Misused and poorly regulated Cannabis becomes a gateway drug The Southeast Asian Times, Thursday July 10, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Tuesday July 8, 2025

Re: "Liquor limits", in Bangkok Post, PostBag, Thursday July 3, 2025.
I read Felix Qui's passionate and poetically written defence of outright drug abuse.
Thailand's young already get hooked on cannabis and there is a weed shop on every corner of the block.
Under this law change, people now will invent any illness in the world to get a "traditional Thai doctor" as in, let me lie and self-report a fake illness to a make-believe doctor to get that magical weed drug and light up to giddy myself.
So I have something simple to say in response to drug supporter Felix Qui:
Misused and poorly regulated, cannabis becomes a gateway drug, and what comes next for those millions of new recreational "booze + weed" users, including those underage, is crack/cocaine and God only knows what synthetic drugs; and it will happen and their lives will be ruined.
Legalising weed for everyone resulted in a free-for-all which was a disaster for Thailand.
Thailand has walked into a massive drug crisis, the Thai public seems to want it undone, too late.
Other nations are tired of seeing their citizens as tourists in Thailand come back a weed-smoking mess.
So, either Thailand will reign in the "weed for everyone" policy enacted a few years ago, or face the unfolding consequences because responsible tourists are no longer arriving anyway and the sink rate on their arrival just increased.
Congratulations Mr Qui, you got what you wanted and the country is now a "narco nation" for the world to see.

Jason A Jellison,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Field Marshall Plaek didn't use culture to promote diversity But to enforce uniformity The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday July 9, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Tuesday July 8, 2025

Re: "Protecting culture is key", Bangkok Post Editorial, Saturday July 5, 2025 Referencing Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsongkram as a model for modern cultural policy is not a harmless historical aside it's a rhetorical short circuit with a political aftertaste.
Field Marshall Plaek didn't use culture to promote diversity, but to enforce uniformity.
His so-called "cultural mandates" were not preservation programmes but instruments of discipline: dress, language, behaviour all standardised, all subordinated to a nationalist ideal.
To romanticise this as "media savvy" is to ignore the authoritarian logic beneath it.
The real danger, however, lies not in the name of Field Marshall Plaek per se, but in how he is introduced: without context, without critique, as a casual footnote in a hymn to soft power.
But soft power that invokes strongmen forfeits its legitimacy.
When cultural policy begins to emulate authoritarian figures whether out of ignorance or intent memory turns to revision, and cultural policy becomes a project of control.
What's particularly troubling is that the article emphasises the commercial exploitation of culture while omitting its political instrumentalisation.
Culture here becomes a commodity, not an expression of social plurality.
Anyone who declares Field Marshall Palek as a role model while speaking of
"soft power" isn't promoting culture they're engaging in unaesthetic authoritarian politics dressed up as a creative economy.
Cultural policy begins with critical memory.
Those who replace it with nostalgic references to authoritarian modernisers are not preserving culture they're staging ideology.
And that, especially in an editorial, should not go unanswered.

Nang Tani,
Bangkok,
Thailand

The elder-care industry in Thailand needs help From the government and universities The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday July 8, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Thursday June 26, 2025

Re: "Policy for final days", Bangkok Post Editorial, Wednesday June 25, 2025.
This editorial's focus on paid leave for employees faced with the need to provide end-of-life care for family members glosses over the myriad regulatory problems this approach invites.
The writers acknowledge that "while certain elements of the proposal may remain debatable for example, how to ascertain that illnesses are terminal or how to define 'close ties' beyond immediate family for eligibility these can be further discussed."
While developed countries with seemingly infinite resources may have the option to provide 60 days paid leave for compassionate care, if one combines this policy with parental leave systems in the socialist EU and OECD nations, couples with large extended families could conceivably never have to go to work while getting paid to care for their family members year-round.
Obviously, from a practical viewpoint, the impact upon GDP and employers of similar policies would be catastrophic in Thailand.
The Western medical model of treating debilitating illness with multi-drug administration and expensive hospital visits exacerbates demands upon families for both time and resources.
Simply calling for more money to throw at this failed system does not cut to the root of the problem.
Just as public health care is subsidised in Thailand, end-of-life care needs to be regulated and subsidised at an institutional level.
The elder-care industry in Thailand needs help from the government and universities.
This policy will not shift professional workers from making important contributions to society to indeterminate occupations that do just the opposite.
End-of-life care is a professional occupation, best served by those who are trained and certified, just as hospital nurses are. The benefits of this approach are self-evident.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

Royal Thai Police aircraft crash Not caused by human error The Southeast Asian Times, Monday July 7, 2025 First Published in the Bangkok Post, Thursday June 26, 2025

Re: "'Graft to blame' for police air crashes", in Bangkok Post, Tuesday June 24, 2025.
We need Prime Minister Paetongtarn to cleanse our police force of its extensive corruption.
The Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand (ACT) says the two police aircraft crashes this year, which claimed six lives, weren't caused by human error but substandard maintenance due to corruption.
Agricultural Cooperative Thailand (ACT) president Mana Nimitmongkol claimed the Royal Thai Police (RTP) aircraft maintenance budget has been kept too low because boosting it would subject it to cabinet scrutiny.
He also claimed that up to 90 percent of maintenance work has to be subcontracted to third parties, with opaque contractor selection being controlled by senior police officers.
The result is that kickbacks have been common throughout the entire maintenance chain. Royal Thai Police (RTP) corruption keeps getting worse.
In October 2020, ex-graftbuster Vicha Mahakun's panel submitted its report on reforming the Royal Thai Police (RTP) andOffice of the Auditor General (OAG) to then-PM Prayut, who promptly buried it.
Last year, top Royal Thai Police (RTP) generals Big Joke and Big Tor accused each other of being on the take, claiming court-worthy evidence.
Then-PM Sreetha quickly whitewashed the matter. Prime Minister and Police Commissioner Paetongtarn, open the way for a clean Royal Thai Police (RTP) and Office of the Auditor General (OAG).
Send Khun Vicha's report to parliament for updating and implementation now.

Burin Kantabutra,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

 

 

The Pacific is not just a collection of scattered islands It is a strategic frontier for democracy, peace, cooperation The Southeast Asian Times, Sunday July 6, 2025 First published in the National Thursday June 26, 2025

In the ever-evolving global security landscape, the strategic importance of the Pacific cannot be overstated.
Democratic nations such as Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands, though small in size and defence capacity, occupy critical geostrategic positions.
As emerging threats from heavily militarised states – including authoritarian regimes in the Middle East, Russia, China, and North Korea – continue to grow, it is imperative for regional democratic powers such as Australia and New Zealand to deepen their defence collaborations with the United States (US).
Together, they can form a bulwark of stability by supporting the defence capabilities of smaller Pacific democracies to maintain balance, peace, and deterrence.
Over the past decade, authoritarian regimes have invested heavily in military modernisation.
Nations such as Iran, Pakistan and North Korea, often empowered by technological and political backing from Russia and China, have pushed for greater influence through both hard and soft power strategies.
The rapid buildup of arms and naval strength in these regions presents a risk of power projection into vulnerable areas, including the Pacific.
For small island nations with limited defence budgets and modest personnel, these shifts can translate into heightened exposure to coercion, illicit resource exploitation, or sovereignty challenges.
Australia and New Zealand share not only geographic proximity with these island nations but also longstanding diplomatic, cultural, and historical ties.
The US, with its global reach and security resources, is a natural partner in any Pacific defence initiative.
By forging structured defence partnerships – through military aid, joint training exercises, technology transfers, and infrastructure development – these democratic allies can enhance the resilience of Pacific nations against foreign encroachment.
Such collaboration would not constitute aggression but rather a proactive posture to ensure regional stability.
Investments in early warning systems, maritime patrol capabilities, cyber defence, and coast guard support could empower small nations to independently monitor and protect their own territories.
This strengthens deterrence while reinforcing democratic values and rule of law across the region.
While democracy and communism represent distinct ideological systems, a balanced coexistence grounded in mutual respect and strategic restraint is essential.
Neither system should dominate unchecked, as extreme imbalances often foster resentment, proxy conflicts, or arms races.
A multipolar world – where democratic coalitions act in concert not to dominate but to stabilise – can serve as a counterweight to unilateralism.
By supporting Pacific democracies, Australia, New Zealand, and the US would be preserving the autonomy and agency of smaller nations, rather than allowing them to become pawns in global power plays.
This strategy not only bolsters regional peace but also upholds a broader vision of global equilibrium between governance systems, reducing the potential for large-scale conflict.
The Pacific is not just a collection of scattered islands – it is a strategic frontier for democracy, peace, and cooperation.
If Australia and New Zealand, with US support, act decisively to empower their Pacific neighbours, they can nurture a resilient alliance that reflects shared values and mutual security.
In doing so, the Pacific can become a pillar of democratic stability, counterbalancing authoritarian influence and fostering a safer, more equitable international order.

Amos Kandato,
Wabag,
Papua New Guinea

Heavy reliance on Middle East oil imports Causes higher oil prices for Thailand The Southeast Asian Times, Saturday July 5 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Friday July 4, 2025

Re: "Adding fuel to the fire", in Bangkok Post Business, Monday June 30, 2025.
Thailand's heavy dependence on Middle Eastern oil is a serious issue.
Thailand should balance energy imports from multiple countries to prevent the impact of unpredictable geopolitical or political tensions, both now and in the future.
The heavy reliance on oil imports from the Middle East causes higher oil prices for Thailand, which worsens the economy both directly and indirectly.
For example, an easy and simple case: when oil prices increase to a high point, citizens will tighten their expenses in this area by going out less and staying home.
It makes the GDP worse.
No one goes out, no money flows into businesses, and the economy slows down due to reduced money circulation.

Hummingbird,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Thailand urgently needs science to be less political And health policy to be more scientific The Southeast Asian Times, Friday July 4, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Wednesday July 2, 2025

Re: "New weed stance misses the mark", Bangkok Post, Editorial, Sunday June 29, 2025.
The Post's editorial also misses the mark.
Thailand, like the rest of the world, urgently needs science to be less political and health policy to become more scientific.
In Thailand, there is effectively no independent laboratory safety testing of cannabis, food, alcohol except to collect tax on the alcohol content, tobacco, or consumer products such as cosmetics and household cleansers.
Without comprehensive testing, there is no practical basis for regulating these industries, and so the law is rendered useless for protecting people.
Tobacco is a highly lucrative government monopoly that causes death and disability.
On the way to their demise, smokers pour money into the pockets of hospitals and doctors for cancer cures that seldom work the cures that do work are illegal and painkillers that are addictive.
Alcohol kills, too, but a tax on alcohol fills government coffers, so let's encourage drunk drivers by not policing our roads.
Smoking cannabis is also obviously harmful, but don't look too closely because certain politicians garner votes from it.
Plastic is killing us, yet we only have nominal regulations limiting its use. Refined sugar and processed foods cause severe harm and retardation in our children, but hey, they're a sweet deal!
One could go on and on, but the point is obvious.
If wealthy people profit, we cannot stop them under our corrupt system of government.
The protesters are right change is urgently needed!

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Thailand PM's phone call to Cambodia PM Shows need for much more thorough vetting The Southeast Asian Times, Thursday July 3, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Friday June 27, 2025

Re: "PM's rookie moves", Bangkok Post PostBag, Friday June 25, 2025
PM Paetongtarn's controversial phone call to Cambodia's Hun Sen dramatically shows the need for much more thorough vetting of cabinet candidates.
Such screening should be public to increase our government's credibility.
For example, does the candidate have sufficient top-level negotiating experience, and with what results? If nominated to be education minister, does he know that "Education is the lighting of a fire, not the filling of a pail" (Plutarch) and how will he implement that belief?
Will candidates divest or place assets in blind trusts to prevent conflicts of interest?
Now, our screening is basic, resulting in high turnover after unacceptable results.
In contrast, for instance, the US Senate conducts committee-specific hearings to decide whether each nomination should advance or not, and the FBI investigates allegations, including criminal history checks, which may include crimes committed overseas.
Give us ministers we can believe in.

Burin Kantabutra,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Former Cambodian PM Hun Sen Opposed Khmer Rouge tribunals The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday 2 July 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Wednesday June 30, 2025

Re: "Respectful intention?", Bangkok Post PostBag, Friday June 27, 2025 and "Clip scandal grows by day", in Bangkok Post Editorial, Wednesday June 23, 2025
In his letter in PostBag, Joseph Ting suggests Hun Sen should be held in the same esteem that symbolises the Confucian adage of "older age piety," and that "the respectful term 'uncle' is not inappropriate for the elder Hun Sen."
Cambodia's former prime minister 1985-2023, Hun Sen has been linked with human rights abuses.
He was a Khmer Rouge commander in the 1970s. In the 1980s, he oversaw the K5 forced labour programme which has been accused of systematic torture of dissidents.
He went on to oppose Khmer Rouge tribunals and helped conceal past atrocities.
A dim recollection of the Analects brings to mind that Confucius emphasised self-reflection and learning such that a foundation of humility can move individuals to recognise their limitations and thereby develop morally.
In my view, "older age piety" ranks as the least of Confucian values, a fact well illustrated by Mr Ting's letter.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

LGBTQIA+ community continues to challenge All traditional community and religious attitudes The Southeast Asian Times Tuesday July 1, 2025 First published in the National Thursday June 26, 2025

Conflict between religion and the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual individuals-plus) community was going to publicly appear soon enough.
In every community, there are members who are hidden and others now out and proud of who they are.
This community continues to challenge all traditional community and religious attitudes.
Catholic Church doctrine welcomes the person but also points out the sin.
Reformed Christian churches firmly oppose the gay lifestyle, while the United Church is firmly supportive and accepting.
It is Islam with Christian fundamentalist allies that will bring the fight to public administrations, school boards and even private board rooms.
Islam protects itself, its Quran, its Prophet Muhammed, and Islamic traditions.
I lived in North Africa and saw what hard line religious ideology is capable of, how it views the stranger, those who challenge its precepts, and how it treats and punishes them.
Religion often sees the world with a tunnel-vision mentality.
The Pride flag represents to many of us a rightful acceptance and respect for the “other” to live freely and lovingly.
We are experiencing a tightening of public purses, of lower budgets and denied social experiences such as parades, festivals and gatherings.
Can the Pride community, an umbrella group of many withstand the subtle yet definitive attacks of conservativism and fear of ‘the other’ found in various cultural prejudices?

Steven Kaszab,
Bradford,
Ontorio,
Canada

Call for Cambodia and Thailand to adhere To the International Court of Justice rule of law The Southeast Asian Times, Monday June 30, 2025 First published in the Phnom Penh Post Wednesday June 18, 2025

I am a US attorney who has lived and worked in Cambodia and Thailand for over two decades. I have witnessed political dissent and controversy on both sides of the borders.
But I’ve always seen the love and respect for each others’ countries dominate to overcome.
I am disheartened by the recent skirmishes and truly saddened by the unnecessary death of a Cambodian soldier who was a brother with ancestral ties to his brothers in Thailand.
I am an independent lawyer with affinity and indebtedness to both Cambodia and Thailand for hosting me for 27 years.
My sincere thanks to both countries.
Notwithstanding the above, I want to comment on the current border disputes taking place between Thailand and Cambodia.
We all as a global society abide by international laws. Cambodia respects and upholds:
Rule of Law Vs of Rule of Force - Cambodia chooses international law, Thailand chooses delay, why fear the ICJ if you are right?
Finality of the 1962 ICJ judgement - ICJ ruled in 1962-Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia
Respect for treaties and borders-maps matter, treaties matter, borders matter. Cambodia respects them, so should everyone else.
Cambodia - a responsible global actor - Cambodia small in size but strong in principle. Cambodia turns to law; not war.
Protecting heritage - not provoking conflict -we defend our temples with law, not troops. Preserving Preah Vihear is preserving peace.
International solidarity - if one country can ignore the ICJ - any country can. Cambodia stands for justice - for all small nations.
For 27 years, I have called Cambodia and Thailand my home. I pray that the two will reconcile and adhere to the Rule of Law as adjudicated by the International Court of Justice.

Bernard Scott Bolls, Esq,
Attorney at Law
SK and Scott Law Firm PC.,
Washington, D.C.

America returning to merit based system Elects the most qualified person The Southeast Asian Times, Sunday June 29, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Thursday June 19, 2025

Re: "Srettha: Pride events show equality not here yet", in Bangkok Post, Wednesday June 18, 2025.
It never ceases to amaze me how misguided people's priorities can be.
In the same interview where former prime minister Srettha Thavisin talks about a declining birth rate and the possibility of Thailand's population falling from 66 million people to "just 37 million within 50 years", he also talks about making Thailand a global leader for LGBTQ+ people; a "global beacon for diversity and equality".
Finally, I would point out that "diversity and equality" Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives are finally being scrapped in America because the results of defining a person's career qualifications based upon skin colour or what gender a person has sexual intercourse with arguably led to unqualified American air traffic controllers, a slew of recent American plane crashes, and an uncountable myriad of disastrous workplace outcomes which now simply have to be undone by returning to a merit-based system which selects the most qualified person and ignores Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI).
I politely wonder why would the results be any different in Thailand?

Jason A. Jellison,
Bangkok,
Thailand

The 1968 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons The Southeast Asian Times Saturday June 28, 2025 First published in the National Thursday June 26, 20205

Radiation, particularly ionising radiation, poses a profound threat to human health due to its ability to alter the very building blocks of life.
When high-energy particles or electromagnetic waves pass through the body, they can strip electrons from atoms and molecules, converting them into ions.
This process – known as ionisation – can damage DNA, disrupt cellular function, and trigger mutations that may lead to cancer, organ failure, or death.
If the DNA in a cell is damaged beyond repair, the cell may die or become cancerous.
The destructive power of nuclear bombs stems not only from their explosive force but also from the intense radiation they release.
Fallout from nuclear explosions can contaminate the environment for decades, affecting ecosystems and human populations far from the blast site.
Given these catastrophic consequences, the international community has taken steps to regulate and prohibit nuclear weapons.
The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, adopted in 1968, aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, promote disarmament, and encourage peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
More recently, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, adopted by the United Nations in 2017, explicitly bans the development, testing, production, and use of nuclear weapons for its signatories.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran is deeply rooted in ideological, strategic, and nuclear concerns.
Since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Iran has refused to recognise Israel and has supported militant groups opposed to it.
Israel, in turn, views Iran’s nuclear ambitions as an existential threat.
Although Iran claims its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, its history of uranium enrichment and lack of transparency have raised international alarm.
This month, tensions escalated into open warfare following Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and Iran’s retaliatory missile attacks.
The conflict has drawn in global powers and raised fears of a broader regional war.
Analysts suggest that both nations are motivated by deterrence, regional dominance, and the legacy of failed diplomatic efforts, such as the collapse of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
Radiation is a silent, invisible force with the power to alter life at the molecular level. International law seeks to curb this danger, but geopolitical rivalries – such as the one between Israel and Iran – continue to challenge global peace and security.
Addressing these tensions requires not only legal enforcement but also renewed diplomatic engagement and a shared commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons.

Amos Kandato,
Wabag,
Enga,
Papua New Guinea

Call for Thailand and Cambodia To jointly develop disputed border regions The Southeast Asian Times Friday June 27, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Monday June 23, 2025

Re: "Cambodians flood Thai border to buy fuel", Bangkok Post, Saturday June 21, 2025.
Why not reverse what seems deadlocked?
Instead of clinging to territorial claims and interpretive sovereignty, Thailand and Cambodia could set an example, by jointly developing disputed border regions.
Not by neutralising them, but by sharing them functionally: as spaces of economic, cultural, and ecological cooperation.
The key lies in a shift of perspective from "who owns the land," to "what can we make of it together."
A cross-border special zone could link markets, education, and tourism, under multilateral observation but with shared benefits.
It wouldn't erase the border, but it would soften it.
What's needed: institutional courage, clear legal frameworks, safeguards against power asymmetries, and a communication strategy that mediates rather than provokes.
Where once fault lines ran, spaces of encounter could emerge as a model for a region defined more by what connects than what divides.
It could become an Asian example of how cross-border cooperation not only defuses conflict, but inspires both sides.

Nang Tani,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

 

 

Call for parliament to debate the People's Party motion For a vote of no confidence on PM's ability The Southeast Asian Times, Thursday June 26, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Monday June 23, 2025

Re: "Call leak leaves PM on brink", in Bangkok Post, Saturday June 21, 2025
Prime Minister Paetongtarn's political future should be up to us voters, not a court, as we aspire to be a democracy.
She has been exceedingly naive and incompetent as Prime Minister but that's no crime, so justice will not be served if a court finds her guilty.
Rather, parliament should debate the People's Party motion for a vote of no confidence on her ability to lead us out.
If she wins, she stays in office; if she loses, then she may resign, dissolve the House, or try to press on.
Given that her policies were really those of her coalition and not hers personally, she should call for new elections, but that's not a given.
Put our confidence in her and her coalition to the vote.

Burin Kantabutra,
Bangkok,
Thailand

We're a pie to be divided Not people to be guarded from wolves. The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday June 25, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Friday June 20, 2025

Re: "Rift in coalition deepens", in Bangkok Post, Wednesday June 18, 2025
As the Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai parties feud over control of the Ministry of Interior, neither of them is putting the country's interests first.
If they were, they should show us what they would do if they held this key cabinet seat: what, specifically, would they achieve, when, and at what cost? Why should voters believe them?
Then put the matter to a vote in parliament.
Instead, voters and parliament are completely out of the picture.
We're a pie to be divided, not people to be guarded from wolves.

Burin Kantabutra,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

Asean+3 China, Japan and South Korea initiatives Risk becoming fragmented The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday June 24, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Sunday June 22, 2025

Re :"Asean+3's role in a rapidly fragmenting world", in Bangkok Post Opinion, Friday June 20, 2025
The insightful commentary by Hoe Ee Khor and Jae Young Lee underscores Asean+3's potential to reshape globalisation in a time of alarming fragmentation.
However, technical coordination and institutional frameworks alone are insufficient. Without strong political will and exemplary solidarity among member states, Asean+3 initiatives risk becoming fragmented themselves - mirroring the very global trends they seek to counter.
Common interests must be matched by shared commitments. Only through authentic solidarity can Asean+3 ensure its projects are inclusive, resilient, and really transformative.

Ioan Voicu,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Thailand PM should have never ridiculed Key personnel of a national security organisation The Southeast Asian Times, Monday June 23, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Friday June 20, 2025

The leaked phone conversation between Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen revealed one cardinal rule in management that one should never have broken - ridiculing key personnel of a national security organisation to anyone, and worse, to the country's nemesis presently in hot border issues with. Even worse, the ridiculed figure is currently the key person in defending our country's border.
What Ms Paetongtarn might perceive as a clever negotiation tactic - having Hun Sen open up and talk more - is what the English call being too clever by half.
The result will have immediate political repercussions for her family and their relationship with Hun Sen, which will never remain the same.
That is also a lesson in avoiding nepotism when electing our leader, especially when a father is in the shadow.

Songdej Praditsmanont,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Agence France Presse reports that riots in Los Angeles ''largely peaceful demonstrations" The Southeast Asian Times, Sunday June 21, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Monday June 16, 2025

Re: "N Ireland town hit by second night of unrest", in Bangkok Post, World, Wednesday June 11, 2025 and "Trump deploys Marines, raising tensions in Los Angeles", in Bangkok Post, World, Tuesday June 10, 2025.
Both articles include similar images of destruction and violence.
The situation in Northern Ireland is described by Agence France Presse AFP as: "This violence was clearly racially motivated and targeted at our minority ethnic community and police", and "It was racist thuggery, pure and simply, and any attempt to justify it or explain it as something else is misplaced".
But when it comes to Trump, the socialist/communist Agence France Presse AFP says the five days of rioting in Los Angeles, which included looting, firebombing, attacks upon immigration officers, graffiti tagging and beatings, were "largely peaceful demonstrations".
They noted with their characteristic political bias, "The unrest was sparked by a sudden intensification of Trump's signature campaign to deport illegal migrants".
Agence France Presse AFP strenuously avoids telling the truth.
The riots in LA were well organised.
One can find the schedule of protests or riots to be held across the US on June 14 at NoKings.org.
Protesters are equipped with training and communications equipment, and are told where and when to act and when to move to another location.
California looks to be the target of riots in at least 20 locations.
Politically organised violence could be the last resort of those who are addicted to power but did not get chosen.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

Marriage was formerly The exclusive domain of religion The Southeast Asian Tumes, Saturday June 21, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Wednesday June 11, 2025

Re: "Just the habit", in Bangkok Post PostBag, Saturday June 7 and "Proud to be out", in Bangkok Post, Post Bag, Monday June 2, 2025.
I write to ask frequent PostBag contributor, Felix Qui, if he can explain why, for same-sex unions, the term "marriage" was necessary.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti-gay or homophobic.
Marriage was formerly the exclusive domain of religion, forming a legal and sanctified bond between people of opposite sexes.
Then, non-religious people demanded to be "married", and civil union was the result, with the same legal status as religious marriage.
And now we have legal same-sex "marriage".
Civil unions could have been called something else, as could same-sex unions.
To refer to unions not sanctified by religion as "marriages" devalues religious marriage, a justified complaint expressed by religious people at the time.
Yet those demanding civil and same-sex "marriages" disregarded the views of religious people and demanded "marriage" anyway, while at the same time calling those who objected to civil or same-sex unions intolerant, or worse.
If the objective was for equality before the law, that could have been achieved without civil or same-sex unions being called marriages.
Call the unions whatever you want, but they are not a marriage in the sense of what marriage was created to be, exclusively between opposite sexes and sanctified before God.
And no, I'm not a religious nut either.
I simply believe that using the term marriage for something it was never intended to be is a form of cultural misappropriation.
It was unnecessary and insensitive.
Perhaps, Felix, the gay community can give the term "marriage" back to those it belonged to.

Sibeymai,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Without meaningful solidarity Development is merely aspirational The Southeast Asian Times, Friday June 20, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Sunday June 8, 2025

Re: "Why faith is indispensable to global development", in Bangkok Post, Opinion, Wednesday June 4, 2025.
Alaa Murabit aptly highlights the transformative role of faith-based actors in advancing global development.
Yet even with such strong engagement, global sustainable development will remain an elusive ideal unless it is grounded in genuine solidarity across generations, communities, culture and beliefs.
Without meaningful solidarity, development is merely aspirational.

Ioan Voicu,
Bangkok,
Thailand

The Gulf of Thailand and South China Sea Are too shallow to make submarines useful The Southeast Asian Times, Thursday June 19, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Monday Monday June 2, 2025

Re: "Be firm on subs deal", Bangkok Post, Editorial, Tuesday May 20, 2025.
Why is Thailand buying submarines?
The Gulf of Thailand and South China Sea are too shallow to make them useful. The USA somewhat allowed China to create its defence islands in the South China Sea because it was considered non-strategic by Robert Gates, former secretary of defence under George W Bush and Barack Obama.
Thailand's Indian Ocean coast used to come under attack from the Burmese in the old days.
Locals used to live well inland in Thalang and Takuapa lest they get caught on the beach and taken into slavery.
The traditional response was to run into the jungle and hide.
More robust defences where further inland at places like Lan Saka in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Submarines will be stationed in Sattahip, not in Krabi or Ranong.
If Thailand signs to buy Chinese submarines, it's likely to make Donald Trump a lot less flexible on trade discussions.
The Thai navy needs fast, flexible vessels to stop smuggling and conduct disaster response.
New improvised naval drones as seen in the Black Sea have the current fleet looking like sitting ducks. Ukraine has managed to sink Russia's flagship and push the Black Sea Fleet off Crimea back to Novorossiysk.
The times… they are a-changin'.

AM,
Phuket,
Thailand

Thailand PM wants smoking rooms at airports National Tobacco Control Committee does not The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday June 18, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Monday June 9, 2025

Re: "PM wants standardised smoking areas at airports", in Bangkok Post, Thursday June 5, 2025.
I want to point out that doing so will be dangerous to smokers and non-smokers and not cater to passenger needs.
There are three primary reasons why this proposed move poses dangers.
First, evidence from studies of designated smoking rooms indicates that these rooms, regardless of their standardisation likely including air conditioning and filtration, do not provide adequate protection from exposure to particles produced by burning cigarettes.
Thousands of chemicals are produced from smoking, and studies in Thailand show that high levels of these toxins and gases accumulate in enclosed areas.
A 2013 study in Thailand, which led to the initial removal of smoking rooms in airports, showed the average Particulate Matter 2.5 levels in designated smoking rooms and adjacent to them were 532.5 and 50.1 microgrammes per cubic metre, respectively, dangerously above the World Health Organization's standards for short-term exposures.
In addition, experts who have studied the ability of smoking rooms and areas to provide safe exposures have found that the only way to ensure safe air quality is to remove smoking from rooms and areas.
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE0), who design air conditioning, ventilation, and filtration systems, in 2023 noted that "The only means of avoiding health effects and eliminating indoor environmental tobacco smoke exposure is to ban all smoking activity inside and near buildings."
Finally, the lived experience of persons exposed to tobacco smoke, even when they are not smokers, shows that tobacco smoke exposure can cause harm and death.
Many airline flight attendants, before smoking was banned on airplanes, suffered from respiratory diseases like asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. (COPD) and lung cancer.
This also occurred among workers in restaurants and casinos, where they were exposed to high levels of tobacco smoke in their workplace.
The rejection of designated smoking rooms by the National Tobacco Control Committee is critical advice for a healthier and less costly result at Thai airports.

Dr Naowarut Charoenca,
Director of Thailand Health Promotion Institute (THPI)
National Health Foundation,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Thailand does not accept the International Court of Justice As arbitrator in Thailand - Cambodia border dispute The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday June 17, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Monday June 9, 2025

Re: "Thailand rejects International Court of Justice (ICJ) jurisdiction", in Bangkok Post, Friday June 6, 2025.
Every day there is news about the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia.
"Protect Thai sovereignty!" screams the headline and the Prime Minister.
You can easily imagine the same thing happening in reverse in Cambodia.
Thailand says, "Do not accept the International Court of Justice as an arbitrator!"
First, the Post needs to do a better job of explaining what this is all about.
What is the earth-shattering significance of these 200 metres of land?
Why should we care who owns the grass, or the trees, or even a temple as long as everyone is allowed to visit the area?
Second, when is the world including Thailand going to accept some better way than military force to resolve border disputes?
First Russia, then Israel, and now Thailand is joining the chorus of militaristic nationalism.

Randy Hurlburt,
Bangkok,
Thailand

There are many hidden investor gems in Thailand Paying very high dividends The Southeast Asian Times, Monday June 16, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Wednesday June 11, 2025

Re: "Foreign investors seeking clear policies amid volatility", in Bangkok Post, Business, Tuesday June 10, 2025.
Stock Exchange Thailand (SET) President, Asadej Kongsiri, is absolutely correct in that there are many hidden investor gems here.
There are reputable long-standing Stock Exchange Thailand (SET) or Market for Alternative Investment (MAI) listed companies that are profitable, while paying very high dividends, often 20 times more than Thai bank savings deposit accounts, and double many Thai corporate bond yields.
And this is in Thailand, which, of late, has reportedly had one of the world's lowest or none at all inflation rates, along with its firm baht currency.
The problem is and remains: Most brokers only follow the glorious top 20 or so companies, which are, alas, viewed with a trading bias.
Hence, these high-yielders are most often off the radar screens and well under researched or even known, all to the detriment of the Stock Exchange Thailand (SET), these forgotten companies, and investors.

Paul A Renaud,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Geoengineering Is complete insanity The Southeast Asian Times, Sunday, June 15, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Tuesday June 9, 2025

Re: "It's time to go geoengineering on climate issue", in Bangkok Post Opinion, Thursday June 5, 2025.
This is one of the most distorted columns that Gwynne Dyer has ever written. Geoengineering involves deliberate large-scale interventions in Earth's natural systems to counteract imaginary man-made climate change or its supposed effects. There are two main approaches: solar radiation modification (SRM) and carbon dioxide removal.
Dyer is only pitching solar radiation (SRM) in this case.
Solar radiation modification (SRM) typically employs high-altitude planes or drones to spray chemicals into the atmosphere or into clouds.
Those who have been to Western nations will have seen the evidence in the skies - crisscrossed lines not contrails as the copious propaganda would have us believe or, less frequently, in the weather - cantaloupe-sized hail, frothy particulates accumulating on the ground, etc.
The chemicals used are toxic.
The consent of living things, including humans, has not been given and never will be.
This is an attempt to further poison the earth and reduce its human population.
Of note is the fact that recent attempts to reduce our numbers using lab-altered bird flu and monkeypox have failed.
However, the UK is spending £50 million (2.2 billion baht) on solar radiation modification (SRM) , which involves trying to thicken Arctic sea ice and make clouds more reflective.
Other governments have been at it for decades, but clandestinely. Geoengineering is complete insanity.
The sun has recently entered a 30-year solar minimum cycle, and we will soon be praying for more sunlight. Dyer and his enablers must be stopped, or most living beings will die.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

 

 

Something very fishy about reporter's death At Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission headquarters The Southeast Asian Times, Saturday June 14, 2025

The article ‘ Review of “ No Further Action “ decision wanted in death of former reporter at headquarters of Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission in 2009 ‘ in The Southeast Asian Times ( 10 June 2025 ) reminded me of the saying '' Something is rotten in the state of Denmark ''.
The reporter was summoned to the headquarter.
He was subjected to “ unscrupulous interrogation “ .
And he died.
Was the reporter given third degree treatment during the interrogation ?
There is something very fishy about the reporter’s death.
And further action is clearly indicated to get to the bottom of what really happened .I hope the family of the reporter Teoh Beng Hock, 31, succeed in their quest to get a review of the ‘ No Further Action ‘ decision by the Attorney General.

Rajend Naidu,
Sydney
Australia

Thailand PM Paetongtarn to the fore in the border dispute Not the military The Southeast Asian Times, Friday June 13, 2025 First Published in the Bangkok Post, Tuesday June 10, 2025

Re: "Military to take lead at border", Bangkok Post, Saturday June 7, 2025
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra - not the military - must take the lead in our border dispute with Cambodia.
It must be her, and our cabinet, that weigh the risks and act, assisted by the military.
In a democracy, our government is accountable to the population as a whole, and Ms Paetongtarn was directly elected, while our generals were not.
Thus, her decisions must take into account much more than just military aspects.
Overreliance on military solutions can distort foreign policy by prioritising force over diplomacy, escalating conflicts unnecessarily, or undermining long-term political or economic goals.
For instance, in the Vietnam War, US leaders relied heavily on military escalation rather than understanding Vietnam's political and nationalist dynamics.
Our military is trained to be experts in the use of force, which may or may not be in our long-term interests.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn, to the fore, please.

Burin Kantabutra,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Public funds are consumed by the bureaucracy No tangible development has reached grassroots level The Southeast Asian Times, Thursday June 12, 2025 First published in the National Friday June 6, 2025

The continued waste of public funds by the Jiwaka government and the Government on endless management appointments and ineffective top-down restructuring of Waghi Mek Plantation is both irresponsible and unsustainable.
While millions have been spent on salaries, allowances, vehicle purchases, and office setups for so-called ''boards'' and ''management teams'', the actual plantation remains under performing and neglected.
No tangible development has reached the grassroots level – the true landowners who live on and depend on this land.
Funds are being consumed by bureaucracy, not productivity.
The plantation has become a breeding ground for politically motivated appointments, where cronies, non-landowners, and outsiders are given high-paying positions under the guise of reviving Waghi Mek.
Instead of investing in actual coffee production, rehabilitation of trees, tools, seedlings, and worker support, the funds are exhausted on management structures that produce no results on the ground.
How many roads have been rehabilitated?
How many coffee trees have been pruned, planted, or harvested?
How many locals have been employed or trained?
The answer remains: very few, if any.
There are surviving plantations already managed by landowners.
Across Jiwaka, especially in Waghi Valley, there are plantations still operating under landowner management, even with limited support.
These groups are committed, resilient, and understand the land.
Why not channel government funds directly to these productive and committed local groups?
Why pour money into a broken system when there are already existing models that are working?
Landowners should be empowered through Incorporated Land Groups (ILGs) and land groups.
Instead of creating expensive boards and executive positions, the government should help landowners:
Register their ILGs; and,
Organise themselves into cooperative societies or landowner companies, provide funding directly to these ILGs for plantation rehabilitation, tools, and labour, and monitor them through transparent accountability mechanisms.
This approach would be cheaper, fairer, and more effective.
The people will take ownership, and the results will speak for themselves.
Invest in processing infrastructure, not bureaucracy.
If the government truly wants to support coffee production, then build factories and processing plants in Jiwaka where cherry can be processed locally.
This would create jobs for locals, add value to the product, encourage productivity from smallholder and landowner-run plantations, and ensure income stays within the province.
Such investments have long-term impact unlike short-term, politically driven management setups that disappear with the change of government.
The current strategy is flawed – it focuses on control, not empowerment.
The government must shift its focus from top-heavy political control to grassroots economic development.
Support those who are already working the land, not those sitting in offices managing empty plantations.
The revival of Waghi Mek Plantation and the broader agricultural economy in Jiwaka does not require more boards, managers, or political influence.
It requires a bold shift in thinking: Fund the landowners, support existing working plantations, help them organise through ILGs, and build local factories.
Only then will we see real change, real production, and real development.
The time to act is now – before all public funds are wasted and the opportunity for true landowner empowerment is lost forever.

Coffee believer,
Banz,
Port Moresby,
Papua New Guinea

Thailand is no longer in sync with changing technology And framework of China's development The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday June 11, 2025 First Published in the Bangkok Post, Sunday June 8, 2025

Re: "Thailand's false sense of tariff security", in Bangkok Post Opinion, May 30 and "Asean countries are facing their own 'China shock'", Bangkok Post Opinion, May 20.
No country can escape the effects of China's rise even the United States' economy, historically the most successful nation.
China's gigantic economic size and manufacturing capabilities are affecting all countries around the world, not only the US.
Thailand is merely a bump along this new Silk Road.
Despite Western anti-China warmongering rhetoric, China has shown no sustained military aggressive postures, but the sheer force of its economic power through the private sector can easily overwhelm an economy like ours.
What China has introduced in less than a decade is a chaotic factor never before seen by the world.
Just through the sheer proximity to this epicentre of technology and manufacturing revolution, there is a danger of our economy stalling and, just as importantly, our culture being assimilated in this process unless we develop a well-thought-out strategy and enforceable action plan.
Many economists have identified a major failure of the Western world to cope with China's rapid ascent as stemming from a lack of strategy and a coherent plan to compete effectively.
What the West thought would take over a century only took China 30 years to accomplish, leaving it without a plan to compete.
Recently, the US, as the leader of the Western world and the very country that has played a significant role in China's rise, has demonstrated no coherent strategy, evident in numerous failed sanctions and President Trump's "let's-run-it-up-the-flagpole" approach.
Amid the clash of titans, the pertinent question is what a medium-sized country like Thailand can do.
In Thailand's case, rather than competing at a level beyond our capabilities, we should rely on a cooperative approach to maximise mutual benefits while safeguarding our sovereignty, independence, internationally balanced position, and key traditional industries that genuinely define our "Thainess".
For instance, China may hold the answers to reducing our dependence on energy imports or improving agricultural yields through modern technology.
However, we need to also protect some of our vital and prominent industries, such as food processing, agriculture, and the service sector including hotels and restaurants through strict regulations and rigorous enforcement.
The National Economic and Social Development Council, the government's planning arm, last issued the 13th Plan (2023–2027), which was written as long ago as it was, is no longer in sync with rapidly changing technology and the timeframe of China's recent development.
The 13th Plan did not take into account China's rise and the direct effect it would have on our economy and culture.
In other words, we are flying blind into the most chaotic world changing decade ever. We need an immediate, actionable, and clearly stated short-term plan, as well as a long-term strategy for how to address China's rise.

M L Saksiri Kridakorn,
Bangkok,
Thailand

How will a corrupt society like Thailand Avoid using the casinos for money laundering The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday June 10, 2025 First Published in the Bangkok Post, Sunday June 8, 2025

Re: "Govt tips 0.8 growth boost from casino complex", in Bangkok Post, Thursday June 5, 2025
The casino idea is flawed from A to Z and should be dropped.
If the entertainment complex is so good as an integrated project, put it somewhere that needs a development magnet, like the northeast or south, not a highly developed city like Bangkok.
How will a corrupt society like Thailand avoid using the casinos for money laundering on a grand scale?
Former prime minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha asked ex-graftbuster Vicha Mahakun to recommend reforming our police and attorney-general's office.
It is difficult to understand why neither Prayut nor his successors dare even let us know what Vicha proposed.
If we can't even discuss reform, what hope do we have for meaningful change?
Back to the casino project, the Paetongtarn government says the profits will go towards education, yet hardly any of our governments know that "education is the lighting of a fire, not the filling of a pail," (originated from Plutarch).
No to casinos.

Burin Kantabutra,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Lobby group wants Thai gamblers To have 50 million baht before entering a casino The Southeast Asian Times, Monday June 9, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Saturday June 7, 2025

Re: "...legalising casinos will clean up the underground economy", Bangkok Post InQuote, Friday June 6, 2025
Former premier Abhisit Vejjajiva said that the hope of legalising casinos to eradicate the underground economy is wishful thinking.
That is because, under the government's guardrails, Thai gamblers can enter a casino only when they have records showing six months of having 50 million baht in a bank.
Not only wishful thinking, but typical incoherent rationales by the proponents of this lobby group.

Songdej Praditsmanont,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Philippines feel ambivalent About engaging in civic endeavors The Southeast Asian Times Sunday June 8, 2025 First published in the Philippine Inquirer Sunday June 1, 2025

To partake in nation-building is not just admirable, it is necessary.
Yet, many of our countrymen today are trapped in a limbo of inaction and despair. They are dismayed by the many long-standing problems of our land, such that their desire to play a part in making our nation great and strong is wanting.
There is strife, there is avarice, and most of all, there is brazen and unbridled cunning that overshadows hard work, honesty, and diligence.
They feel ambivalent about engaging in civic endeavors, lest their noble efforts be subverted and prove to be in vain.
I feel the profound disappointment of these fellow countrymen; their deep-seated rancor and terse remarks of resignation are appalling.
“Your good intentions will be “eaten” by the system,” and “The upstanding ones are subverted by the undeserving, ”why waste your time?”
With these comments, I fear our country’s outlook is far from encouraging—our patriotic passion, which is the bedrock of a “healthy” nation, is slipping away.
On the surface, we have a nation today that strives to reach its potential.
But underneath the facade of positivity lies a hideous fundamental weakness our people’s apathy toward civic involvement that dampens the eagerness to pursue our nation’s ideals and aspirations.
If our countrymen do not have the heart to partake in building our nation, no one else will. It is us who shape the future of our nation and make it great.
What should we do?
I cannot blame these fellow countrymen.
I esteem them highly their ambivalence shows they have the compunction to resist the pressure of rampant impropriety and wickedness in our country.
However, I regret to say that nonchalance and inaction are not the answer to our problems.
Our people’s muddled perspective, on account of being inured to the culture of iniquity and duplicity, has emboldened a sinister social atmosphere so that standing for what is right is often viewed as “punishing,” thus, ignored and thus, dismissed.
For those of us who believe and adhere to the principles of propriety, we thus become the voice that could restore order, strength, and stability to our nation.
We should not hesitate to rise to the occasion where and when propriety is absent when we do, we advance ourselves and our nation a step forward toward progress.

Julius Turgano,
Manila,
Philippines

 

 

Thailand's relationship with the US since 1833 Should have hope for outcome of US tariff negotiations The Southeast Asian Times, Saturday June 7, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Thursday, June 5, 2025

Re: "Can Thailand engage with Trump's US?", Bangkok Post Opinion, Tuesday June 3, 2025.
With the thought-provoking summary of Thailand's special relationship with the US since 1833 from Kavi Chongkittavorn, and the reported feedback from four former diplomats, one should have hope for the outcome of the coming negotiations with the US in reducing Trump's reciprocal tariff of 34 percent on Thailand.
The 192-year-old oath of the longevity of the friendship, "as long as heaven and earth can endure", will now be tested.
Since the inauguration of President Donald Trump on January 20, we have seen many earth-shaking events caused by his hyper tariffs and extreme nationalism, worse than the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, which was designed to protect American industries and farmers from foreign competition.
It is worse because this time he has risked the world's stability starting from wanting Canada as a 51st state, his Panama claims, his naming of the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, his desire to take over Greenland, and his worsening of Ukraine's sensitive position amid his reducing Nato's credibility in Europe.
One can only hope one is wrong in questioning the sincerity of that friendship, and the coming outcome could be near rosy.

Songdej Praditsmanont,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Thailand's Lese Majeste Law Created to ward off democracy The Southeast Asian Times, Friday June 5, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Tuesday June 3, 2025

Re: "The price of demanding justice", in Bangkok Post, Editorial, Sunday June 1, 2025
The Post's cited examples are all pertinent; however, the telling point in Sunday's editorial on the traditional failure of Thai legal bodies to deliver justice is the failure to mention even once Thailand's internationally honoured human rights advocate, Arnon Nampa.
That genuinely patriotic Thai citizen knows too well the high personal cost that intrinsically unjust law, created to ward off democracy, imposes on Thais seeking justice.
The Thai nation has these many decades paid a very high price politically, socially, morally, and economically, in forced obeisance to such a law created at the behest of those who commit coups to further a plainly anti-democratic agenda that is inherently unjust, especially when the rule of such law is strictly followed.

Felix Qui,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

Thailand's military drafted constitution Shields coup leaders from legal prosecution The Southeast Asian Times, Thursday June 5, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Tuesday June 3, 2025

Re: "It's time for Paetongtarn to step up", in Bangkok Post Opinion, Saturday May 31, 2025.
The 2017 junta-drafted constitution is a prime example of the strategic use of lawfare.
It was designed to shift the balance of power in favour of the ultra-conservative elite and control democratically elected governments.
A new constitution must limit the court's role to its fundamental duty as the guardian of the constitution.
Beyond the judiciary, powerful independent institutions such as the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the Election Commission (EC) benefit from the shifted power balance.
They play a key role in political actions against parties and politicians. Instead of serving as tools for political influence, their functions must be restricted to their core responsibilities anti-corruption efforts and election oversight.
The constitutional section on the legitimisation of coup orders (Section 279) is the clearest expression of lawfare.
It states that all orders and actions of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) junta and its leader are deemed constitutional, lawful, and effective.
This provision shields the coup leaders from retroactive legal prosecution and solidifies the power they gained through the coup.

