OPINION

Not data-driven

Re: "Harnessing data to boost road safety", (BP, Feb 17). Your special report today highlights a government initiative to tap into Japanese data collection in an effort to reduce the catastrophic number of people killed on Thai roads every year.

Last year alone, 18,000 fatalities were reported, half of whom were motorcyclists.

In my opinion, there is no need whatsoever to collect data to significantly reduce these numbers.

Of the 9,000 motorcyclists killed last year, a significant proportion would still be alive if they had been wearing a helmet.

If the Thai police did their job properly and enforced the obligation to wear a helmet whilst riding a motorbike, road accident fatalities could be dramatically reduced without the need to key into Japanese data-collection initiatives!

Asean draws a line

Re: "Junta expels East Timor diplomat", (World, Feb 16) & "Asean role in a new world order", (Opinion, Feb 16).

Apropos the photo accompanying the opinion on Asean related to the recent meeting, I could not help but notice that the flag of the country of Timor-Leste is missing. I am aware Timor-Leste was admitted into Asean in 2025.

Meanwhile, Timor-Leste's role in Asean has come under turbulence with a recent news report that its ambassador has been expelled from Myanmar for non-gratuitous interference in Myanmar's internal affairs. I note with interest that H E Nobel Laureate Jose Ramos Horta, the president of Timor-Leste, has taken up the cause of the minority Christians of Chin State in West Myanmar.

And while not wishing to be drawn into the controversy, I strongly believe that somewhere within the leadership of Asean, someone had better fully explain what Asean's golden principle of "non-interference" in the internal affairs of a member state really means in regard to violations of human rights, as the case may be, in this instance.

Indeed, Asean is a choice "middle power" and has several unenviable attributes to qualify it as a valuable partner in world affairs. But when will Asean learn to be more inclusive and mindful of its capstone reputation of being peace-loving and tolerant?

Myths about meds

Re: "HIV infections rising sharply among youth", (BP, Feb 17).

I became a volunteer nurse in my first Aids clinic in 1995, so I have over 30 years of experience with HIV/Aids, and I learned recently that there are some myths out there regarding today's antiviral medications, which suppress HIV/Aids.

First, contrary to common belief, the antiviral HIV drugs are not a cure. They are also about 99% effective, but not 100%. While rare, a small number of people can be allergic to any medication, such as a relative of mine who is allergic to common aspirin, and the antiviral drugs are no exception. A small number of people cannot tolerate them.

Last, truly avoiding HIV/Aids for three decades required life-altering changes to personal behaviour and sacrifices I doubt today's young generation has the fortitude to make. A cure is unlikely until nanotechnology is available in the 2030s, and until then, Aids still can kill. So these are facts a wise young person should know, but sadly, most of them do not.