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Published on August 22, 2007

Now that the referendum is over, it's time all the people of Thailand pay respect to what the majority has spoken. Let's return our country to the path of democracy.

Both the "yes" and "no" votes in the referendum must be treated as equally important in that they represent two groups of people with differing perspectives. We must seek to satisfy both without prejudice or partisanship. The "yes" vote represents the so-called elitists and the middle-class in urban areas who contribute the most to the government's coffers since they are the country's main taxpayers. Those who said "no" to the new constitution are the rural poor in remote areas who seek attention and a solution to their plight from the government. We must join hands and bring about equitable prosperity and distribution of wealth in our nation, bearing in mind that one group cannot survive, let alone prosper, without the other.

All politicians must also learn from the recent past. The September 19 coup would not have happened if they did not abandon their exemplary role and disregard their responsibilities both as representatives of the people and responsible members of the legislative branch.

Those who voted for and against the new constitution must stop bickering and start cooperating from now on for the sake of His Majesty the King.

Chavalit Van

CHIANG MAI

Premature to assume old powers no longer a threat

Re: "A small step to bridge a big gap?", Editorial, August 20.

While I admire and agree with many points in your editorial, which suggested that we were probably better off as a result of Sunday's referendum on the draft constitution, I also would like to call attention to the fact that Thailand is definitely not out of the woods.

The razor-thin majority achieved on Sunday is not going to convince the world that Thailand is on the right track, even if we have to, as your editorial seemed to imply, start from "scratch".

The fact is we were fortunate that former executives of the Thai Rak Thai did not call Sunday's results a "moral victory". They probably didn't know it then, because it was early in the evening and they thought it was a lost cause and wanted to look good in the eyes of the public, showing that they were not trouble-makers and would play by the rules.

As events unfolded late into the night, it was clear that the strongholds of the former ruling party remained what they were in 2001 and 2005. And if the new elections were to be held on Sunday, I could see Thaksin Shinawatra coming back to Thailand at Suvarnabhumi Airport with a red carpet rolled out for him if he choose to make a stride on the tarmac for a photo opportunity.

Let's face it: Thailand is no match for Thaksin - not the Surayud government, not the Council for National Security (CNS), and not the former so-called People's Alliance for Democracy, which disintegrated too quickly after the battle was won.

None of these entities realised that the war is still on and ahead of them.

The Surayud government placed itself above all problems. The prime minister was reportedly saying that he wanted to see 50 per cent of the eligible voters go to the voting booths, but he could not care less which way the voting went. The same could be said for the CNS. The focus was on whether the CNS chairman would enter politics after his mandatory retirement, if this was indeed his decision, and whom he would choose as his successor as Army commander-in-chief.

As for most people, we think that Thaksin is finished. But he is not.  With him lurking in the background, or sometimes up front with superb marketing skills, which put him on the front pages of the newspapers and other media, I would like to suggest that we should now brace ourselves for more troubles and never let down our guard.

Prachyadavi Tavedikul

BANGKOK

Legislation needed to end mistreatment of horses

Recently there was an appeal from the Thai government for input on a proposed animal welfare law. Officials instructed interested parties to add comments and suggestions on the Livestock Department website, but I was unable to find it.

I would very much like to ask the Thai legislature to put in a provision about basic care for horses. I've seen just about the worst conditions in the world right here in one of the Kingdom's wealthiest tourist destinations. There are many horses with health problems simply left to rot in stalls, literally, year after year - never getting out, with no space to graze or even to just be free to run around.

How many rental stables use bedding straw as feed and cheaper cow food that contains elements in proportions harmful to equine species?

Horses are castrated by inexperienced teenage grooms with little anaesthesia. Drugs and antibiotics are dispensed with no knowledge about the repercussions of misuse.

Stalls are constructed of fencing wire that cuts and gouges. Ponies are forced to walk on hot sandy beaches with too heavy a load day after day after day, wearing ill-fitting saddles that cause sores, which are then left untreated. I've seen for myself maggots allowed to fester in wounds. Animals' mouths are torn open by unescorted, harsh or in-experienced riders. There is also rampant, untreated mange. So the list goes on.

A horse, treated humanely and with proper care can live to be well over 30 years of age. But I seriously doubt there are more than a handful that reach that age in Thailand.

Please, in any animal rights' legislation, include basic nutritional standards and mandate a minimum of land required for horse owners - it is despicable and heart-breaking to see these noble, beautiful and sensitive animals, with which humanity colonised the world - treated in such an indifferent and purely capitalistic way.

I can't save all the horses myself. I don't know if stable operators believe in karma or not, but to mistreat or neglect a horse is a most assured way to bring bad luck to one's self.

Christy K Sweet

PHUKET

Not all mums looking to cash in on kid's spouses

Re: "Couples driven apart by greedy mothers-in-law", Letters, August 21.

I truly feel sorry for Brad Jones and his friend that their marriages broke up for similar reasons. On the other hand, I feel it's not correct to paint all Thai mothers-in-law with a wide brush of greed. My Thai mother-in-law cannot be unique in the entire Kingdom in that she has never even hinted that she expected or desired anything other than that I cared for and loved her daughter. Quite the contrary, when the subject of dowry came up before our marriage, she indicated that since I was not Thai, I would not be required to follow Thai tradition. I was the one who insisted that, since this was their country, I should follow their tradition. Even my farang sister-in-law says I didn't pay enough dowry.

The writer says: "It seems that after getting married, Thai mothers do nothing but sit at home waiting for money to be laid in their hands." That's a very broad brush, in that it allows for no Thai mother-in-law to do otherwise. Such overwhelming generalisations are totally unfair to Thai people, and more particularly to Thai mothers. If your opinion of Thai people is so low, maybe you should seriously consider leaving this country. Your comments are not only distasteful and rude, but border on xenophobic.

JM Joyce

BANGKOK

Thailand a gracious host of Universiade games

Re: "University Games a lost chance to showcase Kingdom's charms", Letters, August 18.

While the marketing of the Universiade games may have been done more aggressively, as visitors to the games from Canada, my wife and I found them to be wonderful. The facilities, the volunteers and fantastic opening ceremonies were simply outstanding. We will remember the games and the Kingdom for many years and have already highly recommended Thailand to friends.

We have attended two Olympic Games and two Commonwealth Games and these games were certainly up to those standards. We attended the games with five other Canadian families associated with swimming and we all enjoyed ourselves immensely. Other Canadian parents watching other sports have commented how much they too enjoyed their time in Thailand. The opportunity to tour the country before and after the games was only secondary to the thrill of our son carrying the Canadian flag into the stadium at the opening.

We met very, very many wonderful people and, except for a cab driver who decided to steal our camera that we left in his cab, everyone was so helpful (though speed limits seem to be a thought only). To the many other Thai people who assisted us, and to the volunteers at the games: Thank you!

Congratulations Bangkok - we certainly enjoyed the games and the Kingdom.

Lawrie Johns

CANADA