There are many comments one could make about this argument, but one comment is beyond dispute: that position is anti-democratic.

Whatever his faults, Thaksin understands that the democratic process is about having policies that will win a mandate from the people and, if there is doubt about that mandate, to consult the people once more.

What can be said of Abhisit? He leads a party with no known policies, populist or otherwise. He has suddenly become an enthusiast for constitutional reform, without ever specifying what he would reform or how he would do it. His only message to voters seems to be: "Vote for me, I'm not Thaksin." It's hardly surprising that he is reluctant to face the electorate.

What he and the rest of the opposition seem unable to grasp is that getting rid of Thaksin will not solve Thailand's constitutional problems. Thaksin is not Thailand's first PM of dubious integrity, and it would be a miracle if he were the last. The opposition needs to develop a set of proposals for constitutional change, to explain them in such a way that people can grasp their importance and then challenge Thaksin to explain why they should not be enacted.

Until they can do this, Thaksin will remain the people's choice, and they have no cause for complaint.

Dom Dunn

Krabi

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Shin Corp sale was a blatant constitutional violation

Re: "Thaksin's persona blown away by Shin sale", Opinion, March 6.

Chang Noi said Thaksin's Shin sale was a "cultural blunder". We may agree with Chang Noi, but we should not conclude that components of the deal were just "uncultural" but legal. Setting up Ample Rich in the British Virgin Islands as a vehicle to exercise control of Shin shares through the children definitely is a circumvention of Article 209 of the Constitution. Changing the law on Friday to accommodate the sale on the following Monday is beyond uncultural. It means that Thaksin actually believed he could get away with murder.

Forget about the tax-free transfer. He increased Shin profitability and share value by duty exemption, loan guaranty to Burma to benefit Shin Satellite and all kinds of investment privileges for Shin affiliates. Shin has grown on the backs of Thai taxpayers. The tax-free transfer is only a climax in the labyrinth of gimmicks, schemes and just plain cheats.

At one time, Thaksin may have projected the image of "tough guy" or "godfather". Actually, he does not understand that role, either. Deep down, he is still a police-station chief who always ends up with the prime cut of the lion's share. As the final curtain comes down, not many of his friends and subordinates will shed a tear.

Netirat Intira

Bangkok

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Democrats fared better than some people think

Re: "Boycott simply means no votes for do-nothing parties", Letters, March 4.

Ronald Visconti should get his facts a little more accurate before writing to The Nation. Far from him saying, "In the last general election the Democrat Party, under the leadership of Abhisit Vejjajiva, suffered its most humiliating defeat in its history", may I humbly point out that:

1) Banyat Bantadtan was Democrat leader, not Abhisit Vejjajiva, at the last election.

2) A win of 96 MPs was the fifth-best result in the 17 general elections they have fought since 1946.

Paul Cheesman

Bangkok

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If any exists, show evidence of graft and then prosecute

Getting rid of Thaksin and his cronies is not enough. If opposition figures are accusing him and his cronies of grand-scale corruption and graft, which is tantamount to stealing, let them prove this and beside getting rid of him and them, take them to court and send them to prison.

Stealing is stealing, no matter which level of society commits this crime, and if proven, they must be prosecuted to send a message that no one is immune from the law.

So, opposition leaders: direct your actions towards this, and maybe the message will get through once and for all that we the people of Thailand will no longer accept "graft and corruption".

If they have committed these criminal activities as "public servants", it is not that difficult to obtain evidence. Organisations such as Interpol and others are at your disposal, paper money trails can be exposed, and if evidence is exposed, assets must be frozen while due process of law is in operation.

Getting rid of Thaksin has no meaning if the next lot of politicians has the same corrupt practices in mind; a strong message is needed warning of the consequences. My fellow Thais must demand justice.

Noppadon

Bangkok

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Take the money, but mark your ballot for someone else

Our maid lives just outside of San Pa Tong town here in Chiang Mai province. She told us today that everyone in her village was paid Bt200 to attend last night's rally for Thaksin in Chiang Mai. She added that Bt300 was given to those who would provide transportation for the villagers.

She said many took the money and attended. When they returned, no one was sure of exactly what the PM had been saying to the crowd. However, they did remark that it would be good if he would hold a rally every day, because soon they would be rich, even though no one had any intention of voting for him.

William Reynolds

Chiang Mai

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Some voters play both sides for fun and profit

Want to hear a sad, pathetic, funny, disgusting story that unfortunately also happens to be true?

As I'm writing this on Sunday evening, quite a few Thais here in Chiang Mai are out celebrating some extra cash they received from exercising their commitment to democracy and their country. Seems many found that they could don a yellow T-shirt and show up at a university, sign their name and collect Bt50. Then they could don a red T-shirt and head over to a stadium, sign their name and get paid Bt300. Then they could go out and buy some liquor or beer and talk about anything other than politics or the state of their country.

"The people get the government they deserve." - Alexis de Tocqueville.

For those here in Thailand who really do want to make a difference and who care about their country, don't forget what you are fighting against.

"It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere." - Voltaire.

Good luck, Thailand, in your exercise in democracy.

Tony

Chiang Mai

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Samet, Samet but oh so different!

Returning recently to Koh Samet for a short holiday for the first time in several years came as something of a shock to me. The setting for my novel, "Thai Girl", I knew and loved the island well, but since I wrote the book, it has changed very much for the worse.

As I paid my Bt200 to go into the national park, an American next to me commented that he was happy to pay 10 times more than the Thais, if the money helped protect this jewel of an island. He must have been bitterly disappointed.

Small-scale wooden huts are being replaced by substantial concrete bungalows, and there is incremental encroachment and intensification of holiday facilities everywhere. A fragile environment is being damaged with the incidental filth and chaos of mass tourism.

With low standards of probity at the highest levels of public life, powerful commercial forces are not likely to be resisted, but in the blind rush for the tourist dollar, Samet is being despoiled. The jewel is becoming seriously flawed. I now hardly dare go back to this island paradise, for fear of what further deterioration I might see the next time.

Andrew Hicks

Surin

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Authorities should clear the air on rubbish fires

It's burning season again. While it's bad outside the city, it's murderous within. Burning, running eyes. Sore throats. Throbbing sinus headaches. And these are just the short-term results of burning trash, including plastics, within the city limits, and for the otherwise healthy, much less the infirm. The long-term effects are truly frightening.

I realise that burning is the traditional method of rubbish disposal in Thailand and that it takes a conscious effort to change habits to meet concomitant changes in our way of life, like living more densely in cities.

I remember when I was young, and burning leaves in the fall - the cherished traditional method of disposal - was finally banned within the city limits of my home town in Connecticut. The move was denounced as socialism!

Within a few years, the same people who had denounced "socialism" were the first to notify the authorities when the clear fall air was fouled with smoke. The change was that quick.

It's time for the same change here in northern Thailand.

John Francis Lee

Chiang Rai

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