Nang Tani,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Why is Thailand buying submarines? The Gulf of Thailand and South China Sea are too shallow The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday June 4,2025 First published in the Bangkok Monday June 2, 2025

Re: "Be firm on subs deal", in Bangkok Post, Editorial, Tuesday May 20, 2025.
Why is Thailand buying submarines?
The Gulf of Thailand and South China Sea are too shallow to make them useful. The USA somewhat allowed China to create its defence islands in the South China Sea because it was considered non-strategic by Robert Gates, former secretary of defence under George W Bush and Barack Obama.
Thailand's Indian Ocean coast used to come under attack from the Burmese in the old days.
Locals used to live well inland in Thalang and Takuapa lest they get caught on the beach and taken into slavery.
The traditional response was to run into the jungle and hide.
More robust defences where further inland at places like Lan Saka in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Submarines will be stationed in Sattahip, not in Krabi or Ranong.
If Thailand signs to buy Chinese submarines, it's likely to make Donald Trump a lot less flexible on trade discussions.
The Thai navy needs fast, flexible vessels to stop smuggling and conduct disaster response.
New improvised naval drones as seen in the Black Sea have the current fleet looking like sitting ducks.
Ukraine has managed to sink Russia's flagship and push the Black Sea Fleet off Crimea back to Novorossiysk.
The times they are a-changin'.

AM,
Phuket,
Thailand

More than six million woke voters vote In Philippines midterm elections The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday June 3, 2025 First published in the Philippine Inquirer, Sunday June 1, 2025

The midterm elections have come and gone.
The Commission on Elections has sworn in a new or old-new?
batch of 12 senators; House representatives, including party list members; mayors; and other local officials.
The strong surprise placements of former senators Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan caught everyone off guard, especially since survey firms showed a different poll scenario.
For us progressives, their reinclusion in the Senate is a welcome breath of much-needed nontoxic air that, with fingers crossed, provides a more credible, less partisan, and more substantial legislative agenda ahead.
The inclusion of lawyer Chel Diokno and former senator Leila de Lima as party list representatives radiate hope and substance for accountability and transparency of erring government officials.
The midterm elections yielded another welcome surprise in the person of Heidi Mendoza, #45 on the ballot.
The former commissioner of the Commission on Audit ran a national campaign sans political machinery or backing of a major religious group, among other major organizations.
Organic volunteerism and free space on social media, combined with her integrity, passion, and concrete platforms oxygenated her campaign.
She may have lost in her campaign for a Senate seat, but what a tremendous show of force at 6.3 million votes!
In Gen Z-speak, that is 6.3 million votes of woke voters. Voters who are not swayed by popularity, patronage politics, and political dynasties.
She may not have won this time, but there is victory in defeat.
She has a three-year runway to increase her numbers.
Until then, her purple sticker remains plastered on my car’s dashboard, a tangible reminder that there are still a few good men or women who are willing to fight for a better Philippines.

Pamela Claveria,
Manila,
Philippines

Thailand's economy depends on international trade Especially with OECD countries The Southeast Asian Times, Monday June 2, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Sunday May 25, 2025

Re: "Smart tax move", Bangkok Post PostBag, Saturday May 24, 2025.
Like letter writer Member of Parliament Foscolos, investors should be overjoyed with the proposal from the Revenue Department, under the Ministry of Finance, to have foreign income earned before the two years remitted into Thailand be exempt from Thai tax.
This represents a 180-degree reversal of the trend of taxing any foreign income that comes into the country.
The ministry can naturally envision the benefits of this fund flow, rather than being protectionist or nationalistic, like the man in the world's news right now.
However, Member of Parliament Foscolos's forewarning of being selective on Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD's) fiscal rules, like global minimum tax, and not surrendering Thailand's fiscal sovereignty is well-intended.
However, what needs to be considered is the OECD's goal, which is to develop fair and transparent taxation worldwide.
Our economy heavily depends on international trade, especially with OECD countries, which limits our ability to protect our fiscal sovereignty fully.
Thailand has been in touch with the OECD since 2018, and last year, it became the second country in the region aiming to become an OECD "partner" - not a full member, but actively collaborating to offer its perspectives and contribute to policy debates.

Songdej Praditsmanont,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Stock Exchange of Thailand Obsessed with day-trading for commissions The Southeast Asian Times, Sunday June 1, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Thursday May 29, 2025

Re: "SMEs the saviour", Bangkok Post,PostBag, Tuesday May 27 and "SMEs look to each other for funding", Bangkok Post Business, Wednesday May 21.
In a recent PostBag letter, Ninja Kun hit the nail right on the head with his dire observation on how the Thailand stock market suffers from imbalances that have been ongoing for years.
Yet his comments are incomplete.
The major continuing industry problem is the Stock Exchange of Thailand brokerage industry, as it views itself as obsessed with day-trading for commissions versus longer-term viable wealth creation for its participants.
Day trading is a form of speculation and is very different from responsible investing; the two must never be confused.
It has been amply shown, again and again through long studies, that most traders or speculators lose capital over time and then leave discouraged or worse, only to spread the word that they will never invest in stocks again.
Over time, most retail investors give up due to poor investor experiences or worse.
It's high time for brokers here to reinvent a more viable, longer-term business model.
Anything less will continue to result in the ongoing failure of this important industry, as Ninja rightly points out.
In the meantime, many viable listed companies here are investment bargains which go begging.

Paul A Renaud,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Thailand retail investers reallocating capital overseas And recycling funds offshore The Southeast Asian Times, Friday May 30, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Sunday May 25, 2025

Re: "SMEs look to each other for funding", Bangkok Post Business, Wednesday May 21, 2025, "Thai traders ramp up foreign stock investments", Bangkok Post Business, Friday May 23, 2025.
Thailand's equity market suffers from a structural imbalance.
While the top 20 large-cap stocks dominate trading and represent over 60 percent of the Stock Exchange of Thailand's (SET) market capitalisation, nearly half the country's GDP, countless smaller firms on the SET and MAI remain overlooked by investors.
Among them are many high-potential small-mid cap companies that receive no analyst coverage and remain virtually invisible to institutional investors.
In today's subdued equity market valuation, these firms are likely to either delay equity issuance due to dilution concerns or cut back on essential investment for growth.
Without access to short-term bank loans, cash-hungry growth companies may see liquidity squeezed as burn rates increase.
To close this funding gap, professionalising finance leadership is a key supply-side solution.
Undervalued firms should recruit seasoned Chief Financial Officer (CFOs) capable of engaging directly with the investor community, articulating growth strategies supported by sound financials, and leading transparent and timely financial disclosures.
Building strong in-house finance teams and offering competitive incentives are equally crucial.
Investor sentiment continues to slide.
The SET's average price-to-book ratio has dropped to 1.1, while MAI key valuation metrics are now below their 10-year averages.
Thai retail investors are increasingly reallocating capital overseas and recycling funds offshore, contributing to capital outflows.
Thailand must revise its growth strategy to achieve national development goals, with a renewed focus on enhancing productivity and competitiveness.
Transitioning to an investment-led, high-value economy is not only essential to raising income but also to revitalising domestic capital markets.
Economic growth and capital market development are two sides of the same coin. Unlocking the full potential of SMEs is key to accelerating Thailand's economic progress.

Ninja Kun,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Former PM Yingluck Shinawatra cannot pay compensation Despite former PM Thaksin Shinawatra worth billions The Southeast Asian Times, Friday May 30, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Sunday May 25, 2025

Ban Bandit,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Heavy metals in food and water in Thailand Start in gold mines in Myanmar Shan State The Southeast Asian Times, Thursday May 29, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Monday May 26, 2025

Re: "Unsafe heavy-metal levels in three northernmost rivers", in Bangkok Post, May 21, 2025.
The subtitle of this article, "Pollution comes from outside Thailand" is quite misleading.
It suggests two things - Thailand does not pollute its waterways, and heavy metals in the food and water supply are due to foreigners, in this case gold mines in Myanmar's Shan State where the river starts.
The Pollution Control people, the deputy permanent secretary of Health and the Department of Disease Control all weighed in on the matter, but who is responsible for cleaning up this nationwide problem?
Of note is the fact the food supply is not checked regularly, particularly rice and vegetables.
Yes, residues of pesticides, glyphosate, herbicides, and chemical fertilisers can be remediated somewhat by washing, but a vast array of poisonous pollutants, nano-plastics and heavy metals are now incorporated into food.
Water can be filtered to address many of these problems but once contained in food, little can be done.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Thailand looking for masterminds behind graft Leading to collapse of State Audit Office building The Southeast Asian Times Wednesday May 28, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Sunday May 25, 2025

Re: "ACT calls for expanded SAO probe", in Bangkok Post, Thursday May 22, 2025.
I fully support the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand in calling for masterminds behind the graft leading to the collapse of the State Audit Office building being charged.
Go for changes that will make a big difference in fighting the slimy graft that covers Thai society from head to toe: hold the budget approvers, project inspectors and others who benefited from actions leading to this collapse to account, not just contractors or ground staff.
Follow the money trail and plea bargain to get the whales and sharks, not just minnows. PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra should report to parliament every 30 days in progress made and plans for the coming month.

Burin Kantabutra,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

Thailands most important banks Downgraded by Moody to unstable The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday May 27, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Saturday May 10, 2025

Re: "'Asian crisis in reverse' as currencies soar against dollar", in Bangkok Post, Business, Tuesday May 6, 2025.
Reuters has put together another fiscal fantasy piece, citing analysts who unanimously prognosticate a tumultuous Asian fire sale of US dollars.
This is one of those times when virtually no one cares about economic fundamentals, but all prefer to sing in unison and profit from hyping the trend, whether it makes any sense or not.
Reuters labels it a "reverse Asian financial crisis".
So that means the Thai baht will effectively appreciate from 56 to the dollar to 25 to the dollar in the next six months, right?
The Asian Financial Crisis, which began in July 1997 with the disastrous devaluation of the Thai baht, was unanticipated by this same group of analysts and institutions, making it a critical case study for assessing the reliability of financial journalism and forecasting.
Prior to the crisis, East Asian economies were given exuberant fanfare for their stellar growth based largely upon strong export performance.
The reality was an entirely different matter - high foreign debt, overvalued currencies pegged to the US dollar, and weak financial systems were ignored. Reuters, like its mainstream brethren, failed to recognise early warning signs such as Thailand's growing current account deficits, overreliance on short-term foreign capital, and vulnerabilities in banking sectors.
The prevailing narrative was plagued by optimism bias, with financial news focusing exclusively on the region's economic success.
It took another 10 years for analysts to grasp that Asia's role as a net capital exporter could contribute to global financial instability and to identify new risks and weaknesses in the financial sector.
Although Reuters retreated to more cautious reporting of market trends during the post-crisis period, of late, they have again found sensationalism to be more seductive than responsible, balanced reporting.
To wit, their article totally ignored Moody's downgrade of Thailand's most important banks to "unstable" and focused exclusively upon the short-term and rather minor potential effects of tariff adjustments on the US dollar in Asian markets.
The fact that China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and Vietnam meet two out of the three criteria, a significant trade surplus with the US, a large global current account surplus, and persistent one-sided intervention in foreign exchange markets for inclusion on the US currency manipulation watch list is also ignored.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Thailand in for some very unpleasant surprises With arrival of Western LGBTQ+ tourists The Southeast Asian Times, Monday May 26, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Wednesday May 21, 2025

Re: "Government banks on rainbow economy", in Bangkok Post, Monday May 12, 2025.
As an openly gay man nearing 50 years old, I patronise almost no LGBTQ+ businesses, refuse to attend pride parades, and do little to no business with most LGBTQ+ organisations and groups.
After three decades of immersing myself in the LGBTQ+ community, I know better.
Walk into any Chicago LGBTQ+ disc or rave and you'll find many, perhaps most of those present are on illegal drugs, and engaging in promiscuous behaviour.
Walk into a public school classroom today with an LGBTQ+ teacher, and watch them tell your son that he is a girl and or should change his gender.
Walk into an American LGBTQ+ community centre and you will find highly radical, often anti-government books, seminars and events, frequently conducted by very unstable people whose policies' health consequences tax America's healthcare system and the human body severely.
I wish the Federation of Thai Industries and others involved with their project well, but if they are successful in acquiring large numbers of Western LGBTQ+ tourists, I think they are in for some very unpleasant surprises because all of the problems and more which I just wrote of will then be on Thailand's front doorstep.
An economy based on diversity and inclusion is not a driving force for any nation.

Jason A Jellison,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

Pakistan Embassy in Thailand says Jammu and Kashmir Is an internationally recognised disputed territory The Southeast Asian Times, Sunday May 25, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Sunday May 18, 2025

Re: "Conflict in Gaza and Kashmir on a parallel track", in Bangkok Post Opinion, Monday May 12, 2025.
The opinion piece by Gwynne Dyer makes sweeping and unfounded allegations against Pakistan, in connection with the recent tragic incident in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The statement that "the five terrorists who massacred 28 mostly Hindu tourists over two weeks ago in India's Muslim-majority state of Kashmir were Kashmiris or Pakistani citizens of Kashmiri descent…. and their goal…was to trigger a war: in this case, another Indian-Pakistani war" is speculative.
The suggestion that Pakistan was involved in or complicit in the recent attack in Kashmir is baseless, as there has been no impartial investigation into the incident. Pakistan has rejected such allegations as such claims are entirely unfounded, politically motivated and part of a reckless propaganda campaign aimed at maligning Pakistan.
The insinuation that the Pakistani government supports militant activity in the region ignores Pakistan's repeated calls for peace, restraint, and dialogue.
It also disregards the country's sacrifices and operations against terrorism over the past two decades, which have been widely acknowledged by the international community.
It is important to underscore that Jammu & Kashmir is an internationally recognised disputed territory, the final status of which is to be determined in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
To overlook this ground reality while attributing blame to Pakistan reflects a deeply skewed narrative.
Furthermore, the portrayal of Pakistan as a potential instigator of a conflict with India fails to appreciate Pakistan's measured and responsible posture in the face of recurring hostile rhetoric and military provocations.
Pakistan has always advocated for peaceful resolution of all outstanding disputes through dialogue and diplomacy, not conflict.
Equating Pakistan's principled stance on the Kashmir issue with the strategies of non-state actors perpetuates stereotypes, distracts from genuine human rights concerns in Kashmir, and risks inflaming tensions in an already sensitive regional context.
We urge media outlets to exercise greater responsibility when publishing opinion pieces. Articles based on speculation, selective interpretation of facts, and historical revisionism only serve to undermine efforts towards peace and stability in South Asia.

Faiza Haseeb
Counsellor
DPR to Unescap
Embassy of Pakistan in Thailand
Bangkok,
Thailand

Southern Thailand military has called for 77 extensions Of emergency decree since 2005 The Southeast Asian Times, Saturday May 24, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Saturday May 10, 2025

Re: "Govt 'ready for new talks' on peace in deep South", in Bangkok Post, Wednesday May 7, 2025.
Our government should overhaul our strategy in dealing with our southern unrest from top to bottom, inside out.
For starters, it's a domestic affair, as we've not found that another country has supported the violent perpetrators.
It's the Minister of Interior - not that of Defence - who should be in charge of restoring peaceful coexistence to the region.
This change in outlook is key, for "To a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail".
So, the Interior Ministry will be inclined to look at the unrest as a domestic quarrel, to be settled by discovering root causes and negotiation, not as an invasion to be repelled at the point of a bayonet.
Secondly, if the military had a long-term plan to achieve sustainable peace, it would have had milestones, timelines, and a budget.
Actual performance would have been regularly compared to the budget, and needed adjustments would have been made.
Instead, the military has requested a three-month extension 77 times since the emergency decree was first implemented in 2005, without analysing why we failed the last time around or how much more time and money we'd need to reach each milestone to the end.

Burin Kantabutra,
Bangkok,
Thailand

The World Health Organisation was the principal agent Of ineffective lockdowns during Covid pandemic The Southeast Asian Times, Friday May 23, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Sunday May 18, 2025

Re: "Protectionism will not protect", in Bangkok Post, Opinion, Friday May 16, 2025.
The two autocratic campaigns claim, "defunding public education, imposing tariffs, closing borders, cutting foreign aid and disengaging from multilateral cooperation will widen inequalities, and create the conditions for viruses to thrive."
They also make the astoundingly self-implicating assertion that "outbreaks of Ebola, mpox, measles and Marburg are on the rise, partly owing to globalisation and climate change."
No, the truth is climate change has nothing to do with the proliferation of viruses and there is zero data that demonstrates otherwise.
There are, however, a great many studies which show declining immune competency results from ill-advised or excessive vaccinations, over medication, poor diet, lack of exercise, and the widespread use of experimental m-RNA gene-altering technology on humans.
Let's remember the UN sits at the pinnacle of globalisation efforts, constantly foraging for more money and power.
They are, not coincidentally, the chief architects and propagandists of climate change fraud.
The WHO was also the principal agent of disastrously ineffective lockdowns, masking-up, social distancing, and fear-inducing protocols during the Covid pandemic.
At the local level, when "medical experts" promote vaccines, they frequently reference the authority of the WHO as if they were the sole arbiters of health care.

Michael Setter
Bangkok,
Thailand

Prostitution is a crime Under Thailand law The Southeast Asian Times, Thursday May 22, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Wednesday May 21, 2025

Re: "Russian sex worker suspect arrested on Koh Phangan", in Bangkok Post, Friday May 9, 2025.
One of the conundrums of Thailand is prostitution, a crime under Thai law, as appears from the report of a Russian woman arrested for allegedly providing sexual services at a charge of 11,000 baht per hour.
I could understand if the woman was arrested for working without a permit or for overcharging.
In the street opposite my hotel, there stand dozens of women from early evening till late at night.
They're offering services. Let alone thousands of bar girls.
I believe they are employed by the bars, but are expected to offer sexual services as well.
All states of Australia decriminalised prostitution because it was a prime cause of police corruption.
A second main reason was to promote the health of prostitutes of both sexes, as is the case in Thailand and customers.

Joseph Zaresky,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Tourist arrivals to Thailand From China have plunged The Southeast Asian Times Wednesday May 21, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Tuesday May 20, 2025

Re: "Tourism reform call, as foreign arrivals in Thailand plunge", in Business, May 16.
It does not surprise me that this is the case, given the government recently required all foreigners to fill in an arrival card online before entering the country.
It also doesn't help matters that tourists who arrive here without a visa now only get to stay for 30 days instead of 60, as was the case a few months back when the Pheu Thai Party had a different prime minister in power.
The headline is actually a bit misleading, as tourist arrivals in Thailand have only declined by about 1 percent compared to the same period last year; its more the case that tourist arrivals from Northeast Asia have plunged.
I am surprised the overall figure for tourist arrivals has not declined by more than 1 percent here.
I've always felt that Srettha Thavisin was hanging by a thread as prime minister; yet he seemed to be a business-friendly leader who did whatever was necessary to make the economy grow.
Perhaps the mandarins in Pheu Thai should harken back to some of Mr Srettha's policies and do things, such as allowing tourists to stay in the kingdom without a visa for at least 60 days, given that tourists can stay for up to 90 days in other nearby countries.

Paul,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Research indicates that the m-RNA based Covid vaccines Might be incorporated into our genes The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday May 20, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Wednesday May 14, 2025

Re: "Covid alert as 6 die last week", Bangkok Post, Tuesday May 13, 2025 and "Jab-linked blood clots 'super rare'", Bangkok Post World, Saturday May 3, 2024.
In Thailand, the effectively mandatory vaccination schedule for infants aged 0–18 months is part of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) from the Ministry of Public Health.
The vaccines are free at public health facilities, allowing Thailand to achieve a 96-99 percent vaccination rate.
From birth until the age of 1.5 years, as many as 16 vaccines and 30 doses are administered to our most vulnerable population.
The Ministry of Public Health continues to recommend an m-RNA based Covid-19 vaccination schedule for children beginning at 6 months.
Their universal admonition that parents should monitor their child for post-vaccination reactions and remain at the facility for 30 minutes after shots reveals the risks involved are real, and the Ministry of Health knows about them.
Both influenza and Covid vaccines have been shown to have negative effectiveness in protecting against disease or reducing the severity of symptoms.
Most concerning is current research indicating that the m-RNA based Covid vaccines might be incorporated into our genes, including spermatozoa. It should stop now.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Papua New Guinea designated a failed state By the global Financial Action Task Force The Southeast Asian Times, Monday May 19, 2025

A concerned citizen wrote a letter to editor titled ‘ Corruption must be attacked ‘ in The National ( May 16/2025 ) saying “ Papua New Guinea ( PNG ) is a failed State and is now grey-listed by the global Financial Action Task Force( FATF ) because of rampant corruption in the public and private sectors of the country “.
Reading that made me wonder what is the state of corruption in Fiji and other countries in the Pacific region?
And how much damage does it do to development of these countries and adversely impact on the quality of life of the people by siphoning off vital revenue and resources?

Rajend Naidu
Sydney,
Australia

Financial Hub Act uses specialised trading software Not readily accessible to the general public The Southeast Asian Times Sunday May 18, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Saturday May 10, 2025

Re: "Foreign investment to be liberalised with shakeup of law", in Bangkok Post, Monday May 5, 2025.
The draft Financial Hub Act, as approved by the Thai cabinet, addresses a financial services sector which is dominated by highly sophisticated corporate investors who play the derivatives markets and provide support by financing derivatives trading internationally using specialised trading software not readily accessible to the general public.
Liberalising this market sector to entice foreign traders to enter Thai markets by reducing regulatory burdens is intended to create an artificial increase in GDP and attract foreign capital inflows.
Estimates suggest the measure could produce a modest increase of 0.1 percent - 0.3 percent over a 5-year period.
The downside of the proposed change is that gains will be concentrated among a tiny, wealthy, and exclusive group, thus increasing the already excessive inequalities that are endemic in Thai society.
Furthermore, a derivatives market without strict oversight will increase systemic risk by encouraging speculative trading, thereby increasing volatility, which, during already volatile market conditions, could dramatically decrease GDP by as much as 1 percent -3 percent.
Also worth noting is that overlaps between the SEC, the Bank of Thailand and the new Financial Hub Committee have not been fully considered, and discretionary powers are not specifically limited.
Where are the rigorous quantitative studies based upon models designed for Thailand's unique economic conditions, which show a positive risk versus reward benefit?
Is it superior to a broad liberalisation of the foreign business act and foreign ownership, which would reciprocate what is given to Thai citizens in many other nations throughout the world?
Essentially, this is just another measure created by an elitist bunch of wealthy politicians and bankers designed to increase their power and wealth and that of their enablers at the expense of the rest of us.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Papua New Guinea calls for urgent reflection And decisive transformation after 50 years of independence The Southeast Asian Times Saturday May 17, 2025 First published in the National, Friday May 16, 2025

As Papua New Guinea marks 50 years of independence, the occasion demands more than celebration – it calls for urgent reflection and decisive transformation.
Despite a steady rise in tertiary graduates, a growing unemployment crisis continues to paralyse national progress.
Each year, hopeful young minds leave campuses only to face an economy unable to absorb their potential.
This is not merely a policy failure – it’s a national emergency.
Worsening the situation is Papua New Guinea’s rapidly growing population.
What could be a demographic advantage instead strains limited resources, deepens poverty, and fuels social unrest.
At the heart of this crisis is an economic model that has failed to break free from the lingering shadows of colonialism and modern dependency. Reliance on external actors has stunted self-sufficiency, limiting the country’s ability to chart its own path.
The golden jubilee presents a pivotal moment to radically reset – to shift from dependency to self-reliance, from imported solutions to indigenous empowerment.
Central to this transformation is the cooperative model: community-owned enterprises built on shared responsibility, collective ownership, and equitable benefit.
Cooperatives offer a tested and culturally resonant alternative that can unlock entrepreneurship, provide access to credit and markets, and spark local job creation across sectors like agriculture, fisheries, and services.
Unlike top-down economic frameworks, cooperatives empower people at the grassroots.
They nurture the communal spirit ingrained in Papua New Guinea’s traditions while fostering resilience, equity, and dignity.
This model has succeeded globally – and it holds promise for Papua New Guinea.
To honour 50 years of sovereignty, we must confront hard truths and act with bold vision.
A future of dignity, opportunity, and genuine prosperity demands an economic reset rooted in our own strength.
Embracing cooperative enterprise is not idealism; it is practical, powerful, and necessary.
The time for polite conversations is over.
The time for bold, decolonised economic transformation is now.
Our youths demand it.
Our heritage supports it.
Our future depends on it.

John Varey,
Political observer.
Port Moresby,
Papua New Guinea

Noise pollution in Thailand Rarely gets attention from policymakers The Southeast Asian Times Friday May 16, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Wednesday May 14, 2025

Re: "Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to plant 1m trees in eastern suburbs", in Bangkok Post, Tuesday March 18, 2025.
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.

Silence is golden,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Realisation of truth or happiness cannot be accomplished By manipulating conditions to reduce the suffering of others The Southeast Asian Times, Thursday May 15, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Tuesday May 13, 2025

Re: "The lost path", in Bangkok Post, PostBag, Saturday May 10, 2025
Talat Kamal has contributed a benign and helpful letter regarding the errant ways of nominal Buddhists.
As is the case with all the world's major religions, Buddhism is in constant need of reform due to the ever-present pressure of egoic foolishness being superimposed upon the original spiritual teachings from which these religions arose.
Although the teaching of Buddha Gautama does not promote belief in hell, such a belief is unnecessary and superfluous.
What is hell if not a place of unhappiness?
Our collective conditional situation is rightly comprehended as a kind of hell.
The first noble truth, "there is suffering", does not mean some are suffering or that there is a potential for suffering while some are happy and have somehow already escaped from this hell. It is not a relative statement.
It applies to everyone who presumes to be an "I", a separate self, in other words.
Liberation from suffering is not a conditional matter, something to be attained gradually by conventional self-effort. Khun Talat has made the error of conflating unconditional Buddhist Dharma with conditional contemporary Western social idealism when he suggests that the Buddha "taught us to pursue" the goals of "uplifting communities, thereby reducing human suffering".
Realisation of truth or happiness cannot be accomplished by manipulating conditions to "reduce the suffering of others".
It is only realised through the conscious transcendence of separate-self in every present moment.
This is spirituality, nothing less.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Thailand internal security attempts to suspend book About military infiltration of Thailand civil society The Southeast Asian Times Tuesday May 14, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Sunday May 11, 2025

Re: "The perils of censorship", Bangkok Post, Editorial, Wednesday September 18, 2024.
The Internal Security Operations Command's (ISOC'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.

Burin Kantabutra,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra sent to 14th floor Of Police General Hospital to avoid prison The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday May 12, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Sunday May 11, 2025

Re: "Thaksin's troubles", Bangkok Post, Editorial, Saturday May 10, 2025
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 August 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.

Songdej Praditsmanont,
Bangkok,
Thailand

The political landscape of the Philippines Has become a circus The Southeast Asian Times, Monday May 12, 2025 First published in the Philippine Inquirer, Tuesday May 6, 2025

In the last few years of electoral campaigns, the political landscape of the Philippines has become a circus where popularity tends to drown out substance.
Candidates are relying on charisma, hip moves, and viral appeal to become a hot topic rather than focusing on the pressing issues that require critical dialogue.
It is a real concern how far this trend will go if media attention focuses on how entertaining a candidate is or isn’t rather than on the ability to make an informed choice between the candidate’s qualifications and integrity.
Candidates present themselves through a popularity-driven campaign strategy.
Days of political debating and policy discussions take a backseat.
Instead, we see candidates showcasing their brand by doing social media challenges and choreographed dance routines to connect with voters.
Though these tactics help to earn buzz and create attention, they often carry a price dialogues about governance and other issues that beset the nation are overlooked.
Such emphasis on popularity can be a drawback, as it may result in voting for candidates who might not lead effectively.
When politics is all about image, voters may turn away from politicians who possess a thorough understanding of how to run a country.
This is an alarming trend in a country that has its own set of problems poverty, inequality, and corruption.
The danger that those who have no interest in the public’s welfare will be elected increases as voters become enamored with performance.
It can make the electorate less capable of critically appraising candidates and making choices based on image instead of substance. This could even further a cycle of misgovernance.
It would be prudent for the electorate to stay alert. Voters need to choose candidates whom they can trust in terms of accountability, transparency, and true reform.
This campaign season, let’s not be gulled by popularity.
We should demand more from our leaders.
It is our capability and willingness to make informed choices that will make or break the future of the Philippines.
Now is the right time to reengage in political discourse and choose leaders based on their qualifications, integrity, and dedication to the betterment of the people.

Charles Kenedy.
Manila,
Philippines

Thailand wants all peace agreements with restive South To be in keeping with Thailand consititution The Southeast Asian Times, Sunday May 11, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Saturday May 10, 2025

Re: "Violence tests peace hopes", in Bangkok Post, Editorial, Thursday May 8, 2025.
In the pursuit of talks towards peace in Thailand's restive South, it is disheartening to read that the Thai authorities require that "all agreements must be in keeping with the Thai constitution".
The demand for a rejection of all acts of violence is, in contrast, reasonable and right.
This can be insisted on without expecting "those citizens" who find significant parts of it unjust.
Open dialogue might be a more constructive approach to peace than the outright refusal to consider some options, at least for discussion to get the peace process moving forward.

Felix Qui,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Thailand's State Owned Enterprises are exempt From the Trade Competition Act The Southeast Asian Times, Saturday May 19, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Wednesday May 7, 2025

Re: "Call for major rethink of economic policy", in Bangkok Business, Monday May 5, 2025.
Although it states the obvious, this article is right on the money.
And without any doubt, the obvious needs to be shouted from the rooftops. Because the cost of doing business weighs heavily on efficiencies and stimulus measures are never an option although politicians are smitten by them, economic reality must be acknowledged and the government must act accordingly.
Let's look at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECDs) January 25 report on corporate governance of 52 state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in Thailand.
Although the OECD has made numerous recommendations for SOE reform, the government has neglected to implement many of them.
These include establishing a policy framework to ensure competitive neutrality, improving board autonomy and independence, and enhancing transparency and disclosure measures.
Noteworthy and troubling is the fact that State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) are still exempt from the Trade Competition Act, in direct contravention of public interest. Examples are PTT in the retail coffee and hotel business, and the SRT leasing retail vendor space.
The Thailand Tobacco Monopoly made 221 million baht in profit in 2023, and the Ministry of Finance gobbles up most of this yearly.
Why are they not contributing a large portion to the National Cancer Institute?
The Thai government is exceptionally talented at camouflaging public interest, and this fact lies at the core of all necessary reforms, economic or otherwise.

Michael Setter.
Bangkok,
Thailand

Former leader Move Forward Party Has no need of gaudy medals and ribbons The Southeast Asian Times, Friday May 9, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Wednesday May 7, 2025

Re: "Pita vows a comeback in 9 years to be 'best prime minister'" in Bangkok Post, May 5, 2025
It is not difficult to understand why the old guard, conservatives, Thaksin Shinawatra, Prayut Chan-o-cha, and their rather sufficiently rich mates abhor Pita Limjaroenrat.
It is because the former leader of Move Forward, the election winner, is a genuinely moral person.
He has no need of gaudy medals and ribbons to impress.
Pita needs no motorcades or even a single luxury car to awe.
Now a scholar at Harvard, he does not need to protect himself from peaceful, honest opinion with defamation and other lawfare to suppress the open dialogue that reveals him as he truly is.
The popular leader's morals need not be veiled by legally forced ignorance lest the truth be known: truth and openness are friends to Pita Limjaroenrat.
After the legal machinations following the May 2023 election, can any other person in the land match the genuine respect that voters continue to give the leader of Move Forward and the party reborn as the People's Party?

Felix Qui,
Bangkok,
Thailand

UnrUnrest and economic malaise in China have reached levels Not seen since 1989 Tiananmen Square The Southeast Asian Times Thursday May 8, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Tuesday May 6, 2025

Re: "Jets can't fix trade", Bangkok Post, PostBag, Saturday May 3, 2025.
ML Saksiri Kridakorn, apologist of the Communist Party of China, had this to say presumably about the US: "Better we should remember the history of great empires; they are often most dangerous in their final throes when they are willing to weaponise anything to hold onto power."
It is clear that he prefers being spoon-fed the Communist Party of China's propaganda.
It may be a surprise to learn that unrest and economic malaise in China have reached levels not seen since the 1989 Tiananmen Square bloody protests.
Young people are crying out for personal freedom amid mounting corruption and repression. Xi Jinping has been conducting a major purge of top military officials, some of whom have disappeared or been incarcerated.
The above news is very well documented by independent sources within China and can be verified by anyone with an interest in these important developments.
Contrary to what ML Kridakorn would suggest, the US is conducting a major rebalancing of trade and a concomitant reform of international institutional structures in a manner which reflects US national interests.
This is not an "empire in its final throes" by any stretch of the imagination.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Is Thailand's PM out of her depth in discussion with US Trade Representative and US Department of Commerce The Southeast Asian Times Wednesday May 7, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Saturday April 27, 2025

Re: "Trade talks stall over bailed scholar", Bangkok Post, Saturday April 27, 2025.
Let's get real.
Thaksin said, "Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra need not be actively involved in these talks as they are designated as a discussion between the US Trade Representative, US Department of Commerce and Thailand's Ministry of Commerce".
The valid question is whether the maiden prime minister, who proudly and openly calls herself "a daddy's girl", can go out of her depth and face a real gambit in Washington.
Speaking of representation, does the prime minister, who owns many high-end watches, designer shoes, mega expensive handbags and luxury cars approve of the government taking away land from poor southern villagers in an obvious violation of the law?
Meanwhile, her father, a former convict who still awaits more trials, has again acted in character and stolen United States President Donald Trump's "MAGA" slogan.
If Thaksin wants to make Thailand great again, he could do it in a day.
Just buy flight tickets for himself and his family and go back to Montenegro.
Isn't that a refreshing thought?
However, let's get real.
The recent double-digit bump in Thai exports is not due to a sudden rise in competitiveness in the local sector, but rather a flood of fake products from China being transited through Thailand to avoid Mr Trump's tariffs.
Never mind "MTGA", this is Thailand, the country that turns a blind eye.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

US academic should not be prosecuted by Thailand's Internal Security Operations Command The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday May 6, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Saturday May 3, 2025

Re: "Scholar not tied to tariff talks", in Bangkok Post, Wednesday April 30, 2025.
The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC's) denial in the case of US academic Paul Chambers simply lacks credibility.
ISOC, the national security apparatus, has nothing to do with trade talks?
It is former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who is in a position to know what trade negotiations are going on.
He has noted that conditionality has been imposed by Washington.
Instead of making up stories, ISOC should recognise that the event description on the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute think tank website was written by someone in Singapore, and it was an ISEAS staff member who was responsible for posting it online.
The fact that Paul Chambers neither wrote nor posted the problematic event description means he should not be prosecuted for the charges ISOC has levelled against him.

William K Roland,
Bangkok,
Thailand

The US has suggested Thailand purchase F-16 jets To offset its trade surplus The Southeast Asian Times, Monday May 5, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Saturday May 3, 2025

Re: "Arms deals tied to US tariff talks", in Bangkok Post, April 22, 2025
The US has suggested Thailand purchase F-16 jets to offset its trade surplus, but this is unlikely to happen due to the lack of a constitutional framework or procedure for such a purchase.
Thailand's annual budget follows strict guidelines, such as those established by the Public Debt Management Office.
Even if purchasing F-16s from the US were feasible, Thailand would be better off recognising that its exports to the US are likely to decline sharply as global economic powers shift.
Instead of investing in military jets, we would be better off using such funds to reduce household debt levels, so enhancing consumer economic power and supporting local investment projects.
Another compelling reason not to purchase F-16s is the long-term cost of maintenance and upgrades.
The initial cost of an F-16 is estimated to be 30 percent of its total lifetime expenses.
Further, in selling arms, the US often withholds its latest technology, opting instead to sell an inferior version to countries it deems less strategically important.
For example, in the 1970s-80s, the US sold F-16s to both Israel and Egypt, but the aircraft provided to Israel were superior, and the US refused to upgrade Egypt's planes, viewing Israel as its primary regional ally.
This practice is fully in effect today.
Better we should remember the history of great empires; they are often most dangerous in their final throes when they are willing to weaponise anything to hold onto power.

ML Saksiri Kridakorn,
Bangkok
Thailand

Call for Thailand to defer the TDAC plan For a few more months The Southeast Asian Times Sunday April 4, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Thursday May 1, 2025

Re: "New online arrival cards target crime", in Bangkok Post, Tuesday April 27, 2025.
Wanting to avoid the Songkran rush, I decided to go to Malaysia.
However, I found out just before I left that it was necessary to register my details online about when I was arriving and leaving the country.
I did not have the time to get a printout, so I was concerned about this when I arrived there.
It turned out that I did not need one as I come from a country where it's possible to get expedited processing.
So I was relieved when I finally passed through immigration.
But then I was worried about having to fill out another form when departing.
I have been told I would be fine as long as I did not change anything in my itinerary. Still, I wondered about what would happen if I were asked to show my registration details to immigration when leaving, and the net wasn't working on my phone at the airport, or I was asked to show a printout.
Luckily, all I had to do was put my passport on a machine, and through I went.
I imagine that people would feel similarly when having to fill out a digital online arrival card upon arrival. In this respect, the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is active as of today, May 1.
The government decided to use this measure about a month ago.
It must be asked if enough information has been provided to tourists, and if they are aware they need to complete online registration within three days of entering the kingdom.
There is no clear explanation of what is needed to enter the country, such as the necessity of printing out documents.
And what is going to happen when a tourist cannot speak either English or Thai, and the immigration officer is explaining about the necessity of filling out an online form before arriving in the country?
It would be better if the government deferred the TDAC plan for a few more months to smooth out all the kinks in the system.

Paul,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Inadequate infrastructure in Papua New Guinea Increases the cost of doing business The Southeast Asian Times Saturday May 3, 2025 First published in the National Thursday My 1, 2025

Papua New Guinea, endowed with abundant natural resources and a rich cultural heritage, continues to face significant socio-economic development constraints that hinder its growth potential.
Addressing these barriers is very crucial to unlocking sustainable development and improving the livelihoods of its diverse population.
A foremost constrain a part from other constrains to development in our country is poor infrastructure.
Many rural areas remain disconnected from main roads, markets, health services, and educational institutions.
This lack of access not only isolate communities but also suffocates economic productivity and opportunities for inclusive growth.
According to the World Bank 2020, inadequate infrastructure in our country increases the cost of doing business and restricts access to basic services, reinforcing poverty cycles.
Another major challenge is limited access to quality education and health services.
With high rates of illiteracy and preventable diseases, human capital development remains weak.
Education, in particular, is a cornerstone of development.
Investing in inclusive and quality education can empower our citizens, improve employability, and stimulate innovation United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 2021.
Without a skilled and healthy workforce, Papua New Guinea’s prospects for long-term growth are significantly compromised.
Corruption and governance issues further exacerbate development challenges.
Weak institutional frameworks, and political interference often resulted in poor policy implementations in recent years underscores the urgent need for governance reforms Transparency International Papua New Guinea, 2023.
By strengthening accountability mechanisms and promoting ethical leadership are essential for building public trust and attracting both domestic and foreign investment.
Additionally, our economic dependency on extractive industries such as mining and petroleum presents both opportunities and risks.
While these sectors generate substantial revenue they are susceptible to global market fluctuations and have limited trickle-down efforts on local communities.
Diversifying the economy through investment in agriculture, tourism, and digital innovations is key to achieving broad-based and resilient growth Asian Development Bank (ADB) 2022.
Social inequalities, especially gender-based disparities and marginalisation of our rural populations, also constrain development.
Empowering women and vulnerable groups through inclusive policies and participatory development approaches can drive community-led progress.
Our development strategies must be locally must be locally informed and culturally appropriate to be effective in our complex socio-cultural landscape as highlighted by Hammar, 2019.
In summary, by addressing the multifaceted socio-economic constrains facing our magnificent country can foster inclusive and sustainable growth.
Through improved infrastructure, better governance, investment in human capital, economic diversification, and social inclusion, our country Papua New Guinea can overcome current development barriers and realise its full potential.

Vincent Tambure
Usino-Bundi District
Madang,
Papua New Guinea

China's economic growth Risks stalling The Southeast Asian Times, Friday May 2, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Monday April 28, 2025

Re: "Can China fight deflation and tariffs?" Bangkok Post, World, Saturday April 19, 2025.
Despite China's growing economic footprint and impressive technological advances, the country continues to grapple with deep structural vulnerabilities. Persistent deflationary pressures remain a major concern, with the consumer price index declining by 0.8 percent year-on-year.
The property sector has been distressed, with new housing prices falling by 4.5 percent over the past year.
Moreover, demographic challenges are worsening, as the nationwide birth rate dwindles to 6.7 per 1,000 people and urban youth unemployment rate climbs to 16.5 percent.
Socioeconomic imbalances further complicate the picture.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the per capita disposable income of urban households is more than three times higher than that of rural households.
Chinese financial system vulnerabilities weigh heavily on the country's long-term prospects.
The equity market remains volatile, dominated by speculative domestic retail investors who account for 80 percent of trading volume.
This undermines its role as a vehicle for long-term wealth management for households and efficient corporate capital allocation.
Meanwhile, although China's onshore RMB bond market has surpassed $US21 trillion in size in equivalence, it remains heavily skewed towards public-sector issuances, dwarfing a thin and illiquid corporate bond segment.
Structural deficiencies including inadequate credit risk pricing, weak governance, and accountability challenges deter foreign investor participation. In the absence of deep and well-functioning capital markets, Chinese banks continue to play an outsized financing role for the broader economy, raising systemic risk if their balance sheets are not properly managed.
Unless China's leadership confronts these entrenched structural issues through policy reforms, its growth risks being stalled. Bold and structural reforms such as easing household registration restrictions to promote labour mobility, overhauling pension systems, and deepening capital market development can help boost China's economic development.

Ninja Kun,
Bangkok,
Thailand

China has been engaged in a 30-year hybrid war Against the US The Southeast Asian Times Thursday April 1, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Monday April 28, 2025

Re: "A perilous era of absolute advantage", in Bangkok Post Opinion, Friday April 25, 2025 and "Thailand fights back against nominee firms, Plan includes sharing data, complaint line", in Bangkok Post, Monday March 3, 2025
Academic Thitinan Pongsudhirak thinks the US has taken a "rightward turn to protectionism and economic nationalism," and claims Trump has "a mercantilist worldview."
On the contrary, President Trump has not reverted to centuries-old economic theory, rather he has designed a contemporary overarching strategy to pre-empt risk deriving from the likely outcomes of international conflicts which loom large.
The US must onshore medicines and precursors production to eliminate long term risk. Similarly, steel production, energy production and many other sectors must become self-sufficient.
Why?
China has been engaged in a 30-year hybrid war against the US.
Are there any US car dealerships in China or the rest of Southeast Asia for that matter?
Who makes the precursors for fentanyl and methamphetamine?
China.
The US cannot do business in China without a high risk of failure due to government subterfuge and protectionism.
Yet there are many Chinese firms listed on US stock exchanges.
Is there a law in the US comparable to the Thailand Foreign Business Act of 1999? I cannot buy land or own a business of my preference here, yet Thais are doing both in the US without having to look over their shoulders to see if they will be investigated.
The second story cited above is a fine example of the hysterical nonsense the government gets up to when xenophobia is the prevailing institutionalised motivation of economic law enforcement.
So, I must ask which country is protectionist?
Trump's policies are not ushering in a "perilous era" despite the ubiquitous fear and hype headlines from the popular press.
This is an overdue peaceful restructuring of the world trade order, not a war.
The press and academia should get a grip.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Thailand's restrictive foreign ownership laws Undermining trade relations The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday April 30, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Monday April 28, 2025

Re: "Illicit foreign stakes in firms 'widespread'", in Bangkok Post, Friday April 25, 2025.
The hand-wringing over nominee ownership structures and foreign stakes in Thai companies misses a broader truth: bad laws are made to be broken or at least bent.
Thailand's restrictive foreign ownership laws, long criticised as outdated and protectionist, have created a climate where legitimate investment is channelled through grey areas simply to operate.
Rather than encouraging transparency, such non-tariff barriers incentivise opacity.
Now, these very laws are undermining Thailand's trade relations, particularly with the United States, where the US Trade Representative has repeatedly raised concerns about market access barriers and opaque business practices.
If we want to preserve and grow vital trade partnerships, we must start by reforming the rules that force good actors into bad positions.
Enforcement matters but so does rewriting laws that make compliance impractical.

SRK,
Bangkok,
Thailand

US President Trump to bring back Religion to American public life The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday April 29, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Saturday, April 26, 2025

Re: "New Trump task force aims to root out anti-Christian bias", Bangkok Post, World, Wednesday April 23, 2025.
I was fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis during the end of my tenure at Assumption College, when he visited the cathedral next to the school during his trip to Thailand a few years ago.
It is a coincidence that when Pope Francis passed away early this week, US President Donald Trump held an "Easter roll" with media just outside the Whitehouse, where he proclaimed that he was "going to bring religion back into American public life".
And I say "hallelujah" to that!
It is perhaps extreme for Mr Trump to seek out those who display an anti-Christian bias in the American government, but the fact remains that the atheists asked for it. What with their continual mocking of Christians who profess their faith, regarding them as mere simpletons who are lacking in any intellect.
Being that it is Easter, and not Christmas, which is the high point of the Christian calendar, it is perhaps fitting that Mr Trump proclaimed his intention to bring back religion into American public life the day after Easter.

