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Published on February 28, 2008

It's thus heartening to know that all the new ministers are diligently announcing plans to make our lives better.

Yesterday, PM's Office Minister Choosak Sirinin visited the Consumer Protection Board. He told reporters that he was informed that consumers are now suffering from lead contamination in noodle boiling pots. It's scary given that noodles are a staple of the Thai diet.

Choosak proposed a "Ua Athorn noodle pot" - a programme whereby the state agency will find ways to replace the contaminated pots.

Based on data from Choosak's legal counsellor Thana Benchathikul,

there are about 2 million contaminated pots nationwide.

Since a hygienic pot costs Bt7,000, the cost of the programme would be Bt14 billion.

It would be a remarkably extended version of "Ua Athorn" (Compassion).

This shows how the ministers in this government care for their people.

But there are two interesting questions. Where would the funds to finance the project come from and would it be launched at the cost of others?

Hail to the chief?

Today, everything seems lacklustre compared to the fanfare ahead for the arrival of ousted

prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Soon, after living in forced exile since September 2006, Thaksin - the most popular prime minister in our 76-year democratic history - will set foot in his homeland.

His supporters are gleeful. It was reported that the People Power Party - the party believed to have won the election with the promise to bring back Thaksin safe and sound - has contacted Suvarnabhumi Airport for a special welcome.

The VIP room, under Concourse G, has been dusted down, ready to welcome Thaksin imme-diately after he steps out of the TG603 flight from Hong Kong at about 9.40am today.

To accommodate the welcoming crowd, the first floor of Parking Zone 4 was closed from noon yesterday until 10am today.

Among the welcoming crowd will be Transport Minister Santi Prompat.

He will be among the first five persons on the plane to roll out the carpet for Thaksin.

Needless to say, Thaksin should be impressed by the welcome of his loyalists. But it would be interesting to know how he feels towards those who don't rush to meet him at the airport - and those who are not sending him a welcome at all.

achara_d@nationgroup.com

The Nation