I agree with the writer that, "The faults on the fall of our 1997 constitution rest not only with Thaksin for subversion, but also with the many individuals in the independent agencies who acquiesced to his pressure without due respect for the spirit of the law".

However, I would go further and suggest that equally at fault are the educated elite who knew pretty much what was going on with the political parties, military, etc - and did little more than wring their hands (if this hits close to home, dear reader, at least you have a conscience).

Being learned and politically aware, we should have provided the leadership needed to fight the pressures that the writer alludes to. We should have educated the masses to be politically aware and active also, so together we can support those in the independent agencies who strive to stay neutral, and pull them back to the straight and narrow if they succumb. Nobody can fight alone, and why should they fight for a public who doesn't appreciate and support them?

Alas, we get the government we deserve. If you want government that looks after our best interests - not theirs - you have to be politically active, not just aware, and help educate others, too. It's not too late to start.

I strongly sympathise with the academics who propose to substitute the draft constitution with the 1997 edition, for I agree that the earlier version is far superior to the draft, and reflects the will of we the people to a greater extent.

However, I suggest that they are premature in proposing that we reject the draft. If we do so, the Council for National Security (CNS) is empowered by our interim constitution to select whichever prior charter they wish, revise it any way they wish - and we'd be stuck with it. We should ensure that we don't jump from the frying pan into the fire.

What opponents of the charter draft should do is pressure the CNS to reveal its hand: What's their choice, if we reject the draft? If it's not the 1997 version, then lobby the CNS to change accordingly.

Then, and only then, will we be able to choose thoughtfully.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

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Ramifications of ruling must not sway Tribunal's verdict

There is a public understanding that the verdict on the fate of some political parties might bring about chaos. In a democratic society, the rule of law is key. The judges must have the right to make decisions based on the rule of law, regardless of the outcome. We, the general public, have the duty to help the judges understand that their only duty is to deliver a verdict that is commensurate with the wrongdoings committed by various parties, nothing more. Whatever the consequence is to society is absolutely not their responsibility. The parties found guilty should be blamed for any adverse consequences arising from the verdict. We have suffered from political turmoil created by those who do not have the national interest in their hearts.

This is a rare chance for law enforcement to make it known that any crimes committed by anyone, politicians and connected persons included, will not be tolerated. And the people should be glad about this because it shows that politicians are not in a privileged class. And we should press for further law enforcement in other cases as well, either related to politicians or business people. And those responsible for law enforcement should remember that the public places high hope on them.

We may encounter political and economic turbulence as a consequence. But we should take note that even though we have had no effective administration for more than a year, our society has not collapsed economically or politically. We should congratulate ourselves for such an accomplishment without politicians at the helm. Our economic growth might be low, but it is still growing. Earnings from exports and tourism have not fallen.

Any anger should be directed at the parties found guilty, not the judges who have the duty to uphold the rule of law. We can set up a few parties ourselves if we need to. And these should truly and equally belong to the poor, the rich, educated and uneducated people in all professions. It is our obligation to show the next generation how to handle this problem in a civilised manner, so that they have a good example of how to go through crises like this. Our forefathers went through even worse crises several times. They might be looking from above at what we are doing with the beautiful land we have inherited without risking our lives.

Prichar

Bangkok

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'Old boy' network will survive attempt to dissolve parties

As a foreigner who has been in Thailand for a long time and doesn't really care about Thai politics may I give you my two-satang opinion? I was here in 1997 when the economy crashed and the baht went from 25 to 55 to the US dollar. Then what happened? The politicians who caused the problems dropped a political party and started a new one.

The new party was run by the "old boys" under a new name. Many Thais told me they were going to vote for the new party and a very rich person because he had so much money that he had to be honest. I said how did he get his money? I also said the more money he has, the more he will want - it's called greed.

Well, he was elected and grabbed everything he could get his hands on. Then he was thrown out of office in a justified coup. Now they want to dissolve perhaps one or two parties. That looks good on paper, but what are you going to end up with? New parties run by the same "old boys"!

Amazing Thailand!

Bill Cymbalsky

Bangkok

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TRT acting divisively in lead up to Wednesday's ruling

Re: "Justice must be served fully on judgement day", Opinion, May 27.

It is ironic that while the Democrat Party's leadership is ready to accept next Wednesday's Constitution Tribunal verdict even though it might mean the dissolution of the party, the Thai Rak Thai Party's former leader Thaksin Shinawatra came out to insist his party's innocence and say that it would eventually be proven not guilty - even though this is against overwhelming material evidence. This shows a stark contrast between the two main political parties in terms of political spirit.

As an observer - not affiliated to any of these political parties - I feel Thaksin has shown his selfishness and lack of responsibility for his country. His behaviour during the past eight months has not only damaged his standing but that of the country as well.

Back when Thai Rak Thai executive Thamarak Isarangura was accused of having bribed a number of small parties to take part in the 2005 general election in some constituencies Thaksin came out to chastise Thamarak for being careless enough to get caught - not for any possible wrongdoing. Thaksin also did not demand that the then defence minister resign, nor did Thamarak offer to relinquish his ministerial post in recognition of the immensely delicate political situation. Not surprisingly, the Thaksin government was later toppled in a coup that, for the first time in Thailand's history, most Thais initially supported.

Thaksin deserves condemnation if he still insists upon his divisive stance.

Chavalit Van

Chiang Mai

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Organisation seeks to end UK pension payout injustice

Re: "Call to UK pensioners to check their entitlements", Letters, May 27.

I read the letter from Robin Wills about the UK state pension with great interest, especially where he says that such pensions are not index-linked for those pensioners who are living in Thailand.

As a matter of interest about half of the some 1 million pensioners who live outside the UK have their up-ratings systematically rescinded every year by the UK parliament - all based on where they have chosen to reside in their retirement.

This iniquitous, unjust situation has been going on for very many years but there is an organisation that is spearheading what might be a correction, and that is the Canadian Alliance of British Pensioners (www.britishpensions.com).

This organisation, which has members from all over the world, is doing a sterling job in campaigning for an end to the injustice and is always looking for new members to help in the task. The membership fee is very reasonable and a donation may be made to the Action Fund.

Observer

Bangkok

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Bush could learn a lot about peace from Zen master

Re: "A man of peace talks about war", Life, May 26.

In a fitting way to honour the dead, not only those of Vietnam but for all people, Thich Nhat Hanh - Zen master, poet and peace activist - brought home in this interview the realisation that if we don't practice mindfulness, with peace of mind as the goal, we won't be able to transmit peace to our children and their children.

This weekend in the United States, Memorial Day weekend, the people of America will pay tribute to all who died in service to their nation. The president intends to honour those who have fallen while defending the world from great danger and in bringing freedom and democracy to Iraq, by continuing the fight until victory is assured.

These two high-profile men offer different directions. On the one hand, there is a spiritual leader who honours war dead by spreading the necessity of acquiring mindfulness in our lives. On the other, the leader of the most powerful military and economy in the world proclaims that more of the nation's men must fall in order to honour the memories of those who have already fallen.

Given that the public hates this war, no longer has any trust in Bush's leadership and doesn't believe anything the administration says. You figure it out!

Mr Bill

Bangkok