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Published on September 10, 2007

I agree with Sopon Onkgara that it's very likely that Thaksin Shinawatra's reported outburst about his Swiss bank accounts being frozen was a result of his being unacquainted with the withdrawal procedures of Swiss banks. Maybe he thought it was just like keying in your numbers at an ATM machine. When he failed to make a transaction the first time, he flew into rage.

So Thaksin has apparently admitted he has Swiss bank accounts, which are popular among politicians around the world for their promise of confidentiality and secrecy - except at the account holder's discretion or with a court order.

Thaksin has always entertained the idea that he is the smartest person in Thailand, or even in some parts of the world like England. Now he must cope with his own multi-billion-dollar gaffe.

Chavalit Van

Chiang Mai

Dinosaur politicians are simply depressing

Samak Sundaravej is the poster child for what is wrong with this country's politicians. Not only would I insist on the continuation of the ban on the 111 MPs, if I had the opportunity, I would most likely ban all current politicians and take my chances with a fresh slate. Am thoroughly depressed.

Pim Kemasingki

Bangkok

Vigilant media necessary to point out police wrongs

Re: "Yasothon incident an utter disgrace", Editorial, September 9.

I would like to commend you on an excellent editorial concerning the beating up of the officer in Yasothon. It was indeed a shameful, terrible incident, but I think if any good can be found in this it is that people are now pointing a finger and letting "godfathers" know that this sort of behaviour is not acceptable. They might get away with it, but the popular opinion is against them, and one day, as institutions evolve, they won't get away with it. It all starts with pointing out something like this and saying, "This is wrong".

I hope The Nation follows up on this story and if possible stations a reporter there to do some field reporting on the issue and clearly outline for all of us how these power divisions lay out and what exactly the roots of this terrible incident were. Police forces around the world are often brought in front of the glare of the media spotlight and that is for the best. Thailand is not the only country with utterly corrupt and brutal policemen (along with honest ones), and Asia is not the only continent. Incidents of police brutality, excessive use of force and just generally bad policing still crop up regularly in North America, for example. The only hope for the average citizen is to get this abuse on camera or to be supported by a forthright media.

Let's hope that one day incidents like these no longer occur, but in the meantime here's to a vigilant press rattling cages and screaming from the rooftops whenever they do.

BF

Bangkok

Dry elections for locals only, please

It seems a bit early to be discussing the upcoming election, but the Thai government ought to rethink its policy of alcohol-free election days. I offer a slightly different approach. Thailand is well known throughout the world for its two-tiered price system. I suggest that the government simply follow this concept on election day. Since no foreigner plays any role in the election process, why should they be deprived of alcohol on election day? A simple ban on the sale of alcohol to Thais would accomplish whatever it is that the government is trying to avoid or control. For non-Thais, election day is just another Sunday.

Grandpa

Chon Buri

Popular uprising might unseat Burmese junta

We want to comment on General Sonthi Boonyaratglin's recent visit to Burma to meet Than Shwe and Maung Aye. We would like to think that he delivered an ultimatum not to target North Korean ballistic missiles at Thailand. The congeniality, hand-shaking and associated public statements, though, lead us to conclude that this did not take place.

Sonthi launched a coup in Thailand to end the dictatorial rule of the Thaksin regime. Yet he visited the top generals of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), who are far worse tyrants. If ever a country needed a military coup to restore democracy, it's Burma.

The people of Burma should seriously consider granting amnesty, for crimes committed, to Tatmadaw soldiers who are willing to risk their lives to overthrow the SPDC. This idea could be publicised inside the country in fliers and via other communications (such as discussions on radio broadcasts). It is clear that the long-awaited popular uprising is underway. This will likely continue for some months: however long it takes to win freedom. The goal is to create pressure so great that, barring or in advance of a coup, Than Shwe and his family will flee to Singapore.

September 18 will be critical, both inside and outside the country. For the former, nationwide protests are being planned. Let the Fighting Peacock lead the way! Outside the country, we heartily endorse the US Campaign for Burma's call for worldwide demonstrations at Chinese embassies.

The risk, of course, is of a renewed military crackdown. Right now the soldiers of the Tatmadaw do not have a tangible motivation to return their allegiance to the people. The best way to create this would be an offer of amnesty. The intention of considering amnesty should ideally be publicised prior to this date. There was a limited reaction by the members of the international community to the events of August 1988. There were condemnations of the massacres then, to be sure, but no formal, organised response. This lack of preparation should not be repeated.

A number of scenarios in the coming weeks and months are possible. These include a violent reaction by the SPDC to increasingly large public demonstrations; Burma becoming unsettled as protests in the streets are supplemented with revolutionary acts, including those which target international financial interests (eg, opposition to the Salween dams); and the possibility of a coup against the SPDC and/or the voluntary relinquishing of power by Than Shwe.

The international community, but particularly officials at the United Nations, and in the governments of the US, EU, and the UK separately (it bears singular responsibility because of its prior colonisation of Burma), and Australia, should undertake emergency contingency planning, for all of these scenarios. These parties should be prepared to act, momentarily and ideally as a coalition, if the above outcomes occur. For the first, if the SPDC murders the protesters, this would create a moral obligation to launch a military intervention.

We call upon UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to visit the refugee camps in Thailand, as a follow-up to his visit to the camps in Darfur. Once he sees what has happened in Burma with his own eyes, he will understand why there must be change, now. Perhaps then the cause of freedom for Burma will finally begin to get real support from the UN Secretariat.

Roland Watson

Dictator Watch

Bangkok