Published on October 07, 2005
History may remember the current administration for grandiosity and moodiness
At the end of the day (which could come sooner rather than later), PM Thaksin will be remembered for two main characteristics: radical mood swings and grandstanding. The soft launch of the unfinished new airport last week comes to mind. So does the flamboyant scheme to open Thailand Plaza on New York’s Fifth Avenue to “brand” Thailand. Fortunately for taxpayers, he saw the light and cancelled the project.
Of course we also remember his fanciful idea to buy a stake in Liverpool Football Club. Then there’s the plan for a new Government House complete with underground access and state-of-the-art communication facilities that would cost billions. You may also remember the plan to create a satellite city in Nakhon Nayok almost overnight. And there was the grand gesture of dropping origami birds over the South and creating a lot of litter. Now he wants to invite families of tsunami victims to Phuket, and the government will pay for their accommodation. But December is peak season and it will be difficult to find enough hotel rooms. One wonders whether he has a team of advisers capable of screening these ideas or if these ideas really represent the upper limits of their collective intellect. Netirat Intira Bangkok ---------------------------------------------- Tragedies show us what nations are really made of Re: “Europe’s Katrina-in-waiting”, Opinion, October 4. Melvyn Krauss enjoys defending America’s recent bumbling through the Katrina crisis by holding up the EU as a self-congratulatory observer of the US administration and as a poor role model, due to its diversity of language and culture. Europeans have never bandied slogans such as “One Nation under God” and therefore perhaps have justification to be “concerned” and “sensitive” when witnessing what was purported to be a united nation demonstrate that it is quite the opposite. It would seem ironic, also, that the photo illustration to the article is of a flooded Switzerland – which is not a member of the EU. Sam Wilkinson Phuket ---------------------------------------------- Turkey deserves speedy action on its intention to join EU Re: “At last, Turkey gets its chance”, Editorial, October 5 Your editorial asserts that there is no guarantee that future talks, which could take up to a decade or more, will lead to full membership for Turkey in the European Union. Such a drawn-out process would be controversial when taking into account international law. From a legal perspective, EU enlargement should be pursued on the basis of the pacta sunt servanda (“peremptory norms of general international law”) rule. Conformity with this universal rule expressed in Latin in major treaties is binding upon the parties to it and must be performed by them in good faith. A party may not invoke the provisions of its internal law as justification for its failure to live up to the obligations of a treaty. Politicians from EU member states might learn something valuable from a form of diplomacy common in Asia, in which reforms, institutional arrangements and decision-making processes should move forward at a pace comfortable to all participants. In diplomacy, displaying disproportionate pessimism or optimism risks leading to major errors. The old geopolitics of “win-lose” should be replaced by an unambiguous style of politics marked by crystal clarity. A focus on coming to “win-win” agreements should characterise the relationships and the negotiations between Asia and the EU. Future negotiations between Turkey and the EU stand to show how intercontinental dialogue can be fruitful in many fields. This must be done in a visible way – credibility always demands visibility. In that regard, fighting together the scourge of terrorism is a critically topical issue, as terrorist cells are active both in Asia and Europe. At this pivotal moment in their history, Asia and Europe should make sure to make responsible decisions, as these decisions could determine whether they become globalisation’s winners or losers. Ioan Voicu Bangkok ---------------------------------------------- Thai businesses need to be wary of free trade with the US With Thailand being forced to liberalise its trade policies with the US, there are many reasons for concern. One of the biggest should be the sheer gulf in business acumen between Thai businesspeople and American businesspeople. On the “level playing field” proposed by the Americans, it would simply not possible for Thais to compete at this time, as business skill levels here are still in their early stages of development. While Thai and American businesspeople may have similar training and MBAs, we are hindered by tradition and folklore, while Americans are able to execute business plans free of encumbrances of traditions and superstitions (note the prevalence of religious ceremonial activity in Thai businesses and note the absence in the American business world). Coupled with the American corporations’ “ruthless” business ethics, it would virtually impossible for Thais to compete fairly. We should approach these trade discussions with caution. Samchai Bangkok ---------------------------------------------- Won’t be easy for new Thai airport to really be Asia’s best I recently was in Hong Kong on a business trip. Not having been there for 26 years, I was curious to see the changes there and how the territory’s return to China had had an impact. I was also eager to evaluate their new airport as an indicator of Chinese capability. Indeed the airport is up to world-class standards. As a frequent traveller in Asia, I can validate their claim as being the best airport in the region. From the fast rail-link right into the heart of Hong Kong, the dual-lane separated carriageway for road transport and even the free shuttle-bus service from the train to hotels, I have not experienced anything better, anywhere. When departing, airline check-in formalities including baggage can be done at the stations in the city. The airport has a wonderful policy of announcing flight departures only at the departure gates themselves, making the terminal a very peaceful place (BTS management, please take note). It is easy to get to and from the airport by road. Hong Kong under Chinese control has made impressive progress with infrastructure. The Olympics in Beijing should be awesome. Contrast this with Don Muang International Airport. There is no easy rail link. Access roads leading to the airport are often choked. I wonder how the new airport will compare. No doubt the terminal will look great. But will the new airport also have a discotheque-style sound system? There are many adjustments that will have to be made in terms of infrastructure and attitude if Suvarnabhumi is to truly be called world-class. Thailand will have a lot of ground to make up, and chances are that an even better airport will be built somewhere in the region. Just because the CEO says Thailand is “world-class” doesn’t mean it’s true. Let the world be the judge. When such claims are proved untrue, don’t blame the world, blame the people who have been lying all along. Above all, Thais need to stop fooling themselves and set about improving things. The highly embarrassing “un-opening” ceremony for the airport, held for the egotistical gratification of certain public servants, shows that a lot of work still needs to be done. How much longer can Thailand go backwards relative to the other countries in the region? Given the current government’s performance, indefinitely is my guess. Sibeymai Bangkok ---------------------------------------------- Triple suicide by shoelaces is an extremely dubious claim Re: “Lamphun prison deaths: Pornthip refuses to rule out murder”, News, October 5. One doesn’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that it would be quite unusual if these three individuals would destroy themselves just to avoid a trial. A look at the record regarding extrajudicial killings in Thailand may be of use in speculating as to their cause of their deaths. F Biagini Bangkok ---------------------------------------------- Disturbing violence should be answered by peace pledge Re: “Five rangers killed; Thaksin delays visit”, News, October 6. The recent savage killing of the two marines in a Muslim village in Narathiwat is outrageous. The brutal act was carried out with the knowledge of and support from the villagers. The marines were actually well aquatinted with the villagers as they had assisted in many community works in the village. The fact that they were singled out and were tortured in such an uncivilised manner, clearly showed the unworthiness of the people involved to be living on Thai soil. Now is as good a time to put forth the question to the Muslim population in the troubled southern provinces. If they want to live on Thai soil like other peace-loving Thais, it’s time for them to renounce violence and abide by our country’s laws. Supreecha D Bangkok ---------------------------------------------- Hi-tech traffic plan thwarted by poor implementation When the “countdown” traffic lights were introduced to Bangkok intersections, I thought that it would lead to smarter, safer traffic management. But with things as they are now, with Bangkok’s finest in control of the intersections, and not the Bangkok governor, the technology is not being used properly. During the day most of the lights are just switched to red/green mode, so you never know how long the phases will be. And the amber light for caution, a good feature for enhancing safety, seems to rarely appear, or only very briefly. Unless these lights are properly used, they won’t help make traffic safer or more orderly. Peter HM Bangkok
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