People began to cry openly with immense joy and happiness watching His Majesty waving from a distance. Words cannot describe this phenomenon. It is the bondage built out of love and respect for the nation's saviour.

Thai democracy is under His Majesty's patronage and that's how we Thais prefer it. We must humbly reject any other form of democracy practised elsewhere.

We Thais steadfastly stand behind our much beloved monarch.

Anyone with ill intention towards His Majesty and the throne will be wise to take note. His Majesty is the ultimate guiding light. His wish is our command.

Long live His Majesty!

Prapa Smutkojon

Bangkok

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Lack of education reform threatens nation's future

 Re: "Why doesn't education get mega-project priority", Opinion, June 8.

I fully agree with Suthichai Yoon: Thailand will find itself further and further behind our southern neighbours if we don't re-engineer our education system. Most citizens of Malaysia and Singapore are naturally bilingual. Many of them can speak three languages. As international languages, both English and Mandarin are very important. They are critical factors in leading our people to knowledge of different thinking, cultures and practices.

The education system should be revamped effectively with this in mind, and right from the very early stages. I hope some politicians had the chance to read the article so that they can be more creative rather than just fighting for their parties like they do at present.

Siam Opinion

Bangkok

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Fallout of Defence Ministry leak is a reversal of justice

 Quite a few people might not see anything unusual in the news that two officers are to face trial and two others disciplinary action for leaking Defence Ministry security camera footage that allegedly implicated Defence Minister Thamarak Isarangura in the hiring of smaller parties by Thai Rak Thai. But it seems to me that it is Thamarak who must be brought to justice for serious malfeasance if his direct or indirect involvement in the scandal is eventually proven.

It's common knowledge that the Defence Ministry is an important, confidential place where admission is not allowed except on business. The Defence Ministry is not a den or local Thai Rak Thai Party office where partisans plot conspiracies. What business did the chiefs of the small parties have at the Defence Ministry?

On the contrary, Defence permanent secretary-general Sirichai Thanyasiri should cite Sgt-Major Supoj Phanphet, Lieutenant Narongsak Presuk, Lt-Colonel Kuru Sensiriwattana and Colonel Arvuth Saengtawan for their fearless acts to expose suspect activities and protect our democratic system from being destroyed. They did not leak a state secret; they leaked the secret of the Thai Rak Thai's possible funding of small parties to contest the April 2 election. Is what they did a crime?

Let's appeal to the law courts and to the public: Justice must be done for the four officers.

Abee

Bangkok

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Mysterious hotel thefts spoil Hua Hin's image

 Last weekend, I made my way down to Hua Hin to enjoy the annual jazz festival. I stayed at a hotel just opposite the Sofitel Hua Hin, which was ideal because of its central location and vicinity to the beach.

On Saturday night, my room was broken into and my camera bag, containing a camera body and four lenses, and my PDA phone and charger were stolen. I woke up on Sunday morning to find them gone and my room door closed, but unlocked and unchained. There were no signs of a break-in.

I reported immediately to the reception staff, who were unwilling to make a police report on my behalf. They said they did not get involved in such cases because they are not sure whether their guests actually lost the items from their rooms. They also did not have the phone number of the police station! The management was not helpful at all and did not want to take any responsibility. I was appalled by how they tried to wash their hands of any responsibility and distance themselves from me.

When I went to make a report at the police station, I was surprised to find that all around Hua Hin there were many people who had had their rooms broken into and lost phones, laptops, PDAs and cameras. The police were very helpful, collecting all the relevant information and then coming to the hotel to take pictures, inspect the room and speak to the hotel staff. I have to compliment the staff at Hua Hin Police Station for being very helpful and doing the best that they could.

I hope the Hua Hin authorities apprehend the people behind these robberies. They are not good for the town's reputation as a quiet, cosy and pristine seaside getaway. Also, please be careful where you stay the next time you are in Hua Hin. I would definitely recommend staying in a reputable place with proper security.

Disgruntled Jazz Fan

Bangkok

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Asian rights group concerned about disappearance in South

 The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information about the alleged forced disappearance of a man in Narathiwat province on May 29.

Wae-halem Guwaegama allegedly disappeared near his house, in the vicinity of an Army checkpoint. His relatives have lodged a complaint with the Army but received no reply. Although only incomplete details of the case can be released publicly for security reasons, according to the information available to the AHRC, 42-year-old Wae-halem left his house in Bata Pasey, Cho-ai Rong district, at around 7am on May 29 by motorcycle. He passed a military checkpoint near the Kampong Baru teashop, and was searched before being allowed to proceed. Then he went to work at a construction site at nearby Bukey Tamong village. Later in the morning a military official reportedly came to the teashop and asked after Wae-halem.

Wae-halem returned to the teashop around 5pm, on his way home. There he talked with some senior villagers and left at around 5.20pm, saying that he wanted to go home and pray. After leaving the teashop he disappeared, although it is only about 700 metres from his home. His motorcycle has not been found.

According to witnesses, there was a temporary Army checkpoint set up between the teashop and Wae-halem's house, and some military personnel were allegedly seen taking someone away.

On June 5 relatives of the victim lodged complaints over the disappearance with a number of agencies, including the commander of the Fourth Army Region, the newly established Independent Commission on Justice and Civil Liberties for the Southern Border Provinces, the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand and the Lawyers Council of Thailand.

The next day local human-rights defenders went to the Fourth Army Region command and also the office of the Southern Border Provinces Peace-Building Command to raise the case. But they were told that the Army did not have any record of having the alleged victim in custody. No formal acknowledgement of the complaint was given to the family.

Wae-halem was previously listed by the authorities as a suspected insurgent. He was required to attend an Army camp as part of the state's "Re-education and Peace-building Programme". He has never been arrested or charged for involvement in any anti-government violence. He has been a deputy village head, but lost the position after he was put on the government list and sent for "re-education".

His entire community is now engulfed in fear. Most male villagers are worried that they could be the next victims, especially those who had previously enrolled in the "re-education" programme. Some have fled the village. The village and neighbouring areas are reported to be under constant surveillance by Army intelligence. Any visit by an outsider is immediately recorded, and in the evening the villagers are questioned about who visited and why.

We urge concerned citizens to please write to the caretaker Justice minister and the commander of the Fourth Army Region asking for immediate investigations into this alleged forced disappearance and protection for other people in the area, especially possible witnesses.

Urgent Appeals Programme

Asian Human Rights Commission

Hong Kong

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Rabble-rousing British MP has little following at home

 Re: "Galloway's remarks are outrageously embarrassing", Letters, June 3.

Further to the commentaries on the rantings of the narcissistic buffoon British MP George Galloway, I can assure readers he is not taken seriously by the more reasonable-minded in the UK populace. Although his outbursts might raise a snigger in the sleazy pubs or nightclubs in Glasgow he frequents, I can assure readers nothing he says would bolster support for any cause.

Even a stance against authority might have some credibility had it come from another mouth, but coming from someone who was licking the boots of Saddam Hussein (while children were being held as human shields by the despot) certainly doesn't give the self-proclaimed "Gorgeous George" any right to jump on a pedestal and talk about fairness.

R Richards

Bangkok

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Why no English commentary for World Cup broadcasts?

 As a subscriber of UBC, I feel very hard done by not to be given the option of World Cup coverage with English commentary.

The matches are being telecast only on free Thai TV channels, which means I am paying Bt1,400-odd a month for four sports channels, none of which is covering the world's premier sports event of the moment.

Deflated Football Fan

Bangkok