Bangkok: Over the past week, Thailand has been the focus of attention on various issues, from the growing popularity of endurance sports to the crackdown on foreign investors who have illegally established themselves by exploiting legal loopholes. Peter John Van Haren, a foreigner who has resided in Thailand for over 36 years, offered an interesting perspective.

According to Thai News Agency, the HYROX sport craze, a competition testing physical strength held in Thailand, attracted nearly 20,000 participants, making it the largest such event in the world. However, beneath the "eye candy" image of fit athletes and expensive fashion, lies a tragic lesson: a South African coach died from overexertion. Peter emphasizes that before anyone considers competing following the trend, they should "assess themselves" carefully, because if their body can't handle it, pushing themselves might not be worth the risk.

Another hot issue is the "nominee" problem, or the use of Thai names to hold shares or land on behalf of foreigners to circumvent the law. Peter explains that in other countries, using a nominee may be permissible for privacy reasons, but clear documentation is required. However, in Thailand, it is mostly done to circumvent laws regarding foreign business and land ownership.

This operation is a collaboration between "outsiders" (foreigners with dishonest intentions) and "insiders" (Thais who betray their country for money), along with lawyers who exploit loopholes. Currently, many members of this network have been arrested in Phuket, Pattaya, and Phang Nga, with a massive turnover of billions of baht. Peter emphasized that "ignorance of the law is no excuse," and that both foreigners and Thais acting as nominees are 100% guilty under the law.

The most worrying aspect is Thailand's image in the eyes of transnational criminals. Many perceive "committing crimes in Thailand is easy," from not wearing a helmet to drug trafficking, believing they can easily solve problems with money or wait for a pardon. Peter argues that pardon systems exist worldwide, but they must be administered by a transparent and unbiased committee.

Thailand needs a rigorous and equitable "Rule of Law" system. The crackdown on nominees and shady capital shouldn't be just a "sweep," but require a "high-powered vacuum cleaner" to truly clean up the country. Crucially, all Thais must be vigilant, report suspicious activities, and cease supporting movements that undermine national security, so that Thailand will no longer be perceived as a haven for criminal gangs.