Economy cannot grow without basic freedoms

 Vint Chavala has shared many truths in his letters, but his suggestion that Thailand’s economic destiny is in the East is false, especially if you consider India and China. You can never have economic growth without freedom of expression. You also need a degree of income equality. The East is a long way from achieving either of these. Even in Thailand the government wants all mobile-phone users to register, citing security concerns. Is it serious?

By the way, Vint, if you lived in any number of other countries in the East, the authorities would never have permitted publication of your letter.

Brian

Samui