OPINION

Care across lifespans

Re: "Gender gaps in politics and business", (Opinion, March 30).

Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn's article warrants significant global attention.

In line with recent United Nations recommendations, all governments are called upon to prioritise addressing care needs across the lifespan and ensuring universal access to paid maternity, paternity, and parental leave, as well as social protection for all workers, irrespective of their employment status.

Member states are encouraged to recognise the expansive impact of the care economy.

This includes boosting labour participation, facilitating the shift from informal to formal employment, and establishing decent working conditions.

Crucially, according to the United Nations, there is a pressing need to invest in family-centric strategies and programmes that foster robust intergenerational connections.

Initiatives such as promoting intergenerational living arrangements, offering parenting education, and providing support for grandparents, particularly those serving as primary caregivers, are essential.

All of these efforts aim to cultivate inclusive urbanisation, promote active and healthy ageing, and nurture intergenerational solidarity. They will also bolster social cohesion.

Silent menace?

Re: "The next two-wheel revolution", (Business, March 6).

Yes. Most motorcycles are noisy. But at least you can hear them coming.

One of the downsides of electric vehicles is that they are nearly silent and offer no warning of their approach.

Where silent electric scooters are in operation, there have been many reports of people being knocked down by them. Perhaps a noise system should be incorporated into electric vehicles. Pedestrians with impaired sight might benefit from hearing motorbikes being ridden on the pavements.

PostBag gladiators

Re: "Re: "Democratic society", (PostBag, March 28).

For years, JC Wilcox has repeated: "There is more to democracy than elections". I wish to paraphrase that: "There is more to democracy than 270 senators appointed by a tyrannical junta overruling the wishes of the Thai people because they voted for a candidate the military didn't like".

Let me remind the readers that Wilcox, as well as Vint Chavala and Songdej, were big supporters of the junta at a time when I was one of the few people who had the guts to publicly oppose the junta. For these three self-serving hypocrites to now lecture us about the meaning of democracy is an outrage of monumental proportions.

Shine the spotlight

Re: "Court accepts petition for dissolution of Move Forward Party", (Online, April 3).

As a guest of the kingdom for the past 28 years, I enjoy reading your publication.

I refer to the news item of today's date, headlined "Court accepts petition for dissolution of Move Forward Party". This is one of the most critical political issues facing Thailand right now.

I concede that it is a factual and not an opinion piece. Why would you deem it necessary not to allow for a public forum? At the time of writing, there are 392 negative votes and seven approvals.

One would think that makes it a topic worth prompting a debate. Surely that is part of your responsibility to your readers?