Growth game plan
Re: "TDRI wants govt to upskill workers", (BP, March 10) & "Indonesia's lack of skilled youths hinders growth", (World, March 12).
According to the latest ILO stats, Thailand's labour productivity, defined as GDP per hours worked, ranks regionally 4th ($18.5 which is 625 baht) after Singapore ($96.9), Brunei ($71.3), and Malaysia ($30.4), followed by Indonesia ($15.7), Vietnam ($12.4), Philippines ($12.1). The picture remains, by and large, unchanged over the past decade. Thailand, long mired in the "middle-income trap", seems to be compulsively unnerved by the emerging economic power of regional peers, but enhancing productivity has proven to be a daunting challenge for all.
Thai leaders should chalk out a solid game plan to boost productivity. Thailand should at least double per capita income if it craves to join a club of high-income countries within a targeted timeline before it is too late.
Through structural reforms like cutting red tape and policy stability, Thailand can prioritise attracting FDI into the targeted sectors, which would help firms invest heavily in human capital and encourage cross-border technology transfer to gain competitiveness. Moreover, Thai firms should offer attractive career development opportunities for young aspiring talent. Otherwise, Thailand risks an exodus of discouraged high performers and capital flight. In the long run, Thailand should invest in R&D and nurture its unique, innovative startup ecosystem, spearheaded by local entrepreneurs.
Ninja Kun
Jumbo showcase
Re: "Riding the wave", (PostBag, March 1).
I invite Eric Bahrt to come to Pattaya, where an "Elephant Parade" is occurring throughout this month.
Elephant statues of various sizes, colours, and lengths are featured at the Terminal Center for a price, of course. The proceeds are purportedly used to help feed, care for, and improve the conditions of elephants at various sanctuaries and parks across the country.
This is a golden opportunity for the above-mentioned man and others who truly care about elephants in Thailand to provide some support for these incredible animals.
Paul
Rethink gender bias
Re: "Gender gap won't close without change", (Opinion, March 12).
The first gender statistic quoted is that Thai women live for 80 years while men live shorter lives by 11%, but this massive inequality is completely ignored.
Fifteen percent fewer women work than men. Not that bad, given childcare preferences, but TDRI expert Dr Boonwara Sumano then claims a third (35%) of women are "prevented" from working and ignores the 25% of men who also don't work. I wonder if Dr Boonwara thinks 25% of men are also "prevented" from working or that they're just lazy.
Women also hire women, she says. Why aren't women fair and just hire the best person for the job? Men are expected not to discriminate, so why not women?
The problem is that what Dr Boonwara suggests as a remedy, such as gender-responsive procurement or other responses, such as quota-based recruitment and diversity-equity-inclusion (DEI) policies, is blatantly and inherently unfair in itself.
Women aren't helped by building preferential treatment, bias and favoured status into the system. They're helped by being encouraged to compete on a level playing field.
Dr Boonwara is actually encouraging the notion that women are inferior and need special help.
Sibeymai
