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Published on March 26, 2008

The statement, made at a Channel 11 party, was seen as a prelude to the revamp of the executive board for Channel 9. It was surprising as Wasant was a respected newsman who presided over MCOT after a selection process. Matichon's headline reads: "Jakrapob claims news talk shows damage the country and [the government] plans to seize five radio frequencies."

Naewna newspaper echoed the message, saying "Radio frequencies are taken over … Jakrapob claims they present negative news - so the government wants to take over the operation." The news broke late on Monday and most newspapers didn't have time to comment - so let's see how they react to Jakrapob's decision today.

Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee on Monday surprised an audience at an economic seminar organised  by the Nation Group, by comparing the state of the Thai economy to patients in intensive care.

As you all know, the intensive care unit is a specialised hospital department - conjuring up  images of dying patients. The question is: are we that bad?

Krungthep Thurakij's editorial reacted, "The … lack of economic confidence comes from the government." If, as the finance minister says, the Thai economy compares with ICU victims of  the tsunami - the government needs to introduce economic stimulus policies following the cancellation of capital controls, which  Cabinet approved on March 4.

Surapong justified the government's economic stimulus package, saying it's needed to boost investor confidence.

Academics, on  the other hand, thought of the Thai economy differently - saying the fundamentals are still strong. Therefore, the paper said, if the government wants to boost domestic consumption, it should ensure growth in the long- term or promote the competitiveness of Thai industries, instead of promoting domestic consumption in the short-term. Instead, the government has chosen to inject money to jump-start consumption at the grass-roots level.

What the government should do is to bring in the Bank of Thailand and the academic sector to find out the facts; to determine whether the Thai economy is in a critical state. This would avoid confusion, which may further undermine confidence.

Matichon's editorial yesterday shifted from politics to concern over social problems with the headline,"Thais lack things to hold on to." The report cited the suicide of a 23-year-old graduate who jumped  from a  10-storey condominium in central Bangkok. The reason: a dispute with her boyfriend.

The article said this incident could have been avoided if the young lady understood the value of  life.

She graduated from an elite university in Thailand and was a lecturer at an English-speaking university in Bangkok. "It's unbelievable that a lady with such a high education decided to commit suicide. We have read several stories of teenagers committing suicide because of similar problems, but this lady was supposed to be more mature."

The article said the incident showed that Thais lacked things to hold on to when they have problems. Education didn't help her realise the value of life. She failed to understand her issue was trivial - only a small step in her life. But she chose to hurt herself.

The paper urged schools and families to place more importance on teaching children to live with consciousness and to strive for happiness in life, according to the Lord Buddha's teaching.

"Families and educational institutions will have to take this issue seriously or more damage will be done," the paper summed up.

The Nation