But there was no party resolution to approve of such an action (naturally), so there was no direct link to either the party or its executives. It is reasonable to assume that only very few people were real actors in the deal. It is reasonable to assume that most party executives had not been active in the conception and execution of the payment. It is also reasonable to assume that some of the executives were not even aware of the deal until the story broke.

I accept that they were part of a regime that was overthrown by the coup-makers and accused of various crimes, but the judgement should not have taken that fact into consideration. Based on the merit of the evidence on this case alone, to pass blanket judgement on those who were not directly linked to the action was, to me, unfair.

When the Democrat and Chat Thai parties failed to field candidates in the last election, the Thai Rak Thai Party's victory was said not to be democratic because it was not a "real" contest. Come next election, Thailand will be without the most popular political party in its history. Maybe we did deserve the Thaksin government for many rural voters were fooled or bought into voting them into office.

Maybe we deserve a military dictatorship because we did not know how to solve the problems democratically. We are finally seeing the light at the end of a tunnel, but look behind us, you will see that we are being herded along by tanks and guns in the pre-determined direction that they had deemed suitable to our and their best interests.

But I guess it is okay because we were the ones who greeted them with flowers when the tanks rolled in.

Salin Pinkayan

Bangkok

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Punish guilty individuals only, as in US Libby case

Re: "Democracy versus Corruption: the punishment", Opinion, June 6.

Tulsathit Taptim gives a fine insight into Thailand's struggle to become a democratic state. The country is in conflict.

But how does a country achieve democracy? As "Democracy" says, "annihilation of Thai Rak Thai concerns me". I Lewis Libby Jr, who was once vice-president Dick Cheney's chief of staff, was given a 30-month prison sentence on Tuesday for lying to a grand jury.

The Republican Party was not dissolved. The corrupt individuals are and will be punished. Is every person associated with Thai Rak Thai corrupt? Certainly not. And what of those who are? Why are they free to roam the streets and influence the political structure and workings of Thailand? In the West they are thrown into jail. In Thailand they go free.

And the nine-hour beautifully worded verdicts? Can these verdicts, which came at a time of military junta rule, receive the acceptance of the international community? The answer is no. If Thailand believes otherwise, perhaps Democracy will be waiting at the door for a few more years.

Tom Fin

Bangkok

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More education needed to foster political maturity

Re: "Parties' honour must come first", Editorial, June 6.

The Cabinet's lifting of its ban on political activities is long overdue. Much has to be done to educate the people, especially in rural areas, if we are to prevent the abuses of power that have led to coup after coup and slowed our political development to a snail's pace.

Such education is vital to us if we are to be a democracy in substance as well as in name. As James Madison said: "A popular government without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy; or, perhaps, both … a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives."

Our Cabinet has, to its credit, approved a public TV station, but that alone is far from enough to carry out such a large educational task.

Thus, I suggest that the government promote a public organisation patterned after the US's League of Women Voters, with a similar mission to be "… non-partisan, encouraging informed and active participation in government, working to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influencing public policy through education …"

As stated in the League's website, this organisation would neither support nor oppose any candidate for office at any level of government; its aims focus on educating voters on key community issues at all levels in an unbiased manner, encouraging citizen participation in the democratic process, enabling people to seek positive solutions to public policy issues through education and conflict management.

Such an organisation could be funded, as in the case of the public TV station, by "sin taxes", and could be based on an already-existing body.

This government, being beholden to no power group, has a unique opportunity to serve all Thais, regardless of political affiliation. But it must seize the moment, and move now to promote a sustainable democracy.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

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'Foot in Mouth Award' for oddest political statement

The Nation should establish a monthly "Foot in Mouth Award" for baffling comments made by public figures. For example, when General Surayud Chulanont was appointed prime minister, his first public statement was, "I will run the country based on sufficiency economy and focus not on GDP but GHP (gross happiness product)". And when the public complained about General Saprang Kalayanamitr spending Bt7 million in taxpayer's money on a trip to England to study airport security, he replied, "I'm not a suspect. I'm a warrior and a hero". These statements should win the award.

For this month, I nominate a statement made by General Sonthi Boonyaratglin on TITV on Tuesday: "In my opinion, southern people should take care of themselves while police and soldiers are helping them."

More than one person can share the award, which is likely to be the case.

Meechai Burapa

Chiang Mai

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Apirak's pollution drive deserves citizens' support

Re: "Apirak to get tough on Bangkok pollution", News, June 6.

I commend Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin for taking the initiative in addressing the growing problem of climate change. It's new territory for most of us but the sooner we get started the better. A start would be public transport in the capital.

Anyone who can rein in the polluting ways of Bangkok's red buses deserves a medal.

In Melbourne, where drought has forced a change in the thinking and habits of virtually everyone and every business both state and local governments are making an effort to inform the public of ways to help deal with the changing climate and diminishing water supply.

Governor Apirak deserves full support in his endeavours and it would be great to see a programme of educating the youth and students of Thailand on the facts concerning climate change and the effect it will have on the earth they will inherit.

It's worth business and government getting started now. I recommend checking out this Website: http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au. It gives an idea of what initiatives government and business can take to get the ball rolling.

Boris Loosebrain

Bangkok

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Tying Buddhism to the state would sully the faith

As a Buddhist, I was aggrieved to see a picture on the front page of Tuesday's The Nation, showcasing monks "fasting for a national religion". Apparently these Buddhist monks fail to see a vital distinction between society and the state. Society represents the cultural and religious values of the people, handed down peacefully within families or wilfully but voluntarily chosen by individuals. The state's function is to carry out the laws of the nation. The key point is that all law is backed up by deadly force, if necessary.

So for Buddhist monks to attempt to tie the beautiful religion of Buddhism with the implied force of the state, represents a betrayal of Buddhism itself. The most important teachings of the Buddha are to do no harm to any living creature, to act kindly, and mindfully. How can those teachings be tied to a legal body, that is ultimately backed by the police power of the state?

Linda Tsukamoto

Chiang Mai

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