Particularly when the demonstrating has no substance whatsoever and is being led by a man who obviously has an agenda. Whether that agenda is based on revenge, personal aspirations or just personal aggrandisement is still unclear, but I believe that it is fair to assume that his reasons are selfish. It would be interesting to have someone investigate where his wealth came from.

What is wrong in Bangkok is not solely the fault of Thaksin. He is simply the product of a system that has been in force here for decades. He is only under fire because at present he is the top man and that makes him a prime target.

Between what is one of the most productive agricultural systems in the world and a tourism income coming from the inherent beauty of this country, Thailand is far richer than most people would suspect.

The problem is that only a few select people in a very large capital city are sharing the bulk of the income from these God-given gifts, often people who have done nothing to create the income. Whether one chooses to accept it or not, there would be no need or market for cell phones, automobiles, computers or any of the other, mostly foreign, products that are sold in this country if it weren’t for the efforts of the farmers and the people who service the tourism industry. They create the wealth that is squandered on other products, which for the most part we don’t really need.

If anything productive is going to be done to change this system, it is not going to happen because of the efforts of some “media firebrand” who is conducting a travelling dog and pony show designed to embarrass the country. It is also not going to happen because of the rhetoric coming from newspapers, educators, the “opposition party” (which is a part of the problem) or social critics that seem to be popping up like Jack-in-the boxes.

It is going to happen because of the efforts of a quiet, unassuming woman sitting in an office in one of the government buildings in Bangkok doing what she is paid to do without the pomp and circumstance that seems to surround everyone else of a certain position in this city. And I assure you that those responsible for the inequities existing in this beautiful country are far more nervous about her efforts than they are about the social gatherings taking place in various parks every week.

I pray that this lady is left alone to do her work for the remainder of her time in office, but I doubt that will happen. And if it does happen, I doubt that the proper follow-up to her findings will progress as it should. But I guess that one can always hope because I have always found that in life, sooner or later foolishness does come to an end by one means or another. It is only a matter of when. If this lady is given the support and follow-up she requires this could be at least the beginning of a change in the status quo. In the mean time, because I like to know what is going on in the world, I guess I will have to continue to suffer the speculations of all of the “educated” people in this country who don’t seem to be able to direct their attentions to what is truly important and what is not.

John Arnone

Yasothon

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Light-hearted criticism of Thaksin is exactly to the point

Re: “It’s a ticket to paradise, you idiots!”, Opinion, February 8.

I would like to personally thank Tulsathit Taptim for putting the precise words to the feeling that one gets from this ugly Bt73.3-billion deal.

Tulsathit has expressed the exact frustration and anger in a beautiful light-hearted manner, making us all wonder how we as a nation could have collectively let this happen. There is hope that the people of this country will soon take charge of their own destiny and not be fooled by dirty politicians like the current PM.

Hemant

Surat Thani

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Singapore would stymie a Shin-type deal on its own soil

I have been very surprised at the ease with which Temasek Holdings managed to acquire a 62-per cent controlling stake in Advance Info Service through its recent purchase of Shin Corp shares from the Shinawatra family and the 19.3-per-cent stake that was already owned by Temasek’s subsidiary, Singtel.

I expect that they received excellent advice from one of Thailand’s most expensive law firms incorporating the latest thinking on how to skirt foreign ownership laws here. However, I wonder if this technique of using legal loopholes to breach the spirit of the law is truly consistent with the aspirations to promote good corporate governance that are nobly expressed on Temasek’s website. Such a flexible approach to overseas investments appears even more questionable when one takes into account that Temasek is controlled by Singapore’s Ministry of Finance.

It is interesting to imagine for a moment a reverse scenario in which a foreign company attempted to take controlling stakes in leading companies in Singapore’s telecom and media industries, where foreign ownership is restricted in many of the same ways as it is here. In fact, the Singaporean authorities stamped out the practice of foreign fund managers using local nominees to hold locally registered shares in strategic companies like Singapore Press Holdings and Singapore Airlines many years ago. I have little doubt that, if the boot were on the other foot, they would cancel the transaction immediately and prosecute those involved.

Curious

Bangkok

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Tough questions before a change in leadership

Re: “Veterans join alliance against Thaksin”, News, February 10.

Dozens of civic groups have joined to force PM Thaksin out. That’s fine with me – so long as they do it within the framework of democracy. That means, for example, a no-confidence vote or impeachment.

Then, without him, two questions still remain.

First, who should replace him? Remember, TRT swept Thailand with the largest majority in history. What’s to prevent them from doing it again? To what extent have the provinces learned (a) that they made the wrong choice, and (b) how to make a better choice next time?

Second, and more important in the long run, have we learned that we should put our faith in robust systems and institutions, rather than trusting to the goodness of a particular person? If so, how have we strengthened our democratic institutions, so that Thaksin’s successor will put national interests ahead of his own?

Alas, we get the government we deserve. What have we done over the past five years to deserve better than PM Thaksin? Until we’ve changed ourselves, including our provincial brethren, we should think twice about changing leaders at whim.

Burin Kantabutra

Bankok

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Protesters may be playing into Thaksin’s hands

Our PM has always been a step ahead. He has always managed to find a way out in the trickiest situations. Now he hears people’s cry “Thaksin get out!” and he must be smiling, since that might be exactly what he’s thinking about doing: quitting.

He just might do what the people are asking of him, and “reluctantly” step down. Then he will head straight to the Virgin Islands to spend the cool billions he has made, while the rest of us try to figure out what to do with the crumbling nation he left behind.

And after he’s gone, we’ll be like Coyote looking at a dusty trail left in the wake of Roadrunner.

Chul “Cho” Chang

Nakhon Pathom

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Unelected activists have no right to hijack democracy

Re: “Veterans join alliance against Thaksin”, News, February 10.

Those who receive money, salaries and other necessities from the people but have not been elected by them, should listen, analyse the situation and provide advice, not jump to oust the people’s government.

Bulana Usalip

Bangkok

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Look to Khunying Pojaman for romantic advice

Looks like we have seen the high point of this Valentine’s season – PM Thaksin accepted a rose from his wife and kissed her on the cheek last week. Old folks sometimes need a little spice in their lives, Khunying Pojaman said.

If their gesture did more than providing a light note on the backdrop of the premier’s political maelstrom, it gives a clue to my February 14 dilemma. I recently lost sleep debating whether Valentine’s Day is the best day for a first date.

CG is smart, sophisticated and cute, the kind of person who tends to think the V-Day is an overrated, meaningless occurrence honoured with an empty square in the calendar, begging to be filled with some little hearts drawn by a scented neon pink pen.

On second thought, I’m not so sure. We have just met briefly through friends at a bar. We talked about our jobs and pastimes, but never got into our V-convictions.

What if my date is a Valentine’s worshipper? Would I be considered a thoughtless, unromantic brute, if I tell CG: “My basset hound, Droolio, is covered with sores after playing with his pooh. His next appointment with the vet is February 14 at 8pm. I’m sure you don’t mind putting off our plan.”

Frankly, I’m not too crazy about the day, but nor am I too cool to enjoy Valentine’s folly if I’m in love. While I wondered how many other V-phobes are out there, I heard a mock voice of the khunying in my mind. “Boy, you’re thinking too much. Just get your butt on a date, and I know you can do better than cheek-kissing.”

CG, are you free this coming Tuesday? Oh, can you also bring your night cream? I need it to soothe Droolly’s sores until his next treatment.

David Sedaris Barry

Bangkok

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