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Published on December 31, 2007

Let's see their financial records for the past 10 years. Let them declare their assets, and also declare what power of attorney they have over their friends, relatives, maids and drivers, and let everyone, including you and the Securities and Exchange Commission, keep a careful watch.

As the political recyclables are back in the picture - some have been busy ever since being banned and have never stopped or took a vacation from political activities such as forming parties - it is really up to the country to absolutely demand that the rule of law be upheld. It is the only way to keep the country in order and the only way to beat the illegal activities and thugs at their games.

Leaders of the international community are not that dumb or ignorant of the truth. However, as long as people are under what is called a democracy, which Thaksin said he led even though it was an autocracy, and there are elections - whether or not vote-buying and corruption is going on - they will be blind to the truth, because they really don't care if it doesn't concern them. They will just go on with whoever is the head and try to get whatever they want. Hey, after all isn't that what politics is about?

The academics who said no to the coup and no to Thaksin really deserve no more than a sarcastic thank you. Instead of doing something constructive, they spent a lot of time promoting "no Thaksin, no coup", and finally "no vote". Well, it's time the police help move the country forward in a positive way. If anyone illegally enters Government House, then they should be arrested, for they are breaking the law.

Thais seem to have short memories. But, please, the law has to be remembered; the wrongs have to be remembered until they have been accounted for and dealt with, and law must be the final word each day. If someone breaks the law, the offence must not be tolerated.

If Thanong Khanthong's vision of the return of the red roses on Valentine's Day really happens ("Return of the Master of the Universe", Opinion, December 28), sure, I'll be sick to my stomach. But, in preparation of this happening, I'd like to call all the nation's citizens and friends living here, to have your eyes wide open, and help be the nation's legal watchdogs. If something is against the law and you see it, report it, and don't forget it until it is solved. Don't give up.

Sometimes it may take a crisis to have unity. Let's make 2008 the year when Thais come together and unite, as political watchdogs.

Happy New Year to all.

Carolyn

Bangkok

Patriots in NLA deserve praise for past year

Re: "House newshounds have their annual bay", News, December 30

Believe me, I am no fan of the Army or a friend of members of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA). I also enjoy annually the drubbing of institutions and leading personalities by Parliament beat reporters.

However, I was taken aback by the NLA being dubbed the "eunuch" of the Army. I would have agreed with the reporters wholeheartedly if I did not accidentally watch the last session of the NLA on television.

I was so impressed with the debates on many bills introduced for final enactment that night. They were the best I have ever had the privilege to witness in Thai parliamentary sessions in terms of wits, knowledge and reasoning. The alcohol-advertising bill was passed with a tinkle of sadness expressed by a few vested parties. An attempt to rush the communications bill by one admiral and supported by a few Army generals in the NLA was frustrated by one activist and defeated at the final session.

The best debate was on the bill to determine whether a man who has had a sex change should use "Miss" or "Mrs" or "Ms". I had my opinion before the debate and had to change it after hearing the rationales of all the ladies who spoke that night. The bill was passed comfortably allowing a married lady to change her pre-fix from "Nang" to "Nang-sao" if she prefers. This bill would not have been approved and would have been more likely to be laughed at in an elected Parliament with a male majority.

For those NLA members who have the interest of the country and sense of justice at heart, I would like to tell them that there are many who are forever grateful to them for their one-year efforts.

Songdej Praditsmanont

Bangkok

Present Thaksin with tax bill upon return

Commendably Police chief General Seripisut Temiyavej says that the police would pay special attention to the security of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra if and when he returns to Thailand. If so, then maybe the Shinawatra clan could also do the commendable thing and give special attention to paying their taxes in full. After all, the services of police cost money and usually that means taxes. Millions of hard-working and honest Thais pay taxes for public services, such as policing and hospitals, while Thaksin's family chose instead to avoid taxes and purchase essential family items like an English football team. Surely the long overdue Shinawatra taxes could be well used to fund the Royal Thai Police and other public services. I haven't see any Man City footballers out in the middle of Bangkok directing traffic lately.

Boris Loosebrain

Bangkok

CNS to blame for failing to inspire democracy

Re: "Thaksin 'to pull strings of PPP govt'", News, December 30.

And so we are back to where we started. Thaksin will be back soon, cronyism will be restored and the military leadership will eventually be manned by Thaksin's friendly generals sooner than later. What a waste of time for General Sonthi Boonyaratglin and the Council for National Security (CNS), which couldn't deliver or create a more morally and ethically responsive political climate and arena aspired by democratic elements, after 15 months in power.

While we cannot blame the people in the North and Northeast for yielding to money politics and the irresistible populist promises made by Thaksin's element, it is the CNS, which should be blamed for failing to block this from happening in the first place. As for Thaksin, it is payback time now and the CNS should now prepare for the worst.

SWS

Bangkok