Paul,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Indonesia would back the installation Of an Islamic government in Papua New Guinea The Southeast Asian Times, Monday April 28, 2025 First published in the National, Friday April 25, 2025

I write this letter mainly to gauge the view of the wider audience in Papua New Guinea whether they are aware of the catastrophic event approaching our shores.
Indonesia has just recently allowed Russia to station their war planes in Biak Island in West Papua about 500km from our common border.
They have also last month signed an agreement with Turkey an Islamic country to manufacture drones in Indonesia that are capable of carrying missile war heads.
Remember we are the third largest Christian practicing country in the world where 90 per cent of the population are Christians.
Just beginning of this year, our Parliament passed the law that Papua New Guinea is a Christian country.
Now Indonesia is recognised as an Islam or Muslim country and the Islam religion has been practicing their faith in Papua New Guinea for the last 30 years or so but still that Islam religion cannot convert many Papua New Guineans or many Papua New Guineans view Islam negatively.
It is of my view that if the religion of Islam is not successful in converting Papua New Guinea people they might use military to install an Islam government and Indonesia will be backing that.
Australia having observed the activities of the Indonesia government has just recently announced that the Australian army is now making recruitment of Papua New Guinea nationals directly into the Australian Defence Force.
The question is with the new President of US, Donald Trump unpredictable and since American troops are base in Townsville or Darwin, in the event of an Indonesian invasion into Papua New Guinea I don’t think Australia will come to our aid because the Australian Defence Force has its own rules to abide by and approval must be given the US government.
Sensing all these, can the Papua New Guinea Government start building its Defence Force, with drone pilots, and capable navy ships and fighter jets or planes.
Better still as of next year introduce mandatory army cadetship in all high schools which will form the reserve army in all fields in the Papua New Guinea Defence Force .
One of the best country to partner with to strengthen our Defence Force capabilities is Japan who were already in our country in World War Two and knows the terrain or geography of Papua New Guinea.
Apart from Japan, Papua New Guinea can build its Defence Force with some countries in Europe like Germany where they have history on our shores.
The world is heading towards an unpredictable time and our security and Defence Force must be counted on.
Politicians and warlords time of accumulating wealth is over, it’s time to protect your citizen and your country.

Morning cloud,
Port Moresby
Papua New Guinea

Nasa space programmes Could be taken over by SpaceX The Southeast Asian Times, Sunday April 27, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Thursday April 24, 2025

Re: "Nasa fires chief scientist, more Trump cuts to come", Bangkok Post World, Thursday March 13, 2025.
It appears that the Trump government is considering cutting Nasa's science budget in half for 2026.
This will stop a number of projects, including possibly the Goddard Space Flight Center.
Support for the Hubble Telescope will continue until it falls apart, but then no more telescope launches.
One possible reason for the cutbacks might be that the search for alien life will succeed, and we discover that rather than being small and green, they are large and orange and want their lost child back.
On a more serious note, any cutbacks to science funding should be condemned, given the developments with people losing faith in science and the rise of pseudoscience.
The appointment of Robert Kennedy Jr, a vaccine sceptic, to lead America's health departments does not provide confidence in their support of real science.
Perhaps the space programmes could be taken over by SpaceX, owned substantially by Elon Musk, President Trump's money saver.
The SpaceX rockets, however, do explode from time to time, which is worrying.

Dennis Fitzgerald,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Nothing but horror stories About Thailand's administration of public health The Southeast Asian Times, Saturday April 25, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Wednesday April 23, 2025

Re: "Cracks in the state health system", Bangkok Post, Editorial, Friday April 18, 2025.
This editorial, measured and well-reasoned, was quite brief. Problems with the administration of public health in Thailand are endemic.
Ask any Thai citizen, and one will hear nothing but horror stories.
The examples presented in the editorial regarding the resignation of doctors and the circumstances in which they are required to work represent egregious abuse and exploitation of those who are most essential to maintaining public health.
Doctors who toil endless hours for low wages in poorly equipped and often antiquated facilities are obviously among the most compassionate people in Thailand.
Why exploit them, especially when the government lavishly appropriates disproportionate sums on the armed services, which do comparably little for the Thai people?
Those who are clearly not among the most compassionate people in this country are often found in government agencies, particularly at the top.
Most of them are inordinately wealthy and do not give a hoot about others' welfare.
One would think that the Ministry of Health should at least have an Master of Public Health (MPH) or Doctor of Medicine (MD) running the show, and preferably someone with extensive experience working in a public hospital.
The issue of tariff negotiations pales in significance to the health of the Thai people.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Pope Francis foresight to address prescient threats to society Will eternally resonate The Southeast Asian Times Friday, April 25, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post. Thursday April 24, 2025

Re: "Pope Francis dead at 88", Bangkok Post, Tuesday April 22, 2025.
Pope Francis' 2015 encyclical Laudato Si, on Care for Our Common Home, declares the governing paradigm that "We are the stewards of creation and have the responsibility to hand on to the next generation, an earth that is in at least as good a condition as the one we receive".
The intimate relationship between the poor and the fragility of the planet, that everything in the world is connected, the critique of new technology, the call to seek other ways of understanding the economy and progress, the value proper to each creature, the human meaning of ecology, the serious responsibility of international and local policy and our rife throwaway culture and the proposal of a new lifestyle remains humanity's calling as well as a clarion call to arms.
Pope Francis reminds us that the ecological catastrophe of the Anthropocene that threatens humanity, indeed all life on Earth, is corroborated by wilfully not acting upon convincing climate change and environmental science that predict a 'tipping point' from which there is no possible recovery.
As Richard Horton exhorts from the Vatican whilst reporting for the medical journal Lancet in 2017: "A rejuvenation in moral inquiry, leadership, advocacy and activism is needed.
We have to understand that wisdom comes from a broad, inclusive conversation, from fostering a plurality of voices."
Pope Francis' foresight to address prescient threats to society, the decline in the quality of human and other life, global inequality, weak responses, and not soliciting a variety and balanced set of opinions will eternally resonate.

Joseph Ting,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Delay or hindrance to blood testing and medicine Will be remembered as the footprint of US president The Southeast Asian Times, Thursday April 24, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Wednesday April 23, 2025

Re: "US funding cuts for Aids-HIV fight", in Bangkok Post, Thursday April 17, 2025.
The biggest problem is that the most unusual US president has cancelled both the US President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief programme, a legacy of President George W Bush, and closed all USAID programs.
For example, the blood testing services provided have been stopped.
There is no vaccination for preventing HIV/Aids.
But continuous blood testing and new medicines can help the world win the battle against HIV infections.
Any delay or hindrance to blood testing and medicine will be remembered as the footprint of the current US president.

John Kane,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

The United States Is no longer a global parent The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday April 23, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Sunday April 20, 2025

Re: "Workers face fallout", Bangkok Post, PostBag, Wednesday April 9, 2025.
Yingwai Suchaovanich echoes mainstream media in whining about US President Trump's demand for reciprocal trading arrangements with all nations.
The former soft-power peddling of lenient tariffs and uncontested protectionism as a US geostrategic policy is no longer viable nor does it produce mutually beneficial results.
Like the heirs of a tycoon, the grown-up children now presume to be entitled and cry when their allowances are cut.
Yingwai claims, "Mr Trump is jeopardising the livelihood of millions of workers in Southeast Asia."
The United States is not a global parent. By requiring nations to handle their own business and engage in free, fair, and equitable trade practices, the failures of governments globally will be exposed for their populations to see.
Already the Thai Prime Minister, rather than proposing zero tariffs, as Taiwan has done, has decided to pursue arms purchases to lower the trade surplus.
Of course, this transfers a substantial additional tax burden to Thais rather than giving them the opportunity to export more to their biggest customer by lowering tariff barriers.
China and the socialist nations of the world subsidise all business but also tax their profits heavily. People are getting tired of this style of greedy top-down authoritarian governance and long for freedom.
It is often said China raised hundreds of millions out of poverty, but this supposed economic "miracle" only occurred because the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ceased directing communal enterprises and allowed foreign investment, thus giving the rural Chinese a taste of freedom.
That freedom released the power of the people and incentivised them toward self-improvement and economic prosperity.
Essentially the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) just got out of the way.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

Call for ASEAN enlargement to enhance leverage In an unpredictable global trade environment The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday April 22, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Sunday April 20, 2025

Re: "Bigger Asean could counter tariffs," in Bangkok Post, Opinion, Thursday April 17, 2025.
There is no doubt that Asean enlargement could enhance the bloc's leverage in a mercurial global trade environment.
However, such enlargement should not be taken as a strategic move.
It must be a genuine political act that comes from agreement among current members.
Asean's consensus-based framework means any new accession depends on solidarity.
This solidarity must pre-exist any formal declarations.
Whether the candidate is Timor-Leste or Sri Lanka, expansion will only succeed if unity is more than rhetorical.

Ioan Voicu,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

Under the MAGA initiative US fixed on account deficit and public debt The Southeast Asian Times, Monday April 21, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Saturday April 19, 2025

Re: "Trump has eye on chip, drug tariffs", Bangkok Post, Business, Wednesday April 16, 2025 and "The dollar correction is finally here", Bangkok Post, Commentary, Wednesday April 16, 2025.
Under the MAGA initiative and national security concerns, the Trump administration appears fixated on reversing the US current account deficit and bringing ballooning public debt under control.
Amid the prohibitive cost of bringing manufacturing and factories home, American manufacturers remain cautious and even contemplate shifting operations elsewhere. While tariff revenue increases or corporate tax cuts may in part help offset the reshoring costs, a sharp drop in US imports could undermine the effort.
As a global destination of capital and the world's leading consumer market, America has long been able to attract massive investment into its deepest and most vibrant financial markets, amplified by the US dollar's role as the dominant global reserve currency.
In terms of real effective exchange rate, the USD has steadily appreciated by 46 percent since July 2011, further cementing its global standing.
The current account deficit US$311 billion in Q3, 2024 implicitly suggests national savings less than investment because America provides attractive returns, or low savings due to its excessive private and public consumption, or a combination of both.
It makes little sense to argue whether the current account deficit especially the bilateral trade deficit is "bad". If long-term investors continue to finance American productive capacity building for a return higher than the cost of capital, the current account deficit will likely be sustained.

Ninaja Kun,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

China President visits Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia Strangely not Thailand The Southeast Asian Times Sunday April 20, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Friday April 18, 2025

Re: "I just saw the future. It wasn't in the US", Bangkok Post, Opinion, Saturday April 12 and "China primes rare earths weapon", Bangkok Post, Opinion, Monday April 14, 2025.
Since his inauguration on January 20 with the promise of a "Golden Age of America", President Donald Trump has been having a field day for two months by causing havoc with his declared tariffs on all nations trading with the US and threatened leverages.
China was hit with a 145 percent levy on its exports to the US while China, without wishing to have any dialogue with Mr Trump, retaliated without fear with a 125 percent levy.
One stock guru claimed the 145 percent rate was not a tax but a goods embargo.
Mr Trump's bluff has failed.
While visiting Vietnam two days ago, President Xi Jinping hit back, calling Mr Trump's actions "unilateral bullying" and called on other countries he is visiting on his Southeast Asian tour Malaysia and Cambodia to "uphold the stability of the global free trade system" strangely, not Thailand.
Your articles by the New York Times Thomas Friedman, and Reuters Andy Home, give rise to the question of why in this game of "poker" or "chicken", China seems to have more leverage against the US.
It will be interesting to see how Mr Trump backtracks, most likely via his Treasury head, Scott Bessent.

Songdej Praditsmanont,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Orwell's 1984 Still relevant The Southeast Asian Times Saturday April 19, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Wednesday April 16, 2025

Re: "I just saw the future. It wasn't in the US", Bangkok Post, Opinion, Saturday April 12, 2025.
There is usually wisdom in the classics. A recent revisit to Orwell's 1984 provides material to consider in 2025.
The reverse logic of a key theme, "Ignorance is strength", is being enacted through the imposition of Trump tariffs on so many countries and a few penguins.
There is a final and serious warning from 1984: "We know that no one ever seizes power with the intention of relinquishing it."
It could happen, take note of the warning.
If you have the time, reread 1984, it is still scary, and relevant.

Dennis Fitzgerald,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

Thai shareholders connected to contractors responsible For the collapsed of State Audit Office in earthquake The Southeast Asian Times, Friday April 18, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Friday April 11, 2025

Re: "Probe seeks answers from Thai partners", in Bangkok Post, Tuesday April 8, 2025.
We learn that the Department of Special Investigation has discovered a number of Thai shareholder nominees allegedly connected to the contractor responsible for the collapsed State Audit Office building.
So, I wonder: Will the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) prosecute the principal 40.8 percent Thai shareholder, supposedly a construction laborer earning just over 10,000 baht ($290) a month, to the full extent of the law and claim that justice has been served?
Or, will the government risk ruffling feathers and seek cooperation from China to investigate and prosecute all of the Chinese and Thai beneficiaries or facilitators in the chain, leading to the very top, however high that might be?
Oh dear, it's so hot these days.
I think I need another Red Bull to quench my thirst for knowledge.

H Dumpty,
Bangkok,
Thailand

US imposes extra tariff rate on Vietnam and Cambodia Suspected or known to be a conduit for China The Southeast Asian Times Thursday April 17, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Sunday April 13, 2025

Re: "Tariff roulette", in Bangkok Post, PostBag, Saturday April 5, 2025.
President Donald Trump's "reciprocal tariff", as the name implies, simply charges an extra customs duty on goods coming to America if there is a trade deficit with that exporting country.
The calculated percentage is simply the dollar amount of that deficit divided by the dollar amount of goods the US imported from that country.
The result is to be divided by two.
Hence, there is no round figure for the percentage rate.
In the case of a country suspected or known to be a conduit for China, an extra discretionary rate is added, like in the cases of Vietnam and Cambodia.
Countries with trade surpluses, like Singapore or the UK, are still subject to Mr Trump's 10 percent import duty, which is the new basic duty imposed on all goods imported into the US at midnight this Saturday.
It is now reported that he has congratulated himself for creating economic and financial havoc in the world and is now pleased that all the countries have called on him and stated how powerful the United States is, and he has become now.
Obviously, the reciprocal tariff is not the aim.
It is the means to reach the ends - making America Great Again - starting from the defence in Europe, roping Canada as the 51st state, taking possession of Greenland, taking control of Panama, and even changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
His leverage is to call for fair shares of having the largest number of "able to pay" consumers, being the most powerful country on earth, and being the most advanced in technology.
China, his nemesis, aggravates him to the level of "bullying" others.
It is getting to be like a poker game in that we have to determine whether he is bluffing.
We, outsiders, can only take comfort in the fact that the imperial power bestowed on him was their country's democratic choice.
Fortunately, it can always be challenged at any time through a democratic process.
Previously, the timeframe for his rule was another four years to 2029, and now, some who believe in his goodness want another four years to 2033 despite the US constitution.

Songdej Praditsmanont,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Call to ignore pronouncement that 7.7 quake That hit Bangkok was equal to 334 atomic bombs The Southeast Asian Times Wednesday April 16, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Sunday April 13, 2025

Re: "Quake survival tips", Bangkok Post PostBag, Friday April 4, 2025 and "BMA wants quake safety reports filed", Bangkok Post, Monday March 31, 2025.
In a recent letter, I suggested that amateurs avoid making statements about earthquake science as it is an arcane science.
But our PostBag's beloved contributor, Khun Burin Kantabutra, couldn't resist.
His classic, "last week's quake of 7.7 was equal to 334 atomic bombs, and only one Bangkok skyscraper collapsed" is exactly why the suggestion was made.
It is fine to be proud of one's country, but the 7.7 measurement of the magnitude of energy released by the earthquake applies to the epicentre, in this case 1,200 kilometres north of Bangkok and 10 kilometres underground.
Furthermore, "atomic bombs" is not a measurement seismologists normally use, but it is a phrase used to scare people especially favoured by CNN, where this specious news originated.
The tremor's strength as felt in Bangkok was significantly lower than 7.7 on the Richter scale.
If the epicenter had been located here, I guarantee that the damage would have been unimaginably horrific.
Soils here liquify easily and constantly subside over time. This makes earthquakes particularly hazardous for structures in Bangkok.
I dare say most of the buildings in Bangkok were built before the 2007 earthquake regulations came into effect; many are similar to those in Myanmar, which suffered catastrophic damage.
The authoritative pronouncement by Khun Burin should, therefore, be ignored, and building-specific recommendations should be followed.
Furthermore, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) should inspect all multi-story structures built pre-2007 and post appropriate evacuation guidelines for occupants in the event of an earthquake.
Tall buildings preferably have sirens which must be inspected annually.
And most importantly, the much-delayed national emergency warning system needs to be implemented as soon as possible.

Michael Setter.
Bangkok,
Thailand

Missing billions of Kina from PNG improvement programmes Are real obstacles to development The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday April 15, 2025 First published in the National, Saturday April 12, 2025

Nearly 80 per cent of Papua New Guinea’s Member of Parliament's have failed to account for billions of Kina allocated through the District Services Improvement Programme (DSIP) and Provincial Services Improvement Programme (PSIP).
This is not a mere oversight, it is a profound betrayal of trust, a disregard for the nation’s future, and a crippling wound on the promise of progress.
These billions represent the hopes and aspirations of our people, the chance for new schools, well-equipped hospitals, vital infrastructure, and economic growth.
These funds could have lifted our people out of poverty, created jobs, and fostered entrepreneurship.
Instead, the silence surrounding the misuse and mismanagement of these funds paints a troubling picture: these programmes, designed to uplift the nation, have become tools for self-enrichment, benefiting a few while the majority suffer.
Our villages remain without basic services, our youth face crushing unemployment, and the law and order situation deteriorates.
The failure to account for these funds is not a bureaucratic issue, it is a barrier to progress, trapping our people in a cycle of poverty and despair.
The consequences are stark.
Lack of investment in essential services has driven unemployment, pushing frustrated youth toward crime and worsening the law and order crisis.
The absence of proper healthcare facilities leaves our people vulnerable to preventable diseases, while unfinished roads and bridges isolate communities, limiting access to trade and essential services.
The missing millions are not just numbers; they are real obstacles to development.
This cannot continue.
The time for gentle inquiries is over.
The scale of this unaccountability demands urgent action.
The Office of Rural Development (ORD) must work with the Ombudsman Commission and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) to launch thorough investigations.
Every elected member who has failed to acquit these funds must be held accountable under the law, referred to the Leadership Tribunal, and dismissed from office.
Failure to act decisively will only reinforce the public’s belief that those in power are either complicit or too fearful to act.
There can be no room for impunity.
The people deserve to know where their money has gone, and those responsible for its mismanagement must face the consequences.
This is not about political point-scoring; it is about securing the future of our nation.
It is about ensuring that the resources meant to empower our people are not squandered or stolen.
We must restore faith in our institutions and prove that leaders are accountable to the citizens they serve. If we fail to act now, we risk emboldening those who exploit the system.
The future of Papua New Guinea depends on our resolve to demand transparency, accountability, and justice.
Enough is enough.
Demand accountability.
Reclaim our future.
Concerned Citizen,

John Varey,
Port Moresby,
Papua New Guinea

Thailand PM welcomes head of the illegal government Of Myanmar to BIMSTEC First published in the Bangkok Post Thursday April 10, 2025 The Southeast Asian Times Monday April 14, 2025

Re: "Junta chief to attend summit in Bangkok", in Bangkok Post, Saturday March 29, 2025.
Really disappointing to see Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra welcoming the head of the illegitimate government of Myanmar at the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) meeting in Bangkok last week.
This goes against the policy of all the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to exclude the junta government for not complying with Asean's 5-point consensus. Prime Minister Paetongtarn must be hopelessly naive or encouraged by someone higher up in her political party.

Tony Jackson,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Trump Derangement Syndrome Reflected in Thailand's Bangkok Post The Southeast Asian Times, Sunday April 13, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Friday April 4, 2025

During Donald Trump's first term, the Biden years, and the pre-2024 election run-in, the average Trump media coverage recorded by most media outlets was 93 percent negative.
Given that Mr Trump won a resounding victory in November and clearly earned the trust and support of most US voters, one would have thought that the media coverage would have at least started to reflect that.
But no, the same outlets, of which your publication is one, continue the very same anti-Trump reporting through news articles, op-eds, and cartoons.
Your cartoonist, Matt Davies, is perhaps the worst example of Trump Derangement Syndrome.
His sketches are not funny, not representative of any balance, reality, or context, and on an artistic level, very poor.
He really is the worst I've seen, and that very choice clearly demonstrates the Bangkok Post's totally biased coverage.

Gary Fox,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Author Michelle Gelfand not qualified to critique US President Donald Trump The Southeast Asian Times, Saturday April 12, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Thursday April 10, 2025

Re: "Time to dump Trump's flawed negotiation playbook", in Bangkok Post Opinion, Saturday April 5, 2025 and "Slanted cartoons", Bangkok Post, PostBag, Saturday April 5, 2025.
The author of this utterly biased piece is Michelle Gelfand, a cossetted academic who is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a leftist/socialist think tank whose members have financially contributed to such luminaries as Kamala Harris and Adam Schiff.
Writing for the leftist, Soros-funded Project Syndicate, she makes reference to the typical socialist and emotionally based psychology of diplomacy, long established norms, and employs a variety of emotionally charged terms like "threats," "retaliation," "losses," and "combative" to substantiate her claim that US President Donald Trump is not a good negotiator.
Providing zero evidence of anything substantive, she imagines the experience of sitting in a classroom and interacting with students has qualified her to critique a man with the most extensive experience at the highest levels the world has to offer.
Meanwhile, I agree with PostBag contributor Gary Fox that cartoonist Matt Davies is biased.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Communism Is a fundamentally flawed and failed system The Southeast Asian Times Friday April 11, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Monday April 7, 2025

Re: "Why China's marriage crisis really matters", in Bangkok Post, Opinion, Friday April 4, 2025.
The "marriage crisis" is the least of China's worries. A major purge of top-level officials is well underway in the country and Xi Jinping's tenure is seen as fragile.
Many Chinese are not happy with their leadership particularly members of the young generation who are depressed by the economic situation and see their future as hopeless.
Social unrest is escalating yet this unfavourable news is rarely reported by mainstream outlets. However, social media and independent journalists are doing an amazing job covering these issues. Communism is a fundamentally flawed and failed system and this is producing the severe systemic problems currently facing the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Michael Setter
Bangkok,
Thailand

Seismology is an arcane science And one full of controversy The Southeast Asian Times, Thursday April 10, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Thursday April 3, 2025

Re: "Jittery workers flee buildings in capital", in Bangkok Post, Tuesday April 1, 2025.
Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced, "There will be no additional earthquakes".
If the all-knowing governor has foreknowledge of earthquake timing, then why did he not warn us of the first one?
Meanwhile, those who study the matter and forecast seismic activity professionally indicate aftershocks are highly likely for the next 10 days.
Seismology is an arcane science and one full of controversy.
The occurrence of seismic waves, their energy, and propagation through the earth is dependent upon a vast array of interdependent systems which include not only the earth's composition, the presence of fault lines, moving tectonic plates, and a liquid core, but also gravitational and electromagnetic forces from the sun, moon, and tides.
Like climate change science, it is no place for amateurs.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

The use of the Lese Majeste Law in Thailand Ultimately damages the monarchy The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday April 9, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Monday April 7, 2025

Re: "Army accuses expat US scholar of lese majeste", in Bangkok Post, Saturday April 5, 2025.
Before we act directly against his royal wishes, we should discuss the wisdom of our beloved national father before charging well-known American academic Paul Chambers with lèse-majesté.
As Nicolas Grossman and Dominic Faulder wrote in their palace-approved book: "Thailand's law of lèse-majesté has one very prominent critic: King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great. In 2005, King Rama IX used his televised birthday address to convey that:
'The king is a human being and as such should be subject to criticism.
Charges of lèse-majesté should be dropped, those held in jail for lèse-majesté should be released.
The use of the lèse-majesté law ultimately damages the monarchy.''
Why did King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great note that our using 112 "ultimately damages the monarchy"?
Does his wisdom still hold?
If so, why do we insist on damaging our monarchy which we say we love above life itself time and again?

Burin Kantabutra,
Bangkok,
Thailand

The total population of China as reported By the Chinese Communist Party is grossly inflated The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday April 8, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Sunday April 7, 2025

Re: "Why China's marriage crisis really matters", in Bangkok Post, Opinion, Friday April 4, 2025.
Another Project Syndicate piece which neglects the real issue with facts related to China. Many are fake, some outlandishly so.
The total population as reported by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is grossly inflated to support negotiations regarding international trade by exaggerating the market's strengths, and most importantly because the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) wants the world to think that challenging their country militarily would be a disastrous decision due to their claimed population size of 1.4 billion.
However, studies by demographic experts using a wide variety of data sources such as salt consumption, grain imports, population statistics cited by cities and villages, and overall economic activity indicate the real population of China is 300-400 million people.
The lingering effect of a one-child policy, surging severe death rates during Covid, depressed economic opportunity, and many other factors which were reported in the article make it utterly impossible for the 1.4 billion number to be factual.
The "marriage crisis" is the least of China's worries.
A major purge of top-level officials is well underway in the country and Xi Jinping's tenure is seen as fragile at the moment.
Many Chinese are not happy with their leadership, particularly members of the younger generation who are depressed by the economic situation and see their future as hopeless.
Social unrest is escalating yet this unfavourable news is not often reported by mainstream outlets.
However, social media and independent journalists are doing an amazing job covering these issues.
Communism is fundamentally flawed and this is producing the severe systemic problems now facing the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

The US is historically the most generous nation in the world In welcoming immigrants into the US The Southeast Asian Times, Monday April 7, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Saturday April 5, 2025

Re: "Tesla sparks fly", Bangkok Post, PostBag, Sunday March 30, 2025
I was astonished - not in a good way - when I read Joseph Ting's letter claiming that the current climate in the US is "anti-science and anti-immigrant" and that the Trump-Musk team is "anti-science and anti-immigrant".
Particularly galling is that Mr Ting resorted to the fatuous, fake, worn-out, tired trope of conflating illegal immigration with legal immigration.
The US is the most generous nation in the history of the world in welcoming immigrants into the country, with 800,000 legal immigrants admitted to the country every year.
Donald Trump is the most pro-immigration president in US history.
His mother was a legal immigrant, and so was his wife.
Meanwhile, the second lady, Usha Vance, is the daughter of legal immigrants.
The director of the FBI, Kash Patel, is the son of legal immigrants.
And Mr Trump is pro-science.
He initiated the United States Space Force.
Calling Elon Musk "anti-immigrant and anti-science" - the claim is beyond ludicrous.
Musk is himself a legal immigrant.
The scientific and technological community in the US includes legal immigrants, such as Jensen Huang (Nvidia), Sergey Brin, and Sundar Pichai (Google), Satya Nadella (Microsoft), et al.
And to say Musk is "anti-science"? Musk creates electric cars and rolls out Neuralink, Starlink, SpaceX, and Grok AI. If anyone thinks that's "anti-science", then I can't help them.

Ben Levin,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Three groups of Uyghurs Treated differently after fleeing China The Southeast Asian Times, Sunday April 6, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Friday April 4, 2025

Re: " Kannavee sticks by Uyghur letters claim", Bangkok Post, Editorial, Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
I was more than a little amused at the simple distortion and twisting of historical facts in this morning's letter regarding the Uyghur returnees.
When the large group was first discovered in 2015, the women and children, in total 173 people, were treated as refugees and sent on to Turkey.
For reasons never explained, 109 men were escorted back to China just a week later, showing Thailand's reluctance to offer fair treatment for all.
Even worse, a third group, which, as far as I understand, were never convicted and sentenced for any crime, were then kept in indefinite detention for 11 years.
Three groups, three completely different treatments for the same "crime" of fleeing repression.
So, who was treated correctly?

Steve Merchant
Bangkok,
Thailand

Papua New Guinea lawyers Set precedent in our part of the world The Southeast Asian Times, Saturday April 5, 2025

Papua New Guinea lawyers march against legislative shifts towards authoritarianism ( The Southeast Asian Times 3 April 2025 ).
Hats off to them for standing up for democracy.
In Fiji after the 2006 military coup there was 16 long years of authoritarian rule but no march by the Fiji lawyers mob.
So what the Papua New Guinea lawyers have done is great. It might be the first in our part of the world and it could serve as an inspirational model in the region when authoritarianism raises its ugly head any where else in the region.

Rajend Naidu,
Sydney,
Australia

The impact of corruption on Papua New Guinea’s Economy and society cannot be overstated The Southeast Asian Times, Friday April 4, 2025 First Published in the National Tuesday April 1, 2025

Papua New Guinea is facing a severe crisis as corruption allegations continue to rock the government, shattering the trust of its citizens and undermining the country’s economic and social development.
The allegations, which span across various government departments and agencies, have exposed a pervasive culture of corruption that threatens the stability and integrity of the nation’s institutions.
The recent scandal involving high-ranking government officials and politicians has brought the issue of corruption to the forefront of public discourse in Papua New Guinea.
The allegations range from embezzlement of public funds to bribery and kickbacks in awarding government contracts, casting a dark shadow over the reputation of the country’s leadership.
The impact of corruption on Papua New Guinea’s economy and society cannot be overstated.
It diverts much-needed resources away from essential public services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure, exacerbating poverty and inequality in the country.
Moreover, corrupt practices erode the rule of law and undermine democratic governance, leaving the most vulnerable members of society at the mercy of unscrupulous officials.
The lack of transparency and accountability in the government has allowed corruption to flourish unchecked, leading to a breakdown in public trust and confidence in the country’s leadership.
The revelations of corruption have sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability from civil society organisations, the media, and concerned citizens who demand justice and reform.
In response to the allegations, the Papua New Guinea government has vowed to crack down on corruption and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
Prime Minister, together with the anti-corruption agency, launched an investigation into the allegations, promising to root out corruption at all levels of government and restore public confidence in the country’s institutions.
However, the government’s commitment to combating corruption must be matched with concrete action and meaningful reforms to address the systemic issues that enable corrupt practices to thrive.
Transparency, accountability, and good governance are essential pillars in the fight against corruption, and the government must prioritise these principles in its efforts to clean up the public sector.
The role of the judiciary and law enforcement agencies is crucial in prosecuting corrupt officials and ensuring that they are held accountable for their actions.
The judiciary must act independently and without bias in upholding the rule of law and prosecuting those responsible for corrupt practices, regardless of their political affiliations or positions of power.
Civil society organisations and the media also play a vital role in exposing corruption and holding the government to account.
Journalists and activists must continue to investigate and report on corruption allegations, raising awareness and putting pressure on the government to take action against those implicated in corrupt activities.
Beyond the immediate scandals and allegations, the fight against corruption in PNG requires a long-term commitment to building strong institutions and promoting a culture of integrity and transparency in the public sector.
The government must implement robust anti-corruption measures, such as asset declarations for public officials, transparent procurement processes, and whistleblower protections, to prevent and deter corrupt practices.
As the people of Papua New Guinea call for accountability and reform, the government must heed their demands and de monstrate its commitment to fighting corruption and upholding the rule of law.
The future of the country’s democracy and development hinges on the government’s ability to address the root causes of corruption, restore trust in its institutions, and rebuild the confidence of its citizens in their leaders.
Only through sustained efforts to combat corruption and promote good governance can Papua New Guinea overcome this crisis and build a brighter future for all its citizens.

Romel Kuman.
Port Moresby,
Papua New Guinea

Bank of Thailand is developing a digital currency That threatening financial privacy The Southeast Asian Times, Thursday April 3, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Wednesday April 2, 2025

Re: "More central banks adopt digital currencies study", in Bangkok Post Business, September 19, 2024.
Do you want the government to have authority over your money?
Know all of your spending all the time?
As a Thai university student, no I don't.
But they are doing it right now!
The Bank of Thailand (BOT) is developing a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) to enhance digital finance and security.
But beyond convenience lies a deeper concern - surveillance.
Unlike cash, CBDC allows the government to track every transaction, threatening financial privacy.
Worse, it can be used as a tool of control, with authorities potentially freezing or seizing funds at will.
Even if not abused, can the system truly be secure from cyber threats?
Are CBDCs the future of safe finance, or a step toward government overreach - something decentralised cryptocurrencies were designed to resist?

Rhatha Kuanswang,
Bangkom,
Thailand

 

 

BIMSTEC forum to solidify Its role as major geopolitical player The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday April 2, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Tuesday April 1, 2025

Re: "Bimstec to put regional ties to the test", Bangkok Post, Opinion, Tuesday March 25, 2025.
The upcoming Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit in Bangkok represents a critical moment for this forum to solidify its role as a major geopolitical player.
As Kavi Chongkittavorn highlights, the Bay of Bengal region is no longer a peripheral concern but a vital hub of trade, security, and strategic cooperation.
Given its growing economic weight, commitment to connectivity, and increasing coordination in key areas such as digital payments, cybersecurity, and crisis response, Bimstec member countries, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal, Sri Lanka have the potential to emerge as a strong competitor to China's regional influence.
The forum's emphasis on resilience and cooperation could make it an alternative model of regionalism, one that fosters economic integration without the political dominance of any single power.
If Bimstec can practice solidarity and give tangibility to its "Bangkok Vision 2030" and enhance its collective voice, it may contribute to redefining the dynamics of the Global South and challenge existing institutional structures in Asia.

Ioan Voicu,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Islands far from pollution in Bangkok Not visible for weeks The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday April 1, 2025 First Published in the Bangkok Post, Sunday March 30, 2025

Re: ''Chiang Mai rejoins list of top 10 polluted cities'', in Bangkok Post, March 26, ''Petition filed in push for equal citizenship'', Bangkok Post, Life, March 25, and ''Historic new rights laws fight old bias: Same-sex marriages shake things up'', in Bangkok Post, February 16.
I recently flew from home on Koh Samui, where even on an island far from the mainland, nearby Koh Phangan has not been visible for weeks because of pollution. I accept that this is a worldwide problem but that does not excuse inaction.
I arrived in Bangkok and even before leaving the airport my eyes were already feeling itchy and my nose congested. The pollution levels are lethal. There is no question that almost everyone living in the capital will suffer some adverse health effects and have their life shortened.
Pollution comes from three main sources: vehicles, stubble burning, and industry, but can be dramatically reduced by government action.
Announce today that only non-polluting vehicles can enter the city in, say, five years time and no one will buy a petrol car tomorrow. Buses, taxis, tuktuk and commercial vehicles must not be exempt.
Fine or reduce funding of any local authority that does not stop stubble burning. Also demote or move any police chiefs in those areas.
Serve notice to polluting industries that if they continue to pollute they will be shuttered.
Maybe there are different solutions but inactivity and soundbites are killing us.

Phil Cox,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

 

 

Thailand company buybacks should be published By Stock Exchange of Thailand or brokers. The Southeast Asian Times, Monday March 31, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Friday March 28, 2025

Re: "Twenty listed firms seen likely to prep share buybacks", Bangkok Post, Business, Tuesday March 25, 2025.
Over the past year or so, there have been far, far more than just 20 Thai listed companies which have already announced and regularly buy back their own shares on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Market for Alternative Investment (MAI).
As is then regularly Stock Exchange of Thialand (SET) news announced, but never tallied up to actually show how many different companies are doing this already.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) or their brokers should publish the number of companies and even their names, as it's a true positive sign in that these mostly do believe their share prices are oversold and below intrinsic value.
Sometimes, a company may buy back its shares as it does not see alternative good investments at present with its cash on hand; however, most of the time, it's a clear sign that current market prices well underprice its true value.
It's a positive sign when so many companies announce buybacks, and this should be published by the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) or brokers.
As it is now, nobody really knows the actual number, which I estimate to be in the many dozens.

Paul A Renaud,
Bangkok,
Thailand

A dirty bomb could pass undetected into Thailand Without much difficulty The Southeast Asian Times, Sunday March 30, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Friday March 28, 2025

Re: "Radioactive waste probed", in Bangkok Post, Wednesday March 26, 2025.
Nothing new here; in 2018, a steel manufacturer in Thailand discovered over 880 tonnes of smelting waste contaminated with Cs-137.
In the year 2000, workers in Samut Prakan stole a cobalt-60 cylinder from a discarded X-ray machine and sold it to a scrap dealer.
Five workers at the scrapyard and four waste collectors were hospitalised with radiation sickness, and over 1,800 people were exposed to harmful radiation.
In 2023, a 25kg cylinder was stolen from the National Power Supply Public Co in Prachin Buri and sold for scrap.
The radioactive waste it contained was found at a steel foundry in Kabin Buri district, 10 kilometers away, in furnace dust and smelted scrap metal.
The recent report of 10 tonnes of illegally imported Caesium 137 material failed to disclose where it was presently located.
The news included a photo of officials wearing surgical masks while investigating the site.
This is an illustration of gross misfeasance on the part of authorities.
The public must be informed immediately of the location so they may ascertain if possible harm might accrue due to exposure.
Additionally, surgical masks provide inadequate protection from the hazards of radioactive Cs-137 fine dust inhalation. Proper PPE must be used on site inspections and in handling such material.
If a single incident of illegal importation is discovered, one can assume there have been at least 10 others which have gone undetected. Corruption and illegal activity common to these incidents include theft for scrap, inadequate and inaccurate documentation, importation and customs irregularities, and lack of port detection of radioactive containers.
A dirty bomb could seemingly pass undetected into Thailand without much difficulty.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

More beggars than ever before in Thailand People picking litter out of rubbish bins just to survive The Southeast Asian Times Saturday, March 29, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Re: "Doom or data", in Bangkok Post, PostBag, Friday March 21, 2025 and "The economy is waiting to hit an iceberg", Bangkok Post Opinion, Thursday March 20, 2025.
Barely had the ink dried on his just-written column when someone challenged freelance economist Chartchai Parasuk's assertions, refusing to see the truth for what it is.
Only this time, it was Songdej Praditsmanont who challenged his view, rather than a foreigner, as was the case previously.
Rather than the Thai economy hitting an iceberg, which could have been avoided with the right planning, as Mr Chartchai insists, perhaps it's more apt to say that it has already hit such an object, if only partially so.
If one carefully reads his previous articles on the subject, one will find that he believes the economy should already have crashed and has only been prevented from doing so by interventions in financial markets.
Just look around you: Does Thailand look like a nation brimming with confidence, with an economy firing on all cylinders? Hardly.
What you see is more beggars than ever before, and people picking litter out of rubbish bins just to survive.
Nothing exemplifies the downturn in the Thai economy more, as far as I'm concerned, than the bankruptcy of my favourite fast food restaurant, Texas Chicken, in September 2024.
If a worldwide established food chain such as this exits the country, then what's to stop other franchises from also doing so?
There are rumblings in various business circles that Burger King or Subway are suffering great distress, not only here, but around the world.
English language institutes have been big in Thailand, but it appears that these, too, are now struggling.
For instance.
I know of teachers who had been promised work at language institutes during the holidays in October and March, only to be told that not enough students had enrolled to justify the extra classes.
So in summary, I think that Mr Chartchai's view has merit.

Paul,
Bangkok,
Thailand

ICC arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte Demonstrating that no leader is above the law The Southeast Asian Times Friday March 28, 2025 First published in the Philippine Inquirer, Saturday March 15, 2025

The recent arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte based on an International Crime Court (ICC) warrant marks a key moment in the struggle for justice and accountability.
Duterte’s war on drugs was bloody, with extrajudicial executions estimated between 12,000 to 30,000.
Human rights organizations and the victims’ families have clamored for justice for years, and his arrest is a sign that impunity is not eternal.
Duterte’s war on drugs was not only a domestic matter: it was a human rights disaster that contravened international laws.
His endorsement of vigilante killings and slaying of alleged drug users made the Philippines one of the worst places for poor and vulnerable people.
The ICC case against him is not political, it’s about holding leaders accountable to prevent them from weaponizing law enforcement for wholesale slaughter with impunity.
Duterte has insisted that his action was in the interest of national security, but the truth is that his policies disproportionately affected the urban poor, not drug lords and corrupt officials.
Due process was denied, abuse of power was pervasive, and tolerance of state-sponsored violence became the new norm in the country.
The Philippines backed out of the ICC in 2019, when the court said it would open an investigation into Duterte’s war on drugs. However, the ICC still has jurisdiction over crimes committed when the country was still a member and Duterte cannot avoid responsibility merely by withdrawing the country’s membership.
His claim that his case is a test of Philippine sovereignty is disingenuous.
With the ratification of the Rome Statute by the Philippines in 2011, the country voluntarily obligated itself to ensure international justice.
Duterte’s attempt to back out is not enough; the ICC has continued with his case, signifying that war crimes do not know borders.
Duterte’s arrest is not only about his destiny, it is a test of the Philippines’ devotion to justice.
His arrest signifies a change in power relations, demonstrating that no leader is above the law.
It also revealed the country’s deeper political rift. Daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, has labeled the arrest as “politically motivated,” his supporters said this is a move against Philippine sovereignty, while the victims’ families and human rights groups called it a long-sought avenue to justice.
Duterte is not the first world leader targeted by the ICC.
Slobodan Miloševi of Serbia, Charles Taylor of Liberia, and Omar al-Bashir of Sudan were also brought to international justice for crimes against humanity.
Their arrests were seen as a human rights victory; leaders must be held accountable for their actions.
The time has now come for the Philippine government to make a crucial choice: will it fully cooperate with international justice or will it do everything possible to protect Duterte from accountability.
This is not only a trial but a message to future leaders: that power should not be abused.
The Philippines can take the opportunity to demonstrate that it stands by democracy, the rule of law, and human rights.
The ICC’s action reminds us that no leader is above the law and that accountability is necessary for a truly democratic society.

Viel Andrea C. Manalo,
Manila,
Philippines

Thailand ranks 107 out of 203 in world education And near the bottom among 10 Asean countries The Southeast Asian Times, Thursday March 27, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Tuesday May 25, 2025

Re: "'Back of the Class' graphic", in Bangkok Post, Saturday March 22, 2025
The Bangkok Post graphics frequently shake up one's fixed thoughts.
From the latest graphic of the World Population Review ranking the education of 203 countries, there are the following shocking and surprising revelations.
Among the world's top ten countries is Slovenia, which is fifth.
Formerly part of Yugoslavia, it gained its independence in 1991. There must be many things happening right there.
Thailand ranks in the world's middle range 107th out of 203 and near the bottom among 10 Asean countries at 8th, just beating Myanmar and Cambodia, while Laos beats us at 7th among Asean and 102nd in the world.
An impressive country in education improvement is Vietnam, ranked third in Asean and 53rd in the world.
Now, one can surely expect Vietnam to bypass us in the economic rankings in the near future.
Isn't it there that there is capital punishment for corruption?
It is education that tells us what not to accept, what is wrong, and to promote what is right and not to bear the unbearable.
Nelson Mandela put it so rightly that "Education is the most powerful weapon that you can use to change the world".
One can only hope that in the no-confidence debate against PM Paetongtarn in parliament, there could be some indication from the debate that challenges Thailand's poor ranking in the World Population Review findings.

Songdej Praditsmanont,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Thai household debt so high Banks refuse to lend money The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday March 26, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Friday March 21, 2025

Re: "Risk of financial crisis creeps ever closer", Bangkok Post, Opinion, February 6, 2025 and "Thailand on the brink of financial collapse", in Bangkok Post, Opinion, Thursday February 20, 2025.
Freelance economist/columnist Chartchai Parasuk notes in his opinion pieces that corporate debt has now reached an unprecedented level of about 130 percent of GDP, while household debt is now so high that banks have refused to lend money to normal Thai people, causing Thais to resort to using informal financial institutions with ridiculously high interest rates for their loans.
This is why the above economist is absolutely sure that Thailand's economy will soon collapse, but he leaves it up to the reader to decide for him or herself.
There have been a couple of doubting Thomases who previously mocked him in this space for his dire economic pronouncements concerning the Thai economy. These smart-alecs can't accept the truth and have been unable to challenge Ajarn Chartchai by using facts, but rather with empty talk.
I suggest that everyone carefully reads what the above columnist is stating here.

Paul,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Philippines believe drug war was necessary Despite no long-term reduction in crime The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday March 25, 2025 First published in the Philippine Inquirer, Thursday January 20, 2025

In 1982, televangelist Paul Crouch made a shocking claim: Led Zeppelin’s song “Stairway to Heaven,” when played backward, contained hidden satanic messages.
This so-called satanic backmasking led to a moral panic.
Church groups smashed records, politicians proposed laws mandating warning labels on albums, and a wave of mass hysteria swept through society, reinforcing fears of widespread Satan worship.
A similar fear gripped the Philippines in the late 1990s with the “white van” myth—that children were being abducted in white vans for satanic rituals.
Parents became so terrified that many refused to let their children out at past 6 p.m.
These two events, though unrelated, reveal that our minds search for patterns, even when no real threat exists.
This cognitive quirk, which once helped our ancestors survive by detecting danger in rustling leaves or fresh footprints, now fuels modern fears and misinformation.
We see this same psychological tendency at play among former president Rodrigo Duterte’s supporters.
The “Bring Duterte Back Home” campaign, featuring mass rallies and coordinated social media campaigns, reflects a belief that Duterte is the only leader capable of protecting the nation.
His supporters view him as a savior who eradicated the country’s enemies—drug lords, criminals, and communists.
Duterte’s most ardent supporters believe his drug war was necessary despite evidence showing no long-term reduction in crime.
Many adopt an aggressive, us-versus-them mentality, labeling critics as “dilawan” or communist sympathizers.
Their rhetoric often mirrors Duterte’s vitriolic speech.
They tend to reject critical thinking, relying instead on political vloggers, propaganda, and misinformation.
The concept of brainwashing has evolved—from coercive persuasion to something far more insidious in the digital age.
Today, people are shaped by the algorithms of social media, which create echo chambers that reinforce their existing beliefs.
For many Filipinos disillusioned by decades of broken promises, Duterte’s war on drugs provided a clear, tangible action—even if it was brutally executed.
This promise of decisive leadership became the foundation of a cult-like following, where loyalty to Duterte is not just political but almost religious.
This phenomenon is an example of “kontra-gahum” or counter-hegemony—a belief system that offers a refuge for sacred values, such as loyalty to Duterte and his political dynasty.
His supporters consume only pro-Duterte content, social interactions where their beliefs are reaffirmed, and a shared sense of grievance, convinced that the International Criminal Court investigation is an attack on their leader.
This intense loyalty explains why some supporters have resorted to extreme acts, such as shaving their heads to urge Sara Duterte to run for higher office.
For them, any attempt to prosecute Duterte is a political witch hunt, a betrayal by the government.
They see themselves as a powerful force, believing Duterte gave them a sense of empowerment—whether as former drug users who turned their lives around or as members of the police and military who received higher salaries during his term.
Are we merely replacing one form of blind devotion with another?
If change is what we desire, then perhaps it is time to break free from the cycle of fear-based allegiance and embrace rational, informed decision-making.
Otherwise, we risk falling into yet another era of misplaced worship—one that, this time, is political rather than religious.

