Although recent public scrutiny has focused on impending military and police appointments, I was really distressed to learn that even in the Foreign Ministry those who have loyally served this present regime will be placed in key diplomatic posts around the world.

I have always thought that our ambassadors were representatives of His Majesty the King and the Thai people as a whole, not of any particular government. I would like to join other concerned citizens in urging this caretaker government to cease and desist from trying to perpetuate itself abroad. It would only be exporting divisiveness and a lack of acceptance. There could be rowdy scenes of protest in front of many Thai embassies.

Even those who are suitable and gained their appointments through merit would be tarnished. If this government is returned to power after the elections, why not wait a few more months to make the appointments so that our ambassadors will have more legitimacy and acceptance?

Prapa Tepchat

Bangkok

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Conduct of shareholders must be focus of Kularb Kaew probe

Re: "Committee casts its net far wider", Business, August 24.

I'm fully in favour of the Commerce Ministry looking into whether Kularb Kaew was a nominee for Singapore's Temasek Holdings to control Shin Corp in violation of our foreign ownership laws. The law must be obeyed.

But I agree with Kasikorn Securities chairman Rapee Sucharitakul that rather than focus on the nationality of shareholders, we should emphasise corporate behaviour, such as monopoly of power and management control in sectors deemed vital to national security. In other words, place substance (behaviour) over form (nationality).

For example, if a firm uses its monopoly to reap excess profits, I suggest that it matters little whether those excessive gains go to Thai pockets or Singaporean. Likewise, it shouldn't matter whether Thais owned, say, TV Channel 3 or Thai Airways - so long as potential investors knew that in cases of national emergency, the airwaves/planes could be taken over for national interests, with compensation at market rates.

I also suggest that if, as Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya maintains, using nominees is a long-standing, common practice here - with evidently no drastic damage - then after the Shin-Temasek case has been dealt with in accordance with the law, the statutes should be reformed. We should have only laws that benefit the country, and that are rigorously enforced.

How ironic that the sellers in this muddy case are the family of our National Corporate Governance Committee chairman, also known as PM Thaksin, promoter of transparency.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

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Thailand could benefit from PM's criminal expertise

Re: "Petty criminals used as political thugs", News, August 24.

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has let himself and Thai citizens down by remaining silent on what happened. With a doctorate in criminology from a certain American university, Thaksin should be well qualified to comment publicly with authority on the nature and modus operandi of the unholy alliance of law enforcement officers and petty criminals. This is a matter of considerable public interest at present in view of the fact that the alleged conspiracy is designed to crush democratic and lawful protests with no regard for the sanctity of the law.

It is hoped that PM Thaksin will change his mind, as is his wont, and decide to share with us his considerable knowledge and experience in the field of criminology.

Nick Probono

Bangkok

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Shwe may have given Thaksin some leadership tips on visit

Re: "Petty criminals used as political thugs", News, August 24.

I am very unhappy these days due to the recent clashes between supporters and detractors of Thaksin at Siam Paragon and Central World. These assaults are very similar to the bloody "Depeyin incident" that occurred in Burma in May 2003 when supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi were attacked and killed by a group of people who it is believed were hired by the military junta.

Perhaps Thaksin took some lessons in how to oppress and crack down on opponents from General Than Shwe on his recent visit to the new capital of Burma.

A Burmese girl

Bangkok

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Efforts to expose faults of administration must not flag

Re: "Thaksin's watchdogs tiring after five years of 'barking'", August 23.

Although I share much of the sentiment expressed in Tulsathit Taptim's latest piece, I hope that he was just having an off day, so to speak.

It is okay to feel tired from time to time - we all do because we're only human. But it is not okay to give up, especially when it's far from over, and especially when you're doing your job, being a responsible citizen and journalist.

If anything, he should think of his readers. There's a reason why people write letters to The Nation, most of the time agreeing on the state of the country today.

There's a reason the press is called the Fourth Estate. It has also been said that the press is a pillar of democracy.

I like to think of The Nation as a particularly strong pillar in our fragile democracy. So, please keep up the good work.

You may feel tired, and that's fine. Take a break, then re-group, and fight on.

If that wasn't enough pep talk, how about this: "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Paisid Aramphongphan

Bangkok

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Israeli Arabs enjoy high standard of living, citizenship

Re: "Editorial on Mideast repeated fallacies on basis of conflict", Letters, August 23.

Having lived and taught among Israel's Arab minority for several years, the claims made in this letter are obviously incorrect. The claim that Israeli Arabs "are denied citizenship" is not true. They hold Israeli ID cards and passports like everybody else. JFW has got his facts totally wrong: the Palestinians who are denied citizenship and any rights are the ones who live in Lebanon and Syria, among their Arab brethren who frankly have no love for them, if you ignore the official line of the respective governments.

Perhaps JFW would like to be reminded that Israel is a free democracy, as a result of which its Arab minority enjoys fair representation in the parliament. Indeed, Arab MPs often make fiery speeches against Israeli policies in the Mideast and are known for name-calling and heckling - which of course are allowed in a free society. One would be hard-pressed to find a parallel example in an Arab state. It is moreover very regrettable that around 15 Israeli Arabs were murdered by Hizbollah terrorist rockets in the latest conflict, including several children. The world media has carefully downplayed this fact, as it would hurt the overall image of Hizbollah they are trying to build. Some Israeli ethnic groups of Arab descent such as the Druse and some Bedouin serve in the Israeli Defence Forces.

Israeli Arabs enjoy on average a higher standard of living than anywhere else in the Arab world. Last but not least, I wonder where the information about Israel's "several hundred nuclear bombs" comes from?

Martin Wallace

Alloa, Scotland

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Requiring formal credentials would thin teaching pool

Re: "Teaching of English set for huge upgrade", News, August 20.

Once again it's the usual one-dimensional response to an issue, this time English teaching in Thailand.

Thailand is having all sorts of problems getting any kind of English teachers. The Thai government initiative fell well short of their target of 1,500 even when they offered a decent salary, benefits and a work permit. I know one Thai person who runs an English school and is always having problems getting a native English speaker let alone one that would be qualified under the vague proposed conditions.

To compete in the world market Thailand needs English. The basic level of conversational ability in the country is extremely low which is why high-end schools do so well. More of the same type of schools are needed. Conversation practice is only possible with a native English speaker.

Remember your own school days, particularly those in high school and when you were pursuing higher education. How many of your teachers did you consider to be good at their jobs? They all had teaching degrees or doctorates. A native English speaker who is earnest in their work and warm in the approach they take towards their students' education can very well end up being a better teacher than someone who simply possesses formal qualifications. If such rules are put into force, Thailand could very well end up with a small fraction of the number of native English speakers currently teaching. Remember that nature sorts this kind of thing out. In one school I know of two teachers without formal qualifications. Students have been able to judge each teacher's ability individually and they have made their preferences clear to school administrators. Don't let a knee jerk government reaction kill the remaining opportunities for Thai people to learn English, particularly conversation skills. A piece of paper does not a good teacher make.

Christian Lloyd

Bangkok