After hours of deliberation and explanation, the Constitution Tribunal judges have pointed out clearly that Thai Rak Thai committed electoral fraud. Rather than showing some sense of sorrow and apology to the public, the core party members vowed to fight against what they accused of being a decision coming through the barrel of a gun. Even foreign media outlets, such as the BBC, suggested in its immediate coverage of the verdict that the generals orchestrated the ruling and the elections could be in vain. By the next day the PTV group was already protesting the verdict.

 What has gone wrong with Thai society? Those Thai Rak Thai core party members who were banned from politics for five years, many of them highly educated professionals, are as defiant as ever. Where are their consciences? These are not petty offences; they are criminal acts. Even what had started as a conspiracy to cover up caused Richard Nixon the presidency in the 1970s. Have Thai Rak Thai members had time to consider that they have committed - whether directly or indirectly - or condoned a criminal offence?

It is important that the judges have made a clear and correct verdict - whether it was made under the barrel of a gun, for protection or coercion, is not what matters. The public should judge by the facts, understand the substance of the offence, and not be motivated by pride and prejudice.

Yingwai Suchaovanich

Bangkok

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Judges made it clear why Thai Rak Thai had to go

It is not surprising that the Thai Rak Thai Party heads seem to be unwilling to concede any fault. Today's politicians, respective of their party affiliation, or what country they come from, feel no need to admit any wrongdoing, repentance or shame, because whatever they may have done or said was done in defence of their respective parties. Lies or illegal acts are never admitted to, let alone apologised for, because their leaders and their own speech knows no law. They believe that it is all a critical part of the role that they play and laws do not apply to them.

 There are many positive outcomes regarding the landmark decision to disbar the Thai Rak Thai Party and penalise 111 of its executive members for five years. However, the most notable, to my mind, was the Constitution Tribunal judges' careful and transparent exposition of the corruption, nepotism and cronyism that had been arrogantly going on unchallenged during the Thaksin administration. Those members of the public who have paid attention and care for the nation are now aware, from the appalling conduct of those supposedly elected for their good, why the party was disbanded and its leaders exiled from further political action.

 Like the proverbial rodents leaving the sinking ship the party leaders will vow to fight, protest the legitimacy of the Constitution Tribunal, whatever - while their supporters whine at the undemocratic Democrat Party, the dictatorship of the coup leaders and the fears lurking down the road. It is truly difficult to understand how these same people can continue to pompously preach on these matters, and still claim an entitlement to be listened to, as they minimise or deny responsibility of their own actions. But they will and it has only just begun.

Mr Bill

Bangkok

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Govt must look beyond Thaksin regime's demise

Is this government anti-Thaksin, or pro-democracy? For example, the Constitution Tribunal took pains to spell out the reasons for dissolving the Thai Rak Thai Party so that justice could be seen to be done. Well and good. But then, how can any tribunal punish defendants using an ex post-facto law? To me, a law's chief (though not only) function is to deter acts deemed harmful to society, and an after-the-fact law, by definition, cannot deter.

The government blocks protesters from joining anti-government rallies without proving to a court that they intend to break the law. It shuts down the three FM stations that broadcast an interview with Thaksin on the grounds that they had no licence - while admitting that it would let over 3,000 other illegal stations stay open. Its emergency decree "pre-legalises" any act carried out by the authorities down South - including killing.

Focusing on the short-term goal of fighting Thaksin isn't of lasting value, because a clone of his could step in, with the same policies, and duplicate his success. Instead, we should focus on the long-term objective of strengthening democracy. Our history gives abundant proof that we cannot trust our politicians. As other democracies have found out, we have to put our trust in the common person, to get him and her to be politically active and monitor our leaders. As Thomas Jefferson wrote, "I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education".

Thus, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont should allow political activity, and encourage debate of the issues of the day. To me, many of Thaksin's policies were good in principle, but terribly flawed in implementation - how to improve on them? Prime Minister Surayud, focus on our country's long-term interests; show us that you have a game plan that goes beyond the first round.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

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Chaturon an honest man who does not deserve ban

Re: "TRT will fight on with new leaders", News, June 1.

While it's long overdue that Thaksin and some of his Thai Rak Thai buddies were held accountable for fraud, graft, theft, breach of the constitution and extrajudicial murder en masse (and lets hope its just the start of a complete accounting of their actions whilst in office), the current fate of Chaturon Chaisang, temporary leader of Thai Rak Thai, is far from just.

His fate at the hands of the Thai military is completely unfair. First three years in the jungle in the 1970s and now five years in the wilderness, yet he has done no wrong.

As a minister in the Thai Rak Thai Party, Chaturon has consistently demonstrated competence, caring, commitment, integrity, intelligence, the ability to listen and to hear other points of view and a tireless capacity to work with humility and no interest in financial gain or in playing the dirty side of politics.

To lose such a rare man and his great potential to contribute to Thai society in a country so bereft of honest politicians is a tragedy and a travesty.

I put it to the powers that be that an amnesty or pardon in the case of Chaturon is in the best interests of Thailand and its future. He is no Thaksin or Thamarak Isarangura or Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Chidchai Vanasatidya or Newin Chidchob. He is an innocent man, let justice reign. Reverse his five-year ban.

Boris Loosebrain

Bangkok

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ICT Ministry's website blocking efforts arbitrary

In the course of my work, I spend most of my day online, much of it actually productive. I also visit a great number of news, entertainment, pop culture, political, technology, fun and entertainment sites, and have noticed that many of them are blocked by the Information and Communications Technology Ministry. These aren't politically subversive sites or sites loaded with porn - they're sites detailing technology trends, movie news and even some dealing with serious issues such as alcoholism and child volunteer projects.

Although it's easy to get around the government's amateur blocking attempts using any number of proxy servers, anonymisers and IP scramblers, they've now made this illegal. My question is - will I be arrested for using a proxy server to look at a website about Google Earth place-marks? A website dealing with sex-education charity work in New York? Will they bust down my door and drag me away if I use a proxy server to access an online radio station?

My point is - if the Information and Communications Technology Ministry is going to attempt to play with the big boys, maybe they should do a bit of work to improve their amateur technology skills and use consistency and intelligence instead of knee-jerk reactionism.

Simon Belmont

Bangkok

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