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Published on March 20, 2008

Like Than Shwe, Samak will also disgrace Asean in the eyes of the international community.

A neutral observer made an accurate description of the situation in Burma in the February 23-24 issue of the Wall Street Journal. He states: "The focus of Burma's spiritual life, the Shwedagon (Pagoda), has also exerted a potent pull over the country's earthly affairs. One of the sparks that lit the independence movement was the refusal of British imperialists to remove their shoes before entering the shrine. The Burmese endured poverty, plague and foreign rule, but disrespecting the Shwedagon was a step too far. Last September, the monks' revolt began at the Shwedagon, where peaceful protests were suppressed with tear gas and batons. Security was restored, but not order: the army's insult to the national soul awaits its karmic redress".

Myint Thein

Bangkok

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US Fed move could save the world's economy

Re: "Controls need to be in step with innovations", Editorial, March 19.

Your editorial analysis claims that the Bear Stearns debacle somehow means the "US can no longer claim to be the champion of global capitalism". As you point out, the West "blamed the Thai crisis on crony capitalism". No one is suggesting any such cause with Bear Stearns. The editorial says Thailand had to "open up the financial markets for foreign banks", but fails to say that nationalists hated the idea. It also fails to note that no anti-foreigner sentiment existed around Bear Stearns, which would have gladly accepted a take-over from, say, Bangkok Bank, if it were offered.

The measures the US Federal Reserve has taken are common for any central bank: interest-rate adjustments and loan guarantees, which in the past have actually made money for the US government. And in this case, another company is buying Bear Stearns at a fire-sale price. And as for moral hazard, bankruptcy is still a far more potent force in the US than it ever was in Thailand, whose ineffectual bankruptcy laws propped up walking-dead companies for years after the 1997 crisis began.

The Fed acted to save the US economy and, possibly, the world's. In 1997, nationalists in the Thai government acted to save face, their cronies, and failed businesses that thought they shouldn't have to face the consequences of their actions, in a typical something-for-nothing attitude that has metastasised throughout this corrupt society.

Paul Bradley

Bangkok

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Governor should be applauded for taking leave

Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin wishes to take a leave of absence to clear his name, which has been added to those under investigation in the BMA fire-truck scandal. His honourable act is the opposite to most Thai politicians.

He has put his accountability, integrity, responsibility and honesty on the line. It shows that he is not attached to a prestigious title, unlike members of the current administration and their cronies.

These people will hold on to their posts at any cost.

Surasak Piputtana

Bangkok

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Keeping an eagle eye on motorists

Those who witness motorists using mobile phones while driving can now submit pictures as evidence at the Traffic Police Division's website, www.trafficpolice.go.th.

I wonder what will happen to fellow drivers who trap a mobile-phone user by using a phone camera themselves? Will they also be punished? I believe the authorities should try to catch the offenders themselves and not rely on unqualified civilians.

Imagine the following report to a car insurance representative: "I was just trying to find my mobile in my bag to take a picture of this guy in front of me talking on his mobile while driving, and I crashed into the car in front of me. The guy talking on the mobile got away." Next gadget on the market: bluetooth camera clickers. Let us be serious and educate ourselves?

Bluetooth defier

Bangkok

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