You analysed what went wrong with Thai society under the 1997 Constitution - the problems were so complex that who can know exactly what went wrong or what the best way to "fix" Thai society might be. It may take a few hundred years, as most democracies in the world are still struggling with their own "human factors". It's human nature to be "naughty", that is, to evade or disregard the written or customary law, and normal ethics and morals, for one's own personal gratification and aggrandisement.

In thinking about the causes of corruption, one must take into consideration the human proclivity to "win" no matter how. This proclivity seems to be a or the guiding light for many Thais (and not just Thais, of course, as this proclivity is universal). Corruption is the result of this human desire to always "win" no matter the consequences. People who disregard basic ethics and morals in their everyday actions, using the excuse of "winning at all costs", do not consider the damage over the long run.

The present position of Thaksin, his family and his supporters is a good reminder of the inevitability of being punished for corruption. They will always and forever be branded by most people as pariahs who have fed on the blood and lives of the Thai citizens whom their government pledged, morally and ethically and legally, to support and nurture. But Thaksin was only concerned with "winning".

JD Williams

Bangkok

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Cutting off military aid is a blessing in disguise

Regarding the recent reports that the US will cut off military aid to Thailand:

It is with concern that I wonder what form of blackmail military aid is. The country in question is of course supporting its own arms industry, and I find the word aid particularly offensive in a world of regional conflict and starving children. I particularly think that the Thais can look after themselves without this form of aid.

There was a British arms dealer in the last century called Sir Basil Zaharoff (actually a Greek), who boasted that he would sell arms to one side, then to the other side. Start a war between them, then sell arms to both sides again.

The moral of my letter is beware of arms dealers and military aid lest the same fate befall a country in the style of Sir Basil Zaharoff.

Such is the great game of chess that is world geopolitical arms that one country may be goaded into attacking another country for not playing the game.

Yuri Velasquez

Bangkok

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Don't punish the public for Thaksin's bad decisions

The Council for Democratic Reform (CDR) should analyse and address the shortcomings in the Thai political system that permitted Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai ("Thai love Thai") party to engage in "Thai hate Thai" activities.

There was no public or private support for Thaksin by the Bush administration, which simply stated its desire for an early return to democratic rule in Thailand. The administration was fed up with Thaksin's close ties with the Burmese military junta and his attack on the free press in Thailand.

The CDR should investigate Thaksin's use of public office for private gain. The US$100-million [Bt3.76 billion] loan by a government-controlled bank to relatives of former military intelligence chief Khin Nyunt in return for business privileges in Burma for Thaksin's family should not be the responsibility of either Thai or Burmese citizens. The CDR should force Thaksin to take personal responsibility for this loan and also fine him three times the amount for abuse of public office.

Myint Thein

United States

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The US is in no position to talk about democracy

The absurdity of my country's "wariness" about any moves endangering the return of democracy in Thailand is palpable.

In the United States democracy is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. American voters, not to be outdone by the Thai Rak Thai voters in Isaan and here in the North, have elected a known liar and war criminal to the highest executive position in the country and delivered both houses of the legislature and the supreme court into the clutches of his party as well. Whatever might be said about Thaksin, at least he did not murder tens of thousands of innocents outside his own country.

In the upcoming American election fully 40 per cent of the votes will not produce ballots, but instead will be tallied electronically, on the honour system, I guess, by machines produced by companies headed by vocal backers of the present regime. The CEO of Diebold is on record pledging to "do everything I can" to ensure the re-election of the present regime. This state of affairs doesn't pass the laugh test. Unfortunately it is no laughing matter, but reality, and no one in a position of authority is challenging it at all.

As another letter-writer pointed out within the last week, the US has been the world's foremost promoter of military takeovers in the last century, from Panama to Iran to Vietnam to Chile to Haiti.... It is hard to imagine a country more hypocritical than mine.

What's more, the Thai military has never attacked anyone outside of Thailand, as far as I know, while the US armed forces have slaughtered millions of innocent people In Southeast Asia, Central and South America and are slaughtering as I write tens of thousands of innocents in the Middle East.

It is a good thing that Thailand no longer has American cash funding its military, not a bad thing. Thailand ought to cultivate its relations with India and China, and wait until after the present regime in America crashes and burns the country to renew relations at a serious level with the regime that arises from America's ashes.

In the meantime this American, like everyone else in Thailand, is ready to judge the Thai military by the fruits of its efforts in pursuit of its stated goals.

John Francis Lee

Chiang Rai

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Airport coverage has overlooked the triumphs

I am a bit uncomfortable and upset with your position regarding Suvarnabhumi Airport. Your newspaper has only offered negative views and bias since the beginning. Many stories in the past were unfounded and only gave half-truths.

The reports on the opening of the new airport were a good example. Did everyone expect problems on the opening day? Yes. But were those problems serious enough to deserve such an astounding headline ["Touch down ... into chaos", News, September 29]? No. Luggage was delayed, but none was lost. The automatic check-in system temporarily malfunctioned, causing some delays, but the delays were not longer than the typical check-in process at the airports of some countries (have you ever checked in at Shanghai or Manila airport?).

I applaud the ticketing crew for their ability to handle the situation. If this event happened in any US airport, the ticketing crew would not have a clue about how to handle the matter (since they can not work without computers - been there seen that). I was in Hong Kong and KL a few weeks after they opened their new airports. Their problems were far worse than during Suvarnabhumi Airport's first day. Yes, there were problems, [but] most of them were minor and did not give the overall picture of the airport. Were there any problems with the outbound flights regarding luggage? Not that we have heard of so far because there is no "negative news" to fuss about.

I agree it is the job of newspapers to offer news, and there is nothing wrong with sensationalism since it always sells papers. However, your newspaper claims to set a standard and is aimed at educated readers. So you should differentiate yourselves from the typical Thai-language tabloid newspapers. People at the new airport were working non-stop 24 to 36 hours prior to the opening. Non-constructive criticism from people who only saw half of the story will never get anyone anywhere. On the other hand, positive and constructive news helps both sides. It should encourage people to do better work.

Despite the fact that there are many allegations regarding corruption, the new airport is the pride of the nation and every Thai person should be proud of this achievement. Please don't forget that the name, Suvarnabhumi was given by our beloved King and the name should not be something to play with.

If you have enough "Thai" in your blood, please start offering some positive news about Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Sarunphong Articharte

Bangkok

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Thai hotels appear to have a no-Thais policy

Last week, I made a reservation for a hotel room in Phuket as I plan to spend the long weekend next month there. As soon as my online booking was completed, I got an instant e-mail saying that the reservation was in process.

However, a couple of days later I received another e-mail from the hotel staff claiming that they were not able to proceed with my booking due to the hotel's policy. They claimed that their contract rate was not "applicable" for Thai passport holders and local residents.

I was, of course, very surprised and asked them what could possibly be wrong with my nationality? Why can't I rent a hotel room in my home country? A day later I received another e-mail explaining that most of the hotels in Thailand are not applicable for Thai residents and that the same policy was applied not only in Thailand but worldwide.

I have been travelling for many years and no hotel (either in Thailand or overseas) refused me a reservation if a room was available. I thought the hotels in Thailand needed more visitors these days. Don't they?

I would just like to know if anybody else has encountered similar treatment and how they handled it, or is this normal practice in the hotel business. Or, if you have any suggestions, kindly share them with me. I'd like to hear others' views.

Thanyaporn K

Bangkok