MP's push for Jakrapob's resignation commendable

Chart Thai MP Nattawut Prasertsuwan's action on Wednesday, calling for Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to either put pressure on PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair to resign or fire him, should be commended and encouraged.

Actions like this should be seen as normal in any democratic system. Lawmakers are obliged to do their job the way they deem most profitable for their country as a whole - prior to their constituency, party or coalition.

As it is, the gathering place for our lawmakers seems very much like a pig farm, where pigs are kept in confinement and fed only.

Politicians are supposed to be honourable people with duties - not swine - they should act accordingly.

Chavalit Van

Chiang Mai

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Protests an integral part of the democratic process

Re: "Democrats face dissolution attack", Politics, May 28.

People Power Party MP Worawat Ua-apinyakul is preparing to file a complaint against the Democratic Party, saying that Democratic MPs joining a People's Alliance for Democracy protest could be considered an attempt to topple democracy. 

Being free to join a demonstration concerning a particular government policy is precisely what the democratic process entails. It is trying to forcefully stop it by force or legalistic tools that is anti-democratic. Everyone should be free to join demonstrations without fear of violence as a way of expressing their views on political issues.

Even without the presence of groups with hidden agendas, it is natural for people to have differing views on subjects and to want to express them. This will occur even within a political party. I was once challenged that, at an internal party meeting, I had expressed views that were different from party policy. My reply was that someone who says they agree with everything within the party policy either has not thought about issues (this is not good for an MP) or is a liar  (and is that a good qualification for public office?). 

There seems to be a big gap in the understanding of democracy in this country.  There is still too much reliance on the phuyai.

Gareth Clayton

Bangkok

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Profiteers looking to cash in on country's misery

On May 28, your front-page lead article warned us that "captains of Thai business and industry" are worried about the effects that the current political conflict may have on the national economy ("Brewing conflict gives trade leaders the jitters" News). The chairman of the Board of Trade and the Thai Chamber of Commerce (who is presumably the commander-in-chief of the captains of business and industry) was quoted as complaining, "This renewed confrontation will hinder the country's economic growth".

Translation: "Never mind that blood may be spilled in the streets, people may be killed, and society may be thrown into chaos. We might lose money!"

On the same day, the irrepressible Mark Mobius weighed in with a quote at the top of your Money and Investment page. Despite his cherubic appearance, Mobius is the financial guru who famously remarked some years ago that you want to wait till there's blood in the streets, then buy up everything in sight.

His most recent nugget of wisdom: "Thailand's politics may appear quite chaotic and unstable. However, having been through many changes in government in Thailand, we find that it's a good opportunity to buy inexpensive stocks whose prices have dropped on perceived political instability."

Translation: "Go ahead, suckers, make my day. Chaos is good news for the money vultures. Let the games begin. We will swoop down and pick your carcass clean."

A day earlier, on May 27, managing editor Thanong Khanthong was quoted as saying that The Nation was targeting business leaders as its prime readership market ("'The Nation' launch party", News).

My question: Are you sure you want to get in bed with these guys? If I had my way, I wouldn't even be on the same planet.

S Tsow

Bangkok