First, our system tends to deny participation of the majority. Article 107 [3] of the current Constitution clearly states that House members must "have graduated with not lower than a Bachelor's degree". The same goes for senator [Article 125 [3]]. So, how are farmers, who form the majority of our country's population (approximately 60 per cent), represent their interests in Parliament? How can they protect their interests, demand fair treatment and propose legislation?

Is this true democracy?

Second, in a true democracy, it must be relatively easy - not merely possible - for people from any stratum of society who are like-minded and with a common interest to form a political party and run for Parliament seats. The reality is that, in Thailand, one has to be an influential millionaire to start a party.

So what kind of democracy is this?

Third, the patronage system has permeated all our Constitutional institutions. The administrative, legislative and judicial institutions are more or less corrupt, without a sufficient checking system, nor with fitting punishments handed out to the guilty, to prevent a recurrence of wrongdoings.

Is democracy a fair game only for the rich and the powerful?

These are a few questions for all of us to ponder.

Chavalit Van

Chiang Mai

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Why are accused teachers still allowed on campus?

According to news reports, two teachers at Prachanukul School are suspected of raping and molesting schoolgirls. In a "normal" society schoolteachers suspected of a crime like this would be suspended from their jobs until they were proven innocent.

Instead they are given the opportunity to perform a Buddhist ceremony, attended by many of their colleagues, who expressed concern how the allegations would affect the school's reputation.

They have even taken sides against the children and their parents before any investigation has taken place.

News reports said the two suspects even have the power to request a new team of police investigators. Is it normal for suspected criminals to be investigated by police officers of their own choosing?

Chiangmai Nick

Chiang Mai

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A parallel in the Ramsey and Prachanukul cases

Was it intentional? In Saturday's newspaper, in an article on how John Karr was able to start work as a teacher in an international school, you wrote the following, quoting PM's deputy secretary general Jakrapob Penkair:

"He said all parties must join in preventing undesirable foreigners from getting close to students in Thailand." ["Suspect was employed by prestigious school", News, August 19]

On the opposite page, at the top ["Parents of 'abused' girls want transfers", News, August 19], was a story about the two Thai teachers who had been accused of rape and who have been wholeheartedly supported by their school and presumably continue to work while the children are looking for new schools.

I would say well done if I knew the juxtaposition had been intentional.

An attentive reader

Bangkok

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Don't like being a 'sex capital', then do something about it

Re: "Portraying Bangkok as a 'sex capital' in reports on Ramsey case offensive to Thais abroad", Letters, August 19

You've got to be kidding. A "Thai living abroad" said she and other Thais abroad were "shocked", "angry" and "uncomfortable" because Bangkok was portrayed as a "sex capital" by a reporter covering the JonBenet Ramsey case. Have you ever lived in Thailand?

In one hour I could take you to Thai and farang places here in Chiang Mai where sex (including with underage girls and boys) is openly solicited and of course the world knows anyone need only walk one block in parts of Bangkok to find sex being touted by Thai pimps, tuk-tuk drivers, taxi drivers etc.

The "Thai living abroad" asked what action to take and was considering either "complaining to the television station about her [the reporter's] rude remarks or just let it go as other people do".

I've got a suggestion: why don't you Thais living abroad, and in Thailand, insist that your government arrest the powerful, influential people who are openly and unabashedly profiting from the sex trade, including underage sex, not only in Bangkok but all of Thailand?

Why don't you insist that your country and others do something so that many people in the world will not think Thailand, in general, is a "sex country". There is a reason why paedophiles come to Thailand and it is not the weather.

Thomas Burkenham

Chiang Mai

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IQ is just a number, but that shouldn't stop school reform

Re: "Xenophobia is hampering education reform", Letters, August 14.

When Thai kids were reported to have an average intelligence quotient (IQ) of between 87 and 88, many had a field day decrying everything from teachers, parents, and the whole education system, blaming them for turning us into a nation of morons. This is not so.

The latest statistics indicate that if you're of East Asian ancestry you probably have an IQ of 105; if European, 99; if Inuit, 91; if Southeast Asian or Amerindian, 87; if Pacific Islander, 85; if Middle-Eastern (including South Asians and North Africans), 84; if Sub-Saharan, 67; and if Australian Aborigine, 62.

Some will have higher or lower IQs, which stay fairly constant with age, since there is overlap between different groups. Thai kids are, according to Education Ministry data, spot-on based on the above list, and thus have nothing to worry about.

IQ testing is controversial. Scientists in this field don't doubt the statistics; how they're interpreted is the problem.

As we all know, figures don't lie, but liars can figure, meaning that those people with an agenda, such as racists, can always interpret the figures to suit their theories.

The main contention is whether intelligence is due to inherited genetics or to environment, or, more likely, both, and how well IQ correlates with school grades, getting a good job, income, wealth, and so forth. One argument is that people are constrained by their environments more than by their intelligence, which is why, for example, early Europeans - who had horses, wheat and iron - invaded America rather than the other way round. Native Americans had only llamas, maize and copper. If the resources had been switched, the invasion might have been in the opposite direction.

Moreover, we now recognise as many nine different kinds of intelligence, and, luckily, you're not limited to just one. Someone with physical intelligence might become a sports superstar while another with spatial intelligence might become a great artist. These people may in fact depress the average IQ because their kinds of intelligence may not be tested for in an IQ test.

We shouldn't become complacent, though, blaming everything on our genes, or hoping our kids will turn out to be another Paradorn Srichaphan or Tiger Woods. It's imperative that we overhaul our educational environment by increasing the budget for education to a critical level, say 25 per cent, and cutting down on defence and other "luxuries" we can scarce afford or have need of.

Trirat Petchsingh

Nonthaburi

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All France needs in Lebanon is international support

Ron Goodden's letter on the subject of the French peacekeeping contribution to Lebanon ["France missing great chance to raise its world standing", Letters, August 20] leaves out a fundamental question, one that concerns the scope of this force. Simply put, it's "the rules of engagement". Clearly, France is not about to be sacrificed on the alter of US policy.

French forces need assurances that if they act militarily to subdue either of the warring factions, they will enjoy the continued support of the international community.

They do not need a knife in the back from Washington - or Tehran for that matter. The French remember all too well the betrayal by former US president Eisenhower during the Suez campaign. France is an excellent choice to lead the peacekeeping force in Lebanon and President Chirac will commit many more of the country's sons once the necessary assurances have been received from the United Nations.

David Prescott

Bangkok

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Here's hoping for democracy in Cuba in the post-Fidel era

During the transition Cuba will face when Fidel Castro's life and rule come to an end the international community should use its influence to encourage the creation of a new democracy.

Cuba's present government falsely presents itself as the authentic voice for the aspirations of the people. It claims to be able, though by recourse to violence, to bring about the kind of radical changes that will end the oppression and misery of the people.

Under Marxism, participation in the class struggle is presented as a requirement of charity itself. The desire to love everyone here and now, despite his class, and to go out to meet him with the non-violent means of dialogue and persuasion, are denounced as counterproductive and opposed to love.

With the anticipated changing of the guard in Cuba, let us hope a new wave of freedom from the tyranny of communism is on the horizon.

Paul Kokoski

Canada