Blame the brother

It is good that the prime minister rebutted the offal of Daniel Russel, but lamentable that he did not follow Clara Holzer’s line (“Uncle Sam has a hidden agenda”, Letters, January 28) regarding the cosy relationship of Carlisle Club Associate Thaksin with the US government. 

Thaksin Shinawatra’s corrupt governance in 2001-2006 went unpunished. There was a slip-up when he was tried for the government land purchase scheme, but his word was taken that he would return. So much for his word. The allegations associated with the sale of his satellite company’s shares have not been tested in court. His son, an accomplice in that event, stretches the limits on Facebook, while three-fingered salutes are brought to book.

That the amnesty bill was voted through on “the chief’s” orders is in the public domain. Even Yingluck says she did not support it, and seems to be getting away with that. The “democracy” that Daniel Russel craves was remarkably absent from that event.

The rice-pledging scheme was authored by Thaksin’s lieutenant from the 2001-4 government. Poor Yingluck was saddled with it. Allowing the blame to rest with Yingluck is like blaming the stable lad that fell off the horse in the Derby.

The meeting of Daniel Russel with Yingluck was entirely inappropriate and an encouragement to rally her supporters. He should have received a rap over the knuckles for that.

Richard Bowler