OPINION

Why isn't reform a poll pledge?

Re: "Corrupt officers 'must go,'" (BP, Feb 14), "Parties urged to shun populism," (BP, Feb 8) and "Graft is still pervasive,'' (Editorial, Feb 6).

The police are certainly making a name for themselves, aren't they! So, with Burin Kantabutra's oft-repeated remarks regarding ex-graft buster Vicha Mahakun's report urging reform the RTP, why has the military government ignored it for two years?

Since citizens' taxes have already paid for the report, while numerous parties are jockeying for position in the May election, why are so many of them stuck on populism?

Surely pursuing Vicha Mahakun's report would be a perfect campaign promise for a serious, democracy-oriented party, perhaps the Move Forward Party?

Immigration probe no joke

Re: '''Big Joke' faces down critics," (BP, Feb 17) and "100 cops to be charged over illegal visas," (BP, Feb 7).

So, in an effort to stamp out irregularities in the Immigration Bureau and bring errant officers to justice, Pol Gen Surachate "Big Joke" Hakparn will lead an investigation.

Interesting enough, of the 110 officers under probe, three are police generals -- two were Pol Gen Surachate's classmates at the Royal Police Cadet Academy and one was his senior.

In Asian culture, unspoken camaraderie is offered to one's peers, and respect to one's seniors.

So, while there is no question that Pol Gen Surachate will be impartial and above board in his conduct of the investigation, the mere semblance of impropriety will put the integrity of the investigation into question.

This brings to mind a recent case in Singapore involving US$422 million in fines imposed by the Brazilian government against a Singapore-government linked company for payment of bribes to Petrobras to secure oil-rig contracts.

Six senior managers in the company were implicated but were not convicted of wrongdoing but were instead issued with "stern warnings".

The Singapore courts had imposed stronger measures against individuals for lesser crimes and a member of the opposition asked for an explanation taken against the six errant individuals.

My partner regularity reminds me that in Thailand, things are done in the best of Thai tradition and I should take the attitude of mai pen rai. I love many things in my adopted country and would not like to see Pol Gen Surachate's probe, such as the investigation in Singapore, end up as a Big Joke.

Cows can be loveable too

Re: "2000 dead cats intended for medicine found in Vietnam," (BP, Feb 17) and "Saving abused farm animals should be legal," (Opinion, Feb 18).

While I of course abhor the consumption of cats or dogs, why is it any morally different from the unspeakable atrocities that we commit against cows, pigs and chickens?

Years ago, when I was in the Philippines a man was telling me how he was campaigning against dog eating. He saw no irony in telling me this as he ate a ham sandwich.

It is such hypocrisy for Westerners to talk about animal rights when it comes to dogs and cats and then viciously attack me when I say such compassion should extend to farm animals.

In India many people love cows while Americans love dogs and cats. These are strictly cultural differences that have nothing to do with ethics, morality or animal rights.

Correction

In the article titled "Thai global standing at all-time low," published on the Editorial page on Feb 17, a paragraph says incorrectly that "Thailand's lopsided Myanmar policy and the detriment to Thailand's long-term interests are attributable to Mr Don's unilateral and personal appointment of a special envoy on Myanmar. Mr Don is a convicted lobbyist in the United States justice system. It is outrageous and scandalous that Thailand's Myanmar policy is effectively run by this pair."

This paragraph should read: 'Thailand's lopsided Myanmar policy and the detriment to Thailand's long-term interests are attributable to Mr Don's unilateral and personal appointment of a special envoy on Myanmar, a convicted lobbyist in the US justice system.' We apologise for such a grave error.

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