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Published on July 29, 2007

But is there really one law for all, as Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont proclaims? Earlier this month, Kanpitak Patchimsawas, who has very influential parents, was granted bail despite the undisputed fact that he deliberately drove his Benz into a crowd of innocent bus passengers, killing one and critically injuring three. He's charged with premeditated murder, attempted murder and physical assault.

Deputy city police chief Lt-General Jes Mongkolhatthi says that detention is part of the procedure after suspects are informed of the charges. Why, then, was Kanpitak not detained - especially when the killer's own parents claim he may be mentally unstable, and thus capable of killing again? Also, the DAAD leaders apparently will be held until eyewitnesses to the clashes have been interviewed. If so, why was Kanpitak not detained until eyewitnesses to his incident had been interviewed?

So, if you kill you're granted bail. But if you're charged with non-lethal crimes like illegal assembly, resisting authorities, blocking traffic and using loudspeakers without permission, you're detained for at least 12 days. What kind of justice system do we have?

Prime Minister Surayud, I would love to believe that we have one law for all. But, as Ralph Waldo Emerson says, "What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say." Please let your actions support your welcome words.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

Death sentence for Wisut shows judiciary can work

 Re: "Death row for wife murderer", News, July 26.

I was very pleased to see that Wisut Boonkasemsanti received the death penalty for killing and dismembering his wife in 2001. In a country where guilty people with a lot of money can often evade the law, it is heartening to see the judicial system work.

Yes, I know it took the dead woman's father, Chote Wattanachet, to appeal an earlier court ruling that set Wisut free. But ultimately Wisut will have to pay for his heinous, grisly crime with his own life.

It is tragic to see someone executed but, given what he had done, Wisut deserves it.

Finally, we see that crime does not pay.

Outraged Taxpayer

Bangkok

Jakrapob may be victim of his own character

 Re: "Stifling bureaucracy set Jakrapob on wrong path", Letters, July 28.

Prachyadavi Tavedikul's insights on Jakrapob Penkair's sojourn at the Foreign Ministry explained nicely the brilliant personality of this man in his past public relations work and expertise on international affairs. I even compare him with Pichai Wasanasong, the best anchorman on world affairs Thailand has ever seen and heard.

However, I would not blame the bureaucracy at the Foreign Ministry for causing him to take a "wrong path" in supporting the "wrong cause". From the letter, I would conclude that it was more the man's reactions to each disappointment or turn of events. First was his disappointment at being assigned to Brussels instead of Washington that could have led him to resign from the ministry and become a public critic of the "feudal [sakdina] system". The second event was his bright prospects during the Thaksin era being spoiled by the coup. Hence his current conduct may be to hit back at the cause.

We may think that he is now on the "wrong side" but, with his character, he may truly believe he is on the "right side". In any society, it does not need recognition and rewards to keep a man on the "right side". It is the man's devotion through thick and thin that is more essential. Perhaps the Foreign Ministry sent him to Brussels instead of Washington just to test his spirit of devotion. As the late US president John F Kennedy said in his inaugural speech, "ask not what the country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country".

Songdej Praditsmanont

Bangkok

Government's proposed domain is already taken

 Re: "Govt readies 'true' website as Thaksin's goes online", News, July 28.

Unfortunately it appears that this domain is already taken by an Italian. Perhaps you could let the government know this before they drop a clanger, as the domain appears to have been registered to the same owner for six years.

Brian Jenkins

Bangkok

Thaksin's new website is simply more of the same

 The truethaksin.com website is no threat to Thailand and, after looking at it carefully, I do not see a need to counter this site with the truethailand.com website.

There are several reasons for this position.

One, true to his old form, Thaksin's website is one-way communication and people can see through his blatant and sometimes simple ways of explaining away the unexplainable.

Two, the present methods of dealing with Thaksin draw out more and more knee-jerk reactions from his team of advisers. As opposed to facing the issues at hand, they constantly seek to change to non-relevant issues such as suing the Assets Examination Committee members, calling for the release of his frozen assets, and postponing court appearances due to busy schedules - what can be more relevant than clearing your name in court?

A happy taxpayer

Bangkok

Don't blame foreign teaching methods

 Re: "Public to get Prem's views on Thai language", News, July 27.

Here we go again: the Privy Council president says it's ("probably") formulas used overseas (Western influences) that are responsible for something wrong in the wonderful dreamland of Thai society, harmony and unity.

At first I felt anger when reading this totally unfounded statement, but now I'm only amused about this comment on the fields of language teaching and foreign teaching methods. If there is one subject which is totally unharmed by such dangerous modernity, it's the teaching of the Thai language. On the other hand, it seems to be obvious that the lack of foreign language skills in Thailand (despite all efforts) is mostly the result of sticking to traditional Thai methods ("our own way of teaching"), which totally ignores all (globally valid) basics of language teaching and language acquisition.

One has to ask oneself if his wise comments are really meant to help against the poor use of the Thai language or if he means to criticise the use of this language by the poor when they express their discontent with the political and moral leaders. This elite's ignorance, arrogance and greed for money and power seems to be beyond question as long as they use the Thai language appropriately while lying to the uneducated majority.

Stupor Mundi

Phuket

Bullying used to enforce 'One China' policy

 Re: "UN correct to dismiss Taiwan membership bid", Letters, July 28.

Tiger Ho ends his letter by stating, "Any attempt by Chen Shui-bian to separate China and push for 'Taiwan independence' by joining the UN under the name of Taiwan or holding a referendum on UN membership under the name of Taiwan is doomed to failure."

There are three reasons why Ho chooses to believe that:

A. China has made no secret of its willingness to use the full force of its military to bomb Taiwan into submission if need be.

B. China, with its strengthening economy, leans heavily on every country worldwide to oppose full Taiwanese sovereignty - even stooping to offer large infusions of cash to the smallest principalities in exchange for their UN votes to oppose an independent Taiwan.

C. Ho either works directly with the Chinese government or has otherwise been thoroughly indoctrinated in the heavy-handed "One China" policy that bullies other governments into ostracising Taiwan.

If Ho were open-minded, he would see that Tibet is also a sovereign nation, having been an independent kingdom for hundreds of years prior to being overrun by the Chinese military in the 1950s.

Ken Albertsen

Chiang Rai