Supalak Ganjanakhundee reports on the sorry state of the investigation into the forced disappearance of the human-rights defender Somchai Neelaphaijit. Probably the most to be expected from the rush to find and identify the remains of the victim will be to end the uncertainty of Somchai's family. But it is unlikely that a trail of evidence can lead from the remains to justice and a conviction of the guilty.

The trail of evidence lies instead in the records of the mobile-phone calls. Supalak speaks of the "absence of solid proof", noting in his next sentence that, "if the DSI has only the phone records, it will not be able to develop its case fully". By way of "solid proof" he cites "a suspect's fingerprint" or "DNA tests proving the suspects were at crime scene".

The allusion to fingerprinting and DNA testing is ironic at a time when, worldwide, the analysis of mobile-phone records has become the third great forensic tool in the detection of crime. One should recall that when DNA results were first proposed as evidence lawyers attempted to invalidate the new tool by referring to the residual statistical probability that two people might have the same DNA signatures. No doubt the same argument was made when identity by fingerprinting was proposed.

When the prosecutor first introduced the analysis of mobile-phone calls during the trial of the five policemen accused of abducting Somchai, he was so confident of the validity of the evidence that he appealed to those in the court to refrain from allowing details of the technology to become known outside the court so that the full value of the technique could be availed of in future trials. The failure of the evidence to convince the judges was caused by its inadequate presentation, leaving openings to the queries of defence lawyers, who raised valid points about incongruities in the details listed. The inexperience of the prosecution in using such evidence and the inadequate training of the low-ranking official who made the technical presentation resulted in unsatisfactory answers. Defence lawyers further confused the issue by raising seemingly technical difficulties that were in fact irrelevant.

In rightly rejecting the unsatisfactory presentation of the evidence the Thai judges repeated what had happened elsewhere when the analysis of mobile-phone records was first proposed as evidence. However, since that time great advances in the forensic analysis of mobile-phone records have been made. Computer software and analytical skills have been developed to help in the complex analysis of time and place of origin of the calls. But more importantly, justice systems have come to accept the analysis of mobile-phone records as a valid forensic tool leading to conviction.

The case of Somchai's disappearance has become an issue of national honour. The use of mobile-phone evidence as a forensic tool is widely accepted throughout the world. Hopefully, the basic mobile-phone records relating to the Somchai case still exist. In such complex cases police services abroad routinely use specialised consultant companies to prepare the evidence. While this is an expensive option, there may be no other way to bring the Somchai case to a conclusion. But there is the added benefit that the use of such consultancy may be needed to convince the Thai judiciary of the admissibility of this valuable new form of evidence and to introduce its use to Thai investigators.

Danthong Breen

Bangkok

--------------------------------------

Coup is for nothing unless the guilty are imprisoned

 It is obvious that ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra is scheming a comeback. It is more obvious when his spokesman affirms the opposite. It is even more obvious when you splash on the front page news about a taxi driver who "sacrificed himself for democracy" and is being worshipped as a hero, while the real hero, Auditor-General Jaruvan Maintaka, is being chastised on page 2 for being too aggressive.

Having lived through six "coups", all I can say is that this last one is no different from the former ones.

As long as the new government does not throw the book at all those who have cheated, stolen and killed, and subsequently thrown them in jail, whether prime minister or gophers, we can't expect a change in the way corrupt politicians will take advantage of the people.

Why can South Korea and the Philippines throw their prime ministers and presidents in jail and Thailand not?

MGB

Bangkok

---------------------------------------

CNS needs to show action, not public-relations blitz

 It's just amazing that nothing is being done yet to rid this country of the Thai Rak Thai Party. Everything I read about this passive government is disturbing. It is apparent that Thaksin is still running and controlling the country.

It is such a turnaround after the second week of the coup. It seemed that the coup-makers were serious as they detained certain characters who in my view are treasonous to the country, but then they let them go. And while the Thai Rak Thai and Thaksin play the Council for National Security (CNS) for fools, I read a very foolish published statement by its leader Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who said: "I wonder why the Thai Embassy in Beijing did not report to us about his travels."

