It is worth mentioning that the three commissioners are former senior bureaucrats. Since they have spent a large part of their lives in a highly hierarchical system, they are prone to being partial and tend to pander to politicians' wishes for their own benefit.

These people should be strenuously screened before being entrusted to carry out the delicate job of important independent organisations such as the Election Commission. A more thorough and circumspect system of selection should be implemented in the future. A more effective way of monitoring and keeping them in check is also a must.

Let's hope the verdict on the election commissioners will be a watershed for Thailand's democratic development and for justice to be duly served where and when it is needed and that the Constitution will be more seriously adhered to.

Chavalit Van

Chiang Mai

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Trio got what they deserved after ignoring advice to leave

Re: "EC trio jailed", News, July 26. Chaiyo! Justice prevails - the three stooges went to jail. They are figures of dark influence who have been brought out into the daylight. They were advised to resign, they had been asked to do so by academics, the People's Alliance for Democracy and the opposition parties. Som nam na (serves them right)!

PM Thaksin is next.

Surasak Piputtana

Bangkok

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PM knows his days are numbered following EC case

Re: "EC trio jailed", News, July 26. A horse walks into a bar and the bartender asks, "Why the long face?"

It's on old one, I know, but the expression of complicity on Thaksin's face on hearing the verdict handed down by the courts spoke volumes. It is surely now merely and matter of time and conjecture as to whether his fate will be sealed by a group of angry senators or some from his inner sanctum. But are they wily enough to carry it off?

Sucatash

Bangkok

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Teacher's joke meant to engage, not mock Ung Ing

Re: "Teacher violated professional standards by joke to Ung Ing", Letters, July 26.

A well-argued and sensitive letter on a very important issue. But was the offending political-science professor in fact "teasing" Ung Ing, or was she rather giving her the chance to take her place as a normal and fully engaged member of a dynamic class focused on current issues?

Of course, it's never easy to be the child of a famous person, anywhere, but at a top university and in a political-science course to boot, one's personal identity should not be something that has to be hidden. If everyone has to stop talking freely in a political-science forum because the most politically influential person of the hour can't be mentioned, then the class is worthless and should be cancelled.

No, it seems to me that if Ung Ing is bright enough to be at a top university in the first place and really wants to be there, as well, then the fact that she is the prime minister's daughter should be an asset to a class, not a hindrance!

And was the question the professor asked her, whether she had quit school, in fact mocking Ung Ing? It seems to me it's not only funny, but also very relevant, echoing as it does the premier's own whimsical words to Suranand Vejjajiva at the Thai Rak Thai birthday party a week ago and widely reported in the press. Current affairs, in other words. So the joke's an ice-breaker and shows that the professor has a good relationship not only with the girl, but also is in tune with the political situation in the class - and the country!

By my way of thinking, the "inexcusable breach of a teacher's ethics" would be to censor the truth for any reason, whether out of fear of lawsuits or loss of revenues or lack of advancement or even concerns for one's personal safety. Indeed, let's hope we never again have a PM we're afraid to talk about, anywhere!

Lung Kip

Chiang Mai

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Comparson of Thaksin and Arroyo was 'devoid of insight'

Re: "Thaksin and Arroyo, two thick-faced devils, on top for now", Opinion, July 25.

For a seasoned and respected journalist, Thepchai Yong's latest column was surprisingly devoid of insight and improperly mordant.

Contrary to the situation being portrayed by Thepchai, let me categorically state there is no political deadlock in the Philippines. Therefore, it would be incorrect to compare President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and caretaker Premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

What we actually have in the Philippines is a duly elected and effectively governing administration being harassed by political elements and vested interests whose unproven accusations and treacherous actions only serve to betray their desperation, selfishness and malice. Suffice it to say they will not stop until they gain power, which is their only motive.

Their failure testifies to the country's political maturity. It was indeed reassuring to see the political savvy of the Filipino public during those trying times. It was a testament to how the lessons of "people power", continually nurtured by the country's vibrant civil society and mass media, have strengthened the public's immunity to political manipulation.

Undoubtedly, divisive politics has stymied the country's development. It was in this light that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, in her state-of-the-nation address on July 24, offered the hand of reconciliation to her political opponents. She urged them to "join hands [with her] in the biggest challenge of all, where we all win or we all lose: the battle for the survival and progress of our one and only country". President Arroyo's vision for the Philippines involves a system that is no longer politics as usual, but rather one that truly offers opportunities for everyone. It is a government that works for people at every level, decentralises power from the capital to the countryside, ensures the greater safety and economic security of the people and creates a conducive environment for free enterprise and economic progress. President Arroyo firmly believes that political reform through charter change, including a shift to a parliamentary system, would provide a firm foundation for realising this vision. Certainly, her desire for a better Philippines deserves the moral support of every Filipino, regardless of political persuasion.

It is my sincere hope that Thepchai will attain his journalistic objectives during his brief sojourn in Manila, while avoiding the temptation to establish comparisons between our countries' politics where there are clearly none. Continuing to believe otherwise would only yield editorial insights that are simply, in his own words, "a stretch of the imagination".

Antonio V Rodriguez

Ambassador of the Philippines

Bangkok

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Cartoon accurately captured the chaotic traffic in Bangkok

Re: "Stephff's View", Opinion, July 25. I just wanted to thank you for one of the funniest cartoons I have ever seen. The "Urban Tale of the Thai Motorist Werewolf" was hilarious. My Thai colleagues and I all shared a good laugh at this very truthful depiction of the driving situation in Bangkok. Thank you very much!

Jeff

Bangkok

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'Dictatorship' doesn't seem to apply to a Democrat majority

Re: "Political sentiment turns towards the Democrats", News, July 25.

"Out of the 57 seats up for grabs on city council, Thai Rak Thai secured just 18, while the Democrat Party scooped 35."

I now wonder if we should say, "The Democrat Party dominates the Bangkok city council," or, "The Bangkok city council is under the dictatorship of the Democrats".

I asked a Democrat friend this question, and he explained: "If the Democrats get a minority of the seats, a legislative body is under dictatorship; otherwise, it is dominated by the Democrats."

SP

Samut Prakan

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Govt policies are damaging Thailand's tourist sector

Living on tourism, one would expect Thailand would make tourists feel welcome. It is maddening to see the opposite. Enough has been said about the discriminatory entrance fees to the national parks (even private companies are now fleecing tourists). Now we can add the price rise from Bt3 to Bt50 that is only for tourists for train fare from Wang Po in Kanchanaburi's Sai Yok district to Tha Kilen. What's next, a 1,500-per-cent increase for the Bangkok-to-Chiang Mai route?

First, there was the policy of not being able to buy alcohol from 2-5pm - does the government realise the anger of those who eat their lunches late or how this makes it impossible for tourists to buy wine in the supermarket for their aperitifs? There is also the tax levies on alcohol that result in wine being more expensive than whisky, just to please certain interest groups and make imported wine more expensive than wine produced in Thailand. The policy concerning the operating hours of bars is also irrational. How are tour guides supposed to defend such policies? Thailand is slaughtering the golden goose. What a shame that no tourism agencies or the Tourism Authority of Thailand try to do anything to remedy the situation.

Egon

Bangkok