(Re: Cartoon wasn't funny, Letters August 27.)
Sir, I think you missed my point, which was to attract attention to these barbarian shackles that seem to come from the time of the Spanish Inquisition. But of course I could have taken other examples of cruelty from the past, like Roman Emperor Caligula (hoping that the Italian Embassy would have not complained).
On a more serious note, I call on the Thai authorities to consider giving up these shackles that give a certain bad image of Thailand. I don't know how many countries still use these ugly things, which remind everyone of slavery and penal colonies of past centuries.
But I think any country giving them up for a more decent and comfortable technology (and
equally efficient) would boost its image. What's the point of spending billions of baht in TAT advertising campaigns and never paying attention to these little details that
shock foreigners (even those who have no intention of becoming a guest of the Thai jail system)?
Stefan Peray
Bangkok
Auditor-General spat not good for country
(Re: "Defiant Jaruvan refuses to step down", August 27.)
All the key players in the current chaos over the position of the Auditor-General, including Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka herself, have good reasons. If I were in her position, I would not step down, because my deputy does not have the authority to sign any documents pertaining to the office.
The Auditor-General position and its agency is very important in monitoring how the government spends our tax money. If we as a nation want to minimise graft and corruption we should not let this agency get into its current state. I call on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to set up an urgent committee to investigate who is responsible and neglected to perform their duty and let this agency get in to this mess so it won't happen again in the future. Keep in mind that all those involved currently have good and valid reasons for or against this problem. It is a good policy to have good people work harmoniously rather than against one another.
The rule of law should be flexible if it pertains to the good for the entire nation. If we follow the law strictly to the tee, sometime it stops progress or produces unwanted results. In the meantime, Khunying Jaruvan should be the caretaker Auditor-General and vacate the post immediately once the selection process is completed. I have no problem if she gets selected again, and as Khun Pisit is also well qualified, I have no problem with that either. It should be a "no fault" review so that people can continue their work as normal.
Surasak Piputtana
Thaksin has yet to see Bt30 bn cos of tax row
(Re: "Give the money to charity and education", Letters, August 27".)
There has never been a refund of Bt30 billion by the government to Thaksin Shinawatra, [this being] the value of his assets prior to his entry into politics and judged by the Supreme Court for Political Holders as rightfully belonging to Thaksin. Only Bt46 billion could be confiscated from Thaksin's assets previously frozen by the government's orders. By mathematics, the balance of Bt30 billion should be unfrozen and free for Thaksin to use. However, there is still an outstanding tax case of billions of baht exposure brought against him by the tax authority, thereby preventing him from using the other Bt30 billion.
So, the do-good suggestions of the writer have to remain as the writer's dream, even assuming that Thaksin Shinawatra has a generous mind like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett.
Songdej Praditsmanont
Bangkok