Our prime minister is a post turtle

While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75-year-old rancher, whose hand was caught in a gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got round to a political candidate.

The old rancher said, "Well, ya know, that guy is a 'post turtle'."

Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him what a post turtle was.

The old rancher said, "When you're driving down a country road, you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top. That's a post turtle."

The old rancher saw the puzzled look on the doctor's face, so he continued to explain: "You know the turtle didn't get up there by himself; he doesn't belong up there; and he doesn't know what to do while he's up there. And you just wonder what kind of idiot put him up there to begin with."

JOAQUIM

BANGKOK

Three former PM's who have disgraced Thailand

It is not inconceivable that we may have the last three prime ministers (Thaksin, Samak and Somchai) as convicted felons. All three have criminal cases pending or being brought to trial. Thaksin's Ratchadapisek case is final.

Critics say that we now have judicial activism or a judicial revolution. They forget that the courts have not gone out to start legal proceedings against these high and mighty politicians. The court deliberates and rules on the case as presented by the prosecution and the defence. Along with Thaksin, critics just make assertions that the court is politically motivated. They have not been able to convince the public that the court has gone beyond the facts and the law in each case.

Prime Minister Somchai, as a former judge, is fast approaching the point of no return. Apart from many alleged constitutional violations, the latest NCCC finding is a serious allegation. If it can prove that there was consideration in exchange for not enforcing a fine, they would state a case for bribery under the Penal Code.

It would be a national disgrace in the event that so many of our former prime ministers are convicted, but we would rather see the rule of law prevail.

NETIRAT INTIRA

BANGKOK

Democrats hang on to the PAD's coattails

Re: "Would a Democrat-led govt stand up for democracy?" Letters, October 22.

Khun Salin Pinkayan believes that there will be an election in which the premiership is handed to Democrat leader Abisith Vejjajiva "on a platter". Khun Salin implies that Abisith will not "have the mettle to stand up to those who handed him the job and fight for our right to vote."

Abisith is the master of not standing for election when he can avoid it, and losing elections when he cannot. I cannot imagine him winning an election. Can you? So what sort of "selection" process does Khun Salin have in mind that will hand the premiership to Abisith?

And given that "selection", will not Khun Abisith have joined the PAD?

Has he, and have the Democrat Party, not done so already? It is clear they have. Clear that given their inability to win an election, they have, "reluctantly" I'm sure, decided that "for the good of the country" they must temporarily suspend the principle of one-man one-vote.

One must think that Khun Salin is satisfied with this state of affairs, that unlike in the US, here in Thailand "the voice of the most bigoted, most backward and uneducated person will NOT count". I leave the pejoratives in place as they highlight his and the Democrats' contempt for democracy and for the aspirations of the Thai people.

But this is not a done deal, is it?

JOHN FRANCIS LEE

CHIANG RAI

Poisoning the minds of half the population

The verdict of two years in prison for Thaksin is more than justified. Wasn't it clear to him that a prime minister cannot allow his wife to buy property from the government and at the same time avoid any concept of abusing his power? Prime examples of the poisoning of the minds of the gullible Thaksin supporters are the comments I read when they heard the verdict:

"Thaksin gave the population an affordable health plan." Don't they know there was a perfect health scheme in place where, for Bt500, five members of a family were insured for one year?

"Thaksin paid back the debt to the IMF." Don't they know that the action taken when Chuan Leekpai was prime minister made it possible to pay back the debt? Thaksin was only profiting from the fruits of that tree.

Last but not least, the people in my village are actually convinced that Thaksin paid the Bt1 million to each hamlet out of his own pocket. Who do you think told them that?

The only remedy to the division in Thai society is long-term education and freedom of information - two areas where each and every Thai government has failed utterly, causing the dire misery Thailand is in today.

EGON WOUT

ISAAN