Anyone who considers involving the fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra in Thai politics of the future must be mad or bad, or both. Hasn’t his family been the cause of enough damage and bloodshed in the country already?
Of course, Thai people can reunite, if they think mostly of their country, and the royal family who have worked selflessly for them over the decades.
Those who come out and shout anti-coup nonsense should realise that “democracy” is not just about elections, but also about fair play, working for the good of the people, and having responsibilities towards others.
V Bennett
London
Coupsters don't care
Re: “Martial law a nightmare for the have-nots”, (Opinion, Feb 18).
Once again, Sanitsuda Ekachai's article was brilliant. With all the letters to PostBag written to the Post by the same people, on the same topic, her summary of the coup is the best.
The military coup does not care about the environment or the poor. They are typical leaders like those from any country in the world. The rich control the world, not the people.
Brian
Ignore energy lobby
Re: “PM urges calm over energy bids”, (BP, Feb 18).
The current debate over Thailand’s 21st bidding round for oil and gas concessions has been bubbling for some time, and will reach a peak when stakeholders meet in Bangkok Friday to share opinions regarding the current system for letting out oil and gas concessions.
As an informed observer from outside Thailand, I can’t imagine why there is such strong opposition to a system which has worked well since the enactment of the Petroleum Act (1971).
Thailand has had 20 successful petroleum bidding rounds under the supervision of the Department of Mineral Fuels (DMF).
The last bidding round was in 2007, and since that time companies engaged in oil and gas exploration have been eagerly awaiting the 21st bidding round which was announced in October 2014.
The suggestion that a Production Sharing Contract (PSC) system and increased imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar will provide more benefits to the citizens of Thailand is mistaken and misinformed.
The existing concession agreement system provides a defined royalty to the government, as well as a 50% income tax on profits from all oil and gas revenues.
Added to this are conditions attached to the concession agreement that provide a special remuneratory benefit or “windfall profits” tax to the government in times of high oil prices, as well as special benefits to the communities where the concession is located, including bonuses, scholarships and grants to educational institutions.
The government of Thailand, through the DMF, has since 1971 assured the citizens of Thailand receive their fair share of revenues from concession agreements, and the DMF goes to extraordinary lengths to include the opinions of all stakeholders during exploration and production of the country’s oil and gas resources.
Any major change to Thailand’s system of granting oil and gas concessions will send the wrong signal to both foreign and domestic companies with respect to investing in Thailand’s energy sector and its energy security.
Further delays to the 21st bidding round will also result in companies spending their capital budgets in those jurisdictions that have a more balanced approach to industry/government revenue sharing.
The concession system, developed over a period of 44 years and continually improved by the DMF in consultation with stakeholders, provides such a balance. It should not be revised based on the opinions of those activists or special interest groups that are unwilling to understand the benefits of the current system.
Darren Steffes
You're guilty first
Let’s stop the debate about being innocent until proved guilty. This is a wonderful Western approach. Under the Napoleonic Code, you are guilty until proved innocent.
If you lived in the US, yes, you are innocent until proved guilty.
Lobzig
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