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Published on February 29, 2008

 It is his right to defend himself, and we must aid him in exercising that right. We must also help him keep his vow of abstinence from politics, including the People Power Party (PPP), the reincarnated TRT.

Thus, the People's Alliance for Democracy, or other anti-Thaksin parties, should not stage protests against Thaksin unless and until he breaks his oft-trumpeted vow of abstinence and seeks to directly or indirectly influence the cases against House Speaker Yongyuth, himself, or his relatives and cronies.

At the same time, those not directly involved in the cases, especially TRT/PPP politicians, should stay away from Thaksin and his family, lest his many cynical critics think, with cause, that Thaksin is really running the PPP show. He himself should keep a low profile, not even giving interviews, except on matters directly related to the court cases against him.

Thaksin should be fleetingly seen (going to and from court) and not heard (except in court).

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

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Predictable chicanery is about to begin

Re: "Democracy faces a new test", Editorial, February 28.

"As a Thai citizen, Thaksin has the constitutional right to the due process of law and will be presumed innocent unless proven guilty, just like any other criminal suspect."

Was this line meant to be a joke? It's a pity the same due process of law wasn't given to the 2,500 or more people killed in Thaksin's "war on drugs". A simple fact is that the process of "justice" in Thailand is a myth. Many cases are decided by pay-offs and bribes, or are thrown out on appeal due to "lack of evidence" or "missing witnesses". Thailand's laws only apply to the people without money to buy the chosen verdict.

To suggest that people like Thaksin will not interfere or not try to influence the justice process is ridiculous. His track record shows he is a serial manipulator. His last statement before flying back to Thailand was that he was finished with politics. His actions constantly are at odds with his words. In other words: a total hypocrite.

Andrew Lynn

Mentone, Australia

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PM and ex-PM playing games with all of us

Re: "Samak-Thaksin rift: a conspiracy dream?", Opinion, February 28.

Suthichai Yoon's analysis is correct: this is just another game being played out by the two of them. Why else would Samak have given himself the defence portfolio? This supposed rift is merely a political ploy to deflect governmental influence over Thaksin's real game plan with the judiciary.

At 9.40am he landed and at 10.39am he was released on a paltry Bt8 million bail. Where else in the world would that happen? And who else would it happen to? Nothing about this country makes much sense and less so the notion that Asia is somehow democratic. It still lives under Confucian ideals that have nothing whatsoever to do with "democracy" as it is known in the West.

This sideshow will prove nothing but to re-establish the status quo. And what does anyone really care? As long as the power-mongers stay out of the cells and amass currency, nothing needs to change. As Thaksin said, in probably the most undistinguished quote ever made in the history of quotes: "Democracy has returned to Thailand. So it is time for those who are democratic advocates to go back."

Go back to what? Raping and pillaging? It actually doesn't make any sense in English, but it's a precedent for all the boring rhetoric and bland lies to come.

Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung signalled the right message during a House session with a jowl-shuddering, massive yawn.

James Groveway

Bangkok

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Mahn Sha assassins must be brought to justice

To Prime Minister HE Samak Sundaravej: Excellency, The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) is writing to you regarding the assassination of Phado Mahn Sha, the general secretary of the Karen National Union (KNU) on 14 February 2008.

Mr Phado Mahn Sha, who has been regarded by the Karen people as a key political leader in the Karen political movement, was assassinated by two men on 14 February at his home in Mae Sot district of Tak province. According to eyewitness, two men arrived at Mahn Sha's house, greeted him in the Karen language while he was having dinner, and shot him twice in the chest. Mahn Sha was reported to have died on the spot.

Mahn Sha was involved in cease-fire talks with the Burmese military regime and was highly respected among both ethnic and Burman allies. He had been critical of the Burmese military government, especially of its violation of the cease-fire agreement after the Burmese army attacks on Karen villagers. Currently as many as 540,000 people in eastern Burma have been displaced by war or grave human rights abuses.

The killing of the key Burmese political leader has created fear and uncertainty among pro-democracy groups stationed on the Thai-Burma border. This fear does not only influence the lives of pro-democratic leaders but also ordinary Burmese and Thais who live along the border. We urge your government to conduct a thorough examination and investigation of the case.

We thank you for your attention.

Anselmo Lee

Executive Director

FORUM-ASIA

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We'll spend our money next door instead

Every year my husband and I spend two months on holiday in Thailand. We eat out every night and do plenty of shopping, doing our very small part to support the Thai economy. This year we were too busy with work to get our usual two-month visa, but a call to a Thai consulate in France reassured us that we could enter on a four-week tourist visa then

renew for a further four weeks. But no, when the time came, the smiling young man at Phuket Immigration Office refused, offering seven days only (not much good when the flight home is booked for four weeks' time). He suggested a day return bus to the border, but being in our 60s we opted for Malaysia airlines and a few days in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia, not Thailand, benefitted from our spending money (having given us a three-month visa on arrival). On our return to Phuket, the Thai government rewarded us further by not allowing us a glass of wine with a meal, thanks to the elections.

We love Thailand and have made many friends here, but as responsible professional people we find these restrictions petty and discouraging towards our future holiday plans.

Bridget Thomas

Phuket

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