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Somchai can adamantly say he is not Thaksin and should not be treated as such. But as the new prime minister and a brother-in-law of Thaksin, he should realise the division Thaksin has created over the past six years. Somchai should brace himself for more treatment of this nature in the future; a lot of people in this country look at him and instead see Thaksin.

Somchai is warned that Thailand is clearly divided into two camps: those who love Thaksin and those who hate him. It's about time he woke up from his daydream and got to work, as he has promised "his" people.

CHAVALIT VAN

CHIANG MAI

Protest yes, but within |the bounds of the law

PM Somchai will be faced with constant demonstrations calling for him to step down or stay the course. As with other causes, the anti-government protesters' constitutional right to demonstrate must be respected.

However, even though they believe they are fighting for democracy, they must scrupulously respect the rights of everybody else, whether it be the owners of the private property the PM visits or other users of public property. Their right to swing their fists ends where somebody else's nose begins.

Just because you're fighting for a righteous end doesn't give you the right to use any means you wish.

BURIN KANTABUTRA

BANGKOK

Vice presidential candidate gives cause for concern

Re: "Palin a mere distraction in a crucial presidential race", Opinion, September 27.

I totally disagree that Sarah Palin is a mere "distraction" who should be ignored. Considering that John McCain is 72 years old, with an extremely questionable health record, if he gets elected, Palin could very well become president of the United States.

Before McCain put Palin on the ticket, I couldn't decide if I would vote for Obama or not vote at all. But the thought of Palin - a right-wing religious fanatic, a sadistic animal tormentor and an intellectual buffoon - becoming president scares me so much that I'll now walk through fire to vote for Obama.

Over 20 per cent of American presidents did not finish their terms in office, and with McCain as president the odds may even be worse. Therefore the race for vice-president is not something to be taken lightly.

ERIC BAHRT

CHON BURI

Food versus fuel: eat or drive your car

Re: "Clearing the Air on Global Fuel Crisis", September 25.

Vijo Varghese's article does not take into account the fundamental issue of food versus fuel when using agricultural products to produce alternative fuels such as bioethanol and biodiesel.

If the majority of the Thai agricultural sector produces plants solely for alternative fuel production, there will be insufficient food and raw materials for the production of goods such as sugar or animal feed. We will begin to see an increase in the price of these commodities. In order for the Thai government to implement an energy cycle plan, it must have a clear ethanol policy. Without such a policy, there will always be the issue of food versus fuel.

RAMJITTI INDARAPRASIRT

PATHUM THANI