Hmong suffer in Nong Khai while governments dither

The fact that both the Thai and Lao governments can so blatantly defy international refugee law and single out this one ethnic minority for such discriminatory treatment is a great injustice. Not only that, but that the Lao government can actually get away with blackmailing the Thai government to get UNHCR approved refugees sent back to the country they fled from.

This makes the UNHCR and diplomatic community look very impotent if they can't just get some humane living conditions for this small group of Hmong.

Joe Davy

Nong Khai

PAD successful in its effort to open public's eyes

Re: "Nation made to suffer as stubborn old men butt heads", Letters, September 6.

After more than 100 days of protesting, we can see that the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has remarkable staying power, because they demonstrate to their supporters that Samak's regime is just an extension of Thaksin's. They see that the People Power party's goal is to absolve Thaksin and free up his frozen assets. The election of December 23, 2007 sent proxies of the Thai Rak Thai party to Parliament because the Election Commission did not have the courage to invalidate candidates when they proclaimed that they were Thai Rak Thai nominees in violation of the Constitution Court's order to dissolve it.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej declared a state of emergency, hoping the Army chief would use the decree to disperse the PAD gathering, but General Anupong Paochinda, the Army chief, would not be the enforcer on his behalf. Most chief executives would either remove the Army commander or resign if they were caught in this predicament, but Samak continues with the mantra. He keeps saying that he has done nothing wrong. Samak should admit that he cannot handle the situation. He cannot use force. He cannot and will not negotiate. He cannot lead through moral authority. Each passing day creates a growing monumental fiasco. The country is paying dearly for this old man's over-sized ego.

Netirat Intira

Bangkok

People's Alliance for Democracy? Not quite

The People's Alliance for Democracy has recently suggested that Thailand is not ready for full democracy and perhaps a good percentage of government seats should be appointed, not elected. Is this not an oxymoron?

Scott

Bangkok

Thaksin a creation of Thai politics - don't blame UK

Re: "What about us", Newsmaker, September 3.

The article stated: "While Thaksin Shinawatra's departure as Manchester City's owner may have stirred some sympathy from Britons ... should we tell the Brits that Thaksin only rubs salt into our wounds?"

Sympathy? I think not. Just because the government is saying nothing about extradition, which you all know will not happen, it doesn't mean the British people have any sympathy for the man. Blogs about him and his suitability as owner of Manchester City reflect that.

Your editorial ended with: "He apparently regrets having brought indignity upon the club, and this may allow it to move on. That's probably the best news City fans will ever get, because as far as Thailand is concerned, Thaksin will never do that."

I think the person who wrote the editorial should take a long, hard look at the country and ask whether it is the British government and Manchester City's board of directors who are at fault or whether the blame rests with the creaking political system in Thailand that allows people like Thaksin and Samak to take centre stage, although ostensibly through "democratic" means. If Samak resigns or there's a fresh election, the rogues will still be hanging around the halls of power looking for more tea money. Thailand's dilemma is far from over.

Arun Singh

Bangkok

Students now free to protest thanks to generous PM

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej took the correct action by declaring emergency rule because by doing so he closed the schools. University students are very happy, as now they can join the People's Alliance for Democracy without have to cut class.

The press had tried to find out what the student support for the PAD was like, and it was determined that students thought their studies were more important. So the students care more about their studies - until the government shut the schools.

Tom Klong

Bangkok