OPINION

Beyond handouts

Re: "Plan won't end poverty", (BP, Sept 30).

Looking at some economic stimulus measures implemented by the current administration in Thailand, such as the 10k baht (digital) cash handout, those one-off shots would not likely have a long-lasting, meaningful impact on the domestic economy unless they seriously tackle deep-rooted structural issues. In response to the myriad challenges ahead, Thailand urgently needs a structural shift, making an immediate transition to a more resilient, inclusive, and efficient economy.

Yet, equally crucial, most long-term economic policies pushed by a populist government without a long vision and enduring commitment could go down the drain because these politicians often succumb to those who stand reluctant to change and protect their vested interests. Such an establishment is a formidable power for the politics at play.

Economic development would not magically happen overnight. For developing nations, economic transformation would face countless chicken-and-egg issues, such as massive infrastructure financing versus accelerated economic growth. But one could still argue that Thailand, situated geographically at the heart of the SEA region, is surely able to kick start growth once again, strategically leveraging its advantages.

Perhaps Thai leaders first need to think big and out of the box to come up with a fitting blueprint. Thailand used to be known as "Amazing Thailand" or "Land of Smiles", though I wonder what exactly those monikers mean for Thai people now.

Safety over bribes

Re: "Negligence claims lives", (Editorial, Oct 4).

We grieve for the 23 children and teachers burned to death in the recent tour bus fire. That the entire bus fleet of the company chosen by the school had illegal gas tanks installed means that corruption to overlook safety probably was the root problem of this tragedy.

So, clean up the Department of Land Transport (DLT), update bus safety standards, and vigorously implement them -- working with an NGO with expertise in automobile engineering safety. The NGO should then monitor individual buses for safety for a hefty fee and post a list of approved vehicles online. Approvals would be valid for 12 months.

To undercut the incentive to bribe, the NGO should do the vehicle approving, not the DLT.

Implants for teens

Re: "Empowering women and girls: Birth control campaign launches nationwide", (BP, Oct 4).

The lofty rhetoric about "empowering women", of which there was plenty at this birth control campaign launch, reads somewhat less grandiosely when translated as "inserting contraceptive devices in the arms of pre-teen and adolescent girls", which is at the heart of the scheme.

Let me be clear, I have absolutely no problem with implants per se. I certainly have my doubts about how this campaign will be promoted in a society as generally conservative as Thailand. Virtually the only hint in the various speeches reported by the Post of how the scheme will reach young women is that the impetus should come from the home environment, but there is no detail of how parents, many of whom are uncomfortable with discussion of sex in any form, will be educated to deal with this issue. Given that Thai law requires parental approval for any medical procedure proposed to be carried out on children under the age of 18, this alone seems like a major stumbling block.

So, will the free implant scheme be promoted directly to teenage girls on social media, who will then have to convince their parents? Will village health workers be required to suggest to mothers that they should have their daughters implanted?

Orwellian as such measures may sound, something certainly needs to be done if an increasing number of female children are becoming pregnant for a second time before the age of 14. Like the Thai justice system, however, where compensation often substitutes for accountability, this scheme smacks of adopting a quick fix rather than tackling the deficiencies of the sex education curriculum in schools, long recognised both domestically and by such as Unicef, as a major factor in the high rate of teenage pregnancies in Thailand.

Another concern is that, in a society where many girls are free from the fear of falling pregnant, there will inevitably be increased pressure from their male peers (and, unfortunately, older men) to engage more freely in sexual activity. Without even the previously inconsistent use of condoms, this can only result in greater transmission of STIs and increased sexual harm.

It may well turn out that widespread use of implants will "empower" young women to avoid unwanted pregnancies as they transition from school or university to the workforce, though we should remember that there already exist other contraceptive methods. My fear is that, in the absence of child allowances and subsidised childcare, the convenience of implants and the appeal of a child-free salary and lifestyle will work against any inclination to boost Thailand's already low birth rate.

Unheeded warning

Re: "My thoughts a year after Oct 7 Hamas attack", (Opinion, Oct 9).

Over 50 years ago, the late King Hussein of Jordan said: "Israel can have land (occupied territory), or it can have peace. But it can never have both."

Just imagine how much suffering and bloodshed could have been avoided if only the rest of the world had heeded the words of the wise king.

Not terrorists

Re: "My thoughts a year after Oct 7 Hamas attack", (Opinion, Oct 9).

Israel claims that UNWRA is a terrorist organization. This is ridiculous; it's a UN agency, and UN agencies are not terrorists. The claim is based on the proposition that some UNWRA employees will be supporters of Hamas. That may well be true, but (a) Hamas, while painted by Israel as "terrorist", isn't -- it's a legitimate resistance organisation exercising legal armed resistance against the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestine; and (b) if some UNWRA employees, as private individuals, support Hamas, that does not affect the status of UNWRA itself: some employees probably support Manchester City, but that doesn't make UNWRA a department of Manchester City Council.

UNWRA employees are entitled to support whomever they like in their own time.

Israel's real objection to UNWRA is that their job is to run refugee camps providing food and shelter for some of the thousands of Palestinians turned into refugees by Israeli destruction of their towns and villages. Israel does not see Palestinian refugees as people in need of food and shelter; rather it sees them as candidates for their illegal genocide, snatched from their grasp by the UN.

Chasing F1 glory

Re: "Minister eyes F1 race in Bangkok", (Business, Oct 4).

Let's take some details from Bangkok Bank Global Economic View on F1 Race hosting fees. The petro-states, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan and Russia, pay an average of US$55 million (1.8 billion baht). These average a total race weekend attendance of 120,000. The six traditional tracks, the backbone of the sport, Silverstone, Spa, Monza, Suzuka, Brazil, average close to 400,000. Monaco has limited grandstand seating, does not publish attendances, and does not contribute to the local economy as most visitors have to stay in France. These pay an average fee of US$25m.

Street races don't just cost these fees. Singapore reports in 2022, fees at $35 million. Total cost $140 million and an overall loss. Melbourne's operational costs are $60 million alone. CRASH magazine estimated that the 10 teams each spend $100 million on travel costs per season, that's an approximate income of $36 million per race, assuming local spending at $3 million each.

There is no income from TV rights, only attendance and visitor spending. Singapore, with an attendance of 250,000, reports around 40,000 international visitors. Ticket sales are at $300, and allowing for the same amount of spending by foreigners brings in $97 million and a total income of $133 million.

Assume Bangkok, as a new entrant, would need to pay petro-state hosting fees plus a lesser cost for daytime street races than Singapore and similar or greater attendance, then Thailand could generate an optimistic maximum 5 billion baht for a conservative estimated outlay of 5 billion baht.

Just how does Tourism Minister Sorawong Thienthong find an income of 12 billion baht? However, bring it on. Let's encourage Alex Albon to be Thailand's first world champion.

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