OPINION

Global investors

Re: "Phuket targets nominees", "PM pitches Thai, US partnership", & " 'Illegal' British guide nabbed", (BP, June 1).

PM Srettha has emphasised worldwide that we welcome foreign investors, yet several of our key laws repel those whose help we sorely need and don't benefit Thailand. Notably, the US, UK, and EU have very few restrictions on foreign ownership by companies of land, or occupation (with exceptions for national security). For example, Mohamed Al-Fayed acquired Harrods department store in London in 1985 by controlling 51%+ of House of Fraser shares. Or, our Central Group owns 50.1% of Berlin's KaDeWe Group department store. Buyers give great importance to having control, which we deny to others.

On foreign land ownership -- what's to fear? Thaksin bought a home in Hong Kong for a reported US$27 million (995 million baht) in 2007 and sold it for a 41% profit in 2023.

If we fear foreigners will turn their companies/land to uses which we disapprove of, then we should ban those acts regardless of the nationality of the actors. If non-Thais could own land here, they'd drive up prices, benefitting the Thai owners, and they would pay Thai taxes on the sale. The new owners would want to add value to their purchases -- raising the prices of the neighbourhood in the process. Why would we stop them from doing so?

Review and reform our laws so they lead to win-win investment solutions.

Bold plans needed

Re: " Anand's bold vision", (PostBag, June 1).

In reading Jayut Jayanandana's PostBag letter on June 1, I realised that the voice of a big personality in any country can be a guide for the entire world.

Jayut mentioned that the basic issues to be addressed by the government to reform the nation need a person who serves alongside an equally motivated group of state authorities who respect recommendations from scholars.

Jayut mentioned that plans are needed for the next 50 years, minimum, in order to be at the top of the world in terms of development education. What Jayut has expressed is praiseworthy.

Grim reality

Re: "Hamas is responsible", (BP, May 29).

Some of the best legal minds in the world work in the ICC and the ICJ. They have determined that there are cases to be made against the state of Israel (genocide) and its leaders (war crimes and crimes against humanity).

The whole world has been able to witness these crimes despite Israel refusing to allow international journalists access to Gaza and having murdered more than 140 journalists who were already in Gaza.

Jews, distinguished by their achievements, their intellect, their intelligence and their integrity, have been outspoken in their criticism of the state of Israel. It is important to name only a few of these whose speeches can easily be accessed online: Prof Avi Shlaim, Prof John Mearsheimer, Phyllis Bennis, Prof Norman Finkelstein (who describes Gaza as the world's largest concentration camp), Ilan Pappe, Noam Chomsky, Naomi Klein.

Additionally, many Orthodox Jews have demonstrated on behalf of the Palestinians, including Rabbi Elhanan Beck and Rabbi Yisrael David Weiss (who argues that the existence of a Zionist Israel is antithetical to Judaism).

Yet, EL Wout has the arrogance and impertinence to describe these and others as ignorant protesters. Readers will make up their own minds about who the ignorant one is.