Foreign legations condemn airport seizures

While respecting the right to protest and without interfering in Thailand's internal politics, we reiterate that it was most regrettable and highly inappropriate that the airport was seized by demonstrators on November 25 and remained seized for a week.

We, the representatives of interested countries, remain seriously concerned that such a major regional hub of the Asia Pacific region as Suvarnabhumi Airport could stay vulnerable to outside assaults of any kind.

In order to restore confidence and the international image of Thailand as a major tourist destination we, the representatives of interested countries, therefore urge the government of Thailand to take all necessary measures to improve the protection and security of all Thai airports, so as to avoid the recurrence of a similar seizure in the future, and call on all sides concerned not to threaten the operations of the airports and to commit themselves not to disrupt air traffic either in Bangkok or at regional airports.

THE AMBASSADORS OF AUSTRALIA, CANADA, THE EU, JAPAN, REPUBLIC OF KOREA, NEW ZEALAND AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

BANGKOK

PAD leaders must be brought to book

Now that the verdict in the election fraud cases has been announced, resulting, as was expected, in the resignation of the prime minister and the dissolution of the parties in the government coalition, the leader of the PAD has claimed victory, and has withdrawn his supporters from the airports.

However, there is a puzzling question at the heart of this sorry affair. The PAD leadership, like the rest of us, knew very well that this case was under consideration by the court, and that a guilty verdict, whilst not a foregone conclusion, was the very likely outcome. They were thus well aware, prior to occupying the airports, that what they now claim were their objectives would in due course most probably be achieved through the due process of law. Why then did they go ahead with this insane action, when they knew it would probably be pointless, unnecessary and irrelevant to the achievement of their aims?

It is to be hoped that the full force of the law will be brought to bear upon the leaders of the PAD, so that they may be punished for the laws they have broken, and for the untold damage they have done to the country they profess to love.

BSL

PAK CHONG

Bangkok elite protects |the PAD from the law

It is clear that the PAD was funded, directed and protected from the application of the law during its lawless rampage in Bangkok by the corrupt Bangkok "elite". Now we expect that a new government will be formed or the people will again elect a government and the People Against Democracy will again go on a lawless rampage in an effort to bring it down, funded, directed and protected again by the Bangkok "elite". It is called the wheel of samsara, and those toiling so hard to keep it turning are, somehow, called Buddhists.

JOHN FRANCIS LEE

CHIANG RAI

Somchai and wife also guilty in airport chaos

If any lawsuits are brought over the closure of the airports, they should name Somchai and Yaowapa Wongsawat. If Somchai had had any integrity or honour, he would have resigned after the debacle on October 7. That he continued as PM with the sole purpose of amending the Constitution or passing laws that would give his brother-in-law amnesty simply underlines his feckless hubris.

The PAD's work is not done if the likes of Chalerm Yoobamrung become prime minister. These sleazy politicians need to be drummed out of public life once and for all.

AN INNOCENT BYSTANDER

BANGKOK

More dark days ahead if Chalerm is chosen

Surely this is a horrible joke? Chalerm Yoobamrung is a potential candidate to be the next prime minister of Thailand? I thought the bottom of the barrel had already been scraped when the loutish Samak Sundaravej was installed. That the name of a thug like Chalerm is even being considered suggests that it's going to be a long dark night for Thailand, PAD or no PAD. I'm aghast.

LEWIS GIBSON

HONG KONG