Incompetence and inefficiency have combined to deprive thousands of children of admission to Mathayom-level schooling. I'm not referring to the children mentioned in Chularat Saengpassa's informative article, crying their hearts out for failing to get a place at a prestigious secondary middle school, but rather to the thousands of Mathayom-age children, including those in my neighbourhood and of my wife's extended family, who are without a place in school, period.

Chularat's article clearly pointed out the problems and who are responsible for them and, unfortunately, have also let them happen again and again. This information with its specifics is most welcome and needed to be put out in the open for the public to be informed.

Of the many aspects of Thai education I don't understand, the one that unsettles me the most is an admission policy for students that seems to be discouragingly intertwined with the patronage system, lucky draws and bias towards the wealthy. Is there no public education where the admissions "playing field" is level for all students?

I believe that education is everyone's right. It is also the responsibility of the government, the Education Ministry, municipal authorities - whoever - to ensure that the right is provided. In reality, as Chularat's article points out, this is not always the case.

On the other hand, it is the parents who are the guardians of this right for their children; they are the ones who can exert the most pressure to see that the right is provided in the school system. It may seem naïve but, as a starting point and as a way to break the disappointment-resignation cycle, perhaps the school community - parents, teachers and students - could come together, organise collectively at the school-zone level and find ways to exert pressure on both individual schools, the government, the Education Ministry or other relevant authorities to commit to policies and measures that would guarantee children a place in school each and every school year.

Here in Bangkok we witness almost every week some sort of public demonstration calling attention to issues that need a response or an alternative response; is students' education any less important? We've seen taxi drivers for Thaksin; how about parents for a guaranteed admission to school each year?

Thailand like most nations has multiple education problems to be addressed, but surely an anxiety-free assurance that every student has the opportunity to enter school each year must be the top priority.

Mr Bill

Bangkok

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Photograph of Songkran 'fun' explains annual tragedy

 Thank you for the photograph of teenagers in Chiang Mai having "fun" celebrating Songkran on your website yesterday. For those who missed the picture, one teenager at the side of the road is seen throwing a bucket of water at another teenager riding a motorcycle. The rider had no helmet and behind him is a vehicle, perhaps one metre away. The rider is already steering away from his assailant and appears to have closed his eyes because of the water. The potential for an accident is extremely high.

There will never be a reduction in the numbers of injuries and deaths on Thailand's roads during Songkran while this insane behaviour of throwing water at unsuspecting motorcyclists and people driving so close together they do not have time to avoid a collision continues.

It is clearly time for a concerted effort by the powers that be to educate the general public of the dangers to motorcyclists. How about such an incident being part of the soaps shown on television, plus advertisements showing the results of such actions? Does anyone care about the tragic loss of life that happens every year?

Bernard Walker

Bangkok

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More Internet blocks needed to protect the Thai people

 Strong guidance is needed when leading a country populated with people with low or no education. Topics discussed in the first and second worlds are beyond the comprehension of most Thai people.

Minister of Information and Communications Technology Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom, a highly educated, dedicated and respected person, has shown courage in his latest act of closing down YouTube in Thailand.

Lets hope, for the sake of the purity of the Thai people, that this is only the beginning. There are still millions of web pages containing information, pictures and videos that Thai people would be better off not having access to.

Khai Muk

Surat Thani

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YouTube clearly basing its position on US legislation

 Re: "Disrespect for monarchy a direct attack on heart of nation", Opinion, April 6.

Thanong Khanthong writes: "Excuse me, what law is YouTube referring to - its own? Or that of Thailand? Instead of removing the controversial clip, YouTube acted as if it has every right to carry any clip sent in without any regard for laws or issues culturally sensitive to people in other countries."

Being a foreigner living in Thailand I fully understand why Thai people are upset about this incident. His Majesty the King is much revered and for good reason. I have nothing but the highest respect for him.

However YouTube and its owner, Google, are based in the US and governed by US laws. Americans are free to criticise their leaders and often do so in much more insulting ways, legally and unhindered. YouTube does not "act" as if it has the right to carry that clip - it has the right to do so.

It should be clear to Thanong that it is US law YouTube is referring to. Or is he suggesting that Thailand, Thai companies and all Thai people should start to adhere to US laws? That seems to be the very logic he is trying to sell here.

How about the ever-worsening copyright and intellectual property violations that Thailand is allowing to take place, despite the constant requests for law enforcement by the US government? Just take a stroll around Pantip Plaza if you live in denial about this. Intellectual property laws are international laws accepted through multilateral treaties. As far as I know, the lese majeste law in Thailand is not.

It's always so easy and convenient to accuse others but so painful to look at what is going on in your own back yard. As unpleasant as it may be, Thanong should learn to accept that Thailand can not enforce its laws on other sovereign nations.

JC

Phuket

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Suggesting only Buddhists respect monarchy is wrong

 Re: "Disrespect for monarchy a direct attack on heart of nation", Opinion, April 6.

I jumped in my chair while reading Thanong Khanthong's article. Now I understand better why there is religious unrest in the great country that I made my home for 20 years.

I really don't know if I can take Thanong seriously. He seems to draw a parallel between being a Buddhist and having genuine respect for the monarchy. Does he mean that there is no respect for the monarchy within the Muslim community or, for that matter, the fast growing Christian community in Thailand?

I have many good things to say about Buddhism, but expressing views like Thanong's suggests a person who is not living in the present age.

Oddvar Johansen

Norway

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Sonthi, Surayud should waive amnesty over roles in coup

 The coup-makers were following a time-honoured tradition when one of their first acts upon assuming office was to ensure amnesty for themselves for carrying out the coup, and the junta-appointed Constitution Drafting Committee has seen fit to continue that amnesty.

Their act is fully understandable, for nobody wants to go to jail for breaking the law.

Yet, wasn't lack of rule of law a major reason given for the takeover? How ironic. Many world leaders willingly chose non-violence and disobedience of the law, even when it meant that they would be jailed for years, eg Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and Aung San Suu Kyi. As King noted, "an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust and willingly accepts the penalty by staying in jail to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the very highest respect for law".

I respectfully suggest that Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and General Sonthi Boonyaratglin show that the rule of law applies to all, and exempt themselves from the amnesty.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

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Congratulations to people behind Bangkok Triathlon

 Your newspaper supported a great event on April 1. I was lucky enough to participate in Bangkok's first triathlon and would like to congratulate the organisers on this great event.

Apart from the Phuket Triathlon, which has been running for a number of years, this is by far the best-organised triathlon I have participated in, in Thailand. What is even more commendable is that this is the first time it was held.

I have no doubt that this event took a great deal of organisation, but I certainly hope that it will be held again next year.

As an amateur who enjoys this sport I am always very conscious that it takes the effort of a great number of people so that I can take part in these types of events. I would like to congratulate and thank the many volunteers, police, emergency personnel and all those others I don't even know about who helped make it happen.

Congratulations and thank you to all. Please do it again next year.

Cameron McCullough

Bangkok