Sensei Adorador,
Manila,
Philippines

False concept of climate change responsibility Has crept into farming research funding The Southeast Asian Times, Monday March 24, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Monday March 10, 2025

Re: "R & D tax essential for Thai rice," in Bangkok Post, Oped, Saturday March 8, 2025.
Your editorial reveals the answer concealed in your summary of the problem.
The Rice Department's budget for rice research is around 200 million baht annually. Yet the combination of subsidies, pledging costs, and guarantees for farmers approaches 1 trillion baht.
Further limiting success, the false concept of climate change responsibility and so-called "low emission rice" have crept into farming research funding.
Farming rice sequesters carbon.
The more rice produced per hectare, the more carbon per hectare is sequestered. Isn't that sufficient?
It is no longer advisable for rice strain development and advancing farming methods to be the responsibility of the government at a practical level.
Enough is already known about intercropping crabs, Azzolla, and rice for example and other efficient rice-farming methods which, if implemented, would make a huge difference in productivity.
Strain development should be outsourced to companies who are eminently capable of integrating genetic selection, analysis, and optimisation at the biochemical level. Seed selection and rice production tailored for Thailand's specific climate and soil characteristics could advance
Thai rice toward a top-tier world class position in a year or two by resorting to this strategy.
It should be noted that although the Vietnam Food Association (VFA) says that Vietnamese rice does not contain Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)s, Vietnam has no restrictions on Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) products and there is no certification, testing, or genetic sequencing information available on their rice.
The government needs to reallocate their enormous budget and eschew their time-honoured tradition of keeping farmers uneducated and poor in order to maintain the old political order and perpetuate farmers' dependency upon the patronage system. Politics is not going to work that way for much longer.
You just can't lock everybody up for trying to make things better and expect to get away with it forever.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Thailand has had Ladybirds For a long time The Southeast Asian Times, Saturday March 22, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Tuesday March 18, 2025

Re: "US DEI curbs spark local fears", in Bangkok Post, Monday March 17,
2025.
I read the well-intentioned but fundamentally misguided comments of many local Thai experts, such as Nathineethiti Phinyapincha, Kittinun Daramadhaj, et al, who lamented the wonderful Trump cancellation of Western Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies worldwide.
As an older gay American who remembers the pre-LGBTQ rights, pre-Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) era, I have something to say.
First of all, if Thailand really wants air traffic controllers, pilots, teachers, and other critical experts to be qualified with your most precious loved ones' lives, based solely upon how they look, who they are, or have altered their bodies, Thailand indeed has had transgenders such as ladyboys for a long time and can legally do that on their own.
Finally, I would suggest President Trump's reversal of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is wonderful for countries like Thailand because Western Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) comes from a country with a culture that is devoid of and lacks any regard or understanding of Thai culture.
Thailand was appointing unqualified persons into critical jobs based on arbitrary reasons long before Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) anyway, so if these cited experts enjoy that, Thailand can just appoint people on arbitrary merits without any help from my country.

Jason A Jellison,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Thailand loses 10 million Chinese tourists Due to massive cyber-scams The Southeast Asian Time, Friday March 21, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Monday March 17, 2025

Re: "Group laments lost opportunities," in Bangkok Post, Friday March 14, 2025.
Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) president Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn was spot on the money when he said that Thailand's tourism industry lacks new supply, is poorly managed on the tourism supply side, and likely will not see 10 million Chinese tourists again due to Chinese mainland awareness of our recent, massive cyber-scams.
To add to those comments, I met Bangkok's cyber-crimes division in their office a few years ago over a case and, at the time, only one staff member could speak in fluent English with me.
I know not about their Chinese fluency, but if it still is the same lack of fluency which I encountered five years ago, that presents quite a problem for cracking down on Thai cyber-crimes in either the Chinese or English language.
Alas, multiple previous Thai governments did not take cyber threats seriously, acknowledge the human harm, or realise the real-world damage such crimes can do until only recently, after enduring damage was finally done to our precious tourism numbers.
If Thailand only heeded the cyber-security warning signs and human collateral damage around five years ago, these long-term revenue losses may not have happened; but now we're stuck with the losses.

Jason A Jellison,
Bangkok,
Thailand

s

 

 

Communism didn't work in the UE The EU's socialism is not working either The Southeast Asian Times, Thursday March 20, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Sunday March 16, 2025

Re: "Saving Mother Earth", Bangkok Post, PostBag, Saturday March 15 and "Why global governance is failing badly", in Bangkok Post, Opinion, Friday March 14, 2025.
Hans Van Willenswaard refers to the concept of a sovereign nation as a "myth" which reflects a position embraced by the UN and elaborated in a book called Reflections on Earth Trusteeship.
The authors seek to replace existing legal definitions of ownership, determined by personal and nation-state sovereignty with an earth system governance model which they claim is necessary to address the "climate emergency" and the "biodiversity crisis", and thereby save nature from humankind.
In "Why global governance is failing badly", Antara Haldar criticised the UN saying it "has proven to be generally ineffectual, overly bureaucratic, and unfair in its treatment of the Global South", yet failed to mention that the UN is not trusted to fulfil its mandate to secure peace.
Meanwhile, Prof Haldar claims "the European Union, for all its flaws, has demonstrated that a supranational federation can work, allowing previously warring countries to pool sovereignty in exchange for economic and political stability."
For stunning evidence that this is a lie see the recent independent news from Romania.
The EU is only succeeding in eroding individual sovereignty and human rights among member states.
That undermines the foundation of individual sovereignty that modern civilisation is built upon.
An individual's right to self-governance, encompassing autonomy over their body, actions and decisions, without external interference has been asserted as the foremost unalienable human right.
This extends to ownership of oneself and one's property.
The UN, despite proclamations to the contrary, has been seeking to end the sovereignty of nations and thus personal sovereignty for almost a century.
Mr Haldar blames sovereignty for the UN's failures while Van Willenswaard presumes to possess such an excellent paradigm shifting idea that everyone will voluntarily give up their sovereignty to save the Earth by embracing it.
This is simply idealistic nonsense.
Communism didn't work, The EU's socialism is not working, and no one will ever embrace "earth trusteeship" at a practical level.
Why?
Because everyone relentlessly clings to the self idea.
Everyone is an ego seeking to fulfil self-interest. Governance by enforced altruism is impossible.
Governance by propagandising fraudulent billion-dollar guilt/fear programs such as "climate change" and "pandemics" is also failing. Real altruism requires an evolutionary transformation of the individual, each one by one.
This is a spiritual matter not achievable by instituting newly minted governance models.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

President Donald Trump is an example of the health Of the US form of republican democracy in action The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday March 19, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Wednsday March 12, 2025

Re: "Tax the rich", Bangkok Post, PostBag, Tuesday March 11, 2025.
Felix Qui imagines that by increasing taxation rates, the US will be able to pay down the national debt.
Unfortunately, that is not how the financial system works.
He also suggests that his liberal sensibilities will be soothed by making the rich pay more.
Thus, he hopes to no longer boo-hoo about President Donald Trump "putting piddling money bags over human lives" and being "cruel and selfish".
Mr Trump is responsible for the lives and welfare of US citizens.
Period. Pausing USAID payouts while DOGE can eliminate fraud and waste benefits US citizens.
Mr Trump has said many times that when effective and efficient aid programs are identified, they will resume.
What liberals need to understand is that Mr Trump is an example of the health of the US form of republican democracy in action, and stop crying about it.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Thai leaders should chalk out a solid game plan To boost productivity The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday March 18, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Friday March 14, 2025

Re: "Telecommunications Disaster Resilience Innovation (TDRI) wants govt to upskill workers", in Bangkok Post, March 10 and "Indonesia's lack of skilled youths hinders growth", in Bangkok Post ,World, Wednesday March 12, 2025.
According to the latest International Labour Organization (ILO) stats, Thailand's labour productivity, defined as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per hours worked, ranks regionally 4th US$18.5 or 625 baht after Singapore US$96.9), Brunei US$71.3, and Malaysia US$30.4, followed by Indonesia US$15.7, Vietnam US$12.4, Philippines US$12.1.
The picture remains, by and large, unchanged over the past decade.
Thailand, long mired in the "middle-income trap", seems to be compulsively unnerved by the emerging economic power of regional peers, but enhancing productivity has proven to be a daunting challenge for all.
Thai leaders should chalk out a solid game plan to boost productivity.
Thailand should at least double per capita income if it craves to join a club of high-income countries within a targeted timeline before it is too late.
Through structural reforms like cutting red tape and policy stability, Thailand can prioritise attracting Federal Direct Investment (FD)I into the targeted sectors, which would help firms invest heavily in human capital and encourage cross-border technology transfer to gain competitiveness.
Moreover, Thai firms should offer attractive career development opportunities for young aspiring talent.
Otherwise, Thailand risks an exodus of discouraged high performers and capital flight. In the long run, Thailand should invest in R&D and nurture its unique, innovative startup ecosystem, spearheaded by local entrepreneurs.

Ninja Kun,
Bangkok,
Thailand

If a war breaks out Papua New Guinea will be affected The Southeast Asian Times, Monday March 17, 2025 First published in the National Sunday March 9, 2025

On February 22, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) navy’s task group 107, comprising a frigate, a cruiser, and a replenishment vessel, carried out live fire exercises in the Tasman Sea in international waters, between Australia and New Zealand.
But the way the Australian media was reporting this, you would have thought Xi Jinping woke up one day and spontaneously chose to provoke Australia for absolutely no reason.
Mind you, these are the same type of media heads with their fear mongering and warmongering rhetoric that convinced everyone that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was completely unprovoked, that the Covid-19 mRNA vaccines are absolutely safe, that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, etc.
Do not be fooled by their media.
Australia is 100 per cent the provocateur in this situation.
Since 2015, they have been sending their warships and planes into the South China Sea, claiming freedom of navigation on international waters, constantly provoking China.
I commend China for showing incredible restraint over the years.
I don’t support China’s claim over the whole South China Sea as if my opinion means a thing to Xi.
They are being a bully to their smaller neighbours and it is wrong.
Also I really don’t think it is a good idea to step on the toes of a nuclear superpower who’s just starting to flex their muscles.
If you look at a map, China’s access to the open seas, via the East China Sea, is completely inundated with United States (US) military bases.
Japan hosts 14 while South Korea hosts eight.
While Japan has the highest US military bases in the world, if one were to include not only bases but also military installations, the number goes up to 120, and most of them are on the Ryukyu Islands, which are small islands and atolls that stretch all the way to Taiwan.
So China is boxed in and they see South China Sea as their only breathing space.
I’m not trying to justify their actions; I am just telling why it’s happening.
Superpowers have to have their own stomping grounds.
The US got the Monroe doctrine, Russia got the former Soviet bloc and the ever-shrinking Eastern Europe exactly why they’re in Ukraine, even Australia claims the Pacific, and China?
The US and their allies have kind of successfully alienated China from Asia their own people! so China trying to establish their dominance in their region is not going smoothly.
I am certain cooler heads will prevail but if a war breaks out, Papua New Guinea will be affected.
Our strategic location got us a spot in the National Rugby League.
I hope Australia will stop being US’ lapdog and stand up for themselves.
Stop the warmongering.
Be the leader in the region they claim as their backyard.

Phil Kaizerman,
PoM,
Port Moresby
Papua New Guinea

Thai Men are expected not to discriminate Against Thai women The Southeast Asian Times, Sunday March 16, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Friday, March 14, 2025

Re: "Gender gap won't close without change", in Bangkok Post, Opinion, March 12, 2025
The first gender statistic quoted is that Thai women live for 80 years while men live shorter lives by 11 percent but this massive inequality is completely ignored.
Fifteen percent fewer women work than men. Not that bad, given childcare preferences, but Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) expert Dr Boonwara Sumano then claims a third 35 percent of women are "prevented" from working and ignores the 25 percent of men who also don't work. I wonder if Dr Boonwara thinks 25 percent of men are also "prevented" from working or that they're just lazy.
Women also hire women, she says. Why aren't women fair and just hire the best person for the job? Men are expected not to discriminate, so why not women?
The problem is that what Dr Boonwara suggests as a remedy, such as gender-responsive procurement or other responses, such as quota-based recruitment and diversity-equity-inclusion (DEI) policies, is blatantly and inherently unfair in itself.
Women aren't helped by building preferential treatment, bias and favoured status into the system. They're helped by being encouraged to compete on a level playing field.
Dr Boonwara is actually encouraging the notion that women are inferior and need special help.

Sibeymai,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Green finance Is big business The Southeast Asian Times, Saturday March 15, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Re: "Transition-finance for a green economy", in Bangkok Post, Opinion, Monday March 10, 2025.
It always astounds me to see obviously intelligent and accomplished people such as Khun Sarinee Achavanuntakul who are active in business directly related to "climate change" yet know nothing about it.
Green finance is big business only because the UN and its believers have converted so many people into climate change fanatics.
To date, 1,977 accredited scientists, among them two Nobel Laureates, have signed the world climate declaration, "There Is No Climate Emergency".
Among these scientists is Dr Willie Soon astrophysicist and aerospace engineer at The Center for Astrophysics, Harvard and Smithsonian, who stars in a hilariously entertaining, yet educational YouTube video, "Atlantis, Sea Levels, and Climate Doom," where he points out that current sea levels are now at their lowest levels in 500 years.
Richard Lindzen, Professor Emeritus of Atmospheric Sciences at MIT commented: "CO2… it's not a pollutant… it's the product of all plant respiration; it is essential for plant life and photosynthesis."
Another signatory, former president of Greenpeace (Canada), Patrick Moore, said: "The whole climate crisis is not only fake news, it's fake science."
It seems highly doubtful that Khun Sarinee is aware of this fact.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Malaysian PM invites Fijian PM To check out Malaysian development model The Southeast Asian Times, Friday March 14, 2025

I gather from a news report in The Fiji Times that Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim has invited Fijian PM Sitiveni Rabuka for a visit to Malaysia to allow him to check out the Malaysian development model.
When Rabuka is there can a good journalist please ask him what percent of Fiji’s less than one million people are living in poverty and in the words of a deputy PM in Rabuka’s government “ struggling to survive “?
Please ask him also what he picks up in per diem per day on overseas trips?
Finally also ask him how come he is wearing a $150,000 solid Rolex watch and signing his signature with a $1600 Mountblanc gold fountain pen as PM when just a few years back he was collecting bottles in the streets of the capital Suva to make ends meet?
Where did these gold items come from?
Thank you in advance.

Rajend Naidu,
Sydney
Australia

 

Call for Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) To replace North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) The Southeast Asian Times, Thursday March 13, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post. Tuesday March 11, 2025

Re: "Farewell Nato", in Bangkok Post, Opinion, Thursday March 6, 2025.
Though Gwynne Dyer's prediction of North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) demise is probably premature, I certainly wouldn't mourn NATO's demise.
Nato has always been a tool of the American Empire, which by its very nature antagonised the Russians and infantilised the Europeans.
That was perfectly appropriate during the Cold War, of course, but NATO has now outlived its utility.
A far better approach to security in Eurasia is through the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which is inclusive of all powers.
The unipolar moment is ending, and our emerging multipolar world will be a lot more stable if we organise a Eurasian security framework through OSCE instead of allowing Nato to be used as cover for America's destructive quest to maintain global dominance.

Jeff Gepner,
Bangkok,
Thailand

UN recommends Philippines promptly, independently And impartially investigate and prosecute corruption First published in the Philippine Inquirer, Monday March 10, 2025 The Southeast Asian Times Wednesday March 12, 2025

A special committee of the United Nations has just released the results of a review, stating that “corruption remains pervasive in all branches of government and the wider public sector” in the Philippines.
It has recommended that the country “promptly, independently, and impartially investigate and prosecute all cases of corruption, particularly high-level corruption, including corruption in the government and the judiciary, and if a person is convicted, apply penalties commensurate with the offense.”
This observation validates what the Transparency International (TI)’s Corruption Index had earlier found.
Among 180 countries in 2023, the Philippines ranked 115th in corruption perception at 34.
The highest score in TI’s Corruption Index is 100; the lowest, zero. Beyond the numbers, it is not hard to imagine that rampant and unbridled corruption is one of the major causes of widespread and abject poverty, which, to its victims, means powerlessness, marginalization, and exclusion.
These findings made me wonder how and why this situation can happen in a religious country like the Philippines.
At the heart of this inquiry is the understanding that organized religion, particularly Roman Catholic, the most predominant Christian denomination in the country, encompasses and integrates correct beliefs with ethical living.
Its basic ethics prohibits actions associated with stealing, lying, and bearing false witness.
Addressing corruption solely through prohibitions is often ineffective; there must be consequences and enforcement mechanisms to minimize, if not eradicate cognitively dissonant behaviors.
Several factors must be recognized to explain its prevalence and persistence to avoid committing what social psychologists call fundamental attribution error.
These include a culture of impunity, a personalist orientation, and an increasingly secular and consumerist environment that nurtures a form of religion lacking a transformative and liberating function for society as a whole.
Can religion serve as a solution, or is it part of the problem?
Is there a facet of intense religiosity that either impedes or fosters a culture of corruption?
What messages have church leaders conveyed to their supposed corrupt members who may not be aware that their actions do not square with their religious beliefs and shared moral values of honesty, truthfulness, and social justice?
In this election season, what inspiration and support can the institutional church provide to its good laymen and women who, without fear or favor, are waging their uphill battles against high-stakes corruption?
In addition to issuing pastoral letters on public morals and delivering parenetic homilies, I suggest that the church “promptly, independently, and impartially” confront the perceived divide between its beliefs and ethics directly if it aims to “deprivatize” as J.B. Metz puts it, its convictions and make a meaningful impact on the lives of the countless voiceless victims of pervasive and fatal corruption.

Noel Asiones,
Manila,
Philippines

Thailand deports Uyghurs to China At the request of China as part of bilateral agreement The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday March 11, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Sunday March 9, 2025

Re: "Govt draws flak for deporting Uyghurs", in Bangkok Post, Saturday March 1, 2025.
After completing 10 years of incarceration for their illegal entry, and at the request of their country of citizenship China, the Thai government has returned the Uyghurs to their homeland.
This action by the government follows the bilateral agreement in place between Thailand and China and should be viewed as honouring our international agreements.
It is also part and parcel of Thailand receiving assistance from China to combat call centre scams by Chinese gangs: a criminal and high human suffering issue that has high priority.
The hysteria displayed by Western governments and their media follows a familiar pattern that has become tiringly repetitive, clearly aimed at trying to contain China in every dimension even if only in Western media.
Despite attempts to link this issue to Thailand's interests in human rights on the US Department of State's website, it holds no real Thai domestic political interest and will not win an election for any politician.
The fact that it was brought up in the recent confidence vote indicates the opposition party either has no better domestic issues to raise or is more influenced by Western countries' agendas than we imagined.
Think recent exposure of USAID or NED.
Unlike Chinese call-centre gangs, these returnees will, at a minimum, be reunited with their families and given a chance to contribute to society.
Despite vocal criticism from some Western countries regarding Thailand's execution of this bilateral agreement, none of these countries openly offered to accept these Uyghurs as immigrants especially those making the loudest noise.
It's unclear what the specific complaints are intended on the US Department of State's webpage condemning Thailand "in the strongest terms".
After completing their sentences, these Uyghurs would become illegal immigrants if they remained in our country.
Illegal immigrants in the USA today are being rounded up and forcibly sent home by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The return of these Uyghur was requested by China through diplomatic channels; they were not forcibly returned by the Thai government.
Thailand's Procedure for Cooperation between States in the Execution of Penal Sentences Act, which is the basis for this Uyghur returns, is signed with 38 countries and can be readily found online.
The agreement has been invoked by Australia, the UK, Japan, and the USA without any objections from China or other non-involved Western countries regarding the possibility of mistreatment of individuals repatriated after committing criminal offences in Thailand.
Notwithstanding the fact that Muslims in Gaza were carpet-bombed by US-supplied arms, resulting in the deaths of 50,000 people, including 18,000 children, and leaving 100,000 more injured and all of Gaza homeless, Western media are still professing their love for Chinese Muslims and bringing up the "possibilities" that these 40 Chinese may suffer persecution, forced labour, and torture.
Despite zero evidence shown no mass graves, no pictures of torture, only satellite images of buildings these Xinjiang allegations continue.
Last month, a US District Judge ruled DOGE has the right to carry out its duties because the baseless anticipation of possible wrongdoing is not a sufficient basis for a cease and desist court order.
While the US court gives no weight to baseless allegations, the US-led media continues to poison the well worldwide with its Xinjiang narratives.
It is in our interest to honour our bilateral agreements with all countries, including this one with China.
Non-involved countries have no right for their self-interest to condemn or threaten Thailand for carrying out its international and humane obligations and building regional relationships.

ML Saksiri Kridakorn
Bangkok,
Thailand

Is Thaksin's Houdini act going to bolster Economics, principled politics, security and culture The Southeast Asian Times, Monday March 10, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Thursday March 6, 2025

Re: "Thailand's tense dance of diplomacy", in Bangkok Post, Opinion, Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
Kavi Chongkitthavorn's discussion on recent diplomatic moves by Thailand zeroes in on the role of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatara's "Houdini Act" theory or protracted strategy.
It raises the question that, given the current economic stagflation in Thailand, and uncertainties surrounding US President Donald Trump's tariff imposition and destabilisation of global economies, is Thaksin's "Houdini act" in regional and global politics going to serve any purpose to bolster the three strongly needed pillars of Thailand: sound economics, principled politics and security and an alluring culture?
Thailand has long been considered a moderate and peace-loving Indo-Chinese and Asean heartland. Thailand's "middle-of-the-road" attitude to many global issues also makes it an attractive ally in negotiations and deal-making.
Now is the opportune moment for the hand-wringing to stop and decisiveness to take hold of Thailand's decisions to move forward. After all, you cannot catch two fish with two hands.

Glen Chatelier,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

Europe has become complacent In its reliance on the US The Southeast Asian Times, Sunday March 9, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Thursday February 7, 2025

Re: "The empire wobbles", in Bangkok Post, PostBag, Tuesday February 4, 2025.
David Brown is spot on. The time has come to let go of Nato and for Europe to frame a new self-defence structure.
If Donald Trump is right about anything, it is that Europe has become complacent in its reliance on the US both financially and militarily.
The tragedy is that none of this can happen in time to save Ukraine.
Vice President JD Vance has already confirmed Russia will not be required to relinquish any of the 20 percent of Ukrainian territory it now controls, and Mr Trump will have under his arm the memorandum of understanding allowing him to plunder US$500 billion (16.8 trillion baht) of the country's natural resources.
Rather conveniently, many of the largest deposits of rare earths and other critical minerals are in the eastern regions occupied by the Russians, so the aggressors also get their share of the action.

Ray Ban,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Phuket is 65 percent the size of Singapore But does not have a single highway The Southeast Asian Times, Saturday March 8, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Thursday March 6, 2025

Re: "Phuket 'needs new growth strategy'", in Bangkok Post, March 4, 2025.
The Post reports on Phuket like it's a foreign country. Phuket is 65 percent the size of Singapore but the island doesn't have a single highway.
Nor does Phuket have a single traffic flyover.
Despite Phuket's love of billboards, flyovers were deemed unsightly so Phuket got busy building tunnels.
Tunnels use a lot more cement, cost a lot more, and take more time.
The last tunnel was completed about 10 years ago.
Phuket doesn't need a study.
We need a flyover going past Thalang for starters.
We need a second north-south road which has been proposed from way back to run the route of the power pylons that bring electricity in from far away Nakhon Si Thammarat.
The PM's visit this year and her poorly informed suggestion of travelling by sea omits the fact that we get hit with two monsoons here on the island, one big, and one small.

AM,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Are Thai prisons up to housing AIs That violate Section 112 of the Criminal Code? The Southeast Asian Times, Friday March 7, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Monday March 3, 2025

Re: "AI has potential, but care needed", in Bangkok Post, Editorial, Sunday February 23, 2025.
Few, I think, would dispute that AI has great potential to radically transform our lives at least. Nor would many dispute that care is also needed: we do not want to be turned into paper clips by an AI model.
But a concern specific to Thailand has been overlooked.
Current AI models, such as ChatGPT, will, when asked, give informed answers to questions about taboo topics.
Worse, when asked to support those answer, the response provides solid reasoning, not the entertainingly weird hallucinations that AI was once famous for. This must pose a threat to those Thai institutions.
Are Thai prisons up to housing AIs that violate Section 112 of the Criminal Code? And what if an AI duly imprisoned in strict accord with the law starts chatting with the likes of globally honoured rights advocate Arnon Nampa?

Felix Qui,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

Thailand can't sweep illegal activities carried out By illegal immigrants under the carpet The Southeast Asian Times, Thursday March 6, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Monday March 3, 2025

Re: "Lax border tech invites crime", Bangkok Post, Editorial, Sunday March 2, 2025.
I'm concerned about the scores of immigrants who process their documents every day at the immigration office in Si Racha, where I live.
A lot of them come from other areas to get their permits to stay and work legally in the country.
These days, a lot of foreigners come to our country to visit or work as a result of more lax border policies, but I have not seen any steps on the part of the government to curb illegal activities carried out by some of these individuals.
The government can't sweep these problems under the carpet forever, and one of these days, the situation will deteriorate beyond remedy.

Somwut S,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Whining around the world As US cuts USAID The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday March 5, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Monday March 3, 2024

Re: "USAID workers rocked by US foreign aid cuts", in Bangkok Post, Sunday World, March 2, 2025.
It is no surprise to hear the whining around the world about the US attempting to end its role as the world's Sugar Daddy.
The US has a national debt, which as of this morning stood at 36.509,770,000,000!
In case you can't count that high a number, it is over US$36 trillion and counting. We cannot even pay the interest!
If spending continues at this pace, it will not be long before the US will go bankrupt.
It is that simple.
Would the rest of the world bail us out? Not likely!
We, the people, finally elected a president who has the nerve to actually try to do something about it.
Thank you, President Trump.

Dr Jan,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Avoid America's mistakes Listen to Thai complaints The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday March 4, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Friday February 28, 2025

Re: "Condo rentals face probe", Bangkok Post, Thursday February 27, 2025
As the government reportedly considers raising foreign ownership beyond 49 percent, and as per a recent Post letter our islands are suffering mounting trash and environmental problems, and as the people of Pai vent anger as they allege they are overrun by certain tourists, the Thai government would be well-advised to look to America in 2024 for constructive ways of resolving these problems before a real social crisis truly takes hold.
In 2024, after 40 years of frustration, Americans finally hit the year when they overwhelmingly demonstrated they have had it with being overrun by outsiders, unbridled globalisation, and losing jobs and property to foreigners.
Now, they have taken dramatic, destructive, and expanding actions to undo the problems and retake several million jobs in the next few years, and those actions are not pretty.
Avoid America's mistakes.
I suggest the government listen to Thais who complain about being overrun by too many foreigners and foreign ownership legal concerns now, as well as not raising foreign ownership beyond 49 percent while corrective action need not be as destructive as in America today.

Jason A Jellison,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Israeli embassy in Bangkok warns compatriots Instead of keeping quite about their misbehaviour The Southeast Asian Times Monday March 4, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Monday February 24, 2025

Re: "Israeli embassy urges tourists to be respectful", in Bangkok Post, Sunday February 23.
It is refreshing to read about an embassy publicly warning its compatriots in Thailand to behave following the outcry from Thais in Pai district of Mae Hong Son instead of keeping quiet about the misbehaviours of its citizens.
The action of the Israeli embassy has literally reversed one's negative feelings towards Israelis, and other embassies should also follow up on the conduct of their countrymen.
One ambassador used to say to me: "In general, Thais are tolerant and kind but do not ever step on their corn."

Songdej Praditsmanont,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Former PM Thaksin apologises for mistakes In 2004 Tak Bai massacre southern Thailand The Southeast Asian Times Sunday March 2, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Friday March 1, 2025

Re: "Thaksin says sorry for Tak Bai", in Bangkok Post, Monday February 24, 2025.
Please tell me Thaksin didn't actually state that he apologises "for some mistakes in the Tak Bai case"?
Therefore, by implication, he's not sorry for other mistakes that were made.
Were his Public Relations people on a day off?

Shane,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Science diplomacy should serve As a real bridge between nations The Southeast Asian Times, Saturday February 29, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Thursday February 27, 2025

Re: "Pundits tout Globalisation 3.0 strategies", Bangkok Post, Business, Tuesday February 25, 2025.
Science diplomacy must be seen as a global imperative, not only as a tool for one country's geopolitical positioning.
In the current era of shifting supply chains, trade tensions, and technological competition, science diplomacy should serve as a real bridge between nations, fostering collaboration in AI, clean energy and climate change.
Countries worldwide are expected to integrate scientific cooperation into their foreign policy strategies in order to successfully navigate the complexities of economic decoupling and emerging markets.
Science diplomacy should not be confined by limited national or regional interests.

Ioan Voicu,
Bangkok Post,
Thailand

What's there to admire about The Communist Party of China The Southeast Asian Times, Friday February 27, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Wednesday February 26, 2025

Re: "The lies we fund", Bangkok Post, PostBag, February 22, 2025 and "Ask me about it", in PostBag, February 25.
I beg Michael Setter not to name me as a China Communist Party "sympathiser" all the time but instead call me an "admirer" of the China Communist Party.
I admire that China, under the China Communist Party, has become a world economic powerhouse that will eventually break away from US hegemony.
I admire that China has, under China Communist Party, lifted 770 million of its rural population out of poverty as of 2024.
I admire that China, under the China Communist Party, has built up one of the most fascinating and effective infrastructures and railway systems, benefiting and connecting so many rural areas in China that were once unreachable.
I admire that China's universities under the China Communist Party are now at the top of the world rankings, according to a comprehensive survey of scientific output across over 18,000 universities and colleges around the world.
Although the China Communist Party has liberated and built up a modern China, many elderly Chinese can still remember the sufferings from past invasions by the Western bloc during the Qing Dynasty or the slaughter of Chinese civilians during the Japanese invasion. But we should let history be history and move forward.
However, history is different from misinformation. The latter can cause confusion and unnecessary hatred among people.
Michael Setter should back up his anti-China Communist Party allegation with facts. Otherwise, it would be just like any other of his many misinformation. And not many readers would react humorously like Przemo Kranz.

Yingwai Suchaovanich,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Thailand's plan to increase medical tourism Expected to have lacklustre results The Southeast Asian Times, Thursday February 27, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Tuesday February 25, 2025

Re: "Somsak says health sector will boost economy", in Bangkok Post, Saturday February 22, 2025.
I think it is wonderful that the doctors highlighted in this article are trying to retool and advertise Thailand's excellent medical system to increase essentially medical tourism.
Alas, I must say, as an American who is often in Thai hospitals, that I think this plan is probably going to have lacklustre results.
First, former Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha was 100 percent correct when he warned that skyrocketing costs sometimes far beyond inflation at Thailand's premiere private international hospitals would eventually dissuade people from coming, almost clairvoyant.
I go to the biggest international hospital, and years after the pandemic, business has never returned to normal.
The entire cashier and pharmacy counters on high-rise floors are still closed, so when I see my doctor on Floor 20, I have to pay on Floor 19 and get my medications there; neither business nor their express elevators ever recovered, and it is years later.
But finally, where is the huge budget and foreign expertise to advertise this abroad on large news and entertainment providers going to come from?
They will not come if they do not know, and what about possible tariffs on Thai exports?
Could that affect this plan now that the US has a $46 billion 1.5 trillion baht) trade deficit per Google with Thailand, which the US is unhappy about?

Jason A Jellison,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Thailand fails to collect biometric data On 17 million travellers The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday February 26, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Monday 24 February 2025

Re: "System limit means biometric data lost", in Bangkok Post, Saturday February 22, 2025.
The failure to collect the biometric data of about 17 million travellers who entered left Thailand is the latest fiasco to need a quick, thorough, transparent investigation and decisive action by Prime Minister Police Commissioner Paetongtarn.
The Immigration Bureau is to be lauded for having brought up the issue with the House's National Security Committee not once but seven times and the Immigration Bureau presumably informed their superiors also.
However, higher authorities sat on their hands, even though "This was a complete failure of police organisation and likely explains why so many transnational criminal groups continue to operate freely in Thailand" People Party's deputy leader Rangsiman Rome.
We keep stonewalling vital cop reforms making the stink worse.
For instance, in October 2020, ex-graftbuster Vicha Mahakun submitted his report on police reform to then Prime Minister Prayut, who buried it and never made it public.
Then, last year, top cops Big Joke and Big Tor each accused the other of being on the take.
The findings evidently were so explosive that no probe committee member dared face the press to present their incredible finding that "nothing was amiss".
Prime Minister Police Commissioner Paetongtarn, help honest policemen do their noble duty.
Clean up the police force and public prosecutor's office, starting with sending Khun Vicha's report to parliament for updating and implementation and investigating the biometric fiasco.

Burin Kantabutra,
Bangkok,
Thailand

History Is written by the victors The Southeast Asian Times Tuesday, February 25, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Sunday, February 23, 2025

Re: "Trump bashes Zelensky, 'confident' on Ukraine deal", in Bangkok Post, World, February 20.
A quote attributed to Winston Churchill, "History is written by the victors", needs an update for the world of social media and "alternative facts".
The most recent statement from President Trump, "We want to end it. It's a senseless war. It should have never happened", is at best half right, in that this and other wars should never happen.
He also said: "You Ukraine should have never started it. You could have made a deal."
History will, or should state that Russia started it and "a deal" to prevent the war would have been only achieved by Ukraine surrendering immediately, and no country would do that.
The real concern for negotiating a solution is does the "we" refer to Russia US or Russia Ukraine or all three?
History will not remember President Trump well unless he can completely change his approach, and the first month of his second presidency does not suggest this will happen.

Dennis Fitzgerald
Bangkok.
Thailand

Bridge from mainland to Koh Samui Opens tourist Island to mass traffic The Southeast Asian Times, Monday February 24, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Friday February 14, 2025

Re: "Seabed test drilling starts", Bangkok Post, Tuesday February 11, 2025.
Exploratory drilling has started on the bridge from the mainland to Koh Samui.
This is madness for so many reasons.
First, the government has always maintained that it wants upmarket tourism, not mass market.
Samui is the best example of upmarket tourism largely because the Bangkok Airways monopoly on flights makes it several times more expensive to get to than any other Thai location.
The bridge would open up the island to mass market traffic with cars, buses and coaches pouring onto the single-track road.
Just look at the state of Phuket to see the effect of a bridge.
The second reason is there is only one major road, which runs around the coast, most of which is effectively single lane in each direction.
Traffic with school pick-up and workers going home, means that most days traffic is at near walking pace around Maenam, Bophut, Bangrak and Chaweng.
The roads just cannot take a greater volume of traffic.
This road already has one of the highest fatality rates per kilometre in the world! During peak season, you already have more chance of winning the lottery than finding a parking space.
Thirdly, Samui has a major garbage disposal problem and already struggles to cope with the influx of visitors.
We are facing an unmanageable influx with the White Lotus programme effect. Fourthly, the water supply is inadequate, and during high season, it is common for many areas to ration or have no water.
Lastly, the same applies to the electricity supply, which is overloaded.
I experience outages on an almost daily basis.
I cannot see what advantages there are in destroying the only truly upmarket holiday destination in the country.
It is better to spend the money developing the mainland, which has beautiful beaches and is served by an airport in Surat Thai province.

Phil Cox,
Bangkok Post
Thailand

 

 

Hundreds of media personalities in China On USAID payroll is circulating on TikTok The Southeast Asian Times, Sunday February 23, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Sunday February 16, 2025

Re: "Influence Seeker", Bangkok Post, PostBag, Thursday February 13, 2025.
Michael Seeker's relentless and baseless attack on China's Communist Party China (CPC) rings the bell of the influence and shadow of USAID worldwide.
USAID, in the past decades, has used the media as a propaganda machine with the aim of advancing America's interests.
While Elon Musk is shutting down USAID, news that the organisation has been subsidising journalists around the world has come to light.
True or not, a list of over a hundred media personalities in China on USAID's payroll is circulating on TikTok.
Some famous international news outlets have now softened their stance on China because the subsidy is no longer there.
Mr Trump and Mr Musk are saying to all the journalists and media under the umbrella of USAID, you are fired!

Yingwai Suchaovanic,
Bangkok,
Thailand

USAID has helped Southeast Asian countries To stand on their feet The Southeast Asian Times, Saturday February 2, 2025 First published in Bangkok Post Monday February 17, 2025

Re: "Aid freeze a blow to global efforts", in Bangkok Post. Opinion, Friday February 7, 2025.
The latest move by President Donald Trump to dissemble USAID is a big blow to Thailand and other developing Asian countries, particularly South Asia.
Needless to say that during the past few decades, developing and least developed countries in this region have been helped to stand on their feet by USAID.
It remains to be seen how far and wide the effect will be for poor nations, where healthcare and education rely on USAID grants.
It can only be hoped that economists urge US policymakers to revitalise and restore USAID.

Regmi Suman,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Papua New Guinea Continues to face challenges in managing corruption The Southeast Asian Times Friday February 21, 2025 First published in the National Wednesday February 5, 2025

Papua New Guinea, a diverse and resource-rich country in the Pacific region, has long grappled with issues of good governance, transparency and accountability in its political and administrative systems.s
Despite its wealth of natural resources and potential for economic growth, Papua New Guinea continues to face challenges in managing corruption, ensuring rule of law and promoting effective public service delivery. The struggle with good governance in Papua New Guinea has profound implications for the country’s development, social cohesion and democratic governance.
One of the central challenges facing Papua New Guinea’s governance is the pervasiveness of corruption and mismanagement in both the public and private sectors.
Transparency International ranks Papua New Guinea as one of the most corrupt countries in the world, with issues of bribery, embezzlement and nepotism undermining trust in institutions and eroding public confidence in the government.
Corruption not only hampers economic development and deters investment but also perpetuates inequality, injustice and social unrest.
Another key issue in Papua New Guinea’s struggle with good governance is the weakness of the rule of law and accountability mechanisms.
The judiciary and law enforcement agencies often face challenges in upholding the rule of law, ensuring access to justice and combating impunity for corrupt practices.
Moreover, accountability mechanisms within the public sector, such as audit institutions and oversight bodies, are often under-resourced, politicised or ineffective in holding officials and institutions to account for their actions.
The challenges of good governance in Papua New Guinea are further compounded by issues related to public service delivery, such as poor infrastructure, limited access to basic services and bureaucratic inefficiencies.
Despite efforts to improve service delivery in areas such as healthcare, education and infrastructure, many Papua New Guineans still face barriers to accessing quality services, particularly in remote and marginalised communities.
The lack of transparency, accountability and coordination in public service delivery hinders efforts to address the underlying social and economic needs of the population. The fragmented landscape of political parties in Papua New Guinea also contributes to the country’s struggle with good governance, as coalition governments often lead to political instability, policy inconsistencies, and governance challenges.
The fluidity of political alliances, the influence of money in politics, and the prevalence of patronage networks further complicate efforts to promote effective governance, inclusive policymaking, and responsive public administration in Papua New Guinea.
The lack of a shared vision, consensus, and accountability among political actors and parties’ hampers progress towards sustainable development and democratic governance in the country.
Despite the challenges facing Papua New Guinea in its struggle with good governance, there are opportunities for reform and renewal that can help strengthen democratic institutions, promote transparency and accountability, and enhance public service delivery.
Building a culture of integrity, ethics, and anti-corruption within the public and private sectors, investing in capacity building for governance institutions, and fostering civic engagement and oversight of the government are critical steps towards promoting good governance in Papua New Guinea. Strengthening the rule of law, promoting transparency in decision-making processes, and enhancing public participation in policymaking can also help address the structural challenges of governance in Papaua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea’s struggle with good governance is a multifaceted and complex challenge that requires sustained efforts, political will, and stakeholder engagement to address effectively.
By confronting issues of corruption, strengthening accountability mechanisms and improving public service delivery, Papua New Guinea can move towards a more transparent, accountable, and responsive governance system that serves the needs and aspirations of all its citizens.
Only through collaborative and concerted efforts can Papua New Guinea realise its potential as a prosperous, inclusive and democratic nation that upholds the principles of good governance for the benefit of all.

Romel Kuman,
Port Moresby
Papua New Guinea

There have been no public Islamophobic episodes In Australia since the Gaza war began The Southeast Asian Times, Thursday February 20, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Monday February 17, 2025

Re: "Australian health workers suspended for threatening Israelis", in Bangkok Post, World, Friday February 14, 2025.
The article, which I believe was first published in the New York Times, also correctly identifies various anti-Semitic episodes and attacks in Australia since the Hamas terrorist attack started the war in Gaza.
However, the piece also states "...the war in the Gaza Strip, which has also spurred Islamophobic episodes in Australia".
That is a false claim; there have been no public Islamophobic episodes in Australia since the war began.
There have been some pro-Israeli and pro-Jewish demonstrations, which have been peaceful in character.
Unlike the pro-Hamas and pro-Palestinian demonstrations, which have been threatening Australian Jews, they have been held away from heavily Muslim districts.
They have simply been held to show solidarity and concern for the Jewish population.
There has been zero Islamophobia, and no organised attempt to provoke or threaten Muslims in Australia.

Leo Bourne,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Dismantling USAID is a devastating blow To Thailand and Southeast Asia The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday February 19, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Thursday, February 13, 2025

Re: "Aid freeze a blow to global efforts", in Bangkok Post, Opinion, Friday February 7, 2025.
The dismantling of USAID is a devastating blow to Thailand and Southeast Asia. Thai families who worked for USAID and its partners now face job losses, threatening their livelihoods and economic stability.
The impact goes beyond employment - USAID funded scholarships for Myanmar scholars studying in Thailand have been lost, stripping young people of the opportunity to rebuild their country.
For decades, USAID has supported Thailand's development, from fighting human trafficking to funding renewable energy projects.
It has provided life-saving vaccines, humanitarian aid, and critical education programmes.
Shutting it down not only weakens Thailand but also strengthens authoritarian forces in Myanmar by crippling pro-democracy efforts.
This decision will have long-term consequences for Thailand, Myanmar, and the region. I urge US policymakers to reconsider and restore USAID before more lives and futures are lost.

Ramon Phisitsiri,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Call for reform of Royal Thai Police And Office of the Auditor General The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday February 18, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Saturday February 15, 2025

Re: "Chinese-led scam gangs leave Payathongzu", and "Police tighten screws on call centre gangs", in Bangkok Post, February 13, 2025.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra deserves high praise for working closely with China and forcing Chinese-linked scammers on the Thai-Myanmar border to move out and free their staff.
But the impressive progress to date is just the beginning for locals report that the masterminds have just moved down the road.
With China's strong support, Ms Paetongtarn needs to strike while the iron is hot and rid us of this scourge.
If your predecessors had the guts to reveal ex-graftbuster Vicha Mahakun's proposals to reform the Royal Thai Police (RTP) and Office of the Auditor General (OAG) the current scam fiasco would probably not have been possible. So, send Khun Vicha's report to parliament for updating and immediate implementation.
Act now, while the public and China back you.

Burin Kantabutra,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Capitalism, growth, prosperity Associated with infinite progress The Southeast Asian Times, Monday February 17, 2025 First published in the Philippine Inquirer, Wednesday February 5, 2025

We can still avert the climate catastrophe, says philosophy professor Kohei Saito from Hamburg, Germany.
But saving the world will only be possible if society redistributes the resources that are in the hands of the rich.
This topic of “redistribution” could also be important for the election campaign in the Philippines.
We have a problem here, where wealth is distributed unfairly.
We need a tax on the rich.
The wealthy must help the poor.
I have had a vision for a better life for a long time.
No wonder, after all, I criticize some of the fundamental concepts of our society: capitalism, growth, prosperity.
These are things that we associate with infinite progress, infinite growth.
Criticism must be allowed as long as it helps to transform a negative situation into a positive one.
Creative ideas must be contributed by everyone; this is what brings a nation together.
I criticize our love of the concept of infinity.
We want to live forever.
We want faster cars, faster internet, faster AI.
This concept of infinity is part of our modern civilization.
I criticize that.
There are limits that we have to accept.
I see that our children’s lives often revolve around the media world of TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and whatever.
This leads to dependent and stupid thinking.
Imagination is lost.
We should limit certain media content or block it for children under 18.
We also don’t allow children to legally consume alcohol or nicotine, which are also drugs, albeit legal ones.
The candidates should not only show “how great and good-looking they are” but present concepts and political programs instead of just smiling from billboards and showing the public nonsense family films.
What is of interest to the voter is the respective philosophy that a candidate follows and what goals he wants to achieve.
Goals not for himself and his family members but goals for the Filipino people.
It may be a little out-of- date but a quote from Fidel Castro is as relevant today as it was then: “After several decades of growth, the rich have become richer and the poor poorer. We need a Nuremberg tribunal on the world economic order now!”
I still firmly believe that a better world is possible.
For this, we need better politicians and more love and less hate.

Jürgen Schöfer, Ph.D.,
Doctor of Philosophy,
Manila,
Thailand

 

Call for White House to release gorilla Caged in Bangkok shopping complex for 40 years. The Southeast Asian Times, Sunday February 16, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Monday 10, 2025

Re: "Bua Noi's fate", BangkokPost, PostBag, Saturday February 8, 2025
Prisana Nuechterlein writes far more eloquently than my past piffling efforts to support Bua Noi.
However, I fear Bua Noi's fate has already been determined unless the White House, which is currently turning the world upside down, can be lobbied to intervene.
Anything seems possible nowadays.
The photo accompanying K Prisana's letter says it all.

Rose Bellini,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

Make no mistake the Chinese Communist Party Is taking aim at all of Southeast Asia The Southeast Asian Times, Saturday February 15, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Thursday February 13, 2025

Re: "Chinese tycoon's abuse claims rejected", in Bangkok Post, Wednesday January 29, 2025 and "5 more China 'spies' in custody,'' Bangkok Post, Wednesday January 1, 2025.
The Philippines early this year arrested five Chinese spies.
At the same time, She Zhijiang, the gambling tycoon arrested by Thai police, told them he was a Chinese spy, after being incarcerated.
That should be an exemplary lesson for PM Paetongtarn, who has just met Chinese President Xi Jinping.
That reflects the footprint of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) here while the government is so open to being bought that political subversion may merely take the form of a gradual increase in influence, which corresponds to growing Chinese direct investment in infrastructure and an influx of Chinese nationals on corporate sponsored visas.
Make no mistake, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is taking aim at all of Southeast Asia.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Straw chippers for Thailand farmers Can be purchased for the cost of a Chinese submarine The Southeast Asian Times, Friday February 14, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Sunday February 9, 2025

Re: "Thailand chokes while promises fade", in Bangkok Post, Opinion, Monday February 3, 2025
Hooray for Danny Marks who wrote: "Embracing affordable technology like straw collectors and mobile chippers, would help farmers manage crop residues more efficiently."
I've said it before and I'll say it again: banning rice stubble burning and other crop residues is a great idea only if farmers have alternatives. Indeed, there are some, and here they are, listed briefly:
Plough in the straw the problem is that there is a lot of it, so won't rot quickly, and it needs ploughing in twice.
Next, bale it: fine if you have access to a baler and you or someone needs the bales not always possible on both counts.
Finally, when the rice is harvested use a chipper instead of a baler, which cuts the straw into tiny pieces and blows it round the field, making it easier to plough in and it rots much faster. Problem: I have yet to see a straw chipper in Thailand, although they are available on the open market.
We managed to bale our straw this year due to there being a new baler in the area, but we are still left with the problem of selling, disposing of or finding another use for the bales.
Straw chippers are the answer in my opinion, and a maybe cynical view is that a great many could be purchased for the cost of a single Gripen fighter jet or a Chinese submarine.

