Another PM, another sub-standard Cabinet

Here is what I see in your Cabinet:

Foreign Minister Kasit: A loose cannon who enjoys shutting down the airports.

Defence Minister Prawit: A politically biased general, but a necessary evil since the Army always has a say in Thai politics.

Transport Minister Sophon: This is a trade-off with Newin and it is the mega-baht portfolio. Everyone in Thailand should keep an eye on this one and do not even blink!

Interior Minister Chaovarat: Another trade-off for a flim-flam or chameleon man.

Commerce Minister Pornthiva: The Sarah Palin of Thailand. Maybe she can see the Philippines from her window.

Economic Minister Veerachai Veerametheekul: The Dick Cheney and Halliburton of Thailand. He is/was a former executive of the Charoen Pokphand Group, who is being investigated in a case concerning rubber-tree saplings.

Mr Prime Minister, I have a copy of your "Nine Rules of Conduct" for you and your ministers. I, along with all Thais, expect you to strictly follow and enforce them.

MAX DEADHEAD

BANGKOK

Abhisit walks into trouble straight away

I was furious to learn that PM Abhisit Vejjajiva's new Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya openly said he enjoyed the PAD's occupation of Thailand airports and the music and food there were good.

We understand that Abhisit lacks a popular mandate. His ascent to power would have been impossible without the support of the yellow-clad mobs. But this kind of public comment shows that he cannot find someone smart enough to be in charge of foreign affairs. Can Thais really trust people as stupid as Kasit to restore confidence after months of chaos?

Abhisit is indeed a handsome boy, but he and his administration have to prove quickly they are more than a bunch of populist talkers. Otherwise, Thais will soon put them out of a job and out of sight in the next election.

JULIAN WANG

CHIAYI, TAIWAN

Practise what you preach, Mr PM

PM Abhisit defended Foreign Minister Kasit's controversial comments on the airport seizures as being made before his appointment to the Cabinet. It was this same Abhisit who called for the immediate dismissal of Jakrapob Penkair over an allegation that Jakrapob's remarks at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand eight months before his appointment as a minister constituted lese majeste.

In his first speech as PM, Abhisit promised to treat all people with equality. The red-shirted people who threw stones at MPs cars were quickly arrested and were denied bail, while the PAD leaders who led the occupations of Government House and the airports are still at large. I say the foreign media got it all wrong to say that his name Abhisit means "privilege". To Abhisit himself, Abhisit must mean "equality".

THANATE AIYARANAPARAK

BANGKOK

Selfish workers should look in the mirror

Rayong workers of Ford/Mazda who used cars to block Sukhumvit Road should rethink their demand that Ford/Mazda pay them a six-and-a-half-month bonus and a B25,000 allowance instead of the six months and B14,000 offered. Toyota reports its first operating loss in 71 years, and GM and Chrysler in the US might not survive. Here, Honda is laying off 700 workers already, and Khun Charnsilp Sapnonwai, deputy leader of Honda's labour union, said the outlook was bleak for the firm's remaining 3,000 workers - and these Ford/Mazda jokers want more bonus? They should be happy that they've still got jobs.

Police should open the roads and fine/jail those who organised the blockade. As the US United Auto Workers union is finding out, neither employers nor employees can survive without the other. Ford/Mazda here should consider whether they really need workers who put their own short-term gain above their employer's survival, and, if not, compensate them in accordance with the law, and tell them goodbye to bad rubbish.

BURIN KANTABUTRA

BANGKOK