Definitely there is concern and fear among small retailers that big multinational stores are taking away their business because they are better, nicer and cheaper.

However, as a keen observer, this does not prevent our very own multinationals like Central, Big C, Emporium and others from becoming bigger, better, nicer and cheaper.

It is the small retailers, however, that must be told that they too can survive and grow without governmental help through legislation and the passing of laws to protect them from being swallowed up by the big fish.

The fundamental factor for retailers - whether they are small or big, multinational or Thai - is customers. Without customers there can be no retailers. All retailers must recognise this fundamental truth. Therefore it is fair to say that all retailers must operate on the same level playing field.

Bigger retailers need bigger financing; smaller retailers need smaller financing. After all it is your business plan that attracts the banks. If retailers keep their working capital and projections in order and have a proper cash flow while keeping their customers satisfied so that they keep coming back for more - retailers, whether small or large, will grow.

If you cannot take the heat of competition, get out of the kitchen. Let those who can compete run the business. We, Thai businesspeople must grow with the changing times. We can not depend on handouts. If we don't want to change ourselves, we can at least change our attitudes in the way we do business and compete. I admire the successful Thai companies that have gone global.

Anti-handouts

Bangkok

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Retreat on chain stores the last straw for tired writer

Duped again. First it was my own government who duped me with their claims of weapons of mass destruction. Now it is the Thai government who has duped me with some of the moves they made that appeared to have the intention of slowing down the westernisation of Thailand.

But lo and behold I read the paper today and find that the first blow struck against westernisation has been cancelled. Namely the law that was to have limited the foreign chain stores from gobbling up Thai commerce.

Now I have to consider that if all of the rhetoric about slowing down western investment wasn't just a ploy to start getting a little consideration from westerners. Evidently the previous government made a bundle and there just wasn't any more to be had without squeezing a little.

I think I am finally tired. I have been fighting this battle for seven odd years and it is becoming apparent that it is not winnable.

The few per cent in Bangkok who own all of the stock of Thailand do in fact have every intention of selling off Thailand and taking their profits before there is no more to be had.

Now, all they have to do is further loosen up the distribution of credit cards so that Thais can buy at the chains and the transformation will be complete.

I promise I will never comment on "westernisation" again.

It is finally clear to me that money has ruled the world, does rule the world and always will rule the world.

PT Barnum once said: "You'll never go broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public." I would imagine that I could now add; "No western carpetbagger has ever failed to make inroads into Thailand by overestimating the greed of the people who control it".

John Arnone

Yasothon

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Possibility of emergency rule flies in face of coup's mission

Re: "Junta plans stern action to muzzle detractors", News, March 28.

I thought that the plan was to head for new elections in Thailand? How can that be achieved without freedom of speech and the expression of different opinions?

The move to a possible new emergency rule in Bangkok shows that Thailand is in dire straits and sends a bad signal to all investors in this country.

What is needed is a compromise and a healing policy. Stop the judiciary play against Thai Rak Thai. It is now of the utmost importance that all civil rights typical of a democratic country are given back to the people of Thailand.

Neutral Observer

Bangkok

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Sonthi would undo progress made with protest crackdown

I actually disapproved of the coup. But since it happened with the best declared intentions from soldiers led by General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, a professional soldier of integrity, I chose to give the junta the benefit of the doubt.

When General Sonthi quickly lifted martial law in Bangkok and other provinces, my hopes again lifted that perhaps General Sonthi would stick to his word. The selection of Surayud as premier got my blessing.

The announcement that the elections would be close to being on schedule was good news to my doubting soul. So General Sonthi stop this nonsense about the possibility of emergency rule being introduced in Bangkok. Give those protesters some freedom to air their grievances and to root for their flawed champion Thaksin. Even if those protesters grow to thousands or to hundreds of thousands, keep your soldiers at the barracks unless those protesters threaten violence, which seems unlikely.

Matty

Bangkok

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Refusal to extend emergency status won't clean northern air

The refusal of provincial governors yesterday to declare continued emergency status for the northern provinces was quite disgusting. They know about the thousands of new patients being treated daily at hospitals. Yet, they are mostly or only concerned over the impact that an emergency announcement will have on tourism during the Songkran holidays.

Do they really believe that Thai and foreign travellers are so ignorant or stupid? On the contrary, tourist and holiday travellers are usually quite informed and intelligent. They will know that refusals by short-sighted government agencies to declare emergencies and to take strong action against the wildfires will only make matters worse. They have many, many other places to go where they don't need to be given air masks when they arrive. The air pollution crisis is already four weeks old. What were police and other law enforcement people doing all this time, other than attending meetings, handing out air masks to visitors, or expressing concern to reporters?

Chiang Mai residents are also smart and know that little will be done by government officials. They expect that the air here will finally get better when the seasonal rains come finally in May or June. As one told me, "It's the same old story ... mai pen rai ... what can we do?"

Dan Swift

Chiang Mai

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Time for Surayud to take a decisive stance in deep South

Re: "Malaysia's strict anti-terror legislation a model for Thai authorities to emulate", Letters, March 28.

This letter hit the nail on the forehead. Malaysia didn't declare martial law as we did and their people live peacefully in northern Malaysia.

What the Surayud government is doing is beyond my comprehension. Those separatists have nothing to do with Islam; they are Muslims who are utilising religious means effectively for their benefit. It is time to keep Islam clean by allowing authorities access to clean it up. Those who oppose it are likely on the other side, and there is no in-between. Either they are with us or they are not. So, what is the Surayud government afraid to do? Where can the innocent find protection?

Surasak Piputtana

Bangkok

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Writer contradictory in points made about Pojaman case

Re: "Transparent process must be observed in Pojaman case", Letters, March 28.

I found this letter to be self-contradictory. First the writer wanted to see that "the days of double standards are over". But later on he said, "She [Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra] deserves the harshest punishment. [Because] She is the wealthiest woman in the land, was the leading lady, and is Thaksin's wife".

Furthermore, the writer not only wants to see that justice is served but also he wants to make sure that is seen to be served. So if Khunying Pojaman is convicted, the Justice Ministry should do a reality show, broadcasting 24 hours of Khunying Pojaman's daily activities in jail. This will surely create euphoria in a lot of people's hearts.

Meechai Burapa

Bangkok

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Website operator's tourist bookings down significantly

Re: "Government facing a mental block", Editorial, March 28.

I run a website that takes online holiday bookings for Koh Chang, Bangkok and Pattaya and each month commissions are paid out. It is a very good barometer of tourist activity. This month, to my surprise, the commission was 425 per cent lower than in February, showing no bookings at all for Bangkok and Pattaya and only one for Koh Chang. This is unprecedented.

Investors, now tourists. Who will they target next to bury the country's already limited growth?

Sucatash

Bangkok

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