PostBag
Congratulations to the attorney-general and his office for formally filing a serious criminal lawsuit against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra ("Thaksin's troubles worsening", Bangkok Post, July 12).
Under current PPP control of the government, it's a bold move. Though the suit comes 2!1/2 years after the news first made headlines, it's welcome nevertheless.
If Mr Thaksin is found guilty, then perhaps Thais can look forward to eventual reimbursement for some of the Gordian knot craftiness concocted by him and his cronies.
I had cynically assumed the charges would never be formally filed, due to manipulation by super-rich power brokers and the ease of running from Thai justice. It's a pleasant relief to be proven wrong.
KEN ALBERTSEN
Chiang Rai
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Where credit is due
The latest string of court rulings in which ministers and other politicians are being held responsible for their misdeeds is very positive for Thailand.
It is comforting to see the judicial system finally, after decades of passivity, telling these almighty politicians that there are limits to their misbehaviour, and that they surely are as accountable to the laws as anybody else, no matter how many votes they bought during the last election.
When politicians start realising this as a fact, they might also start putting a lid on self-interest and instead work in the interest of the country.
I give credit for this positive change to one man, the one man in Thailand who the outside world respects and who Thais can be extremely proud of.
His Majesty the King.
The change in the judges has come since His Majesty met with them and spoke out in speeches during the past year reminding them of their duty.
Thai citizens should be forever grateful to this great man for seeing the only way out of the mess politicians have dragged the country through.
The King opened a path that peacefully can lead to the establishment of a real democracy, with Thailand being governed by honest, responsible and respectable politicians who obey the laws and constitution.
JAN DEBEL
Udon Thani
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Global ignorance
I don't understand what Cha-am Jamal is up to ("Global warmists lose", Postbag, July 12). Is he trying to be an advocate for irresponsible industries and the over-consumption in society that is polluting our world?
He claims that global warming is a myth because last year's world average temperature showed that it actually decreased.
However, this just shows his ignorance (or pretend ignorance) and his lack of basic scientific reasoning.
A rational scientific conclusion cannot and should not be made from just one set of data from just one point in time. In assessing a natural process in which multiple factors are involved, one needs to gather evidence from repeated measurements over a longer period of time which takes into account random errors and chances.
Despite some fluctuations, with good years and bad years, the fact is the long-term trend in average global temperatures has undoubtedly increased.
It should also be noted that global warming is an overtly simplified term for climate change and does not explain the whole phenomenon. Temperatures do not uniformly increase over the Earth surface and a few places actually experience a decline in temperature.
Intelligent argument is always welcome, but in this case, I am sorry, it is just plain ignorance.
RUNGSRIT KANJANAVANIT
Chiang Mai
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Fuelling the argument
Your article about compressed natural gas ("CNG appeal", Motoring, July 11) for vehicles makes it abundantly clear that the government's motor vehicle energy policy should be built around CNG, not E85.
CNG is reasonably priced even without subsidies, clean and can be used in pickups and cars.
E85 requires massive changes, from car makers through to the distribution system. And it is not appropriate for use in pickups or in small displacement engines like those in economy cars.
Both the energy minister and the CEO of the government's transport company recommend CNG for vehicles, yet Finance Minister Surapong continues to insist E85 is the correct policy.
The only benefit of E85 is that its use will result in massive profits for agro industry if fully implemented.
Is this what it is all about?
JONAS
Bangkok
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Smooth delivery
Regarding Glenn Fletcher's letter, "Mail service bad, coming and going" (Postbag, July 13), I would like to comment.
In 11 years, living in many parts of rural Thailand, I have never experienced a problem with delivery, service or lost mail.
In Prachin Buri, the post office (the only one) is small. The staff is friendly, courteous and helpful.
I have never experienced the loss of an incoming package sent by ordinary post from overseas, either by air or surface mail.
By the same token, everything I've ever sent by ordinary mail was always received in due time overseas or elsewhere.
I, too, use a post office box like Mr Fletcher, but this is because of the continual rain that floods the mailbox riveted to my gate. My local delivery man makes his way, on a motorbike, about 200 metres up my laneway, which is flooded, muddy, slippery and a nightmare.
He always smiles and greets me if I'm outside. I've never experienced a surly delivery man in my life.
Canada Post on the other hand is a nightmare beyond words. Full postal mailbags are periodically found floating in rivers. The system is exceedingly expensive (Canada imposes a 7% federal tax on a postage stamp, believe it or not). Central delivery boxes are set up in new residential developments so there is no home delivery.
Thai Post should be congratulated for efficiency, friendliness and for doing a great job! Most problems start after posted mail leaves this country.
I sent a registered letter to the minister in charge of Canada Post at the House of Commons in Ottawa. Back came my envelope from the Canadian post office, stamped with "Address unknown, Recipient unknown".
Try complaining to your postal director back home, Mr Fletcher. Perhaps you'll score better than I did.
JACK GILEAD
Prachin Buri
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CONTACT: BANGKOK POST BUILDING, 136 NA RANONG ROAD, KLONG TOEY, BANGKOK 10110
Fax: +02 2403666, email: postbag@bangkokpost.co.th
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