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Published on September 21, 2007

Khun Chamnong Watanagase took exception to some outdated jingoist advocating a compulsory salute to the nationalist anthem.

In this regard he might like to know that, at the French National Day reception around 1975, Princess Chumbhot Paribatra sat unperturbed throughout the said anthem, which she regarded as nationalist and republican.

The anthem was again played at a similar function about 10 years ago when I walked up to the French ambassador, who happened to be a good friend, and told him that it was the wrong anthem. He was visibly shaken and immediately ordered the (Royal Navy) band to replay, this time, the royal anthem.

More recently, at an embassy concert at the Thailand Cultural Centre, I sat throughout the nationalist tune at the beginning of the programme. I apologised and explained to the ambassador, who sat next to me, that we have not yet changed the Constitution to a republican one.

Since then I have come to terms with the fact that this country thrives on contradictions and the co-existence of opposites or the unlikely. Besides the two anthems, we also have two names for the same country, "Siam" being officially used on auspicious occasions. Then we have had two monarchs reigning concurrently, once at the end of the sixteenth century, and more recently in the mid-nineteenth century, a formula which proved to be useful.

I expect some correspondent will ask who is more "dated": the jingoist or I? I would plead guilty as far as I am mildly a monarchist who has an aversion to anything being overplayed.

Sumet Jumsai

Bangkok

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Coalition PM could buckle under pressure

Re: "To return to a democratic Thailand", Opinion, September 19.

Thaksin's surprisingly eloquent article in The Wall Street Journal Asia would have to have been ghost written.

To a politically naive American audience on the subject of Thai politics, it was an entirely convincing piece, totally shrouding the weak sound bites and fairy-tale allusions of Sonthi's "The military defends itself".

If we follow on from opinions of late that TRT has fractured into different factions and, because of it, Abhisit may well lead next year's coalition government, how strong would he have to be to resist the powerful lobbies for reinstatement and the acquittal of yesteryear's status quo?

In such a scenario, Abhisit would most likely buckle under the intense pressure that will indubitably besiege him.

James Groveway

Bangkok

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American on sale to bidders of the world

You might think I'm crazy, but I've decided to leave America until George Bush leaves the White House. I'm so desperate to get away from George W that I'm selling myself on eBay to the highest bidder. It's my way of sticking it to the administration and speaking out for a way of life that many Americans still hold dear.

I prefer a country with healthcare, clean air and drinkable water. A country where "evolution", "liberal" and "Kyoto" aren't dirty words. A country where free speech isn't viewed as unpatriotic dissent. I demand to have a president that leads and makes decisions without first consulting the Bible.

To the bidders of the world, what you are bidding on is the right to have and house your very own 30-year-old American dissident for the period of one month. I plan on asking the world to give my homeland another chance as we both turn the page on this failed administration.

With any luck I'll become a travelling disaster for the current administration. If I can somehow draw the warmongers' attention and distract them, we can save the world a lot of pain.

I don't think Bush will invade your country for housing me, but you never know. He may classify me as a weapon of mass destruction, bypass the United Nations, destroy everything, surge, and then leave while patting himself on the back.

Citizen X

USA

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Inquiry will be crucial to safety improvements

The crash of One-Two-Go Flight OG 269 in Phuket was indeed a tragedy but one that must be learned from if the deaths of those unfortunate passengers are not to have been in vain.

The inquiry that takes place must be thorough, professional and transparent. Many areas must fall under intense scrutiny; not just the airline's procedures and personnel but the airport itself, the layout, its landing aids, procedures in extreme weather and its disaster and emergency plans.

An area for immediate examination must be the runway safety area (RSA). This is the area at each end and the sides of the runway [which should be] kept free from obstructions and hazards in the event an aircraft under- or over-shoots.

The safety distance to the north of the runway is in the order of only some 50 metres. And while the safety distance to the south of the runway looks very generous in comparison to that of the north, there are deep, uncovered storm drains running the length of the runway on both the north and south sides. These would present extreme hazards to an aircraft's undercarriage, fuselage and wings were it to leave the runway.

According to AOT's official website, Phuket International Airport ranks second in the country in terms of passenger and cargo volume, with 10 airlines in service and more than 2,900,000 passengers, 27,000 flights and 12,000 tonnes of cargo handled.

The perceived safety of this and Thailand's other airports, and the airlines operating from them, can only be restored by a thorough and fair inquiry.

John De Laurent

Bangkok

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Passengers advised to think before they fly

I think people flying into a tropical airport like Phuket International should know the runway isn't even grooved for rainwater run-off.

Have a safe day.

Christy K Sweet

Phuket

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Friends of the junta will pay a price

Re: "India's policy on Burma a shame", Editorial, September 17.

The Burmese resistance greatly appreciates your recent editorial shaming India for its Burma policy.

India's Burma policy is politically stupid. It lacks principle and vision and it simply stinks.

The Burmese people will soon decide what type of government they want and will send a clear message to those that aided and abetted the corrupt military junta. We will declare as null and void all illegal oil and gas deals signed with an illegitimate military regime. We will invite major oil and gas companies to bid for these properties.

Myint Thein

Senior Adviser to the Burmese Resistance

Dallas, Texas

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