Hail the brave doctors
Re: "Thaksin's troubles", (Editorial, May 10).
The editorial brings new revelations in Thaksin Shinawatra's "14th floor" saga. We have been in a cuckoo land of legal manoeuvres of this type since Thaksin Shinawatra's return on Aug 22, 2023.
It was only possible for him to avoid serving time behind bars if there were doctors diagnosing him as needing hospital care. After investigating, Medical Council of Thailand (MCT) board decided on May 8 that two doctors unprofessionally facilitated the transfer from prison and deserved to be suspended; one other was given a warning.
The board under vice president Dr Prasit Watanapa made the announcement. When asked how big the majority was, he responded with glee that it was very big. The board comprised of 70 leading doctors in Thailand.
Thank you to all those doctors, you have not let us down! No wonder our healthcare worldwide has been voted as among the tops.
So how's TDAC going?
Re: "All foreigners must file digital arrival card", (BP, April 20).
Well, folks, it's been almost a week since the new Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system was implemented for all inbound travellers who do not hold Thai passports.
On public bus No 504, an announcement on video loop advises everyone coming to Thailand to fill out the form online. What effect this had on a busload of cranky passengers sitting in traffic on their way to Ratchaprasong is beyond me. Especially since the entire video, repeated endlessly, was in English.
Anyway, I would be curious as to how this is working out at the major entry points. Since the PR blitz promised to expedite entry and catch criminals, you might think that someone would consider sending a team to Old Swampy to check it out. It would probably make more interesting reading than the casino push and the self-destruction of major construction projects all over Bangkok.
Book ban misplaced
Re: "The perils of censorship", (Editorial, Sept 18, 2024).
The Internal Security Operations Command's attempt to suspend a book by Chulalongkorn University professor Puangthong Pawakapan is misplaced and hampers political awareness vital to a vibrant democracy.
Dr Puangthong's book, recognised as one of the best books of 2022 by the prestigious Foreign Affairs magazine, argues that our military used infiltration to indoctrinate us and maintain its preferred political order.
Isoc does not argue the professor is inaccurate or that she obtained her information illegally. Rather, Isoc claims her research methodology and quality are lacking; if so, Isoc should debate Dr Puangthong and show what she should have done and what conclusions she would have reached by so doing.
Isoc's attempted suspension makes it appear as if Isoc is hiding something from us that we should know to protect ourselves. Isoc should heed our National Human Rights Commission's reminder that our constitution and Higher Education Act guarantee academic freedom, including research.
Oh, for a quiet street
Re: "BMA to plant 1m trees in eastern suburbs", (BP, March 18).
Bangkok is a thrilling city to visit, but it is not yet a truly liveable city, and this is a major problem. "We must improve the quality of life and the quality of the city," Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt said recently as he announced his latest plan to improve the city's environment. But once again, he did not address the one thing that will forever prevent his vision from unfolding: noise pollution.
Indeed, noise pollution is as detrimental to health and wellbeing as all the other forms of pollution we suffer here.
Somehow, this pollution rarely gets attention from policymakers. In some ways it is even worse as we are forced to accept it into our daily lives because the authorities, including the governor, continue to ignore it. Liveability means more than just pretty places for tourists!
As has been stated previously, the three major sources of noise in Bangkok's public areas are motorcycles, howling dogs and security guards with whistles. All of these are easy to resolve, and doing so would have an immediate, positive impact on the quality of life of all residents. Furthermore, all are within the power of the governor to address.
Governor Chadchart, if you do not address noise pollution as one of your first and highest priorities, your vision of Bangkok as a liveable city is doomed to failure before it even begins. I and many others would like to hear your thoughts on this subject.
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