In fact, the majority of the "progressive/radicalised" student groups - such as Turn Left magazine group, Students' Federation of Thailand, Sankom Wicharn Group and Student Activities Information Resource - have been campaigning for larger goals for the post-election era, such as the renationalisation of national assets, action on FTAs, the cessation of state-violence/human-rights abuses in the South and amendment of the Constitution so that people without a bachelor's degree can enter politics.

It would be a shame for Thammasat University alumni and former student activists if the TUSU continued to campaign for the short-term goals and blinded themselves to the current political trends and demands of the progressive student groups.

Pokpong Lawansiri

Bangkok

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The supernatural side of Thai Rak Thai is revealed

Re: "Thaksin the wizard attempts a supernatural twist," Opinion, March 24.

Thanong Khanthong's column proves he is a real authority on superstition and voodoo. Thaksin himself perhaps didn't realise the implications of what he has been doing until he read your column. I admire you for being able to interpret logically every paranormal move Thaksin has made, from the mosquito net set-up in At Samat to elephant-riding in Buri Ram to the knock-down of the Erawan Shrine. The part that impresses me the most is Thaksin's itinerary to the east, which mimicked the route taken by King Thaksin.

However, I'd like to point out something. You should refer to voodoo without being specific. Mentioning of "Khmer voodoo" or "Khmer-inspired rituals" may cause some uneasiness at the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh.

Meechai Burapa

Chiang Mai

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Rambling letters are a waste of space and time

Re: "Anti-Thaksin camps are wasting precious time pushing for PM's resignation", Letters, March 27.

After reading the rambling 900-word letter from Prachyadavi Tavedikul, all I could do was scratch my head and wonder what his premise was. The letter didn't make any sense at all, because all 11 paragraphs were utterly incoherent. The Nation should limit letters to 100-150 words, eliminating writers who love to spew words without saying anything.

SP

Samut Prakan

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'The Nation' keeps going when others have failed

I'd like to congratulate The Nation on its coverage of the anti-Thaksin rallies and its courage in keeping us informed throughout. Under pressure no doubt from the powers that be other branches of the media, television being the most culpable, have mostly downplayed or misinformed the public about what has been going on.

The protesters who gathered outside your building to protest what they saw as biased reporting against Thaksin sought to silence you, and eventually they will do the same with any voice of dissent, just as the man himself would have it.

Chiang Mai Mike

Chiang Mai

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Thailand's reputation hinges on Thaksin's resignation

PM Thaksin has become a colossal embarrassment to all Thais. If he had even the slightest shame or concern for anyone but himself he would resign.

If he doesn't and continues on in office, than it means Thailand's government is still just a banana republic and lies and corruption are the order of the day.

A Concerned Farang Who Loves Thailand

Bangkok

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The guest who stole all the food at the picnic

A man named Shaktin is invited to a potluck buffet party at a friend's house. On his way to the party, he buys two plastic garbage pails. When he arrives at the buffet garden, he backs his pickup truck to the open gate at the garden fence. Guests arrive, each bringing a delectable dish to add to the long food table.

When all the food appears to be set in place, Shaktin grabs his clean new plastic pails and saunters up to the table and gently slides all the food off the plates and into the pails. Just as smoothly, he carries the heavy pails back, hefts them into the truck bed and drives away. When asked about it later, he simply says: "What's the problem? It's not illegal."

Ken Albertsen

Chiang Rai

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Does Thailand have free speech, or is it lying to itself?

The situation with Kom Chad Luek is typical. If a newspaper speaks its mind, someone steps in to change it, with disastrous results.

Does Thailand have a democracy or mob rule?

Michael Weldon

Udon Thani

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Time to take action on accusations of corruption

After all the shouting about corruption, has the opposition any proof in hand? If they are sincere and can back up their claims of high-level corruption, why haven't there been any charges preferred? How sincere is this group? Are they just another group in a long line of those who can only talk?

If they have evidence in hand of large-scale corruption during Thaksin's tenure of office, let them take action by getting the courts to impose injunctions and other measures, preventing any of the corrupt parties from disappearing with their proceeds.

Corruption is not a light-hearted matter; it is a serious crime with serious consequences. Proceeds from corruption must be returned to Thailand for the benefit of our nation. Stop shouting, put your accusations into serious action, and show the people of Thailand that we will not tolerate corruption any longer.

Teach the lessons that were part and parcel of Thaksin's election mandate.

Pakorn

Bangkok

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Teachers are bearing the brunt of a bad situation

I am a teacher working in the South of Thailand. In my 32 years of teaching experience, I have learned from both right and wrong happenstance, but I have always prepared the best things I could for my students. I am not an ambitious person, and I never wanted to be promoted up to the Ajahn 3 classification. Yet I have never stopped learning and have always taught myself to be helpful, accurate and resourceful for my students.

When I look at some of the Ajahn 3 around me, I feel very low-spirited. Are these people doing far more work than the rest of us? Are we working less half as much as them? Not at all.

Why has their promotion allowance been changed from Bt5,600 to more than Bt10,000? Are they the cronies of the politicians in charge of the promotion?

Some of them have claimed that they got promoted because they prepared (copied) their papers well and because of their links to some bigwigs in the Ministry of Education. I know, because I used to have the job of checking and proofreading papers. Has the government had a close look at what they have been doing since they got promoted?

Some have even revealed that they were ashamed of themselves when they looked at the lesson plans they submitted for promotion, because they can't be used in a real classroom atmosphere.

Life is hard for Thai people now, but even harder for Thai teachers.

We have been promised a bonus of Bt3,500, and we have been waiting for the first light to appear over the horizon. Nothing has yet happened in this boiling political crisis. They have been treating us like imbeciles. They know most teachers are submissive, so they don't care about what they have promised us.

Are the teachers who have never been able to leave their classrooms and students behind to prepare their paperwork doing something wrong? Have they lacked a sense of teaching responsibility? How can teachers have willpower if they are treated this way? In schools there are a lot of stuck-up groups, prejudice and discrimination. In our offices, there is a lot of cronyism and individual benefit. Who should we be able to rely on or turn to for help?

An Upcountry Teacher

Thailand

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Who has applied for a seat on the anti-graft commission?

The local English-language press announced recently that 51 persons have applied for a post on the National Counter Corruption Commission. Yet the press has only mentioned a handful of the applicants.

The public should be kept informed by the press.

Let's have the names of the applicants now. There is no reason to keep this information from the public.

Jang Bounyai

Bangkok