We are then surprised that he wanted to knock down the ladder to stop others from climbing up to challenge him using the same means.

If you want to set up a dictatorship to protect your ill-gotten gains, the first thing you must do is remove any people or media that may scrutinise your actions without bias. Thaksin's reluctance to leave with dignity is more than likely based on the preservation of his personal finances rather than love for the country. Under the current system he has patronised and promoted, a person without a large war chest of cash will have about as much relevance as a Klong Toei soi dog.

From the kamnan who takes advantage of local land deals and the nai amphur who farms out government contracts to his wife's construction company, to the police who protect and turn a blind eye to crime lords, the Thai administrative system is totally corrupt and runs on bribes, kickbacks and sweetheart deals for those in positions of power and influence. Thaksin is a symptom, but his removal, while a good start, will not cure the disease of corruption and nepotism infesting Thai society. Thaksin has proven that money is the fruit of all evil just as much as it is the root of all evil. He has shown money means that otherwise-inconsequential people will affect consequences in society.

The removal of Thaksin will not address Thailand's longstanding problems like drugs, education standards and the massive gap between the rich and poor. Change will only come when the masses refuse to pay off the police, refuse to sell their votes, refuse to allow officials to enrich themselves with dirty deals and refuse to elect dishonest people. Justice must not be simply talked about, it must be seen to be enforced. Thailand has a Constitution and strong laws. They are useless if the people entrusted to enforce them are self-serving crooks who manipulate the laws to enrich themselves.

Change will only come when the Thai people realise their fate is in nobody else's hands but their own. Its time to stop blaming others and go to the room of mirrors. Thaksin must go, but if he is allowed to keep his ill-gotten gains like so many others have, nothing will change. If dishonesty and corruption are left unpunished, is it any wonder the patronage system continues to thrive?

Andrew Lynn

Bangkok

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Supinya verdict is a crime against a selfless politician

How could the judges in the Shin Corp vs Supinya case rule for the defendant? Caretaker PM Thaksin was maliciously accused by Ms Supinya Klangnarong of benefiting financially from his position as head of government. It is presumptuous to assume that CPM Thaksin was involved with Shin Corp, as his name did not appear on its list of shareholders.

Mr Thaksin is a selfless politician whose main aim is to help poor people in Thailand. Everyone knows his business dealings are legal and it should be evident he does not use the weight of his office to help himself, his friends or family to get rich.

The verdict should have been fair and thereby forced Ms Supinya to pay the hundreds of millions of baht in fines to CPM Thaksin - which would also serve as a deterrent to anyone else who might be so bold as to try to publicly question the sterling reputation of CPM Thaksin.

Ken Albertsen

Chiang Rai

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Parade of nominees keeps on marching by

As you may recall, before becoming prime minister five years ago, Thaksin transferred his assets to his household staff in order to tailor his assets declaration to his liking. Before the infamous Bt73-billion tax-free sale of Shin shares, he used his children and a dummy corporation in the British Virgin Islands called Ample Rich as the nominee or straw man. Our acting prime minister is in love with this theme of using nominees.

He has now elevated Police General Chidchai Vanasatidya to the post of acting first deputy prime minister, while floating the idea that he may "step aside temporarily" or take a leave of absence for health reasons as a pretext. Thaksin could be the world's first prime minister who calls in sick while trying to run the show from the background.

I do not have to argue that PM Thaksin should be removed because of gross corruption and abuse of power. I am aware that he has many admirers, but I think a good case can be made that Thaksin should leave because he is incompetent. He is also reckless in the affairs of the nation much the same way.

Netirat Intira

Bangkok

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Now is the time for leaders to make measured compromise

Stalemate is an appropriate opportunity for both Thai Rak Thai and the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to take steps towards defusing the current political crisis. This opportunity is a chance for those who want to be our leaders to prove to us, the people, that they have earned the right to lead with justice.

