Cambodia shows utter contempt for its neighbour

This shows in stark reality the quality of the Cambodian regime and Hun Sen specifically.

The country is not to be trusted, as personal whim is more important than anything else, clearly on a par with the best banana republic run as a personal fiefdom by a despotic thug.

It is equally nauseating to watch a grinning Thaksin revelling in the attention of a foreign power to which he now kowtows, having just bleated his love of Thailand and the monarchy. This is a bizarre way to show national solidarity unless you are a bare-faced liar.

John Patterson

Bangkok

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Impossible to tell when Thaksin is lying

If we could tell when Thaksin was telling the truth, it would help the red shirts and Thailand a lot, for the man has lots to offer us (after serving his sentence). As it is, consider that "Mr Thaksin (said) that The Times' report was 'distorted' and 'untrue'. However, the text of the interview, posted on Times Online, matches the recording of the conversation and was transcribed by a press representative of Mr Thaksin." (Times Online, November 10).

Thaksin told his red shirts via phone-in that Malaysia assigned 20 Special Branch policemen to guard him during his visit to Kuala Lumpur, because they loved him. However, the next day, Malaysia's top policeman noted that he had no report of Thaksin having even entered that country, let alone having had Special Branch protection.

Thaksin claims that his sole conviction was politically motivated. Yet, the same judicial system that found him guilty also acquitted him, his ex-wife, Chalerm Yoobumrung, and five of his ex-Cabinet members on other cases, including acquittals under the Democrat administration. That hardly sounds like a system biased against him.

Thaksin says, "I want to reiterate that nation, religion, and monarchy are always in my mind." But, as far as the nation goes, he's been convicted of stealing from public coffers - in other words, from the pockets of every Thai. As for religion, heed the Lord Buddha: "Delusions, errors, and lies are like huge, gaudy vessels, the rafters of which are rotten and worm-eaten, and those who embark in them are fated to be shipwrecked." Is lying his way of keeping religion always in his mind? As for the monarchy, His Majesty said, "If the country does not follow the rule of law, it will not survive." Is flagrantly violating His Majesty's advice Thaksin's way of keeping the monarchy in his mind?

So, when he says he loves Thailand, is Thaksin telling the truth?

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

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Front-page photo shows a rogues' gallery

Re: "Point of no return", news, November 11.

The only pleasing news from this report was Thaksin Shinawatra quoted as having regretted giving his side of the story to Richard Parry of Times Online without realising our King was in hospital. Sincere or not, that is irrelevant, but it sure is compensatory to the one on your front page of Thaksin, his sister Yaowapa and brother-in-law Somchai smiling with PM Hun Sen's family members. So happy in the picture while Thailand is seething with anger on his unpatriotic conduct. This photo will be Thaksin's Waterloo. I am glad for the good taste of his ex-wife and three children not to appear in the photo.

Songdej Praditsmanont

Bangkok

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Thaksin digs his own grave with this move

It is apparent that Thaksin Shinawatra and General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh are waging a two-pronged attack on PM Abhisit Vejjajiva to pressure him to dissolve Parliament and call a general election. The Cambodian Prime Minister also involves himself in Thailand's internal affairs by challenging his Thai counterpart to call a new election so that his "eternal friend" can come back to power.

Hun Sen's behaviour is intrusive to say the least.

PM Abhisit must take this opportunity to win over the neutral and silent majority of this country. Thaksin and Chavalit have shocked not only the majority of Thais but their supporters as well by their tactics that border on treason.

Thaksin has fallen into his own trap. He has reached the point of no return. He has killed his chance to win the hearts and minds of the majority here.

PM Abhisit must keep his cool and act maturely against his childish and bullying opponents from Cambodia and within the country. He must win over the majority by working to bring the country's economy back to normalcy.

Chavalit Van

Chiang Mai

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