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Published on November 26, 2007

I found the words of David Barkdull to be very correct in his assessment. Blanket approaches rarely solve problems but merely compound them.

The next letter concerning the anthem and what it represents gives some insight into where the true problem lies ("Flag-waving politicians spout hypocrisy"). Foreign ideas that the whole world is a "village" and national icons and symbols are not only unimportant but should be shunned for being "martial" in nature are absurd. It is only of late that Thais have fled indoors when the anthem played.

There was a time in my country when anyone who sat through the anthem being played, did so at great risk. But, as in Thailand today, people are richer, feel less threatened and are ungrateful in regard to the blood and lives sacrificed on both sides of any national debate or foreign threat.

The flag and anthem symbolise unity of spirit and honour. There is no comparison between the playing of the anthem and flying of the flag to the bellicose regime mentioned (North Korea). Brave men and women are dying daily for my country and right here in the South for this country. I am sorry but the idea is to keep the country unified and not for it to become another North Korea.

The other day a cobra struck my faithful friend and companion Trooper, a Saint Bernard. I did not see it strike as he continued to march and then collapsed and died later. He had been everyone's dog and friend. Having been with the Thai Army and police, he automatically stood as the clock ticked down to the anthem. He looked like a foreigner but he was a Thai soldier to his very heart and soul. By his simple actions he shamed others into giving a couple minutes of their day to show their love of country. It is little to ask.

Major Mark A Smith (US Army Retd)

Bangkok

Country in dire need of sound economic policy

I'm disappointed, but not surprised, to learn that the economists and businessmen at Thammasat University seminar believe that none of the six major parties' platforms show a long-term vision for sustainable economic growth. For example, they have policies for giving loans to the poor. Then, when repayment problems surface, they plan to simply suspend debt repayment. That hardly shows vision.

Performance guarantees are common in the private sector: why not extend the concept to political parties? Each party should get a bank, or banking consortium, to guarantee that all its economic policies will be completed on time, on budget, without any losses and within four years if it wins the election. The bank would compensate damaged parties for any shortfall. As each project progresses, the guaranteed amount and bank fees would be reduced accordingly. If any party is unable to find a guarantor, all of its campaign materials must advertise that fact in an easily legible font.

Is my idea preposterous? Of course it is - so, dear reader, come up with something better so that we don't have to choose between my party's hot air and your party's pie-in-the-sky ideas.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

Unscrupulous politicians might  be born that way

Re: "Politicians making thieves look more honourable", Opinion, November 25.

Sopon Onkgara's Sidelines column on the conduct of some politicians has put my disturbed mind at rest since I always thought I was in the minority in feeling disgust at the behaviour of some politicians whose main aim is not to miss the boat when it comes to being part of the next government. To be fair, the exceptions are the members of the Democrat Party, who to date have upheld a good name for politicians by not compromising themselves.

Fortunately, the conduct of winners and losers in politics and sports outside this realm has helped me to differentiate between the good and the ugly.

The rule on accountability was immediate for former England coach Steve McClaren after his team was left out of Euro 2008 because of one unfortunate last-minute goal from Croatia.

McClaren was magnanimous in immediately giving an interview stating that this was the lowest point in his life and comparing it to his highest point 18 months ago when he was appointed England's football coach. He did not hide himself from the press.

Similarly, Kevin Rudd, the new Australian prime minister elect, was reported as having been magnanimous in thanking Prime Minister John Howard for his 30 years of public service to Australia. It was even more heartening to read of Rudd's admission that he had visited a strip club and was as "flawed and failed as the rest of them". Australian men forgave him. No double-speak! No walking away from trouble! Can we expect this standard of sincerity in Thailand? Judging from the current examples, my answer is not in our lifetimes. Some of them are simply born unprincipled.

Songdej Praditsmanont

Bangkok

Burmese suffer, while generals wallow in riches

I am making a heartfelt plea regarding the people of Burma. As an expat Scouser living in Thailand, I have had the opportunity to cross the border into Burma on several occasions.

This desperate country has been ruled by a brutal military junta for the past four decades. The present leader of the junta, an army general called Than Shwe, could have taught Saddam Hussein a thing or two about oppression and terror.

The nations of the West have ignored the plight and suffering of the Burmese people and allowed this gang of thugs in fancy uniforms to brutalise the people, while at the same time accumulating vast fortunes for themselves. Forty per cent of the Burmese budget is allocated to the military, with only 2 per cent allocated to healthcare and education.

My heart bleeds when I see the desperation in the eyes of the children and their daily struggle to survive, which is in obscene contrast to the top military officers who bask in vast and opulent houses with all the trappings of wealth and privilege.

There is a saying that evil triumphs when good men remain silent. I hope that my country, the United Kingdom, will help free the Burmese people from the monsters who make their lives a misery.

Richard Kelsall

Bangkok