrt, with Samanea Saman, Felix Qui, Kuldip Nagi, and David Brown hot on his heels.

Like most of my ideas, this one will probably be rejected by a cruel and insensitive world. Do the editors of the Post possess the originality, the imagination, and the pizzazz to pick it up and run with it?

Recovery on the way

Re: "No choice but to open the economy", (Opinion, Oct 14).

All good points made on predicting more economic doom, but for one noteworthy notation: the Thai SET stock market is trading near its all-time highest level.

Often, stock markets are a key gauge and leading future indicator of an anticipated recovery in the making.

Don't forget the elephants

Re: "Protecting the pachyderm", (Life, Aug 9).

Somewhere, buried in the back pages, is a small article that describes the plight of Thai elephants. Sadly, these giant icons of this wonderful country are crying out for help.

I can say that there are thousands of people who would assist. But so far it seems there is no one they can trust or rely upon. Sure, there are places and countries that are in dire need. But somehow that old saying "You can judge a country by the way it treats its animals", keeps nagging at me.

No time to discriminate

Re: "Blood compromise", (PostBag, Oct 13).

As I noted in my letter, despite the lie that gay men are being discriminated against, high-risk heterosexuals such as intravenous drug users are also asked to not donate blood.

There was a time (I don't know if the rule changed) when even a man who went to a female prostitute in the past 12 months was told to not donate blood.

Because of the risk of false negatives, testing alone is not enough. Questionnaires where they ask people about their lifestyles are essential for maintaining a safe blood bank. And the evidence shows that most people -- gay or straight -- are decent enough to answer the questions truthfully.

Is priority baht or health?

Re: "Reopening risks", (BP, Oct 13).

"TAT is now specifying which countries should be included in the list of low Covid-19 risk nations."

So, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is making public health decisions. Says it all really.

Simplicity becomes complex

Can this government make anything simple? I have no objection to the [vaccination] passport, but again they have made things too complicated.

First you receive your vaccination at a hospital or clinic.

After your second shot you are given a certificate to say what vaccines you received and on what dates you received them.

My question is, why do they not provide the passport on the same day as the certification with all the details: your name ID or passport number and nationality.

They make so complicated that if you live outside Bangkok you must travel to the four centres that can only issue this vaccine passport.

First you have to book an appointment then bring copies of all your documents and a copy of your flight tickets.

They could have made this so simple but they couldn't even get this right.

What if a person has to leave the country urgently if a family member is sick?

Two plus two does not make five. Please stop this unnecessary hassle.

Are we really ready?

Re: "Kingdom 'ready' for reopening", (BP, Oct 15).

I hate to be the turd in the punchbowl, but as Yogi Berra wisely reminds us, it ain't over until it's over.