OPINION

Losing proposition

Re: "PM eyes rice hike plan with Vietnam," (BP, May 28).

Hopefully, Thailand and Vietnam will come to their senses and avoid wasting time and effort trying to control or influence the global price of rice.

It's pure folly to think that these two countries -- which together export far less than one-third of the total rice currently traded globally and a much smaller share of total production -- will be able to set higher prices.

Since there are many alternative exporters of rice, Thailand's efforts to set higher prices will inevitably result in buyers shifting to other suppliers, especially India and Pakistan, and continual erosion of market share for Thailand.

It's a naive and losing proposition to think that Thailand and Vietnam, with their relatively small market share of exports, can set prices to their liking in a global marketplace.

Authorities would be better advised to work with Thai rice farmers to help them shift to alternative livelihoods and higher-value crops, including organic and niche products, if they want to help the industry.

Let them open

Re: "Creating the ideal city," (BP, May 30).

We all keep hearing from our leaders, from the PM to the newly elected Bangkok governor, that our No.1 goal is to help the Thai people, no matter who, and end corruption.

A bit of history. Two years ago, at the start of the shutdowns, a small group of Thai and foreign residents came together and set out on a mission to help those less fortunate.

Using a small restaurant and kitchen, located in the newly opened Soi 7 Plaza (then shut down), they collected, cooked and packed fresh daily hot meals along with dry goods for a second meal. In the end, they handed out 17,000-plus meal bags to those in need.

Fast forward to today. That same legally licensed, certificated and regularly inspected restaurant in Soi 7 Plaza, along with the other 30 or so businesses located in the plaza, has been forced to close, going on 2.5 months now, by the Bangkok government.

The government decided in mid-March 2022 that this plaza -- built, inspected and allowed to open at the end of 2019 -- suddenly did not match what the original 2017 building permit drawings stated.

After two years of collecting taxes they shut down every business, including this restaurant that works year-round helping giving to the community.

This is while the government, which allowed them to operate for two-plus years, negotiates with the land owner and lease holder for who knows what.

Actions speak louder than words! It is time for the government to act, and stop this hostage-taking of Thais and let them open their doors for business.

Don't mention it

Re: "Sanctions can work," (PostBag, May 30).

It is good that Mr Paul mentioned Iraq where "the sanctions" have overthrown a corrupt regime.

I would further add Afghanistan and Libya, where the sanctions and interventions also presumably have worked and the people now live very happily.

Management expectations

Re: "Temples and trust," (PostBag, May 28).

Kuldeep Nagi says that monks should not touch money. Mr Nagi has confused the religion business with the practice of Buddhism.

It is true that to become a Buddhist monk one must vow to observe the 227 precepts. These are vows made by individuals acting entirely of their own volition.

That vow does not in any way entitle you, Mr Nagi, to tell a monk what he must do.

Renunciation proceeds from positive disillusionment with the world and is a sign of understanding and enlightenment, not a means to attain it. The only trust that is of significance in Buddhist practice is a monk's trust in the dhamma.

It is surely a fine thing to wish to aid in correct management of the religion business. Please do that, Mr Nagi -- indeed be as helpful as you say your father was.

But do not pretend that such good intentions or their implementation have anything to do with the practice of Buddhism.

Renunciation is renunciation of the self, practice is feeling beyond the self, and enlightenment is perfect transcendence of the separate self. This is what must be understood.

What could the religion business possibly have to do with it?