Cabinet line-up still |leaves a sour taste

NETIRAT INTIRA

BANGKOK

Govt advisers must submit to assets declarations

I'm glad that Prime Minister Samak is getting economic advisers to help make up for the lack of qualifications of his ministers. However, the opportunities for conflicts of interest abound, as they'll get inside information from the Cabinet while being directors of private companies. True, other regimes had similar advisers who kept their board seats, but since when did two wrongs make a right?

Also, Vicha Mahakhun, a member of the National Counter Corruption Committee, says that the Constitution and NCCC law do not prohibit conflicts of interest for advisers. True, but he, of all people, should know the truth of US Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren's words: "It is the spirit and not the form of the law that keeps justice alive."

I recommend that advisers be paid what they are worth, at market rates. Since they will have access to inside information, they, their spouses, and under-age children should, like Cabinet members, declare their assets, and resign from all boards.

Let's not start off by seeking loopholes benefiting your own vested interests, gentlemen.

BURIN KANTABUTRA

BANGKOK

The govt and Constitution both got voter approval

Re: "Prime minister needs to focus on his duties and responsibilities", Letters, August 5.

I wish the government would listen to Chavalit Van's words of wisdom, "the Constitution has been voted for as acceptable by the majority in last year's referendum". In another words, what Chavalit tries to say is that the majority vote counts and vote results should be respected.

The same is applied to the government, which was elected by majority vote. Any attempt to topple it would be seen by democratic-minded Thais as self-serving and against the will of the majority.

MEECHAI BURAPA

CHIANG MAI

Premier has every right |to amend the charter

To call the document foisted upon Thailand and the Samak regime by the perpetrators of a military coup a constitution is going too far. PM Samak should not simply amend it, he should get rid of it.

It is one of the more amazing facts about "amazing Thailand" that the country has had so many constitutions in the 76 years since the 1932 revolution and introduction of parliamentary government.

It took Australia (I am an Australian citizen) nearly as long to produce the one constitution which has met the country's needs since 1901. Years of debate, consultation, public input, writes and rewrites occurred before the people were asked to approve or disapprove it. They accepted it and it has served the country well.

It is entrenched. That is to say it is not a document which can simply be amended, or even repealed or replaced, at the whim of the government of the day. For even a tiny amendment there must be overwhelming support from the Australian voters. They give it only rarely.

Samak has every right, indeed duty, to begin work on a real constitution for the people of Thailand, one which will not only outlast him, but everyone else in the country.

In the interim, given the circumstances in which the present document was produced, he should feel free to amend at will.

GEORGE CUPPAIDGE

BANGKOK

The value of knowing |your history

Re: "Clearing up historical issues surrounding Preah Vihear", Letters, August 2.

I appreciated reading the well-written letter by Asda Jayanama. The overall impression I get about the Preah Vihear controversy is that Thailand's leaders dropped the ball several times in the past century. It appears that past Thai leaders either accepted the temple as being on Cambodian territory, or were not aware of it as a significant territorial issue at earlier times.

I don't know about earlier Thai educational standards, but am somewhat aware of current educational standards - as I've been a lecturer at university level. Considering that all Thai leaders have gone through the Thai educational system, it stands to reason that their actions reflect that regimen. Currently, schools don't encourage innovative thinking and there's a dearth of instilling a sense of responsibility for one's own actions. Could it be that Thailand's famous mai pen rai attitude has also affected national border matters?

Though remotely related, there's an issue here in my adopted town, where tens of thousands of people reside and work near town - yet none have proper title for their properties. There are hundreds of farms, businesses and houses spread over thousands of rai, yet the local land department has been asleep at the wheel for decades in regards to granting property titles.

If individuals develop alacrity, awareness and responsibility in their personal lives, then those qualities will become evident in their official capacities.

KEN ALBERTSEN

CHIANG RAI