The Supreme Administrative Court has agreed to prosecute caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, caretaker Energy Minister Viset Choopiban and the Cabinet for having failed to follow the proper process when privatising PTT. This case follows hard on the recent decision by the same court to stop the privatisation of Egat on almost exactly the same grounds - conflicts of interest, lack of public participation, and abuse of the rules. On the other hand, the difference is a very conspicuous one - in the earlier case consumer groups blew the whistle before the privatisation deal was completed, and in the latter the sell-out has already been completed. Indeed, the Egat case had little immediate financial impact on the economy, while a negative verdict in the PTT case would probably force the government to buy back all of the shares it sold in 2001, resulting in some Bt200 billion in losses to the Thai people. And that's quite a rub!

But let's look at it in another way. Because the Thai Rak Thai government got away with it so easily in 2001, it was emboldened to do the same thing all over again. Now we're looking back at the PTT deal, the third along with the dubious legal muddle surround the sale of Shin Corp to Temasek last February, which resulted in a whopping Bt73 billion tax-free windfall for the PM's family. With the PTT deal we need a much louder whistle, one that sounds its alarm in the only place these people are capable of hearing - way down in their pockets.

Not to worry, Bt200 billion in court damages can be met by such a large group of rich defendants - not easily, but nevertheless it can be done. Indeed they may not even have to sell all of their cars!

Lung Kip

Chiang Mai

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Small retailers' selfish bid to limit public's choice

Re: "Big retailers ordered to suspend all expansions", News, September 7.

Small retailers have appealed to stop foreign-owned superstores from expanding into their communities. The shopkeepers should take their case to their elected representatives, and, if they find their MPs unresponsive, ask themselves if they should vote for those people again. But I also suggest that the retailers are crying because consumers are opting for the better selection, cheaper goods and longer hours available from superstores and convenience shops - and why shouldn't they? Retailers wail about the loss of relationships that such stores are causing, yet they fight to force their neighbours and relatives to pay more for less by buying from small stalls. The retailers' concern is not for their neighbours, but themselves.

Whether or not these retail giants are foreign owned is irrelevant and is a red herring. I see many retailers setting up shop around the Big C near my house, so that customers drawn to Big C also can enjoy the liveliness and handmade products of small shops. I also understand that superstores are selling Thai products overseas. That's an excellent way to coexist - for all, whether big or small, must learn to adapt to whatever is best for the mass of consumers.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

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Academics offer their perspectives on deep South

Re "Leave the door open for talks", Editorial, September 7. All readers may agree with the conclusion of the editorial. Indeed, there is an urgent need for meaningful negotiations in Thailand's deep South, and for a "well-thought-out campaign to win sufficient public trust on which to build a better future based on respect for cultural and religious diversity and peaceful coexistence".

This generous idea was deeply debated during the recent successful conference on "Understanding conflict and approaching peace in Southern Thailand", organised and hosted by Assumption University with the Bangkok Office of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

As explained by Dr Bancha Saenghiran, the president of Assumption University, the main objective of the meeting was to offer a forum for Thai and international academics and public figures to explain and discuss the historical background and the causes behind the unrest in the deep South, and to offer suggestions about how to build peace in that region. Many suggestions, some going beyond Thailand, were put forward.

One of them referred to the advisability of including the subject "Peaceful settlement of disputes/conflicts", in the curricula of all universities. This could be done in harmony with the relevant United Nations and Unesco recommendations in the field of education which are far from being implemented by the members of the world community of nations.

Ioan Voicu

Visiting Professor

Assumption University

Bangkok

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Stingray cartoon insensitive at a time many are grieving

Re: "Stephff's View", Opinion, September 6. I found the cartoon in Wednesday's paper (featuring a caricature of a stingray with 'wildlife warning labels' affixed to it) to be extremely offensive in terms of the timing of its publication. Steve Irwin has done more to promote the wellbeing of animals than most people have and his death is tragic. His family is grieving. I am surprised that you published the cartoon at this time.

Ted Dunn

Mukdahan

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Irwin helped teach easily distracted kids about the wild

Re: "Shed no tears for animal-tormenting crocodile hunter", Letters, September 7.

Eric Bahrt, like Germaine Greer, is completely out of touch. In paradise, nature would be allowed to go about its business without interference from man. We do not, however, live in paradise.

Anyone who stays in touch with today's world has to realise that the young today are nothing like the young of even one generation ago. Today's is a "me" generation and self-centredness is the rule of the day. They are bombarded with a daily media blitz of sight and sound stimulation and are mostly unable to appreciate subtlety in any form. Watch the popular television shows of any nation - they are mostly brainless "reality" programmes that have no educational value whatsoever for the viewer. The only way to get through to this group is to follow the current trends.

This is why people like Steve Irwin are true heroes. This man has done more to educate the young about wildlife than practically any other person on earth has. He has taught millions of kids and adults to love and respect nature. If he hasn't done it in a manner considered dignified or "politically correct" by the likes of Bahrt and Greer, well, too bad for them. He has spent his life contributing to the betterment of this planet, which is more than can be said for most. The families of anyone, even enemies, deserve respect and sympathy in times of mourning. That these two, and others like them, have the gall to say what they do in this terribly sad time for the Irwin family only shows what insensitive people they are. Shame on the Eric Bahrts and the Germaine Greers of the world.

Amelia Komlertkul

Bangkok

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Political parties will always do whatever they can to win

Re: "He can win elections, but can he govern the country?", Opinion, September 7.

That is what is likely to happen in a parliamentary democracy with political parties: the group that organises best for winning elections will rule.

This has nothing to do with the best leader or government being selected. Rather, the winner is the most determined to win by any means possible and the one with the most money behind them.

I know that in Germany, parties resort to lying and trickery every day to convince people that they are the right choice. Once the elections are over, they put through their agenda, which also serves special interest groups, and tell the people that this would be good policy with a strong propaganda effort.  Once in power, they take every step possible to eliminate opposition through getting or keeping control over the media and courts etc. Opposition to that usually can stop only some of what happens and many aren't even aware of what happens.

Political parties go for power. That is what they are designed for. That does not mean that this results in good policy. Political wisdom does not develop in political parties, what derives from them is more a sense of getting control over all and everything. This means going back to an authoritarian state for instance by means of regulating everything.

Randolph Weinand

Bangkok

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Secret prison news no surprise given US history of telling lies

The admission by the US government that secret CIA prisons actually do exist is hardly surprising. What is surprising is the gullibility of people who believed the earlier stringent denials. How many times has the US been caught lying? I'm not referring only to George W Bush and his pals, but in recent history, particularly post World War II and through citizen's use of freedom of information, the US has been found to be less than truthful.

Therefore, it is no surprise that respect for the US is declining worldwide. Nobody likes a liar. Basic schoolyard psychology applies: the liar draws into their circle of influence those who believe they may benefit from association with the liar, either because they believe the liar's claims, or because they seek to benefit from others believing the liar's claims. Ultimately, the lies drive apart even those seeking alliance with the liar.

It is truly pathetic to watch a once great nation like the United States of America being reduced to the status of a lying schoolyard bully. If democracy and freedom truly exist in the US surely this would not be able happen. If democracy and freedom truly exist in the US wouldn't free thinking citizens be ashamed enough to effect change?

There is a lesson for Thailand to learn from this given that the credibility of the US administration and the Thaksin regime is much the same, and for much the same reasons.

Sibeymai

Bangkok

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