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Published on March 24, 2008

I suggest that one root cause is the lack of accountability, whether of individuals or political parties. Look at the corruption that's led to our being ranked as the second-most corrupt country in Asia: to date, only one minister's been jailed, and even that is because of the good work of Rosana Tositrakul - certainly not the government. With accountability, we'd have less/no vote-buying, corruption, etc. We'd have a level playing field and transparency, which would promote investor confidence.

So, how do we promote accountability in the party-dissolution cases? I suggest that if a politician is found guilty, and he's the only one who could have benefited from his actions, and there are no monetary or other ties to indicate that the party knew what he was doing, then only he be punished. The sentence should be the maximum allowed by law, since we're dealing with national leaders here.

If, however, his activities would have benefited other candidates, then presumably they, and perhaps their party, knew of his acts and either did not blow the whistle or were active accomplices - and, again, the guilty should be given the maximum penalty allowed by law. If the guilty includes the candidate's party, then so be it. This will serve as an excellent lesson to parties to screen their standard-bearers carefully.

Surapong's protests that his efforts to amend the Charter are not for the People Power Party's benefit ring hollow. If that's so, then he should explicitly exempt the People Power Party from any changes, which would leave the People Power Party in the lurch.

I disagree with Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's opinion that dissolving three parties is tantamount to annihilating the country. There is one party, which garnered almost as many popular votes as the People Power Party. It's shadow cabinet is ready to step in at a moment's notice, and I'll safely wager that, in most cases, its shadow ministers are infinitely better-qualified than those we have serving now. At least, for example, the shadow deputy finance minister won't have to look on the Internet to find out what the Finance Ministry does.

So, yes, Surapong, let's determine what's good for our country's political development, and act accordingly - even if it means that the People Power Party and others must be held accountable.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

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Seripisut not in the same league as corrupt politicos

It is disturbing to read that one person in the Kingdom who I have always had faith in, Seripisut Temiyavej, is being targeted for "dishonesty".

Like many Thai citizens, I have always held this man in the highest regard and have never questioned his integrity. I still don't.

This man has always shown us courage and integrity.

Yes he has been firm in his approach at times, but it is a disgrace to attempt to "taint" him with the same brush of corruption that suits 90 per cent of our political figures both past and present.

If there have been inconsistencies, these would be due to the actions of his subordinates, but not the man himself.

He was handed the difficult task of cleaning up the police force, which will now go back to the state it had been in prior to him taking the helm.

It is a "stain" on our nation to see that we have been marked as the second-most corrupt nation in Asia.

We need people like Seripisut to help clean up this image.

As far as allegations that Seripisut spoke to his subordinates in a bad way at times, Samak could also be accused of doing this time and again, as he has done with Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung.

For myself, I would like to tell Seripisut that I will stand behind him at all times, as will thousands of other Thais who believe him to be a man of integrity. We are in short supply of such men in this nation, specifically within our political circles.

We regret your transfer and wish you were back leading the Royal Thai Police.

Noppadon

Bangkok

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