Canadian ministerial statement on the crisis

Canada is deeply concerned about the ongoing political instability in Thailand, particularly the events of the past few days such as the closure of Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Canada encourages the parties involved to seek a peaceful resolution to the situation. We strongly urge all sides to refrain from violence and to respect democratic values and the rule of law.

The Embassy of Canada in Bangkok is following the situation closely. Canadians in Thailand in need of consular assistance are encouraged to contact the Embassy or Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada collect at 613-996-8885.

(For more information, contact: Steven Rheault-Kihara, counsellor, Political/Economic Relations and Public Affairs. Tel: 66-2, 646-4309; E-mail: steven.rheault-kihara@international.gc.ca.)

CANADIAN EMBASSY

BANGKOK

PAD leaders must be tried for illegal occupations

A democratically elected government is being bullied by the rich elite and Sonthi and Chamlong's group of brain-washed, so called democrats. The PPP is a legally elected government by the majority of the people of Thailand. Why is this government being challenged? All the PAD leaders should be arrested to stand trial for the illegal occupation of the two airports and Government House. I am a Singapore citizen by birth and I grieve at what is happening to Thailand.

IVAN ONG

SINGAPORE

Harsher punishment for vote-buying is essential

I think many people are sympathetic to the PAD and want to see Thaksin and his affiliates gone from Thai politics. Yet these same people do not support the PAD's idea of disenfranchising millions of rural voters with a limited form of democracy. The issue here is not that Isaan people lack the sophistication to cast a vote responsibly. Millions of people cast uninformed, irresponsible votes in Western democracies. That is just something inherent to the democratic process. The true problem here lies in the vote-buying problem - a practice I've witnessed firsthand many times as a resident of the Northeast.

To eliminate corrupt politicians taking advantage of Isaan villagers, Thailand should initiate serious penalties on those involved in vote-buying and substantial rewards to those who supply evidence of vote-buying that leads to a conviction. Something like five years in jail for the guilty and a Bt100,000 reward for evidence would go far to putting an end to this insidious practice.

JACK TAPILA

SAKON NAKHON

Stand up, Islam's |silent majority

Horrific terrorism in the name of Islam has once again reared its ugly head, this time in Mumbai. And once again the Islamic world has been deafening in its silence. In fact, a prominent columnist for the Kuwaiti newspaper Al Seyassah Daily expressed it thus: "...we have yet to see a distinguished popular condemnation in traditional Arab or Muslim communities that strongly rejects what is happening in the name of Islam".

Is it any wonder that these atrocities continue to occur? Until the Islamic silent majority decides to stand up in unison to not only condemn these un-Islamic acts, but to take action to shut down those schools that preach hatred and violence and silence those instructors who do the same, and cut off funding for these groups, Islam will continue to suffer from a world that looks on it with suspicion and outright anger.

GADFLY

BANGKOK