They are irresponsible because they are not allowed to be responsible for themselves.

The solution to the problem of global warming is not to be found in technological advances alone, which will serve like a bigger road merely to generate more traffic, but in political change. People need to become responsible for themselves and others in a political system in which power rests in the community, where it belongs, and not in the grasping hands of political and religious leaders. People need to be voting for policies and not political parties, using the wisdom of their own experience to inform their voting choices and not the jaundiced views of corrupt rabble-rousers.

James Macdonald

Bangkok

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Minority faiths already get to observe their holidays

 Re: "If it's not the state religion, why only Buddhist holidays?", Letters, April 29.

The writer missed the point at issue. There is no denying that Buddhism is our state religion. Ninety-five per cent of our population believes in Buddhism, 4 per cent in Islam and 1 per cent in other religions. Most websites also state that Thailand's state religion is Buddhism. The fact speaks for itself. So do you still need to mention this fact in the coming constitution? If so, will the minority then be viewed as outsiders and not Thai citizens?

The writer opined that since we only observe Buddhist holidays, it is necessary to state that Buddhism is the state religion in the constitution, otherwise the 5 per cent minority may demand public holidays for their religious days. Is that scenario likely, since all state and private enterprises and schools are already tolerant and sympathetic towards the religious holidays minorities take? Would any minority in their right mind demand that Buddhists take a holiday on their religious holidays?

Please find another reason to convince people like me that Buddhism should be mentioned in the coming constitution.

Songdej Praditsmanont

Bangkok

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Buddhism doesn't need more institutionalisation

 I became a Buddhist when I was 20 years old. I had no prior exposure to Buddhism, but merely reading a simple biography of the Lord Buddha's life did it for me. Every recent letter to English-language newspapers on the "Buddhism as national religion" debate has been against including such a clause in the new charter. I concur. To add my two satangs' worth: Buddhism is a philosophy, not a religion. Gautama Buddha himself would not have approved of gold-plated images of his likeness - neither would he want to coerce anyone into agreeing with him. Even so, he might have allowed some idol-worshipping shenanigans because he would have known that worldly human nature is juvenile - so it needs icons to get focused.

Buddhism in Thailand could use a lot less institutionalisation, certainly not more. Are Thai Buddhists so unsure of themselves (and their beliefs) that they need to play power politics and write adherence to their religion into the constitution?

On another charter-related topic, I haven't personally read the charter's current draft, but if it allows a mere quarter of the members of parliament to boot out a prime minister, then Thailand had better brace itself for governments changing about as often as Madonna switches her wardrobe.

Ken Albertsen

Chiang Rai

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Where are the supporters of Buddhism as state religion?

 It is interesting that there have been only negative letters posted about Buddhism being declared the national religion, yet about 80 per cent of Thai Buddhists support such a declaration in the Constitution. Why aren't any letters supporting the Buddhism declaration being printed?

It is also interesting that nobody seems to take issue with Malaysia declaring Islam its national religion, even though the population is only 55 per cent Muslim with about 20 per cent Buddhists.

Steve Brock

Bangkok

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Referendum without a choice is undemocratic

 CNS chairman General Sonthi Boonyaratglin's revelation that he has no alternative constitution in mind should the draft charter be rejected is both revealing and alarming. If the draft is rejected in the referendum, the Interim Constitution requires that the Council for National Security select one of Thailand's previous charters to amend and enforce. Comparing the 17 constitutions we've had so far, choosing one, amending it and educating us as to their choice will take months.

Our wise King previously noted that having a single candidate stand for election was not democratic, for it really gave voters little (or rather, no) choice. Likewise, I suggest that having only one constitution to vote on is not democratic either - because we don't know what will happen if we turn our thumbs down.

General Sonthi should not continue to disappoint the people on such a vital matter. The 1997 Constitution was widely hailed as being one of our best, for it had far more public input than any previous version. I suggest that the CNS immediately move to take it or some other edition and state what amendments it wants done and why. Then the government, universities and media should carry out extensive educational activities, comparing the draft and its alternative, so that the country can make an informed choice. Choosing our supreme law is too vital to not have a backup plan.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

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Police sergeant endangered his young daughter's life

 Re: "Caught out as he tried to help his wife", News, April 26.

The police sergeant who left his daughter in the truck with the engine and air-conditioner running, doors unlocked, at night in a parking lot 40 metres from supervision should be charged with wilful child endangerment or at least neglect.

In addition to subjecting her to kidnapping, it's quite lucky she isn't dead from carbon monoxide poisoning. Such behaviour from a police officer? Good grief!

Absolutely Astounded

Phuket

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Take a look at Thailand by the light of moonshine

 Re: "Everyone enjoys benefits of industrialisation", Letters, April 29.

Copper Johnny is absolutely right. I did promise to stop writing about foreign investment; however, that vow was made when Thailand announced it was going to allow the large chain stores to continue to expand. As I learned that that decision was being reconsidered, I felt encouraged to again submit letters in rebuttal to the unending propaganda submitted to the newspapers by the horde of carpetbaggers in Bangkok whose one and only goal is to make Thailand a consumerist society.

I have never said that all progress is evil. What I have suggested is that consumerism and buying for the sake of buying is evil. I also never suggested that Thailand was handling tourism correctly. In fact, I suggested that it needed to be reorganised and improved.

Obviously Copper Johnny never reads the news before he gets to the letters, or he would have noticed that in the past month there was an article referring to the falling "happiness index" in Thailand and one the other day about the increase in divorce and mental problems in Bangkok. Both problems related to other articles reporting the ever-increasing public debt.

New factories create more jobs and a better quality of life. Indeed! Why doesn't Thailand just build factories all over the country so that everyone can work and buy the products that all of those factories are producing. I'm sure that would lead to a better way of life.

Probably the most significant thing that Copper pointed out is that if it weren't for all of the wonderful industrialisation that Thailand has experienced, everyone would be back on the porch sipping moonshine with their neighbours. I guess he is probably right. I am certain that everyone would much prefer being behind the wheel of a luxury car, talking to themselves or on a cell phone, with a bottle of imported whisky and a pocket full of credit cards. At least everyone but me, because I have been there and done that.

I might suggest that if you are living in Bangkok, which is a pseudo-Western city that just happens to have a lot of Thais running around, you might consider a trip out into Thailand. When you get where you are going, you might also consider sitting on a porch with your neighbours, talking and sipping a few shots of moonshine. It might be enlightening

John Arnone

Yasothon

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Bush's critics need to say how they will defeat terror

 Those now wringing their hands over the sacrifices necessary to defend ourselves against Islamist terrorism owe us a clear explanation of just how they will meet the threat; or do they imagine their naiveté and partisan fault-finding alone will suffice?

And wherever did leading Democrats get the idea that an evil which conceived the hurling of innocents to their deaths against skyscrapers could ever be expected to casually fold in the face of our first determined resistance? Certainly not from President Bush, who has been clear from the start that the struggle against terrorism we are now engaged in can only be long and difficult.

The Cold War saw many who would have walked away from confronting communism, leaving eastern Europe to the grimmest of fates. Those who now refuse to fully appreciate the threat of Islamist extremism brings these others to mind.

Ron Goodden

Atlanta, US