Action on Yingluck key

Re: “Rough justice for Yingluck”, (PostBag, Oct 23).

The writer’s sympathy was broad-brush in defending former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra on the 35.7-billion-baht fine that the Ministry of Finance has ordered her to pay as compensation for damages allegedly caused by her government’s loss-ridden rice-pledging scheme. First of all, such a charge has to be made against any official for damaging action or inaction when administering the country. The charge has to be filed now before it is legally time-barred.

Ms Yingluck may not have been corrupt but can be held to account for her gross negligence.

The alleged loss caused by her government was the highest comparing losses caused by the similar schemes run by her predecessors. If action is not taken against her now, this government could one day be accused of dereliction of duty.

Any government should exercise due care to guard the country’s assets and manage economic and social matters. Former central bank governor Rerngchai Marakanond also faced charges of causing the loss of 186 billion baht during the lead-up to the 1997 collapse of the Thai currency. But finally the Supreme Court held him not guilty because he made sure to exercise due care in consulting others.

Ms Yingluck may end up like him if she can prove she handled the scheme with due care. But I doubt it! SONGDEJ PRADITSMANONT