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Published on February 9, 2008

I read with utter incredulity the statement from Thaksin's supposed ex-legal advisor and now foreign minister that he would let his officials have a free hand to decide whether Thaksin should get his diplomatic passport back, although he says Thaksin deserves to get it back.

Why does an ex-prime minister against whom there is an arrest warrant outstanding deserve a diplomatic passport? He holds no state office and he is a fugitive from the law.

If this is an example of the new foreign minister's judgement and impartiality, then the future does not bode well.

Fred Morrice

Bangkok

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Give praise for the return of old populist policies

It's fantastic to see that new interior minister Chalerm Yoobamrung has got his priorities right. Never mind corrupt police torturing, framing and extorting money from innocent citizens; never mind drunken policemen shooting tourists: these are trivial issues. Let's all rush to the airport to cheer Thaksin's return. After all, we have to attend to important matters first.

It is also refreshing to see Noppadon Pattama paying close attention to critical issues in foreign affairs. Never mind Thailand's tarnished reputation overseas; never mind the problems in Burma or on the southern border with Malaysia. Let's all concentrate on the serious issue of Thaksin having to travel without a diplomatic passport.

It's also wonderful to see such new, sustainable policies like debt suspension for farmers and student loans. They must for sure bring back the free buffalo and rubber-tree projects, as they were so successful and transparent.

Mega-projects are the only way back to a normal Thailand. Since Thaksin left, many hi-so wives and mia nois have suffered terribly. The golf courses have been quiet, and luxury car sales have dropped dramatically. The new prime minister, Samak himself, has much valued experience in mega-projects. His last job as governor of Bangkok was to oversee the purchase of much-needed fire trucks. Most of them are still in brand-new condition even now.

What a great Valentine's gift to Thailand it would be if the great leader returned on that day! As Noppadon has wisely said, he is presumed innocent until proved guilty. I'm so glad Noppadon obtained a prestigious scholarship to study law. He has been an outstanding servant in looking after downtrodden and unfairly maligned citizens like Thaksin.

Now we have such an outstanding group of ministers assembled, all we need is the return of the great man himself.

Andrew Lynn

Mentone, Australia

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Cabinet portfolios like candy to kids

Is it only me who finds the handing out of offices of state to Thaksin's cronies like sweets to children utterly repugnant? Is high office of a sovereign country to be treated as such a plaything? Is this what the future holds for Thailand: back to a well-worn gravy train of self interest and inefficiency? Who, I wonder, is smiling now in the land of smiles?

John de Laurent

Bangkok

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The country rots from the core

It is well known and documented that "local administrations" are inefficient and corrupt.

But there are no "local administrations" in Thailand. All power emanates from the centre. That is why the people "consuming" local jurisdictions can ignore the wishes of the local people with impunity. It is why the brutal murder of Phra Supoj Suvacano goes unprosecuted. It is why the corrupt "protectors" of water and forests are trying to destroy both at Ken Sua Dten in Phrae.

In America the Mafia says: "The fish rots from the head." That is confirmed in Thailand, as it is the rotten governments in Bangkok whose putrescence flows outward to province and tambon.

John Francis Lee

Chiang Rai

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Radical Islam leaves no room for discussion

I sympathise with Muslims. Most are born to a religion to which they have no choice but to adhere. If they consider joining another religion, or choose to adhere to no religion at all, they risk, in some countries, a death sentence.

As further proof of the insecurities of some Islamic leaders not tolerating any deviation from their mandates, a 23-year-old Afghan journalist was recently sentenced to death. His crime? Supposedly publishing something that someone else wrote that did not praise Islam in the prescribed way.

How insecure are many believers in Islam? Do they not have enough confidence in their religion to have it stand on its own merits, as they perceive them? Are their beliefs so frail that a young journalist's publication threatens them?

I have beliefs (science and nature) and, although I feel awe and confidence in their veracity, I am open to divergent opinions. I might not agree with alternate opinions, but I encourage all viewpoints, so long as no harm gets done in the process. Hard-core Muslims cannot tolerate even a hint of diversion from their mandates. Intolerance is annoying in itself, but to enforce intolerance by threatening or actually killing people is despicable.

Intolerant Islamic leaders should try to find a way to feel enough confidence in their belief system that they are able to tolerate the opinions of others that don't jibe with their own. They can ridicule or chastise others if they must, but leave the daggers sheathed at home.

Brahmburgers

Chiang Rai

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