PM Abhisit would have a lot of people to thank

Without the support and encouragement from all of you, I wouldn't be here today. I owe a great deal of gratitude to many people, especially my wife and kids, who give me hope and inspiration. But most of all I'd like to thank the following people, because they are integral to my victory.

First, I would like to thank Newin's friends for jumping ship to the Democrats. You have shown you want to protect the nation more than you do your self-interests.

Second, when I lost the election to Samak, I thought my career was over, but Khun Sonthi and the PAD kept my hopes alive by inciting chaos, which led to the downfall of Samak, and later Somchai. I owe everything to the PAD.

Third, my thanks to the Election Commission for looking the other way when our MPs violated the election law, at the same time disqualifying MPs in the previous government; consequently the Constitution Court ordered the other parties to disband. Furthermore, the court did a tremendous job to oust Samak in the cooking-gate case.

Finally, thanks to the Assets Scrutiny Commission for cutting financial lines to the former PPP; Army chief Anupong, who constantly pressured the previous government to dissolve Parliament; academics; and the invisible hands, all of whom kept Somchai busy so he was unable to run the country properly.

For those I did not mention, please submit your name and phone number to Government House and my staff will send you my portrait as a gesture of appreciation. Thank you.

MEECHAI BURAPA

CHIANG MAI

Will the PAD repay the lost earnings of millions?

I am writing on behalf of a Thai tour guide in Chiang Mai. Last December and January she had tours booked for every day of those months; this December and January all tours have been cancelled. She relies on the high season to get her through the year. Now she has nothing, thanks to the PAD.

Could you please publish the addresses of the PAD leaders. She will pitch a tent in one of their gardens and live there, as she will have no money to pay rent on her own accommodation. Failing that, perhaps the people who financed the PAD could finance all the out-of-work tour guides.

This letter is not a joke, I have all the lady's details and I will pay for her tent.

DERRICK TITMUS

CHIANG MAI

No surprise that Thai students fail

Re: "Thai students score poor world grades", News, December 10.

I read this article with interest, but not surprise. As a teacher of maths and English in the Kingdom, four reasons for failure are abundantly clear: 1) The Thai curriculum is inappropriate; 2) The objectives within the curriculum are unrealistic; 3) Severe limitations in comprehension of English renders word problems unanswerable; 4) The no-fail policy is a factor in poor motivation.

Unless and until these areas of concern are addressed, then Thai students will languish in the relegation zone of the international assessment table.

TERRY GALLAGHER

HUA HIN

New govt must not imitate previous handouts

Khun Newin told Khun Abhisit that if, after assuming the top office, he were to focus on helping people in the Northeast - such as raising the guaranteed price for maize from Bt1.80 to Bt2 per kilo - he would certainly win their hearts. I beg to differ, for as Thomas Fuller noted, "Purchase not friends by gifts; when thou ceasest to give, such will cease to love." And Khun Abhisit cannot outbid convicted felon Thaksin or his clones.

Rather, I propose that the incoming government heed former prime minister Anand Panyarachun: "In my view, there are seven main pillars of democracy, namely, elections, political tolerance, the rule of law, freedom of expression, accountability and transparency, decentralisation, and civil society."

Carried out with vigour and consistency, building these pillars will be in full compliance with the Democrats' stated goal of having "government of the people, by the people, and for the people". It will show Northeasterners that the Democrats do not look down on them, and give the man in the street the clear, tangible benefits that Khun Newin espouses. In return, Khun Newin says that Isaan people would give the Democrats at least two years, which would give the stability needed to implement long-term vision and strengthen democracy.

Democrats: have the vision and courage to lay a foundation for a sustainable democracy, and lift us out of the fiasco and tragedy that is Thai politics today.

BURIN KANTABUTRA

BANGKOK

Vote-buying does not constitute democracy

Re: "Thai people are being cheated out of democracy", Letters, December 11.

Has John Francis Lee not been informed that the last government has been found guilty of vote-buying? I'm so fed up with so-called well-informed, well-educated foreigners writing letters that the last government was democratically elected when it should be obvious even to the most uneducated person that it wasn't.

MR MILDEW

BANGKOK