The reason more Thai women die of cervical cancer is not because tests are unreliable but because Thai women do not get regular Pap smears. "Good girls" don't need them, they are told.

I have seen a leading international Thai hospital's brochure recommending them only after age 30 or from age 26 on if sexually active. In the US, annual Pap smears are recommended from age 16 or earlier even if a girl is not sexual active.

Thanks to that advice, my sister, two friends and I who had abnormal results in our early 20s are alive today. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for two Thai friends I have lost to cervical cancer, who were both taught "good girls" don't do gynaecological exams. I can only hope writing this letter to the editor will encourage at least one reader to get tested or to insist that his or her sister, daughter or granddaughter gets tested.

Save A Life Today

Bangkok

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Public broadcaster could play a role in educating public

Re: "Swift action urged over public TV", News, February 24, 2007

I fully support Prime Minister Surayud and PM's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan's call for a truly independent television station - one that we can trust to be credible and impartial on issues of the day.

Such a station would go a long way in educating voters, and enabling the vigorous, vibrant public participation in democracy we need. For example, the station could arrange Larry King-style debates, or update viewers as to the status of key topics, for example, our educational crisis.

I support Thirapat's statement that independent radio and TV stations must be financially independent as well, lest they lose their neutrality, like ITV. Since such stations perform a key public function, they should be supported by public funds, and be fully accountable to - but not answerable to - the government of the day. The BBC would be a good example to follow. Give us a station that we can trust.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

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Proactive approach needed to combat southern insurgency

There is a need to accelerate action against the criminals who kill innocent people daily in the deep South. General Sonthi Boonyaratglin needs to do more. He appears to treat the situation in the South lightly, judging from what we saw on television during Chinese New Year when the terrorists detonated bombs that killed and injured Thai people in the 3 southern provinces. He was preparing himself to go to a cinema!

Southerners can no longer smile when they are constantly under threat of being bombed or shot or having their houses burned down. General Seripisut Temiyavej, the new police chief, sparks hope when he says that the police must be proactive - that is, go out and hunt for these killers, instead of waiting for them to kill our people, police officers included. Maximum effort must be exerted to end these killings. We must go on the hunt, searching all the villages weekly or as often as necessary. However it must be done in a civilised way, respecting innocent villagers and doing them no harm. Let us all be reminded that the role of the Army is to protect the nation from wars of any kind. As long as the South remains a killing field, we as a nation can have no peace.

Survivor

Bangkok

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India offers a strong model for a workable democracy

I would like to give a small suggestion for the new constitution. In order to have a free and impartial democracy, Thailand should follow the Indian model. In India there is a central government with the prime minister as the head of the country. Then there are state governments with the chief ministers serving as heads of the states. Political parties nominate the president, who in turn appoints neutral governors for each state. The governors keep the president posted on the affairs of the state. In India, all bills from parliament are forwarded to the president for approval.

In the case of state emergencies, the governor gives the information to the president and, after consulting with the ruling and opposition parties, the president imposes his rule in the state.

India is a very big country with many states. There has never been a coup there. The military, navy and air force are independent bodies reporting to the prime minister and the president. They keep on working independently regardless of which government is in power.

Arun

Bangkok

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Corruption must be targeted long after interim govt leaves

Re: "Government might be undertaking mission impossible", Opinion, February 24.

The problem in Thailand is that there is a culture of impunity among those who assume power. They feel  that they can steal at will and the people won't mind, or nobody would dare prosecute.

Long after Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont is gone, the Assets Examination Committee and graft commissions must continue their work to put all of the dirty politicians in jail where they belong.

Boonlert

Bangkok

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China deserves world's censure more than Thailand

Re: "Emerging democracy needs to work in a Thai context", Opinion, February 23.

Armed with foreign exchange reserves of US$1.06 trillion (Bt37.8 trillion) and with a big market of 1.3 billion or more people, China is now like a big brother at whom very few world leaders or countries would want to point their fingers for fear of losing business opportunities.

If Thailand, a vibrant emerging democracy that has made great strides in elevating its people's standard of living, had China's capacity, no one would dare to pick on it. This is power politics. The so-called "peaceful rise" of China has brought more worries than hopes for a better and just world. China is exporting many of its bad domestic practices, including corruption, bad lending, disregard for labour rights and poor environmental standards, which have already invited resentment from several African and Latin American countries. And China's dealings with and aid to rogue states have also tarnished its image. Money, politics and access to raw materials are cited as answers behind China's drive to show its seeming generosity around the world.

The international community should not only press China to become a more responsible member of the global village but also pay more attention to its internal problems.

At the same time, the whole world should give more blessings to Thailand which, like many other countries, is experiencing small hiccups in its democratisation process.

David Tzou

Bangkok

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Giant's growth fuelled by 'super-cheap workforce'

China is not rich and successful because it has less "wasteful" democracy but because it is the factory of the world, with super-cheap labour and 1.3 billion consumers. Period. Their GDP is rising fast because hundreds of millions of people are so poor that they would call the average Isaan farmer a rich man.

Their GDP per head will never reach that of any current G8 country (which are all model democracies btw), simply because of a lack of cutting-edge technology and limited added-value potential. But while China is designing and building its own cars, Thailand cannot do the same. Don't get me started on Singapore, which leaves Thailand in the dust in every single parameter of public and private governance. They don't even need shiny Thai satellites to be successful.

In a military utopia Thailand will not be grouped with China, Singapore or Taiwan, but with Burma, Cambodia and Laos.

Krid

Bangkok

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Vietnam benefiting from foreign-friendly business laws

Re: "Benefits and challenges exist for Thai firms", Business, February 24.

It's great to see a leading Thai company, CP Group, excelling in the Vietnamese market, in large part due to Vietnam's foreigner-friendly investment rules.

From a foreign businessperson's perspective, Thailand's rules related to foreign direct investment and its Foreign Business Act must keep up with the practices of its neighbours.

Daniel

Bangkok

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Security checks important on public trains and in malls

Re: "Subway plea on bag checks", News, February 23.

I absolutely agree with the bag checking before entering the subway or the BTS Skytrain. I would also like to have same checking in all shopping centres so we can feel secure inside them as well. However, a balance needs to be struck between finding a system that does not result in overly long queues and one in which bags are checked thoroughly.

Oei

Bangkok