The article on the confiscated orang-utans shows that many people worldwide are still following the case of the smuggled apes, although within Thailand there seems to be hardly any interest in this scandal. This case is considered the world’s biggest illegal wildlife case involving great apes. It has been almost two years since the owner of Safari World confessed to the illegal possession of the orang-utans to the commander of the Forestry Police, Major-General Sawaek Pinsinchai, and almost 1,000 days since the initial raid on Safari World.

It is a complete mystery as to what will happen to the confiscated apes. Will they be returned to Indonesia as stipulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) of which Thailand is a signatory; or will they end up in substandard zoos around the country to attract visitors? Strangely enough, five have recently been “borrowed” by the Chiang Mai Night Safari and another five given to the Lop Buri Zoo.

Soon, there will be only a few, if any, left to repatriate; over the last two years, more than 22 of the 75 orang-utans have died or disappeared from both Safari World and wildlife slaughterhouses in Saraburi and Sai Noi district of Nonthaburi.

The deputy-general of the Thai Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants (DNP) claims to be working closely with his Indonesian and Malaysian counterparts on this matter, yet the Cites office in Jakarta says they posted their demand to return the apes more than a year ago and have received no response, despite issuing import permits for repatriation.

Over the past 10 years, the illegal trade in wildlife has grown exponentially throughout Thailand. DNP and forestry officials have been aware for several years that Safari World was collecting orang-utans in large numbers and did not act on any complaints. Her Majesty the Queen asked for a crackdown on the illegal wildlife trade on her birthday, August 12, 2003, following which Maj-General Sawaek undertook a raid on the zoos and slaughterhouses, uncovering this scandal further. Yet in late 2004, the director-general of the DNP informed the Forestry Police commander that he felt no laws had been broken, and the orang-utans should stay with Safari World. If more time is lost, help will be too late for the orang-utan babies.

Edwin Wiek

Director and founder, Wildlife Friends of Thailand; Thailand representative, cross-border trade in orang-utans, Borneo Orang-utan Survival Foundation

Bangkok

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It’s the ladies who give society a fighting chance

I’ve often heard it said that women are the backbone of Thailand, and you don’t have to look far to agree. Take the marginalised bargirls working in Bangkok, Pattaya and the islands. Where would Isaan be without the money they send home? And where would the family unit be without older sisters taking the burden of responsibility for all, while the brothers live an extended childhood? Finally, where would the new generation of kids be without their grandmothers raising them while their mothers’ work far from home?

Take a look at the current political crisis, and you will see that two ladies stand head and shoulders above their male counterparts. I speak of Jaruvan Maintaka and Supinya Klangnarong. Unlike the 28 senators who petitioned the Constitution Court to examine Thaksin’s finances, these ladies don’t run away from a fight.

Chiang Mai Mike

Chiang Mai

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Personal grudge is feeding Chamlong’s latest ‘activism’

Re: “Chamlong tightens noose on PM”, News, February 20.

Chamlong Srimuang, if you think that Thaksin Shinawatra should resign because he used state television to attack Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda, then you are barking up the wrong tree. I think you are letting your personal dislike for Thaksin cloud your judgement.

Since when should a prime minister resign because he rebuts what an opponent says about him? What is Thaksin supposed to do, sit back and let others kick him in the teeth?

You don’t have to like how Thaksin says something, but you can’t expect him to resign because he insults an opponent or for uncouth manners. There are other, more legitimate reasons why he should resign – alleged nepotism, for one.

And Chamlong, how on Earth did you conclude, in your words, “If hundreds of thousands of people show up, I believe the prime minister will definitely resign”? Have you forgotten about the millions of others who support him? Have you forgotten that we live in a democracy and that the majority rule, not a fragment of the population that cries the loudest?

I, too, am irked by Thaksin’s arrogance, poor etiquette and authoritative style. But until he violates the Constitution, breaks the law or loses the majority vote, I am afraid we have to live with his poor etiquette.

Outraged Taxpayer

Bangkok

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With all these rallies, who’s watching the new airport?

At the moment, everybody has their attention on the plans to remove Thaksin, so what is happening at the new airport? This used to be the favourite story in regard to corruption, construction squabbles, bad workmanship, etc. So what is happening at the airport? Or are we to presume that everything is okay, and it will open as planned ... sorry, wrong word ... open as stated by Thaksin later this year. How about an update for all us curious people?

Alan

Perth, Australia

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Embarrassing for us to have pushed Surakiart onto Chirac

Re: “France wants piece of Thai pie”, News, February 19.

The anti-Surakiart Sathirathai campaigners have been given more ammunition. In its continued inept handling of Surakiart’s bid to become UN secretary-general, the government has used the visit of French President Jacques Chirac to put the French in the awkward position of having to take a stand on his candidacy. As with all five permanent members of the UN Security Council, France does not want to show her hand at this relatively early stage. Any approaches should have been done discreetly through quiet diplomacy.

Instead of having the historic visit of the French head of state serve to strengthen the Franco-Thai friendship and cement economic cooperation, including the entry of Thai products into Europe, the time and money put into the visit was wasted by pursuing and highlighting an issue that should not have been at the top of the national agenda. This is the hidden cost to the nation of trying to get a Thai Rak Thai man into the UN.

Atip Munvit

Bangkok

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If they’re so smart, why’d they take so long to come around?

What do Chamlong Srimuang and Sondhi Limthongkul and a slew of other prominent Thai public figures have in common? They all had earlier championed Thaksin as a great statesman who cared about the well-being of the Thai people – then, one by one, the sage leaders came to realise their mistake.

How about those of us who saw Thaksin as a selfish and crafty opportunist from the first time we heard about him? Can we crow about our foresight now, or should we stay in the sheep pen and allow our opinions to evolve at the glacial pace of such influential people as Sondhi and Chamlong?

Chiang Rai Bird Dog

Chiang Rai

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Democracy entails much more than mob rule

Re: “Chamlong tightens noose on PM”, News, February 20.

I’m not a Thaksin fan, but when I see Chamlong Srimuang stirring up a mob against an elected prime minister, it galls me mightily. Chamlong in my view is a power-hungry wolf in disguise who has no democratic mandate. His modus operandi is thus to mobilise an upcountry mob to agitate against whatever and whoever he dislikes.

Why can he not go through democratic channels and see how many people agree with him? We really don’t need a wild-eyed agitator who wants to impose his strange views on the general public.

By the way, list Thai Beverages Plc now and don’t worry any longer about the theatre Chamlong is making.

Fox Drennig

Bangkok

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Change in treatment may be what the doctor ordered

The three southernmost provinces are listed in ever-worsening critical condition, requiring intensive TLC (tender loving care) emergency treatment. With no imminent sign of soothing balm or remedy to correct the disorder, festering sores and inflicted wounds project major syndromes of prickly irritation.

Long-suffering indignities and measly neglect have resulted in chronic distressful heartache, disillusioned soreness and distrustful inflammation. Arrogant plastic surgeons and ballyragging snake-medicine quacks have been incapable of prescribing effective relief.

There is no magic cure-all elixir or panacea. However a change of doctors and an enlightened prognosis seem to be in order. Open-minded, open-heart surgery and tranquillising sedative medication, as prescribed by Dr Anand Panyarachun and his National Reconciliation Commission team of healing physicians, provide the best chance for bitter-pill abatement and long-term restoration of public health.

Dr Charles Frederickson

Bangkok

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