OPINION

Smarter than you think

Re: "The power behind the PM", (AboutPolitics, March 23).

Those who believe Srettha Thavisin is a weak prime minister under the shadow of the Shinawatra family may have underestimated the real estate businessman.

Since becoming PM, Mr Srettha has travelled extensively abroad. He was named "The Salesman" by Time magazine for his effort to lure foreign investments to Thailand. Those courtesy visits also make known to the international community that he is the new and legitimate premier of Thailand.

Three days after being sworn in as PM, Mr Srettha visited the Northeastern region of Thailand which was once a Pheu Thai stronghold but outperformed by the Move Forward Party in the last election.

Mr Srettha reassured the people that his government will address economic issues in the region by pushing ahead with various government projects.

After swiftly shunting the national police chief and his deputy to an active post, PM Srettha has demonstrated his ability to make tough decisions when needed.

With the likely dissolution of the Move Forward Party, and health issues that would prevent Gen Prawit Wongsuwon from challenging for the premiership, Mr Srettha will have a free hand to implement policies that can benefit the nation and his party at the next general election.

Replacing Mr Srettha at this stage would only create confusion and an unnecessary hindrance to economic recovery. Thais should give Mr Srettha a chance to complete his term as prime minister, hopefully with flying colours.

Call for compassion

Re: "Time to integrate Myanmar's displaced", (Opinion, March 26).

Kavi Chongkittavorn's call for Thailand to integrate Myanmar refugees, many of whom have been subsisting in refugee camps for 30 years, into Thai society is a call for compassion and humanity.

Thailand has a long history of accepting and integrating refugees who have fled persecution in their own countries.

Just two examples are the Mon community on Kho Kred island on the Chao Phraya River who fled persecution in Burma nearly 300 years ago, and another is the Vietnamese community in Chanthaburi who settled there in three waves, the first in the 19th century when they were fleeing anti-Catholic persecution, the second in the 1920s and 30s when they were fleeing French suppression in Indochina, and the third after the end of the "American" Vietnam War.

These communities have proven themselves worthy of Thai citizenship, contributing to the country's long history of ethnic and cultural diversity and tolerance. As Thailand makes its third bid for membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the government should extend charity to these Myanmar refugees and formulate plans to move them out of the squalor of the refugee camps and into mainstream society.

Organ donor plea

Re: "Human alternative", (PostBag, March 25).

Ken Albertsen is right that we should pledge to donate our organs when we die.

One advantage is that human organs are more effective in transplants than animal organs. No one has ever lived for more than a couple of months after receiving an animal organ transplant. Another advantage is that the more human organs that are available for transplants the fewer animals will be killed for their organs. It's also important to note that some of the great health epidemics of our time (HIV, Covid etc) were caused by animal viruses.

So, donors have to take proper care of ourselves by eating more fruit and vegetables and avoiding meat. While people accuse vegans of imposing their will on others, the tremendous healthcare costs and destruction of human and animal life by both the meat industry and the medical establishment is a much bigger imposition.

No prejudice here

Re: "How to make babies", (PostBag, March 29) and "B30 fertility treatment to tackle low birth rate", (BP, March 24).

Well of course Ray Ban, how foolish of me to submit such a theory to PostBag. You are obviously much better informed, judging by your spontaneous Woke response.

Incidentally, my wife's 50-ish brother is gay and has been our "mae baan" (a term he uses himself, so don't get vitriolic about that) for some years now after a longish stretch in the nick. However, the arrangement has since worked out, he has a paid weekly job, is responsible and we get on well.

As such, this situation should indicate that I am not homophobic as you claim but rather more tolerant than many other people who are much better off.