Re: "Reckless statements", (PostBag, Sept 30).
It is unfair to bash the army about the GT200 debacle, since the first purchase was made in 2005, under the regime of, guess who. Yes, the man in Dubai. So the corruption agency should go after the real culprit, not the army.
Let me also add that it is wrong to jump all over the junta government for its political shenanigans, eg the herding of venal politicians by the Palang Pracharath Party to support Gen Prayut [Chan-o-cha] as the next prime minister.
This tactic has been pioneered by, guess who. Yes, the man in Dubai.
Don't just blame this government for its monkey business, you'll have to blame, you know who.
He set bad examples for others to follow: manipulating the coming election, using mobile cabinet meeting to solicit votes, paying lip service about megaprojects to key provinces, oppressing rival political parties, wearing super luxury watches.
Monkey see, monkey do.
Somsak Pola
Samut Prakan
Welcome older tourists
Interesting figures revealed in the BP's editorial page on Sept 26, entitled "Birth rewards fail the test". It said today's 70 million Thais will be 62 million by 2050, and the average age is increasing from 37 to 49; the ageing of the country continues and the number of young people will decline, etc.
The implication from the findings is that a shrinking labour force resulting from Thailand's successful birth control will be accompanied by an increasing trend of schools and/or higher academic institutions' foreclosure and mergers due to a relatively fewer number of students.
It also follows that an increasing use of robots, AI and other automated technology to replace labour in manufacturing and other sectors will become unavoidable.
The ageing population may increase the government burden in terms of providing more health care and living facilities for these unproductive workers. In this sense, it may negatively affect economic growth.
Nonetheless, an ageing population, here in Thailand and other countries, could be a significant source of earnings through tourism since most tourists are, more likely than not, older people, particularly those overseas tourists whose already spend a lot of money in Thailand.
In this sense, an ageing population becomes an asset. The government should plan to formulate a good strategy and programme to promote increased tourism from older people.
Akeaaroon Auansakul
Poor getting poorer
The other day I got into a conversation with a friendly Thai and asked if he had seen an improvement in the economy and the moves against combating corruption since the junta had taken control of the country. Surprisingly, and taking into account the daily reporting of increased exports and a rise in GDP, he said he saw little or no difference to the amount of money in the pockets or ordinary Thais.
He did, however, state that he noticed a difference in the fight against corruption. It used to be the case, he said, that most Thais believed that a little corruption was OK, as long as everyone gained from it.
Using the example of the bar/club owner who paid under the table for his bar to remain open after hours, thereby increasing the potential income of his staff and putting more money into the economy, and that of the dispersal of street hawkers, forcing customers to use 7 Eleven stores and having to pay a higher price for their food.
He called it the trickle down effect or crumbs from the table, which he stated had now dried up. He did however quantify this by making the observation that it seemed that this only applied to ordinary poor Thais and for the people with money and power, little had changed. The rich get richer while the poor get poorer, he said.
Brian Corrigan
Contact: Bangkok Post Building
136 Na Ranong Road Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110
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