As a wildlife conservationist, I was thrilled to read the article on the front page of The Nation highlighting trials to increase panda breeding. I was, however, somewhat puzzled by reading that "satellite photos showed the number of giant pandas in the wild in China had increased from 1,000 to 1,500".

In theory, it is not impossible to envisage using satellite images to estimate panda population. The US-based Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has experimented with this novel approach in a confined environment, using high-resolution images to count the animals in the New York Bronx Zoo. After a first successful test, it has expanded the trial by taking it into the field. Indeed, it has been pioneering (cost issues aside) the use of such technology - satellite images or aerial photos - to count sea-mammal colonies or large water-birds' nesting trees, or even large ungulate populations roaming in open landscape. However it remains highly unlikely that these images could ever be of any use to count a highly scattered population of strictly solitary animals like pandas, particularly under the cover of bamboo forests.

At best, in terms of estimating panda population, satellite images could be used to calculate the extent of remaining suitable habitat. Assuming that such a study found these areas of habitat expanding, which is not the case, it would still not statistically imply that the population of pandas in the wild would be similarly increasing.

What the article probably referred to, but missed completely, is the use of yet another satellite-based technology: the increasingly popular Global Positioning System (GPS), in which a number of individuals are captured, affixed with radio collars, then released in the wild. By tracking them using satellite signals, scientists are able to learn much more on a species' behaviour in the wild, and ultimately, draw conclusions on ways to better protect the species. This technique, widely used in conservation, still requires a considerable effort in data gathering and analysis before it is able to offer the conclusion that the population of a species is increasing.

While I appreciate this article reached a wide audience, I think it was rather misleading. People should not necessarily associate advanced technology with immediate conservation success. It is the hard work done by thousands and thousands of conservation activists in the field, supported by even more sympathisers, including some of your readers, that contributes best to saving wildlife. Hopefully we will read more often on your front page about endangered species that are recovering.

Etienne Delattre

Bangkok

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Free lunches are only for the ruling elite and company

Re: "No such thing as a free lunch", Editorial, November 17.

It is ironic that while the majority of Thai taxpayers are heavy-hearted at their impending responsibility to foot all the bills run up by Thaksin and his ministers during the past five and a half years, those who support the former populist government still want Thaksin back to squander more of our national treasures.

As it is, Thai taxpayers are destined to suffer decades of tax burden just for the pleasure and imbecilic grandstanding of one man. An expensive aeroplane dubbed "Air Force One" for his egotistic travels, and the brainless loans to feed the rural poor's wanton consumerism are just two examples of Thaksin's wasteful spending.

Is it fair to say that the Thai Rak Thai Party and its supporters were having their free lunch while the tab was passed on to the Thai taxpayers? When will we ever learn the facts of life?

Chavalit Van

Chiang Mai

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Regrettable deportation of Lao Hmong from Thailand

The UN refugee agency is seriously concerned about Thailand's deportation to Laos on Wednesday of 53 Lao Hmong (including one newborn baby), and finds the deportation most regrettable.

According to a statement by Giuseppe de Vincentis, acting representative of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees in Thailand: "Every government has the right to deport irregular migrants, but the UNHCR is seriously concerned that there may have been within this group genuine refugees who were in need of international protection and could face persecution in Laos. We have no access to these people once they are returned to Laos, and there have been no guarantees that they will be properly treated on their return to Laos."

Their forced return is tantamount to refoulement, contrary to international humanitarian law. The principle of "non-refoulement" says that no refugee or asylum seeker whose case has not yet been properly assessed can be forcibly returned to a country where their life or liberty could be in danger.

The UNHCR has repeatedly asked the Thai government for access to the Lao Hmong in detention in Thailand to determine whether any were in need of international protection.

The UN refugee agency has made several representations to the Thai government not to carry out deportations of Lao Hmong and has renewed its offer to assist the Thai government to find viable solutions for the roughly 6,000 Hmong living in makeshift camps near Huay Nam Khao village in Phetchabun province.

The UNHCR does not have access to this mixed group, which has been in Thailand for almost a year and a half.

De Vincentis also recalled that Thailand deported 26 Hmong children to Laos in December, 2005, and there has been no trace of them since, despite efforts by the UNHCR and the Thai government to determine their fate.

Kitty McKinsey

Senior Regional Public Information Officer

Bureau for Asia and the Pacific UNHCR

Bangkok

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Press coverage of ex-PM breathes oxygen for his fire

In your newspaper you publish headlines and letters about Thaksin Shinawatra every day: pictures of him in London visiting the supermarket or scratching his ear; pictures of him and Pojaman shopping in Hong Kong, holidaying here, there and everywhere. Smiles included gratis. I personally would like his air-miles account.

You are giving the Thaksin circus the audience it craves. You are becoming the oxygen for his fire. What is worse than bad publicity is no publicity. I wish you would not continue reporting on his itinerant habits in his attempt to recover power.

Please leave Thaksin as a mere footnote in history, and no more than that. The man is finished.

Yuri Velasquez

Bangkok

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Has-been Thaksin still taking up valuable news space

I really don't know that the whereabouts and activities of Thaksin are so important that we need a daily update. If we got news coverage of every ex-prime minister playing golf somewhere, there would no space in newspapers or airtime on TV for anything else. Are his visits to Hong Kong or Bali really news fit to print? This coverage gives him more importance than he should have. After all, he is a has-been. Let the Foreign Ministry report to Sonthi or Surayud on a regular basis, and that should be it. There really is more pressing news in Thailand that is getting shoved out to make way for a former dictator. Things should be put in perspective. Let's move on with getting our corrupted house in order.

Sam Munich

Bangkok

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Thais must know that money is not a reflection of goodness

Re: "Prem likens 'selfless' Surayud to Churchill", News, November 16.

Prem suggested a 10-point code to promote social harmony and national unity. Key elements include: 1 putting the public before personal interests; 2 being honest; 3 upholding the law and justice; 4 ensuring transparency; 5 not equating wealth with goodness; 6 being ready to admit mistakes; 7 striving for national security; and 8 repaying the motherland.

Were you saving paper and ink? Or are the other two points for King Mongkut School alone? I think number 5 deserves special attention. I assume I am looking at a criminal every time I see someone drive by in a Mercedes Benz or BMW here in Thailand, where such a car costs ten times the average annual income, or more.

John Francis Lee

Chiang Rai

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Suvarnabhumi a facility the country can be proud of

Being an area sales manager for Asia, I travel at least once a week, visiting countries all over the region. I don't understand the vast criticism, since its opening, of Suvarnabhumi Airport. If I compare the new Thai "crossroads" to anything in the region, I have to say I am impressed and satisfied with the new airport.

Rome was not built overnight. Nothing is perfect, and time will be needed to rectify problems. What the authorities at Suvarnabhumi have done so far is very good. There are small things they have to improve, like the arrivals area, which is still too crowded. More signs would remedy some of the current confusion. The lounges need more seats and better wi-fi coverage. But apart from that, well done so far. Continue please.

Traveller

Bangkok

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Warning to travellers at new airport's ATM machines

Today my bank in Norway called me and said they suspected my Visa credit card might have been photographed while I was taking money from an ATM machine at Suvarnabhumi Airport on November 15. Shortly after, in Australia, someone tried to withdraw a large sum from my account, but the amount was too big to be covered, and the bank knew I was in Thailand. They got suspicious and called me. Please warn others.

A concerned tourist

Bangkok