• 
• 

Nothing, it seems, is going to derail Thailand's politicians from their obsession with this country becoming a failed state. Every day, it seems, they pile misery upon misery. There could be another general election this year owing to the fragile basis of coalition politics and to the latent political instability resulting from the protracted struggle between Thaksin and his political opponents, but this will solve nothing.

In the above column, it is stated that People Power Party MPs have vowed to vote Samak back in as prime minister. In another article is said that Newin Chidchob is ready to support Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee, the man responsible for trying to dismantle the work of Bank of Thailand Governor Tarisa Watanagase, for the position. We also read that on Tuesday the Cabinet approved the appointment of a new deputy secretary to the prime minister who is the son of a fugitive. The Democrat Party leader felt it necessary to tell the prime minister he should personally intervene in Thaksin's case to restore international confidence in the Thai judicial system.

It is a complete waste of time for Thailand to try to extradite Thaksin after a decade spent failing to get its hands on a banker who fled in the wake of the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Britain's courts have also rejected repeated attempts by Russia to secure the return of businessman Boris Berezovsky, who fled in 2001 before being convicted in absentia in Moscow and sentenced to six years in jail in 2007 for embezzlement.

All of this leaves Thailand flailing around in its own mess, which is of its own making. With every passing day we witness the demise of precious national stock, both economic and its reputation, because of politicians squabbling about in the dirt to render which group emerges with enough power to fleece the nation and take the spoils. The pathos of the pathetic.

Arun Singh

Bangkok

 

Double standard at work in Thaksin passport scandal

Asked whether he would revoke Thaksin's passport or seek his extradition for jumping bail, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said: "We don't have such a policy, at least for now."

In applying for asylum, Thaksin claimed that Thailand's judicial system practised double standards. Thus, I presume that either Samak will not revoke any criminal's passport and will not seek his/her extradition, or is practising double standards himself, a gross violation of the principle of rule of law.

Would Samak please clarify which of the two above alternatives holds, so that would-be tax evaders, abusers of power, fraudsters, etc, can decide accordingly?

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

 

Drugs fuelling rise of petty crime in Pattaya

Robbing and mugging is taking over the streets of Pattaya. It seems that not a single day passes without a tourist or local resident falling victim to local petty criminals. Ripping gold chains off the necks or arms of tourists as well as Thais happens not only in dark corners at night but also in bright daylight on main streets. Women's handbags, jackets and anything that looks like it will be easy to snatch is being stolen, mostly by those riding pillion on motorcycles approaching from behind. In some cases foreigners have been kicked off their motorcycles by a gang and the motorcycle was then stolen. Lately even cheap motorcycle helmets (around Bt100 at any big store) have been stolen, and the list goes on.

Most likely these thieves are hooked on methamphetamines and in order to get the money for their drugs they have to resort to muggings. Since Thaksin's infamous "War on Drugs" the prices have gone up manifold and the supply situation is a monopoly now, as many operators in this business were killed off (as were many innocents).

And what is the local constabulary doing to stop this threat to tourists, locals and the tourism business? They seem more focused on targeting those riding without helmets. Those hanging out at the beach dressed up as "volunteers" are not much help either.

Something must be done to stop the supply of drugs and the related upsurge in petty crime, as well as the regular acts of violence occurring between Third Road and Sukhumvit. The situation cannot be allowed to continue like this.

Sam Munich

Bangkok