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Published on August 17, 2007

First of all, I had no idea whatsoever that these games were coming up, and neither did most of my friends. Granted, I don't read the newspaper every single day and don't have much time to watch TV, but my position was echoed when they told me that there were barely a dozen people in attendance at some events. These athletes aren't nobodies either - one of them told me that he's used to running in front of 50,000 people or more. I can't help but think that, similar to the Suvarnabhumi Airport embarrassment, Thailand has missed a great chance to showcase it's unique culture and arm visitors to this great country with amazing stories of their trip for friends and family back home.

Instead, most visitors will be returning with stories of a lack of preparation, a 90-minute commute into town, and a country with a general lack of knowledge about the true potential of such an event.

Simon Belmont

BANGKOK

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Thaksin does not deserve diplomatic credentials

Re: "FM urged to revoke Thaksin's passport", News, August 15.

I am staggered that the Foreign Ministry should need any encouragement to withdraw Thaksin's passport. This person is now a fugitive of the law. That he should be allowed to continue his shopping trips around the world as if nothing has happened is nothing but obscene.

Moreover, I trust the relevant authorities will be passing the arrest warrant on to Interpol so they can assist in bringing this fugitive before a proper court here in Thailand.

Dr John Symons

BANGKOK

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Foreign business limits ultimately hurt Thais

Re: "Benefits to Thailand, not nationalism, should drive foreign business policy", Letters, August 16.

There seems to be a direct positive correlation between the degree to which an economy is open to the rest of the world and the general level of prosperity in that country.

Can someone please explain how restricting certain types of investment will lead to greater general prosperity?

Unfortunately it seems many have not taken stock of current global economic realities and insist on maintaining centuries' old and thoroughly discredited mercantilist ways.

It is difficult to understand how restricting competition will benefit consumers or workers.

Thailand's smart interaction with the rest of the world has been a key factor in its success. Let's hope that past wisdom is carried forth in future policies.

T Mercer

BANGKOK

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Educate consumers on perils of overusing credit

Re: "US a case study in dangers of rampant consumerism", Letters, August 16.

I thank John Arnone for responding to my letter that we need financial discipline in planning our spending, not xenophobia in striking out at anything from overseas.

John seems to think that credit is the source of all evils. To "prove" his point, he says that 50 years ago, in America, there were no credit cards, and also few psychiatrists and few lawsuits - but today, there are plenty of all three. But, he does not prove cause-and-effect. It's like saying, "50 years ago, John had less money, and smoked less. Now, he has more money, and smokes more. Therefore, money causes smoking".

He goes on to say: "The "Happiness Index" in Bangkok continues to show that Bangkokians are less happy every year and now it is spreading to the provinces, and yet neither economists nor anyone else for that matter seem able to put these various facts together." He doesn't state what facts they're failing to put together, nor how they are causally related, so I hope he's not blaming just the availability of credit. If he is, I'd suggest that he talk with Ammar Siamwalla, acting president of the Thailand Development Research Institute, who said last week that Thai banks seem to have learned the lessons of 1997 too well, and now take almost no risk, making so few loans that Thai firms have trouble expanding.

However, John is right when he says that in the US, "the use of credit became so accepted that things got out of hand".

The trick is to learn how to use credit with prudence, for productive things like an education or necessities like housing, and being sure you can repay loans in full. I believe that Thais, like their Western counterparts, can learn to be mature in their financial planning, including use of credit. I suggest that, like fire, credit can be good - but must be used wisely.

Certainly those who push credit have their own interests in mind, but I suggest that consumers can use credit to benefit themselves as well as the financial institutions. I believe in giving consumers a choice, and in educating them as to how to do it prudently. Thank you, John, for your thoughts.

Burin Kantabutra

BANGKOK

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US won't know the party's over until it's too late

Re: "The 'American empire' now in its end stages", Letters, August 15.

Concerning the decline of American influence and importance, it is a feature of crumbling empires that the residents never realise what is happening at the time. Historians identify the surrender of Singapore as being the end of the British Empire but it took another 15 years for the reality to sink in.

Michael Clowes

BANGKOK

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Criticism of US truer to its principles than praise

Re: "Criticism of US needs to be constructive to help." Letters, August 16

Everyone has the opportunity to comment, criticise, or bemoan the behaviour of another. Often times it is not only a matter of opportunity but also of necessity and obligation. What is true for individuals must be true of nations. The behaviour of the United States and its leadership as a world power at present and in past decades is most certainly open to criticism - and in fact, as former president Theodore Roosevelt remarked "not to criticise is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public".

It has been said that dissent is the highest form of patriotism. However in expressing dissent or offering criticism there is no requirement to follow the advice that says, "please be constructive". This is a trite but familiar patronising cliche along with "not to do so only serves to degrade the writer", and is merely a subtle way of pointing to those whom the Republicans consider to be the real patriots.

Fin asks what is to become of the world order if the world no longer can stomach American domination. Thanks to President George W Bush and the present administration it will no longer be up to the United States to unilaterally direct the world according to its will. Christopher Bertram in his article "Weaker America equals weaker Europe" (Opinion, August 13) reminds us that it is an interdependent world now and the interest of all nations must be served if a fair international order is to be advanced. Fin's questions can best be put to the democratically elected legislators, policy-makers and media in the United States or Europe in order to find a solution on what the future holds for the world.

I often submit and express my criticism, comments, and questions to my representatives by e-mail and to date none have yet to have been received as being nihilistic, "bashing" or blowing hot air.

Mr Bill

BANGKOk