Veteran politician as he is, Samak Sundaravej still has a lot to learn, especially when it comes the moment when it is so tempting to let one’s mouth take priority over one’s brains. One should keep one’s ear close to the ground while squawking.

Samak has been overwhelmed by self-confidence during the last four decades of his tumultuous political career, until he got his mouth caught in a trap this week. Hence he has fallen victim to this congenital but curable bad mouth disease.

This will serve as an important lesson for other politicians as well, not to get carried away by their own popularity and the plodding and cheering of their prepaid supporters. Their turn will come if this warning is not duly heeded.

Chavalit Van

Chiang Mai

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Samak’s attitude is correct,  considering what’s at stake

Re: “Defiant Samak quits TV shows”, News, February 14.

I say “Bravo” to Samak for not apologising [to the Privy Council’s Prem Tinsulanonda]. He spoke his mind and for that should be rewarded, not censured. However, it is a shame that he stepped down. Controversy keeps politicians “on their toes” and subject to public opinion.

The country should be seriously concerned over the armed forces revering anyone, other than the King, as a father figure. This situation is seriously prone to abuse and brings to mind incidents within recent history.

Thailand does not need another coup.

Michael Weldon

Udon Thani

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Free speech growing less and less common in Thailand

Re: “Royal advisers to discuss criticism”, News, February 13.

The state of freedom of speech is at one of its lowest points. It’s hard to imagine how we will ever find a way out of this terrible state of affairs. What we have today is truly tragic. Yet we must not give up hope. There is always a chance for redemption, for new opportunities. We need a new government. It’s as simple as that.

Bob Kerry

bangkok

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Politicians should be careful when quoting the King

Re: “Royal advisers to discuss criticism”, News, February 13.

I strongly disagree with Samak Sundaravej’s comments about Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda’s quoting His Majesty the King to us. Nevertheless, rule of law means that Samak has the same right to say what he wants, within the law, as anybody else. Thus, his talk show should not be cancelled just because many of us disagree with him.

But what we should do is educate the public as to the meaning of HM the King’s sage words. Use concrete, albeit hypothetical, examples to show why HM has decried mixing private with public interests and why he has called for a war on corruption. Show us why we should heed what the Father of our country says.

Educating the general public to understand and follow the King’s advice will silence Samak far more effectively than terminating his show, as it will wither for lack of listeners.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

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Impressed to see Thai athlete involved in Winter Olympics

As an American watching the Winter Olympics, I must say, I was surprised when I saw Thailand’s lone competitor, Prawat Nagvajara. I was even more surprised that he was the only Thai ever to compete for the Kingdom at the Winter Games. I find it inspiring and I hope many Thais do.

I hope Prawat does win the gold medal. Many people in the sport of skiing are arrogant young men who are still childish and vain. They know nothing more in life than going fast over snow and looking hot for the ladies. You’ve got to want to win for something larger than yourself, and I think he is competing for a greater glory.

I’m cheering for Thailand!

Here’s hoping more and more Thais will step up and take a shot for the Winter Olympics.

Chris

Bangkok

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Suspicious of PM’s long string of ‘honest mistakes’

The Shinawatra family seems to be dogged by a string of “honest mistakes”: Thaksin’s asset declaration; son Panthongtae’s and daughter Pinthongta’s share transaction disclosures to the Securities and Exchange Commission and now Khunying Pojaman’s recollection of Ample Rich’s Singapore address, just to highlight the more notable examples. Who could be responsible for all this incompetence? How fortunate for the Shinawatras that similar mistakes are not made when minimising taxes. At least now the Shinawatras can afford to hire some competent advisers.

With Thaksin’s inevitable political exit drawing nearer every day, the concern about who may replace him is indeed unfounded. Samak Sundaravej has recently demonstrated mastery of all the qualities which have made Thaksin the leader he is today. Samak is a natural for the PM’s job. Same, same, but different. Thaksin can explain his resignation to the Thai people by admitting he made “an honest mistake” becoming prime minister. Thaksin’s “honest mistake” precedent (his greatest legacy to Thai politics?) will be invaluable to those responsible for appointing Samak when avoiding responsibility for their actions.

Sibeymai

Bangkok

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Doctors taken advantage of in Thai healthcare system

Re: “Medical-hub plan could hurt health”, Editorial, February 13.

You are absolutely right in your position that taxpayers’ money should not be spent promoting private business, including healthcare.

But why not apply this concept to all Thai industries and let all private enterprise fend for itself?

Your argument that Thailand’s socialist healthcare is okay because it is mandated in law by your Constitution does not make it right or just. This is the “appeal to authority” argument, not a debate on facts or reason.

Coercing Thai doctors to work for below market wage in a socialist regime is morally wrong, no matter how the law is written. This is a type of forced labour or slavery, which is illegal in Thailand – the land of the free!

Of course there is a shortage of doctors – there is no free market!

Shortages and rationing are guaranteed results of socialism, which is why it was rejected in the 20th century. As the grinding iniquity of socialised medicine continues, Thailand will observe an accelerated brain drain of its doctors to the private sector –where they ultimately belong.

W Knight

Orange, California

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Getting to the roots of  ‘grass roots’

Re: “Grass-roots crucial to Thaksin’s political fate”, News, February 13.

The term “grass roots” does not refer to the rural poor and it does not define social classes. It is used to distinguish between citizens who do not hold high political office from those who do. The term is particularly useful in making the distinction between top-down programmes initiated by the government and bottom-up programmes that arise due to spontaneous participation by citizens.

Bottom-up grass-roots movements often involve a wide range of social classes. For example, Thaksin’s proposal to hold a referendum on the Constitution is a top-down reform programme while the Saturday protest against corruption in government is a grass-roots reform programme. There has not been a grass-roots support movement for the prime minister, although it is true that he is popular among the rural poor.

Cha-am Jamal

Phetchaburi

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Thai voters challenged to make the most of lousy choices

Re: “Tough questions before a change in leadership”, Letters, February 12.

Burin Kantabutra put the finger on the great dilemma that voters and the general population face.

There is no active politician of the required statesmanship to fill the position of PM. Both Chuan Leekpai and Thaksin became so by default after anyone else discredited himself. As all the best potential candidates for the job are eliminated ruthlessly from politics or stay away from it because it is too dirty a game, the voter is unfortunately reduced to vote for the least of the evils – not that there is much difference between them.

About changing mentality and attitudes, after more than 60 years of increasing intellectual corruption, it will take a few generations to correct the present lack of ethics and morality. It will be possible only under a strong, clean system of checks and balances.

Most of the criticism against Thaksin was not initially directed at expelling him from his office but to change his dictatorial and absolutist ways against his critics, sudden events and his very rude and cheap comments about them – and he has done quite a few during his government. The Shin Corp sale case is now enough to justify a Parliament dissolution.

The point that Thaksin however faces and fears is that his 19 million voters, who have elected him, may now de-elect him and elect another “least evil”.

Krabong Kuverakorn

Bangkok