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So convinced are they that a tongue-in-cheek show - which is probably punctuated with women in hysterics and an obligatory transsexual, will damage their professional image - that they are taking the matter to the National Human Rights Commission.

The thing I find odd is the fact that every criminal, maid, beggar, pauper and general undesirable portrayed on TV is from Isaan. Even better if they are dark-skinned, then they can be truly nasty. When in fact, my time spent in Isaan has been rewarding because of the people I have met.

The air hostesses' complaint seems to be worthy of a pantomime.

Chris V

Bangkok

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Dire outlook for media freedoms under next govt

Re: "Media gets set for another battle with Samak and Co", Opinion, January 21.

You are correct to write that there may be trouble ahead when the Samak-led government assumes power. Of that there is no doubt. As a watchdog of the rights of the country you may be all that is left, as the courts have shown no stomach to perform their duty even before the People Power Party government gets its hands on the levers of power.

However, you may be sure that questions about your bedroom activities will not be the limit of the assaults that will rain down upon you. I am sure there will be an unprecedented campaign against the media so that they are sufficiently cowed to allow the murky deeds - which certainly lie ahead - to be undertaken without risk of exposure.

Simon Dundass

Bangkok

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Disbanding small parties would strengthen PPP

Re: "Trouble looms for govt", News, January 21.

Again, the headline was gloomy for Thailand, but once I read the article's content, I felt otherwise.

Yes, it would be disconcerting if the Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya parties were disbanded for electoral fraud and within 60 days their MPs had to find another party to join. With such a scenario, I believe otherwise. The People Power Party-led coalition government would end up even stronger and those displaced MPs would be richer. The chips in Thai politics are the MPs a party can command. It would be a dream if all these members would move to the opposition Democrat Party, thereby giving the principle-minded party a chance to govern. Unfortunately, this can only be a dream because the Democrat Party simply does not know how to manoeuvre this opportunity and is hardly cash rich.

Then what would happen if the People Power Party is disbanded? Again, there would not be much of a change of scenery and the Democrats would still remain in the opposition while the disbanded members would end up far richer than they would in other scenarios.

Songdej Praditsmanont

Bangkok

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Bickering political sides owe country an apology

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont meant well when he proposed talks between the People Power Party (PPP) government, the Council for National Security (CNS), and anti-Thaksin groups to end our political conflict - but if the charges against Thaksin have any substance at all, mere talks aren't going to calm things between the PPP and its opponents. Also, the CNS did, in fact, seize power at the barrel of a gun from a popularly elected, legitimate government. If the coup had failed, what would the charge at the court-martial have been: treason?

Surayud wants us to take Cambodia as a clear example to follow in resolving our conflict. He's forgotten that the Khmer Rouge tortured and killed millions of their own people without trial, on the flimsiest of charges. As yet, no senior member of the Khmer Rouge has been tried and punished, or even confessed.

If we follow this model, what, then, will keep future Thaksin wannabes from committing his alleged crimes, or deter the military from staging more coups? Where is the justice? Where is the rule of law that our revered His Majesty the King was talking about when he said, "If the country does not follow rule of law, it will not survive"?

I suggest that rather than follow the Cambodian example, we look at South Africa, as they sought to overcome the ills of apartheid: full confessions, then forgiveness, and working together to prevent a reoccurrence - and even so, the process was far from easy. So, the Thai Rak Thai executives, police, and military must admit guilt for any corruption and killings that it and Thaksin have done (eg, the cases uncovered by the Assets Examination Committee, the killings of the anti-drug war, Krue Se, Tak Bai, and the lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit), and the CNS do likewise for its coup. Then we can all work together to prevent future abuses.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

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Competent professionals needed for mega-projects

Re: "Maths whiz-kids country's best hope", Opinion, January 21.

I couldn't agree more with Wichit Chaitrong that the future of the country is tied to the number of scientists, engineers and physicists that Thailand will be able to field in the coming years. Chaitrong uses very common examples of mathematical mistakes impacting both the smooth running of operations and the reputation of the Kingdom. Suvarnabhumi Airport has been plagued with simplistic problems related to safety, customer service and convenience that would be unheard of at any other major new airport in the world. Additionally, the new light-rail system between the airport and Bangkok is years behind schedule due to substandard construction where sections had to be torn down and rebuilt.

In the near future Thailand, may embark on another round of mega-projects that if not engineered properly and if the maths are not precise, will not only inconvenience people but will have the potential to kill many as well.

Looking at the construction, reconstruction and poor maintenance that is infamous here, everyone who lives in this part of Southeast Asia should consider putting off the construction of nuclear-power plants in Thailand. We should wait until there is a qualified cadre of home-grown professionals on hand to oversee and maintain nuclear reactors and nuclear waste. For now the government should heavily support education for the safety and greater good of the region.

David Barkdull

Bangkok

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Albright unlikely to be part of a Clinton cabinet

Re: "No hope for Burmese junta in next US elections", Letters, January 21.

In Monday's letters to the editor a correspondent commented that if Hillary Clinton is elected president, Madeline Albright would become secretary of state again. I think this is most unlikely: she is 71 years old and not a youthful 71. I am sure Hillary does not wish to have a "Bill Clinton Two" cabinet.

Barack Obama has an interesting background; he lived for a time in Indonesia, it would be interesting to know his thoughts on the Burma situation. Unfortunatly he does not wish to stress his international background as this may not play well in the minds of isolationist voters.

Michael Clowes

Bangkok

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