Published on January 26, 2006
Thaksin missed a chance to lead by example and pay taxes like everybody else.
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has let a golden opportunity pass by to show his countrymen what a no-nonsense leader he is by duly paying taxes from his family’s recent sale of Shin stocks. As a national leader, Thaksin must dispel suspicions that the rich or super-rich like him always find ways to avoid adding their tax baht to our national coffers, which is downright unfair and, worse, a bad precedent for someone of his stature to set. It is generally believed that now our nation’s tax burden falls mainly on the shoulders of middle-income people, while the poor are exempt or contribute very little, and the rich always have their lawyers find ways to help them cheat on or avoid paying their taxes.
Since Thaksin always describes himself as a selfless and patriotic leader, it’s a pity that his latest action or inaction portrays him in quite the opposite light. At least we the people deserve to know why. Chavalit Van Chiang Mai ---------------------------------------------------- Could Mr Munificent now deal with his hometown? Now that the prime minister’s family has a Bt73-billion windfall from the sale of its Shin Corp stake, maybe he could donate a small part of the money – about a half of 1 per cent of it might do the trick – to whomever it is in his hometown of Chiang Mai who is responsible for the inner ring-road tunnel-construction projects. The work on two major intersections – on the roads to Doi Saket and Mae Rim – was started years ago, yet the funds have clearly dried up, and all one can see now are ghostlike cranes and heavy equipment, and rubble everywhere. While a number of other tunnels have been completed on the outer ring road, these two are an absolute eyesore, as well as a major inconvenience, as traffic has to perform unnecessary – and dangerous – U-turns to get round the “construction” work. Like the ill-starred Night Safari project, these tunnels were, I gather, a Thaksin Shinawatra initiative – much along the lines of Banharn Silapa-archa’s infrastructure improvements in his home province of Suphan Buri several years ago.Except on that occasion, Banharn made sure the work was finished! Come on, prime minister, finish what you started in Chiang Mai. Or would closer involvement in your hometown’s lot be construed as a conflict of interest? Nairb Siddor CHIANG MAI ---------------------------------------------------- Thaksin should share his windfall with charities It is very common in Western countries for the ultra-rich to be benefactors to multiple foundations, charities and universities. Many have their own foundations to help the poor of not just their own country, but countries throughout the world. Witness Bill Gates and his Aids programme worth billions of dollars, or Angelina Jolie giving millions to Cambodian and African poor. Certainly now Thaksin can afford to really help the poor of Thailand. Not once in six years of living here have I ever read about the "hi-so" Thais giving freely of their money to help others. Certainly it would have been reported because these selfish rich people would only give to charities if it were to be publicised. Can anyone give one example of how Thaksin has given of his own wealth to help anyone (other than the televised "unreality" show recently where he gave away Bt50,000 - pocket money for him)? Let's see how caring Thaksin and his family really are now. Disgusted by Thaksin Chiang Mai ---------------------------------------------------- New southern committees represent Bangkok interests I fully agree with National Reconciliation Commission Chairman Anand Panyarachun that the government’s two committees on human rights in the South are unlikely to be very effective in upholding such rights and ending official harassment. No committee members are from civic organisations and thus would have difficulty understanding local people. On the contrary, most members are from government agencies, accountable to Bangkok and understanding Bangkok’s needs far more than those of the South. Not only that, but commission members could well find themselves investigating their own superiors. It will be very difficult for justice to be done under such circumstances. Once again, PM Thaksin’s southern policies play into the hands of terrorists, for many will see his acts as showing insensitivity to our southern brethren – especially when he’s stressed that non-Thai Rak Thai areas would get funds only after the others. The time for making our voices heard, after a learned and concerned study of the situation, is now – lest our prime minister unwittingly pour more fuel on the flames. Burin Kantabutra Bangkok ---------------------------------------------------- Articles misrepresented officials’ roles in FTA talks I regret that the articles “Somkid muscles in on FTA talks” (News, January 20) and “New lead negotiator to be named Wednesday” (News, January 23) contain a number of misleading assertions that could cause misunderstanding concerning the ongoing Thai-US free-trade agreement (FTA) negotiations. Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon already made clarifications directly to The Nation on this matter, but unfortunately your news report on his comments missed a number of important points. I should therefore like to point out the following: 1. The FTA talks with the US and other partners should not be seen as “the turf” of any particular ministry, but rather as the agenda of the government as a whole. As you are fully aware, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak has for many years been appointed to chair the committee that oversees all the FTA negotiations. It is in this capacity that Somkid works closely with all the chief negotiators and negotiating teams, to work out the strategies for the respective FTA negotiations with each partner. 2. It is thus a misperception to say that the two ministries are competing for control of the negotiations. In fact, Kantathi and Somkid consult regularly with each other and the prime minister on important matters concerning FTA negotiations. 3. Last, I should like to point out that the chief negotiator of each team is selected not due to his or her affiliation with any particular ministry or agency, but rather due to his or her individual qualifications and competency to lead the negotiation on behalf of the Thai government as a whole. Sihasak Phuangketkeow Director-general of the Information Department and spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Ministry Bangkok ---------------------------------------------------- Administration is closing its grip on personal freedoms If Thaksin Shinawatra is looking to leave behind a legacy as a great leader, then he must clean up his government’s deteriorating reputation for nepotism, favouritism and censorship. Most recently, I have noticed that several website chat rooms have come under censorship by the Thai police. It is rumoured that they are censoring these websites to prevent terrorists from communicating with each other and planning attacks. This is as ridiculous as Thaksin’s idea of using Chinook helicopters to lift stalled vehicles from the road to relieve traffic jams. It is the thinking of either a child or someone who has lost the plot. The reality is that it is yet another attempt by Big Brother to watch over us and control our democracy. I am getting sick of Thaksin meddling in our freedom. His yes-men underlings are too cowardly to stand up to him and exacerbating the situation by providing him only information that he wants to hear. They should be ashamed of themselves. Thaksin is slowly transforming a free society into a police state. Thailand used to be a very comfortable place to live, without visitors and denizens having to look over their shoulders to see whether anyone was watching their every movement. Now, things have changed. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, Thaksin’s government is closing its grip on our personal freedom. This is unacceptable. This is not what our Constitution intended. I don’t care how great an executive leader Thaksin is. If he suppresses our freedom of expression and the right of individuals to live and grow on their own, then he is a total failure. As a role model, I expect much more from him. Outraged Taxpayer Bangkok ---------------------------------------------------- Govt predictions of violence during Feb 4 rally bodes ill Re: “Mixed views over likelihood of violence at Feb 4 protest”, News, January 24. I take it as an ill omen that Defence Minister Thamarak Isarangura and PM’s Office Minister Suranand Vejjajiva forecast that violence would take place during the upcoming February 4 rally at Sanam Luang. I don’t think the mass demonstration will turn into turmoil unless an opposing mob with the power of the state behind it is rushed to confront the rally. Let’s just review what happened at the 14th “Thailand Weekly” talk show. Sonhdi Limthongkul and his supporters, mostly Bangkokians, were bullied and harassed by a mob from upcountry. That was a mob in its true sense, a mob composed of temporary employees of the Forestry Department who must have been mobilised and hired to act as hatchet men. The government must not take reckless action. Any such action will hasten the collapse of Thaksin and his administration. Abee Bangkok Send us your views in an instant E-mail your opinion, with ‘Letters to the Editor’ in the subject box, to: letters@nationgroup.com
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