Channel 5, which "belongs" to the Army, has been a cash-cow of corruption and excessive perks for the Army for decades. What happens to all that advertising revenue? How are contracts let? Who owns the contracting companies? How about a thorough audit by an outside independent auditor with the results published for public consumption?

And what about all those moonlighting Army people? I understand that, like in the US, it is illegal to moonlight if you are in the military. But how many active members of the military from the rank of sergeant up to general are on private company boards; won shares in companies entirely or partially; or work full- or part-time jobs? Thousands and thousands.

A quick indicator is looking at the houses Army people live in; check the cars they drive; and check how many of their kids are studying at fancy grammar schools, or overseas, at great expense. Where does the money come from to do that?

The men in uniform - perhaps with the exception of the Navy, though Thailand's aircraft carrier might beg the question - are corrupt and feel free to purloin as much money as they can without any regard for the public benefit. And they don't even pay taxes on their stolen largesse.

So, if General Sonthi is sincere about getting rid of corruption, let him demonstrate that he is doing so among the military services and the police.

Justice for all

Bangkok

CNS and TRT must learn to coexist peacefully in the future

Re: "The earlier the next general election, the better for Thailand", Opinion, January 28.

Somebody must guarantee the Council for National Security (CNS) safety if there is to be a return to democracy and the Thai Rak Thai Party must be allowed to run - the party should not be dissolved.

Everybody has learned a painful lesson that Thailand no longer fits the old military textbook. The CNS and their backers must cut their losses and return Thailand to normality as soon as they can, before damaging the country further. Thai Rak Thai or any other name they might call themselves will come back - they must adopt a tolerant attitude toward the CNS and reconcile for a peaceful coexistence. We must all be practical and survive.

Noi

Bangkok

Corruption only possible when nobody speaks up

Corruption is defined as "to make evil", "rot, spoil". And it is a sickening of the spirit. Numerous newspaper articles mention corruption and give examples of how corruption impacts on individuals and societies. We often hear about government leaders, including the judiciary, and corporate managers who are corrupt. They lie, cheat, steal, and can be viewed as self-absorbed, self-centred, and uncaring about inflicting harm on others. Is it our leaders' duty to lead by example, or is the onus on working men and women, and sometimes children, to display honesty, integrity, and selfless compassion? If integrity is not internally motivated, right action will result if external reinforcement is applied consistently. Corruption can be endemic to an entire society and allows for increased conflict and dysfunction. Lies always perpetuate more lies; confusion and anger are typical by-products.

Government and corporate leaders might reflect on the adage: like the beautiful, brightly coloured flower without fragrance, is the well-spoken word without action.

Keoki

Bangkok

Bangkok cheated out of its own 'showpiece' airport

Re: "Don Muang to be resurrected", News, January 30.

Where showpiece airports have been built in new locations - Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur - reliable contractors followed well-considered plans to build perfectly functional airports. It is a great pity that the opportunity to give the region another world-class facility has been totally wasted. Instead we are forced to struggle through this temple to waste, greed, and ineptitude... pay higher departure taxes, and see airlines expected to shoulder the cost of bureaucratic stupidity (and worse).

Frequent Flyer

Rangoon

Plea to government: don't reopen Don Muang just yet

Re: "Don Muang to be resurrected", News, January 30.

As a Thai citizen, I urge the current well-intentioned government not to reopen Don Muang airport until after the election takes place. This request is based on the assumption that the former prime minister will not dare to risk his life landing on the runways at the new airport since he played a leading role in making them crack. If I am wrong and he is able to muster the courage, there is a big possibility of an "au revoir", a happy ending once and for all.

Vej T

Bangkok

Suvarnabhumi column dealt with cultural frustrations well

Re: "Old Thai proverbs shed light on airport fiasco", Opinion, January 26.

Thanong Khanthong's Overdrive column on Thai proverbs was both enlightening and well crafted. I sensed his frustration with some cultural norms, but as the father of a Thai child I can assure you that countries with the most resources are economically proven to be the least likely to try hard, in much the same way that there are few oil-rich countries with model societies. Thailand is so rich with its resources, which are mainly agricultural and mineral, and yet its people have been invaded with the greed dream by the Western model of consumption. I sympathise, as it's also a society that refuses to invest in education and provides little horizon for self-improvement. I think the single most important lever after education is that the hierarchical cultural norms need to be exposed for what they are - a pernicious assault on the ability to improve oneself. Change is the hardest for all of us to adapt to, and yet change is the only certainty.

Once again, an outstanding article and one that was brave and honest.

Charles Frith

Bangkok

Protecting industries saps their competitive edge

Re: "Government urged to cut protected businesses listed in Annex 3", Business, January 30.

I fully agree with Siegve Brekke, CEO of Total Access Communication, that the government should put consumers before business owners. The greatest benefits to the greatest number should be paramount, with aid being given to ease the pain of those hurt by any changes.

In the case of the Foreign Business Act, this means that the amended Act should focus on benefiting the people, rather than protecting business owners. As Deunden Nikombonrak, research director at Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), pointed out, offering blanket protection to Thai firms from foreign competition is endangering our economy. A protected industry doesn't feel much competitive pressure and hence doesn't develop much - just compare Malaysia's automotive industry versus the highly competitive engine of growth that's turned us into the "Detroit of the East". The government should begin with one goal in mind: benefiting Thai consumers. So, ask, "Do we need the Foreign Business Act's blanket protection at all, when it'll sap our competitiveness?" Why not identify areas vital to our national interests, and craft industry-specific measures to protect those interests - regardless of nationality of ownership? Having done that, how do we ease the short-term pain felt by some industries, by re-training, or soft loans for example?

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

Complaint line needed to hold bus drivers accountable

Several more teachers have died, bringing to 22 the death toll from the tragic bus accident between Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai last week.

The article ("15 bus victim bodies returned", News, January 21) mentioned a "chartered bus" but did not name the business which owned the bus charter company. Is not compensation in order? If those teachers had been travelling on an airline, the compensation to their families could have amounted to between Bt30 million and Bt125 million per death. There are obvious differences between a chartered bus and an airline, but there are basic similarities as well, particularly the fact that both carried passengers who paid for transportation.

Thais can be commended for their cultural inclination to never complain - especially to authority. However, all good traits can be overdone or misconstrued. In this case, the bus driver was the authority. Even if one or more passengers had the audacity to approach the driver and suggest he slow down and drive more safely, can we project the type of response he/she would have received? The charter bus outfit should also be held accountable. Additionally, every bus in Thailand should have a large easy-to-read sign posted above the driver's compartment, facing the passengers. It should read, in Thai and English: "If you think the driver or staff of this bus is doing anything illegal or dangerous please call this number to lodge a complaint."

Ken Albertsen

Chiang Rai