From the Thai-language press: Prachachatturakij editorial: What is the plan to protect flood that reoccur from North to South? - December 2, 2005 Finally Samui Island, the famous tourism area in the world, was under water after three days of heavy rain (November 25-27). The big flood caused 300 million baht damage. People who was born in Samui Island say there has never been a flood, except after the recent disorderly construction of hotels, luxury hotels and commercial buildings on mountains and on beaches. Many selfish entrepreneurs constructed and obstructed the water way and investors have project on the mountains. Actually, not only Samui Island, but also another beautiful tourism place--Ban Krood Amphur Bangsapan, Prachabkirikhun--faces a flood crisis. Before this, there was flood in Chiangmai four times with damages in the many billions of baht. Every time after a flood, the government leader flies to rescue people by giving necessary things and then flies back to Bangkok. After that event, Chiangmai was under flood again. At present, the problem of floods all around the country is not thought to related to natural issues any more because a flood in a big city or tourist area is a seasonal problem and the government just sends relief. This is a very disappointing thing because the Thaksin government usually says this is a government of New Thinking, New doing, Solving Problem Unity and CEO administration. But considering with empty eyes, there are still floods and the economy is still under water every season. It is useless to blame the flood problem on investors invading forests, mountains, or construction in a wrong form different from permission, cheating, insufficiency of TAO. It is useless to expect to the "CEO governor" to help. The most disappointing thing is that the central government could not develop city and tourism areas not to face floods every season, meanwhile the government intends to get 100,000 million baht income from tourism areas. From the Thai-language press: Komchadluek editorial: A question that has no answer - December 1, 2005 The suspect behavior of the government team especially corruption, dishonesty and special privileges in using power has people waiting for the reasonable answer to these charges. What people hear is the accusation without reason such as corruption on Suwannapoom Airport construction and quality of roads which had to be rebuilt. The government canceled the new year celebrations at the airport with the excuse of safety. This issue should have been thought of earlier, because it seems unusual to cancel it now. Although the government has an explanation about using a C130 airplane to carry people to the PM’s sister's birthday party, the excuse does not hold water. It is shameful behavior to use privilege that get benefit from peoples' tax and use an airplane for pampering the leader’s relative. The next untransparent act is trying to transfer some part of the Television Broadcast Commission’s work to the National Telecommunication Commission. There is a suspicion that a political family who has a telecommunication business may seek some benefit. Also no transparency on arranging income and expenses of the Lottery Bureau makes a suspicion as to whether there is a transferring of a big amount money to a power politician. Nobody answers about these shameful behaviors that lead to a decrease in trust and faith in the government. Even PMs could not get the image back. It will be worse if people do not trust the government and government does not explain and continues to tolerate corruption, seeking benefits and privileges without shame. From the Thai-language press: Matichon editorial: Quality of a Minister - November 17, 2005 [Wattana Muaangsuk is a traditional Thai politician who has to be included in the cabinet because of power considerations instead of finesse as a minister. Since taking over the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, he has presented a variety of out-of-touch ideas such as shining spotlights on people going into hotel on Loy Krathong and that wives should prostrate themselves before their husbands before sleeping. The Thai-language press loves to heap withering criticisms on such hapless politicians.] Mr. Wattana Muaangsuk may have good qualities otherwise Thaksin Shinawatra may not have set him up him to be in cabinet since Thaksin 1. He used to be the Minister of Commerce and Industry. In Thaksin 2, he is a minister of Social Development and Human Security. When he was in this position, he proposed ideas that were protested from many sides in society. A suitable name for him is “Lighting Rod Minister” because his ideas have been obstructed from all over the country. It seems he wants to send a signal to the PM to know that he is in the wrong position or sits in the wrong musical chair. If it is, Mr. Wattana dares to risk himself with the pain from the objections from the public and this is a risk for PM to consider. If PM chooses the retire him, Mr. Wattana will have no chance to present his strange ideas. The mission of the ministry is taking care six groups--children and youth, women, old people, disabled and disadvantaged and minority groups which are a big issue and need to brainstorm by government officials, NGOs’ experience and then combine and cooperate with many ministries such as Education, Culture, Interior and Royal Thai Police, etc. Giving out the daily idea and being criticized by society and then waiting for the PM's consideration, Wattana cancels the idea if the PM does not agree with it. This is too easy for the person who comes to govern and administrate policy. Thaksin said and declared louder for the second cabinet to assess the ministers' work after three months. But three, then six months passed and now it will be nine months. What it is not deniable is that many ministers have no good for the people and some ministers present the idea that is not believable. These ministers focus on the micro not macro. Some are not remembered by the people. Instead of complaining that he has to be responsible for everything, the PM should check if the ministers if good enough quality. If they have no quality or no skill, they should be removed. Because this does not only obstruct the good and skillful people, but also destroys the nation’s occasion to get development from the minister’s work. More: Unlocking the Thai world: Thai-language newspaper headlines