Let the red-shirts show them how

I trust that the red-shirts will show the yellow-shirts how peaceful protests can be carried out within the law, eg allowing free traffic flow and permitting the free functioning of government, schools and businesses near to their rally sites and public facilities.

But, to be useful, criticism must be constructive. The red-shirts must not only oppose, they should propose a better alternative. They do not believe that PM Abhisit's government will be honest. I share their doubts, especially since the red shirts elected many MPs whom PM Abhisit is now embracing. So how would they reform candidate selection, budget allocation, purchasing etc so all is transparent, and would the opposition commit their parties to follow their proposals if elected?

Khun Chalerm Yubamrung will focus on the way the government was formed. Again I agree, for the process looked like patrons bidding for "no money, no honey" ladies of the night. So what system would Khun Chalerm pledge his party to if it came to power? Has he punished those who, in the past, did like he's accusing the Democrats of having done?

Bravo for the opposition - if it not only talks the talk but walks the walk.

BEST,

BURIN KANTABUTRA

And now for our very own aspiring ham

Ronald Reagan, the C-rated actor who was also known as Bonzo, started the trend. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the B-rated action actor aka the Governator, follows.

Now Thailand has Yuranand Pamornmontri, the formerly B-rated soap actor aka Sam-I-Am-#10, wants to follow suit. He is a member of the dissolved PPP, which is now morphed into the Pheu Thai Party. It shows than we just cannot get rid of the Thaksin ideology; in fact, even the new government now embraces it.

I must admit that Sam-I-Am-#10 is better looking than the Prime Minister; even my wife says so. Who knows, he might be a prime minister of Thailand one day. If America could do it, why would Thailand not be able to?

MAX DEADHEAD

Abhisit wasn't free to choose Cabinet

It's unfair to castigate Abhisit alone on the appointment of Cabinet members, especially of Kasit Piromya. Since the big bang of Thai politics, Cabinet posts are prizes given to individuals in return for political favours. It is a norm, like it or not.

Abhisit apparently didn't have a say on who got what. He probably sat in the meeting room bound and gagged. It was the de-facto boss Suthep Thaugsuban who negotiated with Newin Chidchob and other coalition parties on allocating Cabinet posts. Kasit obviously got his piece from the PAD's quota.

I sometimes sympathise with Abhisit for being pelted with harsh questions every day about the "ugly" Cabinet, but if you can't stand the blare, get out of the rock-and-roll bar.

MEECHAI BURAPA

CHIANG MAI

A step in the right direction

Plaudits to Education Minister Jurin Laksanawisit for his quick response, progressive thinking leadership, recognising the critical importance of providing free tuition, free textbooks and free IT-related materials for each and every student from kindergarten through completion of secondary schooling. This sense of child-focused awareness represents a giant step forward to expand equal opportunities and maximise success options for Thailand's most precious resource, our civic-minded, inspired leaders of tomorrow.

CHANCHAI PRASERTSON

BANGKOK

Unfair to demonstrators in other countries

RE: "If it wasn't Thailand, the airports would be ruined", Letters, December 24.

Andrew Drummond, Letters, December 22, wrote: "As for the airport sieges, history will perhaps reveal just what type of sieges they ever were." Not a single word critical of the PAD, on the contrary: "Now is not the time for recriminations over the recent troubles."

But history didn't wait. In his next letter, on December 25, Mr Drummond acknowledged: "Of course, the PAD is to blame for the airport closures." May I add: "and therefore should be held responsible for its illegal actions"? Now, not in a distant future. History is not a carpet under which one can sweep unpleasant things.

Mr Drummond further writes: "And of course, had the sieges happened almost anywhere but Thailand, the airports could have been wrecked." This is an unfounded assumption which implies that the PAD "exhibited remarkable restraint" whereas protesters in most of the rest of the world are necessarily vandals.

MANFRED LIEBIG

CHIANG MAI

"His comments were made before the royal command appointed him as minister," Prime Minister Abhisit stated to strongly defend his Foreign Minister (FM) Kasit who enjoys his PAD leading to the closure of the two international airports.

Kasit made the comments to foreign reporters a few days before he was appointed which make it very relevance to you Mr. Prime Minister. In fact, even if he made the comments six months ago, it would still be relevance. Mr.. Prime Minister, you should have screened all of your cabinet members based on education, background, and related experience before you selected them.. You chose not to, be it because the longer you wait the opposing parties would have become stronger and would deprive you of becoming the next prime minister? Your yellow brick road, which was paved by your angels so fast, smooth and slick, I would fall if I step on it. Here is what I can see in your cabinet lineup:

Foreign Minister Kasit: A loose cannon that enjoys shutting down the national airports, along with being "nuts" while he was a FM in Berlin .

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

Transport Minister Sophon: This is a trade off with Newin and it is the portfolio with the Mega Baht. Everyone in Thailand should have his/her eyes on this one and do not ever brink!

Interior Minister Chavarat: Another trade off for a flimflam or chameleon man. Remember Chalerm?

Commerce Minister Pornthiva: The Sarah Palin of Thailand. May be she can see the Philippines from her windows.

Economic Minister Veerachai Veerametheekul: The Dick Cheney and Halliburton of Thailand. He is/was a former executive of the Charoen Pokphan Group whom is being investigated in a corruption 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. Nine chai yos to you.

Max Deadhead