OPINION

EIA song and dance

The environmental impact assessment (EIA) process for a high-profile mega-block in the centre of Bangkok has been under way for some time. The first public meeting was marred by walk-outs and loud public dismay because there was no provision for English-speakers. The BMA was unrepresented though outrageous statements were made "on its behalf" and later documented.

That meeting has now been annulled (and without explanation) even though the minutes were previously published. An apology has not been issued.

The second meeting (held some months later and now referred to as the first meeting) also verged on farce. Legal enquiries from the floor were not given adequate responses and crucial questions (submitted in writing) pertaining to the rule of law on this particular piece of land are being ignored.

The Office of National Environmental Planning and Policy has claimed (in writing and on more than one occasion) to know nothing of the construction, nor of the meetings. This government department also refuses to answer the above-mentioned legal questions (of which there are 23).

Of course, EIA scamming is a profitable business in itself and the entire system is based on the presumption that nobody will mount a "strong enough" challenge in the early stages of a new project.

Once that has been established, rules can be broken and plans altered at will through large brown envelopes.

This is the chaos on which Bangkok has been built. With corruption still cemented into its deepest foundations — it appears that PM Prayut has yet to start an investigation into urban construction and environmental criminality — it is no wonder that this once-great city is sinking so rapidly. Stop blaming the soil!

John Shepherd

An online news story yesterday said former police chief Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit was released from a Japanese prison and his relatives have bought him a ticket to return to Thailand today.

How fortunate to be a former police chief, even if he did break the law by knowingly carrying a concealed firearm onto an aircraft, he had the full backing of the Thai government behind his release.

I wonder if an "ordinary" Thai traveller who committed the same offence would have been treated the same way.

Jack Gilead

With reference to "Dusit" in his July 4 letter and then the letter of "Lobzig" on July 6 — both referring to an 80% approval rating for the unelected coup and their defence of the legitimacy of premier Prayut Chan-o-cha — this is indeed truly amazing.

The situation must be second only to North Korea.

It further indicates that all so-called red shirts/yellow shirts have embraced a military dictatorship style of leadership.

Such thinking persists amid all the misjudgements related to Chinese submarines, students in military confinement, journalists who must ask the "right'' questions, Uighurs, and so on.

Let's not forget the lack of any major improvement in the kingdom since the coup. Any changes have been purely cosmetic.

That just leads me to one question — particularly directed at "Dusit" and "Lobzig" — but really for anyone more enlightened:

Which (hopefully independent) source is giving us this fantastic approval-rating?

Or is it just a hoax, as all the people I know suggest?

Awaiting a response.

Tony S

To readers, especially all Thais, your PM Prayut Chan-o-cha would get my vote in the USA as president any day over those we have had as leaders in recent decades.

In your PM you have a leader, not a political weasel as most nations of the world have.

Count your blessings Thailand. His decision to deport Uighurs to their homeland is a decision leaders make.

Ordinary politicians would play to the whims of media and popular international sentiments. He did the right thing.

Thailand is blessed by Gen Prayut. I wish we had him in the USA to kick some butt.

Max

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