It was a widely known fact for most people living in Bangkok and the middle-class that the Thaksin regime had vested interests in all the mega-projects initiated by Thai Rak Thai. In fact, it had reached a stage when the business community in Bangkok could see that the economy was on a downswing and that the only projects with potential were these, which were all artificial in real economic terms.

Everything was out of control. Corruption was rampant. The insiders of Thai Rak Thai were making tonnes of money in their mega-projects whereas outsiders were excluded from contracts. Nepotism, cronyism and favouritism were at unprecedented heights. Corruption was choking the country to death. The tax avoidance in the Shin Corp/Temasek deal, the dubious sale of a plot of land on Ratchadaphisek Road and the CTX scanner case at Suvarnabhumi Airport are just the "tip of the iceberg" of what has been identified. Scratch deeper and you will corruption in other mega-projects of this time.

Money is the root cause of all evil and corruption was rearing its ugly head in Thai society. This practice had become so common that it was a matter of course to "grease palms" to get your work rolling. People who did not play according to the rules of the game were phased out. All government agencies including police, customs, income tax and revenue were well known for their corrupt practices and insider jobs.

We need sincere and honest men like Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and General Sonthi Boonyaratglin to eliminate the corruption which seems to have pervaded every segment of Thai society.

Let there be equality where every individual is granted access to share in the growth of the country rather than those individuals with vested interests. Thaksin was a product, a creation of our society. We must ask ourselves how can we avoid the creation of a person like him who was able to weave his way into Thai society again.

We have only ourselves to blame for the corruption that permeates across every segment of our society. It is the moral duty of every Thai citizen to ensure that the honour, dignity and pride of the Thai nation comes first before anything else!

Sumeth Goriawala

Bangkok

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Surayud's noble aims to be put to toughest test yet

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has proved himself to be a very good caretaker leader under the military junta during the past eight months. He has shown, even in his term as an appointed interim leader, a stark difference between himself and his "democratic" predecessor, Thaksin Shinawatra, in terms of integrity, maturity and humanity. Most worthy of mention here is his care for national reconciliation, which is most desirable at this juncture. However, the few months ahead will prove to be the most crucial and testing time for the prime minister. Unlike Surayud, the chairman of the Council for National Security General Sonthi Boonyaratglin refuses to commit himself to staying away from politics after the next general election; this will pose a difficulty for the prime minister in seeking trust and cooperation from the public. The anti-coup protesters, who are swelling in number, pose a threat to national unity. The rally leaders are trying every way to instigate violence in the hope that a state of emergency will be declared, so that their dear leader Thaksin will have a pretext to seek political asylum in a foreign country.

Let's hope Prime Minister Surayud overcomes all these hurdles in the next few months left in his tenure and brings Thailand back on the road to a genuine democracy again.

Chavalit Van

Chiang Mai

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Smoking in public shows a disregard for others

Re: "Anti-smoking brigade will never give up", Letters, June 11.

Perhaps John Arnone would like it very much if I sat next to him at his favorite restaurant blaring Metallica from my boom box full blast. After all, boom boxes aren't illegal and they don't impinge on anybody nearby, just like that second-hand cigarette smoke that never bothers my throat or causes my asthma to act up.

The truth is, it would bother other patrons and I'd be asked to leave or turn my music off. Like it or not, smoking, like obnoxiously loud music, is something that has an effect on people around you. Like second-hand smoke has an effect on other people's ability to wheeze - excuse me breathe - my loud music can damage their ears and ruin their evening. I hope the point isn't lost on you.

As for his contention that California's smoking ban pushed the party in bars onto the patios, Arnone is sadly mistaken and once again blowing smoke. I have crawled out of many bars throughout California from San Diego to Redding during the last 10 years, and I have to say that the party is still very much indoors. Most people I know in the Golden State are grateful not to have to come home reeking of smoke that lingers in their clothes and hair, which gives away where they've been when the wife asks probing questions. Smokers don't complain; they can still smoke outside, in the rain, in the sun, sleet, in their cars and in their homes, where they don't impinge on others.

Furthermore, it should be pointed out that California's smoking laws are not a public health ordinance, but workplace safety statutes that require that all employees work in a smoke-free environment. It's cheaper than providing respirators for the staff and it cuts down on workers' compensation claims. Smoking is still allowed in bars that are sole proprietorships and employ only family

members. And guess what? Those bars are usually empty and, worse, there are no hot babes, just haggard-looking patrons with early-stage emphysema.

Copper Johnny

Bangkok

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Smokers are free to foul the air in their own homes

Of all the defences for smoking, John Arnone came out best in clouding the issue.

As far as I am concerned, so long as his smoking does not affect me health-wise, he has complete freedom under the law to continue his habit, which has been proven beyond a doubt to be bad for him and those within his proximity.

If he wants to shorten his life, that would be fine with me - that is what Mahatma Gandhi called one's freedom to make a mistake. If he wants to do this in the presence of his family members, then he should go on smoking in his home since the law has not deprived him of this freedom. But his family members would have my sympathy. He also has my sympathy for being unlucky in not having seen the light of this bad habit.

Songdej Praditsmanont

Bangkok

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Ignoring climate change has deadly consequences

Re: "Climate change debate decidedly one-sided" Letters, June 9.

It is an undeniable fact there is a climate problem which is affecting the world community both now and most likely in the future. Ron Goodden's article complains that there is no debate about this reality much less any real scientific proof that his fellow man is responsible for it. "Where are the facts supporting the 'climo-hysterians' it rants," he asks. No one should passively accept the earth's carbon asphyxiation dogma without the requirements of real scientific proof.

George W Bush for one obviously does because at the G8 summit he recommended every one adopt his new plan for the goals of carbon emissions called the American-style system wherein each country should set its own goals voluntarily, and enforce them on the honour system.

Climate change is a problem with a very high "procrastination penalty": a penalty that just grows and grows with each passing year of inaction.

Should it come down to either providing our kids with lessons on the merits of open debate or making them aware of the scientific seriousness of what is reality for all to see, I am confident that middle school and high school teachers are both responsible and creative enough to provide the environment for students on their own to question, research and express their thoughts both in writing and speech about an issue that affects the whole world.

Scientists funded from industry think tanks, Michael Crichton, Senator James Inhofe, Al Gore et al, have already had their say.

No Joke

Bangkok