Regarding the Hmong refugees in Thailand

Despite repeated calls from rights groups to gain access to these people in order to arrange for their orderly departure from Thailand, the Thai government and army persist in pressing for their return to Laos. Many, if not a majority of these Hmong, fear for their safety should they be returned.

The UN High Commission for Refugees, Amnesty International and other groups have offered to assist in the resettlement of the detainees but the Thai government has forbidden access to them. Why? This is contrary to the policies of past Thai governments and contrary to the obligations of Thailand under international agreements governing refugees and asylum seekers.

Within the past few days, another group of Hmong were escorted by the Thai Army back to Laos. We are told by the Thai authorities that all "voluntarily" returned. No independent person can verify this and there is ample reason to doubt.

Thousands of Hmong are confined in the Ban Huay Nam Khao camp, where reports of mistreatment are too frequent and reported by too many different sources to be ignored. The children are a special concern. The health and sanitary conditions are grave. Thailand is not asked to bear the financial burden alone, or to accept the Hmong as permanent residents. All that is asked of the Thai government is compassion.

At the height of the Southeast Asian refugee crisis, I had the great privilege to head America's refugee assistance and resettlement activities as US Coordinator for Refugees. In the last years of the 1970s and early 1980s, Thailand was an exemplary host for thousands of Lao, Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees. Guided by the compassion of HM the King, Thailand's hospitality and patience earned the respect of the world.

In the late 1960s I stood with the Thai Army in defending the territory and freedom of Thailand. Later, it was my honour to serve on the board of one of Her Majesty's charities that cared for all the peoples of Thailand, including the ethnic Hmong. As a long time friend of Thailand, I call on the Thai government to remember the traditional values of the country and the example of HM the King, and be guided by compassion and patience. Allow qualified representatives full access to the confined Hmong so that we may together arrange a humane and just resolution of the future for these men, women and children who deserve better from us all.

H EUGENE DOUGLAS|AMBASSADOR AT LARGE AND US COORDINATOR FOR REFUGEE AFFAIRS (1981-1985)|BANGKOK

Joining the police; a licence to commit crime

Re: "Police named in report on trade in pirated goods", News, February 11.

For all the talk of good governance and the rule of law, Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn is quoted as saying, "Police officers guilty of being involved in such crimes would be transferred or not promoted".

The rule of law recognises the equal subjection of all to the law of the land, where no person is above the law and all are subject to the same penalties. Therefore, were such ridiculous logic, as espoused by the deputy minister, taken to its logical conclusion, citizens could loot and rob, confident that the worst that could befall them would be no further work promotion (but certainly no prison time), and if particularly fortunate, transfer to an inactive post (entitled to all the benefits of employment without actually having to work) and a pension upon retirement.

This is an outrageous double standard to which ordinary citizens are not entitled. The question then is, might this not suggest to aspiring criminals that to further their aspirations, joining the police might be an excellent option to avoid justice for their crimes?

DUBIOUS LOGIC

BANGKOK

We'd be lost without the Skytrain

Re: "Skytrain satisfaction: another interpretation", Letters, February 11.

Gareth Clayton's doubt on users' increased satisfaction of the Skytrain was odd. He maintained that the survey should have concentrated on those not using the Skytrain rather those who do. To ascertain the views of non-users is simply to confirm the obvious: not convenient enough or too expensive. I am not a frequent user and have no interest in the operating company but, many times, I have exclaimed "Thank heaven for the Skytrain".

SONGDEJ PRADITSMANONT

BANGKOK