OPINION

Keep up the supply

Re: "Thailand's jab fiasco needs an inquiry," (Opinion, July 16). The government continues to order Sinovac as it is the only vaccine available for immediate delivery. Still, the immunisation rate would be much lower without Sinovac.

It's OK to stoke publicity about the superiority of mRNA vaccines, but supply should also flow. Otherwise it's Nato (no action, talk only).

Head-in-sand strategy fails

Re: "Suchart defends random test plan," (BP, July 15).

Apparently, some officials are taking a page from the Donald Trump manual of Covid-19 management.

In June 2020, Mr Trump famously declared, "If we stop testing right now, we'd have fewer cases." The US did, in fact, subsequently cut back on testing and contact tracing. We all know how that worked out.

The current plan to reduce testing of migrant workers -- in part due to a lack of beds to accommodate positive patients -- is not likely to reduce the number of Covid-19 cases in Thailand any more than Trump's head-in-the-sand strategy did in America.

As Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin acknowledges, an appropriate response is gearing up more medical facilities as quickly as possible.

Russian policy is sound

Re: "Russia is back and it's a little bit better," (Opinion, July 13).

In his commentary, journalist Kavi Chongkittavorn said that "for unknown reasons, Moscow has attracted admiration for its strong tactics and unwavering support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and besieged Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, not to mention the annexation of Crimea". Let me make these reasons clear.

Unlike other great powers' inconsistent double standards, and hidden international manoeuvres, Russian foreign policy insists on observing international law, adherence to governing rules, principles and due procedures that accompany them.

Attempts to overthrow a legitimate government with the assistance of illegal foreign military intervention, however motivated, correspond to none of the above.

On the contrary, a limited Russian military presence as well as support of Syria were entirely legitimate, since both had been requested by the Syrian government.

Belarus is a Russian ally and closest partner. Russia is engaged in building an allied state in accordance with bilateral agreements.

Threats to its stability by mobs in defiance of political procedures are naturally detrimental to immediate Russian security and economic interests.

For the same reason, the support for Venezuela was aimed at opposing overthrowing an elected leader bypassing due political process rather than helping Mr Maduro alone.

As for Crimea, before calling annexation, Khun Kavi forgot to mention a referendum that won the unequivocal support of the peninsula's entire population to reunify with Russia.

Russia is providing strong support to Asean's guiding role in Myanmar. The Russian position is consistent with the provisions of the association's five-point consensus; first of all, provisions regarding the cessation of violence and the exercise of utmost restraint by all conflicting parties and the development of a dialogue among them aimed at stabilisation. Together with Asean, Russia shares the view that unilateral sanctions, rhetoric of threats and any attempts to interfere in Myanmar's internal affairs will have destructive effects and further polarise its society.

Hopefully, the expected appointment of Asean's special envoy for Myanmar will be the next big step that provides necessary momentum to Asean-Russia's joint efforts to settle the situation in that country. It is for consistency, predictability and adherence to principles that Russian foreign policy attracts admiration worldwide.

Not everyone is privileged

Re: "Mixed messages," (PostBag, July 15).

I have trouble keeping up with Jason Jellison's shifting logic. There are few who argue with his criticism of the government's handling of the Covid crisis, but as one who obviously has the resources to return to the US to get a couple of shots of his preferred vaccine, it's a bit rich for him to exhort the rest of us poor unvaccinated souls to just get on with life and take our chances.

The strong will survive he argues (with a little help from our friendly US hometown pharmacy), and the weak will go under.

While trying not to be personal about this, I wonder if Mr Jellison would be prepared to bin the first-world medications he presumably uses to treat his underlying condition … and take HIS chances.