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Foremost, as George Washington noted, "Government is not reason, it is not eloquence - it is force! Like fire it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master; never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the Democrats and the 40 senators led by Somchai Sawaengkarn and Rosana Tositrakul were wise in consistently and strenuously objecting to the very costly bus proposal, for the alleged "commission" of 56 per cent of the Bt64 billion total is simply too much.

You and I, dear reader, must constantly be vigilant as to what the government is doing for our alleged benefit, and voice our opinions - for it's you whose wallet was being picked.

Note that it was the senators, not the MPs from several parties, including the opposition, who vociferously opposed the bus proposal.

The Cabinet was wise to have the National Economic and Social Development Board, which will not gain or lose from the decision, review this proposal - and we should follow this precedent for other mega-projects. As NESDB secretary-general Amphon Kittiamphon reported, "The NESDB has the direct duty to review any investment-related project based on feasibility and return on investment."

Also, I know from personal experience that NESDB chairman Panas Simasathien has the financial expertise and, equally importantly, the integrity to render a decision that benefits the country, rather than vested interests.

However, as commercial firms often prefer to lease rather than buy, for valid reasons, PM Abhisit's instructions to the NESDB should be to revisit the whole question of lease versus buy, as well as from whom.

Saving the Bt35 billion "commission" on this one deal is well worth the extra wait.

Dear reader, it's you who will pay dearly for irresponsible government actions. It's time to back those who look after your interests, and speak up.

BURIN KANTABUTRA BANGKOK|

Lease interpretation cripples school project

The chief of the Lands Department is quoted as saying that houses can be confiscated if the funds to buy them came from abroad. Readers may be interested in how the Trang Lands Office in the South interprets this.

Two years ago we paid about Bt3 million for the lease on a derelict resort on Koh Sukorn. As soon as our Thai legal adviser (who works for our local expat club) tried to register the lease the problems began.

Unfortunately he was less than honest when he told us that the lease was okay but would take up to six months to register. We went ahead and built a school on the resort with our life savings.

We then equipped the school and started teaching English.

At this point we were asked for Bt500,000 to register the lease. When we refused to pay, our bungalow was broken into and we were threatened with two-year prison terms and deportation.

The school is now going unused. The money donated to buy the desks and chairs has been wasted.

The schoolbooks and equipment are being eaten by termites.

We now appeal to Anuwat Meteewi- boonwat, director-general of the Lands Department, to please contact the Lands Office in Trang and explain to them that it is perfectly legal for foreigners to buy a 30-year lease on a property, especially when they build a school with their own money and teach English for free.

KAREN AND DAVID WENMAN

CHIANG MAI