Time to change
Re: "Pichai supports decree for swift SEC punishment", (Business, Jan 31).
Some 15 years ago, I met the then-president for markets for alternative investment (MAI) under the Thai Stock Exchange and asked him about the issue of law enforcement in securities. He said the problem was that any prosecution must go through the Royal Thai Police -- and this invariably brings on a lack of understanding -- and as such, often faces long delays.
Then, some 2-3 years ago, the SEC president of the time was quoted in the news as saying this problem must change. Today, we read yet again about the same issue and how changes are necessary.
However, still nothing has improved. Why?
The SET/SEC and its SET/SEC-licenced brokers need to embark on real reforms to instil new trust and improve credibility with real "teeth" for enforcement.
This is so the stock exchange can nurture viable savings and investment alternatives, compared to just bank deposits and property investments.
Paul A Renaud
Support needed
Re: "Mahidol launches fund for Thailand's first 'living drug' facility", (BP, Jan 29) & "Readiness for artificial intelligence-powered tech edges up", (Business, Jan 23).
It is pleasing to read more news about science projects and that more students are opting for science-related career choices, but it's a pity there are few qualified, experienced science teachers to provide the education they need.
How would sports teams do without their coaches? Actually, a couple might be better off, but without teachers, science will fall into a malaise and astrology will replace astronomy.
Everyone seems to want STEM subjects to be a priority, but governments have to support education for this to happen.
Dennis Fitzgerald
It's their job!
Re: "Media stirs the pot", (PostBag, Jan 31).
In yet another piece of pro-Trump sycophancy, Michael Setter chooses to gloss over the chaos caused by Donald Trump's ambiguous and ill-advised freeze on federal spending, and instead criticises the press for reporting it.
It caused the expected howls of derision from the people charged with managing federal funding, and the press have a responsibility to report this to the public.
It's not what "We the People" expected in America, any more than Mr Trump attempting to subvert the constitution by trying to outlaw birthright citizenship.
As an aside, "We the Trump people" represent less than a third of the American voting population.
As even one Republican senator put it, the directive was "overreaching and created unnecessary confusion and consternation".
Just imagine, we have another four years of the amateur in the White House ahead of us, and presumably another four years of Mr Setter trying to make excuses for him or blaming the nasty press, the Bangkok Post included, for telling people about him.
Tarquin Chufflebottom
Major concern
Re: "Currencies", (Business, Feb 1).
I am surprised there have been no comments recently in PostBag about the steady depreciation of the GBP/USD against the mighty baht.
What are the reasons for the drop? Someone better get their act together as citizens of these countries (and others) will most likely think twice about reaching into their wallets and spending more on increasingly expensive holidays here, despite seductive government hoopla in the arena of international competition.
They will opt for cheaper Southeast Asian countries, which are far more welcoming and less polluted. But Thai hubris refuses to accept this fact.
Moreover, long-term expat residents, especially retirees, are being adversely affected, which also has a knock-on effect on the economy although this is probably dismissed as trifling.
Bill Renoise
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