OPINION

Safe haven club

Re: "The baht is almost as good as gold", (Opinion, Sept 18).

Chartchai Parasuk's article on currency is excellent.

I am sure I was not alone in my confusion as to why the baht is gaining strength at the same time as the Bank of Thailand has been cutting interest rates. It's not as if the Thai economy has been powering ahead.

I knew that gold gains in value when the US dollar is weak but I had no idea the baht is viewed as a safe haven currency because of the strong foreign reserves held by Thailand, which shares this distinction with Switzerland and Singapore. Thanks to Khun Chartchai for clearing up this mystery.

What do these safe haven countries with strong foreign reserves have in common? Over the years they have all avoided involvement in wars.

Give thanks to vax

Re: "Vascular woes" (PostBag, Sept 20) and "Heart disease now hitting younger Thais", (BP, Sept 17).

It is worrying to know that Covid-19 can affect the heart organ.

Diane Archer argues that such trends have been noticed since 2019. It is good that since the pandemic, scientific studies can keep an eye on it.

Thanks to vaccines reducing the risk of Covid-19, people in the world are less vulnerable to health threats.

Hosts play with fire

Re: "ABC pulls plug on Jimmy Kimmel show", (World, Sept 19).

The departures of Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel, and who knows next, are apparently for a number of reasons, officially costs and ratings, but there is also a common occurrence, they criticised President Trump a lot.

He has commented: "...all they do is hit Trump," and "I would think maybe their licence should be taken away."

Maybe I could use the same approach with those that have displeased me, the bully in Gade two, the gym teacher who doubted my ability (although accurately), and the English teacher who said I was going to fail badly, although I am not sure how you could fail well.

A frail ego needs a lot of protection at times but it shouldn't be at the cost of other people's jobs.

No tourism proof

Re: "Tourism crash" (PostBag, Sept 18).

Jason Jellison is correct that Thailand has lost a lot of tourist income with the 7.1% drop in tourists.

His suggested causes and solutions are based on nothing but unsubstantiated fantasy. He presents no evidence linking the drop with either legalised cannabis use or promoting Thailand as an attractive destination for well-heeled LGBTQ visitors. That is because no such evidence exists.

It is a fact that cannabis use that is likely more recreational than medicinal has increased among one Thai demographic; still, I find it hard to believe that tourists are not coming to Thailand because of reports of 50 year-olds roaming the streets after enjoying a cannabis infused gummy.

As has always been the case, it is the loud, loutish behaviour of drunks who have consumed too much alcohol that continues to turn people off. Such public intoxication turns me off, too.

People planning their holidays tend to consider such factors as cost, safety and health, climate, leisure activities, cultural interests, and so on.

None of these are related to whether cannabis is legal or illegal.

Even less is there any demonstrable connection with promoting tourism to niche markets such as the LGBTQ community.

Chinese, especially, worry about safety. They are more likely to be turned off by reports of fellow Chinese being kidnapped or scammed, or reports from fellow travellers of drunken louts ruining an evening out.

Rising costs, including from the baht's strengthening, and safety concerns, or simply better promotion of their natural and cultural delights by Vietnam and other nations are more likely causes of Thailand's declining tourist numbers.

Before penning his next diatribe, Mr Jellison should perhaps spend a little time reflecting critically on how well reason or evidence support his pet bugaboos: it is neither LGBTQ friendliness nor mellowed middle-aged cannabis users who are scaring off tourists.