Conscript deaths
Re: "Senate probes conscript death case", (BP, Feb 24). The news that a Senate committee will inquire into the death of Pvt Phetcharat Kamlangying is a step in the right direction. But is it enough?
Conscript and volunteer deaths in the Thai defence forces total more than 20 in recent years, and occur with alarming frequency. The military is always quick to palm off the deaths as natural and cites internal post-mortems, medical examinations, and its own investigations as the proof and the end of the matter. But as we have seen in the deaths of other conscripts, subsequent evidence has often proven otherwise.
What is needed is a totally independent body to investigate all deaths of service personnel, and for it to be given free access for its enquiries.
And reading between the lines, was Pvt Phetcharat cremated quickly, too quickly perhaps, before allowing the public to assimilate the news of yet another soldier's death?
David Brown
Thai fuel folly
Re: "Oil Fuel Fund to clear debt by 2029", (Business, Feb 7).
Thank you for your recent article about the Oil Stabilization Fund (possibly) being out of debt by 2029.
Government intervention in oil prices is ill-advised. Following the 2022 war in Ukraine, oil prices rose.
The government wanted to shield consumers from price spikes and tried to hold diesel in the 30 to 33 baht per litre range. This created significant government debt.
Having cheap diesel was wonderful news to everyone in Burma, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia. Thai government money went out to assist pickup truck drivers on the Bolaven Plateau.
This year we have low oil prices, but the government has retail diesel at around 30 baht a litre. In Malaysia, however, the diesel price at the pump is around 22 baht a litre.
Recently, we saw a converted fishing boat in Satun busted for carrying diesel into Thailand. This illegal trade hurts Thai refiners who are trying to make money processing oil in the kingdom.
Thailand is not an island. These policies have consequences, and none of them is good. Thailand should accept the oil price and adjust its behaviour accordingly.
AM Phuket
Naive leadership
Re: "PP leader ready to step aside", (BP, Feb 24).
In your article, you quoted the leader of the People's Party, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, saying, "Winning the battle of ideas is not enough when facing entrenched patronage networks, constituency boundary changes, and coordinated political attacks."
Really?
A serious political party already knows these critical, fundamental political truths and does not need to suffer a crushing loss to see the light. Supporters of the People's Party who have already invested so much hope in this party must feel very discouraged to learn that their leadership is so naive.
CNX Jon
