A call on Samak to probe One-Two-Go Phuket crash

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, the number of signatories to the online petition personally requesting you to conduct a full investigation into the One-Two-Go crash in Phuket last year is now almost 5,000 (www.investigateudom.com).

That is 5,000 people from around the world who are concerned about the 90 lives tragically lost and seeking a full explanation and identification of the causes and those responsible.

 Recent allegations have been raised that on the day of the accident there was no water or foam for fire-fighting at Phuket Airport. Furthermore the black-box data indicates that neither pilot was in control of the aircraft for 15 seconds after the landing was aborted by ordering a "go around" and the engines were left in idle. It has been found that neither pilot was trained for flying in wind shear conditions. Even the runway at Phuket does not meet the minimum specification for this class of airport.

 Prime Minister Samak, does any of this, or the suffering of the victim's families concern you?

When the tsunami hit Thailand in 2004 the whole world rushed to the aid of Thailand. Why are you ignoring the calls of people from around the world for a full and transparent investigation? What and who are you protecting from scrutiny?

Will the current safety assessment of Thailand by the US Federal Aviation Authority and possible downgrading or loss of safety certification prompt you to action? Or is Thailand's tourism industry as insignificant as the families of those who died and are still waiting for an explanation from you? The longer you delay the more damage is done to Thailand's reputation.

Steve Pedrotta

Bangkok

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Students show PAD that rights work both ways

I congratulate the students and teachers of Rachawinit Secondary School for successfully exercising their constitutional rights.

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) showed its true colours by appealing the decision on the ludicrous grounds that their so-called righteous agenda outweighs everyone else's rights, and once again the court justly dismissed the appeal; it seems that the PAD is willing to pick fights even with school children!

I am glad they are finally showing their true colours, rather than hiding behind that banner [saying]that they are somehow saving my great nation.

I saw past their facade long ago, and I hope that they continue to shoot themselves in the foot.

These mobsters have unnecessarily stirred up nationalist sentiment in our society and further polarised it by twisting one fact after the next to further their own political agendas.

I don't know who makes up the "people" in the PAD's name, but as a law-abiding citizen of this great nation, I am definitely not one of them!

Rahat

Bangkok

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Protests taking place where they belong: on the streets

Re: "Your rights stop where the rights of others begin", Letters, July 3.

Burin Kantabutra suggested that the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) rent the Impact Arena or the national stadium "at market rates and post a bank guarantee" for its gathering. This is like asking Bangkok taxi drivers not to change lanes or asking Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to refrain from using foul language. Street protests around the world always take place on the street. Even if Burin leases Impact Arena for the group, the PAD demonstration will not be there. It is not a proper forum for them to communicate their messages.

This is not to say that the PAD can break the law.

They have honoured the court injunction against them and they have shown themselves to be non-violent and peaceful for the last six weeks.

Veharachan

Bangkok

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Air travel more eco-friendly than automobile transport

You promote car travel as an eco-efficient means of travel.

But it is worth bearing in mind that while aviation CO2 emissions are growing by around 20 million tonnes per year, CO2 from road transport is growing by over double this rate at around 50 million tonnes per year.

In fact, the performance of the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 787 corresponds to less than three litres of jet-fuel per 100 passenger/km, which compares favourably with most cars on the market.

Philippe Rochat

Executive Director

Air Transport Action Group

Geneva, Switzerland