Since his entire modus operandi is based on deceit, we cannot take anything he says for granted. Lately, his "desire" to form a national government including opponents like Chamlong Srimuang was just another mirage hiding self-serving dishonesty that masqueraded as a concern for democracy. There is no way Thailand's leadership will ever become better as long as he is the puppet master pulling the strings.

A message to the opposition: keep up the good work and don't be lured by power or money, regardless of how tempting it is or how nice it would be to compromise. There is no such a thing as "win-win" with Thaksin.

It is "win-lose", you know, "my way or the highway". If you concede to Thaksin, then you will be as bad as, if not worse than, he is. The man just does not know right from wrong. He is dragging the country back to the 19th century, so he can enjoy the spoils of life.

If you know the man, you know that his success is built on a house of cards. I question all of his accomplishments.

I doubt he has achieved any business success through legitimate hard work. To my mind, unless he does a complete turn-about, he will go down in history as one of the most manipulative, self-serving leaders ever. Unacceptable on our watch.

Outraged Taxpayer

Bangkok

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A productive citizen pulled into the political melee

Re: "Thaksin proposes 'national govt'," News, March 27.

At his wits' end, the embattled caretaker PM, in his address to his supporters at Wongwian Yai last Sunday, played another cheap trick to mislead the public. He presented a list of "losers", creating the false impression that the current surging movement led by the People's Alliance for Democracy is comprised of nothing but personal grievances. He attempted to tarnish and diminish this struggle to keep alive true democracy in our society.

"Losers"? Under Thaksin's system, a system of "those who submit will prosper, those who resist will perish", unfairly treated losers have existed not only in business circles, but also in the Army, police, civil administration, practically in every area of our society. These losers, well informed about how badly Thaksin and his clique have been manipulating the state mechanisms for their own interests, have finally came out to expose their evils to the light of day, arousing the consciousness of more and more people.

And the thousands upon thousands of people throughout the country - residents in the capital, academics, university lecturers and students, people from all walks of life, who are actively joining this anti-Thaksin struggle - are not at all losers in any sense. I, a salaried clerk in a private company, approaching my 70s, guided by my conscience, find myself part of this turbulent trend against Thaksinism. At first, I disliked him, feeling he was inferior to average people in terms of morality and ethics - rude, arrogant and pretentious.

Then he was exposed as a wicked, cunning businessman as well as politician. And what I cannot put up with is that Thaksin, with the taxpayers' money, is hiring poor people from the rural areas and taxi drivers and motorcyclists in the metropolis to act as his guardians, to protect him from being overthrown. Such a mean and vicious scheme has caused an unprecedented split among our people.

For this reason only, I think, Thaksin must get out of politics for good. We can foresee the catastrophe, which will befall us if Thaksin survives the political crisis this time and wins the upcoming snap election.

Abee

Bangkok

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How can intelligent people swallow such blatant tripe?

For weeks leading up to the sale of Shin Corp to Singapore's Temasek Holdings, there were repeated official denials of any impending deal. Those were lies proffered by the highest echelons of government and Shin management. Immediately after the announcement of the windfall deal, the obligatory spin by Thaksin's lawyers regarding the alleged insider trading and cheating on taxes was: "It was all legal."

The most amazing part of the whole bizarre scenario is that many smart people, including educated Thais and resident farangs, accepted that explanation at face value. The No-2 spinmeister (after Thaksin himself) is Thana Benjathikul. He's the Thaksin family's legal expert who, by his own admission, couldn't even get his clients (Thaksin's son and daughter) to check the right boxes on a legal form.

Of course, if the high-priced lawyer knew the boxes were checked incorrectly - say, as part of an overall scam to hoodwink the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and investors - then he and his legal team should be disbarred. According to a Thai government website: "Thailand's securities exchange strictly prohibits insider trading and price manipulation of listed securities."

Are the rules so limp, and if so, did the SEC whitewash the PM family's dirty laundry when they gave a slap on the wrist to Panthongtae Shinawatra?

Brahmburgers

Chiang Rai

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Rural people hate corruption but have no other choice

The claim that rural Thais in the North and Northeast are less concerned about corruption is a misguided notion. Yes, they might seem more accepting of it, but why? Simply because they would be unable to function in their daily lives if they refused to participate. It is common knowledge among locals how much money one receives to attend a rally or vote for a certain party or candidate.

Also, villagers are keenly aware of the implications of not following their local leaders' demands - benefits and services that they have a right to would likely not be provided. They watch as local people of influence are able to divert funds, steer projects to friends and deny opportunities to others with impunity - practices similar to what those in the upper echelons of government are being accused of.

These people are poor, without resources or education. They despise the abuse of power and the exploitation of their families, their culture and their environment but feel powerless to act. They know that if they complain, they will not get support from government agencies or local "independent" bodies, and the repercussions could be fatal.

So they suppress their frustration and anger and go along to get along.

I think the media, opposition parties and groups advocating for change are selling the rural Thai villagers short by not speaking to them in the language of their own local experience. And while there might seem to be a wide gap between the attitudes of rural Thais and city dwellers, I believe they have both come to the same conclusion: corruption sucks.

Mymechew

Chiang Rai

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There are assets that are worth more than money

Re: "Our leader, not our system, is what's broke and needs repair", Letters, March 28.

Although I do agree with Chavalit Van to a certain extent, I have to ask if he does not mind having Singapore or other foreign nations owning key assets of Thailand. Some things are not for sale, Chavalit.

Like family photos are not for sale, like a personal wedding ring is not for sale. You could sell it if you really preferred money to it, but you lose more than what you have sold, and all you gain is money. Besides, with so many dirty hands these days, Bt20 billion will be gone in the blink of an eye.

Chul "Cho" Chang

Nakhon Pathom

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It is time for the public to ostracise the wrongdoers

Re: "Silom Soi 5 is only the tip of the iceberg", Editorial, March 28.

Silom Soi 5 is not only the tip of the iceberg - it is the eruption of a volcano that will soon wipe out the entire Thaksin clan. If he runs to Chiang Mai, the volcano will follow him there, too. His greed and arrogance has to be responded to by the common man with equal vehemence.

Whoever is in Thai Rak Thai must be treated as an outcast by the public. That must be the next step. Boycott all their public functions and tell them not to come to public places.

Then we must start chosen acts of civil disobedience. Whatever Thaksin represented must be ripped apart by silent disobedience. There are many patriotic Thais who have to teach Thaksin what patriotism really is. He is sure to run away once he realises that Thais do not need him any more.

A Well-Wisher

Bangkok

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Time for criminal action against political crimes

Re: "Democrats slam scams", News, March 27. Prove it and then press charges.

If proven, indictments must be a priority, showing the public that no one is above the law. Don't call them scams if they can be proven, because they are crimes against the nation. Start the ball rolling and then follow through all the way by probing assets at all levels of the public and private sectors.

There must be thousands of people in public-service entities, such as the police, Customs, land management, politics, etc, who have assets they can't account for.

It will not be an easy task, but it is an essential task if we want to rid ourselves of this evil in our society. Give me a chance for once to hold up my head with pride and dignity.

Noppadon

Bangkok