Thailand Memo to the minister of economic development of Thailand:

In recent years, Thailand has come far in rehabilitating its public image. Thailand was one of the East Asian nations that experienced the quickest recovery from the 1997-98 Asian Financial Crisis, unlike Japan, which has lingered in the economic doldrums since. Unlike the rapidly aging employable population of Japan, Thailand's young and invigorated population is booming. Our nation's economy was listed as one of East Asia's best performers in 2002 and 2003. "Increased consumption and investment spending and strong export growth pushed GDP growth up to 6.3% in 2003 despite a sluggish global economy." (Government Guide, 2004)

No longer a mere tourist hub in the eyes of the West, for foreigners desirous of engaging in perverse fantasies, Thailand's complex Buddhist culture and the profundity of its social infrastructure has come to the forefront for both professional Western scholars of the philosophy and eager amateur students from all over the world. Also, from a businessperson's standpoint, Thailand's longstanding free-enterprise economy has been welcoming to foreign investment....

Its main exports have featured textiles and footwear, fishery products, rice, rubber, jewelry, automobiles, computers and electrical appliances. "The highly popular government has pushed an expansionist policy, including major support of village economic development." (Government Guide, 2004)
It would be tragic if the current public health crisis that Thailand must address before it is too late, impinged upon this successfully rehabilitated public image. Such urges to stem the bird flu scare have not only come from tourists and Western governments. (Reuters, 2004) A recent article on the front of the Bangkok Post stated Hotel operators and travel agents have called on the government to quickly and accurately clarify the bird flu situation to the world community in order to secure the lucrative tourism industry in the coming high season. (2004)

The Bird flu epidemic is thus both a public health crisis of real impact, and a potential economic crisis for a nation dependant upon tourism, and improving its public image as a safe, family-friendly destination. Thai authorities should be commended for their openness regarding the epidemic's spread, as…