OPINION

Dig deeper, DSI

Re: "Probe seeks answers from Thai partners", (BP, April 8).

We learn that the Department of Special Investigation has discovered a number of Thai shareholder nominees allegedly connected to the contractor responsible for the collapsed State Audit Office building.

So, I wonder: Will the DSI prosecute the principal 40.8% Thai shareholder, supposedly a construction laborer earning just over 10,000 baht ($290) a month, to the full extent of the law and claim that justice has been served?

Or, will the government risk ruffling feathers and seek cooperation from China to investigate and prosecute all of the Chinese (and Thai) beneficiaries/facilitators in the chain, leading to the very top, however high that might be? Oh dear, it's so hot these days -- I think I need another Red Bull to quench my thirst for knowledge.

Workers face fallout

Re: "Arms deal with US could cut trade surplus", (BP, April 5) & "Manufacturers fret after tariff height", (Business, April 4).

After President Trump declared reciprocal tariffs on April 2 to numerous nations, blaming America's collapsing economy on their unfair tariffs against America, the suggestion that Thailand can lower its trade surplus with the United States by buying more weapons or Boeing jets, thereby reducing the tariff, is an illusion.

Mr Trump's tariff is nothing but a smokescreen for his plan to generate some $800 billion in revenue for the treasury. It is more likely that he will eventually push the nations levied with high tariffs to buy more US bonds with a longer due date.

Mr Trump does not care about the collapse of the stock market either. Apparently, he wants to push the US economy into recession to force a reduction in interest rates, a decision that the Federal Reserve is reluctant to support.

Many speculate that Mr Trump hopes that, with a low interest rate and a devalued US dollar, he can service some of the $36 trillion national debt.

To achieve his goal, Mr Trump is jeopardising the livelihood of millions of workers in Southeast Asia where their investments will be hardhit by the radical tariff policy.

Countries like Vietnam, which will face a 46% tariff, Cambodia (49%), Sri Lanka (44%), and Bangladesh (37%) rely heavily on exports to America, producing light industrial commodities like garments and spare parts for autos.

As the new tariff will be implemented on April 9, the lack of advance notice will lead to chaos and factory shutdowns.

Many factories throughout the region have already withheld shipping their goods before negotiating whether the importers in the US are willing to accept or able to pay the high tariff. Not to mention that any forthcoming orders for the new season will be held back for further observation.

Mr Trump compares tariffs to surgery, in which the patient, the United States, will live and heal. He did not mention that in the process, the patient requires a huge blood infusion, which is the blood of the people affected by the tariff throughout the region.

Bimstec blunder

Re: "Junta chief to attend summit in Bangkok", (BP, March 29).

Really disappointing to see Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra welcoming the head of the illegitimate government of Myanmar at the Bimstec meeting in Bangkok last week.

This goes against the policy of all the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to exclude the junta government for not complying with Asean's 5-point consensus. PM Paetongtarn must be hopelessly naive or encouraged by someone higher up in her political party.