Being there by invitation only, the reporters were welcomed by four TOT directors, who were apparently ready to answer all questions asked. But rather than satisfying the press, their answers remained as opaque as earlier news reports.

Indeed, the reporters received a clearer answer from Bannawit Kengrien, adviser to TOT chairman General Saprang Kalayanamitr. He popped into the meeting room and volunteered to reveal what the device - to be purchased through the secret contribution - really was.

Once there was agreement to his condition that the secret would not be broadcast for national-security reasons, he indeed revealed details of the device. (Certainly, for national-security reasons, we cannot write here what the device is.)

Before he left the room, Bannawit was asked whether the Army would file a similar request with other state enterprises. (Saprang chairs the boards of directors of Thai Airways International and Airports of Thailand.)

"How could we? They're partially privately owned," he said.

Somehow, this highlights the need to privatise all moneymaking state enterprises. Even though the government would see its stake in the enterprises drop, it would gain from the share sale. In addition, the Attorney General's Office, which is in charge of inspecting the finances of state units, would be assisted, because the partially privately owned enterprises would be in the spotlight, with other parties to monitor their decisions and actions.

His comments answered one question that hung in the mind of the reporters. Read the story on page 4B to find out which questions were left unanswered.

achara_d@nationgroup.com