Govt needs to start holding officials accountable

For example, we built the Airport Link light rail, joining Suvarnabhumi Airport to the middle of nowhere; yet, nobody was held accountable. So now, deja vu: the MRT Purple Line inexplicably stops one kilometre short of the Blue Line, forcing riders to commute by bus between the lines, and rider volume is just a third of its target.

It’s time for this reformist government to start holding people accountable for their actions. Who chaired the Purple Line’s route committee, and drafted its terms of reference? They should be investigated for dereliction of duty, as well as their committee colleagues. Hold Bangkok’s traffic bureau head accountable for the average speed of Bangkok traffic, and if it doesn’t rise by, say, 10 per cent per year, bounce him. If our kids’ PISA scores don’t rise by 10 per cent per year, change the education minister.

Burin Kantabutra