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Published on July 23, 2007

I have followed this sad business since its inception, and even before the dam was built had the pleasure of visiting the lovely Kaeng Sapue rapids. To cut a long story short, all in the know will know that the dam should never have been built, and know why it was built.

I read in The Nation today that the new, vigorous leader of the Democrat Party said that "this is time for People First". Well, some years back when that party was in power, I think that it had the opportunity to do something positive to help those suffering from the construction of that dam, which would have given that party kudos in the Northeast and many more votes there, which it could well do with.

It seems that an opportunity was lost. Now is its big chance and it should go for it. If it really is "People First", then dismantle the dam.

Observer

Chon Buri

 Coalition forces in Iraq deserve public support

Re: "Iraqi MPs deserve a break from their impossible task", Letters, July 22.

I want to thank A Warner for posting his views on war and human sacrifice but he may have misunderstood the tenor of my letter that simply disagreed with the government of Iraq's decision to take a month-long vacation in August. I was not, as he put it, "… demanding that the mercenaries take over from the coalition forces". And, while it is true that the soldiers there signed up to fight, Warner seems disingenuous when he says that he sympathises with the poor servicemen and women who find themselves in the midst of a "tragic though avoidable nightmare".

After what can be described as a livid rant against the US, George Bush, Fox News, friends of the American president, their families, people in the oil business, weapons suppliers and yes, even journalists, he settles down and again feels a bit sorry for the US taxpayer who must support the war in Iraq.

The last line in his letter is quite telling: "And to the poor serviceman: Sorry boys - look what a mess they got you into". This statement in any culture or language is insulting and is in no way constructive.

This leads me to believe that he is dismissing their sacrifice and he failed to mention that there are women who are equally in harm's way.

While everyone in the world may think that the incursion into Iraq was not the right decision, the fact is that coalition forces are there fighting and dying. We cannot dismiss the coalition soldiers' sacrifice and should not abuse them because we feel they are in Iraq for the wrong reasons. Support the troops.

David Barkdull

Bangkok

Thaksin's Manchester gamble might not pay off

Re: "Thaksin's chief cronies falling on hard times", Opinion, July 22.

I'm not too sure of the source, as I've scoured the English dailies for any reference to Thaksin's involvement in the casino deal, but it seems pretty certain to me that this was the real focus of his intentions in buying City. It is a with a wry smile that I read that Gordon Brown has seen fit to tear up these plans so as to re-focus Labour's moral stance in the face of the Conservative party's campaign on family values. Brown is also the son of a Church of Scotland minister.

Interestingly, in the case of Mr Chiluba, Zambia's ex-president, civil action was successfully brought against him because he allegedly stole money that had passed through bank accounts in London: the court ordered him to pay back US$39m of state funds he allegedly took while in power. The same principle will surely be applied in the case against Thaksin, eventually. So the Thai judiciary should get their skates on and appoint legal counsel there.

Whatever the outcome of that, it looks certain that even though the city has lost out in the super-casino race, there will still be a place for Craps to be played in Manchester.

James Groveway

Bangkok

Junta should come clean on charter alternative

I'm glad that Prime Minister's Office minister Thirapat Serirangsan stated that rejecting the draft charter will not delay general elections. This removes one key reason used by draft opponents in urging a "No" vote. But Minister Thirapat's announcement means that presumably the CNS has already decided on which charter to use if the draft is rejected, plus what changes, if any, to make.

The minister said that the Interim charter didn't allow the CNS and government to state their position now - that they had to wait until the referendum result was known. That's the first I've heard of such a provision, which is highly undemocratic, for it forces voters to choose between a known alternative and a pig in a poke. If the interim constitution does not explicitly forbid disclosure, then the CNS should make its choice public, on the premise that what is not forbidden is permitted.

Enough games, please, General Sonthi; it's not funny. I thought we were on the same side. Either state the interim charter's clause forbidding disclosure, or come clean.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

Beware the lies of the censors

Re: "ICT chief did not deliver on YouTube promise", Letters, July 22.

Be patient, Dean Barrett, the censor in chief' Sitichai will remove the block on YouTube, as he promised in the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand. On July 17 he declared there are two things in life he really hates, and those are corruption and lies. He is a man of Bt1 billion, 10 four-wheel-drive cars and 320 guns, as he proudly told his readers. Criticising him means you are an immature Thai youth or a foreigner who doesn't understand Thai culture. So, beware and don't have any doubts about him.

Probably he is busy blocking the Google website due to the discussion and information the site provides about "that book".

An immature foreigner

Bangkok

Name the flawed airport after its flawed champion

Many countries have named airports after their famous sons. In the US there is the Ronald Reagan, Washington Airport and John F Kennedy, New York; in France there is the Charles de Gaulle in Paris and in England the tackily-named John Lennon Airport at Liverpool. I wonder if anyone has thought about naming Thailand's Suvarnabhumi the "Thaksin" or "Frank Sinatra" Airport, after fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The airport is a flawed and suspect facility that perfectly mirrors the qualities of the man. Naming it after Thaksin would serve as a reminder of his legacy and - if the Frank Sinatra bit was used, it would least give people a giggle as they went in and out of Thailand.

NW Castle

Bangkok

Oppressed people are all anti-authoritarian

Despite the promise of a new and better constitution and the desire to have elections, there are some who do not accept the idea of democracy. It was reported that Nectec's legal expert, Surangkana Wayapard, said the new legislation would discourage anti-authoritarian people from carrying out illegal activities on the network. Now why single out anti-authoritarian people for special mention? Why are we more likely to be involved in computer crime than anyone else? If Thailand is about to move into a democratic mode, then anti-authoritarian people will be happy. On the other hand, if this Act is part of a long-term plan to reinstall dictatorship, then the comment makes sense.

Under dictatorships ordinary democratic activities are classified as illegal. In such circumstances anti-authoritarian people will be tempted to carry out "illegal" activities on the net in order to undermine the authoritarian regime and its dictatorial laws. It all depends on what you classify as illegal activities.

Gareth Clayton

Bangkok