PAD promotes its own selfish, dangerous agenda

The PAD is from among the same passel of pusillanimous souls found worldwide who attempt to advance, in the face of their own selfish terror of having to compete for anything, terror and terrorism abroad and throughout the populace. They create the disease for which they claim to have the cure.

They sell you "insurance", aka protection, from themselves.

JOHN FRANCIS LEE

CHIANG RAI

Hun Sen's (and Thaksin's) diversionary bluster

I think the Thai public and military should not get excited over the aggressive behaviour of Cambodian PM Hun Sen. Do not forget he is still a good friend of Thaksin and they still have mutual benefits from their ongoing mega projects. Therefore, it is very possible to think Hun Sen is doing favours for Thaksin in order to divert public attention from the domestic problems Thaksin and his nominee PM Somchai are facing.

Well, Hun Sen is playing with fire!

SAHA W

BANGKOK

The Army never has been, and never will be, neutral

Re: "Army keeps a cool head and stays out of the fray", Letters, October 15.

From Burin Kantabutra's perspective "the Army is striving to stay neutral - as it should be". This view reflects a misunderstanding of Thai politics. When the Army does not work with or side with the government, we face instability. When General Anupong decided not to enforce PM Samak's emergency decree, it was a wise move. It also undercut Samak's authority, to the PAD's delight. In the present crisis, seeking neutrality is like re-arranging the furniture on the deck of the Titanic. The Army should support the legitimate government, not play neutral.

Mature democracies adhere to the principle of civilian supremacy over the military. That is how President Truman removed General MacArthur in 1951. It shows that government rules and the military must take orders.

In Thailand, with nineteen military takeovers in seven decades, we have not absorbed that principle. The facts of life are clear: our Army has never been neutral.

For now, the mantra of "no coup" may stem from the Bangkok-London axis established by Thaksin Shinawatra. With the number of MPs the PPP controls and with his brother-in-law as prime minister, Thaksin could not improve his position through parliamentary dissolution or a coup.

NETIRAT INTIRA

BANGKOK

Thaksin destroys the |country he claims to love

Re: "Thaksin holds the key: Anand", News, October 15.

Former prime minister Anand Panyarachun's remark yesterday is very important: in suggesting that only Thaksin Shinawatra can bring peace to the country, the former leader has revealed his country's vulnerability to manipulation, and possibly destruction, from as far away as England - by a single person.

Thaksin has stated time and again that he loves his country, and democracy is what he fights for. The ball is in his court now: will he break the deadlock that is poises to destroy his country, or will he press that button of destruction?

The UK government must also take this matter into serious consideration, since Thaksin is applying for asylum in the UK. It must reflect on the disturbances and street fighting he is widely accused of instigating. The UK authorities must also be reminded that Thaksin and his convicted wife are fugitives from Thai law. The long-standing relations of the two countries are at stake.

CHAVALIT VAN

CHIANG MAI

Democrats must come up with alternative ideas

I agree with Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva when he notes that our competitive advantages are being distorted by failures of our political system. But times of crisis like now, when past and present regimes have proven brazenly greedy and/or incompetent, is precisely when the opposition should show us better ways - not just decry the present. For example, Abhisit says, "It's not clear what the government's strategy is for improving tourism and exports." Fine: but what would the Democrats have the government do?

Abhisit says that dissolving Parliament now is not necessarily the best alternative, and I agree, for the same incompetents will return. But until Thaksin, we changed regimes with the seasons. So, Democrats, what should the government do?

Don't just oppose, propose!

BURIN KANTABUTRA

BANGKOK