Firm hand required to save us from the mobs

The writer must be at a loss to pinpoint the cause of the rage at the Royal Cliff Hotel.

My humble contention is in two words: moral hazard. Wrongdoers are not punished because of the fear of blame for being too strong handed. I bet some of the leaders, especially those authoritarian rulers, must have mumbled that it could never happen in their countries.

Thailand now lacks completely a sense of accountability and gives way to mob rule. To win one's argument, one simply works a mob up to frenzy and inconveniences the public by closing roads or even motorways. Prior to the yellow shirts, this practice was abhorred by all. The latest development is unhealthy for any society in which legal accountability for damage to others is ignored or deliberately delayed by law enforcers. A man will behave differently from the norm if he knows that his encroaching on others' rights and property can remain unpunished.

I therefore look forward to PM Abhisit forcing all law enforcers to go full steam in prosecuting those leaders of red or yellow, or leaders of vendors or workers or businessmen who in the past and at present, cause inconvenience and damages to the public. Don't let it be another empty promise from another politician.

Those government agencies, like the Airport Authority of Thailand, having lost substantial income, would be considered derelict of duty in not claiming damages from those culprits who deserve to be bankrupted. With those examples of accountability and expeditious justice, this trend could be halted. My last hope for Thailand rests with PM Abhisit who, fortunately or unfortunately, is in the right place to right our position. Many wrongs don't make a right.

I dread to see Thailand in a state of lawlessness like a cowboy town in the Old West.

SONGDEJ PRADITSMANONT

BANGKOK

Govt's resignation only answer to Pattaya disaster

What happened in Pattaya at the failed Asean Summit plus other world leaders was absolutely incredible. Obviously no lessons had been learned by Thai authorities from the disastrous airport closures late last year at the hands of the PAD which, according to conservative estimates, cost the country more than six billion US dollars and hurt many sectors of the economy. At that time more than 300,000 tourists were left stranded.

But this time around, those who needed to be evacuated were not backpackers but world leaders who represent an important proportion of the world's population and economy, ready to talk business with Thailand. But the country missed this opportunity because of the incompetence of its government and security forces. After such a disaster, in most democratic countries the government would resign. In fact, it would certainly benefit Thailand, if the current government did just that. New elections could overcome the communal strife and lead to a better future of all, yellow, red, blue or green.

MANFRED LIEBIG

CHIANG MAI