No end to crisis without justice for Thaksin and Co

There is no end game to all of this. Why is it that almost two years have passed now without a single member of the Thaksin clan appearing before the bench on a raft of corruption charges?

Until Thaksin and family appear in court and the hearings are just and fair, the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) will not surrender their principles and go home. As a result the country's economy will adversely suffer exponentially, people will face further humiliation and starvation, and the nation will rot. It is not the fault of the military, nor can one point the finger of blame at the PAD. One must seriously look at the real cause behind this crisis, and that is the slow-moving process of justice in cases involving Thaksin.

He now needs the Assets Examination Committee to disband as he needs his cash back: he has allegedly pledged £200 million [Bt13.2 billion] to Manchester City Football Club and more to his proposed investment in a casino and entertainment complex in the Cambodian province of Koh Kong. He must be confident that justice will not prevail.

The fact is that Thaksin and his family will never be charged with corruption and that this country and the Stock Exchange of Thailand will go down with the same ship on the Man City logo he so deridingly scoffs at.

Maybe he's right, and Thailand doesn't represent "something solid, as it moves only as far as winds take it". It seems, in Thailand, that the winds of justice blow only when it suits.

James Groveway

Bangkok

A fresh round of elections would ease political strife

I believe dissolving Parliament and calling for a new election is the only way to improve the situation in Thailand.

We don't need to worry about a political vacuum caused by the election process. The current government is already creating a kind of political vacuum, and Parliament is almost loosing its ability to function.

People want to see clear policy and action by the government in handling so many difficult issues, especially economic matters, which are causing serious suffering due to the rising cost of living. The amendment of the current Constitution would also be of interest to some voters.

So there are clear issues on which political party can campaign. This means it is a good chance for political parties to compete by presenting their policies and letting the voters decide.

At the same time, a call for a new election would surely force the People's Alliance for Democracy to end its street protests.

I think this is the last chance for Samak to show his political-leadership abilities. I believe this would have a positive impact on the Thai economy, including the stock market. He had better make his decision quickly before other coalition parties make it for him. If the government refuses to hold a new election and gives lack of finances as the reason why, that is so much nonsense.

KT

Bangkok

EU not heeding its citizens' rejection of Lisbon Treaty

Re: "Sarkozy loses face with Irish 'no' vote", World, June 19.

As a Dutchman, I think that the Irish outcome shows that the leaders of the governments and European leaders do not respect and do not understand the population at all. The same is true of the government of the Netherlands. The Dutch people said "no" to Europe in a referendum three years ago, just as the French did.

The Dutch Government never organised a second referendum but instead simply gave the treaty another name and vowed that it would ratify the text. Well, more than 60 per cent of the Dutch people want to have a second referendum! Yet the Dutch government has done everything it can to prevent this!

If the Dutch government ratifies the text, it will show a fear and disdain for the Dutch people. When the EU does not respect the Irish outcome, it proves that the EU is not democratic.

Mark Rubel

The Netherlands

Heavy fliers should pay a higher fuel surcharge

Please allow me to vent some frustration regarding fuel surcharges of air tickets.

Given the recent dramatic increases in global oil prices I was expecting to have to pay a fuel surcharge on air tickets to Europe next month.

However, I was and indeed am, flabbergasted that my daughter, who is five years old, has to pay exactly the same fuel surcharge (Bt7,345) as her fellow adult passengers.

Is there any discernible logic, rhyme or reason to explain why she, who weighs a meagre 24 kilograms, is forced to pay the same as the burgeringesting lard mountain sitting next to her in the adjoining seat? And to preempt the smart alecs: no that's not me or her mother; we will be in the other adjoining seats.

Who's in favour of a weightrelated "weighting" when it comes to air tickets generally and fuel surcharges specifically?

Frugal Flyer

bangkok

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