The hypocrisy of the US State Dept

Whilst I in no way condone the utterly reprehensible behaviour of Roman Polanski, the utterances of US State Department officials in this case are an inexcusable and clear display of double standards.

I find their trite utterances extremely disagreeable indeed, given that this is a world power that has declined to sign up to be a member of the International Criminal Court. That they have the temerity to lecture others about the delivery of justice is simply nauseous.

Their duplicity does not stop there however; probably the most loathsome example was the refusal of a request by the Indian government for the extradition of Warren M Anderson, chairman and chief executive officer of Union Carbide during the Bhopal disaster, in which more than 20,000 people died and over 500,000 were directly affected.

An arrest warrant for Anderson, a fugitive from justice since 1992, was issued in July, 2009. However, the US has declined to extradite him, citing a lack of evidence.

Clearly no American, or American livelihoods, or American coastlines were affected, so no case to answer.

JOHN PATTERSON

BANGKOK

Clean up the mafia? Easier said than done

Re: "Tourism sector can do much better", Letters, July 15.

Burin suggests "clean up the mafia that works in conjunction with the police to prey on tourists". Clean up the mafia? When Thaksin was in office, he legalised the three- and two-digit lottery, which delivered a blow to the underground lottery mafia. He gave micro-credit to the poor, releasing them from loan sharks. He took back Bo Bae Market sidewalks from local mafia and returned them to vendors. He legalised motorcycle taxis to free them from racketeers. He dealt harshly with drug-dealers and Suvarnabhumi Airport taxi scams. He also toyed with the idea of a casino complex, sending shivers down the spines of gambling-den owners.

Thaksin is living testimony that in Thailand you have to be tough with the mafia.

SOMSAK POLA

SAMUT PRAKAN

Investors are glad to flout the laws

Re: "Japanese investors committed, but ask PM for quick Map Ta Phut resolution", News, July 15.

Japanese investors expressed optimism and said they remained committed to continued investment in Thailand, which they still see as having good prospects of being a regional manufacturing hub when the Asean Economic Community comes into being in 2015.

However, they raised concerns over the prolonged Map Ta Phut issue directly with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at a forum entitled "Prime Minister meets Japanese Investors", jointly hosted by the Thai-Japanese Association and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce.

Why is it that the Japanese investors refuse to follow the environmental laws of Thailand? If they would follow the law, they would have no problems. They would not be allowed to do this in Japan. Why do they think they should be allowed to in Thailand? Is it that these investors do not respect Thailand and Thai laws?

TOM

BANGKOK

No environmental concerns for Thailand

It's great that Greenpeace and other organisations are highlighting environmental concerns. It's unfortunate that Thailand has no concerns at all about the environment. It is a country full of discharge, trash, chemicals, human waste, daily burning of garbage, and the list goes on and on.

Thailand will remain a third-world country until it becomes responsible about the environment. I suggest that Thai politicians take a trip to Singapore to see how a country handles the environment in a responsible manner.

RFCM

BANGKOK