The relevant analysis in your topical editorial about the despicable terrorist attacks in Bombay, with a death toll of 200 and more than 700 others injured, rightly goes beyond the tragic event's impact on India. Indeed, while terrorism is universally recognised as one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, sometimes it is treated with a double standard. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the consensus resolutions of the United Nations on behalf of its current 192 members, which strongly condemn all acts, methods and practices of terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, as criminal and unjustifiable, wherever and by whomsoever committed.

In light of the UN's position, criminal acts intended or calculated to provoke a state of terror in the general public, a group of persons or particular persons for political purposes are in any circumstances unjustifiable, whatever the considerations of a political, philosophical, ideological, racial, ethnic, religious or other nature that may be invoked to justify them.

Vigilance is, certainly, vital in anti-terrorist efforts, but only global actions undertaken in a spirit of effective multilateralism can lead to successful results. Consequently, all states should be more responsive to the UN calls to become parties to the 13 international legal instruments against terrorism, including the most recent one: the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. Moreover, the negotiations for finalising the elaboration of a comprehensive convention on international terrorism must continue on an expedited basis, and the question of convening a high-level conference under UN auspices to deal with effective measures to eliminate international terrorism must be made a priority.

Ioan Voicu

Bangkok

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Southern teachers require comprehensive protection

Re: "Arming teachers requires caution", Editorial, July 12.

Your editorial raises important points about the nature and impact of the insurgency in the deep South. Many countries are seeking to control the spread of handguns, but in the South new ways are sought to provide firearms to more educators, and no doubt strict guidelines regarding gun permits are needed.

Dangers abound. Some research shows that handguns kept in the home may even triple the risk of death by accidental or intentional firing of the weapon. Other data from the US indicate the risk of suicide increases fivefold in a family if a gun is kept at home.

The bottom line is: provide the endangered educators and school staff in the South with what they want. If they feel the need for the protection of a firearm, then every effort should be made to assist them in self-defence, including very thorough training. Most importantly, though, the editorial minces no words: "But we as a society must make it clear to militants, insurgents or terrorists that teachers - whose job is educating local children, Muslim and Buddhist - are not legitimate targets of people, whatever their grievances."

More pressure must be brought to bear in the Thai public arena.

That could include funds for the purchase of firearms or encouraging the creation of an independent NGO to collect financial assistance for the needs of teachers under fire and at risk. Psychologists to help teachers - and their students and other school staff -be better able to cope with the terrible stress they labour under should be sent in greater numbers to the far South. They are badly needed.

The National Thai Teachers' Union could organise a conference in which the plight of southern teachers is openly addressed, inviting educators from abroad to participate in brainstorming on better ways to aid the teachers living in this nightmare. And to publicise their plight.

Perhaps an advocacy group called Concerned Thai Teachers could be formed to address this issue hands-on by organising workshops, a website and other channels of action. Academic conferences in Thailand, local and with international participation, could also be encouraged to issue a special resolution stating that whatever the grievances in the troubled provinces, "educators are not legitimate targets".

Stop murdering teachers and other education workers, or soldiers assigned to escort teachers safely home, as in the attack on July 5 against five soldiers in Yala.

A Concerned Educator

Bangkok

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PM Thaksin should advertise for a caretaker copy-editor

Re: "The caretaker prime minister's recent correspondence with world leaders", Opinion, July 13.

Thank you to The Nation for printing caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin's letter to President Bush. It is a rather sad demonstration of written English and does not give a good impression of the country if this is the written English of the caretaker prime minister himself.

It is nice to know that Thaksin wishes to "prosecute" the war on terror, though I'm not sure Bush would agree with him on that point. I also believe he actually stepped aside rather than "stopped" aside and how wonderful that he "got the country ready for ... election", most people would "get the country ready".

Next time, Thaksin should perhaps get someone to check his grammar before posting his letter. Alternatively, he could go to one of the many language schools that litter Bangkok and learn how to write in English.

On the actual content, Thaksin is rather fond of using the words "I", "me" and "mine", so it still seems as if he is single-handedly doing everything. Thaksin, perhaps you should learn words like "our" and "we", thereby making it clear it is the Thai Rak Thai Party that is important and not just its leader. You don't exactly encourage and support other MPs when you take all the credit, do you?

Not impressed.

Phil

Bangkok

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What did PM possibly hope to accomplish with Bush letter?

Re: "The caretaker prime minister's recent correspondence with world leaders", Opinion, July 13.

I am not sure whether Thaksin's letter to George W Bush is more atrocious or pathetic - maybe both.

To read our prime minister grovelling for pity to the United States demonstrates his true lack of character and cowardice.

Has any former Thai prime minister ever done this? And for what purpose?

Does he want the US to stand ready to send in troops to help Thaksin and the Thai Rak Thai Party "restore order?" I am baffled at why he wrote such a letter in the first place.

The only explanation is he must be feeling very insecure and unloved, and he needs affirmation from other global leaders. But there is no way any leader with any common sense would interfere in Thailand's domestic affairs after reading such a silly letter. Perhaps Thaksin should have written to Pyongyang for support.

I am outraged that our prime minister has woven such a self-serving story at the expense of hard-working taxpayers like myself. He has tried to make a mockery of the true spirit of democracy by arguing that the majority of the people - whom he bribed to vote for him - elected him fairly.

But I must say I was overjoyed to see President Bush's response. Thaksin's plea for pity has fallen on deaf ears.

Let the violins play, sir.

Outraged Taxpayer

Bangkok

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Charity to nuisance strays should not be encouraged

Re: "Dogs should be treated with the same respect we accord all of society's vulnerable", Letters July 8.

Amreen Choudhury is mistaken when she uses the reference "us" as those responsible for stray dogs. I for one am in no way responsible for a single stray dog. Nor do I owe them anything. If she were truly concerned with showing compassion to these disease-ridden, emaciated, menacing dogs, she would realise that the kindest act of all to both man and beast would be to euthanise 99 per cent of Thailand's stray-dog population.

While I concur that the blame for the problem of strays lies primarily with irresponsible breeders and pet owners, he has his priorities out of whack with his desire to "introduce and uphold laws protecting animals".

How about the rights of those of us who have been bitten by these beasts unprovoked?

 And just how responsible is it of those compassionate animal lovers who twice a week come round my condo to feed the strays ensuring that they will continue to go to the bathroom, bite and generally bother the residents at the entrance to my building?

Max

Bangkok

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Sloppy play and unbalanced TV coverage marred Cup

The referee dismissed the tackle that dislocated Zidane's shoulder. That is as inexcusable as Zidane's head-butting response. Whether the referee can be in all places at once and have eyes in the back of his head is arguable, but clearly these decisions affected the final result. The Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon moved before the penalties were taken; however, Fabien Barthez did not, and that affected the final result.

The game is reduced to petty fouling and poor decisions. Skill came in at a moderate third. Authorities should clean up the game by introducing two referees on the field and stamping out tackling that injures players and gives the perpetrator an unfair advantage.

This World Cup was all in all an overhyped disappointment, and that has nothing to do with England and its captain's performance. Thai television officials ruined it by giving blank coverage in one language on all channels, to the exclusion of foreigners and those with who were not interested in football. I give a red card to Thai television.

Giles Wynne

Nakhon Ratchasima