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Thailand is already earning a reputation as an increasingly expensive travel destination. Why give people another reason not to come here? What European tourist is going to pay ¤2,000 [Bt104,000] to fly here to drink beer that's twice as expensive and half as good as they would find in their own country?

In the US beer is taxed at a rate of $18 per 31 gallons, or about Bt5 per litre; in the UK at 25 pence per pint, or about Bt15. Raising the ceiling to the proposed 90 per cent would mean that Thailand taxes at nearly the same rate as Finland, the highest rate in Europe.

Hopefully the finance minister will investigate the situation rather than blindly approve this increase. Why should Thailand have higher alcohol taxes than Syria?

Ryan Brosch

Bangkok

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Princess recognises that education is the key to development

The welcome news that additional funds have been allocated for schools in the far south is most encouraging and worthy of wholehearted proactive support. Thanks to HRH Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who once again is demonstrating enlightened visionary problem-solving awareness and compassionate human understanding by recognising the key role education and community involvement must play in achieving peace. Experiential discovery learning recognises the importance of acquiring creative, abstract and original skills, rather than simply rote acceptance of being told what to do, without questioning why. Ralph Waldo Emerson observed: "The secret of education is respecting the pupil." Our children's passport to the future lies in helping them develop confidence and daring to make mistakes; instilling passionate curiosity; dignifying cross-cultural awareness; celebrating tolerance for common sense and individual uniqueness; and cherishing diversity.

Chanchai Prasertson

Bangkok

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Majority of voters do not support charter amendment

Re: "Premier has every right to amend the charter", Letters, August 6.

George Cuppaidge's argument regarding our present constitution was somewhat naïve. Even though the Constitution was drafted during the military-government period in 2007, it was deliberated over by a council of leading members of our society and for the first time was subject to a referendum.

Cuppaidge cited proudly the Australian constitution, which is not easily amended unless it has "overwhelming support from the Australian voters". This illustration does not support his contention of Samak's right to amend. On the contrary, Samak's proposals, which are viewed by many as self-serving, are hardly overwhelmingly supported by voters. They are divisive and have been the cause of our current crisis.

In my humble opinion, the best constitution is the British constitution, which is not written but based on convention. Under such a constitution, many matters in Thailand would not have been challenged over legal niceties. Sitting in a Cabinet meeting and at the same time being director of a corporation is an obvious conflict even though the adviser assures us of not taking advantage of the situation. The Brits would just say that "it is not done".

Songdej Praditsmanont

Bangkok

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Samak Cabinet is not fit to change the Constitution

Re: "Premier has every right to amend the charter", Letters, August 6.

That was a very unusual letter by George Cuppaidge. It's been a long time since I have read a letter where a Western voice supported the actions of Samak.

Whilst it is true that the last Constitution was foisted upon Thailand, the interim administration had to act in desperation to attempt to curb the powers of politicians in order that they could not again subvert Thai law by gaining wealth through their positions as ministers. If you take into account just one man, who has 13 cases against him pending - most if not all carrying custodial sentences - just how much wealth has been lost to graft since 2001?

These were abuses that Australia has never had to deal with, and the Australian constitution was no doubt laid out before the public without political coercion.

It may be fitting to reconstitute the charter, but Samak, his guileless faction leaders, the so called "Gang of Four" and his motley association of farmers-cum-ministers are certainly not people with sufficient integrity to carry it out.

Arun Singh

Bangkok

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Justice is never guaranteed and is always under threat

Re: "Govt advisers must submit to assets declarations", Letters, August 6.

Burin Kantabutra quoted US Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren as saying, "It is the spirit and not the form of the law that keeps justice alive."

I'd like to add that Chief Justice Warren was also appointed by President Johnson to head a commission to investigate the assassination of President John F Kennedy. The commission simply concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald was a crazy man who acted alone.

Meechai Burapa

Chiang Mai