In his article, Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn gave a concise and accurate analysis of some of the economic costs to society of the imminent ban an advertising alcohol. However, the moral cost to society is at least as high.

The ban on alcohol advertising is immoral in itself, and can only contribute to a less moral society, since even if it were successful in its intended goal (most unlikely), it would be as a result of coercion and the successful implementation of ignorance, and neither ignorance nor coercion is the basis of a moral society; they are merely symptoms of control and oppression in the best tradition of hard-line totalitarianism, whether fascist or communist.

The ban also presumes that a minority, or even a majority of people, should be free to impose its concept of the ideal society on all people in that society, and that too is unjust. Alcohol-users, buyers and producers are as much a part of this society as are teetotallers and patronising do-gooders, and in a democracy they too must have a right to shape the society we live in.

The right and proper way to do this in a democracy is to allow people to do things that do not directly harm or threaten others, even if we do not personally like some of those things.

The advertising of alcohol does not directly harm anyone, any more than does car advertising and sales; indeed, since cars and motorcycles are involved in a high percentage of traffic accidents, perhaps what's really needed to create a "safer" and more "moral" society is a total ban on car and motorcycle advertising and a restriction on driving and riding to those over 25.

Peter Filicietti

Bangkok

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Corrupt officials in Revenue Dept must be investigated

The prime minister appears to be upright in his approach to ensure that the rule of law prevails and everyone is able to get justice from government departments and agencies. This attitude is indeed laudable, and the entire nation is with him in his sincere efforts. However, we keep seeing news headlines about the deputy prime minister giving backing to wrongdoers in the Revenue Department (for dubious decisions made under Thaksin's rule), when the auditor-general wants to ask questions of them to seek the truth.

This is a disturbing trend. How come all the senior members of the government are not emulating our new upright prime minister? These very officials were so eager to fall in line with their previous corrupt leader and danced to his tunes for five long years.

Every Thai citizen has the right to know how these officials allowed so many corrupt practices to go unchecked under the previous "one-man rule", causing a loss to the national exchequer of several billions of baht in revenue.

How can we recover this money from the culprits if they are not investigated?

With one voice we the citizens of Thailand are demanding that full powers be given to Khun Jaruvan to expose all the misdeeds and corrupt practices of these officials in whatever chair they may be sitting. Then these officials must face the ful penalty of the law.

This the new prime minister must ensure. Only then will he win the full confidence of the nation.

A concerned onlooker

Bangkok

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Wrong people were charged over the Tak Bai tragedy

When I read that the prime minister recommended dropping charges against 58 Tak Bai suspects, I assumed it had to do with dropping charges against Thai military personnel for playing a part in the deaths of over 80 detainees.

How naïve of me. There probably weren't any charges filed against the military men, some of whom stood on top of a large heap of Muslim detainees stacked like cordwood, in response to some on top desperately pleading: "Help, my brother is down there suffocating!"

And what of the men in charge who arranged the deadly transport? Are apologies enough to absolve them of responsibility?

Among other things, the Tak Bai tragedy is a reflection of the Thai system of promotion based on connections rather than promotions based on merit.

Ken Albertsen

Chiang Rai

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Is this how the rule of law works in Thailand?

Re: "Thugs demolish Chatuchak stalls", Letters, November 10.

It was reported on Friday that over 100 armed thugs stormed into Bangkok's Chatuchak Market, destroyed the stalls of business owners and turned on those who tried to stop them. One vendor was reportedly hospitalised after being attacked with a brass knuckle-duster.

When police arrived, they "urged both sides to negotiate". Despite flagrant destruction of property and violent assault, your report suggests there were no arrests! Is this how the rule of law is upheld in Thai society?

Lewis Gibson

Singapore

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Inept police allowed thugs to intimidate market traders

Re: "Thugs demolish Chatuchak stalls", Letters, November 10.

"Demolition worker"! "Brass knuckle-duster"! "Police urged both sides to negotiate"! Why doesn't the report say something like: "When police arrived on the scene they quickly deployed to arrest the vandals involved. The mayhem was soon under control, and several people were charged with assault and battery, resisting arrest, coercion and intimidation through threat of bodily harm, and destruction of public and private property."

Why isn't the public outraged over this abuse and failure of the police to contain the situation, arrest those responsible and act in the manner they're supposed to act (to protect the public and maintain civil order)? There should be an investigation into Thanasarnsombat Pattana Company regarding the illegal hiring of thugs for the purpose of intimidating and harassing the vendors. When will common sense prevail?

Mr Stoney

Bangkok

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People should look beyond superficiality of bad leaders

Although it has taken six years, the US electorate appears to have awoken from its docile slumber. The ruling Republican party has been given a "thumping" in the mid-term elections, showing the world that voters can in fact do something about those in office who display incompetence and arrogance.

Perhaps now is the time for Americans to reflect on the quality of leadership required by their country without all the packaging, media hype and multibillion-dollar campaign funds.

The last six years show what happens when the superficial wrapping comes off: the people are exposed to the real light and the fake decency and integrity.

A Warner

Bangkok

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US election sets an example that Thais should observe

Don is gone. Not Don Muang, but Don Rumsfeld. His departure, after having had George Bush proclaim just last week that he was in for the duration of the Bush presidency, shows the strength of the American democratic system.

Most people interviewed on American television were elated that Rumsfeld had finally gone. They couldn't believe it. It brought renewed pride and respect for their system of government, no matter how flawed and imperfect. Imperfect because it is a government of the people, for the people and by the people, and people are imperfect. But they managed to rein in the wasteful and misguided policies of the Bush administration and turf out the chief architect of the war in Iraq without having to resort to military intervention.

The results of the mid-term election may not be a repudiation of Bush himself, who most people would accept is sincere in his desire to defend his country. It's just his methods they disagree with.

It's too bad that Mr Thaksin could not have been dealt with in a similar way.

Brian Elkey

Cheonan, South Korea

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Islamic 'honour' killings are a sad but hidden reality

Regarding the debate about the fairness of applying Muslim law to women, the extremely disturbing practice of "honour killings" has not been discussed in The Nation.

I do not know if these so-called honour killings occur among Thai Muslims, and I pray they do not. I do know that in some Muslim societies women and girls who reject a husband chosen by their family have been murdered.

These women, whose only "crime" is to follow their hearts, are killed by their fathers and brothers because they damage the family's "honour". Some Muslim women have been killed by their families for being seen in public with a man the family did not approve of.

I am not saying that all Muslims engage in this disgusting practice. I am sure that the vast majority of Muslims love their daughters and would never physically harm any family member. However, these killings are a gruesome reality, and even if they are infrequent, non-Muslims should not remain silent about these crimes out of a misguided sense of multiculturalism or the fear of being labelled an Islamophobe.

Josh Baker

Bangkok

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