Sound out public opinion on southern autonomy

If this happens in the Thai context, I don't think we are going to see a form like the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) as we are fully aware the BMA is completely different in many aspects. We should perceive the southern issue as very complicated, and perhaps it may be beyond our imagination to take into account history as The Nation has implied in recent days.

If we are sufficiently open, I think we should lay out all the facts and issues regarding the South, and ask the people within the true meaning of a public hearing, and then finally proceed with a referendum as we saw in the case of the 2007 Constitution.

Sanskul Thongskul

Pathum Thani

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Phuket transport rip-offs are a disgrace

The situation with taxi transport on Phuket is a disgrace. The tuk-tuks harass and prey on tourists, charge exorbitant rates and rely on very small turnover. These tuk-tuks congest the streets whilst parked waiting for the very occasional fare. If they charged a fair fee, they would be used frequently and tourists would be able to enjoy Phuket far more. This transport system should be based on volume and turnover, therefore charging a reasonable price.

The options for tourists are limited - either hiring a car or motorbike and then taking a chance of being fined by the traffic police for no real offence. The hire of a car for a whole day is cheaper than two trips in a tuk-tuk - unless of course, you get fined.

Other tourist island destinations provide good, reasonably priced transport for visitors, to allow them to enjoy their holiday. Elections in Phuket clearly give very little power to those elected, and the mafia have control of the tourist dollar in regards to transport. Nothing has changed in this area in many years.

The advertising slogans on tuk-tuks promote many businesses including airlines, resorts, shopping centres, etc. These businesses should be ashamed to put their names on these rip-off vehicles. Other parts of Thailand provide honest and decent services. It is a shame that Phuket has such a flawed and corrupt transport system.

Stuart

Australia

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Hun Sen talks up Cambodia's influence

Re: "Hun Sen threatens to boycott Thai goods" and "Thaksin to visit Phnom Penh" (The Nation, November 9)

Hun Sen warned that any move to close the border would hurt Thailand more than Cambodia. His argument is apparently based on the following: Thailand exported US$2 billion worth of products to Cambodia in 2008, while Cambodian exports to Thailand totalled $90 million. Therefore, it is mathematics: Thailand would be the biggest loser.

The beauty of Hun Sen's reasoning is that it can apply to almost any other Asian country: China, India, South Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines. They all would be the biggest losers if they stopped trading with Cambodia.

Without our knowing it, Cambodia seems to have established itself as one of the most powerful nations in Asia. At the same time, while Thailand is the second major trading partner for Cambodia behind the USA, and its 7th largest export market, Cambodia is Thailand's 26th trading partner behind Laos, and its 18th largest export market.

Candide

Bangkok

Re: "Move to ditch maritime MoU short-sighted", November 9.

Your report was educational and strangely caused me to agree with Cambodian PM Hun Sen's jibe on the threat of rescission of the MoU from the Thai government. As he said, one does not sign an agreement with one's hand and delete it with one's feet. Short of any misdeed or corruption, it is inexcusable for any government to rescind such an MoU. The report has also caused me to doubt the judgement of the Foreign Ministry's officials, especially its leader Kasit Pirom, and whether this results from a personal dislike of PM Hun Sen. To neutralise the situation, I believe that Kasit Pirom has to go.

However, I take exception to your reporter pointing to the Thai government as being illogical in accusing Thaksin Shinawatra of betraying to his home country by becoming an economic adviser to PM Hun Sen. You cited many former leaders as being advisers to other countries, notably Singapore's minister mentor Lee Kuan Yew and South Korea's Lee Myung-bak. You would have been correct if Thailand was not now in fierce dispute with Cambodia and PM Hun Sen had kept this appointment low profile rather than using it to blast the Thai government. Furthermore both Lee Kuan Yew and Lee Myung-bak are not criminals running from the justice system in Singapore or South Korea. I do not think Singapore's Lee Hsien Loong would view Cambodia kindly if PM Hun Sen appointed Singapore's opposition leader Chee Soon Juan as his economic adviser, even though that person is not on the run from Singaporean justice.

Songdej Praditsmanont

Bangkok

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