The writer from Krabi raised several good points except the suggestion to give up the land for the sake of peace. There should be no deal to give up the land ever. Every day seems to be a field day for the terrorists from the stories I have been in reading in this newspaper recently.

There should be no compromise with separatists or terrorists no matter what religion they believe in. This is Thailand and our country comprises people from different ethnic minorities, religions, values and beliefs. We live peacefully with different ethnic minorities, including Muslims, in many other regions of Thailand except for the South. Why is that?

It is a waste of time and resources sending troops down there to become moving targets. Authorities have been unable to launch a tactical response to terrorist attacks. Anyone who is suspected of cooperating with authorities gets a death sentence. The locals have no choices but to side with terrorists, or keep their mouths shut in order to live another day. Can we blame them? Many of them didn't make it to the next day. I wonder why?

Muslim leaders in Thailand's deep South and northern Malaysia who believe strongly in the fate of Islam should come out and condemn the daily killings strongly instead of keeping low-key on the subject and remaining silent.

It is clear that the authorities must go after the terrorists forcefully once and for all. Right after January 4, 2004, I suggested that the leadership in those days seal off the border between Thailand and Malaysia, eliminate dual citizenship and go after

separatists once and for all. None of these efforts were undertaken. Since then we have all been paying dearly.

Surasak Piputtana

Bangkok

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Regional autonomy might work, but beware corruption

After reading the letter from Dom Dunn ("Autonomy needed for all the country's regions", Letters, May 14), I would suggest that the government revive the monthon thesaphiban system [administrative system in which the country was subdivided into different areas, monthon, led by thesaphiban, royal commissioners] introduced in 1892 by Prince Damrong Rachanuphab and abolished by Ajarn Pridi Banomyong in 1934.

At least the thesaphiban would be able to declare a state of emergency and draft emergency legislation without requiring the assent of the central government. Furthermore, high commissioners would be able to oversee promotions and demotions at the provincial level without needing to ask the central government about these matters.

However, we better be prepared to handle the trouble created by the elected bodies because these organisation could magnify the greed of elected local scoundrels to the point where it would be on a par with that of the scoundrels in the central government.

Wisarut

Bangkok

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Pojaman might want to consider a change of surname

Re: "Pojaman may lead party", News, May 15. News of Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra's possible decision to enter politics by way of leading a new party comprising the remnants of the Thai Rak Thai Party, should it be dissolved, is interesting. The only questions are "What for?" and "What drives her to do that?"

Pojaman's husband, former premier Thaksin, was the first businessman to enter politics after making it big in business. Other moguls in Thailand have kept in constant contact with power politics but have never jumped in directly to avoid being seen as serving their own self-interests.

Naturally, after five and a half years, Thaksin was toppled from office after the controversial Shin-Temasek share deal, which saw his family pocket B73 billion, tax-free. That was an expensive lesson for any businessperson who wants to enter politics, for personal gain or otherwise.

Thus, Pojaman's possible entrance into politics could be interpreted as simply an effort to protect and enhance her family's interests and not for the good of her country first and foremost.

One piece of advice, though: the former first lady should resume her maiden name - Damapong. Shinawatra is a bit hard to market now after the last five controversial years. Presumably, her husband wouldn't mind - he didn't when he sold his business empire for a lump sum, nameplate and all.

Chavalit Van

Chiang Mai

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AEC should make an example out of ex-premier's wife

Re: "Criminal case looms nearer over land deal", News May 15

Pojaman Shinawatra's 2003 controversial land purchase on Ratchadaphisek Road from the government's Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF) is outrageous. With her husband as prime minister and supervisor of the FIDF, this is a clear cut case of conflict of interest, blatantly violating anti-graft laws.

All her clever lawyers, excuses and feigned ignorance cannot save her in my eyes. I am especially disgusted at the picture of her and her three children captured in your front page photo yesterday, as she leaves the Criminal Court. There is absolutely no remorse or sense of guilt in her smug expression.

I hope the Assets Examination Committee throws the book at her. We need to demonstrate that crime does not pay, no matter how powerful you are. We must demonstrate zero tolerance for corruption, lest our children copy our behaviour because they believe it is acceptable and "everyone is doing it".

I know the interim government has stumbled and may not be the ideal solution, but I will never regret their bold move to rid our country of Thaksin Shinawatra. This has at least cleared the way for a better tomorrow based on true democratic principles.

Outraged Taxpayer

Bangkok

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'Captain' out to lunch while 'Moby Thaksin' circles country

"Captain Junta" is searching to destroy the great white whale "Moby Thaksin". He shouts orders from the poop deck of the ship of state. The whale is sighted surfacing in the distance. As the captain turns the steering wheel, it breaks off. By the time the ship's carpenter gets the wheel fixed, the rudder is encrusted with barnacles, compelling the ship to permanently steer to the right. He takes his chief officers below deck to seek advice from the ship's hand-wrinkle reader. The sage metaphysician advises vigilance saying: "A crow may land on the ship's railing. If it pecks at grain, expect biscuits for supper. If it pecks at a moth, expect meatloaf."

Doldrums set in, sails fall limp, so Captain Junta takes charge of a lifeboat with a crew of 12 to paddle out ahead to pull the mother ship tethered on behind. Moby Thaksin breaches the surface far out ahead. The captain demands his oarsmen make no mention of the sighting to the rest of the crew on the mother ship.

Many moons pass and the crew wonder why, every time they look in the windows of the officers' quarter, the brass appear to be asleep in their chairs, or sipping watered-down whiskey while playing war games with toy soldiers.

Ken Albertsen

Chiang Rai

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Ex-PM within his rights to return and face justice

It is, or should be, the right of every Thai citizen to return to his homeland whenever he wants. Thus, Thaksin Shinawatra's lawyer should not call on the Council for National Security to give his client permission to come back.

Of course, whether he's charged and clapped into jail immediately upon landing is an entirely different matter.

I know that many will ask: "The guy's got the government on the run, even from abroad. Won't he wreak havoc if we allow his return?" He can call and coordinate his cronies as much as he wants to now and the police should be able to control any pro- or anti- Thaksin demonstrations to make sure participants stay within the law. Besides, how can we charge him and not let him appear in court to fight the charges?

So, let him return, but get a court order enabling the authorities to monitor his activities as a suspect wanted on civil and possibly criminal charges. If there's danger of him fleeing, arrest him and deny him bail - all within the law.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

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Compliments on a pleasant hospital stay in Bangkok

I live in Dubai, and recently arrived in Bangkok to have surgery on my neck at a private hospital in Bangkok. Expecting to stay in the hotel at least one day before being admitted, I was surprised on arriving at the hospital to be told that, subject to all tests being in the clear, I would be admitted that day and the operation would be carried out that night.

A quick call to my hotel and my luggage was removed from my room and put into store, no problem. Over the next few days I received both cards and flowers from the hotel wishing me a speedy recovery.

As for the hospital, I can only say that the quality, efficiency, speed and courtesy of service that I received were beyond reproach, both before and after the operation, as well as the excellent after care. I have been travelling to Thailand for more than 25 years, and have a great affection for the country, and all that is associated with it.

A lot of criticism has been in the press about sleazy elements, rip-offs and touts, which you will get in most countries, but for me, I would just like to say a big thank you.

CB Cuttelle

Dubai