Bannawit Kengrien, chairman of the National Legislative Assembly committee inspecting problems at Suvarnabhumi, said that Airports of Thailand (AOT) should not have to shoulder the costs of moving to Don Muang because the incident was unexpected. Just exactly how was it unexpected?

A lot of people warned against opening the airport before it was ready. Furthermore the cracks in the tarmac were reported almost two years ago already. Everyone knew about the corruption. There is absolutely nothing unexpected about this.

AOT was the supervisor of this project - they are liable to compensate damaged parties, no matter what the reason is. AOT should then claim damages from those contractors.

Web Reader

Bangkok

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US government does not owe Abhisit an explanation

Re: "Abhisit wants US to explain lobbyists", News, February 9.

I hope someone from the US has the gumption to tell Abhisit Vejjajiva to get lost. Thaksin is free to hire whoever he wants for whatever reason he wants. He's not a criminal by any legal definition and the US government has no say as to what the lobbying firm should or shouldn't do. Maybe the question should be: "Why doesn't Abhisit Vejjajiva explain why he is meddling in US economic and political affairs?"

You know where this is going: Thailand versus the US - "The Junta Handbook" chapter three.

Anthony D

Bangkok

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Complaining to PR company directly the correct route

Thais who feel betrayed by the US because it has allowed Thaksin to hire US-based lobbyists are mistaken. Unlike some other countries - like Thailand under Thaksin - the American government will not interfere with the client selection of such companies. It's illegal.

If Thais want to show their displeasure, they can show it toward the two companies that have retained Thaksin. Simply go to the "Contact" link at the top or bottom of their Website home pages and tell them what you think. This is the correct way. Give Uncle Sam a break for a change.

Old Friend of Thailand

USA

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Ex-PM doing what he can to counter junta media silencing

Re: "Frequently asked questions on troubled political times", Opinion, February 9.

I agree that most of these are good questions, and while I don't agree with all the answers, it's great to see analysis that will generate positive thinking from all camps. One criticism related to the third question: "What is Thaksin's intention in hiring an international public relations firm and two US lobbyists?" This is not something that investment analysts, businessmen and diplomats are curious about. This is only a mystery to some within the Thai media who are reticent to criticise the junta. Your answer also reflects your unwillingness to call a military spade "a spade". So let me answer it for you: Thaksin hired US PR firms and lobbyists because he was deposed by a military junta. Since then, the military junta has closed radio stations, intimidated local media by stationing troops outside TV channels, and eventually ordered the Thai broadcast media and cable operators not to report or show the ex-PM - period.

He has a right to counter the propaganda dished up here with his own spin. No mystery there, it's quite straightforward. But why you purport this to be an issue amongst foreigners in Thailand is a mystery to me.

Real Politik

Bangkok

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CNS can now get to work uprooting Thaksin-era graft

Thank you Thanong, you see the whole picture. You are right, Thaksin is finished.

He is using the public relations firms because he has no home and nowhere to go, and he lost a lot of face with his family, the only one he cares about.

When he was prime minister, his ministers never dared to say anything. Somkid Jatusripitak and Thanong Bidaya never said one word. Somkid can never be prime minister because he never rejected Thaksin, his political patron.

The best people in this government - like Council for National Security (CNS) assistant secretary-general Saprang Kalayanamitra - now have some real power and will start to do what the CNS was supposed to do: uproot all Thaksin corruption.

For the constitution, Prasong Soonsiri is a pro and will do a good job. The mandate of the Surayud government is to clean up the dirty Temasek deal - take back concessions and return them to the people - and get state assets back. All Thai people support them towards this end!

Gold

Bangkok

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Chula's hosting of Somkid throws neutrality into doubt

Re: "Chula bans book critical of coup", News, February 9.

The official line from Chulalongkorn University regarding their banning a book about the September 19 coup from being sold is, "We are an educational institution, so we decided to be neutral". But at the same time there is a speech being given by Somkid Jatusripitak next week at Sasin (Friday). The expectation is that Dr Somkid is going to announce his launch of a new political party. Sasin is the graduate institute of business administration of Chulalongkorn University. Why didn't Sasin and Chulalongkorn reject Somkid's offer to speak? Does Chulalongkorn pick and choose when it wants to be politically neutral? Inquiring minds want to know.

Iamsam

Bangkok

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Best counter to TRT is to strengthen democracy

Council for National Security (CNS) chairman General Sonthi Boonyaratglin is focusing more on preventing Thaksin's comeback than promoting democracy. I suggest that his priorities should be reversed: make our fragile democracy robust, and not only will Thaksin be unable to come back politically, his clones will suffer a like fate. As things stand now, even if Thaksin vanished, others, like his wife, could lead Thai Rak Thai or a new party, and his followers could rally to her side. If the CNS and the government fostered a "government of the people, by the people, and for the people", even if a person guilty of all Thaksin's alleged crimes ran for office, she would be soundly defeated or, if elected, placed under such scrutiny and subject to such checks and balances that she'd have little choice but to work for our national interests.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

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Important items not given prominence in 'The Nation'

Re: "From a strong PM to a strong, informed public", Opinion, February 8.

Suthichai Yoon writes of the need for an informed public, with which I agree. However, I have a couple of questions about The Nation's role.

First, your report of the abandonment of the energy public hearing ("Angry mob halts public hearing on energy," News, February 8) makes no mention of the fact that the minister was manhandled and his shirt nearly torn off by the protesters. To find out that fact one has to turn to the Business section and read the often light-hearted "Streetwise" column ("Free speech: a defeat or victory?", Business, February 8). Why was this not part of the main story and why was this not deemed newsworthy enough for the front page? Was it to save the government from embarrassment?

Two, at the bottom of page 4A you report that the finance minister has stated that the two-and three-digit lottery will continue, even if the Council of State decides it is illegal (Re: "Lotteries to continue", News, February 8). This is one of the "crimes" that the junta was trying to get Thaksin for. Now they are agreeing with his actions and promising to find a way around the law. Don't you think that this deserves a bit more prominence?

It is quite right to say that democracy needs an informed electorate but The Nation must be part of the solution.

Dom Dunn

Bangkok

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CNBC interview with Thai finance chiefs lacked depth

I happened to watch CNBC news on the evening of February 3. A reporter was interviewing Finance Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula and Bank of Thailand Governor Tarisa Watanagase. They were asked about two questions each, centred on the imposition of the 30-per-cent reserve requirement for funds coming into Thailand. Both the finance minister and the governor clarified that the objective of the measure was to protect exporters, as the baht was too strong compared with other currencies in the region. The reporter failed to ask whether the measure would have a favourable effect on the Thai economy in the long run, whether it's true that Thaksin's policies contributed to higher government debts, how to finance mega-projects and many other issues. Without knowing the full impact of this measure on the whole Thai economy, the reporter still rushed to ask whether these two officials would resign.

Prichar

Bangkok