OPINION

Tough sell abroad

Re: "Somsak says health sector will boost economy", (BP, Feb 22).

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 PM Prayut Chan-o-Cha was 100% 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?

Stop the smoke

Re: "Alarm sounds over haze", (BP, Jan 25).

I have studied this problem and have been involved in several "stop the burning" initiatives since 2006. Promoting eco-friendly alternatives and asking rice farmers for cooperation will never succeed.

The government needs to declare an environmental emergency (ie, same as during catastrophic floods) and deploy army recruits to plough crop residues throughout the North, put out fires, and apprehend offenders.

Paradise falls short

Re: "Troubles in paradise", (PostBag, Feb. 23).

Miro King describes his relatives' bad holiday experiences and shortcutting their Thai holiday for Oman. He and his relatives may be a voice in the Thai wind, though. Remember the recent articles about Koh Samui (waste problem and water and power shortages, The White Lotus movie boom and seabed test drilling for a bridge)? One might even end up getting sued for tarnishing Thailand's tourist image.

Hopefully, his relatives will get part of their expenses (photo evidence) back from their travel insurance. Ultimately, the course of Thai things will take a different turn automatically since research has shown that negative experiences are passed on nine times more often than positive ones.

Debate isn't a crime

Re: "Wiroj hears ethics charge from NACC", (BP, Feb 22).

It is beyond any grasp how one could be accused of unethical for amending any law in parliament. Nor does ethical law consistent with democracy criminalise citizens or politicians peacefully discussing the law of their land in public.

Therefore, either Thailand's law and its institutions, such as the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), reject democracy in practice and in principle, or the law itself and its institutions executing this law are unethical, or both.

Which is it?

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