I wonder why? That doesn't make us Thai people very confident of our future. Add Thaksin's police who roam around unperturbed, maintaining the police state and all the draconian laws, rules, immigration and procedures which have destroyed many Thai livelihoods, and it certainly makes all of us wonder what the coup was really for?

I think the CNS had better forget about their PR campaign. What we want to see is action, not words. What does it take to get the CNS to act? Or have they become the protectors of the Thai Rak Thai? It sure looks that way.

Another Thai Disappointment

Bangkok

-------------------------------------

Time to consider proper ideas for energy conservation

 I'm glad that the interim government has recognised that past measures to save energy, like closing petrol stations early, were all form and no substance.

I fully agree with Energy Minister Piyasvasti Amranand's drive to strictly enforce road speed limits, but the police have never seriously done so. Instead, use market forces to accomplish the job. Form private-sector teams, each accountable to a senior traffic officer, and each supplying its own speed guns, etc. They would impose on-the-spot fines, with receipts. Fines would be split 50-50 between team members and the police department, with bonuses for high-performing teams (like how Amway motivates its sales staff). To prevent abuse of power, motorists could challenge fines in court, and, if found guilty, the traffic team would be punished according to law.

Also, road-usage and car-registration fees should rise geometrically to discourage gas guzzling, with the revenues going to promote mass transit.

Look overseas for ideas: in Singapore, a "certificate of entitlement" to buy a car often costs as much as the car itself. See New York City, where illegally parked cars are rapidly towed away - thus speeding traffic flow - and where off-street parking costs a small fortune, thus encouraging use of mass transit. Follow Prague, which issues parking permits only to residents of that given district, so you can park only where you live. Consider Beijing and Amsterdam, with their broad cycle lanes and widespread use of cycles. See Hokkaido, with its multitude of Jazz-sized cars and dearth of big ones.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

--------------------------------------

Pattaya's development boom is ruining its environment

 The ongoing construction throughout the seaside resort of Pattaya is starting to take its toll on the environment. Recent rains have washed a lot of the dust and silt from the town into the bay. Seasonal tidal changes have been pushing this slurry onto Jomtien Beach and there are tons of sediment spread over a few kilometres a few metres below the high-tide mark. There are already various forms of marine life settling into this sediment, which will inevitably change the aesthetic appeal of the beach.

Too much construction is leading towards irreparable damage of the environment. Unless steps are taken to curb the causes of such destruction, another natural beauty is going to be ruined by a lack of forethought.

Steve Martin

Chon Buri

------------------------------------

Genuine Thai travellers will face no problem in S Korea

 Re: "Warning to Thai citizens travelling to South Korea", Letters, November 3.

As a manager working for the Korea Tourism Organisation's Bangkok office, I would like to express regret for what Brian Elkey witnessed at passport control in Incheon Airport.

The issue of illegal foreign workers, and the social and economic problems they can cause, is taken seriously by Korean immigration - much like in any other country. Over the years, Korean authorities have been proactive in improving the standard of how to treat suspected illegal workers. This isolated incident, while regrettable, is not reflective of how all Thais are treated upon entry into Korea.

Nearly 115,000 Thais visit Korea yearly and those with the genuine purpose of travelling do not need to worry about being treated in the manner described by Elkey. For him to suggest that all Thais are treated like this "every time [they] arrive at Incheon without some invitation or authorisation" is simply not true. The fact that the number of Thai tourists to Korea has jumped by over 16 per cent this year alone is evidence enough that Thais are enjoying their visits to Korea.

Korean immigration and the Korea Tourism Organisation are very responsive in dealing with suspected issues of visitor mistreatment. In addition to implementing mandatory customer service programmes and reviews, regular surveys are carried out to gauge visitor satisfaction. Should you have any questions or comments regarding visiting Korea, please feel free to contact us at koreainfo@kto.or.th or visit our Thai website www.kto.or.th.

Tony Jung

Bangkok