- The total transport infrastructure could be re-thought and/or completed.

- Investigations concerning corruption could be carried to their conclusion and appropriate action taken against the culprits. The airport could then re-open with a "clean sheet".

- Such a brave decision would provide Thailand with the world stage. The government would gain the upper hand, enabling it to point a finger or two at the main protagonists, and to explain a few home truths to a global audience.

Such a scheme would be expensive (though what scheme wouldn't be?) but a highly advantageous economic and political measure in the long term. And many people would be out there cheering at the news of a return to "happy-go-lucky-but-efficient-and-better-located" Don Muang!

John Shepherd

Bangkok

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Idea of several international terminals worth considering

Re: "Upgrade airports outside Bangkok for easier travel", Letters, February 3.

I believe Ken Albertson's idea to prepare and open more Thai airports for long-distance international flights is a very good one. Before retiring here, I booked many flights to Thailand. Every time I was forced to have a stop in Bangkok although I did not want to stay there. Then I took a train or a bus to and from Nong Khai, Lampang, Trat, Surat Thani, Prachuap, Chumphon, Khao Lak, only to catch a midnight flight to Europe, avoiding a stay in Bangkok. Every time I got a little bit nervous about delayed or cancelled bus or train rides. Sometimes I booked one night in Bangkok because of the risk. It was a waste of time and money.

Many people visiting Thailand don't want to stay in Bangkok but are forced to because international flight connections are solely to and from the capital's airport. I guess the majority of Thais and farangs would like to leave from and arrive at airports near their home and destination respectively. And that is not Bangkok. People in Manchester or Birmingham won't go to London to catch an international flight, those in Munich would not like to go to Frankfurt. When there is a demand for international connections, the airlines and airports respect the customers' wishes and make the change.

Why not in Thailand? Maybe the runways are not long enough. You can extend their length without spending big money. Other technical problems could be solved, if the politicians and authorities wanted to. In addition, the congestion at Bangkok's airport would decrease. Realising Albertson's idea would be a valuable decision for Thailand and solve some airport problems, including this awful trip to the swamp. Of course, this doesn't mean changing all flights - only a few flights in accordance with the demand. The Tourism Authority of Thailand should be able to deliver the fundamentals.

I wonder why our ousted "friend of the North" didn't realise this idea, especially for Chiang Mai. His hunger for glory and money concerning the new "swamp" airport seemed to be bigger than his love for his hometown. Or do the influential people in Bangkok fear about their business?

Eckhard Helbig

Mae Hong Son

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Making a case for shifting flights using simple logic

 We have one airport that we know from long experience can handle large, heavy planes.

We have one airport that we know from sufficient experience cannot handle large planes.

What is the logical solution?

How much does "face" cost? I hope it's later rather than sooner that we find out.

David Sun

Chon Buri

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King Power suspected to be partly to blame for mess

 A new, though not surprising, target of the corruption probe at Suvarnabhumi Airport ought to be King Power.

The February 3 issue of The Straits Times has an article describing all levels of corruption and incompetence at the airport. It alleges that the square footage given to King Power increased from 25,000 square feet in the approved plans to 39,000 in final construction. How did that happen? And they caused the elimination of moving walkways and access to gates.

You can see how deeply King Power is embedded at the airport when you see their shopping brochures at immigration checkpoints in plastic holders with the Immigration Police logos! How much did that cost!

Queen Weakling

Bangkok

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Meanwhile back in the city, pavements are broken up

 So now that everyone has basically had their say about how Suvarnabhumi Airport is falling apart, what about the city's sidewalks that are falling apart?

I have been coming to Thailand since 1985 and the same broken sidewalks on Sukhumvit Road are still broken. With all the tourists and Thais that walk those sidewalks, you would think someone would get repairs done. Go to Phnom Penh, go to Saigon, go to Vientiane - they've had wars and their sidewalks are in better shape. What is the excuse in Bangkok? They put up million-baht buildings but don't spend money on the sidewalks.

And why is so much banging allowed during building construction after 9pm? Don't people in Bangkok enjoy a peaceful night's sleep?

Rick

Miami, Florida

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Aim for nuclear weapons to get cheap nuclear energy

 Re: "Govt considering a nuclear plant", News, February 1.

I am all in favour of Thailand having a nuclear plant. Nuclear power plants are expensive, but if Thailand plays its cards right it can have one for free.

Thailand should declare to the world that it is going ahead with a nuclear power plant and is also going to build nuclear weapons, just like North Korea and Iran.

Then the United Nations will hold emergency meetings and will eventually tell Thailand that they will build it a nuclear power plant for free, as long as it is a plant that can't help produce nuclear weapons. A free nuclear power plant will produce very cheap electricity.

Bill Cymbalsky

Bangkok

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What is Thaksin's idea of a 'neutral' investigator?

 Auditor-General Jaruvan Maintaka has been reported as rejecting Thaksin Shinawatra's plea that she and two colleagues quit the panel probing the CTX bomb-scanner purchase and be replaced by "neutral" members.

The ex-PM's idea of a neutral investigator is one who understands his habitual "honest mistakes". The only possible outcome of an investigation that this man would accept as neutral would be one that would set him free.

After all the time elapsed, the investigators had better put the ex-PM and his conies away for a long, long time. He and they are like vampires, who never die unless a stake is driven through their hearts. And if they are not staked they will return with such a vengeance that the country will never again have a chance at democratic development.

John Francis Lee

Chiang Rai

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For once, Condoleezza Rice should follow Don Rumsfeld

 US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice still doesn't get it. She failed as national security adviser and now she has failed as secretary of state.

The US is losing the battle to convince the world that it is still a superpower. The loss can be laid at the doorstep of the secretary of state, who just said, "We believe at this point in time that it is up to Syria to act on what is a very obvious path to help stabilise the region" - not recognising the fact that the US created the destabilisation.

Unfortunately, every diplomat who has ever preceded her in the US disagrees, even Madeline Albright! All are recommending diplomacy. The Iraq study group recommended it, but Doctor Condi doesn't do "diplomacy" - she does "regime change".

Poor America, to have to suffer such incompetence in international affairs.

When will Condi accept that she also must take the path of her antagonist and failed secretary of defence, Don Rumsfeld?

Richard Stampfle

Nong Khai

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Muslim leaders not playing their roles to best effect

 Re: "To preserve the integrity of their faith all Muslims must take up a jihad against violence", Opinion, February 1.

Kudos to Malgalina Avianty and Cornelis de Wolf for their article about Muslims taking up a jihad against the radical use of the Koran. Why aren't Muslim leaders espousing this very same message? Problems will never end until this message gets through to radical minds.

Hyde Parke

Pattaya

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