OPINION

Unethical reporting

Re: "Thailand's first case of monkeypox goes missing," (BP, July 23) & "Monkeypox 'not a global emergency'," (BP, June 27).

The article "Thailand's First Case of Monkeypox Goes Missing" is an injustice with regards to medical privacy. Plastering the man's name in public along with his personal information is an assault.

When you also consider that doctors are often wrong in their diagnosis and a prudent person should always seek a second opinion if the findings are serious, then one medical opinion should not be shared until there is corroboration from an independent source.

To denigrate the man, it was said he engaged in "unsafe sex". If your name was plastered in a public forum and connected to a fearful disease such as monkeypox, would you not want to hide or evade social scrutiny? What other response should be respected?

Re: "No better, No worse," (PostBag, July 23).

Felix makes excellent points in his letter. Prostitution, sex, gambling, drinking and other vices are older than any religion or other institution on this planet. The biggest hypocrisy is that outside its borders, Thailand is known as a popular destination for indulging in these vices.

There is another strange social anomaly in Thailand. Polygamy is not seen as a vice or considered immoral, sinful, criminal, degrading or a sign of deviant behaviour.

Until the end of the last century, Amsterdam, London and Paris were famous for their red-light districts. Those with money would travel there for some fun and frolicking. In the past two decades, Thailand has replaced them as a place for cheap thrills.

It is no accident the Bollywood biopic Gangubai Kathiawadi has inspired oppressed sex workers in Thailand. This movie touches on the fabric of our society where hollow morals are used by the religious mafia, priests, pundits, police and politicians to subjugate people.

Thailand must follow the Singapore model, where Lee Kuan Yew allowed prostitution like any other profession. We all know that criminalising consensual sex only leads to illegal drugs, gambling, money laundering and many other crimes. Only good policies with checks and balances should go ahead. Criminalising human vices can go only so far. Felix, please note that many foreign tourists flocking to Thailand are looking for their favourite Gangubai. Where there is a will, there is a way!

Re: "No Better, No Worse," (Postbag July 23).

Why does atheist fanatic Felix Qui always find an excuse to attack religion and pretend that religion is the reason prostitution is illegal?

A wide variety of people oppose legalised prostitution including many feminists (not known for being overly religious) and even some prostitutes themselves who for obvious reasons may prefer to work underground. Personally, for strictly secular reasons, I believe the arguments in favour of legalising prostitution are better than the arguments against it.