Johnny Thoyts,
Korat,
Thailand

What are the reasons for the drop Of the GBP and USD against the baht The Southeast Asian Times, Thursday February 13, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Monday February 3, 2025

Re: "Currencies", in Bangkok Post, Business, Saturday Feb 1, 2025.
I am surprised there have been no comments recently in PostBag about the steady depreciation of the Great British Pound (GBP) and United States Dollar (USD) against the mighty baht.
What are the reasons for the drop?
Someone better get their act together as citizens of these countries and others will most likely think twice about reaching into their wallets and spending more on increasingly expensive holidays here, despite seductive government hoopla in the arena of international competition.
They will opt for cheaper Southeast Asian countries, which are far more welcoming and less polluted. But Thai hubris refuses to accept this fact.
Moreover, long-term expat residents, especially retirees, are being adversely affected, which also has a knock-on effect on the economy although this is probably dismissed as trifling.

Bill Renoise,
Bangkok,
Thailand

US invokes International Emergency Economic Powers Act Asserting the United States' drug problem The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday, February 12, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Sunday February 9, 2025

Re: "Trump says tariff 'pain' will be worth the price", in Bangkok Post, World, Sunday February 2, 2025.
Donald Trump's zealous MAGA fans are doubtless thrilled that they "may feel economic 'pain' from his tariffs on key trading partners".
They did, after all, vote for higher egg prices, right?
But Mr Trump's excuse is specious. In order to implement his economically costly tariffs, Trump invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, asserting the United States' drug problem, especially the deadly desire for fentanyl, justifies such an act to force China, Canada, and Mexico to reduce the supply of the drug.
But that ignores the salient point.
China is not forcing Americans to use drugs, nor are Canada or Mexico.
The United States has a serious drug problem because millions of Americans are desperate to use drugs.
They are so desperate to avoid the reality of life in the United States that they will even risk their life using fentanyl.
Something is seriously amiss, diseased even, in US society that so many feel that sobriety is to be so avoided.
If Mr Trump were genuinely concerned about the drug problem, he would be looking to discover those reasons driving people to drugs that are literally killing many.
If US citizens are no longer demanding to buy such drugs, they will cease to be imported for the simple economic reason that drug suppliers, whether big pharma or criminal gangs, will not waste money providing a product that is not in strong demand.
America's drug problem is exactly that: America's drug problem. He should start solving America's drug problem where it in fact exists: at home in the United States of America, not in China or Canada or Mexico or other foreign lands.

Felix Qui,
Bangkok,
Thailand

The US government has inadvertently exposed The covert activities of USAID The Southeast Asian Times Tuesday February 11, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Sunday February 9, 2025

Re: "It's 'difficult to defend USAID': Rubio", in Bangkok Post, World, February 7, 2025.
Elon Musk's recent efforts to assist President Trump in streamlining the efficiency of the US government have inadvertently exposed the covert activities of USAID, an agency unfamiliar to most Americans.
Few are aware of its involvement in covert foreign regime-change operations targeting countries deemed hostile or obstructive to the interests of the US deep state.
USAID was established by President John F Kennedy in the 1960s with the noble vision of improving the world.
In its early years, the agency made significant contributions to global development.
However, during the Vietnam War era, its trusted relationships and networks abroad made it an ideal tool for the CIA's covert operations.
This role expanded during the Cold War, and since the 9/11 attacks, it has grown even more entrenched.
Today, as the great power struggle intensifies, Thailand finds itself under increasing pressure from the West.
One manifestation of this pressure is the accusation that USAID has fostered political unrest in Bangkok by supporting street demonstrations led by small groups of youths and students.
Thailand narrowly avoided Western colonisation in the 1860s, though at the great cost of territorial concessions.
Yet despite this historical escape, the country remains a pawn in the Great Power struggle.
The recent exposure of USAID and other Western-backed organisations, such as the National Endowment for Democracy, has revealed their true intentions.
This revelation should serve as a wake-up call for Thai None-Government Organisations (NGOs) and activists to critically assess the funding they receive from Western institutions under the guise of democracy and freedom of speech.

ML Saksiri Kridakorn,
Bangkok,
Thailand

The fight to legalize same-sex marriage Is still at a dead-end in the Philippines The Southeast Asian Times, Monday February 10, 2025 First published in the Philippine Inquirer Friday February 7, 2025

Decades have passed, yet this topic is still being debated even in schools, the media, and politics.
Almost everyone has a say in this issue, but we haven’t come to an agreement up to this day.
Many writers and journalists have repeatedly tried to bring this to light, yet many of us still won’t pay attention or even think of it.
The movement for same-sex marriage began between the 1980s and 1990s. People marched and held rallies to speak up for the rights of same-sex couples due to the AIDS epidemic.
Some US states have taken action, such as Berkley, California, which became the first city to offer partnership benefits for gay employees in 1984.
In 1989, Andrew Sullivan, a former editor of The New Republic, published an article advocating for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in the US.
Despite the efforts of advocates and activists, the fight to legalize same-sex marriage is still a dead-end.
When violence against gay people started to rise, they didn’t have the law on their side.
They were forced to hide themselves to avoid being ganged up on the streets only for wanting to express themselves for who they really are.
In the following years, violence and harassment against gay people continued to rise in every part of the world.
There was homophobia and violence on the streets, and who can say for sure that these people even felt safe inside their homes?
The number of people who feel invalidated, invisible, and unheard just keeps on rising.
Every one of us has the right to choose who to love, without being questioned or hated for doing so.
Since when did we gain the “power” to hinder a person from expressing their love to another freely? We may have different experiences, views, perspectives, and beliefs, but we are all just human beings who wish to experience unconditional love.

Ehla L. Lazarte,
Manila,
Philippines

 

Thailand should rethink It's attitude towards China The Southeast Asian Times, Sunday February 9, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Saturday February 1, 2025

Re: "Thailand to lose $29 million from China's syrup import ban", in Bangkok Post, Business, Friday January 24, 2025.
Thailand should rethink its attitude towards China. Recently, they refused Thai sugar products, costing Thai exporters $29 million (976 million baht). Yet there is a flood of cheap, low-quality products from China.
Now, fruit and veg are being dumped on the market; are they being tested for toxin levels? Next, the Chinese are "cooling" the property market out of safety concerns. Maybe that's good if it makes property more affordable for Thais. China has a grand expansion plan, which is always favourable to them. An example is in Laos, where the government is bankrupt now from borrowing for a fast rail project.
Beware China!

Tony Jackson,
Australia

China's Hong Kong CK Hutchison Holdings Operates 53 ports spanning 24 countries The Southeast Asian Times, Saturday February 8, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Thursday February 6, 2025

Re: "Rubio makes debut trip abroad to Panama", in Bangkok Post, Monday February 3, 2025
The phrase "My word is my bond" implies that a man's word is as good as when he signs his name on a piece of paper.
Such was the case with the Panama Canal Treaty when the United States ceded control of this lucrative waterway, allowing Panama to take it over on December 31, 1999.
However, when even a signed contract can be rescinded on the flimsiest of excuses, such as by claiming that China controls the port because Hong Kong's CK Hutchison Holdings operates it, that seems somewhat feeble and heavy-handed.
The company says on its website that "the Hutchison Ports network of port operation comprises 53 ports spanning 24 countries".
That seems to be a fair choice as Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1999, and the concession was given to the Hong Kong conglomerate, long before President Donald Trump arrived on the scene.

Songdej Praditsmanont,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

 

Washington DC will be the centre of the universe For the next few years The Southeast Asian Times Friday February 7, 2025 First published in the National Wednesday, February 5, 2025

President Donald Trump has won, folks.
The highest position in the Federal Government is his, most criminal charges against him have been dropped by fearful politicians and bureaucrats alike.
The power and influence of the Oval Office will cleanse Washington DC and drive out all Democrats for the next two years, at least.
Within that time, the Democrats should have a plan of attack which probably goes like this.
Sit back and watch as Donald Trump performs for his followers, financial supporters and the Billionaires Club that financed his return to glory. Sit back and make notes.
That is it.
Perhaps his administration has been managed better than his previous one with a legislative whip present to maintain order and legality.
Perhaps his administration will be more professional in practice and appearance. Who knows for sure.
The Democrats will have to catch Trump or his minion with their hands in the Federal cookie jar, make a case and show the public why Trump really wanted to return to power, security, financial gain and a clean bill of judicial health.
Find a candidate the Democrats can build upon, who is professionally clean of any accusations, political or financial dirt.
Good luck.
Perhaps a newbie to the political game, someone who actually believes in the system and is willing to put themselves out before the public honestly.
Not seeking to better themselves as much as better the lot of average Americans, their fellow citizens.
A recent migrant that made something of themselves and their family, who supports a system that presently preys upon the many illegal migrants in America.
Washington DC will be the centre of the universe for the next few years, forever trying to guess what President Trump’s administration will do next.
The preferred weapon of the administration, tariffs, will be threatened and possible used against everyone from financial and political enemies and allies alike.
Get used to it.
Learn how to differentiate between bluster and reality.

Steven Kaszab,
Bradford,
Ontario
Port Moresby
Papua New Guinea

US Republics freeze US federal spending under Democrats The Southeast Asian Times, Monday February 3, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Friday January 31, 2025

Re: "Media stirs the pot", in Bangkok Post, PostBag, Friday January 31, 2025
In yet another piece of pro-Trump sycophancy, Michael Setter chooses to gloss over the chaos caused by Donald Trump's ambiguous and ill-advised freeze on federal spending, and instead criticises the press for reporting it.
It caused the expected howls of derision from the people charged with managing federal funding, and the press have a responsibility to report this to the public.
It's not what "We the People" expected in America, any more than Mr Trump attempting to subvert the constitution by trying to outlaw birthright citizenship.
As an aside, "We the Trump people" represent less than a third of the American voting population. As even one Republican senator put it, the directive was "overreaching and created unnecessary confusion and consternation".
Just imagine, we have another four years of the amateur in the White House ahead of us, and presumably another four years of Mr Setter trying to make excuses for him or blaming the nasty press, the Bangkok Post included, for telling people about him.

Tarquin Chufflebottom,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

Myanmar military extends state of emergency To hang onto power The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday February 5, 2025

It is hardly surprising to read that Myanmar’s ruling military has extended a state of emergency ( Reuters 2/2/25 ).
That’s what a rogue regime does almost invariably to hang onto power. We have had some experience of that phenomenon in post coup Fiji.
The junta in Myanmar “ plans this year to hold elections which critics have derided as a sham to keep the generals in power through proxies”.
Again this too is a familiar pattern of behaviour of a rogue military regime.

Rajend Naidu,
Sydney,
Austrlaia

Water based generated hydrogen powered vehicles Far better than social cost of mining lithium The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday February 2, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Sunday February 2, 2025

Re: "Jockeying for pole position", Bangkok Post, Business, Monday January 20, 2025.
Thailand's National EV Policy Committee incentivises electric vehicles and pegs incentivisation against CO2 emissions. It is noteworthy that winter's annual assault on national public health is not due to CO2, which is a gas efficiently respired by humans, but by harmful particulates and toxic chemical aerosols suspended in the air.
EVs affect public health in complex ways which their adherents often fail to consider.
Whether in your phone, a garage, storeroom, battery factory, recycling centre, or on the highway, high energy density lithium batteries are causing a worldwide epidemic of explosions and fires.
People die not merely because of rapid incineration or explosions, but also from inhaling the copious amounts of highly toxic fumes such fires produce.
E-bike battery fires are the leading cause of fire in New York City. There were 270 blazes last year claiming 18 lives.
A recent fire at a battery recycling centre in Kilwinning, Scotland burned for several days requiring the government to warn nearby residents to remain indoors with windows closed.
Buses and trucks require much larger batteries and when they combust the results can be truly horrific.
A Tesla truck which crashed into a tree near Sacramento last year burst into 1,000-degree flames which required 15 hours and 50,000 gallons of water to extinguish.
Firefighters had to disperse fire retardants over the site from the air.
The risk of disaster increases exponentially with grid-scale storage batteries often associated with solar generating arrays.
In May 2024, a fire at the Gateway Energy Storage facility in San Diego burned for 11 days, leading to evacuation orders and calls for a moratorium on new battery storage facilities.
Heavy metals leach into the ground and water after EV battery fires and resulting toxic fumes are nearly impossible to mitigate.
While EV's generate no particulates from burning diesel fuel, their tyres produce substantial air pollution of a more complex and hazardous nature, just like their IC cousins do.
A rigorous cost-benefit analysis of EVs, which includes the environmental and social cost of mining lithium, shows that their batteries are highly problematic.
Far better are the water based, in-situ generated hydrogen powered vehicles proposed by Toyota and others.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Commercial fishers purse seine catch 3000 kilos per hour Municipal fishers hook and line catch jalf a kilo per hour The Southeast Asian Times, Monday February 3, 2025 First published in the Philippine Inquirer Wednesday January 29, 2025

''When we attend to the needs of those in want more than performing works of mercy,'' we are paying a debt of justice.
This quote associated with Pope St. Gregory the Great is an apt reminder in the midst of moral questioning why we should give preference to the poor.
Take for example the Supreme Court ruling allowing Mercidar Fishing Corp. to enter municipal or marine waters up to 15 kilometers from the coastline.
The fishing corporation filed a case in October 2023 before the Malabon Regional Trial Court (RTC) questioning the constitutionality of municipal fishers’ preferential access to municipal waters.
The corporation appealed to the court to grant it access to municipal waters, which under the Fisheries Code is for the exclusive use of municipal fishers.
In December 2023, the Malabon RTC decided in favor of the corporation.
The Supreme Court First Division upheld the RTC’s decision in August 2024.
An editorial, see “Treading on dangerous waters,” January 1, 2025 in Philippine Inquiry, describes some of the legal technicalities in the court’s decision.
This piece delves into the second petition to intervene, this time filed by fishers, before the Supreme Court.
The petitioners are Justino Dacillo, fisher from Quezon Province and chair of Lamon Bay Integrated Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council; Roberto Ballon, a fisher from Zamboanga and a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2021; Jessie delos Santos, an authorized fish examiner of BFAR and a member of Bantay Dagat from Batangas; and Erlinda Ferrer, a mother and fisher from Cavite City.
Their petition echoed the call of previous petitioners Oceana Philippines and the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice, among others to reverse the decision of the lower court.
The NGOs for Fisheries Reform, a network of civil society groups working in the fisheries sector, and Katipunan ng mga Artisanong Mangingisda sa Pilipinas, an alliance of artisanal fishers in the country, emphasized the great inequality between commercial and municipal fishers.
They argue that commercial fishers, using a purse seine, can catch more than 3,000 kilos per hour, while municipal fishers, who usually use hook and line, can catch a measly half a kilo per hour.
A commercial fishing vessel’s harvest for a day is the total catch of 1,500 municipal fishers, they added.
Such unequivocal disparity points to why a preferential option for the poor is a necessary requirement for social justice.
They are victims of deprivation from opportunities and resources that would have allowed them to thrive and have a dignified life.
This is why our Constitution states that we should “protect and enhance the right of all the people to human dignity by equitably diffusing wealth and political power for the common good” Section 1, Article XIII. In other words, public policies that give preference to the poor attempt to level the playing field.
Municipal and artisanal fishers’ preferential access to municipal waters is a way of acknowledging and rectifying the injustice done to them.

Marvee Anne M. Ramos,
program officer,
John J. Carroll Institute on Church and Social Issues (ICSI)

It is not only the Jewish people who have suffered The earth is a place of unhappiness The Southeast Asian Times, Sunday February 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Thursday January 30, 2025

Re: "Ripe time to end hatred to create a better future", in Bangkok Post, Opinion, Monday January 27, 2025.
Israel Ambassador Orna Sagiv is a regular contributor to the Post and often succeeds in providing quality content to the opinion section.
Readers should note that the editorial department provides the headlines for most articles, and in this example, their efforts have missed the mark.
Why?
It is self-evident that an end to hatred and realisation of a better future is not attainable through top-down measures instituted by government policies intended to achieve idealistic goals.
Referring to the holocaust and recent attacks by Hamas, Ms Sagiv laments, "We are compelled to face the painful truth: the world has failed to honour the pledge of "Never Again".
Unfortunately, the ambassador addresses this issue from a myopic perspective, as if the world has made a singular promise to the 12 tribes of Israel.
The article also blames Hamas in a manner that will be construed by some to legitimise hatred for Islamist organizations as opposed to the realities suffered by the people in Gaza.
It is not only the Jewish people who have suffered. The earth is a place of unhappiness.
There are an infinite number of examples littering the landscape of history with needless human suffering, torture, and death.
Where is the "Never Again" for all of them?
For all the ubiquitous separation and beings howling in pain?
The truth is that it can only be found in the hearts of those who forgive completely (until the heart aches unbearably), who have thereby realised tolerance and thus can live cooperatively with others.
This is only achievable individually, each one by one, and never through political promises and mandated cooperation.
After eight decades of failure, Ms Sagiv and the government she represents so well should understand this first principle and act accordingly.
If the Tibetans have managed to do it, so can the Jews.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Fate of six Thai hostages Abducted by Hamas is unclear The Southeast Asian Times, Saturday February 1, 2025 First published by the Bangkok Post, Thursday January 30, 2025

Re: "Fate of Thai hostages is unclear as 6 still held", in Bangkok Post, Wednesday January 8, 2025.
While most of the world celebrates the peace deal that has finally brought about the release of the first seven Israeli hostages abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023, it is sad and extremely disappointing that most people in Thailand have either forgotten or seemingly don't care about the fate of the six missing Thai hostages.
For the record, Bannawat Seathao, Watchara Sriaoun, Pintha Nattapong, Surasak Lamnau, Sathian Suwannakham, and Pongsak Tanna should be released immediately.
What was their crime?
Pursuing a better life for their families.
Why have Thais not been out protesting their illegal abduction and inhumane incarceration?
Could it be because they are only agricultural workers from the Northeast?

Paul Bromberg,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Mars is terra nulius Australia wasn't The Southeast Asian Times, Friday January 31, 2025

Is it true that an Australian state official Susan Ley, the deputy opposition leader, claimed that British colonialism was no invasion and that it is like Elon Musk going to Mars? ( Susan Ley compares First Fleet landing to Elon Musk’s Mars Mission ‘ SBS News 26/1/25 ).
Well she conveniently forgets that Mars is terra nulius.
Australia wasn’t.
At the time of British colonial invasion it was peopled by the Australian Aboriginal inhabitants.
Ley draws an erroneous analogy.
She needs to educate herself on authentic Australian history.
I recommend she reads David Hill’s 1788: The Brutal Truth of the First Fleet: the Biggest Single Overseas Migration the World Had Ever seen, David Day’s Claiming A Continent, and Henry Reynold’s Truth Telling. History, sovereignty and the Uluru Statement which is “ an important history book as Reynold confronts and subverts the hegemonic Anglocentric Australian history that has been dominant for such a long time “.
Ley attempts to perpetuate that distorted history.

Rajend Naidu,
Sydney,
Australia

Commission on Audit's jurisdiction over private entities Threaten public-private partnerships development The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday January 30, 2025 First published in the Philippine Inquirer Monday January 27, 2025

The Philippines for decades has relied on public-private partnerships (PPPs) as a cornerstone of infrastructure development and economic progress fostering cooperation between the government and the private sector to enhance public services and stimulate growth.
When President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. took office, the significant contributions of PPPs to our country’s economy were further highlighted as part of his 10-point agenda for economic renewal and long-term growth. President Marcos Jr. emphasized the need to “encourage private sector engagement and investment for the benefit of the public above all” and “provide legal and regulatory support to public-private partnerships” a laudable move to address infrastructure gaps and drive economic progress.
The Philippines pioneered the involvement of the private sector in public infrastructure and development projects in Asia.
According to a report by the Asian Development Bank, around 116 PPP projects from different sectors from 1990 to 2019 have successfully achieved financial closure.
The total investment made in these PPP projects is estimated to be around USD44 billion.
While we have repeatedly seen how PPPs have become instrumental in bringing to life large-scale projects, particularly in the fields of infrastructure, transportation, and social welfare the contributions of these collaborations are facing a significant threat with the proposal to expand the Commission on Audit's (COA) jurisdiction over private entities.
Senate Bill 2907 seeks to expand COA’s powers to audit private entities engaged in partnerships with the government as well. Aside from the fact that the proposal goes beyond the COA’s constitutionally prescribed limits, it also encroaches on the autonomy of private entities.
These risks discourage key investors—local and foreign—threatening priority PPPs of the country.
At its core, the proposed amendment jeopardizes the very essence of PPPs.
While the intent of legislative oversight and transparency is laudable, the implications of such a proposal could adversely impact investments by the private sector and potentially stall developments in major infrastructure projects and key partnerships.
Moreover, PPPs clearly define the roles of the involved parties the public and the private sector.
Subjecting the private sector to government audits effectively blurs lines of distinction and creates an environment of uncertainty for both parties.
This also creates a chilling effect on the private sector, potentially discouraging them from supporting the government’s agenda and thus derailing years of progress.
Private sector confidence is nurtured and sustained by consistent rules in a stable regulatory environment.
Subjecting private entities to unwarranted and unnecessary scrutiny creates a discouraging environment for business and investment activity.
It has long been established that PPPs thrive in an environment of mutual trust and confidence.
Under these partnerships, the public and private sectors take on complementary roles, working together to facilitate growth and development for the benefit of the public.
By altering the framework under which PPPs operate, the proposed legislative amendment risks damage to years of progress and collaboration. Passing such an amendment also goes against the priority agenda of the Marcos Jr. administration, which has made significant strides in promoting PPPs.
On a global scale, this could also hurt the Philippines’ reputation as a lucrative and stable investment destination.
Time and time again, we have seen how collaboration between the public and private sector has enabled national progress.
With the Philippines aiming to become an upper middle-income country, such legislative amendments are not only discouraging for investors but also potentially damaging to the years of development and progress both the public and private sectors have worked so hard to achieve together.
I appeal to our policymakers to consider the broader implications of such amendments and ensure that legislative action works to enable nation-building instead of derailing it.

Joe Zaldarriaga,
Manila,
Philippines

Will we ever see headlines Identifying individuals with Chinese heritage The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday January 29, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Monday, January 27, 2025

Re: "Why racial labels?" in Bangkok Post, Postbag, January 25, 2025 Re: "Indian man 'kills delivery man'", Bangkok Post, January 23, 2025,
I support Vichai's thoughtful letter, "Why racial labels?" in Bangkpost, Postbag, January 25, which raises an important concern about the Bangkok Post's headline, "Indian man kills delivery man."
As Vichai rightly pointed out, such a headline not only misrepresents the individual's identity but also perpetuates a divisive and unnecessary focus on race.
It is evident from the article that the accused is a Thai national of Indian heritage. By singling out his ethnicity, the Post risks alienating its diverse readership and undermining the inclusive values that Thailand has historically upheld as a multicultural society.
Vichai's reference to the Post's own editorial, "Ending the Thai citizenship limbo" November 10, 2024, highlights the contradiction between promoting inclusivity in one instance and publishing racialised headlines in another.
Would we ever see headlines identifying individuals with Chinese heritage in this way?
Or are such labels selectively applied?
As a respected publication, the Post has a responsibility to ensure its reporting is free from racial bias.
Headlines should focus on the actions of individuals, not their ancestry, unless directly relevant to the story.
By doing so, the Post can better reflect the values of fairness and equality that it champions.
Let us move beyond these outdated racial labels and work toward building a society that celebrates diversity without discrimination.

VB.
Bangkok,
Thailand s

ASEAN's youth population Projected to surpass 420 million by 2045 The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday January 28, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Wednesday January 22, 2025

Re: "Youth, media 'play key role' in boosting Sino-Thai relations", in Bangkok Post, Monday January 20, 2025.
The insights shared at the "One River, One Family" seminar underscore the vital role youth and media play in shaping Sino-Thai relations.
However, this dynamic extends far beyond bilateral ties.
By 2045, Asean's youth population projected to surpass 420 million and make up 60 percent of the region's total will be pivotal in fostering deeper cooperation with China's younger generation.
Youth are not just beneficiaries of policies; they are always active drivers of change.
As highlighted during the seminar, education and cultural exchanges are crucial in building mutual understanding and shared goals.
By strengthening these exchanges, Asean and Chinese youth can successfully address significant challenges such as climate change, technological innovation, and sustainable development.
The role of media and think tanks is equally crucial.
They serve as bridges, facilitating true dialogue and offering platforms for collaboration at the regional and global levels.
Initiatives like establishing joint databases and youth-led think tanks can further harness the collective potential of Asean and China's young leaders.
The seeds of friendship and cooperation planted today must be nurtured by future generations.

Ioan Voicu,
Bangkok,
Thailand

General Prawit Wongsuwon can whine as much as he wants Open dialogue is required by democracy The Southeast Asian Times, Monday January 27, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Friday January 24, 2025

Re: "Thaksin, Prawit in new war of words", in Bangkok Post, Tuesday ssJanuary 21, 2025.
Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra may not be very likeable, certainly not a shining moral example, but sometimes even Thaksin speaks telling truths. In this case, that famous former convict (not inmate) who should be in prison not for the dubious coup-maker's political charges but for his murderous drug war killings is right that "the havoc in politics can be traced back to the general's door", except that it should be the plurals: "generals' doors."
Meanwhile, Gen Prawit Wongsuwon can whine as much as he wants. His right to do so must be respected. It is unfortunate that he and the entire current government, including the party of Thaksin, deny their fellow citizens that same right to peacefully speak honest opinions in the open dialogue that is not only required by democracy but is a necessary condition for informed opinion of worth on any topic.
Wars of words are not inherently bad things. Such fruits of open dialogue are natural and healthy if there is to be any informed opinion of worth on a topic, and democracy does require that opposing views be allowed a voice. All Thais deserve both voice and informed opinion, not only the whining Prawits and Thaksins.

Felix Qui,
Bangkok,
Thailand

U.S. end of participation in WHO is refutation Of corrupt policies put in place by United Nations The Southeast Asian Times Sunday, January 26, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Friday January 24, 2025

Re: "Roosevelt revisited" and "Cult of Trump", Bangkok Post, PostBag, Thursday Jan 23, 2025 and "Trump weeding out critics", Bangkok Post World, Thursday January 23, 2025.
The US election results were not merely a political victory for Donald Trump but a profoundly moral one.
Just so the executive order ending US participation in the World Health Organization was not simply a public health statement but a refutation of the corrupt and deadly policy schemes put in place by the United Nations.
From the numbers, it would seem that most contributors to PostBag do not like Donald Trump.
But it does not matter whether his persona qualifies for anointment as a virtuous priest or pop star, opinions the letters often reflect.
It is moral governance, just policies, and fidelity to the electorate's wishes as constrained by the constitution that are of utmost importance.
The voters have spoken. May their voice become a beacon of light in these dark times.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Thais concerned about keeping children warm Inside shopping malls The Southeast Asian Times, Saturday January 25, 2025 First published at the Bangkok Post Tuesday January 21, 2025

Re: "Power tariff faces trim of 17 satang", Bangkok Post, Business, Friday January 17, 2025.
Thai electricity is already cheap. Few homeowners care about weather-stripping doors and windows.
There is more public concern about keeping children warm inside shopping malls.
Thailand is an energy importer.
To suggest that the government can dictate energy prices is a fantasy.
Dropping prices from 4.15 to 3.70 baht per kilowatt hour means less incentive to use electricity wisely and less incentive to be proactive.
Solar installation in sunny Thailand needs to be a priority if we are serious about clean energy.
My Phuket solar installation has an estimated payback period of 7 years.
This is too long.
Meanwhile, PEA quickly smart-metered my house so that my rotating disk was gone.
Any surplus is taken gratis, and no credit given.
Eighteen per cent of the SET market cap is made up of companies that generate electricity in creative ways like LNG combined cycle units in industrial parks, reservoir-based floating solar, wind power on the Isthmus of Kra, biomass in Krabi, or plans for burning green ammonia.
To reward this risk and creativity, electricity must be priced at market, not at a level that gets three cheers at the mor lam in Sakhon Nakhon.
Subsidising energy consumption is the opposite of the sustainability Thailand loves to talk about.
However, Thailand is now a Brics partner, joining the world's preeminent coal-burning association.

AM Phuket,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Thailand needs perhaps millions of employees For proposed casino entertainment complexes The Southeast Asian Times, Friday January 24, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Wednesday January 22, 2025

Re: "Govt bets on casinos", in Bangkok Post, Tuesday January 14, 2025
Amongst all the pie-in-the-sky estimates of potential economic benefits and tax hauls from proposed casino entertainment complexes, I was flabbergasted to see that advocates were only anticipating the creation of 9,000 to 15,000 new jobs should the proposals be approved.
This seems to be a pitifully and unbelievably small number of jobs to be created and points to the lack of proper analysis by supporters.
If the new casinos and entertainment complexes are to attract the fantasised 5-10 percent increase in tourism, surely the country will need hundreds of thousands perhaps millions of new employees to staff the needed hotels, restaurants, transport facilities, spas, theatres, and bars to cater to the 2 to 4 million additional tourists.
This is not to mention all the new government officials required to count the incoming loot and receive the requisite brown envelopes.

Samanea Saman,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Where did Commission on Audit 2023 Findings and recommendations in the past end up The Southeast Asian Times, Thursday January 23, 2025 First published in the Philippine Inquiry Tuesday, January 23, 2025

We are appalled by the recently released Commission on Audit (COA) 2023 report on the Department of Education’s (DepEd) projects worth P1.064 billion down the drain.
The implementation of the DepEd Enterprise Resource Planning System interrelated projects, some dated 2019, meant to connect and automate the data systems in the department were found inefficient and ineffective.
It is “tantamount to the wastage of government funds,” according to the COA.
Despite failing to deliver on key milestones of the project, payments were made to the contractor, and worse, there was obvious undercapitalization of the contractor to cover any financial accountability. Moreover, it had records of failing to deliver projects in the past.
As in similar COA audit findings on inefficiency in government procurement systems and their related recommendations to rectify them, we raise the practical question: Where did all such COA findings and recommendations in the past end up?
After-the-fact audit reports have already raised irascible reactions and frustrated expectations among many of us as well as the utter helplessness to bail out this country from the gross inefficiency seen in financial governance, happening year after year.
Some COA audit reports ended up being forgotten in the dustbin.
It is imperative now to intervene in the government financial system and create an independent Internal Audit Office (IAO) apart from the COA but charged with oversight over financial transactions in the three branches of government to thwart fraudulent transactions and inefficiencies before they happen and walk through the whole control process.
We cannot expect self-regulation in graft-ridden government offices to close the valve on huge unabated waste of public funds. The cost of creating an IAO is justified by the estimated 20 percent of the national budget lost to corruption.

Marvel K. Tan,
Certified Public Accountants (CPA)
Manila,
Philippines

Call for Thailand to vet nominees For cabinet and top agency posts The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday January 22, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Tuesday January 21, 2025

Re: "Trump's cabinet picks come under US Senate spotlight,'' in Bangkok Post, Tuesday January 14, 2025.
Thailand badly needs to vet nominees for cabinet and top agency posts, where Senate committees evaluate nominees for fitness for their posts.
This is essential to the Senate's advice and consent role, balancing the executive branch's power.
In the US, for instance, defence secretary nominee Hegseth has been described as "being so drunk at work events that he needed to be carried out on multiple occasions… and who wasn't fit to be called at 2am to make life-and-death national security decisions."
Had Thailand had similar vetting, we might have discovered those who were merely puppets for their families and who, by contrast, had the ability and courage to carry out the many reforms we badly need.

Burin Kantabutra,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Papua New Guinea stands at a crossroad ''We must rethink how we measure progress'' The Southeast Asian Times Tuesday January 21, 2025 First published in the National Saturday January 4, 2025

As Papua New Guinea enters a new year and approaches its 50th anniversary of Independence, we stand at a crossroad.
The golden jubilee is not just a time to celebrate; it is a call to deeply reflect on our journey as a nation and redefine what progress truly means for our people.
For too long, we have been constrained by outdated economic measures such as gross domestic product (GDP), which fail to capture the full spectrum of our nation’s wealth and potential.
As we mark this milestone, it is time to adopt a development framework that reflects the unique realities and aspirations of Papua New Guinea.
When we assess our progress through the lens of GDP, we see only a fraction of the picture.
GDP focuses solely on economic transactions and output, ignoring the intrinsic value of our natural resources, cultural heritage and traditional knowledge systems.
Papua New Guinea’s true wealth lies in its strategic assets: the world’s third-largest rainforest, pristine marine ecosystems, abundant biodiversity and vibrant cultural traditions.
Meanwhile, the costs of protecting them – borne by local communities – are overlooked.
To honour our unique position as a nation and to secure a sustainable future, we must rethink how we measure progress.
Papua New Guinea needs to adopt a holistic development index that captures all aspects of development.
An alternative development framework should begin with valuing our environment.
Human development must also take centre stage.
A holistic index would measure progress in terms of access to quality education, healthcare and infrastructure.
It would track improvements in life expectancy, literacy rates and living standards, ensuring that development benefits all Papua New Guineans, not just a privileged few.
Social equity is another critical component. Too often, the benefits of Papua New Guinea’s natural wealth are concentrated in the hands of a few, while the majority remains marginalised.
Our cultural heritage, which has sustained us for generations, must also be included. Traditional knowledge systems, community networks and cultural practices are not just relics of the past – they are essential tools for resilience and sustainability.
A development index that values cultural preservation would recognise these contributions and ensure they are safeguarded for future generations.
Finally, good governance must underpin this new framework. Corruption, weak institutions and lack of accountability have long undermined our progress.
As Papua New Guinea celebrates 50 years of Independence, we must also look to the future.

Kaupa A. Kale,
Port Moresby,
Papua New Guinea

Pollution Puts Thais off outings The Southeast Asian Times, Monday January 20, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Saturday January 11, 2025

Re: "PM2.5 tipped to worsen until Monday", in Bangkok Post, Friday January 10, 2025
I am a Thai citizen. I feel sorry for visitors who experience pollution problems in our country.
I feel like losing face as a host.
Actually, pollution puts us off from outings, and we have missed out on lots of events we'd like to attend.
Our household is now zero waste.
It took us five years.
It's really hard to achieve because there are no recycling facilities here, a lack of awareness, and no support from the council or the community about waste management.
I hope our authorities read your paper and do something tangible soon.

JJ,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Persecution of Hong Kong newspaper publisher Proof of dictatorial nature of China regime The Southeast Asian Times Sunday, January 18, 2025

There is only one thing to be said about the charges brought against former Hong Kong Apple Daily newspaper publisher, Lai Chee-Ying also commonly known as Jimmy Lai, 75, under the Beijing new national security law : it is political persecution, pure and simple ( re : ‘ Hong Kong publisher denies sedition and collusion with foreign powers charges at West Kowloon Court ‘ The Southeast Asian Times 12 January 2025 ).
This veteran media man had the courage of his conviction to speak truth to power and even the audacity to describe the leader of the ruling Chinese Communist Party, Xi Jinping, as a dictator.
That is simply unpalatable to the ruling elite in China.
That has always been the case.
Dissent, criticism and the questioning of the status quo is anathema to the China Communist Party (CCP).
It has ever been tolerated and often brutally crushed. Remember Tiananmen Square massacre.
What the dictatorial regime in China want is a cesspool of conformism and obedience to the dictats of the ruling mob.
Jimmy Lai clearly did not give the conformism required of citizens.
Instead he did what an honest independent media must do and that is to critically analyse what the rulers were doing.
That is the reason - the only reason - for Jimmy Lai to be arrested and hauled to court.
His persecution is proof of the dictatorial nature of the regime in China .

Rajend Naidu,
Sydney
Australia

The prospect for Vice President Sara Duterte To be impeached appears huge The Southeast Asian Times, Saturday January 18, 2025 First published in the Philippine Inquirer Friday January 10, 2025

No matter how you look at it, Vice President Sara Duterte has a bleak political future as she faces and hurdles at least four impeachment complaints lodged against her at the House of Representatives.
If the impeachment complaints prosper and she is impeached by the House, the Senate, in accordance with the 1987 Constitution, will convene as an impeachment court to hold a trial. If proven guilty, the Vice President will be removed from her office.
She will exercise no power and cannot replace President Marcos in case he dies in office or gets incapacitated. She will also face perpetual disqualification from holding any public office.
The prospect for the Vice President to get impeached by the House appears huge, because she has failed to explain adequately her side on allegations that she has misused the P612.5 million in confidential funds given to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (Deped), while she was its concurrent secretary.
Her cocky attitude did not in any way endear her to the inquisitive lawmakers, who now appear to look at her with disdain because of the condescending treatment she gave them.
From all indications, the required votes of at least a third of all House members will be met and lead to the elevation of the impeachment complaints to the Senate.
The complaints submitted to the Senate would lead to a trial that would likely happen when the new Senate convenes after the May elections, or in July.
Key question: What if the new Senate acquits Sara after a trial?
Impeachment is essentially a political process. Senators, as judges in an impeachment court, hardly decide on the persuasive power of the evidence presented.
They decide on the basis of their political orientation and alliance.
Nevertheless, the political dynamics in the impeachment trial can arguably be expected to trigger surprises.
Given the declining quality of senators, it could be argued that the Vice President will not only be the one subjected to a trial.
The Senate itself will undergo a sharp examination before the bar of public opinion. Senators will be scrutinized, too.
The judgment the public renders on the Vice President will depend largely on how the senators behave and talk before the Senate as an impeachment court.
Duterte will be in a no-win situation.
Assuming she gets acquitted, she will still be a loser. The close public examination will render her powerless, helpless, and defenseless in the ensuing dynamics after any acquittal.
The impeachment trial will not in any way beef up her political capital. On the contrary, it will dissipate whatever is left of support for her from a political standpoint.
Her foolish refusal to explain the loss of the P612.5 million confidential funds will have telling effects in the long run. She will reap the whirlwind of what she had sowed earlier.
Not even an acquittal would enable her any recovery in lost political stock.
Most likely, she will be a spent force in the next presidential elections.
She will pay dearly for her dismissive attitude.

Philip M. Lustre Jr.,
Manila,
Philippines

Human-caused global warming results from Data generated by mathematical models The Southeast Asian Times Friday January 17, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Sunday January 12, 2024

Re: "Who's to blame?", and "Climate Clowns", in Bangkok Post, PostBag, Wednesday January 1, 2025.
I read Tarquin Chufflebottom's remarks that "2024 was the hottest year on record, global sea temperatures are the hottest on record and atmospheric CO2 levels are the highest ever recorded".
As a scientist, I might have found it amusing if it weren't so pathetically uninformed.
Similarly, Songdej Praditsmanont relies on the most hated source in news, CNN, which conflates anthropogenic climate change and wildfires.
Catastrophic chaparral fires have been occurring in California for 20 million years. As for the "highest ever recorded" levels of CO2, it is just more UN-sponsored propaganda and fear mongering.
Historical CO2 levels range from 4,000 ppm to 180 ppm.
We are now at the very low end of this range.
The only scientific "evidence" which supports human-caused global warming results from "data" generated by mathematical models.
If one reads the scientific papers on this subject, the overwhelming preponderance of ever-changing modelling is the one constant among them.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Climate change is undeniable However there is no climate crisis The Southeast Asian Times, Thursday January 16, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Monday January 13, 2025

Re: "Climate clowns", in Bangkok Post PostBag, Saturday January 11, 2025.
Actual weather records show that climate change is indeed undeniable, as your correspondent asserts.
However, Micheal Setter is also correct in claiming there is no climate crisis.
Given that humans have no chance of preventing climate change 30-plus years of trying with zero results, to say we are in a "crisis" implies we have the power to avoid it.
Indeed, proponents of the climate crisis narrative promote this viewpoint as justification for various environmental, economic and social policies, all of which give some truth to Mr Setter's claims of a hidden agenda.
The sooner humans concentrate their efforts on adapting to whatever changes happen to the climate, naturally or otherwise, and reducing the pollution of our environment, the more successful our survival will be.
While human activity continues to affect nature, nature's climate responses to human activity will continue.
However, nature itself will continue to make far greater changes to the climate, regardless of whatever humans do.
Seeking to prevent the human component of climate change, while being able to do nothing about natural changes, is like tilting at windmills.
By concentrating on adapting to climate change instead of the futile exercise of preventing it, humans can be better prepared for the inevitable changes nature has in store for us and, since nature constantly changes the climate anyway, we can dispense with the claims of being in a perpetual "crisis" of our own making.
Nature is undoubtedly capable of creating climate crises for humans without the need for us to do anything.

Sibeymai,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Should Thai's be allowed to buy Exemption from military conscription ? The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday January 15, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Monday January 13, 2025

Re: "Payment for military exemption touted", in Bangkok Post, Saturday January 11, 2025.
I hope that Territorial Defence Command chief, Lt Gen Taweepool Rimsakom, had his tongue firmly planted in his cheek when he mooted that young Thais should be allowed to buy exemption from military conscription.
The fact is that a system of bribes has operated under the table for years.
My understanding is that as little as 10,000 baht delivered in a brown paper bag to the recruiting officer is sufficient to buy exemption.
Of course, 10,000 baht is a lot of money to a poor Thai lad or his parents, so once again it is the rich who benefit at the cost of the poor.

David Brown
Bangkok,
Thailand

China dumps faulty products and contaminated food Into Thailand without recriminations The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday January 14, 2025 First published in Bangkok Post Tuesday January 7, 2025

Re: "China rejects B400m in Thai syrup shipments", in Bangkok Post, Business, Tuesday January 7, 2025.
It's a poor way to raise concerns once the shipments have reached Chinese ports. Surely, there is a better way.
Meanwhile, China is quite happy to dump faulty products and contaminated food into Thailand without facing recriminations.

Tony Jackson,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

The prospect for Vice President Sara Duterte To get impeached by the House appears huge The Southeast Asian Times Monday January 13, 2025 First published in the Philippine Inquirer, Saturday January 11, 2025

No matter how you look at it, Vice President Sara Duterte has a bleak political future as she faces and hurdles at least four impeachment complaints lodged against her at the House of Representatives.
If the impeachment complaints prosper and she is impeached by the House, the Senate, in accordance with the 1987 Constitution, will convene as an impeachment court to hold a trial.
If proven guilty, the Vice President will be removed from her office.
She will exercise no power and cannot replace President Marcos in case he dies in office or gets incapacitated.
She will also face perpetual disqualification from holding any public office.
The prospect for the Vice President to get impeached by the House appears huge, because she has failed to explain adequately her side on allegations that she has misused the P612.5 million in confidential funds given to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (Deped), while she was its concurrent secretary.
Her cocky attitude did not in any way endear her to the inquisitive lawmakers, who now appear to look at her with disdain because of the condescending treatment she gave them.
From all indications, the required votes of at least a third of all House members will be met and lead to the elevation of the impeachment complaints to the Senate.
The complaints submitted to the Senate would lead to a trial that would likely happen when the new Senate convenes after the May elections, or in July.
Key question: What if the new Senate acquits Sara after a trial?
Impeachment is essentially a political process.
Senators, as judges in an impeachment court, hardly decide on the persuasive power of the evidence presented.
They decide on the basis of their political orientation and alliance.
Nevertheless, the political dynamics in the impeachment trial can arguably be expected to trigger surprises.
Given the declining quality of senators, it could be argued that the Vice President will not only be the one subjected to a trial.
The Senate itself will undergo a sharp examination before the bar of public opinion. Senators will be scrutinized, too.
The judgment the public renders on the Vice President will depend largely on how the senators behave and talk before the Senate as an impeachment court.
Duterte will be in a no-win situation.
Assuming she gets acquitted, she will still be a loser.
The close public examination will render her powerless, helpless, and defenseless in the ensuing dynamics after any acquittal.
The impeachment trial will not in any way beef up her political capital.
On the contrary, it will dissipate whatever is left of support for her from a political standpoint.
Her foolish refusal to explain the loss of the P612.5 million confidential funds will have telling effects in the long run.
She will reap the whirlwind of what she had sowed earlier.
Not even an acquittal would enable her any recovery in lost political stock.
Most likely, she will be a spent force in the next presidential elections.
She will pay dearly for her dismissive attitude.

Philip M. Lustre Jr.,
Manila,
Philippines

 

Call for Thai PM to target big cooks Not get distracted by small fry The Southeast Asian Times, Sunday January 12, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Wednesday January 8, 2025

Re: "Cop course for Chinese investigated", in Bangkok Post, Saturday January 4, 2025.
The media and public should sustain pressure on Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to target the big crooks and not get distracted by small fry like those accused of teaching Chinese to be police volunteers.
Jailing a shark is 1,000 times more rewarding than netting a small minnow.
For example, focus on those behind the transfer of ex-head of the Department of Special Investigation, Pol Maj Suriya Singhakamol, right after he searched Makro headquarters for evidence of smuggling 161 containers worth 460 million baht into Thailand or ex-top cop Big Tor's assets of 209 million baht, equal to at least 217.7 years of salary. Go for sharks, not minnows.

