OPINION

It's all up to you

Re: "Agro tycoon weighs in on post- Covid recovery", (BP, Aug 17).

While I applaud tycoon Dhanin Chearavanont for weighing in on the vexing issue of our future post-Covid world, I must say that I have a few criticisms of his analysis of Thailand's times.

My first criticism is that his analysis of Thailand's Covid conundrum tends to look to WWI and WWII, and hence puts governments first in the battle of our present era. I, however, suggest that a quick look back at early American history suggests that Mr Dhanin is looking at the wrong war.

I suggest that, instead of looking to the world wars, he looks to the American Revolutionary War. Prior to the American Revolution, the 13 states put the British government first, relied on wealthy elites, and looked to the government to solve all of our problems. However, we eventually grew to realise that we, the people, could solve most of our problems ourselves and needed little government help.

Finally, while I applaud the fact that his company has "put together 2 million meal boxes to be given away to the public", Thailand has a population of roughly 69 million people, and simple maths shows that the country needs about 207 million meals per day for a healthy populace.

So, by his own admission, his corporation has only provided less than 1% of the meals which Thais need for a single day.

In fact, American history suggests that Thai people need to save themselves.

Re: "Local vaccine needs govt financing", (BP, Aug 17).

"Chula jab 'shows 94% efficacy rate' is yet another triumph of self-interest over science."

Their research team director proudly announced, "the ChulaCOV-19 vaccine has a high efficacy rate in preventing Covid-19 infections -- at 94%, the same as Pfizer's [vaccine]".

Two days earlier the US CDC revealed that in Mayo clinic trials the Pfizer vaccine showed 42% efficacy against the Delta variant. Similar results were obtained in Israel.

Thailand is already seen as a basket case of incompetency where Covid is concerned. Chulalongkorn University, reputedly the nation's finest, ought not to be making matters worse.

Here we go again, after the Vietnam betrayal, now it's the turn of Afghanistan.

Disgusting and heart-wrenching, the same forces of the betrayed Vietnam are still prominent in leading America down the path of disaster.

The 45th president had concluded an iron-clad agreement with the Taliban with swift and strong punitive action if not adhered to.

Mr Trump's philosophy was peace with an iron fist. So much for the sorry state of world affairs with a bumbling man in the White House.

I have been reading with amazement the amount of money being spent (wasted) on refurbishing Pattaya beach.

Why does the government spend millions for zero tourists? Surely it would be more beneficial to help and provide for all the unfortunate people who are jobless, homeless and penniless.