Everyone should be held accountable for damages

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) union deserves to be condemned for calling a strike before even starting negotiations, inconveniencing users and grossly abusing their status as a state monopoly. The SRT union and management should act like adults, one requirement of which is that they should be accountable for their act. No more fiascos like the one at the Pattaya Asean summit, where the government and red shirts alike lacked the integrity to be held accountable for their action.

Thus, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva should appoint a neutral board to investigate how the strike came about and take legal action against the culprits. The union and/or the SRT management should be held financially liable for the Bt16 million damages suffered by SRT, as well as the damages incurred by passengers and freight shippers.

SRT's union has a history of strikes without accountability. Therefore, before being allowed to call a strike in the future, the union should post a bank guarantee sufficient to cover any damages incurred as a consequence of the strike.

Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart reported that in this case, the SRT management apparently failed to honour an agreement to consult the union before making any structural changes.

The investigating board must investigate this allegation, and, if true, ensure that the management either pay share in making SRT whole or get removed. The SRT has been a long-festering wound in our economy instead of being the keystone of transport. Now is the time to heal the wound and empower SRT to serve the public.

BURIN KANTABUTRA

BANGKOK

Lack of discipline makes Thailand's future bleaker

The reason why we are in a total state of chaos, is the lack of discipline within all facets of our society. Look around you and it is apparent in the traffic, the government, law enforcement, our younger generation, the list goes on and on.

There is no integrity left in our political circle as they are all mainly interested in personal benefits, not the benefit of our nation. Corruption has become the rule of law here. If we continue on this path of self destruction, we have no hope for the future.

A VERY WORRIED CITIZEN

BANGKOK

Parking your car at Phuket airport can be a rip-off

I am writing to you to express my anger and disappointment with services at the Phuket International Airport. I am a frequent traveller from Bangkok to Phuket, and most of the time I use the same flight schedule and park my car at the airport.

Last Saturday, however, things were extremely bad again!

The incident happened at approximately 11.45pm. As usual, I had parked my car for two days at the airport and expected to pay Bt400 in parking fees as I had done in the past. However, this time, I was initially asked to pay Bt800, but they agreed to accept Bt600 after I argued that I had only ever paid Bt400 for the exact length of time before. The parking attendants can't be trusted as they charge different fees almost daily for the exact parking period. I know, because I tested this twice.

I also know that the Airports of Thailand will try to argue with me on this, but I have done my homework and know what I am talking about. Despite asking for a receipt that states the time the car came in and left the airport parking lot, I was only given pink pre-printed bill that could not be used to prove anything to anyone.

I have tried to several times to file a complaint with the AOT, but have received no answers. Any explanation or moves to eradicate this practice of over-charging people would be appreciated.

KLAUS R RAUTER

BANGKOK

Don't drive away investment just to save national interest

Re: Reject Mideast overtures, Business, June 22

Petchanet Pratruangkrai's article made it obvious that this investment is being opposed, and I can the need to safeguard national interests in the farming sector. On the other hand, I also understand the need to look at the issue from all angles. Looking at this topic from a scientific and technological aspect, one could argue that the investment could promote technology transfer, build awareness to new approaches to agricultural practices and maybe increase yield. It is necessary for relevant players in the farming sector such as community groups, research agencies and ministries to encourage and conduct open public discussion sessions such as public forums to exchange views on the topic. Not doing so will only put us at a disadvantage.

RAMJITTI INDARAPRASIRT

PATHUMTHANI