LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Protests against General Prem are needless and disrespectful of his legacy in Thai politics
Re: "Anti-Prem campaign fears", News, April 4. Many groups have been protesting recently without having very much cause to do so. One group plans to get enough signatures for the petition to have Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda removed from the Privy Council.
General Prem contributed tremendously to the country while he was in the Army by defeating communist insurgents, resulting in Thailand remaining part of the free world, while Indochinese countries became communist with disastrous political and economic consequences. He was appointed the prime minister a few times, during which period Thailand experienced some degree of prosperity and hopes were high compared with recent years. He is credited with bringing peace to the South as well. The decision to build a deep sea port at Laem Chabang was made during his time as prime minister, resulting in numerous new investments in modern factories on the Eastern Seaboard. Without that port, Thailand probably could not have achieved such a high level of international trade today. The deep sea port has not experienced any of the same problems that the new airport has experienced. I hope there will be some study into the impact he has had on our economy, our society and the wellbeing of the general public. Any protest that is genuinely in the nation's best interest is worth attention, for example, protests pressing the government to look after those affected by floods, to provide quality education to all, to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor or to make the administration more transparent. But protests without cause or for personal gain are useless. I would rather read news in the business section to see the number of jobs that have been created for the poor. Prichar Bangkok ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Intent the main factor in web of Shin sale transactions
Re: "Why Ample Rich deserves to be in the 'Guinness World Records'", Opinion, April 4. In reality, this transaction is by no means record breaking. In fact it is a small operation involving few persons and financial dealings. Thaksin sets up a holding company in a tax-free location. Legitimate. One member of a family provides money for other members of the family to engage in business transactions. Legitimate. All of the described operations are more or less legitimate when examined individually. This is typical of the "smoke and mirrors" used by big businesses. If you want record-breaking complexity, try examining the oil holdings and manipulations that have gone on in America for over 100 years. It would be safe to say that the paper trail, if pieces of paper involved in the various transactions were physically laid side by side, would cover the rather large state of Texas. Where the actual problem lies, and where the rot sets in, is aptly and accurately described in two words: criminal intent. While each individual manoeuvring of the Shin Corporation sale may be legitimate, and Thaksin's lawyers are hinging their defences upon this, the overall fact remains these activities were undertaken by Thaksin setting up Ample Rich for some purpose in March, 1999. From that date on, it can be safely assumed, he had the intent to sell Shin. All the transactions from that period of time technically go under the label of an apparent conspiracy to defraud. To use the dictionary definitions - defraud: to deprive of a right, money, or property by fraud. Fraud: deceit, trickery, sharp practice, or breach of confidence, perpetrated for profit or to gain some unfair or dishonest advantage. Sharp practice, perpetrated for profit. All that is needed is to link all the transactions together in a chain then find one single weakness. Going by this, Thaksin's razzle dazzle is not by any means record-breaking. It is a well thought out scheme, but by no means sophisticated, compared to many similar schemes. What will be record-breaking is if the laws of Thailand allow such a scheme to go unpunished. That would be one for the books. And so far, upon the eighth anniversary of Thaksin starting this scheme, the only progress that has been made is a preliminary investigation. No assets have been seized, no controls or strictures have been set in place. Eight years to begin an investigation involving billions of baht. That is a record. Web Reader Bangkok ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Surayud finally spells out former premier's misdeeds
Re: "Thaksin will be pinned down, Surayud claims", News, April 4. This is the first time our present prime minister has honestly stated the wrongdoings of the ousted premier. He could do this because of some good evidence. It is sad that a huge percentage of the population still doesn't know the truth due to lack of information, education, and money. The Owl of Thailand Bangkok ---------------------------------------------------------------------- PM's comments might prejudice corruption probe
When Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont made such remarks, as a prime minister he has committed a corruptible act. By his comments, he is trying to sway the investigation against Thaksin. This is in itself an abuse of power and a violation of the code of ethics, which certainly is not in the interest of the Thai people and the judiciary. Surayad was talking crazy when he said Thaksin's decision to remain abroad was related to the refusal of the Thai people to forgive him for the damage he had done to the country. In fact it is only the minority of the urban elite that is against him. Go to the masses and you will know whether the majority of Thais want him out or in. Let him stand in the election and the results will tell you. In fact it is the junta that is preventing Thaksin coming home. Many have realised that more damage has been done in the past six months of the junta than six years of Thaksin governance, but then ordinary citizens are afraid to vent their frustration. Steven Bangkok ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Civic groups could contribute greatly to a vibrant democracy
Re: "Citizen Development Fund on the cards", News, April 4. I fully agree with the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) putting a stipulation that the government set up a political development fund for civic groups, to promote political activities in society. This must be a neutral, non-party-affiliated fund, and as CDC member Pisit Lee-artham warned, we must prevent politicians from siphoning off money for their own hidden agendas. As the US League of Women Voters noted, "Informed and active citizens, joining together to explore common problems and identify shared goals, can resolve the tough issues that confront our communities … Concerned organisations need to study the issues and educate their members and their communities about public policy concerns. They must encourage public discussion of these problems and citizen participation in resolving them and, ultimately, take action to achieve solutions that contribute to the benefit of all". I suggest that we study how to adapt the League's mission and methods to our needs, especially in keeping it non-partisan, so that we may have a vibrant democracy that serves our nation's long-term goals and is answerable to us. Burin Kantabutra Bangkok ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Government gets a 'thumbs up' for Songkran extension
Re: "Songkran revelries to go on for five days", News, April 4. What's that? An extra day off for Songkran? Finally! A decision from this current administration that has the full agreement of most Thais. Happy New Year Thailand! Worathep Bangkok ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Gore of '300' okay but bare breasts draw censors' wrath
We went to see the movie "300" about the Spartans' defence of Greece against a vastly larger Persian army. The movie was soaked in blood, body parts flew all over the place and no mercy was shown to the wounded as they lay dying on the battlefield. Scenes of heads being decapitated in slow motion, and the profession of soldiering held up as a glorious way to die, all there to stir the blood. But, the dear censors saw fit to smudge out a couple of images of bare female breasts. We can take all that carnage, but bare breasts would be going too far. Thank goodness the censors are there to protect us from seeing this kind of thing before we rush out of the cinema and do terrible things. Chiang Mai Mike Chiang Mai ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Repatriating refugees a betrayal of Buddhist values
Thailand is now apparently planning to repatriate 52 North Koreans arrested in Thailand recently. The penalty awaiting these refugees in their home country is extreme, and unworthy of this administration. There is the very real and immediate threat of jailing, torture, and execution. One might argue, correctly or not, that this would be karma resolved. But what of karma created, for and by those who send them back? In a land where the prevailing philosophy is that every creature, every part of creation, is to be honoured, not defiled, how can deportation be justified, especially since these people seek only transit to a third country? Is Thailand calling the shots here, and at what profit or what cost? Or are instructions received from elsewhere? Let us honour the Buddha-nature in everyone, in everything. Purushanti Bangkok
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