Rice scheme could cost us Bt1 trillion all up
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Re: "Legal process was a set-up", Letters, June 7.
Much as I respect Somsak Pola’s opinion, I feel he has gone too far in defending Thaksin Shinawatra.
First, Somsak said he himself hated Thaksin for using taxpayers’ money to buy himself an “Air Force One”.
An airplane costs only a few billion baht. But the cost of the rice-buying scheme alone – by the Yingluck government under Thaksin’s control – will possibly cost us Bt1 trillion in the next few years if nothing is done to correct it. Why didn’t Somsak mention this as well?
Second, no Thai in his or her right mind likes coups. However, Thaksin’s behaviour prior to the 2006 coup stoked fears that a new kind of despotism was taking hold – a parliamentary dictatorship under Thaksin. Again, Somsak failed to mention this fact.
Last, Thaksin has been tried many times in cases against holders of political office. He has lost and won in those cases. The trouble is, Thaksin and his cronies attacked the courts every time he was found guilty, but did not complain when he was found innocent.
Vint Chavala
Lamphun
