OPINION

In defence of Anutin

Re: "Thailand hit by a confluence of crises", (Opinion, Dec 5).

Reading Thitinan Pongsudhirak's above column, one could be forgiven for assuming that before Anutin Charnvirakul became PM, there were no scam centres, no police corruption, nor any tropical storms.

Khun Thitinan cuts Anutin no slack. Apparently, the woes of the world can be laid at his doorstep. Indeed, I was surprised that Ajarn Thitinan didn't attempt to blame Mr Anutin for the debacle at the recent Miss Universe Competition.

No credit is given for Mr Anutin establishing good relations with both presidents Trump and Xi. His defence of Thai sovereignty without further bloodshed is dismissed as sabre-rattling. The Chinese rice order and efforts to boost rural incomes are not worthy of note. Nor is the successful rollout of the Kon La Khrueng scheme. His frequent visits to Hat Yai are also ignored. Unlike his predecessor, he didn't choose to hide in Bangkok but was active on the ground, taking responsibility.

Strangely, it is palpable that the columnist has not cast his sceptical eyes over the People's Party and Pheu Thai policies to deal with these crises.

No wonder, because they do not have any. One thing is clear: the People's Party make unreliable allies. One day they back Mr Anutin and the next they are flirting with Pheu Thai. I wish them well in forming a coalition after the election, should they fail to win a majority.

It's entirely a matter for the Thai people to decide who should form the next government. But to this observer, the choice is already clear. Chaos and conflict with the ideologues of the Pheu Thai: or a Pheu Thai government whose only concern would be securing the early release of Thaksin; or a pragmatic moderate centre ground government of reform with Mr Anutin at the helm.

Systemic flaws

Re: "Flood response fix", (PostBag, Dec 7) & "New sub-committees 'to boost readiness'", (BP, Dec 5).

Burin Kantabutra offers his usual sensible approach to current developments, pointing out flaws in the government's efforts to manage disasters and creating five subcommittees. All are Bangkok-based and represent disparate agencies which are often more interested in protecting their turf than cooperating, as the long history of disaster mismanagement has shown.

Perhaps a new approach is called for. A figure has recently emerged who has proven to network well with all sectors, including members of the current government, joining them together in large endeavours.

Health requires facts

Re: "Silent on autism", (PostBag, Dec 8).

I'll try to keep it as simple as possible for Michael Setter, who regularly writes to PostBag: With very rare exceptions, vaccines save lives. Vaccines do not cause autism. Vaccine deniers whose brains have been eaten by worms and who have no medical training or qualifications take lives.

It should be noted that the last time RFK Jr decided to throw his weight behind a campaign making false claims about vaccines, 83 people died in Samoa of a preventable disease, measles.

You have to wonder what sort of person would choose an unqualified conspiracy theorist as Secretary of Health and Human Services in an otherwise relatively developed nation.