Pardon for Shinawatras would further divide country

There would be no reconciliation if Thaksin and Khunying Pojaman were pardoned. They still vociferously protest their innocence, which means they think that they've done nothing wrong - and would be free to continue acting exactly as before. An amnesty would thus divide us further.

If the People Power Party MPs are serious, then let Thaksin and his wife first admit their guilt - so we have something to pardon them for. Then let Parliament set up a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, along the lines of that of South Africa, for Thaksin, wife, cronies, and company to confess all, perhaps including tax evasion, corruption, abuse of power, the 2,500 extrajudicial killings during the anti-drug war, Krue Sae, Tak Bai, etc. The judiciary would then consider what punishments would be due and Parliament would consider whether to propose the defendants for amnesty or not - and, if so, for what offences.

To pardon Thaksin and Khunying Pojaman for crimes they insist they did not commit would pour fuel on the fire, for it would confirm Anacharsis's statement, "Written laws [are] like spiders' webs, and would catch … the weak and poor, but easily be broken by the mighty and rich".

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

Weightlifter's gold-medal story an inspiration

On the same day that a former Thai prime minister fled into exile in a foreign country, Thais of all political affiliations united to rejoice at the first gold medal for the country in the Olympic Games on Sunday. The winner of the weightlifting medal, Prapawadee Jaroenrattanatarakoon, was certainly a sight for sore eyes!

The lovely 24-year-old has devoted the last eight years to becoming an Olympic weightlifting champion. Four years ago, she failed to represent the country in the Athens Olympics because of an injury. That broke her heart.

Thinking she could never make her Olympics dreams come true, she fled the training camp. It was Thailand's weightlifting team manager, Busaba Yodbangtuey, who patiently kept nagging her to come back to training, which changed her life and the country's fortune for the better.

A year before the Beijing Olympics, Kae - Prapawadee's nickname - suffered a serious injury during competition that left everyone doubtful about her chances in Beijing. She overcame all that; and now - a gold medal and a shattered record!

Nong Kae's story should serve as an inspiration for a TV series. I am ready to watch it over and over instead of those programmes featuring babbling politicians.

Chavalit Van

Chiang Mai