Burin Kantabutra,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Police patrol vehicles are never seen on Route 2 Unless escorting a VIP The Southeast Asian Times, Saturday January 11, 2025 First published in Bangkok Post Wednesday January 8, 2025

Re: "New Year road toll", Bangkok Post, Monday January 6, 2025
Seven, 10 dangerous days?
Why not 365?
For the last 12 years, I have lived 50km north of Nakhon Ratchasima province, about 100m to the west of the Mitraparp Road Route 2.
From my patio, I have an excellent view of the road.
Over these 12 years, the two greatest changes have been the speed at which almost all vehicles travel and the sheer volume of traffic.
On long weekends, traffic heading north is heavy for a day before and two days after the holiday; at New Year and Songkran, add another day or two at each end. Ambulances and rescue vehicles are frequently seen; police patrol vehicles are never seen unless escorting a VIP.
The sheer diversity of illegal vehicles is mind-blowing: lorries with extensions almost half the length of the vehicle so their front wheels barely touch the road surface, pickups loaded so high that they sway from side to side, cars with their rear number plates sprayed white to foil the speed and traffic light cameras to list just a few.
But the dangerous vehicles are nothing besides the dangerous drivers of all vehicles; excessive speed, fishtailing, undertaking, and lane changing without signalling are just a few of the faults.
Dangerous vehicles and dangerous drivers will remain features of Thai roads until the police get out of their "boxes" and checkpoints, get into police cars, patrol the roads and stop offenders.
It isn't rocket science.
Thailand will remain among the top-tier countries with the highest road deaths until this happens.

Jaytee Korat,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Malaysia's Constitutional Monarchy Creates Orwellian Animal Farm style democracy The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday January 8, 2025

The Southeast Asian Times article ‘ Malaysia awaits court ruling on purported addendum that would allow former PM Namibian to continue jail sentence under house arrest ‘ ( 7 Jan.2025 ), informs us that ,“ Former Prime Minister Najib Razak began serving a 12 year prison sentence in 2022 for the misappropriation of RM42 million from the 1 Malaysia Development Bhd ( 1 MDB )”.
Malaysia is a democracy.
In a democracy everyone is suppose to be equal before the law.
So why is Najib Razak “ more equal “ Orwellian Animal Farm style?
Why has his sentenced been halved and now before the court for consideration for the remaining time to be served under house arrest?
Would an ordinary citizen have this privilege.
This is a mockery of the rule of law in Malaysia.
For defrauding the people and abuse of power the former PM Najib Razak should serve every day of his 12 year sentence behind bars.

Rajend Naidu,
Sydney,
Australia

Thailand is the 5th worst plastic pollutor By country The Southeast Asian Times Friday January 10, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Tuesday January 7, 2025

Re: "BMA explores new ways to curb harmful dust particles in city", Bangkok Post, Sunday January 5, 2025 and "Full plastic import ban faces hurdles", in Bangkok Post , Sunday January 5, 2025.
"Harmful dust particles" in Bangkok don't surprise me.
I've had a sore throat with lung irritation the last week. I've started wearing N95 Covid masks again because they filter most of the particles.
I hope the 300 tonnes of CO2 (dry ice) help.
Changing engine oil and air filters is mandatory in nearly all civilised countries.
In the UK, where I'm from, it is illegal to drive any polluting vehicles in cities.
I spent more time in Thailand than in England this year and noticed the air quality had deteriorated.
Tourism will be affected without improvement, never mind health.
Also published on your front page yesterday was the difficulty in securing an import ban on scrap plastic.
Plastic waste distribution is featured in Buy Now on Netflix.
Also, it mentions that 12m tonnes of plastic are manufactured every second.
Our oceans are full of these polymers. They've even made their way into drinking water!
Last week, the Bangkok Post published the worst plastic polluters globally by country; Thailand was 5th.
However, as you pointed out, per capita head, Thailand's citizens consume the most plastic in the world!
Come on, Thailand, you can do better!
I love this country enough to have visited here for 26 consecutive years.
Please lessen your pollution so my children can follow in my tourist footsteps.

Howard Carter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

 

 

Thailand should copy Milan's policy To ban smoking on streets The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday January 8, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Sunday January 5, 2025

Re: "Milan says no to all outdoor smoking in Italy's toughest ban" in Bangkok Post, Wednesday January 1, 2025.
Italy's Milan ban on smoking in public spaces, that is, state-owned areas to which all citizens should enjoy equal access, is just.
Thailand and other nations should copy that policy to ban smoking on streets, parks, public hospitals, government offices, and so on.
In contrast, consenting adults have a right to engage in behaviour that is harmful to themselves and consenting others on private property, such as homes, restaurants, pubs, clubs, and the like.
In those places, the owner's right to determine what guests may and may not do to themselves and others who consent to enter under the stated terms should be respected.
There is no just reason why a restaurant, pub, or club should not adopt a smoking-allowed policy.
Those who do not want the toxic stink as they eat or socialise will sensibly take their custom to non-smoking venues, as is their right.
I suspect the normal operation of supply and demand will make the great majority of private venues non-smoking, with smoking venues being a well-supported niche market, like those for film photography and vinyl music.
Similarly, the state should not be dictating how people dress, or not, on privately owned property; again, owners have the right to set dress codes, also speech codes, for their premises.

Felix Qui,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Policy proposed by OECD amounts to Western-style socialism The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday January 7, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Friday December 27, 2024

Re: "Thailand's proposed tax to be tiered system", in Bangkok Post, Business, December 27, 2024 and "Decree to ring in top-up tax in 2025", in Bangkok Post, Business, Tuesday December 24, 2024.
Thailand seems determined to adopt Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) policies wholesale, with little or no debate.
Along with the well-publicised OECD policies of residency-based taxation, and broad-based value-added tax (VAT), there are a raft of other OECD policies such as a tax on salt, fat, and sugar.
To be clear, not all OECD policies are bad.
However, outsourcing policy-making to the OECD merely to obtain membership seems dangerous and somewhat undemocratic.
Thailand, in its bid to join the OECD, is being forced to adopt a range of policy settings the OECD believes will reduce inequality, increase productivity and growth, fight climate change, and encourage better health outcomes.
These are noble causes.
However, the policy proposed amounts to no more than Western-style socialism. In essence, aggressive broad-based taxation to support social programmes, and punitive taxes to influence choices, such as a proposed tax on salt.
Ideology aside, serious questions remain as to the effectiveness of such policies in Western countries, let alone their appropriateness for an emerging Asian economy such as Thailand.
The European Union (EU) and other Western countries, which make up the bulk of the OECD, can afford to experiment with these socialist policies.
Harmonisation of policies ensures no one country will be held at a disadvantage for adopting what are uncompetitive policies for the greater good.
However, Thailand is located in a fiercely competitive region, where each country adopts its own policy settings to gain a competitive advantage, and can ill-afford to adopt a set of inappropriate policies that tilts the playing field in favour of its regional peers.
Moreover, Thailand should not hold itself out as a test bed for OECD policies in emerging Asia.
A policy misstep could be quite catastrophic.
One need only look to Sri Lanka to see how a Western-inspired agriculture policy caused a crisis or Nigeria, where the adoption of a Western-inspired digital currency caused social upheaval.
As with other OECD polices, the tax on salt is good in theory. However, in practice it is ill-suited to an emerging Asian economy like Thailand.
Such a policy is unlikely to dramatically improve health outcomes, as much as it will increase the costs of consumer staples and make life for ordinary Thais all the more difficult.
Rather than rush to harmonise with OECD policies, Thailand should take the time to carefully consider the appropriateness of OECD policies and OECD membership itself.

M PFoscolos,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Raised taxes for PNG police Led to unrest in Port Moresby The Southeast Asian Times, Monday January 6, 2025 First published in the National, Saturday January 4, 2025

In the heat of the Jan 10 looting and destruction last year, the statement ''Politics has associated costs to the economy and development'' by Prime Minister James Marape would be a gross understatement.
Politics was blamed for the events at the beginning of last year.
A government announcement was made of an imminent change to the personal income tax to raise the threshold higher.
When police personnel saw heavy deductions to their salaries, in the first pay period of the year, they set in motion a string of events that led to one of the darkest days of doing business in Port Moresby.
The repercussions of those events were to be felt throughout the year and well into 2025 and beyond.
Speaking at the New Year event at Port Moresby’s Ela Beach on Tuesday night, Prime Minister Marape acknowledged the cost of politics, and might we add, bad politics, on the economy and overall development.
In his words, 2024 has been a ‘heavy year’ of politics
Taken in the context of the history of governments in the country, there has been a mixed bag of successes attributed to political stability.
Marape has come out victorious after two attempts at overthrowing him from office.
The history of votes of no confidence looks like this. The first general election following Independence in 1975 was held in 1977; first vote of no-confidence was in 1980. The second election was in 1982, the vote of no confidence was in 1995. The third election was in 1987 and the following year saw the third Vonc. Those have been successful one.
It took 27 years between 1975 and 2022 to change government 12 times.
The only time that we had stability was during the term of the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare’s nine years, thanks to the Organic Law enacted in the late Sir Mekere Morauta’s time.
A high court ruling that deemed certain provisions of the Organic Law unconstitutional had pushed politics back to the days when a prime minister look constantly look over his shoulders to forestall any attempt at overthrowing it.
This is the situation Marape had found himself in after his 2019 ascent to power and more so following the 2022 general election.
And thus far he has defeated all attempts by the Opposition and from within his ranks.
The stability which he has so far enjoyed and will possibly continue to do so for a good part of this year will be judged best not by politics but in a significant manner by the business community and ordinary consumers and taxpayers.
The Papua New Guinea Chamber of Commerce and Industry has reported that at the end of 2024, only K50 million out of the promised K386 relief packages has been paid to businesses affected by the Jan 10 unrest.
The Government’s relief assistance package was welcomed, but its dispensation of funds has been slow.
As the losses suffered by businesses, amounting to around K785 million, were an unwanted result of a political decision and a government payroll error, and based on a government undertaking, it would have been proper to include the remainder of the relief package as an item in the 2025 national budget.
That was not to be, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry considered that “a noticeable omission” but has nonetheless been assured that the relief assistance would continue through some other provision of the national budget.
Businesses will continue to be affected by matters that are best left to political leaders to deal meaningfully with. Issues such as unreliable power, inflation, law and order, access to foreign exchange and the high cost and inefficiency of domestic air travel add to the cost of business in the country.
As a reminder to political leaders, we echo the words of Papua New Giunea Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Ian Tarutia: “Strong, decisive leadership is critical at this juncture of our country’s history and we encourage our political leaders to lead the way by making the right decisions that benefit us all, not decisions that benefit a few.”

The National,
Port Moresby,
Papua New Guinea

Call for Thailand to decouple From the $250 billion cancer industry The Southeast Asian Times, Sunday December 5, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post, Friday January 3, 2024

Re: "Cancer treatment reimbursement changes postponed", in Bangkok Post December Wednesday 25, 2024.
One suspects that apart from administrative and logistics problems, there might be financial challenges for the government in meeting the ever-rising expenses of being reimbursed for chemotherapy, hormone medications, radiation therapy, and the lab tests required by modern cancer treatments.
A simple solution would be for the National Health Security Office (NHSO) and the Ministry of Public Health to decouple from their clannish relationships with big pharma and the $250 billion cancer industry and embrace with great energy and intention the prevention of cancer and the introduction of cost-effective treatment regimens.
There are a tiny handful of highly profitable corporate retailers responsible for the sales of a huge percentage of toxic processed foods in this country.
They should be heavily taxed, and the proceeds should go to cancer prevention, education, and treatment subsidies.
Furthermore, very low-cost repurposed drugs, which have proven far more effective than their modern, highly profitable counterparts in the prevention, treatment and cure of cancer, must be embraced.
One example is the combination of ivermectin and fenbendazole, which outperforms chemotherapy and radiation and does so with zero side effects at less than one-tenth the cost of conventional treatment protocols.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

Keeping foreign criminals out of Thailand Is good for all The Southeast Asian Times, Saturday January 4, 2025 First published in the Bangkok Post Tuesday, December 28, 2024

Re: "Three foreigners held on drugs charges", in Bangkok Post, Saturday December 21,2024 "14 nabbed over call centre scam", in Bangkok Post, Wednesday December 4, 2024 and "Police bust two Chinese syndicates", in Bangkok Post, Saturday November 23, 2024.
Crimes committed by foreigners frequently appear in newspapers and TV news broadcasts, and as a person who loves and often travels to Thailand for my holiday, I am concerned about foreign gangs operating there to commit crimes and illegal activities and dragging local people into their operations.
Thai police are busy tracking those criminals and doing a good job of smashing their illegal activities, arresting and putting them in court.
I think the press and TV stations can do their part to help eradicate those activities by telling Thais that such crimes cannot be condoned, and asking them to keep an eye on their communities for any unusual activities in their surroundings.
They should also report any suspicious people in their area.
Fights and altercations often occur in tourist areas where bars are congregated, and intoxicated people get into trouble by getting into fights and getting hurt in the process.
This is one area of concern, and the authorities should look into the matter.
Thailand is well known for its warm hospitality, welcoming tourists, and coming to their aid when they need help. I have many fond memories of my travels to Thailand over the past 50 years, and it will always have a place in my heart.
Keeping foreign criminals out of Thailand is good for all, and I wish the kingdom every success in its endeavours.

Shih Kiat Chia,
Bangkok,
Thailand

The Philippines government is building up more debt Than the economy can bear The Southeast Asian Times Friday January 3, 2024 First published in the Philippine Inquirer, Friday December 20, 2024

Our government debt has broken the ceiling, hitting P16 trillion as of October 2024, just two months to go till the end of 2024, from only P6 trillion in 2016.
The propensity of our lawmakers is to look at the budget expenditure and not the matching revenues to cope with the obligations.
We have not been careful in handling the economy.
No matter the efforts to control rising debt, the National Expenditure Program (NEP) goes up by an estimated 10 percent a year, but the increase in revenues has been very minimal, resulting in gaping yearly deficits.
As long as we have willing lenders, the government is not jolted anymore that we are building up debt more than the economy can bear.
Our borrowing has hit 60.2 percent of debt-to-GDP ratio, breaching the 60 percent limit set by international lenders, as well.
Fortunately, we have reduced the proportion of our foreign debt to 37 percent of the total.
The deficit of P1.6 trillion in 2022 was gradually reduced to P1.5 trillion in 2023.
It might be reducing the gap a little bit, but at that rate we would be staying within the perilous realm of having P1 trillion a year in operating deficit, increasing total debt by an average of P1 trillion a year.
This means that the next two or three generations will have this debt yoke to bear. We cannot be lulled into continuing with deficit spending that we have been used to, mostly for the social and health services of a growing population and not for infrastructure geared for economic development.
If the head of the family is earning a salary of P50,000 a month and yet must spend P55,000, how can one survive without resorting to borrowings to go on living? Our generation would be pawning the entire future of the country in hand-to-mouth existence for our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
We will all have to sit down and count the cost of the ongoing political noise and division.
This move for impeachment of the Vice President in Congress, and the ongoing International Criminal Court-related congressional investigations of drug war killings of the Duterte years could be a righteous way of redress for victims of grievances. But let the Department of Justice, law enforcement agencies, and the courts handle criminal cases and not leave the whole country divided and the economy shattered over them.
The government must focus on the nation’s economic survival.
We realize how politics has thwarted controls in the anomalous spending seen in government offices estimated at 20 percent of the NEP wasted.
How can economic managers do enough to enforce financial accountability and discipline?
This, even if the Department of Finance and the Department of Budget and Management know how and are at the forefront to implement such financial controls in ending corruption at its roots, where it starts.
People heading government offices are the ones likely involved and engaged in corrupt practices, or at the very least should be made directly answerable for them, but most are political appointees of the sitting administration. It does not serve political dominance under the presidential system.

Marvel K. Tan,
Manila,
Philippines

Birth control measures Are now forbidden in China The Southeast Asian Times, Thursday January 2, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post Saturday December 28, 2024

Re: "Feast of feuds", in Bangkok Post, Postbag, Thursday December 26, 2024 and "Population puzzle", in Bangkok Post, PostBag, Wednesday December 25, 2024.
The number of children in China is extremely low, and the workforce is dwindling while the economy is declining.
To counter the enormous implications which a declining population has for the economy, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has resurrected former "birth control officers" who are now called "birth promotion officers."
Indeed, it was reported in October this year the Chinese government has decided to implement a "menstrual police" system at the local level to monitor the reproductive status of women of childbearing age who have not yet given birth.
Birth control measures are now forbidden; women both single and married are closely monitored by the menstrual police to ensure they are conceiving as many children as possible.
And the men are being forced to marry and work to create and support large families.
The popular anti-marriage and anti-childbearing sentiments which dominate social media are now being heavily criticised by China's digital authorities.
Combined with extensive social unrest, the extreme listlessness of Chinese youth, homelessness, the large number of unemployed college graduates, and the structural weaknesses of the economy, there are new sentiments swirling in social media that are hinting at regime change and how fragile things are at the Zhongnanhai - a compound that houses the offices of and serves as a residence for the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the State Council.
It should be self-evident that false claims by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) of having a population of 1.4 billion people when it is probably 800 million or less have important ramifications for geopolitics and the global economy.
This news from independent online sources does not make it to mainstream media, and I thought it would interest PostBag readers. Apologies to those who did not find it.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

The world is facing wars and the Philippines Is busy with itself instead of taking care of itself The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday January 1, 2024 First published in the Philippine Inquirer, Wednesday December 25, 2024

Some politicians are irresponsibly putting the livelihoods of the Filipino people at risk through their selfish behavour.
The world is facing wars in different parts of the world and the Philippines is busy with itself instead of taking care of itself.
The innovative approach of “hybrid warfare” is apparently still largely unknown among leading politicians here.
The phenomenon is not new, but the methods are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
Hybrid warfare is the expansion of a purely military combat operation with the help of espionage, sabotage, cyberattacks, election interference, propaganda or disinformation campaigns, or with auxiliary measures such as chemical and biological warfare and weapons in enemy territory, long before a conflict breaks out at the military level, with the aim of weakening and destabilizing the enemy from within.
An artificially created wave of flu, for example, can paralyze the country’s leadership and scare the civilian population, which can lead to chaos and anarchy. COVID-19 sends its regards, but is 100 times stronger.
In fact, targeted killings of enemy leaders are also a means of hybrid warfare.
This was not only the case during the so-called “Cold War.”
It is actually forbidden by the Geneva Convention, but is a perfectly acceptable method in the event of war.
Who wouldn’t have liked to see Adolf Hitler dead before the end of the war?
Or the hundreds of failed attempts by the CIA to eliminate Fidel Castro, who was disliked by them?
Therefore, we must expect a very broad spectrum of attacks in the Philippines in the future also because of the stationing of certain US troops.
Anything else would be negligent irresponsibility toward the population.
The flexibility with which one must react to such attacks should also be correspondingly high.
It is difficult to overlook the disunity of domestic politics here.
A situation that is no longer quite peace, but not quite war either, and moves back and forth in this gray area.
This could also be the outbreak of a civil war within the country.
This includes testing how far one can go.
Therefore, one should limit oneself to the training of experts and specialists for civil protection and critical infrastructure rather than to political intrigues among politicians and their families.
National security falls by the wayside here.

Jürgen Schöfer, Ph.D.,
Manila,
Phiippines

 

Thailand's duopolies and or monopolies Have severely harmed consumers The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday December 31, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Tuesday December 24, 2024

Re: "Thaksin eyes raising GDP to 5 percent", in Bangkok Post, Sunday December 22, 2024.
I heartily support Thaksin and his daughter in freeing consumers from monopoly profits.
Our Trade Competition Commission has never blocked a merger in its seven years of life.
So, we have near-monopolies in many industries, including telecom, energy, banking, retail especially convenience stores and healthcare.
These duopolies and or monopolies have severely harmed consumers.
For instance, the Thailand Consumers Council estimated the then-proposed True-DTAC merger would raise average revenue per user by as much as 244 percent if players fixed prices, yet the merger proceeded.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn last week you promised us prosperity.
Back your welcome words with prompt, decisive action against the monopolies.

Burin Kantabutra,
Bangkok,
Thailand

PM Paetongtarn's pledge of prosperity for all Is so vague it could be a mirage The Southeast Asian Times, Monday December 30, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Sunday December 22, 2024

Re: "New initiatives launched in Northeast", in Bangkok Post, Saturday December 21, 2024.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn's pledge of "prosperity for all the people" sounds nice, but is so vague it could be a mirage.
For example, she could have said, "In 2019, both Vietnam and Thailand had 6.2 percent of its population living under the poverty line, which was, for us, earnings of B2,762/month.
"Today, Vietnam's figure has plummeted to just 1 percent, but ours has risen slightly to 6.3 percent. By 2026, ours, too, will be 1 percent or less - and will stay there."
Speaking at that event, she also should have outlined the strategy by which she would achieve that objective.
For instance, she could have noted, "Today, 64.7 percent of Thais aged 15-65 can barely read and understand short texts to solve simple problems.
"Also, today, 74.1 percent of these Thais cannot perform simple tasks like finding
product prices in an online shopping site. By 2026, these figures will be halved, and halved again by 2027."

Burin Kantabutra,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

Thailand generals can tear up And make up new constitutions at will The Southeast Asian Times, Sunday December 29, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Sunday December 22, 2024

Re: "Senate refuses to back down on referendum", in Bangkok Post, December 18, 2024.
The dance about regulations for changing the constitution is laughable considering with what ease generals can tear up and make up new constitutions at will.
It should be clearly understood that a dictator's constitution should be scrapped at once by a freely elected parliament.
But unfortunately, parties aligned with the generals for influence and money hinder this, while those representing the people are being serially disbanded.
The political system is a shambles and development of the country is going nowhere.
But the "elites" are sitting pretty on their money piles.

Karl Reichstetter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Letters to Bangkok Post PostBag Argue China's true birth rate The Southeast Asian Times, Saturday December 28, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Thursday December 26, 2024

Re: "Population puzzle" and "Crossing the line", in Bangkok Post, PostBag, Tuesday, December 24, 2024.
Not a great deal of cheer and goodwill in my PostBag stocking this Christmas Day!
First up was Michael Setter struggling to keep up his record of a letter-a-day with a jumble of incomprehensible statistics about China's birth rate, seemingly just to contradict a letter from Ioan Voicu.
Following that was a missive from Songdej Praditsmanont in support of Mr Setter's appeal for letters on all topics.
Somewhat surprisingly for many of us, he praised the Post for having disabused him on misleading information from other dubious sources over the years.
This was all the more ironic given that Mr Setter has been the most prolific purveyor of disinformation in PostBag in the six years I've been a reader.
Khun Songdej didn't hesitate to remind us that, regardless of the criticism he has received for previous threats of libel action, he remains poised to sue for defamation.
That's the moment he perceives that disagreement in a letters column constitutes character assassination.
It's looking like 2025 is going to be more of the same, same.

Ray Ban,
Bangkok,
Thailand

May the shine of the lights of Christmas shine Upon better times in our world The Southeast Asian Times, Friday December 27, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Thursday December 26, 2024

The lights of Christmas are meant to reflect beauty, peace and celebration.
We cannot overlook the rich symbolism of the festive occasion by allowing war, hatred, vile political connivance and hypocrisies to eclipse the radiance of love, peace, hope and the joys of humanity at Christmas time.
May the shine of the lights of Christmas shine upon better times in our world.
Let there be true peace, understanding and amity.

Glen Chatelier,
Bangkok,
Thailand

All right thinking people applaud ICC arrest warrant For Myanmar's Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing First published in The Southeast Asian Times, Thursday December 26, 2024

It has come belatedly but it is still welcome news that the International Criminal Court has applied for a warrant of arrest for Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces ( Tatmadaw ) of Myanmar President , Min Aung Hlaing, for crimes against humanity of Rohingya Muslims Wednesday November27, 2024 ( The Southeast Asian Times 24 December, 2024 ).
The crimes in question the ICC claims “ were committed during the 2016 and 2017 waves of violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State and the subsequent exodus of Rohingya muslims from Myanmar to Bangladesh “.
The ICC prosecutor Karim Khan KC said “ this is the first application by the ICC for the arrest of a high-level Myanmar government official. More warrants of arrests will follow “.
That must happen to send a strong message to all rogue state officials everywhere that no matter how high level your position if you commit low down acts of crimes against humanity you will face justice under international law.
All right thinking people would applaud the ICC decision to seek the aforementioned arrest warrants for the Myanmar state officials.

Rajend Naidu,
Sydney,
Australia

 

 

A dictators constitution should be Scrapped at once The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday December 25, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Sunday December 22, 2024

Re: "Senate refuses to back down on referendum", in Bangkok Post, Wednesday December 18, 2024.
The dance about regulations for changing the constitution is laughable considering with what ease generals can tear up and make up new constitutions at will.
It should be clearly understood that a dictator's constitution should be scrapped at once by a freely elected parliament.
But unfortunately, parties aligned with the generals for influence and money hinder this, while those representing the people are being serially disbanded.
The political system is a shambles and development of the country is going nowhere. But the "elites" are sitting pretty on their money piles.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

"Don't it always seem to go'' That you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone?" The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday December 24, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Sunday December 23, 2024

Re: "Eye on Washington", Bangkok Post, PostBag, WednesdayDecember 18, 2024.
I first came to Thailand in 1979 and discovered there were two English language newspapers, the Bangkok Post being by far the better choice.
The Post's Sunday edition was an absolute delight; monumental in both size and the quality, as well as the amount of effort that went into producing it every week.
With the advent of the internet and now AI, one must congratulate the Bangkok Post for being able to navigate a tsunami of economic challenges and continue to offer its invaluable print edition.
Its intermediate and advanced English language learning content is a wonderful education resource for the many keen students who are so woefully underserved in this nation.
I would therefore suggest to John F Kane that rather than trying to tell contributors what not to write (as so many others have done), that he tries to pen something original and informative that contributes value to the PostBag forum.
As Joni Mitchell sang, "Don't it always seem to go. That you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone?" -from Big Yellow Taxi.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Sharp of PM of Malaysia to tap former PM of Thailand As informal advisor for Malaysia ASEAN chair 2025 The Southeast Asian Times, Monday December 23, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Saturday December 21, 2024

Re: "Anwar taps Thaksin for Asean role", in Bangkok Post, Wednesday December 18, 2024.
It was sharp of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to tap Thaksin Shinawatra as an informal adviser when Malaysia assumes Asean's chairmanship next year.
He presumably believes that Khun Thaksin is a former fellow controversial "jailed" premier and likely admires him as a great survivor and success story in the economic and business world.
After being in self-imposed exile for 17 years, Khun Thaksin served time in prison for only a few hours when he returned.
Prime Minister Anwar actually had to serve six years in prison and he was also cruelly treated.
Thaksin's great success in economics and business, not to mention dealing with so many accusations and lawsuits for corruption, must have impressed everyone, not only Prime Minister Anwar.

Songdej Praditsmanont,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Pardon issued by President Biden for Anthony Fauci Is unprecedented and probably unconstitutional The Southeast Asian Times, Sunday December 22, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Friday December 20, 2024

Re: "Pardon me?", in Bangkok Post, PostBag, Thursday December 19, 2024.
Indeed, I did write that preemptive pardons are "unprecedented and probably unconstitutional".
Tarquin Chufflebottom claims that I conveniently ignored Ford's pardon of Nixon and Bush Snr's pardon of Casper (sic) Weinberger.
As we shall see, these two pardons were not without antecedent crimes established by legal process.
Regarding the pardon received by Nixon, there were antecedent crimes, which were three in number as determined by the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee: obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and contempt of Congress. These were included in the committee report which detailed articles of impeachment against Nixon. Congress was overwhelmingly in favour of impeachment.
Preferring to resign rather than face further humiliation, Nixon's resignation was followed by statements from special prosecutor Leon Jaworski that Nixon must face federal criminal charges.
Forty-eight people were convicted of crimes related to the Watergate scandal, and Nixon was recorded on tape conspiring to commit those crimes.
It is widely believed Nixon received a pardon from Ford in exchange for his resignation.
Weinberger was pardoned by Bush Snr while Weinberger was under an indictment for crimes committed during the Iran-Contra affair.
Although many believe Anthony Fauci should face prosecution for crimes against humanity and despite abundant evidence, no legal action has been undertaken by the US Department of Justice.
Therefore, a pardon issued by Biden in his case would be without antecedent criminal charges and would thus be unprecedented and probably unconstitutional.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

It is naive to think Thailand's economy will benefit By adopting OECD ascension policies The Southeast Asian Times, Saturday, December 20, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Friday December 20, 2024

Re: "A taxing question", in Bangkok Post, Business, Monday December 16, 2024.
There are good reasons why many of Thailand's regional peers have shown little interest in joining the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
For all the talk of the OECD being a consensus-based organisation, it is not an Asean-style body with a strong doctrine of non-interference.
The policies imposed on Thailand by the OECD may well harmonise Thailand with other OECD member nations, but it equally risks making Thailand much less competitive in its own region.
Malaysia, free from OECD residency-based taxation policies, is already luring Thailand's long-stay tourists by actively promoting their country's tax exemption on foreign-sourced income and stable remittance-based taxation system.
Singapore and Hong Kong, unconstrained by OECD policy, have retained their territorial taxation system and have cemented their positions as regional financial hubs.
Vietnam, in the absence of incompatible OECD labour, climate, social policies, is poised to overtake Thailand as one of the region's main manufacturing hubs.
As to the suggestion that OECD ascension process is likely to reduce Thailand's dependence on tourism, there seems little evidence for that.
If anything, the adoption of OECD tax policies is likely to erode Thailand's lucrative long-stay tourism and retirement hub that has been decades in the making and generally makes Thailand a less attractive tourist destination.
Greece's membership of the OECD did not save it from total economic collapse in 2009.
Turkey's OECD membership did not help it avoid an economic and currency crisis in 2018.
Colombia's OECD membership did not deliver it from a credit rating downgrade earlier this year.
It is naive to think Thailand's economy will benefit by adopting OECD ascension policies. As for increasing inward investment, it is laughable to suggest that Thailand will somehow attract more inward investment by adopting OECD tax and other policies.
These are the very policies that drove many companies and high-net-worth individuals to flee the West.
Of course, Thailand needs policy reforms. But forcing Thailand to accept ill-suited policies imported directly from a western supra-national body like the OECD sells Thailand short.
It is administratively lazy, undemocratic, and does not serve the best interest of Thailand.

M P Foscolos
Bangkok,
Thailand

Thailand can learn from South Korea's President Announcement of martial law and army mobilisation The Southeast Asian Times, Friday December 20, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post Thursday December 5, 2024

Re: "South Korean president declares martial law", Bangkok Post Online, Tuesday December 3, 2024.
Thailand's civilian and military leaders can learn much from South Korea's handling of President Yoon Suk-yeol's announcement of martial law and army mobilisation. Reaction was swift, decisive, and effective - as all followed the rule of law.
MPs raced to the National Assembly and, with 190 of its 300 members present, quickly passed a resolution demanding Mr Yoon lift his order while protesters opposed to martial law gathered outside the building and the nation's powerful unions threatened to go on strike.
I note that (a) the general public and unions quickly and peacefully protested; (b) the authorities did not use force to prevent peaceful protests; (c) the military did not take sides and was always under civilian control; (d) there were no reports of tanks or soldiers on the street in Seoul or elsewhere in South Korea.
Soon after parliament's resolution against martial law, soldiers left parliament and its grounds, and (e) all sides followed the rule of law, including Mr Yoon, who complied with parliament's will and withdrew his declaration of martial law.
We should learn from SK, which escaped military rule 37 years ago and has soared economically since then.

Burin Kantabutra,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

Essential markings on Bangkok roads Obliterated for road resurfacing The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday December 19, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post Tuesday December 10, 2024

Well done to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) for the excellent resurfacing of many roads in the Suan Luang area by using tarmac to eliminate all the recently installed red pedestrian crossings, white road markings and lane dividers.
The ensuing havoc of cars and bikes driving all over the flipping place and pedestrians having no crossing facilities on On Nut 17 and other sois as a result of those essential markings being obliterated is marvellous.
Congratulations!

Bob Kneale,
Bangkok,
Thailand

There is never a good enough reason For the military to organise an armed coup The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday December 18, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Wednesday December 11, 2024

Re: "Anutin says no to coup bill", in Bangkok Post, Tuesday December 10, 2024.
What an extremely sad and sorry state of affairs when Anutin Charnvirakul - a leader of a major political party and Minister of the Interior thinks so little of the parliamentary system and the citizens that he is quite happy to allow the possible intrusion of the military into political affairs.
There is never a good enough reason for the military to organise an armed coup and depose an elected government, and any bill that reduces that risk is worth voting for.
Does Mr Anutin really think so poorly of his past political friends and party members that they deserved to be ousted by men in uniform, and more importantly, did the generals improve the situation and improve the democratic system that he purportedly stands for?
But then, as a man who once apologised for a statement that he insisted he did not post, he may not be the best example for aspiring politicians to follow.

Steve Merchant,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

''Christmas wonder'' by Anna Cristina Tuazon Helps reconnect with what Christmas truly means The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday December 17, 2024 First published in the Philippine Inquirer, Tuesday December 10, 2024

I was filled with delight and nostalgia alike after reading Anna Cristina Tuazon’s article “Christmas wonder,” in Safe Space, December 5, 2024.
Growing up as a child in a practicing Roman Catholic family, Christmas was always a time of joy and tradition.
I remember the happy memories peppered with the excitement of decorating our old Christmas tree, hanging our parol near the door, and stringing up Christmas lights on the facade.
I remember the feeling of being able to fully immerse myself in the moment, to just feel the Christmas spirit, with all its glee.
However, as time went by, I began to experience what many call the ”Christmas blues'' a sense of nostalgia mixed with longing and the ambivalent realization that the magic of the season isn’t what it once was.
The joy of the season mellowed over time.
No more Christmas tree.
No more parol. No more Christmas lights.
It became more apparent to me that I was slowly losing touch with the magic of Christmas, as life became more demanding and I felt less sheltered by the traditions I once cherished.
But thanks to Tuazon’s article, I was given the impetus to bridge the gap between the past and present and challenge myself to rediscover “a sense of wonder,” helping me reconnect with what Christmas truly means.
We may not have a Christmas tree, parol, or Christmas lights, but in my heart lives the true spirit of the season, thanksgiving.

Jhon Steven C. Espenido,
Surigao City,
Philippines

Who says sports and politics don't mix? It mixes alright The Southeast Asian Times Monday December 15, 2024

Australia to limit China’s security ambitions in the Pacific with rugby and security training in PNG ( The Southeast Asian Times 14 December 2024 ).
It aims to do that “ with funding of A$600million over 10 years to support Papua New Guineas’s entry to the Australian National Rugby League ( NRL ) competition and funding of A$200 million in security support for Papua New Guinea “.
So says sports and politics don’t mix?
It mixes alright.
It often mixes big time as the Australia example demonstrates.

Rajend Naidu,
Sydney,
Australia

Brick bloc comprises 45 percent of world consumer population But will the US allow that percentage to go on a trajectory? The Southeast Asian Times, Sunday December 15, 2024 First published in the Malaysiakini Monday December 2, 2024

It was reported that US President-elect Donald Trump has belted a threat that his government will impose 100 percent tariffs on countries within the Brics bloc if they commit to creating a new currency for international trade.
In late October 2024, Malaysia officially became a partner country in the alliance following a confirmation by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in July that Malaysia had applied for full membership.
Trump’s warning, “Comply or kiss US market goodbye” is a concern that calls for serious consideration by Malaysia.
This is a legitimate concern for all Malaysians given the fact that in 2023 alone, the trade value between the United States and Malaysia saw our nation “exporting goods worth US$35 billion (RM160 billion) to the US” (Scoop, Dec 1, 2024).
US’ warning that Brics countries “should expect to say goodbye to selling into the wonderful US Economy,” matters much to countries like Malaysia given the disproportionate export currency earnings that help to develop nations.
While we may seemingly take comfort in the fact that Brics now has some 34 countries interested in the bloc, can Malaysia develop sizeable markets in order to forgo US trade to reduce our reliance on the US dollar?
Have we taken cognisance of the prospect that the “new” currency within Brics is unlikely, “given the alliance’s internal economic and geopolitical
disparities” ?
We could be taking comfort in the expansionary trade wings of China.
But have we taken into consideration that trade is never about charity and sacrifice or sheer corporate social responsibility for any ambitious nation?
It is no surprise that the two nations spearheading the Brics thrust Russia and China are in partnership to challenge the “American leadership”.
Suppose Trump bulldozes his painful tariff threat, what are our safety net alternatives in so far as foreign (US and Europe) investments in the country, our export earnings, food supply and supply chains as well as the huge investments our government-linked companies, government-linked investment companies and other government agencies including entities like Majlis Amanah Rakyat are concerned?
Former Goldman Sachs economist Jim O’Neill predicted first seeded the notion that these Brics countries would challenge the global dominance of Western economies.
But we must not lose sight of the fact that many analyses and predictions have gone wrong too.
Today the Brics bloc comprising 45 percent of the world’s consumer population wields power over 28 percent of the global economy.
But will the US allow that percentage to go on a trajectory?
While Anwar’s strategic aims to maintain the nation’s economic and geopolitical independence should not dismissed in its entirety, we nevertheless need convincing answers to what are our assuring alternatives towards striking a balance in our national trade and investment plans for the future.
Has Anwar’s assertion that Malaysia’s position along the crucial Strait of Malacca - a key shipping route that facilitates global crude oil transport - is our best bet for courting Brics equally taken stock of China’s interest in alternative shipping routes?
Indeed no leader or political party in power should trap our beloved nation into a painful future.
We need a united, learned, national decision and all Malaysians must be concerned as the ultimate responsibility and consequences will fall on everyone’s shoulders - citizens, lawmakers and rulers.

JD Lovrenciear,
Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia

Philippines urge ASEAN and broader global family To support initiatives that uphold UNCLOS The Southeast Asian Times Saturday December 14, 2024 First published in the Philippine Inquirer, Thursday December 12, 2024

On the fateful evening of December 2, as the BRP Datu Tamblot and its crew braved the calm waters near Hasa-Hasa Shoal, they were met with an unexpected guest—a high-intensity laser beam from an unidentified Chinese vessel.
As the green beam pierced the darkness, one could almost imagine it as an unorthodox holiday greeting, albeit one that could potentially blind our sailors.
Incidents like these remind us of the challenges faced by our courageous men and women guarding the waters of the West Philippine Sea. Hasa-Hasa Shoal, a part of our exclusive economic zone (EEZ), isn’t just a spot on the map, it’s a resource-rich area teeming with marine life, a haven for Filipino fishers, and a symbol of our national identity.
While the laser incident might sound like a scene from a sci-fi movie, it’s a stark reminder of the reality we face: a need to assert our sovereign rights without losing sight of diplomacy and peace.
Let us not be intimidated by these bright displays; instead, let them serve as a spotlight on the pressing need for unity - both domestically and internationally.
The Philippines has always been a nation that values dialogue, justice, and mutual respect.
We have demonstrated our commitment to these principles through the legal and diplomatic avenues we’ve pursued, most notably the 2016 arbitral ruling that affirmed our rights in the West Philippine Sea.
Yet, these rights are not just about us.
They resonate with all nations that believe in the rule of law and the importance of maintaining peace and stability in international waters.
Our maritime zones are part of a larger network that supports global trade, biodiversity, and climate resilience. Protecting these waters is a shared responsibility.
We call on our friends in the international community to shine a light of their own on this issue. This is not merely a bilateral matter between the Philippines and China; it’s a question of respecting international law and ensuring that no nation can claim what isn’t theirs through coercion or force.
From Asean partners to the broader global family, we urge you to amplify your voices.
Support initiatives that uphold peace and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).
Stand with us in asserting that the future of these waters lies in sustainable development, not conflict.
To our fellow Filipinos, let this serve as a rallying cry - not to war, but to unwavering vigilance and unity.
Every fisher who sails these waters, every soldier who guards our outposts, and every citizen who supports our claim, strengthens our stance.
Together, we are a nation that believes in fairness, peace, and sovereignty.
And to the unidentified vessel that brought a light show to Hasa-Hasa Shoal, let this be our message: the Philippines does not stand in darkness.
We are guided by the light of our laws, our allies, and our indomitable spirit.
So, let us steer forward, navigating these contested waters with confidence.
The beam of justice and unity will always shine brighter than any laser.

Shermaine Anacleto,
Manila,
Philippines

 

Never a good enough reason for the military to organise An armed coup and depose an elected government The Southeast Asian Times, Friday December 13, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Tuesday December 10, 2024

Re: "Anutin says no to coup bill", in Bangkok Post, Tuesday December 10, 2024.
What an extremely sad and sorry state of affairs when Anutin Charnvirakul - a leader of a major political party and Minister of the Interior thinks so little of the parliamentary system and the citizens that he is quite happy to allow the possible intrusion of the military into political affairs.
There is never a good enough reason for the military to organise an armed coup and depose an elected government, and any bill that reduces that risk is worth voting for.
Does Mr Anutin really think so poorly of his past political friends and party members that they deserved to be ousted by men in uniform, and more importantly, did the generals improve the situation and improve the democratic system that he purportedly stands for?
But then, as a man who once apologised for a statement that he insisted he did not post, he may not be the best example for aspiring politicians to follow.

Steve Merchant,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Australia one of 157 countries that voted in support of UN Recognition of inalienable rights of Palestinian people The Southeast Asian Times, Thursday December 12, 2024

According to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu “ it is impossible to separate this reprehensible act [ the arson attack on the Melbourne synagogue ] from the extreme anti-Israeli position of the AustralianLabour government that supported the United Nations resolution “ ( read details in ‘ Israel PM says “ impossible to separate arson attack on synagogue in Australiawith UN vote against Israel” in The Southeast Asian Times 9 December 2024).
Netanyahu’s reaction is a classic case of blame shifting.
The blame should be put where it rightly belongs : with the far right Israeli state under Netanyahu and his cronies.
It is on account of the illegal Israeli occupation, oppression and since the Hamas October 7 attack in Israel the genocide against the Palestinian people.
Australia PM Anthony Albanese politely reminded the Israeli PM and like minded others that “ Australia was one of 157 countries that voted in support of the United Nations resolution that recognised “ the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, primarily the right to self-determination and the right to their independent state “, urging “ Israel to bring to an end its unlawful presence in thee Occupied Palestinian Territory as rapidly as possible “.
Netanyahu should focus on complying with the UN resolution to bring the Israeli- Palestinian conflict to a peaceful and enduring end.

Rajend Naidu,
Sydney
Australia

 

China shops in Thailand Are killing local entrepreneurs First published in the Bangkok Post, Tuesday December 3, 2024 The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday December 11, 2024

Re: "Border trade up 6 percent in first 10 months", Bangkok Post, Business, Tuesday December 3, 2024.
As an undergraduate student at Mahidol University International College, I think it is great that Thailand's trade with its neighbouring countries has grown over the past several years.
However, this growth in regional trade has caused some noticeable changes in many areas.
Take for instance the area surrounding my university in Salaya neighbourhood in Nakhon Pathom's Phutthamonthon district.
Many local businesses have shut down, replaced by various Chinese restaurants which are rapidly mushrooming in the area.
This made me think that perhaps Thailand's government should introduce some restrictions on businesses from neighbouring countries, especially China, from setting up shop in Thailand, since their presence is killing local entrepreneurs.
Smaller, local businesses will never have the capital to compete with foreign investors looking to make their mark in the market.
Many of these foreign businesses also come armed with knowledge of the market that Thai businesses do not have, and they are able to take advantage of the free trade agreements between Thailand and China, allowing them to undercut their local competitors - which could never bring their prices down as low as their foreign competitors without going out of business.
I experienced this firsthand as I was walking around my campus.
A new shop selling ice-cream for 10 baht a cone recently opened up next to a local ice-cream hawker that was selling theirs for 15 baht.
You can guess which shop most people ended up going to.

Tanagone Songvatanakamchon,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Free trade is seen as the best antidote To the economic slump The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday December 10, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Tuesday December 3, 2024

Economically speaking, the statements the Asian region sent are pretty encouraging.
Sincere efforts and mutual cooperation are needed to expand potential trade platforms like Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which are aimed at encouraging regional business activities through free trade.
Free trade is seen as the best antidote to the economic slump, in contrast to a trade war intended to harm other countries.
My first job was, in fact, in export and import activities through the Tuticorin Port in Tamil Nadu.
Any attempt to place an embargo on trade activities will only entail a strong backlash. My native areas like Korkai, Tiruchendur, Tuticorin, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari, and Tirunelveli have thrived on easy and free trade, selling locally procured farm produce like paddy, banana, and betel within the region and to outside areas too.
The idea of protectionism will never go down well with people.
Free trade is the way forward.
Countries from the East and West should strengthen their global economic status through bold business steps like multilateral negotiations and transboundary free trade.

P Senthil Saravana Durai,
Bangkok,
Yhailand

Call to stand up and speak out against arson attack On Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne The Southeast Asian Times, Monday December 9, 2024

All good men and women in Australia and around the world would find the arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue abhorrent.
It should not happen here.
All good men and women in Australia and around the world also find the Israeli genocide of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip abhorrent.
It should not happen there.
We must stand up and speak out against the violence of race hate wherever it raises its ugly head.

Rajend Naidu,
Sydney,
Australias

When will something else fall on our heads As we drive by the Rama II motorway The Southeast Asian Times, Sunday December 8, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post Friday December 6, 2024

Re: "Rama II motorway construction put on hold after fatal crane collapse", in Bangkok Post, Sunday December 1, 2024.
As an undergraduate student living in Thailand, I feel extremely sad and ashamed about another accident that happened during the construction of the Rama II motorway.
It reflects a lack of security and questionable standards of engineering safety.
Unfortunately, this is not the only accident that has happened on the Rama II motorway.
There have been many construction accidents on highways.
It is unacceptable that we cannot drive on the road and feel safe.
When will something else fall on our heads as we drive by?
It is not just the construction companies who are to blame.
Government departments responsible for overseeing construction on public highways are also at fault.
Do they not owe a duty of care to us, the general public?

