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Published on April 4, 2008

I agree completely with George Morgan that what Thailand really needs is a brand-new foreign investment code to bring the country into the 21st century and enable it to compete more effectively against its formidable new competitors in Asia. We know that we need foreign funds for our sustainable development, but at the same time you and I have meekly let each government follow short-term policies designed to keep it in office, not to serve our country in the long-run.

In reviewing the Foreign Business Act, we should force our leaders to follow one of Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: "Begin with the end (goals) in mind", orienting the FBA to achieve those objectives. For example, the stated goal of List 3 is to give Thai workers time to become competitive.

So, a combined public-private sector body should specify the conditions under which each industry listed would be considered competitive. This body would set measurable, transparent milestones to be achieved along the way, with accompanying timeframes.

A neutral, credible body, including foreigners, would judge when each milestone has been met. As each intermediate goal is met, that industry would be gradually liberalised, in line with its increased competitiveness. To deter foot-dragging, there would be very substantial penalties for missing each milestone - and, ready or not, the given industry would be fully opened to foreigners within, say, twenty years.

The FBA should serve our country's long-term interests, not whatever politicians want.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

Burmese referendum

will backfire on the junta

In May 2008, the citizens of Burma will vote "No" and reject a military constitution that permits the shooting of Buddhist monks by the Burmese Army.

Than Shwe badly miscalculated and has chosen his poison. The scheduled referendum will spin out of control and become a national referendum on the legitimacy of him and his military government.

Than Shwe committed political suicide by scheduling the national referendum in May for the following reasons:

1) The Burmese New Year celebration "Thingyan" is an "anything goes" Mardi Gras. During Thingyan, the Burmese tradition of Thangyat (public sound-bites) is in full flow and there will be public abuse of Than Shwe and his corrupt military government.

This will turn into a de facto political campaign and the public will vent their anger at Than Shwe and his military government for killing monks.

2) China does not want another Tibet type problem just before the Olympic Games in Beijing.

If Than Shwe again cheats and tries to nullify the results of the national referendum, there will be a national uprising in Burma to coincide with the opening of the Games.

3) First Lady Laura Bush is the Honorary US Envoy for Burma. She, unlike Gambari and the UN, will do whatever she can to help restore freedom and democracy in Burma during the last year of the Bush presidency.

I am confident that freedom and democracy will be restored in Burma by "Our Three Sons" in the near future.

Myint Thein

Bangkok

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