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Published on January 14, 2008

We read about junior cops who have been arrested for murder and set free on bail when clearly they are a danger to the public. Or, I haven't noticed any police generals jailed for corruption - is everybody clean?

Now, the Police Commission cannot agree on whether to permanently transfer Immigration chief Pol Lt-General Bunruang Pholpanij out of that bureau or not - and the question of his achievements, or lack thereof, evidently isn't considered important, either by his supporters or opponents. If the force were professional, I'd think that competency should be the first and foremost factor considered.

Police professionalism affects each and every one of us - from the cop you pay-off to the general you let be promoted because of his connections, not his abilities. I suggest that just as we get the government we deserve, we get the police force we deserve. Doesn't your family deserve the best protection that you can give? If so, shouldn't you speak out?

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

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Gatherings in Burma point to Shwe ouster

The significant political development in Burma was not the recent meeting between Aung San Suu Kyi and a junior minister of the junta, but the picture published this past week in Mizzima of Than Shwe needing the help of two individuals to walk down the steps of a pagoda. Surrounding Than Shwe were four bodyguards with sub-machine guns in the ready-to-shoot posture usually seen when US Vice-President Dick Cheney visits Iraq.

The Buddhist monks have a nationwide infrastructure to organise a nationwide resistance movement. Prominent monks have been holding sermons on "good government", which are attended by thousands of Burmese. The sermon at Than-Zay in Central Rangoon last month was attended by a crowd of 20,000.

Than Shwe has lost what the Chinese call the "mandate of heaven". Leaders who lose the mandate of heaven are usually toppled. The so-called senior general is now known as "Ngaye" Than Shwe. "Ngaye" is the Burmese word for someone going straight to hell.

Than Shwe has been unable to stop these huge religious gatherings because they have the support of many in the Burmese Army. One of them may act like Captain Kong Lee of Laos whose Paratroop battalion staged a successful coup in the 1970s.

Myint Thein

Senior Adviser to the Burmese Resistance

dallas, texas

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Smoking ban the latest unnecessary crusade

Re: "Wider smoking ban soon", News, January 12.

I see we are on the latest crusade. The Health Ministry will ban smoking just about everywhere. Separate smoking sections are no longer good enough. Bar owners cannot designate their bar to be smoking or non-smoking and let the market dictate which way they go.

All the while we are belaboured with articles about how much smokers cost the state in extra healthcare expenses. Research where the money goes from these taxes and you will find very little actually spent on the health of smokers. So much for so-called "inclusiveness".

 If one looks at all the well-meaning programmes down through the years, all one finds are cash cows for the authorities. Motorcycle helmets were a big deal and yet few meet any minimal safety standards, if they are worn at all. But it makes for some cash. Ask any cop or motorcycle-taxi driver what the little access ramp at every corner is for and they will say pushcarts and motorcycles/bicycles. But back when they first appeared they were for handicap-access as in wheelchairs. When the littering push came about, every foreigner with a cigarette was accused of littering while locals threw their butts everywhere. New fines for smoking will result in no money being put aside to assist ailing smokers standing out in the rain in a few months.

Then we have those who cannot fathom off-duty police officers having guns. It may not appear to be true but they are sworn to uphold the law, on and off duty. This is pretty standard where police are armed in the first place. I have a hard time being sympathetic to a foreigner getting shot after smacking or threatening a cop. In reality, there are few foreigners killed or wounded by police in Thailand and when one is, it is news.

My two dogs are wondering when the 50 strays hanging out at the Chatuchak district office parking lot are going to get their microchips or at least a vaccination for distemper/rabies. You will recall that regulation was announced by the government after the helmet law but prior to our new smoking law. But being vagrants with no money they will not be bothered by any law the police wish to come up with. After all, the cash cow is not considered an endangered species at this point in Thailand but it may well become one shortly. If smokers are banished outside, perhaps a running track could be put into the empty bars, and the rotund farang and Thai gals, from whom many of these ideas spring, could be required to do a lap before being served a beer and double cheeseburger. That would be suitable if the good health minister is actually concerned about improving the public health.

Major Mark A Smith

Bangkok

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Democracy controlled by 'invisible hands'

With so many dark influences, shadowy figures, invisible hands and masterminds meddling in Thai politics, according to those who should know, what use is there for political parties or policies? If such claims are even slightly true, there is little chance of political candidates fulfilling their duty to represent their electorate. Knowing such to be true before contesting an election means candidates are knowingly misrepresenting themselves to the electorate. In some countries this would be considered fraud or lying.

As such, why does Thailand even bother with elections? Elections are something usually held in a democracy where elected representatives respect the will of their electorates, not the party leader or some unseen master.

Sibeymai

Prachin Buri

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