At the current pace, further delay will potentially bring us all to a point of no return. Our present and future leaders should instead calmly focus on a solution that not only satisfies the future leadership but also one that serves the interests of the people. That is the core of what civil service is all about. The people. Civil service is the pillar of society. We need you, our leaders and future leaders, our pillars, to help us, and think about the people and not about yourselves.

As the situation develops, both the PAD and Thai Rak Thai have good leaders. Leaders need to emerge and come together to discover a peaceful resolution. Up to now the stalemate has happened because both sides do not know what they want and what compromises they are willing to make in order to get what they want. The caretaker PM and Thai Rak Thai managed Thailand as a corporation.

The PAD is a reflection of the anger and frustration that Thai people are feeling. Thai Rak Thai needs to understand that people are very disappointed and upset. Upset enough to pause in their daily lives and take to the streets to protest. This should be of great concern. The people are not happy and Thai Rak Thai as administrators have failed to address core issues that affect them. This crisis is not going to go away; it needs to be handled with some urgency and thought.

It would be of great historic precedence for Thailand if a peaceful, democratic solution can be reached by both groups.

Danuj Kamolvathin

Bangkok

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Evidence contradicts claims of US bigotry in ports deal

Re: "Alienated Arabs likely to shun American business", Opinion, March 13.

I'm sorry, but the pure-opinion pieces from a certain letter-writer who has a tendency to use uncommon words have become too much. This latest letter claiming America (a country of mixed immigrants) is bigoted for wanting seaports to remain secure is just preposterous.

For most Americans, the ports affair is not about race, as the word "bigot" implies, but about an ideology that can (and has) compromise(d) security. A real doctoral graduate would diligently research both sides of the issue.

It seems our letter-writing "Dr" felt no need to research the ideology of Dubai, which produced at least two of the 9/11 terrorists, nor the status of freedom in that country, which is also a factor. It is also known that bin Laden has hunted with the princes of the UAE near an Afghan terrorist training camp in 1999 (as published on the WorldNetDaily website www.wnd.com). UAE banks have also been identified to be sources of terrorist financing - before 9/11 and after.

According to the US State Department, religious freedom in Dubai is virtually non-existent. The Dubai government "restricts the freedom of assembly and association, thereby greatly limiting the ability of religious groups without dedicated religious buildings to worship and conduct business". And worse, "Non-Muslims are tried for criminal offences in Shariah courts." On the other hand, "The government funds or subsidises virtually all Sunni mosques and employs all Sunni imams." Saudi Arabia, where most of the 9/11 terrorists came from, is also Sunni and not free in terms of religion.

If our letter-writing "Dr" was a real doctorate, and had done his research, he wouldn't say Americans are the bigots in this deal, if anyone is. The US report on Dubai can be found on the State Department's website at www.state.gov.

Uncle Claw

Ayutthaya

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Philippine rebels threaten nation's long-term stabilityI am not at all a fan of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, but her proclamation of a national emergency last February 24 - on the anniversary of the world-influencing "people power" event that eventually ousted the dictatorial regime of the late president Ferdinand E Marcos - is worthy of praise in my point of view. She subdued a palpably growing rebellion, spearheaded by adventuring middle-rank military personnel, supported by leftist extremists and backed by power-hungry members of the opposition, camouflaged by democratic rallies.

It does not need an expert analysis to realise that what drives these people to keep protesting the legitimacy of Arroyo's presidency despite the lack of popular support. Each faction has it's own distinct political agenda but all are bound by one common aspiration - to rule.

The innate rebellious character of General Danilo Lim and others makes them favourite pawns for the opposition and communist groups. These groups seek to advance their common cause to topple the present administration and govern the country according to their own political ideology - a dictatorial and military government.

It is worrying to think about the political scenario in the Philippines if these people were to succeed. The country would be more divided as these groups ultimately displaced each other to gain sole control. Political conflicts under an illegitimate government would create chaos, or worse, civil war.

Bong & Pla

Bangkok