Leaving nation in peril
Re: "Furtive crossers", (BP, 21 Nov).
The hard won gains of Thais in significantly reducing Covid-19 infections are extremely fragile. Even high vaccination rates will be insufficient to prevent future Covid-19 infections fuelled by illegal immigration from Myanmar.
It is clear the proposed MoU system for legal imports of labour will do little to stem the flow of illegal immigrant labour.
The fact the government is only now working out how to revitalise the MoU system for labour immigration shows an inability to plan ahead to protect the nation, and a failure of leadership.
Little has been done to address to this beyond symbolic crackdowns, perhaps because of the "alleged involvement of state officials, police and military officers in human trafficking".
An effective multi-pronged response needs to involve a workable immigration system that is quicker and cheaper than illegal entry, very significant ramping up of border patrols using the huge human resources of the army and police, and a genuine crackdown on corrupt officials and human traffickers. How likely is this?
Concerned of Bangkok
Amnesty 'ouster' is absurd
Re: "Ex-red shirt boss seeks Amnesty ban", (BP, Nov 23).
Regarding Seksakol Atthawong, an assistant minister at the Prime Minister's Office, who is campaigning to expel Amnesty International from Thailand ... is he serious?
Does he realise that worldwide Amnesty International has over 10,000,000 members, and over 150,000 members just in Germany?
Does he have any idea of what Amnesty International's objectives are, or what they have accomplished?
Should he succeed in his endeavour I can guarantee that in the next national election the opposition candidates will get millions more votes.
Johnny Waters
A love-hate situation
Re: "Ex-red shirt boss seeks Amnesty ban", (BP, Nov 23).
How interesting that a former leading figure of the red shirts and government officials want Amnesty banned from Thailand. Amnesty exposes human rights abuses everywhere, whether they occur in America or China, Israel or Muslim countries and in Thailand. The fact that "everyone" hates Amnesty just shows what a great job they're doing!
Eric Bahrt
Let's hear it for Paddy
Re: ''The physician with music in his soul", (PostScript, Nov 21).
Roger Crutchley's piece was a moving tribute to Patrick Dickson, a foreigner or farang who embraced and severed Thailand with love.
There are many farangs like Patrick Dickson who deserve to be recognised by the Thai community for their contributions.
The contributions of Paddy are excellent examples of dedication to their adopted home. He not only embraced Thailand but also played an active and leading role in serving its people.
Many farang like Paddy have been engaging with local communities and actively supporting education, medical care, music, entertainment, and other business sectors. There is always a degree of risk to being a farang. But the policymakers are aware that there is a far greater risk in not recognising the contributions and sacrifices they make to bring great opportunities for their adopted families and the Thai people.
Kudos and salutations to Paddy!
Kuldeep Nagi
Worthless assets on the rise
Re: "Embrace adventure with care", (Business, Nov 22).
In reading about the brave new world of the digital universe, I really struggle to understand the concepts behind the buying and selling of virtual assets.
I conclude that buyers are essentially just purchasing tickets to play games, akin to buying the online versions of Boardwalk or Park Place in a virtual game of Monopoly.
Why would anyone pay good money for an imaginary asset? Wake up people; you're not buying anything real. Those who buy virtual land plots in Ekamai or elsewhere will never recover their "investment" unless they can find another sucker foolish enough to buy something of no intrinsic value.
It is highly likely that, sooner rather than later, the population of suckers willing to buy worthless "assets" will dry up and most investors will be left holding titles of no greater value than titles to the Brooklyn Bridge or swamp land in Florida.
Samanea Saman
Merger can hurt consumers
Re: "Merger rings alarm bell", (Editorial, Nov 26) and "Prayut talks 5G, AI with Huawei boss", (BP, Nov 26).
Allowing monopolistic practices like the merger of DTAC and True will harm the consumer by limiting diversity in the market.
This means pricing will be controlled and innovation will be stifled if the market becomes too insular for start-ups to enter.
Couple this with the government favouring Huawei for 5G and AI, and consumers are doubly in peril.
Huawei is accused by the US of "spying" on its users for the CCP. So, this arrangement will cost both money and freedom for netizens.
Darius Hober
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