OPINION

Chronic cronyism

Re: "Senators hiring kin deemed 'legal'," (BP, June 21).

He might well be right about the strict legality according to Thai law made up for that purpose. In his glorious defence of traditional, systemic Thai nepotism, however, Senate Speaker (who else?) Pornpetch Wichitcholchai goes much further, insisting that "if hiring cousins broke no law, it would also not violate moral ethics".

How, after all, could anything that strictly follows a law created with the intent to pervert justice be less than morally perfect? This is regrettable because it publicly exposes the moral values of such model Thais in all of its ethically stunted reality.

Re: "India and Asean at 30: What's up?," (Opinion, June 21).

Nothing is up or will go up, Mr Kavi. Asean and India will remain far apart. Asean is already in China's lap for apparent reasons. The region is ruled by coup makers, dictators, dynasties and despots.

Yes, China has proceeded with strengthening and deepening relentlessly, making its ties with Asean one of the most dynamic of all dialogue partners. But you fail to mention that China's Belt and Road ties have been disastrous for Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Myanmar is another example of the combined failure of Asean, India and China.

I do not think New Delhi is keen or interested that its historical and cultural ties and values should win hearts and minds in the region. India remains in turmoil and is always busy dealing with its chaotic democracy and economic issues.

On the other hand, for Asean, promoting democracy and human rights is also not a core value or an important issue; stability by suppression is the norm. Just trade is good enough. Maybe, that is what India should focus on.

Re: "Antibody mix earns top bill," (BP, June 22).

Thailand has banned the use of ivermectin, like 55% of other nations significantly affected by Covid-19.

Let's examine the statistics.

The rate of death from Covid in the UK per million people is 1,438, in the US, 1,293, and in Germany, 636.

These nations have banned the use of ivermectin in favour of Remdesivir, hazardous intubation and ventilators, and other expensive treatment protocols which are extremely profitable for the pharmaceutical–allopathic medicine cartels.

Now let's contrast these dismal results with those of the populous but poor nation of Bangladesh, which allows ivermectin treatment. Bangladesh began using ivermectin in June, 2020 and has a mere 49 deaths per million people from Covid.

These numbers say everything about government priorities. You, dear citizen, as much as you may contribute to the GDP, as much as your life is worth, are not even a blip on the radar of those who run the show.

This is the reason to embrace and re-establish true democracy, so that you can reclaim that which has been stolen from you, your right to life.

Re: "Historic vote sparks debate," (BP, June 21).

I fully agree with the swimming governing body Fina excluding transgender athletes from women's races. It is about time the transgender people realised that they should not literally "muscle in" on women's competitions.

Nobody is stopping them transforming from men to women, nobody is stopping them from competing, but it must be done in a fair manner, as Husain Al-Mussalam, the president of Fina says.

Well done, Fina!