• 
• 

However, we should take a long-term view, with due care to the effects on the environment. Look at what happened to the Salween forest by those seeking to maximise their short-term private profit.

He's acting like a bull in a china shop by apparently unilaterally announcing his plan of action. He says he doesn't care about opposition from NGOs; he should take Political Science 101, and learn how a democracy benefits from the opinions of its citizens not only as expressed through its MPs but via other means.

Also, past governments trying to divert water from the Mekong faced strong opposition from other countries. Water use for Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam is regulated by the Mekong River Commission (MRC), which we helped form. Has he obtained this commission's approval for his grand plans? Or is it a case of 'announce first, seek approval later'?

Suvarnabhumi Airport was a pet mega-project of the Hong Kong puppet-master, and it continues to remain a giant embarrassment to us, not only in terms of apparent massive graft but simple poor planning and execution. Incoming prime minister Samak should seek to avoid a similar pie in the face by operating transparently, inviting NGOs to express their views at an early stage, and working with the MRC.

Our incoming premier would do well to heed Seneca the Younger: "He is most powerful who has power over himself."

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

----------------------------

No cruise control for PPP with Abhisit on the watch

Re: "Shadow cabinet a welcome move", Editorial, February 4.

The Democrat Party says the shadow government will monitor, scrutinise and, if possible, offer alternative policies to the real government. If that is the case, the real government is likely to watch every step it makes, meaning the country will have an upright government, no corruption, abuse of power, or interference with independent agencies, which is good.

Incoming prime minister Samak Sundaravej should thank Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva for acting like an early warning system in a car that buzzes when it strays too far off course, keeping the passengers happy and ensuring they come back for further services.

Somsak Pola

Samut Prakan 

----------------------------

Improved Internet access key to Thailand's future

It is understood that international Internet access is under the sole control of CAT, the government-owned telecom operation. Connectivity and bandwidth are deplorable, and no one appears to be concerned about it. I have read numbers of Thai citizens, businesses, and foreigners complain (even laugh) about the situation.

Is there any way to get the Thai government to appreciate this horrible condition?  Thailand wants to improve its international image. Thailand wants to improve its international standard of business and boost its number of exports. Thailand Internet users would like to be heard.

In terms of Internet infrastructure, Thailand ranks at the bottom in Asia.

What can The Nation, as a leading news media outlet, do to generate some positive action?

Jerry Nissen

Chiang Mai

----------------------------

Safe homes and schools a goal that is within reach

Re: "Official intimidation not unheard of in the West", Letters, February 4.

Gareth Clayton, I wrote "long live open societies in which individuals live with no fear" ("A lack of courage is clearly evident", Letters, January 31) fully aware of worldwide intimidation and self-serving applications of power.

I find only a few examples of open societies in which fear is reduced and dialogue is open.

One example is in the home where the parents provide a secure base for children to play, imagine, and create meaning without fear. I only wish more families actually succeeded doing this.

The other example is the rare classroom in which a teacher also provides the stability, safety, and security for students to really say what they think, for students and teachers to engage in constructive dialogue, and for everyone to be given dignity and respect as a human being.

I have some suggestions for encouraging this kind of openness and I practise what I preach in my classrooms with my students. That they feel free in the classroom is contrasted with their telling me they don't speak freely with their friends outside of class or in society in general for fear of "conflict".

I see the home and the classroom as the only places that offer hope for dignity, self-esteem, respect, critical thinking and progress to be practised. I hope these domains continue to have the autonomy and safety needed for people to synthesise new ideas and explore, and hopefully take this openness into less secure domains and help make society's way of life critical in a progressive, respectful way.

Again, I'll say my opinion, but I'll change it slightly: long live safe, secure, stable home bases for learning and long live classrooms where students have no fear. I see no other places to begin making tomorrow's society fairer, more loving, and mature.

David Brooks

Bangkok

----------------------------

Din of irate letter writers unlikely to silence noise

Re: "Visitors to rural areas: bring a set of earplugs", Letters, January 30.

My thanks to Poo Yai Lee for suggesting "potential reasons" for the dawn broadcasts amplified from streets and temple precincts around Thailand.

The suggestions are so comprehensive it difficult to improve on them. However, I venture to propose that it may also have something to do with what Shakespeare in "Hamlet" lists among the several factors that make life intolerable, namely: "the insolence of office".

Regarding Lee's comment that "a few letters to the editor by irate foreigners will not change things" I can only sadly concur. I have lived in Thailand now for eight years and am still in love with the country. So perhaps sending off irate letters occasionally is just another old-fool way of making that ineffectual plea: "Darling, I wish you wouldn't do that."

Chris E

Bangkok

Send us your views in an instant

E-mail your opinion, with 'Letters to

the Editor' in the subject box, to:

letters@nationgroup.com

The Nation