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Published on March 7, 2008

All 20 Falun Gong practitioners were from China, and had fled to Thailand to escape the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. They had been granted refugee status by the UNHCR and were waiting for transfer to a third country to start their new life in freedom.

Thailand is a democratic country, where peace and compassion are cherished and Buddhism followed as the national religion. Falun Gong is Buddhist in its practice based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion and tolerance. The 20 Falun Gong practitioners did not break any laws in Thailand, nor did they harm the national interest. By putting them under arrest, a serious signal of human rights violation is sent to the free societies of the world.

During the Cold War era, Thailand served as a fortress against communism, and helped to safeguard the principles of freedom and democracy. Even though the global communist bloc is no longer in existence, China, under communist rule, still threatens the freedom and democracy of the world with its enormous military-economic power. It sabotages the basic principles under the UN Human Rights Declaration, and has become a negative and destructive force for the development of society. The Chinese regime is being discarded by history and by its people.

Chris Wu

Bangkok

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Taxi service at the airport as bad as ever

I do not understand why some 500 taxi drivers demonstrated at Suvarnabhumi Airport for three hours late on Wednesday night. What is an "illegal" taxi by their definition? One with an underage driver or an expired license sticker? Why do passengers have to pay Bt50 extra to get in line for the taxi service?

Any taxi should have the right to drop off or pick up passengers anywhere and any place. Those mafia who monopolise the airport taxi service should be arrested for illegal activities. I always call for a taxi that has just dropped off passengers, or I just take the shuttle bus. It is easy, and convenient and saves Bt50.  

Surasak Piputtana

Bangkok

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The 'beautiful game' is all about money

Re: "Football just another game for the ex-prime minister", Letters, March 5.

The writer sarcastically believes that the ex-prime minister's interest in his ownership of Manchester City Football Club and the "beautiful game" will now wane after his emotional return to Thailand. However, I believe otherwise. The man has a Midas touch. When he bought the club, it ranked 15th in the Premier League Table, but now, after securing the services of Sven-Goran Eriksson, the former England coach, the club is currently 8th and has a possible chance of having a spot in European competition.

Never has the club had better prospects. No, I don't think this man's takeover of Manchester City was only of fringe interest but, for the love of money, he saw an opportunity of making more money.

I bet that some American and Russian millionaires would not mind paying twice the amount he has spent on the club in one year. I also bet that he would not sell, even though he has to be an absent owner, since the prospect of even higher profit is there. To him, money is supreme.

I doubt his love for "freezing, rainy days" in Manchester where the cold bites into one's bones. He did not buy a house there. I even doubt whether he ever spent one night in Manchester when he could rush back to London for milder weather. No, he did not go into this game for the love of football but for the love of money. Through habit, money to him is a "beautiful game". This love has now become his albatross.

Songdej Praditsmanont

Bangkok

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