Don't expect us in Phuket to be pleased

Now, the prime minister is reported to be having second thoughts, (or he had Phuket in mind and has just discovered he was being bushwhacked by Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya).

Meanwhile, Kasit's quote: "After consultation with security agencies", has been mentioned in far too many other news outlets. Phuket business people such as myself are saying about our business outlook, "I'm done, turn me over."

DON MCMAHON

PHUKET

It's the same old faces, where's the surprise?

On August 13, before the submission of Thaksin Shinawatra's pardon petition, Shinawatra Hadboonpad, a leader of the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship, was quoted in newspapers as saying "the public would be surprised when they learn who will lead the petition process" and said "it would grab the headlines of all local dailies".

However, the petition was submitted by the same old DAAD leader, Veera Musigapong. How is this such a big surprise? Of course it made the headlines of the dailies but wasn't that because of the event itself and not because of Veera being the person who submitted it?

Also, Thaksin said he was teary at the petition, but how can he feel this way about something he is doing himself?

In the petition, it proposed him to "maybe be an economic adviser". Aren't economic advisers normally nominated by the government and not the person himself?

The next day, your newspaper reported that Dubai was worried about the broadcasting from their country and promised this would not happen again. Isn't that the same thing they have been saying for months?

JOHN MARBURY

BANGKOK

Korbsak deserves praise for stepping down

To give credit where credit is due, three chai yos go to Deputy PM Korbsak Sabhavasu for resigning as chairman of the Community Sufficiency Economy Project to allow the government a free hand in investigating alleged irregularities, instead of clinging to his seat. Not only that, he has called for Auditor-General Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka to investigate the alleged irregularities, and called on his brother, Praphote, to quit as deputy director of the body responsible for granting funds to community projects nationwide, to further facilitate the investigation.

Julius Caesar noted, "Caesar's wife must be above suspicion." Similarly, as public servants entrusted with the public coffers, politicians must be above suspicion, and it is highly refreshing to see the Democrats raise the ethics bar by setting an example for their coalition partners and others. I wish that, for example, those responsible for the BMA bus-leasing deal had been as ready to facilitate an investigation into their alleged corruption.

Now, the investigation must be transparent, thorough and without fear or favour.

BURIN KANTABUTRA

BANGKOK

Burmese court was only a front for the junta

Re: Burmese court sentenced Suu Kyi, not the junta, Letters, August 18

I am truly bewildered by Meechai Burapa's biting comments on critics of the junta.

First, PM Abhisit and Foreign Minister Kasit were not tight-lipped. They condemned the junta and used the word "disappointed" after a delay of 24 hours. They were criticised for their indecisiveness when the world had immediately expressed its outrage. It can hardly be linked with Thaksin on the run. Thaksin may try not to know, but Meechai should know that any Thai government has no exclusive control over our relatively independent courts.

Second, I doubt whether anyone in his right mind could say the same of the independence of the Burmese courts. The trial was conducted within an infamous prison, frequently conducted in camera, with a delay in rendering a decision twice to suit the best timing for the junta, and farcical appearance of one general declared as speaking on behalf of Than Shwe in commuting the hard labour of three years to a house detention of 18 months.

I am therefore not that naive to condemn the Burmese court for that despicable sentence because that court was under the whim of the junta. The final decision on the fate of Aung San Suu Kyi and even on that intruder, John Yettaw, rested with General Than Shwe, a despot by any definition, and his cronies.

SONGDEJ PRADITSMANONT

BANGKOK

Use taxpayers' money on long-term community projects

Re: Nan communities seeking other investment options, The Nation, August 18

Nan communities have every right to be sceptical about the new community development projects, for reasons we are well aware of. The communities could opt to discuss their community needs with relevant ministries such as science and technology, and Biotec regarding biofertiliser, and agricultural development. I believe Biotec is already working with some of the communities in Nan province on rice development projects. Let's make better use of taxpayers' money on long-term community projects.

RAMJITTI INDARAPRASIRT

PATHUM THANI

Free-trade pacts must exclude tobacco products

Re: TTM battles imports, prepares for new status, The Nation, August 19

The chairwoman of Thailand Tobacco Monopoly stated that TTM lost 28 per cent of the market to imported cigarettes in 2007.

With more capital and more influence in the global market, the multinational tobacco industry has an advantage. She forgot to mention that free-trade agreements, with the objective of reducing tariff barriers in order to facilitate free flow of goods, would help the multinational tobacco industry to gain domestic market share easily.

The World Bank reports that raising tax on tobacco products is one of a few effective measures to reduce the number of smokers, and the quantity of tobacco consumption. Since tobacco is a deadly product, it should be treated as uncommon goods, and should be excluded from all free-trade agreements.

ASSISTANT PROF NITHAT SIRICHOTIRATANA

FACULTY OF PUBLIC HEALTH

MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY

Thais already enjoy freedom of choice

Re: Free the serfs etc, Letters, August 20

JE is pleading for complete freedom for Thais to choose what they want their future to be. Does JE live in Thailand? Thai people already have complete freedom to choose whoever they want. That there are cultural and educational restraints in their choosing has absolutely nothing to do with their freedom. For Thais to be able to think for themselves, one should change the educational system.

EGON

Govt agencies must investigate Jatuporn

Re: Hold all petition signers in contempt of court, Letters, August 20

I totally agree with Patrick Ross's letter yesterday.

It is a waste of time to check the 3million petitioners because it is wrong to begin with. Jatuporn Promphan stepped out of line when he threatened the government and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, saying "Don't stall the petition. If the government wants trouble with the red shirts, we will find trouble for the government and Abhisit."

Jatuporn is a member of Parliament, who knows what is "right" and "wrong", but he did it anyway in handing in the petition. What motivates this man to try to right the wrong is beyond my understanding. Where does he find resources for this cause? He must be investigated by relevant agencies. He led the Pattaya and Interior Ministry riots during the Songkran festival so much so that our PM had to run for his life. Is this a joke that he is barking freely every day instead of in jail?

SURASAK PIPUTTANA

BANGKOK