Samak's priorities clear: business first, public second
Published on June 30, 2008I am astonished and dismayed with Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's comment in the Sunday Xpress: "I am not one to appease people. I care about the business of PTT."
It sums up the shortcomings of this current government. A true leader would have reversed his point and proudly proclaimed "I am not one to appease the business of PTT. I care about the people."
AC
Bangkok
PM should be thankful for free mental-health advice
Re: "Doctor MP says Samak has personality disorders", News, June 26.
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej should be thankful to Dr Malinee Sukwetchawornkit, a Democrat Party MP, for giving him advice to go on vacation or seek treatment for a possible mental ailment. I think the advice was worth considering.
Having watched the prime minister on TV when he responded to allegations concerning his leadership in Parliament, I felt disappointed at his inability to give direct answers to the questions raised during the debate. It seems he had already prepared his responses at home. No questions got answered to the satisfaction of those who are concerned about the ongoing political situation in our country. Besides, watching the prime minister's face during the debate, one was reminded of the facial expressions of former world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, an American public figure but only for non-political charity events.
Chavalit Van
Chiang Mai
Premier's origami efforts simply disrespectful
Re: "The burning question: do we have a senile PM?" Letters, June 26
Chavalit Van wonders in his letter if Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is fit to be prime minister due to his performance in the no-confidence debate. The standard of his intellectual performance to my mind pales in significance to his behaviour in spending his time making paper animals during the debate. This showed clearly his disdain for the process that was taking place and disrespect for the Thai people who had voted for him. He is most unmistakably unfit for office.
Fred Morrice
Bangkok
Malinee's critique of Samak's performance fair
I agreed with Dr Malinee Sukwetchawornkit's analysis that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is unfit as a prime minister. She is right that our prime minister acted like a child; he used foul language often and behaved in a streetwise manner. The Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung is in the same category. It is sad for all of us to have leaders like them.
This is politics and it has nothing to do with a doctor-and-patient relationship at all. If Samak were Dr Malinee's patient, then she is in violation of her ethics as a doctor. Samak must prove his case. I hope the Medical Council can differentiate between an apple and an orange.
Surasak Piputtana
Bangkok
Responsibility for Zimbabwe horrors rests with everyone
You rightly chastise the world at large for complicity in the horror which is presently unfolding in Zimbabwe, but you focus your scorn at international bodies and governments as if they alone must bear the terrible guilt for allowing this and in some way this precludes any responsibility falling on ordinary individuals.
Every one of us who comprehends what is happening and does nothing is as guilty, if only by omission-but still guilty as governments are our representatives ,they are supposed to serve our interests and act for us.
J Dundass
Bangkok
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