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Published on February 15, 2008

The fact that the OAEP was unable to even implement regulations governing the disposal of an X-ray machine containing a small container of Cobalt-60, should give everyone cause to consider the qualifications of these "regulators" to handle the full-scale nuclear power plant that former energy minister Piyavasti Amranand proposed as one of his last acts before leaving office.

The new government of PM Samak should scrap Piyavasti's so-called "study" to build a nuclear power plant (for which a budget of more than Bt1 billion has been proposed) and examine how that money could instead be used for improving energy efficiency and similar projects that will not put all our lives at risk from the incompetence of OAEP's regulators.

Philip S Robertson Jr

Bangkok

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The truth disappears at the PM's whim

Re: "Govt-backed 'independent' TV: get real!" Opinion, February 14.

Suthichai Yoon skillfully exposes the PM's thinly veiled supposed good intentions concerning a new "neutral" TV channel and puts them into their proper perspective.

Here we have a man who happily recalls, in an international interview, the death toll of the October 1973 massacre as only one, when his own government's official figures, released at the time, said the death toll was 46. Many human rights organisations estimated that several hundred people were slaughtered in a brutal orgy of violence.

And now we see unconvincing denials of government censorship following the removal of "Chirmsak's Viewpoints" from FM 105 for having a different recollection of the massacre than that which the PM merrily recounted to CNN. Clearly we are to descend into an Alice in Wonderland state of affairs where reality becomes twisted and truth is whatever the PM wants it to be.

Fred Morrice

Bangkok

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Media freedoms already under threat

There's something suspicious in the news which indicated that ex-senator Chirmsak Pinthong wanted to give up hosting his "Chirmsak's Views" on FM105 - allegedly due to the interference of PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair.

We don't know if it is true or not. If Chirmsak was taken off the air, it will be a big loss to the public who want to receive information and news from him. He is one of the most respected and honest senators in our country right now. This news is like smoke before a fire. The opposition has to look into this matter seriously and immediately and inform the public about it.

Ordinary citizens like us are overwhelmed with daily work. That's why we voted for you to represent us in Parliament. Even if you are not in government, you can do good things for our country. You are our representatives. Now, you are our only hope.

Without the freedom of the media, people will live with one eye shut. Don't let it happen that way.

Yongyut K

Pathum Thani

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Say what you like, but toe the line

Just one day after PM Samak proclaimed "This government does not want its own TV station to speak for the government., I want it to present news in a straightforward manner and present both sides of an issue," Khun Chirmsak Pinthong's radio show contradicting PM Samak's view of the October 6 uprising is shut down. Perhaps his sponsors censored themselves, or maybe they were pressured by the authorities. It matters little, because Thaksin, whose nominee, PM Samak, is known for seeking slander damages that are so huge they will annihilate the loser. And few dare take the risk.

As things stand now, Chirmsak's sponsors act as though PM Samak and Minister Jakrapob's policy on freedom of the press is the same as Benito Mussolini's who said, "The press of Italy is free, freer than the press of any other country, so long as it supports the regime".

PM Samak has the opportunity to show that he supports freedom of the press - by deed, not mere words. Offer Chirmsak prime time, at commercial rates, on any Public Relations Department radio or TV station of his choosing for the next six months. Show us that your words on freedom of the press are not written on water.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

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No confidence in murder investigation

We have been following the articles by Andrew Drummond, along with reader comments through Letters to the Editor and various Thai blogs. Some people are calling Andrew Drummond a "sensationalist", which could not be further from the truth. The true sensationalists are the ones who are claiming there are no safety concerns for tourists in Thailand and try to pass this off as an "unfortunate incident".

The Del Pinto family has gone through a tragedy that no other family should experience. Andrew's reporting, along with the hard work of the Canadian media, has brought more truth and attention to this story than ever would have happened had it been left to the Thai government alone.

Some readers are claiming Carly Reisig has changed her story and her account of the incident has been inconsistent. Having gone through official Thai documentation and written witness statements, it is the Thai police officer's story that does not add up, and that is why the National Human Rights Commission is involved.

Our experience with the Pai police has been unpleasant to say the least and it is more than apparent they have attempted to protect "one of their own" at all costs. It has taken the involvement of the DSI, National Thai Human Rights Commission and journalists such as Andrew Drummond to get any semblance of truth and justice in this case so far.

Andrew is not presenting a biased opinion. The facts speak for themselves; one innocent, unarmed Canadian was murdered in cold blood and another barely escaped with her life because of a reckless and aggressive off-duty police officer. The ignorance of the readers who are outspoken against Andrew Drummond's reporting will only lead to many more tourists being at risk in Thailand.

The Del Pinto Family

Calgary, Canada

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Canadians need to take cover

Re: "Canadian lecturer shot in Chiang Mai", News, February 14.

Yesterday we saw the third shooting this year involving Canadians. Four Canadians have been shot in Thailand this year, two of them fatally.

Two Canadians have also been killed in Afghanistan this year, which means Thailand is just as dangerous as Afghanistan for Canadians.

When is the Canadian government going warn its citizens about the dangers of Thailand? Why are their travel advisories against Afghanistan (which I hear is lovely at this time of year) and not Thailand?

Carl

Bangkok

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