Incompatible views
Re: "Bill Gates as PM", (PostBag, July 8) and "Pita pleads for support ahead of crucial votes in parliament", (BP, July 9).
I did not attempt to discredit Khun Pita Limjaroenrat, as Michael Setter alleges. It is not necessary. For those with a mathematics problem, the MFP's 150 House seats are not a majority out of 500.
I do not support Mr Pita and his party for two main reasons. First, I am against their constant movement to undermine the monarchy. Second, I have been in opposition to the way that Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit -- who is the progenitor and indeed de facto leader -- and of the MFP's advocates and supporters, cheering the US-sponsored student riots similar to the Hong Kong model.
Reuters and Forbes carried the news a few days ago projecting Mr Pita in the way as if he is the undisputed new PM of Thailand. Like many mainstream media in the West, including Bangkok-based BP, the motives are understandable -- they are beating the drum for Mr Pita prior to the selection of the PM in parliament set for July 13. And many readers, like Michael Setter, see Mr Pita and the MFP as God-sent angels to deliver democracy to Thailand.
In a week, Mr Pita will know his fate. If his chance of becoming PM is so high, as the BP editor and many others are echoing, why does he need to call his followers to show up at CentralWorld for support?
Yingwai Suchaovanich
Flights out of reach
Re: "Japanese visitors unlikely to hit TAT target", (Business, July 10).
According to this news, Thailand is unlikely to get even 850,000 Japanese visitors this year, which is less than half of the 2019 figure. The main reasons given are an unfavourable yen currency for Japanese tourists and expensive airfares.
I would say the latter is the reason why tourists from many countries base their decisions.
The bottom line is that airfares have not returned to pre-Covid levels. They were ridiculously overpriced just after the pandemic and remain high now.
Paul
Wild speculation
Re: "Pita's PM hopes hang on a miracle", (Opinion, July 10).
It would be rash to dispute the Bangkok Post's Veera Prateepchaikul when he says of the Thai people that "most are fed up with the current administration, led by the three 'Por' generals (Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prawit Wongsuwon and Anupong Paojinda, aka Pok), and want to see changes for the better".
But far less certain is his claim that: "It is doubtful that many were aware of the essence of Move Forward Party's bill to amend the lese majeste law or Section 112 of the Criminal Code."
On the contrary, many might have voted for Move Forward precisely because the party's policies tower above all others in demonstrating the party's loyalty to democratic principles.
In terms of the party's lese majeste policy, Mr Veera does not know any more than I do whether Move Forward's proposed amendments of Section 112 play a role in the voters' decision towards the MFP.
It would be useful if Nida or some similar body conducted a series of polls to replace with precise percentages the traditional wild speculation on these issues, about which we are all equally guessing wishfully in ignorance.
Felix Qui
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