Tassapon Angspatt,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Call for Filipinos to show respect For the constitution and institutions The Southeast Asian Times, Saturday December 7, 2024 First published in the Philippine Inquirer, Wednesday December 4, 2024

It is highly irresponsible for anyone to advocate for a coup d’état in the midst of the ongoing tensions between President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte. Such actions would only bring harm to the people of our nation, as the stability of our country hangs in the balance.
A coup d’état, which is a sudden and illegal seizure of power from a government, often leads to violence, instability, and loss of lives. It disrupts the democratic process and undermines the rule of law, which are essential for a peaceful and prosperous society.
History has shown us that coups often result in long-lasting damage to a country’s political, social, and economic stability.
As a concerned citizen who firmly believes in upholding the rule of law, I urge my fellow Filipinos to show respect for our Constitution and the institutions that
uphold it.
Our Constitution is the supreme law of the land and provides the framework for our democracy.
It guarantees our fundamental rights and freedoms, as well as outlines the powers and limitations of our government officials.
By respecting and upholding the Constitution, we ensure that our democracy remains intact and that the rule of law prevails.
Let us refrain from allowing our emotions to dictate our actions and refrain from inciting our military to intervene in the political turmoil between our leaders. Emotions can cloud our judgment and lead us to make decisions that are not in the best interest of our nation.
It is important to approach political conflicts with reason, tolerance, and a commitment to dialogue and compromise.
Inciting the military to intervene in politics is a dangerous precedent that can have far-reaching consequences.
The military’s primary role is to protect the country from external threats, not to meddle in domestic political affairs.
Instead, let us demonstrate our compassion and concern for the well-being of our children and the future of our nation by rejecting any unconstitutional methods to resolve the current political crisis.
Our children are the future leaders of our country, and it is our duty to set a positive example for them.
By advocating for peaceful and lawful ways to address political disagreements, we show our commitment to democracy, stability, and progress.
We must work together to find common ground, respect each other’s viewpoints, and uphold the principles of justice and fairness.
Let us remember our shared responsibility to protect the country and work toward a better future for all.
May God bless the Philippines.

Reginald B. Tamayo,
Manila,
Philippines

Buddha's teachings Focus on inner peace and personal awakening The Southeast Asian Times Friday December 6, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Thursday December 5, 2024

Re: "Buddhism is always oddly political", in Bangkok Post, Opinion, Sunday November 29, 2024.
The article by Guanxiong Qi sheds light on the political use of Buddhist relics. While the historical account is interesting and informative, I would like to highlight some critical points.
It is unfortunate to see how Buddhist relics are instrumentalised for political purposes.
This contradicts the Buddha's teachings, which focus on inner peace and personal awakening.
The emphasis on relics as national treasures and their use for diplomatic missions neglects the universal and apolitical nature of Buddhist teachings.
Buddha himself taught compassion and wisdom beyond national boundaries and political agendas.
The Post's removal of critical commentary on these issues shows a worrying tendency towards censorship that hinders open discourse.
It is crucial that opinions and criticism can be heard and discussed in public to promote deeper understanding and a balanced perspective.
It is important to preserve the original teachings of Buddhism and not to distort them with political interests.
An open and respectful dialogue on these issues is necessary to preserve the true meaning and essence of Buddhism.
If the Post allows Guanxiong Qi to spread nationalist Buddhist ideology among readers, it should also allow readers to articulate their opposition to this political instrumentalisation of Buddhism.

Nang Tani,
Bangkok,
Thailand

It's not hard to see why there is skepticism And cynicism about future COP talkfest The Southeast Asian Times, Monday December 2, 2024

I should like to remind Ioan Viocu that the “ turning point in the global effort to protect life on our planet “ ( The Southeast Asian Times 2 December 2024 ), was a long time ago.
Humanity failed to take the concrete action that was imperative to avert climate catastrophe despite all the bloated COP gatherings at exotic locations.
Now we have reached the tipping point.
That’s why there is skepticism and cynicism about future COP talkfest.
It’s not hard to see why.

Rajend Naidu,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

 

Climate lockdowns Would include steep carbon taxes The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday December 4, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Saturday November 30, 2024

Re: "Making public investment work", Bangkok Post, Opinion, Thursday November 21, 2024.
Those unelected elites who presume to be our masters have decided that this is the time to implement a strategy presented several years ago by Mariana Mazzucato of the World Economic Forum.
The first thing one sees upon visiting the International Monetary Fund (IMF) online is, "The world is sitting on a razor's edge, and the potential deciding factor between future prosperity and potential runaway climate disaster is a single number - 1.5."
The IMF and other globalist organisations suggest we must achieve a net zero carbon goal by 2030 to avoid the "climate cliff".
The theory is that once the Earth hits warming of more than 1.5C there will be an irreversible environmental disaster of inconceivable proportions.
Of course, this is complete nonsense, but fortunately, they haven't been able to get monkeypox and bird flu up to snuff, so this is Plan B.
To achieve our collective salvation, these globalists have decided to roll out climate lockdowns, draconian measures under which "governments would limit private vehicle use, ban consumption of red meat and impose extreme energy-saving measures, while fossil-fuel companies would have to stop drilling". – Zero Hedge.
Climate lockdowns would include steep carbon taxes, which act like interest rate increases commonly used by central banks to slow economic activity during inflation.
An indirect economic shutdown of this magnitude would be devastating for Western nations, resulting in crippling energy shortages, food shortages, job losses and eventually total collapse, decimating populations worldwide.
Despite paid fact-checks to the contrary, this is what they want to occur, what the pandemic was about, and what our future holds in store unless we collectively do something to stop them.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

 

 

Indebted Thai's spend with one main supplier Leaving them with little to spend elsewhere The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday December 3, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post Friday November 27, 2024

Re: "Govt gets tips to run economy", in Bangkok Post, Monday November 25, 2024.
Monday's Bangkok Post had an article about the country's economic prospects and stimulus measures and even a suggestion that removing interest payments from their debts would leave debtors with more money to spend.
A few days previous, we were informed that Charoen Pokphand Foods reported a net profit increase of 937 percent almost 7,000 million baht in Q2, with 30 percent coming from its Thai businesses.
This leaves me feeling that the ordinary indebted Thai person with very little choice is spending their money with one main supplier, leaving them with little to spend elsewhere.
The few that are not in debt, the wealthy 5 percent who hold large amounts of Thailand's wealth and money, now need to spend extravagantly to make up for the indebted poor.
It's not going to happen, is it?
This economy that needs stimulus seems to be only for the benefit of businesses, and I can see little reason why the working poor should be responsible for keeping it all afloat on their poor wages.

Steve Merchant,
Bangkok,
Thailand

COP30 in Brazil should be a genuine turning point In the global efforts to protect life on our planet The Southeast Asian Times, Monday November 2, 2024 Frist published in the Bangkok Post, Saturday November 30, 2024

Re: "Pricey policies to curb climate change 'dead'", Bangkok Post, Opinion, Thursday November 28, 2024.
It is controversial and disheartening for Bjorn Lomborg to assert that COP29
"has been as hypocritical and dysfunctional as every one before".
In reality, this conference held in Baku concluded with several agreements addressing climate finance, carbon markets, transparency, and adaptation.
Significant gaps indeed remain, but we should wait and see how states will implement this conference's recommendations and properly prepare the work for next year's COP30 in Brazil.
This should not be a sanctimonious event but a genuine turning point in the global efforts to protect life on our planet.

Ioan Voicu,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

 

Thailand's draconian defamation law Allows dishonest operators to just keep on going The Southeast Asian Times, Sunday December 1, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Friday November 29, 2024

Re: "Lawyers in the spotlight", Bangkok Post, Editorial, Tuesday November 12, 2024.
The real contentious issue with Thailand's draconian defamation law is that it allows lawsuits even when a victim was defrauded and has clear evidence of such.
In the past I used to regularly visit listed companies but long ago stopped this, as if I was told some fragrant dishonesty I can't point this out for fear of this strict Thai defamation.
Unlike in other countries, this can or could allow dishonest operators to just keep on going because if they are singled out, they threaten lawsuits.

Paul A Renaud
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

Thailand to become an unmatched Hub of Buddhist meditation The Southeast Asian Times, Saturday November 30, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Friday November 29, 2024

"Monks under probe for keeping 73 corpses in Phichit province", in Bangkok Post, Tuesday November 26, 2024.
If, as explained by the monks collecting a sufficiency of human corpses, 73 at the latest count, dead bodies are valuable "as aids to meditation," does that not mean that those who meditate without at least one corpse present are missing out on something?
That doesn't seem fair to them.
To ensure the full fruits of meditation for all, it is necessary to protect this venerated traditional custom of Thai Buddhism. Thai Buddhism's guardian, the National Office of Buddhism, should ensure all temples used for meditation, at least the popular ones turning a sufficient profit, be provided with the requisite human leftovers.
Perhaps a deal can be legalised where the faithful can pre-sell their bodies for extra merit.
A greater sufficiency of merit always comes in handy when dead.
This will fast-track Thailand to become an unmatched hub of meditation.

Felix Qui,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Bua Noi the gorilla Has committed no crime The Southeast Asian Times, Friday 29 November 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post Wednesday November 28, 2024

Re: "Caged in misery", in Bangkok Post PostBag, Tuesday November 26, 2024 and "Forget me not", Bangkok Post Sunday November, 24.
Gorillas share 98.3 percent of their DNA with homo sapiens, just 0.3 percent behind chimpanzees, who share 98.6 percent of their DNA with homo sapiens. These are both less than 2 percent different from what makes us what we are.
This means that gorillas are our second cousins.
Despite this close relationship, a wealthy Thai owner of a shopping complex has chosen to keep a gorilla imprisoned behind bars for nearly 40 years.
It has committed no crime but has suffered day after day in a small enclosure, being gawked at by his homo sapien cousins.
If Bua Noi had just 1.7 percent more of our DNA, this family would be charged with serious crimes, including unlawful incarceration, deprivation of liberty, and yes, torture.
Bua Noi cannot speak for herself.
So I join Rose Bellini in calling for justice to be done and for this sentient being to be released into an open-air environment it is too late to return her to the wild.
Bua Noi's owners have ignored all previous calls for her release, so let us call on government agencies concerned with the welfare of animals to investigate the circumstances of this imprisonment.

David Brown,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

 

Philippines is a country where schools are Roman Catholic And where divorce is still illegal The Southeast Asian Times, Thursday November 28, 2024 First Published in the Philippine Inquirer Wednesday November 27, 2024

The Philippines consistently cements its reputation as a vanguard of Catholicism in Asia - boasting old churches and a predominantly Catholic population.
In 2020, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that about four out of five Filipino households declared themselves to be of the Roman Catholic faith.
The country is no stranger to the interactions between the Catholic Church and the state.
The national hero, Dr. José Rizal, famously wrote about the power that priests wielded during the Spanish colonization in his obra maestras.
In 1986, Manila’s Archbishop Cardinal Sin appealed to the people for peace, which led to the people power revolution.
The influence of the Church on the country cannot be denied even today, where it is still common to see politicians display themselves as devout or to hear about political aspirants courting religious groups to secure block votes.
With another round of elections coming soon in the Philippines, the spotlight is once again on the political aspirants to prove to the public that they are upright citizens and morally sound people.
Speaking as someone who grew up witnessing how Catholic values shaped and influenced the Philippines, it makes me wonder why corruption is so prevalent in the country even though public institutions such as schools and media outlets regularly emphasize the importance of embodying moral values whether it be through formal curriculum or entertainment.
This is the country where churches are found in every other town, where religious-themed shows like ''May Bukas Pa'' became mainstream nationwide, and where the opinions of award-giving bodies such as the Catholic Mass Media hold weight.
This is the country where a lot of the top schools are affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, where the process of legalizing universal access to contraceptives became ripe with protests, and controversies, and where divorce is still not legal.
Despite Catholic-influenced institutions preaching about moral values to Filipinos, corruption still seems prevalent among people of power in the country.
In 2023, the Philippines ranked 115th out of 180 countries in the 2023 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index.
With each new administration, there seems to be a new scandal that comes to light at the expense of taxpayers and the common folk.
Dishonest behavior and money almost always seem to be involved in corruption cases of public officials.
Even though quite a number of public officials identify as Roman Catholic or were educated in Catholic-affiliated schools, they may still commit these dishonest acts.
This is not to say that religion should bear the brunt of the ills of society.
After all, other countries influenced by Catholicism or other religions also have their fair share of concerns.
On paper, the Philippines should also be a secular state, and religion should not be the guiding hand behind people’s actions in service.
It is interesting though how in truth, the country is still very much influenced by Catholicism.
For a society that views itself to have a collective nature and prides itself on being a vanguard of Catholicism, the country remains plagued by behavior rooted in individualism and issues contrary to the Church’s teachings.
If Catholic views about the sanctity of marriage can deter the legalization of divorce for all, how come Catholic views about the evils of greed do not deter corruption? If state-wise, Republic Act No. 3019 Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and church-wise, the 10 Commandments, cannot stop corruption among public servants in the Philippines - then what can?
What should?
But then again, maybe it is actually Catholicism that inspires a generally forgiving nature among Filipinos, enabling corruption to propagate and go unpunished.
After all, didn’t Jesus say let the one without sin be the first to cast a stone?

Alyssa Y. Go,
Manila,
Philippines

Call for Thaksin Shinawatra To pay his employees the minimum wage The Southeast Asian Times Wednesday November 27, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post Monday November 25, 2024

Re: "Ex-PM proposes reforms amid global shifts", in Bangkok Post, Saturday November 23, 2024.
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra can easily prove that he knows how to run an organisation better than academics - but will he dare put his money where his mouth is?
He incessantly urges the Bank of Thailand to increase Thailand's cash flow to stimulate consumption, insisting that academics who demand a prior productivity rise to boost Gross Domestic Product (GDP) are hopelessly isolated from reality.
To prove his logic, Thaksin should unilaterally immediately increase the flow of money from the 10,000 employees of his clan's InTouch Holdings, Advanced Info Service (AIS) parent, by giving them a 20 percent monthly income raise, equivalent to the minimum wage increase to B400 nationwide that the Prime Minister is proposing - and see how they fare.
Thaksin, show us your success!

Burin Kantabutra,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Under President Joe Biden There are at least 172 sanctuary cities in the US The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday November 26, 2024 First published by the Philippine Inquirer Monday November 25, 2024

As a regular reader mainly of your Opinion columns, I was intrigued by the opinions of the following columnists—Richard Heydarian, former chief justice Artemio Panganiban, Michael Lim Ubac, and Randy David. Each tried to dissect how Donald Trump won over Kamala Harris.
Heydarian sort of blamed United States President Joe Biden for the late withdrawal of his candidacy leading to a Democratic Party reshuffle and the rejection of liberalism.
Panganiban discussed mostly the legal aspects of President-elect Trump with his 34 convictions.
In addition, he stated that the chance of impeachment of any Supreme Court justice is nil because the Republicans control both houses.
Ubac voiced the opinion that Americans are worried about the economy, immigration, and crimes.
He wanted to know what would be the dynamics of Philippine and US relations under the Trump administration.
Like Panganiban, Ubac questioned why America is not ready for a woman president. On the other hand, David had a more sociological explanation.
Trump managed to tap into the despair and resentment of America’s marginalized communities.
However, when he discussed the elections of former president Rodrigo Duterte and President Marcos, I tend to disagree with him that these happened against the backdrop of simmering disenchantment with the promises of the Edsa People Power Revolution.
I am just a simple Filipino-American whose home for many years is New York City.
I read, listened, and saw on the news commentaries why Trump won and Harris lost.
The two common reasons are economy inflation and immigration. According to latest statistics, NYC is the most expensive city to live in the US.
A loaf of regular white bread will set you back between $4.50 to $5.00. All other commodities are more expensive than elsewhere.
NYC is a sanctuary city. Sanctuary is used by politicians, advocates and critics, referring to policies put forward by local governments to limit how or if they share information with federal immigration authorities about non-citizens.
In other words, unless it is really a heinous crime, the New York Police cannot report or give information to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement about the status of an illegal immigrant or a migrant.
There are at least 172 sanctuary cities in the US.
As an immigrant myself, I cannot hate other immigrants, but since the start of the Biden administration, almost 11 million had poured through the borders, initially more than 100,000 and now about 60,000 in NYC.
Being a sanctuary city, in addition to giving good government help like housing families in hotels, debit cards for food, etc., and even cell phones, NYC tries to help the migrants.
We differentiate the legal immigrants who came to the US with proper documentation and migrants from the borders. America cannot afford to give economic asylum to the migrants.
Abortion rights which the Democrats thought may play a big role was insignificant. Likewise, race and the sex were not instrumental. The US voted for the right person they think will bring back America, whoever he or she is.
On one side, Harris was very faithful to the person who gave her a chance to be a vice president or even to be president.
Some interviewers tried to pry negative remarks from Harris about Biden, but she stood her ground, and protected him.
To me, this is a test of character.
In the Philippines, we call it utang na loob.
In spite of the doubts of most people, both in the US and abroad, democracy will always prevail in the US.
We just hope that Trump at the age of 78 will be a better president, with the lessons he learned from his experiences. God bless America.

Ida M. Tiongco,
New York,
USA

Nai Harn was once Thailand's third most beautiful beach No longer The Southeast Asian Times, Monday November 25, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post Sunday November 24, 2024

Re: "1 more dead dugong found", in Bangkok Post, Tuesday November 19, 2024.
Your attention to dugongs dying in Krabi is admirable.
Our Loy Krathong celebration was moderated on Rawai Beach because dugongs have been in the water recently, and it was decided that krathongs were forbidden. We would suggest coastal protection like this is in short supply.
Around the corner on Nai Harn Beach, there is no shortage of cement being poured and landfills being dumped into without any oversight.
Nai Harn was once voted Thailand's third most beautiful beach.
No longer.
From the Department of Special Investigation's busted money laundering houses built illegally past the Nai Harn Hotel to development on Ao Sane Beach to the condo mania that is fouling the water of Nai Harn Lake, there is zero ongoing consideration for the natural environment.
After the tsunami, many sea turtles came and laid eggs at Nai Harn as the turtles knew that a natural event had cleared the path to lay eggs safely.
Some of these returnees laid eggs seven years ago which were removed.
I doubt we will ever see a turtle again.
Maybe we should try a bit harder and stop pouring cement.

Nature Man,
Phuket,
Thailand

Fugitive former PM Yingluck Shinawatra To return to Thailand The Southeast Asian Times Sunday, November 24, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post Friday 22 November 2024

Re: "Thaksin expects Yingluck to return home around Songkran", in Bangkok Post, Tuesday November 19, 2024.
As if running away from justice is already awful enough, when Thailand allowed former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to return to face justice and granted him amnesty, the aftermath was disastrous for the image of the justice system and the Department of Corrections.
Thaksin did not spend a day in prison, claiming that he was critically ill. This was under the government's nose and upset public sentiment.
Nowadays, there are so many unethical events and widespread financial losses among residents in our country.
Maybe former Prime Minister Yingluck's return will again challenge the power of the judicial system.
Or will it be just another movement to show the power of family politics?

Somwut S,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Former president Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs Has left thousands of orphans and widows The Southeast Asian Times Saturday, November 23, 2024 First published in the Philippine Inquirer Friday, November 22, 2024

Diabolos. Satan. Beelzebub.
We call him by different names and he is unaffected and never finds it wrong to kill. The ”war on drugs” has killed thousands of poor people, at least more than 6,000 as documented by police in their operation reports and likely more than 30,000 overall.
The murderous project, tagged ”kill, kill, kill,” left thousands of orphans and widows.
In April 2017, former president Rodrigo Duterte was overheard telling an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport: “Pag wala kayong trabaho bigyan ko kayo… patayin ninyo lahat ng addict.”
“Tulungan mo akong patayin ang mga addict,” he told another OFW. “Magpatay kayo ng addict araw-araw.”
His scorn of the poor seemed endless and his distance from Christian practice evident, as the former president admitted, “Kaya ako hindi nagsisimba. Kasi ’pag magsimba ako, ‘Forgive me, father, for I have killed last night three.‘
Balik na naman ako kinabukasan, ‘Father, forgive me because I have killed 10 drug lords.’
Pabalik-balik ako, bakit pa ako magpunta doon? Useless.”
I have collected many quotes from Duterte on his ”tokhang” project.
They don’t just make your stomach churn, but challenge your imagination with prayers, so that nightmares will not visit you.
I appreciate deeply that the ongoing Congress hearings on extrajudicial killings have opened up a window to affirm the correctness of making Duterte accountable for his war on drugs - extra-judicial killings.

Dss. Norma Dollaga,
Kasimbayan,
Philippines

 

 

 

Don't be surprised if Myanmar will wait Like Fiji to return to original democratic state The Southeast Asian Times, Friday November 22, 2024

Myanmar’s new free, fair and just elections would return Myanmar to original democratic state ( The Southeast Asian Times 20 November 2024 ).
Good luck with that.
I think building castles in the air might meet with greater success than returning Myanmar to “ original democratic state “ with elections planned for next year under the Myanmar military regime that “ seized the civilian elected National League of Democracy ( NLD ) government of Myanmar in February,2021 “.
Fiji had a military coup in 1987 and nearly four decades later Fiji is still to return to original democratic state.
There is, to be sure, a pretty good masquerade of democratic governance in the country without genuine commitment to the established norms and values of democracy.
Don’t be surprised when the same happens in Myanmar.

Rajend Naidu,
Sydney
Australia

The capitalisation of a pygmy hippo Does not improve Thailand's intellectual image globally The Southeast Asian Times, Thursday November 21, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Tuesday November 19, 2024

Re: "Moo Deng releases song in 4 languages", in Bangkok Post, Thursday November 14 and "The hippo, the pumpkin and the haggis", Bangkok Post, PostScript, Sunday November 10, 2024
The capitalisation of this pygmy hippo via inane TV coverage "and the Gang", puerile songs "lyrics" featured on your front page, krathongs, and bogus religious souvenirs, does not, I think, improve Thailand's intellectual image globally.
But it is a money-maker, and that's what matters.
Similar to the exploitation of the worrying "Luk Thep" phenomenon a few years ago that mercifully seems to have become history.

Ellis O'Brien,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Rice exports in Thailand are in a rosy situation But farmers have been drowning in a sea of bad debts The Southeast Asian Times Wednesday 20 November, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Saturday November 16, 2024

Re: "Rice exports expected to tally 9m tonnes", in Bangkok Post Business, November 13 and "Rice Measures get approval", in Bangkok Post, November 10, 2024.
Taxpayer money budgeted to subsidise rice farmers should be repurposed to empower them to reduce debt and keep it down.
In 2023, rice exports were up 13 percent in quantity and 28.4 percent in value year-on-year.
This year's Q1-Q3 has been even better: rice exports soared 32 percent in volume and 45.8 percent in value. In such a rosy situation, farmers don't need price subsidies.
But farmers have been drowning in a sea of bad debts, and the Paetongtarn government should encourage and help them to boost productivity to increase their revenue.
Some 40 percentof farming households earned less than Thailand's poverty line of 32,000 baht a year against the average annual household income of 450,000 baht.
Farmers are ageing; those aged 15-40 have dropped from 48 percent of all farmers to 32 percent over 2003-2013.
Our rice yields have stagnated for the past decade and now are only half of Vietnam's.
Our largest group of farmers uses the same methods as their forefathers.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra should allocate more resources to subsidise and train farmers to grow high-yield, high-value crops, like organics, using highly efficient methods.
Train them to use crop forecasts and be financially literate.
In short, please use hard-earned taxpayer funds to solve problems sustainably.

Burin Kantabutra,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Thailand watches Moo Deng mooching around Rather than news on government debates The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday November 19, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post Saturday, November 9, 2024

There is a rather peculiar mindset in Thailand that apparently tunes in to watch live footage on cable of a celebrity pachyderm (Moo Deng) "and his gang".
The beastie performs no tricks but just mooches around, eating and looking rather bored and bewildered at the gawping tourists.
"Grandad once told me never to leave Africa" must have been mum's belated apology.
I seem to remember similar coverage of pandas a few years back.
Must cost a packet to produce and air.
However, I'm being unfair. Such harmless TV is infinitely preferable to endless news hype on government debates, road carnage, dysfunctional families, murders, con artists etc, etc.

Ellis O'Brien,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

 

Thailand's foreign policy formulation Offers Buddhist values The Southeast Asian Times Monday November 18, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Sunday October 20, 2024

Re: "Thailand needs middle power ambition", Bangkok Post Opinion, Friday October 18, 2024.
The comment by Ajarn Thitinan Pongsudhirak is well made and seemingly intends to inspire Thailand's foreign policy formulation by the present government into the future.
While the positioning of Thailand as a "middle power" may be cited as a convenient "testing the waters" strategy, one also has to keep in mind that as a traditional Indo-China regional power, Thailand has anchored several initiatives which propelled Asean to where it is today.
For starters, Western countries have often leveraged Thailand's immediate strengths through wartime manoeuvres and green-field investment since the 1960s and prior to that in the 1940s as the prime choice for engagement.
One also has to keep in mind Thailand's foreign policy roles in the establishment of the United Nations in 1945 and its balancing act in the Cold War era's Non-Aligned Movement in the 1950s.
The strength of Thailand has always been its hospitable disposition and neighbourliness.
Thailand has to signal to the world that while not compromising its sovereignty, it can offer its Buddhist values of mindfulness, kindness and peace as it anchors what it first proposed in the United Nations: its multilateral diplomacy in ushering in new world amity and coexistence.

Glen Chatelier,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Department of Trade and Industry could achieve more By partnering with existing Philippine-based B2B platforms The Southeast Asian Times Sunday November 17, 2024 First published in the Philippine Inquirer Thursday November 14, 2024

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has recently announced plans to launch a business-to-business (B2B) platform aimed at supporting local entrepreneurs by providing easier and broader access to wholesale trading.
While this initiative reflects the DTI’s commitment to empowering Filipino businesses, the approach raises questions about efficiency and practicality.
Rather than developing a new government-run platform from scratch - a process that entails a significant learning curve and considerable public spending - the DTI could achieve more by partnering with existing Philippine-based B2B platforms.
The Philippines already has established B2B players with the expertise, infrastructure, and resources to facilitate effective wholesale trading.
These private sector platforms understand the intricacies of wholesale trading and have invested in building robust networks, customer trust, and technological know-how.
By leveraging these established platforms, the DTI could save on public resources that would otherwise be used to develop and maintain a new platform while also avoiding the steep learning curve that comes with managing a tech-based marketplace.
Setting up a successful B2B platform requires continuous maintenance, user engagement, and security measures, all of which demand significant expertise and funding.
A more sustainable and impactful approach would involve the DTI tying up with private B2B providers to create a regulated framework that fosters fair trading, transparency, and easy access to local businesses.
By collaborating with these players, the DTI can provide guidelines that encourage inclusivity, support data privacy, and protect small businesses, without the need for extensive financial outlay.
Additionally, the DTI could use its resources to provide technical support, workshops, and training for local entrepreneurs to navigate existing B2B platforms effectively.
This approach could empower business owners to fully utilize B2B tools for expanding their networks, improving procurement, and scaling their operations.
A partnership would also allow the DTI to regulate and oversee the B2B space, ensuring that these platforms operate fairly and equitably while fostering an environment that drives sustainable business growth.

Jerome Babate, RN, MBA, Ph.D.,
Manila,
Philippines

New head of Bank of Thailand was involved In disastrous rice-pledging scheme The Southeast Asian Times, Friday November 15, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post Thursday November 14, 2024

Re: "Thailand to name Kittiratt as central bank chair", Bangkok Post, Tuesday November 12, 2024.
Kittiratt Na-Ranong got a pass from the court for his involvement in the disastrous rice-pledging scheme, and hey presto!
He is the new head of the Bank of Thailand.
Because he may be a Thaksin insider, this does not bode well for furthering transparent, citizen-centred governance in the nation.
Many contributors have considered in this column the nebulous constitution of Thailand's central bank.
I have opposed the generally accepted idea of a central bank joined with fractional reserve monetary policies extant in most countries.
Thus, the recent news that Elon Musk intends to do away with the United States Federal Reserve was heartening.
Mr Musk also intends to reduce annual government spending by US$2 trillion as part of Mr Trump's efforts to restore vitality to the US economy.
Eliminating the Federal Reserve will allow the $35 trillion national debt to be paid down and reduce interest rates across the board.
The US will create its own money, and central bankers will be kicked out of their position of riding on the backs of the American taxpayer.
One hopes other nations will consider this bold move.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

The war on drugs has been waged For more than 60 years The Southeast Asian Times Friday November 15, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Monday November 11, 2024

Re: "Drug war beckons", Bangkok Post, Postbag, Sunday November 10, 2024.
If one engages in war, militarily or otherwise, one must possess the resources to win and commit those resources to win unconditionally.
In June of 1971, the "War on Drugs" was declared by US President Nixon, rather ironically given that at the time the American CIA was busy ramping up the production of drugs in SE Asia, and later continued to do the same in Afghanistan and South America.
Our writer hopes for "a definite all-out war on drug cartels."
For more than 60 years the drug war has been waged. Billions of dollars have been spent for little or no result, and not only by the US.
Since the beginning, authorities have lacked the commitment to conduct an all-out war.
Apart from that, the monetary value of the drugs ensures power, influence and protection far exceeding what the money to fight the war buys.
Until the monetary value of these drugs is significantly diminished, which only a form of legalisation or regulation can achieve, talk of a decisive victory in the war on drugs is just talk and will amount to nothing, the same as the last 60 years have.

Sibeymai,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Taiwan urges Filipino's to support Taiwan's bid To participate in 92nd INTERPOL General Assembly The Southeast Asian Times Thursday November 14, 2024 First published in the Philippine Inquirer, Tuesday November 5, 2024

The 92nd INTERPOL General Assembly is to be held from November 4 to 7, 2024 in Glasgow, United Kingdom.
The rapid advancement of information and communication technology has transformed crime in recent years.
Criminal activities are of an increasingly cross-border, organized, and anonymous nature, with financial transactions taking place in virtual spaces.
This puts all countries and peoples at risk.
To combat transnational crime, nations must work together, provide mutual assistance, and share information—notions fully commensurate with the Constitution of INTERPOL.
According to Numbeo’s safety index, Taiwan is the fourth-safest country in the world, with a crime rate fourth-lowest among 146 countries. Moreover, in 2023, the Expat Insider annual survey published by InterNations ranked Taiwan the fifth most-livable country, second for quality of life, eighth for safety, and first for quality of health care. Although Taiwan enjoys strong law enforcement capabilities and cooperates with friendly forces as part of criminal investigations, Taiwan can only access critical intelligence indirectly due to its exclusion from INTERPOL.
By the time that information is received, it is often outdated, creating a challenging situation that allows transnational crime to thrive and exacerbates the harm done all around the world.
For example, with Taiwanese passports providing visa-free entry to more than 160 countries around the world, Taiwanese police authorities have already uncovered numerous cases of Taiwanese passports being illegally traded by criminal groups in other countries.
Criminal elements in a number of countries have fraudulently used Taiwanese passports to engage in illegal activities that have threatened international security and caused serious breaches in global order.
Taiwan’s exclusion from INTERPOL prevents Taiwan’s law enforcement authorities from accessing the organization’s communication system or international crime database.
It also prevents Taiwan from obtaining the latest criminal information in a timely fashion or from sharing intelligence on wanted persons associated with major cases such as fraud and drug trafficking.
Likewise, Taiwan is unable to provide crucial information—such as information on emerging criminal methods and experiences of investigating these crimes, and data on forged passports—to other countries.
This hampers efforts to prevent and stop criminal activities at their source.
Without Taiwan, the network of maintaining international security is incomplete. Taiwan’s exclusion from INTERPOL is a significant loss to the global community. The resolution adopted by INTERPOL at its 53rd General Assembly in 1984 did not preclude Taiwan’s participation.
Taiwan’s police authorities are willing to participate in INTERPOL mechanisms on the basis of equal status, and remain determined to resolve law and order issues, minimize loss of life and property, and protect people’s well-being.
Taiwan is committed to working with the world to fight transnational crime.
We urge our Filipino brothers and sisters to speak up for Taiwan on the international stage, and to take action to support Taiwan’s bid to participate as an observer in the 92nd INTERPOL General Assembly in Glasgow, UK, and to engage in INTERPOL meetings, mechanisms, and activities, including access to the I-24/7 global police communications system and INTERPOL training programs.

Wallace Minn-Gan Chow
Representative
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines,
Manila,
Philippines

Why does the draconian Lese Majest Law run counter To the advice of King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday November 13, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Monday November 11, 2024

Re: "Dodging S112 debate", in Bangkok Post PostBag, Saturday November 9, 2024.
Burin Kantabutra, a prolific contributor to the PostBag forum, rightly questions why the draconian lese majeste law runs counter to the advice of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great.
This could lead an observer to assume that, despite its claimed intention of protecting the monarchy, Section 112 was designed by the military government to provide it with an extra-constitutional means to retain its hold on the levers of power.
The observer would also see it as convenient that anybody can file a charge under this section, thereby distancing the string-puller from the puppet.
If this were the case, the only hope for amending this section is when the institution of the military gives way to younger leaders more in tune with the times.
As another regular PostBag contributor, Felix Qui, said in one of his typically cryptic comments in the Nov 8 edition: "It is the case, however, that Thai reptiles of dinosaur bloodlines do not evolve, let alone be revolutionary."

Vichai,
Bangkok,
Thailand

The reviled Thailand crocodile has suddenly been turned Into an object of attraction by venal entrepreneurs The Southeast Asian Times Tuesday November 12, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post Thursday November 7, 2024

Re: "Monitor Misery", in Bangkok Post PostBag, Wednesday November 6, 2024 and "Minister to allow farming of water monitors, bird nests", Bangkok Post Tuesday November 5, 2024.
Regarding Mr Reptile's objections to exploitation of his race today, I agree with his outrage at abuse and what will be perceived as a new hub for the leather industry.
In a typically Thai U-turn, this formerly reviled species has suddenly been turned into an object of attraction by venal entrepreneurs.
This is paradoxical considering that water monitors are the subject of a strong expletive in the Thai language that can land you with a punch on the nose, or worse.
As such, how are the hi-so's going to explain the source of their new exotic handbags and footware if this noxious project is carried out?
I haven't touched on beady Thai eyes ogling expansion of the bird's nest soup market which is as equally repellent as the one for shark fin soup relished by billions quite close by, whose manners as tourists are outrageous but tolerated as they are cash cows to be milked for all they've got.

Rose Bellini,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Lèse-majesté charges against Thai's should be dropped Thai's in jail for lèse-majesté should be released The Southeast Asian Times, Monday November 11, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Saturday November 9, 2024

Re: "S112 won't fix itself", in Bangkok Post, Thursday November 7, 2024.
Pheu Thai's refusal to discuss amending our lese majeste law, Section 112 of the Criminal Code, makes no sense.
Pheu Thai earlier pledged to support such amendments and bail for defendants. It now claims that amending Section 112 cannot be discussed as the political climate is too sensitive and involves security matters.
But Section 112 was amended in 1976 in the wake of the October 6 massacre because of the then-unstable political climate and the need for more protection of the monarchy.
Why would the same reasons demand amendment then but not now?
The 1976 amendment made the lese majeste penalties much harsher.
If the earlier "solution" wasn't harsh enough, shouldn't we make penalties even more draconian?
The matter cries out for full, open discussion on how to protect our high institution. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej told us, "The King is a human being and, as such, should be subject to criticism.''
Charges against those accused of lèse-majesté should be dropped, and those held in jail for lèse-majesté should be released.
The use of the lèse-majesté law ultimately damages the monarchy'" (source: Grossman and Faulder, King Bhumibol Adulyadej: A Life's Work 2012).
What kind of children are we to act directly against our national father without discussion?

Burin Kantabutra,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

 

Thailand Island close to Surat Thani province Sees a rise in tourists from Israel The Southeast Asian Times Sunday 10 November 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post Friday October 25, 2024

Re: "Samui seeks longer stays for Europeans", Bangkok Post, Business, Wednesday September 13, 2023.
Koh Phangan, a small island close to Koh Samui in Surat Thani province, sees a rise in tourists from Israel.
According to the Jewish Independent news site's recently published article in June this year, locals in Koh Phangan say "Many of the 400 to 500 Israeli families living here have arrived in the past few months."
It would be naive to think this was unconnected with the war in Palestine. People can make their own minds up as to the motives of these recent arrivals.
But we sincerely hope that tensions in the Middle East do not replicate themselves on Koh Phangan.

Ian Hollingworth,
Bangkok,
Thailand

The 2024 Nobel Prize for Economics awarded to Socialist-leftist mob that has taken over US academia The Southeast Asian Times, Saturday November 9, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Saturday October 19, 2024

Re: "Nobel economics prize goes to inequality researchers", Bangkok Post, World, Saturday October 16, 2024.
The 2024 Nobel Prize for Economics was awarded to three white men whose work focused on inequality.
Your article's summary, "Nobel economics prize goes to inequality researchers", revealed absolutely nothing noteworthy or new.
It appears this award is for another bit of political trivia by the socialist-leftist mob that has taken over US academia.
One of the recipients, Simon Johnson of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), was quoted by Reuters as saying just three weeks before the election "that established institutions in the United States were under stress, notably due to Donald Trump's refusal to acknowledge he lost the 2020 election".
Yesterday, in the US State of Georgia, a judge ruled that election officials have to certify results even if voter fraud is suspected.
Democrats are also suing to prevent the surveillance of voter drop boxes, a common target of voter fraud.
This news might lead one to conclude that Democrats do not want free and fair elections and that Trump may have been right about the 2020 election.
Nobel laureate Daron Acemoglu, also of MIT, said, "Authoritarian growth is often more unstable and doesn't generally lead to very rapid and original innovation," referring to China as "a bit of a challenge".
Give that man a prize - absolutely brilliant!
The third recipient, James Robinson of the University of Chicago, said of his research, "The first thing is to think about a question that's relevant to those people, to their context and to their aspirations."
He mentioned the word "aspirations", currently a buzzword in Kamala Harris's meaningless stump speeches, a second time saying, "all humans have the same aspirations…".
Reuters should have had a political disclaimer tacked onto this pile of garbage.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

United States of America Votes for Trump The Southeast Asian Times, Friday November 8, 2024

Waleed Aly from Channel 10 The Project is in America to cover the 2024 presidential election.
He went to a Republican stronghold state and got this reaction from a couple.
They said they voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020 but they were going to vote Kamala Harris in this election.
Waleed asked why?
They said they could not vote Trump after his blatant disregard for the Constitution and the established rules governing the election when he instigated the January 6 violent insurrection to remain in power after losing the election.
In so doing he undermined the very foundation of America’s democracy ( The Project 5/11/24 ).
We will know soon how many other Republicans have changed their minds on Trump’s fitness to be President again.

Rajend Naidu
Sydney,
Australia

Traditional Thai Buddhism cannot be sullied By exposure to reason, reality, or good morals The Southeast Asian Times Thursday November 7, s2024 First published in the Bangkok Post Sunday November 3, 2024

Re: "Reform, or repeat monk scandals" Bangkok Post Editorial, Sunday October 27, 2024.
he Bangkok Post is hopelessly naïve when it opens the editorial by proclaiming that "A senior monk promoting what is alleged to be a pyramid scheme disguised as an online direct sales company reveals just how far the clergy has strayed from Buddha's teachings."
Hype to the contrary notwithstanding, the current path has been the tradition for many decades at least.
Nor can it be imagined that reform will be permitted by the establishment, as opinion writer Thitinan Pongsudhirak's opinion on August 23 accurately calls them, for whom that supremely traditional Thai Buddhism is another pillar that cannot be sullied by exposure to reason, reality, or good morals.

Felix Qui,
Bangkok,
Thailand

BRICS has not as yet found common ground To be effective and meaningful The Southeast Asian Times Wednesday November 6, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post Sunday November 3, 2024

Re: "Brics could be catalyst for global revamp", in Bangkok Post, Opinion, Tuesday October 22, 2024.
Brahma Chellaney sounds a tenuous optimistic tone on the potential for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) to emerge as one more force in the multi polarisation of countries.
Indeed, we need to assess the efficacy of BRICS members from the time in 2001 that Jim O'Neil of Goldman Sachs offered his thesis on the grouping of these countries based on their potential as emerging economies, which they still are.
Evidently, BRICS has not delivered on its economic promises.
With wars flaring in key global regions, economies cannot afford to trust BRICS to be an economic panacea.
Moreover, within individual economies there are systemic and structural problems. Russia has its challenges with oil prices compounded by Western sanctions against it due to its engagement with Ukraine.
Brazil's financial markets have remained shaky and China's crackdown on the tech industry has destabilised the world markets.
Compounding these problems is BRICS' rather random assertion of control on member state affairs.
Even with the newer members being inducted into its grouping, BRICS has not as yet found common ground to be effective and meaningful. It thus will remain amoeba-like until it can deliver on the potential it holds to become a real force to contend as a credible multipolar option to the world.

Glen Chatelier,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

 

 

America Will survive with its warts and all The Southeast Asian Times Tuesday November 5, 2024 First published in the Philippine Inquirer, Sunday November 3, 2024

I am a Filipino-American professional who lives and works in New York City and an avid follower of your opinion columns.
The column of Randy David on testing America’s political stability is very educational in discussing the intricacies of the Electoral College, but a bit premature with the consequences of the outcome of the election.
He tried to be “balanced” but reading between the lines and his use of words like “puts one of the most racist and misogynistic of America’s politician,” he tends to “favor” Kamala Harris over Donald Trump.
Professor David’s dissection of the Electoral College established by the founding fathers through the Constitution was quite thorough and very educational.
I am sure that if you ask an American on the street about this Electoral College, probably only half will know what it is and half will not or don’t care at all.
It may depend on the location of the state.
In one of the recent surveys regarding the Electoral College, about 70 percent wants it to be dissolved.
However, to do it, a constitutional amendment is required.
Political scientists, though, believe that the Electoral College protects the interests of the smaller states.
I consider the Electoral College of the United States quite similar to the College of Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church when it votes for a new Pope in an enclave.
All these cardinals were chosen by the Pope, but the Electoral College is usually elected by their own party in their states.
Few are appointed.
He was right when he mentioned the things that polarized American immigration policy, abortion and women’s rights, racial equality, wealth distribution, etc. are based mostly on the party affiliations.
Most people think that Filipinos as a minority group will vote Democrat like most minorities.
Most Filipinos, however, vote on their conscience, so that there is no Filipino bloc. That is one of the advantages of the two-party system where you know offhand what the party believes and practices.
I wish that the Philippines will go back to the old two-party system instead of what they have now: multiple parties.
Let us wait until we get the results of the election.
It is so unpredictable as of today that even after midnight on November 6, we still would not know who the new president will be and just hope for the best.
I am sure that most Americans are aware of the aftermath of January 6, but democracy prevailed.
America will survive with its warts and all.

Ida M. Tiongco,
New York, NY
USA

 

 

Call for investigation into Department of Land Transport After students and teachers killed in school bus inferno The Southeast Asian Times, Monday November 4, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Friday October 25, 2024

Re: "5 percent of checked CNG buses have failed inspection: DLT", Bangkok Post, October 19, 2024.
Is the Department of Land Transport (DLT) corrupt in inspecting compressed natural gas (CNG) buses for non-compliant CNG installations?
On October 1, 20 young students and three teachers burned to death in an inferno that made headlines worldwide.
Preliminary findings showed that the bus relied on illegally installed CNG tanks - just like every single other bus in that company's fleet.
That strongly points to DLT corruption, yet the police are not investigating possible DLT corruption.
Of the 1,331 CNG-fuelled buses that the DLT has checked in the past 14 days, the most common problem found was expired gas cylinders and equipment; there's no mention of illegal installations.
How plausible is it that all illegally installed tanks were in the one company whose bus burned?
We have 13,400 CNG-powered buses on the roads; at the current rate, it'll take DLT 140 work days, or 6.41 months, to complete all checks, which will be enough for crooks to fix what's illegal.
Technical schools and universities should form flying squads, each with one DLT inspector as supervisor, to check all CNG buses nationwide for non-compliant CNG and safety equipment, including tanks and emergency doors.
All inspections must be concluded within November 30.
Working with the technical teams, the police should investigate the DLT for systematic corruption.
Let our children and teachers not be burned to death in vain.

Burin Kantabutra
Bangkok,
Thailand

Time will tell what impact the first ocean declaration Adopted in the Blue Pacific has had on the ground The Southeast Asian Times, Sunday November 3, 2024

Commonwealth member nations adopt Commonwealth Ocean Declaration in the Pacific ( Southeast Asian Times 28 October 2024 ).
No shortage of lofty declarations even though this is the “ first ocean declaration to be adopted in the Blue Pacific “.
Time will tell what impact the declaration has had on the ground - in this case the Pacific Ocean.
Meantime the trashing of the ocean continues.
People interested and concerned can check out the many well made documentary films on the nature and extend of the trash problem in the Pacific Ocean.

Rajend Naidu,
Sydney
Australia

 

 

The potential size of the Thai startup ecosystem Is underrepresented The Southeast Asian Times Saturday October 2, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post Friday October 29, 2024

Re: "Researcher offers pointers on shaping a startup nation", in Bangkok Post, Thursday October 24, 2024.
According to Tech in Asia and the World Bank, there seem to be only 180 funded startups in Thailand, a figure dwarfed by that of neighbouring rivals like Singapore 1,800, Indonesia 900, or Vietnam 400.
Thai startups also raised a record high of US$1.25 billion in 2022.
The sheer potential size of the Thai startup ecosystem is underrepresented, and many viable business seeds may, unfortunately, go under the radar.
The way I see it, Thailand faces hurdles to overcome to thrive and nurture a bustling hotbed for startups.
Thai startup communities need more seed or series A capital, talented local and international professionals like Chief Financial Officers, seasoned accelerators, well-designed Human Resource incentive schemes or career development opportunities, and compelling equity stories for upside potential beyond the border. Moreover, when it comes to exit alternatives, Thai entrepreneurs and venture capital may look to go to initial public offering outside of Thailand eg, Nasdaq to maximise their monetisation through more attractive multiples, global outreach, and tapping into a diverse set of investors and deeper capital pool.
The Thai government should also support infrastructure and ease Small and medium-sized enterprises regulations for aspiring Thai entrepreneurs.
All these collective efforts could drive the Thai transition to a thriving and accommodative ecosystem for transformative startups with venture and global mindsets, which would help address the pressing issues in Thailand and beyond. If this grand endeavour results in a critical mass of positive steps, Thailand can be better positioned to create an innovation loop and the next wave of unique Thai unicorns.
The government should focus not only on distributing wealth equitably, with the top 10 percent wealthy accounting for 75 percent of the country's financial wealth, but also on growing the pie through collaborative facilitation to foster game changers in the private sectors.

