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Published on December 26, 2007

Even with 111 of his best lieutenants on the sidelines, the people still put their trust in the PPP, TRT's "Pet Cemetery" reincarnation. Even with millions turned off due to the prospect of Samak becoming the next prime minister, me being one of them, PPP still manages to win 230 seats in the House. It also confirms one thing: the result of the last election, pre-coup, was correct.

I maybe jumping the gun by making these conclusions, for the EC can still cut down PPP's tally substantially by issuing red cards and yellow cards, tipping the scale in the Democrats' favour in forming the next government, which would no doubt have the military dancing in the barracks. After all the eradication efforts by the military to rid the country of Thaksin, the man's popularity remains strong, even in exile.

So we are left with the prospect of either a loudmouth dinosaur or a wet-behind-the-ears Tony Blair wannabe as our prime minister. While his ability to lead is unproven, I would like to see Abhisit become Thailand's premier, mainly due to the unsavoury prospect of the other outcome, but also to give him a chance to prove himself on the main stage. I did not like the fact that he chose to boycott the previous election, even though I admit it was a deft political move, nor did I approve of his call for royal intervention, which earned him the Maak Mor Jed nickname. But I would like to see him deliver on his potential. When he arrived on the scene as a young man of 25, he was a breath of fresh air. Now at 43, he is regarded as a one-trick pony, quick to quip but slow to take action. I would love to see him prove the sceptics, me included, wrong.

Salin Pinkayan

Bangkok

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Democrat-led coalition would exist on thin ice

Re: "Samak holds slight edge", News, December 25.

I find the news on Banharn's importance in the current tussle for power to govern as ludicrous. From your table of scenarios, without a shadow of doubt, the Democrat-led coalition with five splintered parties is far from a reality. With a command of 248 against one party (People Power, with largest number of seats: 232), the Democrats could hardly survive with a theoretical majority of eight, which could dwindle if the Election Commission gives a red or yellow card to a few in this group. I am afraid the Democrats are now destined to become the opposition again. Chart Thai with 37 seats hardly matters to PPP. In excluding Chart Thai, PPP still has two alternative choices for forming a formidable coalition with 253 seats if Puea Pandin (25 seats) is excluded or 278 seats if it is included. I venture to guess that the scenario of 278 seats in a PPP-led coalition is most likely because these splintered parties never like to be in opposition and the tide has now turned to the recognition that it may not be that bad to affiliate with Thaksin.

It is laughable for anyone to mention the prospect of Banharn being a prime minister because there is no stalemate position between the number one and number two parties. Chart Thai should consider itself lucky if it is included in the eventual coalition.

Songdej Praditsmanont

Bangkok

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A shameful day in the Kingdom

I am so shocked and disappointed in the Thai people. To elect Samak, the anti-democratic demagogue, as your new prime minister is to re-elect the Thaksin regime, negating all intent that was good and true of the coup leaders. It is perhaps the greatest mistake this country will ever make. With this kind of leadership, Thailand has no hope and will truly never know democracy - shame on the Thai people.

KJ Rosser

Bangkok

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Article gave expats a good reflection of themselves

Re: "You need to take a look in the mirror", Opinion, December 22.

Even though I didn't agree with all the points Stephen Cleary made in his article on Saturday, I admire him for having the ability to twist and turn the subjects of his articles. Unlike most writers who can only adhere to the same topics and continually repeat their own point of view, Cleary is able to change his colours like a chameleon. One minute you love him, next minute you loathe him - expatriates around the country must have fallen off their barstools after reading about themselves in that article.

Andy Hargreaves

Bangkok

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New Year will begin with bad omens for Thailand

Re: "Thai public responds to a year of junta misrule", Letters, December 25.

Mark Snyder is right: the military succeeded in making Thaksin into a sympathetic figure, and Time magazine agreed with a piece titled "A Vote for Nostalgia". The first two paragraphs opened: "Back in the cretaceous period, some 120 million years ago, a ferocious, flesh-eating creature roamed Thailand ... it measured 21 feet from snout to tail and ate other dinosaurs ... With campaigning underway for a December 23 general election, and Isaan a key battleground, dinosaurs again roam the region - political ones this time.

A taxi driver was quoted as saying: "Vietnam is laughing at us; even schoolchildren can tell you how bad our economy is. I want Thaksin to come back and make Thailand better again."

Following a year of flat-footed economic mismanagement, it is understandable for people to become nostalgic, but populism has no long-term benefits for the people or the country. The road to a better life, people of Isaan, is education, not new motorbikes and mobile phones. Former handouts were, to a large extent, squandered on these items. With political infighting sure to mar progress, the election is an extremely bad omen for the New Year. As one PPP candidate recommended, "Clap so loudly England hears you" has a very hollow ring to it.

James Groveway

Bangkok

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It all starts with a decent education

All I want for Xmas is a government that isn't too corrupt, a PM that doesn't believe his own hype and an education minister who stops schooling and starts properly educating. Thailand has been waiting 75 years, so I don't mind waiting a few more weeks.

Anyone who believes schooling and education to be the same thing can read free on the Internet, chapter four ("The Danger of Self-deception in Ideological Education") of Taiwan National University's Professor Tran Van Doan's paper, titled "The Poverty of Ideological Education". Furthermore, I would suggest to anyone who considers himself to have a modern education - but still can't see the vast difference between the two systems - that they are part of the fundamental problem here in Thailand, not part of any real solution.

Frank Lee

Bangkok

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Ironies abound at election time

Re: "Lost in Transaction", Opinion, December 23.

I read with an increasing grin the "Humanity Wrap" by Roger Beaumont in Sunday's edition. He captured the ironies and humour in the election market perfectly.

During the alcohol "ban" I sat in the wide-open bar of a prominent Bangkok establishment and was puzzled briefly by that establishment's rule that no alcohol could be served on the verandah, yet one step away the same alcohol could be served at an "inside" table. So whilst I sipped my cocktail I asked the owner to please explain his logic. The owner cheerfully explained with a shrug that this is exactly what the local police chief had ordered him to do.

Tim Taylor

Bangkok

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