Third alternative needed to PAD and PPP dominance

But the level of thick-faced shamelessness of the People Power Party leadership and Samak is equally unacceptable, if not more so, given that they are the government and directly responsible for this country. The PAD is not our government and does not represent our country and people.

Thailand does need a third voice, a voice that is aimed at convincing the majority of Thai citizens not to vote the People Power Party or a reincarnation of it into office again, and also at curbing the PAD's unlawful tactics, which run contrary to its name and democratic principles. We need to prevent the tyranny of the majority. Thailand is too good a country to be left tyrannised by a misled majority.

Wally Jariya

Bangkok

Samak ignored premier's|duty to be a role model

In monetary terms the amount involved in Samak Sundaravej's conflict-of-interest case may not seem significant to some; however, there are two major issues involved here that go far beyond the two shows he hosted that are significant.

The first is the rule of law. The law applies equally to all, and in fact the prime minister should be a role model for all by adhering to both the letter and intent of the law as reflected in the Constitution and specific rules and regulations. For too long politicians have considered themselves to be above the law. Disregarding the highest law of the land, the Constitution, is a serious transgression.

Second, this is a critical juncture in Thailand's history. One has to ask whether it is fair to the Thai nation and citizens that their prime minister is focused on cooking shows when there are so many pressing problems needing concerted leadership.

Bill Shaw

Bangkok

Those who blocked ex-PM deserve country's thanks

Re: "Samak drops out of race for premier", News, September 13.

It is heartening to read your front-page report of the unreeling of Friday's session of Parliament in which human decency prevailed, a rarity in Thai politics. Some members of the legislature have succeeded in not snubbing the Constitution Court's previous decision against Samak Sundaravej.

First, we owe our thanks to Banharn Silapa-archa and Snoh Thienthong for daring to be the first to go against the reappointment of the former prime minister. Second, many thanks to the 70-plus MPs from the ruling party and the five splinter parties of the former coalition for giving the ex-prime minister the indirect message to withdraw from his supposed attempt to "save Thai democracy". Voters and Thai historians will never forget your good deeds. Finally, thank you to the Democrat Party for forever stirring the pot.

As former prime minister Anand Panyarachun has said, our political standard has been lifted to another level through this event.

Songdej Praditsmanont

Bangkok