OPINION

Tourist doldrums

Re: "Tourist arrivals to Thailand likely to stay flat", (Business, Dec 17).

Even though Thailand and China recently agreed to a tourist visa exemption, it does not seem that many more Chinese will arrive in the country next year. It does not help that the incoming Trump administration in the United States will soon be imposing import tariffs on various goods, the above writer stated. Not only will this deter an exodus of Chinese to the kingdom, but as columnist Chartchai Parasuk has previously pointed out, it will also stop the Thai economy from growing much in the upcoming year, if not even cause a contraction. So the economic prospects for both China and Thailand do not look so good in the near future.

Massage cover-up?

Re: "Young singer died of blood poisoning after massages", (BP, Dec 9).

There have been two news articles recently which, by irresponsible design, suggest that two deaths in Thailand have somehow been caused by traditional Thai massage. According to this report, a young mor lam singer died of septicaemia, a blood infection commonly acquired in hospitals after a patient receives what is commonly referred to as a drip. One might conclude that the deflection of responsibility for the death to massages (a one-in-a-million possibility) was intended to camouflage the obvious and highly probable iatrogenic cause. An autopsy would only confirm the septicaemia and could never confirm the "cause of death by massage" because there are no extensive medical records obtained immediately prior to and immediately after the massages took place. I find this reporting to be sensational journalism.

Housing benefits

Re: "PM pitches Housing for Thais project", (BP, Dec 15).

Elaborating on his daughter's recently announced Housing for Thais mega project, Pheu Thai's Big Boss told a recent gathering of the faithful down in Hua Hin that one million units will be built on government-owned land with 99-year leases, no down payments, with instalments amounting to Bt4,000 per month for 30 years. Topping off this good news, Thaksin added: "The houses will be fully furnished and will also have an electronic bidet toilet..."

Another very welcome New Year's "gift"?

Impressive Thaksin

Re: "Anwar taps Thaksin for Asean role", (BP, Dec 18).

It was sharp of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to tap Thaksin Shinawatra as an informal adviser when Malaysia assumes Asean's chairmanship next year.

He presumably believes that Khun Thaksin is a former fellow controversial "jailed" premier and likely admires him as a great survivor and success story in the economic and business world.

After being in self-imposed exile for 17 years, Khun Thaksin served time in prison for only a few hours when he returned.

PM Anwar actually had to serve six years in prison and he was also cruelly treated.

Thaksin's great success in economics and business, not to mention dealing with so many accusations and lawsuits for corruption, must have impressed everyone, not only PM Anwar.

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