Opposition got itself into this sorry state

At a time when national reconciliation means survival for the country, we must now worry that the red shirts may throw human excrement at our prime minister, who was selected through proper constitutional procedures in Parliament.

Instead of blaming PM Abhisit, the red shirts should be protesting against their own leaders who brought their so-called democratically elected government down - those who did the illegal things that brought the People Power Party to dissolution? Who got caught for vote buying?

If Pheu Thai says the new government is copying the old government policies, well, maybe it's not such an insult that the new government continues some of the old government's policies. For Prime Minister Abhisit, I wish you and your team much strength to keep moving forward, to bring all citizens peace and harmony, and return stability and confidence to the country.

FAITH IN THAIS

BANGKOK

Ex-PM can run things from behind bars

Despite the likelihood of a serious world recession, Thailand is smiling again - literally. Awareness is increasing that the country is now in safe and capable hands.

Thaksin Shinawatra, in blind panic, is threatening to return to Thailand as prime minister in order to destabilise his beloved country again. Word has it that secret plans are already underway for the complete relocation of Government House to Cell Block T at the "Bangkok Hilton", where a "Klong Prem Thaksin government" will function democratically from behind bars. Opposition interference will be minimal as visiting times are infrequent.

Thaksin's statements are becoming increasingly ridiculous and fatuous; he has completely lost the plot.

JOHN SHEPHERD

BANGKOK

Fewer and fewer places to run and hide

Re: "US considers whether to ban entry of runaway Thaksin", February 9.

First the UK, then Japan, and now the US government is considering banning ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra from entry.

It's amazing how a person like Thaksin could have escaped to England last year - after a Thai court allowed him to travel abroad, on bail, to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics - only to have his UK visa revoked later on, for fleeing his conviction in Thailand.

Now the government is prepared to use diplomatic channels to bring him back. It is also rumoured that cases concerning human rights abuses during his heyday are being prepared by the victims' relatives to be petitioned to the International Tribunal on Human Rights Violators. One wonders how long Thaksin can keep running like this.

CHAVALIT VAN

CHIANG MAI

Obama sets standards we should follow

US President Obama's admission that "I screwed up" over the Tom Daschle selection shows his unique quality of humility. How can one argue against a person's admission of error? This is Lesson One that we, and especially Thai leaders and politicians, should take to heart.

The required confirmation from the US Senate of the president's nominees for cabinet posts, if followed by Thailand, could have avoided those "ugly-ducking" cabinets that have been so insulting to the Thai public's intelligence.

SONGDEJ PRADITSMANONT

BANGKOK

Mobile megaphone vending should be banned

 Mobile vendors with loud megaphones can be heard even 30 stories up, with booming monotone voices droning about their goods at all times of the day. This unwelcome noise is disruptive, unharmonious, and takes concentration away from work and critical tasks at hand. This form of noise pollution is bad for the health and minds of everyone. In addition, and not least of all, mobile vendors disrupt the traffic flow.

These vendors should set up shop in a prime location, in a clean, partitioned way, rather than on the streets and in the ears of city residents. Thailand has one foot in the new era, one in the old. Let's compromise and make it peaceful for everyone in a clean and productive environment that is compatible with the forward progress of the nation.

AB

BANGKOK