Inflammatory remarks no surprise coming from PM

The headline to Avudh Panananda's story amused me. There should not be any mystery about why a man with an ingrained habit of confrontation does what he does. His high-noon threat to the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Saturday to withdraw from the scene  or else was expected by many and no surprise to most of us. It would have been a mystery if he did not use that iron-fisted language to call for the PAD to get lost. In spite of the 180-degree reversal by his lieutenants and his play of words on Sunday morning, the damage to our country was permanent and irretrievable.

It is sad that we all have to suffer just because of one man's habit and Chamlong Srimuang's pride.

Songdej Praditsmanont

Bangkok

PAD voicing an alternative to Thaksin and Co rule

Re: "PAD's ultimatums to govt anything but democratic", Letters, June 3.

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) does have the legal right to continue its protests. Having the large gatherings is one way people may choose to show public support for the changes they want in a Thaksin-and-Co-dominant nominee government. The PAD has a successful track record for having had tens of thousands, at times over 100,000, people protesting peacefully since 2005. Look among the PAD crowd, there are families, there are grandparents, grandchildren, and people rushing to join the rally after their day jobs. It gives people a chance to have their say and it helps people stay informed.

Look among the pro-Thaksin, pro-amendment mob instigating violence. Who are these people? What do they believe in and why? Are they hired? Are they sincere? Why do they think throwing rocks and bags of urine at the PAD is justified?

Is that democracy?

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's treatment of the PAD protesters goes to show how sincere he and the government are for the welfare of regular Thai citizens.

May we ask that Samak, while still in his position, takes action and works to protect Thai people, and denounce the violent pro-amendment mob, who are instigating violence and infringing on other's democratic rights? Without equal fairness, one must conclude Samak supports the pro-amendment mobs' violence. This gives the local and international community the opportunity to have a clear-cut picture what Thailand is like under Thaksin and Co's wing.

Carolyn

Bangkok

Protection for local wildlife of utmost importance

Re: "Groups attack wildlife trade plan", News, June 2.

It was profoundly disappointing to find my lengthy responses to Pennapa Hongthong's questions regarding the wildlife trade distilled down to a single out-of-context quotation. In point of fact, I elaborated quite a number of necessary conditions for any sort of hunting or wildlife use to be considered a workable proposition.

First and foremost, I proceeded from the same assumptions as the WWF report on animal trafficking. Wildlife use on a limited scale may be a viable proposition in situations where local communities in South America and Africa have control of their surroundings and a motivation to protect the animal and plant resources in question.

At no point did I ever consider hunting or exploitation of endangered or protected species. I also stated clearly in my email that any consideration of wildlife use must be accompanied by a good understanding of the animals or plants in question. The collection of scientific data from existing healthy populations is necessarily the foundation for any such decision-making.

Finally, I made clear the absolute need for law enforcement in any sort of hunting or use scheme. I expressed the same concern as my colleagues in other organisations that legal hunting systems frequently create an environment conducive to illegal laundering. They risk creating a situation like the one that Dr Srikosamart referenced - devastating unintended consequences from a lack of distinction between legal and illegal hunting.

William Schaedla

Thailand Country Director

WWF Greater Mekong

Bangkok

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