It was with pleasure and admiration that I read the front-page story of the research of Thanissara Chansakul in her undergraduate research on tissue engineering at Johns Hopkins University. Our university was founded in the late 19th century under the German "hygiene" model, in which research is at the core of the educational process. Thanissara emulates the undergraduate education plan, in which active involvement in state-of-the-art research integrates undergraduate education with graduate-level research.

Her accomplishments to date are manifold, something of which everyone in the Kingdom should be most proud. The wisdom of her support by the Institute for the Promotion of Teaching Science and Technology is demonstrated by her deeds and reputation, leading to the recent prize she won from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers this year. Investment in higher education will lead to advancement in science and technology in Thailand, and I am certain Thanissara will return in a few years to lead new avenues of research in cutting-edge science in Thailand.

Let us all celebrate the accomplishments of Thanissara and continue to seek out local talent and support their educational aspirations. As a member of the Johns Hopkins community, I am proud to see one of our own be so successful. It reinforces one's decision to be an educator.

Professor David Celentano, ScD, MHS

Professor, Infectious Diseases Programme

Deputy chair, Department of Epidemiology

Bloomberg School of Public Health

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland

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Ministry seems suspiciously concerned about 'fake' footage

Re: "Defence official hot on trail of CCTV 'culprits'," News, June 7.

On the one hand, the Defence Ministry happily announces it's closing in on the "traitor" who leaked the closed-circuit-television (CCTV) footage that showed the ministry's boss indulging in some very dishonourable conduct. On the other, there are shrill voices in Thai Rak Thai who, at the same time, adamantly cry the footage is fake.

Therefore, there are two conclusions I can think of right now to this case of madness, both of them inconceivable in any government that adheres to basic ethics and logic. The first is that the esteemed Defence Ministry is indulging in the favourite Thai pastime of chasing wild geese by running around after someone who "leaked" the "fake" CCTV footage. The second is that what has been shown on the footage is all too real, and judging from the tone of the ministry, it seems highly unlikely that the person responsible is being hunted down to be given a medal of appreciation by his ministry for blowing the whistle on this treasonous deed.

I leave the reader to decide which is the more probable and draw his or her own conclusions about the ethical standards of Thai Rak Thai.

Apisake Monthienvichienchai

Cambridge, England

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Facts about Thai-US treaty, which has expired anyway

Re: "Thailand has been too lax in following treaty conditions", Letters, June 7.

Michael Weldon and his group really should get their facts straight before accusing Thailand of failing to fulfil its obligations under the Thai-US Amity Treaty.

The treaty does not "provide that all US citizens have all the rights and privileges of Thai citizens", as Weldon claims, but it does allow US companies and citizens to engage in business on the same basis as Thai companies and citizens, albeit with some restrictions, including restrictions on ownership of land.

Weldon also claims that under the treaty, "US citizens are not required visas, passports or immigration checks and can remain in Thailand indefinitely, without any extra requirements". This claim is also inaccurate. Under the treaty, US citizens are entitled to enter the Kingdom without a visa for periods of up to 30 days. For longer stays, US citizens must apply for a visa or residence permit like anyone else.

If Weldon and his group had really done their research, they would have realised that any reference to the Thai-US Treaty of Amity is now redundant, as the treaty recently expired, and any privileges enjoyed by US citizens under it will only be restored when the stalled Thai-US free-trade agreement (FTA) is in place.

I sincerely hope that once the FTA negotiations are completed, visa waivers will be reciprocal, and regular Thais, like my Thai partner, who was turned down for a simple tourist visa to the US on two separate occasions, will have an opportunity to visit Weldon's part of the world.

Shane Brady

Prachuap Khiri Khan

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A silent epidemic is raging throughout this country

I would like to draw attention to a behavioural problem with a long history that is causing excessive damage to Thailand. It's called "groveller's syndrome", and its most visible symptom is "excessive deferential prostrating". Sadly, prime ministers, politicians, government workers, the police and the armed forces not only encourage, but also demand it continue; their very existence depends on it. A prime example of what happens when it is denied can be seen in the behaviour of Election Commission head Vasana Puemlarp. Asked, and then told, to resign from his post for irregularities and political bias, he went through the following predictable phases:

Anger - How dare they? I'm not a dog in the street (ie, the common man).

Denial - Tears, flowers and sympathy. When I die, they will know the real truth.

Acceptance - I'll go when I'm ready. No one else can do my job.

In the case of Thaksin Shinawatra, see the above.

Chiang Mai Mike

Chiang Mai

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Borwornsak's integrity is like a breath of fresh air

Re: "Key Cabinet aide quits govt to enter monkhood", News, June 7.

Ex-Cabinet secretary-general Borwornsak Uwanno is to be highly commended for resigning rather than staying with a boss with whom he allegedly had serious conflicts. His parting message gives me a good idea about his reason for leaving: "[Politicians should] think less about themselves and think more about His Majesty the King, the country and the Thai people, and things will improve."

Borwornsak is a highly regarded legal expert who was key in drafting our current Constitution, and the fact that one so well versed in the rule of law cannot work with PM Thaksin speaks volumes. Borwornsak is evidently following US General Norman Schwarzkopf, who said, "If it ever came to a choice between compromising my moral principles and the performance of my duties, I know I'd go with my moral principles."

It is never too late for those with a conscience to disassociate themselves with persons they no longer trust. For example, Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang: to what extent do PM Thaksin's actions at Krue Se and Tak Bai, the CTX scandal and the sale of Shin Corp measure up to the activist principles you once held so dear?

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

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An open letter to caretaker PM Thaksin Shinawatra

Re: "New property law vexes foreigners", Business, June 1.

The recent announcement from the Interior Ministry regarding enforcement of existing laws that were designed to prevent farangs from owning land by using Thai citizens as nominee shareholders has prompted me to write this letter to you. When you were prosecuted in court during the hidden-assets scandal, you defended yourself by saying you did not in fact have any assets. You stated that all of your Shin Corp shares had been legally transferred to your gardener, driver and maid. The court agreed, and you were acquitted. As you, the prime minister of Thailand, have set a legal precedent in the use of nominee shareholders, may I humbly request your assistance in a small matter having to do with similar circumstances?

I own shares in a legally registered Thai company that is in possession of a certain piece of land in Thailand. Since the Interior Ministry has ruled that the company in which I hold shares cannot use nominee Thai citizens to hold the majority of company shares, would it be possible to use your gardener, driver and housemaid as Thai nominees in our company?

Please forward their names, addresses and other relevant particulars to me, so I can act on this matter as soon as possible. I believe that if I use exactly the same steps and methods in my business as the prime minister of Thailand, then it is impossible for me to go wrong (legally speaking).

Friendly Farang

Bangkok

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Why not investigate unusually wealthy govt officials first?

Re: "New property law vexes foreigners", Business, June 1.

If I understand this spiteful new regulation correctly, it seems government officers can now investigate the monthly earnings of Thais who own shares in nominee property companies with foreigners. The implication here is some Thai shareholders might be regarded as too "unusually poor" to have acquired the shares, which poses the big question: what action will the government then take against the nominee companies? No wonder the high-end expat property market is in turmoil.

I would like to turn the argument on its head. Why don't we, the general public, investigate the monthly income of any government officer who owns more than a few rai of land and apply the same principle? And particularly those senior government officers who, despite their pittances of salaries, have managed to acquire prime land in tourist spots, resorts in national parks and all the rest?

Since this is unlikely to happen, foreigners will need an experienced Thai consultant to advise them. I have a suggestion for the very man: that renowned expert in nominee companies, Thaksin Shinawatra!

Nigel Pike

Phang Nga

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