If I am not mistaken, their status at the time of the violation is the issue, not their resignation post facto. So that reason for resigning is probably not going to work.

That's good news for Thailand. Excluding such people from politics and from any government post can only improve the health of the Kingdom.

Expatriate perspective

Bangkok

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Thai Rak Thai proves that it was never a real party

Re: "TRT sinking like Titanic", News, October 3. The political juggernaut by the name of Thai Rak Thai Party, launched to dominate Thailand's political landscape for the past five and a half years, met with harsh reality on Tuesday amid the resignations of a large number of its former MPs. And more bad news is forthcoming. What appeared to be a high-powered rocket on its way into orbit suddenly seemed to have made a U-turn and was fast heading back to earth. Unbelievable!

This should serve as a lesson for anyone who wants to make it big in politics in the future. It also showed Thaksin to be a shallow, politically uneducated person unable to display enough leadership to fulfil our nation's aspirations. He has let himself be consumed by greed and hubris. He lacked leadership and self-sacrifice. He could not control his ambitions beyond his status as a political leader of the Kingdom. And most important of all, he was selfish when he was supposed to be selfless.

It should be noted that Thai Rak Thai was only Thaksin's means to his maniacal end, not a way to attain democratic and economic success for our country as was proclaimed. Voters beware.

Chavalit Van

Chiang Mai

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An open letter to the new prime minister

Re: "I'll give justice for all", News, October 2. Dear Mr Prime Minister,

Let me first offer you my sincere congratulations on your appointment by Royal Decree as prime minister of Thailand.

I assume you understand that you take office amid a national division, the likes of which Thais have never before experienced. As the healing begins, there remain many problems that trouble both their hearts and minds. You said upon accepting the position of prime minister that you will immediately address these problems by "giving justice for all", and that is a good start. As prime minister, therefore, your first duty should be to make an unprecedented compact with your fellow countrymen. You have not been elected prime minister by the people's ballots, so you cannot claim any electoral legitimacy. You have gained office as a result of your own honour, integrity and leadership qualities. This means that you are indebted to no man other than the one who gave you the opportunity to serve - His Majesty the King - as you begin this very difficult job.

You also owe it to the Thai people, not the Council for Democratic Reform, which submitted your name for royal approval, for giving you this rare privilege. It is only fitting then that you should pledge to them that you will be the prime minister of all the people, not just for the regions or the capital.

As such, you cannot ignore the people's views on the nation's priorities. You must solicit and embrace their views as the basis of your policies. One of the colossal mistakes committed by the previous administration was keeping the people outside of the political system. A good prime minister must learn from this lesson and not repeat it.

Among the things that trouble them and must be tackled are the restoration of peace in the three southern border provinces, the restoration of freedom of speech and the implementation of both political and economic reform. There seems to be a truce in effect since the ouster of the previous administration. Time must not be wasted in reaching some agreement for a negotiation with the rebels before the opportunity slips away. The restoration of freedom of speech, which is one of the most basic tenets of democracy, should be carried out immediately. The media, which has been subject to a reign of terror for the last five years, must be set free. And for the leader of a nation in great distress, truth is the glue that holds government and people together.

There is often debate about whether political or economic reform should take precedence. The people will be expecting both from their leader, which may be impossible. Though you have said that your term as prime minister will be brief, some foundations should and will be laid down that will make the task of the next government less daunting.

As for the people and governments of all friendly nations, I hope that as prime minister, regardless of your background as a military man, you will reach out to them and make them understand that Thailand needs to take one step back before we can take two more steps forward. You will need to put competent men and women in your Cabinet in order to achieve this. However you decide in this area, key posts such as foreign, economic and human rights affairs should go to professionals, as you will need them to make Thailand credible again in foreign eyes. When the Council for Democratic Reform took over on September 19 we all thought that our national nightmare was over. Let us make sure that it will not return.

Prachyadavi Tavedikul

Bangkok

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Who is really in control over at the stock market?

Thank you very much for your very informative piece on the machinations inside the Stock Exchange of Thailand ["SET moves raise questions of good governance", Business, October 3]. May I suggest, however, that these changes appear to go back further than just the transfers of Sopawadee Lertmanuschai and Suthichai Chitvanich?

If you recall, a few years back Chavalit Thanachanan was also replaced (in a dramatic break from convention) at the end of his first term as chairman of the SET. While this may have indicated in other circumstances a lack of confidence in his performance, most people knew that he had been appointed initially because he was recognised as a safe pair of hands and subsequently, moreover, did a sterling job of helping restore confidence in the bourse after the debacle of 1997. And he too was closely identified with implementing good governance at the SET (as chairman of the good governance committee). For many, he became at the time the very face of good governance in the Kingdom. Khun Chavalit was then replaced by a gentleman with a less-than-stellar reputation of probity while governor of the Bank of Thailand but who, however, had powerful allies in the Cabinet of the government of the day. Unlike his predecessor, the new incumbent seems to be more interested in photo opportunities than issues of substance.

Following the appointment of the less-than-charismatic current president of the SET, one is left to wonder who the real Svengali behind all these changes is. While health issues may have been the real reason for poor Kittirat falling on his sword over the failure of Thai Bev to list here, despite his closeness to Somkid Jatusripitak, there could be more to this story as well. Perhaps our good friend, that fearless crusader against corruption, Burin Kantabutra, from his cosy vantage point at the SET could help enlighten us further?

Rob Jamieson

Bangkok

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What ever happened to Snoh's corruption claim?

If I recall correctly, Khun Snoh Thienthong once said in an interview that in every ministry there is one person who makes sure that of every project, 10 per cent will be reserved for the Thai Rak Thai Party. Unless the 10 per cent were not secured, no project would make it to the Cabinet's agenda for approval.

So the graft-busters and asset-researchers might well ask Khun Snoh for more details and then go after that person in each ministry for more details.

Sam Munich

Bangkok

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Despite its missteps, the US does plenty of good

As viewed through the prism of John Francis Lee of Chiang Rai ["The US is in no position to talk about democracy", Letters, October 1], democracy as we know it in the United States is dead. Why do I smell a transparent Bush hater with an agenda that has nothing to do with democracy. He cleverly cites some mistaken foreign policy adventures of long ago that were at times misguided, but always opted for the lesser of two evils. One could argue these points forever, but to say that the United States has or is "slaughtering millions in Asia and thousands in the Middle East" is disingenuous at best and an outright lie at worst.

Thanks to the United States, hundreds more millions were liberated from the yoke of Japanese oppression (Thailand included) and the Nazi boot. Through the force of an iron will, she has protected those same people for decades. We, both as a government and as private donors, contribute to the welfare of this world in countless ways. I am so proud of the country that I call mine and will defend her both in word and deed. This is the country that is the very first to send her ships, sailors, soldiers and airmen into disaster areas worldwide to help those unable to help themselves. Who was there in Indonesia after the tsunami with hospital ships, doctors, food, water and 24-hour aid without one expectation of even a thank you? Who sent helicopters with housing, medical help, food and transport into the mountains of Pakistan after a devastating earthquake?

Who spends more on the eradication, search for a cure and education regarding HIV in Africa than all other countries in the world combined. Who led the coalition to save Muslims in the Balkans? Who cured polio? The list is endless and it does not exclude anyone. Irrespective of Lee's invective, we all vote and those votes are counted. I'll take democracy any day, and speaking out truthfully on its behalf is a duty we all share. Try that in China and see how far it gets you.

Richard Rees

Hua Hin

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