LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Former PM's letter smacks of hypocrisy given his human rights abuses while in office
Re: "'It wasn't me, Thaksin insists", News, January 3. At present it remains unclear as to who perpetrated the Bangkok bombings. However, what is clear for all to see is the gross insincerity in Thaksin's letter.
He says in the letter, "I swear that I have never thought of hurting and spoiling the happiness of people, or destroying the country's credibility for political goals." Tell that to the families of the thousands who died in his so-called war on drugs. Moreover, he then has the temerity to say he would return to face any allegations if he were tried by a justice system that adheres to international standards. The hypocrisy and deceitfulness of this man clearly know no bounds. This letter is a stranger to the truth and should be held in the contempt it deserves. Dr John Symons Bangkok -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Blaming Thaksin seems to be an easy out for government
Re: "'It wasn't me, Thaksin insists", News, January 3. When an olive branch extended to southern insurgents proved to be a waste, blame Thaksin. When the economy started to go down after the coup, blame Thaksin. When the rulers hiked Army spending, blame Thaksin. When no foreign state leader is willing to visit the kingdom, blame Thaksin. When a bomb exploded, a school is burnt down or when any innocent people are killed by terrorists anywhere in the kingdom, blame Thaksin. To divert whatever criticisms against the junta and its puppets, blame Thaksin. Anyone can rule the country if blaming Thaksin is the way to manage matters. Unfortunately, such tactics only pull our country down further and faster. I wonder what we need these leaders for. As Easy As It Is Bangkok -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day of bombings suggests insurgents were not involved
Re: "'It wasn't me, Thaksin insists", News, January 3. It is very unlikely that Muslims did this, because it is considered extremely sinful to fight or even kill on the Eid-al-Adha days, on which the bombings occurred. This act on such a day would not only alienate southern Muslim Thais from the state, but from the militants, thereby being extremely counterproductive to their agenda. Most likely, the bombings were a warning shot by elements who have lost power because of the coup and are now afraid that they will be held responsible for their crimes. Whether Thaksin himself was personally involved in planning this horrible act cannot be determined at this time. However, his claims that he would never use violence are ridiculous after all the extra-judicial killings that occurred during his time as premier. Reality Bangkok -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Administration dismisses suspects at country's peril
Re: "Disregard for human life does nothing for anyone's cause", Opinion, January 3. It is really refreshing to read a column that doesn't rule out any possibilities instead of the government who blames the most convenient target. I don't want to rule out the possibility that it was done by "people who lost power" but I think we should look in all directions. In my opinion the government is making the "Madrid mistake" in ruling out Muslim terrorists because if they did it, it would mean that the policies for the South are a total failure. Jan Bangkok -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bangkok blasts carry the thumbprints of old regime
Re: "'It wasn't me, Thaksin insists", News, January 3. The modus operandi of this bombing suggests a clumsy attempt to throw the fault on the separatists and destabilise the government by scaring the public at large. The bombings show a different MO, different explosives, different effects and different ideological targets. The old regime showed time and again a callous contempt for Thais and human lives in general. So, why should Sunday's bombings be an exception? Undoubtedly the old system has much to lose - more than the separatists have to gain. As I remarked, the material and financial motive is a better clue to discover the real culprits. Krabong Bangkok -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Journalists ignoring possible role of Muslim insurgents
It is clear to me that it was either the Muslims in the South or the military. It is sad to see unprofessional journalists writing down everything an undemocratic regime says. There is no wish to even investigate. Again, the worst democratic elected government is better than any junta. Robert Bangkok -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tourism has enough obstacles without two-tier pricing
Re: "The two-tier pricing dilemma", Editorial, January 1. In this editorial, The Nation suggests that Thais are subject to two-tier pricing when they are abroad, and uses this as a justification for why foreigners should be subjected to the same rip-off while in Thailand. The editorial fails to provide information as to which countries have such practices. Please do the public a service and provide this list. Since Thailand's tourists provide a substantial amount of the country's revenue, hitting visitors with prices that are 10 times the rates paid by Thais is hardly a gesture of hospitality. Do Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) ads informing prospective visitors to Thailand about the country include two-tier pricing in the info they provide for these folks? Or would the TAT prefer those tourists to pass on the two-tier info when returning home? It's worth considering now because two-tier pricing may not be the only problem the Land of Smiles is now facing concerning tourism. Dave Robinson Bangkok -------------------------------------------------------------------------- New rules keep foreigners from collecting dividends
Dividend-oriented new foreign investors will be denied their dividends, as the new regulations do not allow these investors to open a Thai bank account. The new requirement for any foreigner conducting business in Thailand to have a valid work permit in order to open a local bank account is no doubt an inadvertent big regulatory mistake. This means that foreigners who invest for the long term in the SET will be unable to collect their rightfully earned Thai stock dividends. All dividend cheques issued by listed companies to their investors can only be endorsed by commercial Thai banks, never by brokers. And so to not be able to have a Thai bank account in place means no possibility to cash one's dividend cheques. Dividend oriented investors are the opposite of speculators - who trade and are rarely if ever interested in dividends - and so this new regulation is working against the very long-term investors Thailand surely still values. Paul A Renaud Thaistocks.com AG Zurich, Switzerland -------------------------------------------------------------------------- A call for democracy in Burma on its independence day
The National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB) conveys warm greetings and best wishes to all the people of Burma on this auspicious 59th independence anniversary today. Although Burma was freed from colonialism on independence day, the people of Burma do not enjoy real freedom. Since the military coup of March 2, 1962, the country and its entire population have suffered the worst forms of oppression. The current political situation in Burma is extremely depressing on all sides and is now worse than it has ever been. The military regime wants to prolong this situation and legitimise their role by conducting a sham national convention and issuing a military dominated constitution, a process that is approaching its conclusion. This is an outright and abject refusal to solve the problems of Burma through dialogue, which the United Nations, democratic forces and Burmese nationals are calling for. It is high time to discard the sham National Convention and all its effluent waste that the military group is trying to use to justify their wrongs and prolong their evil misrule. Instead, it is necessary that a genuine federal constitution based on human rights, democracy and a genuine federal system be implemented to guarantee the security and prosperity for all of Burma's people. Therefore, we, the NCUB adopt the federal constitution which was drawn up according to the guidelines of the eight basic principles laid down by all political parties, organisations on February 12, 2005 and within the guidelines laid down by the eighth congress with respect to its strategic objectives until our objectives are reached. May all the people of Burma be free from the rule of dictatorship. National Council of the Union of Burma Bangkok
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