Ninja Kun,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Thailand advocates most unThai approach To children killed, injured or abused in education system The Southeast Asian Times, Friday November 1, 2024 First Published in the Bangkok Post, Wednesday October 23, 2024

Re: ''Sick students deserve better", in Bangkok Post Editorial, Friday October 18, 2024.
Perhaps led astray by foreign notions, the Bangkok Post's editorial advocates a most unThai approach to the issue of children being killed, injured or abused in the education system.
In those good old days of yesteryear, no injuries, deaths, sex abuse or the like were suffered to reflect guilt on teachers or their institution.
Any mishap was the fault of the student or their classmates or parents.
If students die because they are sick, or are abused because they are vulnerable, how is that the fault of the institution that is doing so much to selflessly educate and nurture?
How is that the fault of dedicated teachers setting the hallowed example according to themselves and their institution?
The properly traditional Thai response to all this open talk now undermining respect for teachers and their institution is obvious.
What is needed - what truly comports with venerated Thai tradition - is to criminalise all negative comments regarding teachers, schools and the education system.
The institution and its figures will then be respected exactly as they have always deserved.
Could it be otherwise?

Felix Qui,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Thailand Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai Expected to bring Tak Bai massacre defendants to justice The Southeast Asian Times, Thursday October 31, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Wednesday October 23, 2024

Re: "Don't blow up the Tak Bai issue", Bangkok Post InQuote, Tuesday October 22, 2024.
How things can change, considering Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who was a student activist himself, fled after the crackdown of the student protest October 4-6, 1976 and joined Thailand's communist party.
Wouldn't one expect him, of all people, to leave no stone unturned to bring the culprits of the Tak Bai massacre to justice on time?

S de Jong,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Philippines Kingdom of Jesus Christ church Run as a predatory capitalist enterprise The Southeast Asian Times Wednesday October 30, 2024

From the numerous bank accounts, properties, vehicles and an aircraft in the name of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ ( KJC ), and his associates you get the distinct impression that the Pastor and his cronies were running a predatory capitalist enterprise with religion as a convenient front and masquerade ( Southeast Asian Times 25 October 2024 ).
Whereas there seems to be prima facie evidence against him the relevant authorities will no doubt make appropriate finding on the the charges of money laundering, child sexual abuse and human trafficking against the pastor.
Many people in the Phillipines and elsewhere will keenly await the finding.

Rajend Naidu,
Sydney
Australia

 

Thailand's old rich, the military, courts and middle class Stall economy and democracy The Southeast Asian Times Tuesday, October 29, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Tuesday October 8, 2024

Re: "Next chapter in Thailand's political saga", in Opinion, Thursday August 22, 2024.
This Canadian syndicated columnist who regularly contributes to your publication, Gwynne Dyer, is one smart guy, let me tell you.
He states something which would take most foreigners, and probably even Thais, many years of living in the kingdom when he proclaims: "What has stalled the growth of both the Thai economy, and its democracy, is an unusually strong and united establishment that includes the old rich, the army, the courts and a substantial part of the Bangkok middle class."
The above-mentioned man shows both incredible foresight and insight by making the above quote that he did.
What it shows to me, more than anything, is that one does not have to be born in a particular nation to understand how that nation is run and operated, be it Thailand, the United States of America, or any other country for that matter.

Paul,
Bangkok.
Thailand

Call for Thailand PM to deny Extradition request For activist Y Quynh Bdap from Vietnam The Southeast Asian Times, Monday October 27, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Saturday October 26, 2024

Re: "Behind Thailand's winning UNHRC bid", I Bangkok Post Opinion, Tuesday October 22, 2024.
Khun Kavi Chongkittavorn correctly questions if Thailand's election to the United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees (UNHRC) will have any more meaning than a hollow boast of successful lobbying by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "Thailand UNHRC membership brings enormous challenges to the fore. There will be heightened expectations from civil society and Western countries with close ties to Thailand regarding domestic human rights issues that require long-awaited reform and action."
How PM Paetongtarn responds to the letter from over 30 national and international rights organisations calling on her to release Vietnamese activist Y Quynh Bdap, who has United Nations refugee status here and who has been ordered to be extradited to Vietnam to face imprisonment on terrorism charges, will be an important signal reflecting her government's commitment to honouring Thailand's election to the UNHRC.
In the letter, 33 human rights groups suggested Bdap "faces a real risk of torture, prolonged arbitrary detention or other grave human rights violations" if he is returned to Vietnam.
Bdap is the co-founder of the Montagnards Stand for Justice group.
He fled to Thailand in 2018 to escape persecution in Vietnam, which has long been criticised for its treatment of the country's predominantly Christian Montagnard minority.
According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), Thailand will be violating domestic law and its international refugee law obligations if it sends Bdap back to Vietnam.
Thailand's Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act prohibits extradition when there is a substantial risk of torture or ill-treatment upon return.
In addition, according to HRW, "Thailand is obligated to respect the international law of nonrefoulement, which prohibits countries from returning anyone to a place where they would face a real risk of persecution, torture, or other serious ill-treatment, or a threat to their life. This principle is codified in the UN Convention Against Torture, to which Thailand is a party and customary international law."
Our cordial relations with Vietnam notwithstanding, the PM should demonstrate her new-found resolve to uphold international human rights standards by denying Vietnam's extradition request and freeing Bdap.

Sad Optimist,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Financial crimes garner more media attention Than past crime of mass homicide at Tak Bai The Southeast Asian Times, Sunday October 27, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Tuesday October 22, 2024

Re: "iCon to face more charges", in Bangkok Post, Monday October 21, 2024 and "Expiry of Tak Bai charges 'linked to surge in unrest'", Bangkok Post, Monday October 21, 2024.
The highly commendable arrest of 18 alleged miscreants on charges of "public fraud and putting false information into a computer system" and other matters relating to the iCon Group scandal has received much recent media attention.
However, the inability of the police to bring but one of the seven "former or high-ranking officials" accused of "murder, attempted murder, and illegal detention" for witness questioning and evidence examination in the Narathiwat Provincial Court before the statute of limitations expires on October 25 stands in stark contrast.
How convenient that financial crimes should garner so much media attention compared to the past crime of mass homicide at such a critical time in the latter case.
How unwise it would be should the "deep state" represented by the CIB not offer at least a nod toward soothing the sense of gross injustice and consequent resentment the victims' families and wider population of the deep South must feel towards Thailand as a state regarding the Tak Bai atrocity!

Kuntree Bumkhin,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Gen Pisal Wattanawongkiri avoids arrest For Bac Mai Massacre The Southeast Asian Times, Saturday October 26, 2024 First published in Bangkok Post Monday October 7, 2024

Re: "MP defends Gen Pisal's sick leave", in Bangkok Post, Sunday October 6, 2024.
Pheu Thai Party's list-MP, Gen Pisal Wattanawongkiri, is on two months' sick leave to receive medical treatment overseas.
Gen Pisal, former commander of the Fourth Army Region, is wanted by the court to stand trial for involvement in the 2004 Tak Bai tragedy in Narathiwat province.
Many of my friends, quite successful in their careers, could not afford such treatment in a foreign country, I wonder how a Thai general retiree has the funds to do this - a rich wife maybe?

Karl Reichstetter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Charges against those accused of Lese Majeste Should be dropped The Southeast Asian Times Friday October 25, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post Saturday October 19, 2024

Re: "House to finally debate amnesty for lese majeste cases", in Bangkok Post, October 15, 2024
At last, we get to debate whether or not we should honour our beloved national father by harmonising our application of Section 112 with his wishes.
In His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great's 2005 birthday broadcast to the nation, the late monarch noted that: "The king is a human being and as such should be subject to criticism. Charges against those accused of lèse-majesté should be dropped, and those held in jail for lèse-majesté should be released, and the use of the lèse-majesté law ultimately damages the monarchy,'" according to the book King Bhumibol Adulyadej: A Life's Work, Grossman and Faulder, Editions Didier Millet, 2012.
Some say that the late monarch's wisdom is outdated but refuse to defend their stance.
If your children acted directly against your clearly expressed wishes in high-visibility cases - and stonewalled discussing the matter - would you feel that they honoured you?
I doubt it.
Let us honour His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great with a full and open discussion about whether his wisdom still holds true through the years.
I say, "Yes!"

Burin Kantabutra,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Call for realistic, readable, common-sense analysis of AI Would be a useful contribution to public discourse The Southeast Asian Times, Thursday October 24, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Tuesday October 22, 2024

Re: "China's interface with AI development", Bangkok Post Opinion, Monday October 21, 2024.
China is already using AI to monitor and control the lives of millions of its citizens, including in the Xinjiang autonomous region and in the 2024 Taiwanese election, in which the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) extensive use of AI is accused of spreading disinformation and swaying public opinion.
Professor Vitit Muntabhorn diplomatically describes China's proposed Global AI Governance Initiative as a cooperative, consensus-based, people-centred approach to AI development. But realistically, China's AI initiative is just a smoke-and-mirrors show designed to accommodate the abovementioned tactics.
At the root, artificial intelligence is inherently risk-laden, and its use is fundamentally ungovernable. The folly of registering algorithms and making them transparent to the public, as suggested by Professor Muntabhorn, is an example of the inherent danger of AI. But there are, in fact, many others which are clandestine in nature and remain effectively ungoverned. Does the good professor imagine the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will register their drone swarm algorithms or that the Pentagon will make their AI programs that control high-energy discharge low orbital satellites part of the public domain? Obviously not, and this is why a realistic, readable, common-sense analysis of the subject would be a useful contribution to public discourse.

Michael Setter
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

Urgent need for Philippine Health Insurance Corp To settle mounting individual and hospital debts The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday October 23, 2024 First published in the Philippine Inquirer, Sunday October 20, 2024

In light of recent pronouncements by its executives that “bankruptcy is not in the vocabulary of Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) right now,” there is an urgent need for it to settle both individual and hospital debts that have reportedly been mounting.
Doing so would assure us that hospitals can continuously provide the necessary medical services to PhilHealth beneficiaries.
Just recently, PhilHealth has increased its benefits for members and further plans to implement a 30 to 50 percent increase in benefits by November 2024, on the coverage of 10 burdensome diseases, among them pneumonia, severe dengue, acute stroke, chronic kidney disease, asthma, sepsis, ischemic heart disease, cataracts, and cancer of the lung, liver, ovary, and prostate.
It also plans to reduce the premium contributions from 5 to 3.25 percent.
This move, however, has to be further validated since a provision under the universal health care states the need for a continuing increase in premium contribution among members to sustain the program amid rising health care cost and demand.
Just how feasible are these plans?
Can PhilHealth increase member benefits while reducing premium contributions, as well as acceding to the transfer of P89.9 billion of its unutilized budget to the national treasury?
This, despite protests from some sectors that deem such transfer as unconstitutional.
The fund transfer, some say, is necessary since, over the years, PhilHealth has allegedly been less aggressive in disbursing its funds to provide the much-needed and improved benefits to its members.
This is a wake-up call. It is never too late for PhilHealth to recover from its lackadaisical stance in improving the delivery of benefits to its members.

Emiliano M. Manahan Jr.,
Manila,
Philippines

Thailand government forges ahead With restrictive anti-competitive trade policies The Southeast Asian Times Tuesday October 22, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post Thursday October 17, 2024

Re: "US' protectionist trade policies are backfiring", Bangkok Post, Opinion, Monday October 14, 2024 and "Balancing geopolitics", Bangkok Post, Business, Monday October 14, 2024.
The ongoing global trade imbalance and restrictions have stemmed from rising geopolitical tensions and inundation of cheap goods imported from China - the world's second-biggest economy saddled with an ageing population, an ill-fated one-child policy, and industrial overcapacity.
Over the past five years, we have seen higher trade barriers like anti-dumping measures implemented to shield certain domestic manufacturers and level the playing field, under the banner of "national security".
Yet such anti-free trade moves could be counterproductive and jeopardise the efficient allocation of limited productive resources, hampering overall growth in favour of a select few industries.
One should also consider if the restrictive trade policies could unfairly narrow down a list of choices for consumers.
For Thailand, many SMEs would be adversely affected if sub-standard foreign products flood the market, but they won't prevail if Thai SMEs continue to strive to offer quality products at a competitive price.
If this is not the case, something is very wrong here.
It is a worrying sign, though, especially at a time when the government with a protectionist mindset forges ahead with restrictive anti-competitive trade policies, which could lead to a further spike in prices and global supply chain disruption, dampen consumer spending, deter foreign capital investment, and lower productivity with too many unprofitable players in the market.
Thailand, still half-way through the FTA with developed economies, should accelerate the process and prepare for even higher international trade standards. Being part of these trade blocs and strategically investing in human resources, Thailand may be able to enhance competitiveness with a marked increase in trade and capital flows, seeing a surge in FDI in a sustainable manner. Otherwise, Thailand may be gradually eclipsed by its rivals in the region.

Ninja Kun in Thailand.
Bangkok,
Thailand

Thai legislators reject small brewers and distillers From entering the craft beer and spirits market The Southeast Asian Times Monday October 21, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post Wednesday October 9, 2024

Re: "House rejects People's Party liquor liberalisation bill", in Bangkok Post Thursday, October 3, 2024.
Once again, the elite rich have worked overtime to protect their own by rejecting legislation allowing small brewers and distillers to enter the craft beer and spirits market.
I fully agree that rigid standards, safeguards, and monitoring are needed when producing strong alcohol for distribution, as improper distilling can result in a dangerous concoction that can be fatal to humans.
There is no similar risk for craft beer, which is produced by brewing, not distilling. If beer is brewed poorly, imbibers will likely suffer nothing worse than an unpleasant hangover.
By continuing to restrict the craft beer industry and fencing off the duopoly of big beer manufacturers in the country, Thai legislators are unfortunately subjecting consumers in Thailand to continued high prices for notoriously low-quality beer.

Samanea Saman,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Thailand's draft 2024-2037 Power Development Plan Makes no mention of rooftop solar The Southeast Asian Times Sunday October 20, 2024 First Published in the Bangkok Post, Monday October 7, 2024

Re: "Pushing banks towards green finance", Bangkok Post Opinion, Wednesday October 2, 2024.
Sarinee Achavanuntakul is justifiably recognised as one of the country's most astute climate crises analysts, particularly with regard to the top priority, our energy sector's rapid transition to a low-carbon future.
But she is too polite!
She articulates precisely: "As of September, Thailand still lacks a suite of public policies and regulations that are necessary to propel a meaningful economy-wide decarbonisation and just energy transition.
"For example, there is no mandatory carbon pricing regime of any kind, no mandatory carbon accounting, no coal phaseout date, and the net zero goal of 2065 is 15 years behind most countries.
"Finally, the draft 2024 Power Development Plan (PDP 2024) makes no mention of rooftop solar and still makes room for 6,300 MW of new natural gas power plants by 2037, without factoring in the potential added costs from future carbon tax and carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology."
More forthrightly, Khun Sarinee might have quoted one leading global climate risk rating agency, which refers to Thailand's decarbonisation efforts as "critically insufficient".
Even more bluntly, the draft Power Development Plan 2024–37 can most accurately be described as a national disaster.
It's a disaster for every citizen, doomed for decades to consume dirty, high-cost electricity, and it's a disaster for every business that needs to use that electricity to compete in the global marketplace.
Moreover, it undermines Thailand's already pathetic international commitment to achieving a low-carbon future, one in which our children can survive.
How is this possible?
Just follow the money, to Big Energy. PDP 2024 is a huge win for Big Energy, the handful of energy conglomerates in cahoots with the Ministry of Energy and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) which together control licensing for our highly regulated power sector.
With licences come Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
With PPAs come huge bank loans to build huge gas-fired power stations which consumers don't need, but end up paying for.
The international standard for electricity grids is to have 15 percent excess power production capacity over peak load and Thailand generally has much more: sometimes about 45% of power glut.
If the draft PDP 2024–37 is not radically amended, by 2037 we could have excess production capacity in excess of 100 percent !
Please, please prime minister, stop this disaster now, and turn on the sun.

Sad Optimist,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Each Asean member state has a unique history Behind its socio-economic, religio-political fabric The Southeast Asian Times, Saturday October 19, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Thursday October 17, 2024

Re: "7 Moves to shape 'Future Ready Asean'", in Bangkok Post Opinion, Tuesday October 15, 2024.
In proposing the analysis of the "7 moves" to shape Future Ready Asean, columnist Kavi Chongkittavorn has overlooked certain features which characterise the Asean nations. To start with, each Asean member state has a unique history behind its socio-economic, religio-political fabric and as such, Asean leaders have to be willing to foster unity in vision and solidarity to address regional and global problems if Asean is to be relevant at all.
Moreover, agriculture with rice as the leading cash crop in Asean is an economic strength which cannot be taken for granted. Trading with other regional blocs and world powers needs to factor in the competitive advantages of Asean agrarian trade trajectories.
The idea of peace and democracy in Myanmar needs to be tempered by the country's complex history of ethnic tribes and indigenous groups which are hard to appease, let alone bring to an even playing field of negotiated settlements. The Dragon Wars, by ATQ Stewart, are a must-read for any "wannabe successful" peacemakers

Glen Chatelier,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Buddhism is the reason MPs rejected the bill To liberalise the alcohol industry The Southeast Asian Times, Friday October 18, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Wednesday October 16, 2024

Re: "Temple, state forever tied at the hip", Bangkok Post, Opinion, Saturday October 12, 2024.
It might be true, as Guanxiong Qi a PhD student at Chulalongkorn University specialising in Thai Buddhism argues, that Buddhism rather than trying to protect the monopoly of two major liquor businesses is the reason conservative MPs rejected the bill to liberalise the alcohol industry.
Mr Qi sensibly observes that Thailand's love of the drug alcohol, which kills so many on the roads every year, tearing apart families and imposing massive economic costs, is not at all consistent with the Fifth Precept of Buddhism.
But he overlooks an even more telling guide to the depth of Thai commitment to Buddhist principle: the mass daily slaughter of animals.
When you buy chicken or pork or beef or fish or whatever tasty animal flesh at the market or supermarket, you are paying others to kill on your order.
Legalistic deceits notwithstanding, it is no better morally or spiritually than if you chopped the animals' heads off yourself.
Nor can it be argued that Thai Buddhists consume meat for health reasons.
On the contrary, most would be healthier if they greatly reduced their desire-driven over-indulgence in tasty animal flesh.
That is the fact-based assessment of the Thai commitment to practising the Buddha's First Precept.
So, while I must agree with him that Buddhism is the excuse given to justify rejecting a progressive, just piece of legislation, Mr Qi has certainly not established that that is because the Thai politicians involved have any genuine interest in following any Buddhist principle.
If the unknown percentage of Thais who do genuinely try to live by the Buddha's excellent teachings care for its good name, they will dissociate themselves from such uses of Buddhism for political ends that conflict with justice, democracy, and good morals that respect the rights and freedoms of others.
If only a significant number of Thai politicians did in fact value the Buddha's wisdom, Thailand would be a very different nation.
The corporations getting rich by killing on demand would be no more like that than the alcohol companies raking it in.
And peaceful free speech would be welcomed rather than criminalised as a weapon to silence patriots lest the critical thinking the Buddha encourages lead to informed opinion of worth.
Irrelevant personal note: I am not a vegetarian; I enjoy a hearty range of meats. However, while admiring the Buddha's commitment to rigorous critical thinking and many of his insights, neither do I claim to follow Buddhism.

Felix Qui,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

Small and medium-sized enterprises in Thailand Are in a critical condition The Southeast Asian Times Thursday 17 October 16, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post Tuesday October 15, 2024

Re: "Stronger SME links 'key' to sustainability", Bangkok Post Business, Saturday October 12, 2024.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Thailand are in critical condition. Despite the fact they make up about 90 percent of business in the country, they receive only 18 percent outstanding credit from commercial banks and contribute 35 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
These statistics highlight the pervasive inequality in Thai economic system. The government must do something to tackle this problem.
If we read and generalise these facts thoroughly, there is a lack of sufficient credit disbursement in the economy. In some countries, central banks have used commercial banks to increase local investment by giving loans to poor borrowers, especially women.
To make rural credit available and accessible, rural banks and borrowers conduct a monitoring mechanism to examine and supervise credit utilisation and public debt servicing capability to obtain an allocation of debt repayment. Communities and borrowers need to have savings.
The successful microfinance bodies show common features about helping cash-strapped SMEs, too.

Regmi Suman.
Bangkok,
Thailand

Call for court to take a second look on ruling that Province of Sulu shall not be part Muslim Mindanao The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday October 16, 2024 First published in the Philippine Inquirer, Tuesday October 15, 2024

This is to humbly implore the “gods of Padre Faura” to take a good second look, through the motions for reconsideration (MRs) filed, regarding your unanimous and “immediately executory” September 9, 2024 Decision in Province of Sulu v. Medialdia penned by Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen.
The Court ruled that “The Province of Sulu shall not be part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.”
The latter disposition sounds so absolute as to preclude any return of Sulu to that constitutionally mandated autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao whether under the Bangsamoro organic law or any possible legislative amendment.
A good second look because there appear to be serious constitutional/legal and actually also political and socioeconomic angles that were overlooked even in “the erudite reasoning reflected in the Decision.”
Beyond the substantive merits of the case, there is also the need to judicially and judiciously hear the voices from Muslim Mindanao, including the “differing perspectives within Sulu,” who strongly feel, rightly or wrongly, that they have been significantly impacted again by a decision made by one or 15 persons in “Imperial Manila” without consulting them about Sulu’s exclusion from the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
A good second look might include not only a careful perusal and study of the arguments in the motions for reconsideration MRs but also an opportunity to hear wider, even interdisciplinary, perspectives by way of the judicial processes of calendaring oral arguments and of inviting amicus curiae.
The latter judicial mechanisms have been standard in many important constitutional litigations of the past, but unfortunately not so far in the Province of Sulu v. Medialdea.
In the meantime that is the motions for reconsideration MR stage, can the “immediately executory” not instead be prudently put on hold?
A good second look might result in a better alternative but just as “erudite” reasoning and disposition on Sulu’s part in the BARMM.
After all, the ponente SAJ Leonen, when he was the Government of the Philippines peace panel chair who successfully negotiated with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front for the breakthrough Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro in 2012, repeatedly said that it can be worked out “within the flexibility of the 1987 Constitution.”
Or if this was something like chess, there could be better stratagems in saving, rather than sacrificing, the queen of the BARMM that is Sulu.
For one, the stricken-down proviso in Republic Act No. 11054 “That the provinces and cities of the present Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao shall vote as one geographical area” can instead be allowed based on at least two constitutional grounds.
One is the very spirit, intent, and purpose in creating one unifying autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao of which Sulu is a historically, culturally, and socially integral part.
Another is the more expansive constitutional autonomy framework of autonomous regions vis-à-vis the local autonomy framework of the other local government units (LGUs), as discussed in the Decision itself.
In considering the local autonomy of LGUs and the right to suffrage of their constituents, we should consider not only that of one province but also, if not more so, that of its bigger (picture) autonomous region.
The non-diminution principle for autonomous regions pertains to not only its powers but also its territory.
The big majority 89 percent “Yes” vote in the ARMM five provinces and the small majority 54 percent “No” vote in Sulu should occasion some pause.
United States Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes said, “The Constitution is what the judges say it is.”
More precisely, what the Supreme Court says it is.
If the Court says, in the Decision, that “The relationship between the national government and the Bangsamoro is asymmetric,” then it is asymmetric.
But the Court cannot change history like that of Muslim Mindanao of which Sulu is integral, going back to the Sulu Sultanate that “can be traced as far back as long before the early days of imperialism.”

Soliman M. Santos,
Manila,
Philippines

Chiang Mai should look at cause of dramatic Decline in environmental conditions The Southeast Asian Times, Tuesday October 15, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post Friday October 11, 2024

Re: "Hotel occupancy rate in Chiang Mai down 30 percent", in Bangkok Post, Tuesday October 8, 2024.
For several years, Chiang Mai has suffered awful smoke pollution that now lasts for two months at the end of the dry season. They have now experienced successive floods, the second being the worst ever.
Now, it's not for me to tell the government its priorities, but perhaps they should start thinking beyond the fall in tourist numbers and room occupancy rates and start looking at the dramatic decline in environmental conditions and what's caused that. Replacing mountain forests with corn plantations for animal feed and enriching an already huge and wealthy corporation may be a good place to start.

Steve Merchant,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

Call for United Nations Security Council To limit veto power of established major powers The Southeast Asian Times, Monday October 14, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Friday October 11, 2024

Re: "Reforming the UN Security Council", in Bangkok Post Opinion, Wednesday October 9, 2024.
Shang-Jin Wei's argument is that effective reforms of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) need not focus only on increasing the number of permanent representatives but also on limiting the veto power that the established major powers have continued to enjoy.
I read this simultaneous proposal of reform with interest.
However, I would like to add an observation on what I think should be included in the UNSC reform discussions and debates.
In indicating the necessity of enlarging the UNSC and its balanced use of veto power, analysts, Wei included, look to potential new members in terms of their economic might, population size, geopolitical position, or unjust colonial past.
Little attention is paid to nations that do not fit this Cold War paradigm of thought.
There are countries that advance by their own way of doing things.
Bhutan, for example, has demonstrated to the world that its gross national happiness model is fundamental and vital to a peaceful life.
Others, like parts of New Zealand and Australia, show us how to rekindle and learn from indigenous populations.
Sustainability and community, not force and aggression, provide the world with peace and freedom.
If the UNSC urgently needs reform, let's not merely restructure it - reimagine it in the present with its new learning and core values.

Cathay Suwicha,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Tak Bai Massacre October 25, 2004 Casts a dark shadow on Thailand security forces The Southeast Asian Times, Sunday October 13, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Friday October 2024

Re: "Short arm of the law", in Bangkok Post Editorial, Thursday October 10, 2024.
The Tak Bai incident, which led to the death of 85 unarmed protestors during the tenure of Thaksin Shinawatra and Gen Prawit Wongsuwon as the armed forces chief, has resurfaced in public consciousness and casts a dark shadow on the Thai security forces.
Modern Thai history is replete with the violence and utter disregard for civilian lives shown by the country's military, whether it be the massacre of students at Thammasat University or sniper attacks on the general public protesting in the streets.
How do we reconcile this with the image of a non-violent Buddhist society?

Vichai,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Thailand most influential Asean member state To take initiative to solving Myanmar catastrophe The Southeast Asian Times, Saturday October 12, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Wednesday October 9, 2024

Re: "Thailand floats new plan for Myanmar crisis", Bangkok Post, Wednesday October 9, 2024.
Finally, as a member of Asean, Thailand has taken a "soft approach" to address the Myanmar crisis.
It has actually floated the idea of building a coalition of the willing among the Asean member states to attempt to assuage the Myanmar impasse.
This is indeed commendable as Thailand is perhaps the most influential Asean member state to take the initiative to begin solving the Myanmar catastrophe. Hopefully, in the long run, Thailand may also contribute to restoring some order in Myanmar by enabling negotiations and peace initiatives within Myanmar's body politic.
This may be possible by advocating solidarity among all Asean member states, creating confidence in Myanmar's ability to reach amity and peace, creating a shared vision for peace and stability, and ultimately helping to encourage political dialogue towards elections as soon as possible.
Let us remain optimistic that the 2024 Laos-hosted Asean Summit will herald a new stable order for Myanmar and solidarity and unity for Asean.

Glen Chatelier
Bangkok,
Thailand

The United Nations's malign vilification of carbon Is fraudulent and extremely costly The Southeast Asian Times, Friday October 11, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post Wednesday October 9, 2024

Re: "Exploring Thai efforts to cut carbon", in Bangkok Post, Business, October 5, 2024.
Unfortunately, this article is based entirely upon a false presumption namely, that it is a good idea to "cut carbon."
Since the earth is a closed system, carbon, an element, cannot be removed from it. The United Nation's malign vilification of carbon is fraudulent and extremely costly.
There is no reason to support curtailing carbon emissions.
Our food supply depends upon a minimum level of CO2 in the atmosphere, a minimum which the earth barely exceeds compared to historical levels.
What is clear, however, is that we must limit the production of harmful chemicals, poisonous pharmaceuticals, dangerous plastics, particulates, pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, GMOs, etc., which are destroying all of the earth's living systems.
Although doing so will severely limit certain multinational corporations' extraordinary profits, it will preserve the planet's living beings' right to life and cost the world's population far less than the required capital spending on physical assets for energy and land-use systems in the proposed "net-zero" transition between 2021 and 2050.

Michael Setter,
Bangkok,
Thailand

PM Paetongtarn, past former deputy PM, deputy PM Declare no more poor in Thailand The Southeast Asian Times, Thursday October 10, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Saturday October 5, 2024

Re: "Plan won't end poverty", in Bangkok Post, Editorial, Septeber 30 "Prawit vows to lift millions from poverty", in Bangkok Post, February 11, 2023 and "Grand plans mean little to the poor", Bangkok Post Opinion, November 21, 2017.
In the past, former deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwon and then-deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak's declaration that there would be no more poor people in Thailand was discussed. Now, the Paetongtarn government wants to end poverty in three years.
It sounds like a broken record on the same old topic.
Wouldn't it be time for Thailand to structurally overhaul the complete economy and do something serious about household debts of more than 90 percent of GDP instead of throwing 10,000 baht of short-term helicopter money at them?

S de Jong,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Certain Philippines government offices plagued with Questionable budget allocations The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday October 9, 2024 First published in the Philippine Inquirer, Friday September 27, 2024

The recent budget deliberations at the House of Representatives revealed information on the misuse of funds by some government offices.
The Commission on Audit’s issuance of the notice of disallowance to the Office of the Vice President for the alleged misuse of P125 million in confidential funds left many of us deeply dismayed and concerned.
It is alarming that certain government offices are plagued with questionable budget allocations and mismanagement while other key sectors, such as health, remain underfunded and continue to face many challenges.
This practice erodes public trust in government institutions.
Worth highlighting is the plight of researchers in the Philippines who do not only face insufficient funding, but also deal with a lack of adequate infrastructure and enabling policies.
These issues make it difficult to attract and retain researchers and innovators in the country who are forced to seek better opportunities abroad.
This is concerning, particularly in the context of universal health care and evidence-based policy making, where local expertise is essential to address today’s myriad of health issues.
If the government continues to overlook the needs of researchers and at the same time ignore questionable budget expenditures elsewhere, we risk leaving critical sectors to struggle without the necessary tools for informed decision-making.
It is high time for our policymakers to review research procurement, hiring, and financing policies to ensure transparency, efficiency, and accountability.
By reforming these policies, we will create a more robust and equitable research system that will empower our researchers and allow them to contribute meaningfully to national development, without worrying about insufficient financial and institutional support.

Reiner Lorenzo J. Tamayo, Mahps, RN
Manila,
Philippines

Gen Prawit Wongsuwon misses 84 sessions of Parliament Without a valid reason for absence The Southeast Asian Times Tuesday October 8, 2024 First published in Bangkok Post, Saturday October 5 2024

Re: "Call to probe Prawit absences", in Bangkok Post, Thursday September 26, 2024.
If we treat the parliament as an organisation, Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, of course, would not qualify for the probationary period given that he missed 84 meetings without a valid reason for absence.
Perhaps the fact that he has gotten away with this is because whether or not he attends the meeting makes little difference, or there are no proper house rules to manage attendance.
How can such a hierarchical institution like the parliament have no organised, systematic approach to managing its people or employees?
If Gen Prawit were to be evaluated, who would be his manager?
I can only think of the President of the National Assembly and the House Speaker, Wan Muhamad Noor Matha.
If we adopted a performance evaluation system in the parliament, it would be ideal to have Members of Parliamentss and senators assessed by the House Speaker.
By paying taxes for the salaries of these irresponsible individuals, shouldn't we have the right to remove them and replace them with someone who truly devotes themselves to working for us?
As of now, despite his widespread absences, he remains in his position and does not regularly attend parliament meetings.
I am sick and tired of this deep-rooted inefficiency.
A broken-hearted boy who has no time to be sad because of politics.

Weerapatr Lokatekrawee,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Thailand Foreign Policy reflects pitfalls of policymakers Characteristic middle-of-the-road thinking The Southeast Asian Times, Monday October 7, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Wednesday September 28, 2024

Thitinan Pongsudhirak's expert analysis is striking in that it reflects the lack of a cohesive policy direction in Thai foreign policy.
While this may be strategic in and of itself, it reflects the pitfalls of policymakers' characteristic "middle-of-the-road" thinking.
Keeping in mind Thai foreign policy's efficacy in moving the Bangkok Declaration of 1967, which heralded the birth of Asean, and the decisiveness of Thailand's persuasive step in 2006 with which AEC 2020 was moved forward to AEC 2015, Thailand's foreign policy regarding the Myanmar crisis may be possible through applying soft power to build a coalition of the willing among Asean members.
This could bring influence to bear upon the Myanmar military junta and its opposition forces to the negotiating table to begin talking about ceasefire initiatives while, at the same time, buttressing global humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of the Myanmar people.
A first step through soft power persuasion by a few of the Asean members, with Thailand leading them, may not be seen as "deliberate interference" by neighbours in offering a possible humanitarian panacea to an eyesore of a problem within Asean and to Thailand more so.

Glen Chatelier,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Call for establishment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry Into child protection services in Malaysia The Southeast Asian Times, Sunday October 6, 2024 First published in the Star, Saturday September 28, 2024

The ongoing child sexual abuse scandal has shocked the nation.
And, it has shaken many of us working in child protection under civil society organisations.
The duration and scale of the abuse by Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISBH) is horrendous.
It will take many months to uncover the full scope of the abuse and the possibility of a thousand children that have been severely traumatised over the decades.
We hope attempts will also be made to identify children who have previously been in their facilities and offer them the support they need.
Of serious concern is the lack of oversight and action by the very agencies that we hoped would be child protectors the Welfare Department and the police.
We now hear that such a vast business infrastructure has not even paid taxes, raising concerns about the Inland Revenue Board’s (LHDN) abilities.
It is as though government agencies have had a decades-long blind spot when it came to GISBH.
A blind spot that placed thousands of children into a deep dark hell. This may also be true for other organisations in the country.
This child sexual abuse scandal, and other incidents before this, highlight the large deficits in our child protection services.
Although this scandal involves a religious body, the issue is primarily one of child protection.
As civil society organizations, we have often been expressing our concerns about our weak and inadequate child protection services.
This scandal has shown that they cannot be allowed to continue as is and need a complete overhaul.
We support the call from Children’s Commissioner Dr Farah Nini Dusuki of Suhakam for the establishment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI).
Only a RCI can restore confidence in our child protection services.
Such an RCI should look not just at the disaster involving our services in relation to GISBH but all aspects of child protection.
Our child protection services require an independent audit, a transparent assessment of weaknesses and limitations, suggestions for reform with a workable way forward.
The RCI should involve civil society and be fully available to the public.
Upon completion of the RCI, the findings must be tabled and debated in the next meeting of Parliament, because the care and protection of children must be depoliticised and requires an “all-of-society” approach.
The GISBH child sexual abuse scandal is a ‘line in the sand’.
This is not a two-week media cycle issue.
Our child protection services cannot continue as they are.
If there is no meaningful action and reform then we will continue to fail our children endlessly.
We appeal to our Members of Parliament to support the RCI and be advocates for our children.
The government has overlooked the calls for establishing an independent Children's Commission accountable to Parliament.
Creating a Children's Department under the Welfare Department does not address any of the existing challenges or concerns.
Essentially, this is merely a rebranding of an inadequate and inefficient service, while children continue to endure hardship.
We also ask that the government urgently relook at the Child Commission Bill.
Any and every space that a child is in must be a safe space. We must restore public confidence in our child protection agencies.
Only an independent RCI with comprehensive reform will do this.

Signatories:
Dato' Dr Amar-Singh HSS, Consultant Paediatrician, Child-Disability Activist.Sharmila Sekaran, Voice of the Children.
CRIB Foundation (Child Rights Innovation & Betterment).
The Talisman Project.
Yayasan Chow Kit.
Malaysian Association of Social Workers.
Association of Women Lawyers (AWL).
Women's Centre for Change, Penang (WCC).
Anisa Ahmad - Child Activist.
Pusat Jagaan Kanak Kanak Vivekananda Rembau NS.
Johor Women's League (JEWEL).
Voice of the Children (VoC).
End CSEC Network.
Protect and Save the Children.
Federation of Reproductive Health Associations Malaysia.
Childline Foundation.
Toy Libraries Malaysia.
Persatuan Untuk Anak Kita (PUAKPayong).
Pertubuhan Amal Rumah Melor (Meru, Klang).
Purple Lily Social Association Kuching.
World Vision Malaysia.
Montessori Association Malaysia.
Play Unlimited.
Malaysian Hindu Dharma Association.
Kasthuri Krishnan, Lawyer.
Women’s Aid Org (WAO).
Vanguards4Change.
ReHAK (Reproductive Health Association of Kelantan).
Sarawak Women for Women Society.
Lawyer Kamek.
The OKU Rights Matter Project.
Wong Hui Min, President, National Early Childhood Intervention Council (NECIC).

 

 

Is the Pheu Thai party pursuing plans To bring about popular reforms ? The Southeast Asian Times, Saturday October 5, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Wednesday October 2, 2024

I appreciate Khun Songdej Praditsmanont's chuckling response regarding Pheu Thai's flexibility on ethical issues.
He usefully cites the Machiavellian view that "the ends justify the means, so long as the end result is good".
In Pheu Thai's case, unfortunately, the end appears ethically dubious, albeit not so morally indefensible as overthrowing your own nation's constitutional democracy primarily to achieve the end of entrenching a status quo that is itself intrinsically unethical, a fact increasingly recognised for some decades at least, as reflected in the voting in May last year.
Or is Pheu Thai secretly pursuing some cunning plan that will suddenly bring about the popular reforms that Thailand has desperately needed for even more decades?
I'm not sure that the plight of voters, yet again denied a voice by a greedy minority diligently serving its own ends by unethical law and any other means they can, whose end goal is reflected in Thailand's gross income inequality, is really a laughing matter, or even one to chuckle over.

Felix Qui,
Bangkok,
Thailand

Kunming, Chengdu, Wuhan, Xian Are crazy about north-south rail route to ASEAN The Southeast Asian Times, Friday October 4, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post, Saturday September 21, 2024

Re: "Locals want SEC bills, Land Bridge axed", in Bangkok Post, Wednesday September 18, 2024.
Why do we need the proposed Chumphon-Ranong Land Bridge?
A faster or cheaper alternative to the existing all-water Malacca Strait Route for Asian shipments to Europe, the Mid East, South Asia, Africa, and vice versa, perhaps?
Let's take a look at the comparative merit of the Land Bridge vis-a-vis the Malacca Strait Route from the users' perspective by comparing the transit time and probable costing between Shanghai and Colombo in Sri Lanka and similarly, Hong Kong-Colombo based on container vessels with a typical average cruising speed of 20 nautical miles per hour.
Their pros and cons would reflect those of other Asia-Europe/Mideast routings.
The all-water nautical distance Shanghai-Colombo via Malacca is 3,804nm against the combined nautical distances of Shasnghai-Chumphon and Ranong-Columbo of 3,278nm.
The proposed Land Bridge scheme indeed helps save 526nm or a sailing time of 26 hours.
Similarly, the all-water nautical distance Hong Kong-Colombo is 3027nm; whereas Hong Kong-Chumphon and Ranong-Columbo combined is 2630nm, with a Land Bridge saving of 397nm and 20 hours.
In short, the Land Bridge would cut about one day off the Malacca Route sailing time on these East-West routes.
Nevertheless, the Land Bridge scheme would normally take one day to discharge containers in Chumphon Port, a half-day to load-rail-discharge Chumphon-Ranong and on average 3.5 days to await reloading onto the next connecting vessel westbound based on standard weekly sailing frequency. Crossing the Land Bridge would thus take an average of five days not to mention additional vessel port expenses and container terminal charges at both ends, plus rail freight Chumphon-Ranong and container costs, to name but a few.
The Land Bridge service may end up costing more and taking four days longer.
What commercial entity on earth would opt to pay more?
There are many politically motivated but financially unfeasible projects, especially in developing countries.
After being commissioned, they are invariably plagued by continuous operating losses and are labelled as 'long-term' investments, implying only God knows when investors will see their money again.
Even without mentioning inevitable damages to some of Thailand's best countryside, how would Thai voters and future generations look at this financial blackhole caused by construction and the billions needed for upkeep as a means to jump-start the slow economy?
Surely, there are other less expensive ways to do so.
On the other hand, Kunming, Chengdu, Wuhan, Xian, and most Chinese inland cities are always crazy about a rail north-south route that promptly rails their cargo to/from more Asean terminals and the Andaman Sea.
Does this deserve a higher policy priority instead ?

Y K Chan,
Hong Kong,

 

Southeast Asian countries Forming a federation-like EU bloc The Southeast Asian Times Thursday October 3, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post Saturday September 21, 2024

Re: "Time to regroup?" Bangkok Post, PostBag, Tuesday September 17, 2024.
Ken Albertsen, Asean has been a paper tiger for decades. So why would your utopian idea of Southeast Asian countries forming a federation-like EU bloc with a common currency work better?
Just look at the EU 27 member states as an example.
It's a bureaucratic moloch, interfering and dictating on many levels of national member states' policies.
The common currency (euro) has been a huge mistake due to the admission of Greece and Italy and huge cultural, historical and economic differences between members.
There is only an economic transfer from the well-off north to the poorer south, mid- and eastern members.
Even immigration problems cannot be solved nationally anymore.
The EU still wants to expand to Ukraine, Turkey, Moldova, Albania, and Serbia. But the tide is turning. People have had enough, and Germany is introducing border controls again.
Need I say more?

S de Jong,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

The latest censorship at Chulalongkorn University Prompts allegory on freedom of expression The Southeast Asian Times, Wednesday October 2, 2024 First published in the Bangkok Post Wednesday September 25, 2024

Re: "Bangkok's Chula Uni relocates launch of book critical of military off-campus", Bangkok Post, Online, Monday September 23, 2024.
The latest case of academic censorship at Chulalongkorn prompts me to create an allegory about the importance of freedom of expression.
Once upon a time, a wise old farmer lived in a small, peaceful village in the northeastern Isan.
One day, as the sun slowly set and bathed the fields in golden light, he gathered the village children around him.
With a gentle voice, he began his story:
"Imagine," he said, "there is a great, mighty dragon who rules over our land. This dragon only allows things to be said that he likes.
If anyone says something different, he roars loudly and forbids it.
The owl, who writes wise books, cannot tell her stories because the dragon fears that the animals will learn the truth.
"The dragon has many helpers, little dragons, and other creatures who run around everywhere to ensure that no one breaks his rules.
They fly over the land, listen at doors, and watch the animals to make sure no one says anything the dragon doesn't like.
"But the animals at the edge of the field, the chipmunks, the frogs, and the birds, know that they can only be free and happy if they have the courage to tell their own stories and not be intimidated by the dragon.
They whisper their stories into the night, share them secretly among themselves, and dream of a day when they can speak without fear.
"The old farmer looked into the children's eyes and said, 'Remember, children, true freedom comes from the truth and the courage to tell it. Never let a dragon or his helpers silence you.'"

Nang Tani,
Bangkok,
Thailand

 

Ecotourism development on Bugsuk, Balabac in Palawan Pushed by Philippines subsidiary of San Miguel Corp The Southeast Asian Times Tuesday October 1, 2024 First published in the Philippine Inquirer, Thursday September 26, 2024

The National Land Use Act (NLUA), of which a bill had been repeatedly filed since the 9th Congress and declared urgent by several presidents, was closest to becoming law during the 15th Congress.
In February 2013, before the three-month interruption of sessions to give way to the campaign period of midterm elections scheduled in May, then Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was one of three solons who blocked the holding of a bicameral session to pass the NLUA bill, thus reverting it to second reading.
He said he still had 53 amendments to propose.
Yet when asked to present his proposed changes, he said he was not ready to present that day, nor was he prepared to do so during the last session days of the 15th Congress that ended in June 2013.
Such failure to enact the law allowed continuing land conversions and the irrational use of land and water resources.
The worsening effects of climate change, particularly the stronger typhoons and perennial flooding, have exacerbated the loss of lives and damage to properties through the years.
One must only remember Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (2013), Typhoon “Glenda” (2014), Supertyphoon “Rolly” (2020), and most recently, Supertyphoon “Carina” and Typhoon “Enteng,” and the vast destruction wrought by these calamities on lives and properties.
Other land-related issues have caused tensions and increasing injustice to poor communities these past months.
On June 29, 2024, for instance, 16 fully armed masked men came to the island of Bugsuk, Balabac in Palawan, intending to drive away the residents in favor of an ecotourism development project being pushed by a subsidiary company of San Miguel Corp. (SMC).
On June 27, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) officials reportedly went to the area to inform the residents that the latter’s land was unsuitable for crop production, apparently in support of the ecotourism project.
Interestingly, land and water issues in these areas in Palawan date back to the ’70s, thousands were displaced when the late Danding Cojuangco, one of the Marcos cronies during martial law, forcibly took possession of 10,821 hectares of land in Bugsuk, Pandanan, and other islands in Palawan.
An affiliate company called Jewelmer Corp. established pearl farms and closed off two islands, making it difficult or altogether preventing the fisherfolk from carrying out their fishing activities.
Many ended up moving to other barangays, including the mainland, where they could not find regular sources of income.
In 2005, certificate of ancestral domain title applications were filed by the Molbog and Palawan indigenous peoples with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples-Palawan, but they remain pending to date. In June 2014, notices of coverage (NOCs) were issued to residents of Sitio Marihangin in Bugsuk island under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
Nine years later or in May 2023, the director of DAR Region IV-B ordered the recall of the NOCs following a field report that assessed the soil type in Marihangin as not suitable for crop production.
This was affirmed in September 2023 by DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III, who then issued an order excluding the lands in Bugsuk from CARP.
A notice from DAR in April 2024 upheld the DAR declaration, and a final order revoking the NOCs was delivered to the sitio in June.
With the help of nongovernment organizations led by Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka, the Bugsuk residents went to Manila to seek an audience with concerned agencies, and with no less than President Marcos himself.
Their specific appeal is to stop the SMC plan to establish the ecotourism project, and instead reissue the NOC to the indigenous people (IP) farmers to allow them to till their lands, and the fisherfolk to continue fishing with ease.
Will the President make himself available to listen to the cries of the IPs of Bugsuk? The Bugsuk folk have endured being deprived of land, water, and human rights for the past 50 years.
Can Mr. Marcos now grant their request, and redeem himself from his past shortcomings?
Will he heed the call of these indigenous farmers and fishers, and considerably uphold the name of the Marcos family by addressing these injustices?

Gemma Rita R. Marin,
executive director,
John J. Carroll Institute on Church and Social Issues