Though I agree with many of the writer's negative views about Thai politics, I profoundly disagree with his doom and gloom approach to the matter, with no ideas for improvement. Why just weep and wail, and gnash your teeth? Help show us a way out!

The writer says, "…until the day a prominent politician is caught, indicted tried and sent to prison for corruption, the people of this country will never have faith in their leaders. And their leaders, whomever they may be, will never allow that to happen …Any time a good man like Abhisit comes along and tries to do things differently, he will be contained and re-oriented until he 'sees the light'…"

Accepting Abraham Lincoln's definition of democracy as being "government of the people, by the people, and for the people", the writer can help by encouraging political activism, getting we the people involved in the major issues. For example, the press must be free to debate the issues of the day, with no banning of interviews. The government should organise and broadcast free and open debates, and encourage universities to do so also.

The writer should work, with others, to convince the man in the streets of his Yasothon that he can make a difference in holding his elected representatives accountable and honest if they are to earn his vote - which means that he should become politically aware and research the issues. The writer should show voters how corruption, eg. at the Ua Arthorn housing project - directly affects them - or how their district's poor education system can be improved if he and his neighbours demand that students learn how to think, not what to think.

The writer should encourage his friends to educate the public to help themselves, to get involved - for as Kay Maxwell said, "Democracy is not a spectator sport".

Burin Kantabutra

BANGKOK

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Highway roadblocks staffed by courteous police officers

I had to drive from Prachin Buri to and from Isaan on Monday and Tuesday. It was a journey I was not looking forward to given the reports in the media of police roadblocks to check on potential participants in today's gathering in Bangkok.

As I had predicted I was stopped four times - once on the way up and three times on the return journey. But this is in no way the usual foreigner whinge about the Thai police. On each occasion the police were courteous, professional and - yes - good-humoured. Why, I have no idea, but it was like a breath of fresh air! Maybe the community relations training that the immigration police were supposed to have had got diverted to the highway police. Whatever the reason, top marks to the Isaan highway police.

Johnny Thoyts

PRACHIN BURI

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TRT showed contempt for freedoms while in power

The opposition, during the time of the Thai Rak Thai, had no access to the TV stations controlled by the Thai Rak Thai. Then we could get into the Election Commission that ended up not only discredited, but jailed.

The Thai Rak Thai Party smashed democracy in every facet except for elections. It is funny that the Thaksin defence of democracy doesn't even go down abroad, where it is reported as fact that he was removed for corruption and mass extra-judicial killings.

Web Reader

BANGKOK

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Hoping that Abhisit becomes the next prime minister

I was at the Election Commission offices the day the candidates registered. Thaksin came in with a bunch of hard looking dudes. Abhisit came in with his family and no strange characters. He was talking to normal people. He was direct and honestly answered questions. I hope he becomes the next prime minister. The whole world laughed at Thaksin and pointed to silly Thailand. Abhisit would be a man that the international community would trust and form alliances with instead of laugh at.

Web Reader

BANGKOK

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Junta continuing in Thai Rak Thai Party's repressive mould

The Democrat Party is in fact in cahoots with the Council for National Security. If haters of Thaksin accused him of subverting democracy, justice, freedom of speech and the judiciary during his term of office, just look at what the military has done. Isn't the junta the same?

I believe that the Thai Rak Thai will come out of this situation strong and steadfast against this undemocratic regime, which is trying to get rid of its existence.

Steven

BANGKOK

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Unexplained increase in the price of petrol merits a look

Here's a question that I would think The Nation ought to pose, investigate and answer: Why is the price of petrol still on the rise?

A barrel costs less than this time last year, but prices are higher.

The excuse, or reason, in the US is that no refineries have been built in 30 years. The petrol is there but no refinery capacity.

But what's going on in Thailand?

Tom

NONG KHAI

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Open letter to the Burmese Embassy on Aung San Suu Kyi

Your Excellency,

On behalf of the Union for Civil Liberty I wish to protest with the greatest indignation the continued detention of Aung San Suu Kyi. The detention is completely unjustified and has not been sanctioned by any process of law.

There is hardly need to remind your excellency of the solemn principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which all the civilised nations of the world accept as the measure of their actions and the condition of their adherence to the United Nations. A perusal of this short declaration will reveal multiple flagrant transgressions of its principles that occur in the treatment of your most famous fellow citizen. May I quote first the one principle of the most basic right guaranteed to every citizen and enunciated in Article 3; "Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person". Throughout the Declaration, the principles of freedom enunciated therein force one to recall the unfortunate treatment of Aung San Suu Kyi: Article 9; "No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile"; Article 13; "Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence".

There has never been any accusation of illegal behaviour on the part of Aung San Suu Kyi. On the contrary, the history of her family, her own sacrifices for her country, and her election as their legitimate leader by the vast majority of her people, entitle her to special consideration and respect.

The actions of your government in her regard are despicable. You blatantly offend against the principles by which we assure the peace and good relations necessary to our shared life on this planet. Do not dare to say that your treatment of Aung San Suu Kyi is not our affair, and that you may treat her as you wish. You have solemnly accepted the only principles agreed on by all countries to regulate their behaviour. The travesty of your contempt for these principles is a hurt to all, and constitutes a return to savagery in the prosecution of human affairs.

We add our voice to the many which cry shame on your country in these recent days.

We suggest that it is your duty as ambassador to relay to your rulers the rage and indignation which their actions generate.

May we wish for more peaceful times and happier days when this perfidious regime finally passes, and your country again joins the family of nations in peaceful and harmonious coexistence, when we may join you in honouring your noble compatriot and pay her the respect which is her due.

Danthong Breen

Chairman, Union for Civil Liberty

BANGKOK

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Asia Europe Meeting out to better member relations

Re: "Europe seeking a more active role in guiding the future of Asia," Opinion, May 29.

This article could not deal with the whole agenda of the eighth Asia Europe Meeting (Asem) at the foreign ministers' level, held this week in Hamburg, Germany.

The Asean Secretariat, Bulgaria, India, Mongolia, Pakistan and Romania took part for the first time in an enlarged Asem, which now has a total of 45 partners, representing approximately 58 per cent of the world's population.

 The meeting reaffirmed Asem partners' support for a fair, just, rule-based international system with the United Nations (UN) at its heart, and encouraged Asem partners to cooperate in order to promote UN reform, including its principal organs, with a view to enhancing their representativeness, transparency and effectiveness. It also noted with satisfaction the upcoming 1st Asem Ministerial Meeting on Education and Qualification in Germany, co-sponsored by China, next year, as well as connected activities such as the successfully sustained "life-long learning-initiative" by Denmark, thus underlining the pivotal role of education as a key factor for economic and social development in a globalised world. It remains to be seen if Asem can really become a more operational and visible catalyst for dialogue and cooperation between its 45 participants during the present era of global vulnerabilities and perplexities.

Ioan Voicu

Visiting Professor

Assumption University

BANGKOK

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