No insurance, no safety precautions: no licence

We should use market forces to make it cheaper for entertainment venues to follow the law than be caught breaking them. PM Abhisit should amend laws so that: (a) the insurance company is responsible for certifying that premises meet safety standards, with false certification automatically trebling the insurer's liability; (b) insurance remains in force until renewed or the insurer informs the authorities of non-renewal, at which point the owners' operating licence is automatically suspended; (c) paid performers must have insurance covering the safety of all their equipment, decorations, etc.

The above proposals will persuade people to follow the law, thus attracting safety-minded patrons and save lives.

BURIN KANTABUTRA

BANGKOK

The next fire tragedy is just waiting to happen

With regard to the Santika Pub tragedy I had a mild experience of feeling trapped this week. On the evening of January 3 I parked my car at the 3rd floor of the parking lot of the Windsor Hotel on Sukhumvit Soi 18/20. After parking I took the door I first saw to get access to the lobby, as there were no direction signs anywhere. It was a fire door that closed behind me. I went downstairs and tried to open the door to the second floor; it was locked. After checking all doors I realised I was trapped, as all were locked. Luckily my wife was waiting for me in the lobby and a staff member later opened one of the doors so I could get out. I immediately informed the reception about my experience and asked for the security manager, whom they could not locate. I left my name and phone number so the security manager could contact me. That was four days ago. Such situations exist everywhere in Bangkok. I wonder who is interested if the security staff is not?

KILOWATT

BANGKOK

Not all in the North are Thaksin supporters

Re: "Red shirts pelt Chuan with eggs", News, January 7.

As a Chiang Mai native, I regret what the red-shirted Thaksin supporters did to Chuan Leekpai and his entourage during their trip to the North recently. It's shameful that these hooligans claim to represent all the people of Chiang Mai and the North.

This is the result of Thaksin Shinawatra's politics of hate. From the beginning of his ascent to power, Thaksin constantly threw abuse and scorn on his political opponents - to make himself look better. The result is that we have a divided society as never before.

Thaksin also did a great disservice to local farmers by refusing to address their plight after his signing of the Free Trade Agreement with China resulted in the lowering of local agricultural prices. To this day, local farmers are still lamenting what Thaksin did to them.

Not all people in the North agree with Thaksin's extreme politics, but we have to keep a low profile for fear of persecution by his cult followers. We also wish Thaksin never comes back politically.

CHAVALIT VAN

CHIANG MAI

Palestinians have only themselves to blame

The suffering in Gaza is truly lamentable. Years ago, then Palestinian leader Yassar Arafat had a choice to accept a generous offer for peace - brokered by world powers. He declined, which is a reason for the sustained suffering of the Palestinians ever since.

If Israel's neighbours had their way, Israelis would have been expelled from the territory they now reside upon. Several times, Arab forces tried mightily, and each time they were rebuffed. If the Israeli military wanted to deal with Gaza the old fashioned way, or the way their neighbours would like to deal with Israel, they could easily force the Palestinians off that strip of land. You may not agree with the adage "might is right", but where you live is a result of it.

If rockets were being hurled at your village, I assume you'd want it stopped - by force if necessary. If the bombs were being propelled from a temple, you'd probably want that temple to be raided or destroyed - same for a school. Should the Israeli army give advance warning before targeting an enemy's missile launching sites and armouries? Arab fighters are known for despicable battlefield tactics, such as dressing as women, and hiding among children. There are verified stories of mentally unstable women and also of children being coerced into being suicide bombers.

The Palestinians voted for hard-line, angry people to be their leaders. Unfortunately, this is the painful result of their votes. If they had voted for more level-headed leaders, their current situation would be less painful.

KEN ALBERTSEN

CHIANG RAI