Ref: "Group Vows Action Against Cambodia Over Preah Vihear", October 25
I'm getting tired of the People's Alliance for Democracy's ultimatums and whining.
The latest is PAD's threat to surround the Cambodian Embassy here in Bangkok, if Cambodia does not withdraw its troops and community from around the Preah Vihear Temple. No one reacts well to threats. Do they really expect that Hun Sen, Cambodia's prime minister, will acquiesce and do as he is told? Even I am disgusted with the way they are dealing with this affair.
The PAD has delusions of grandeur. They are only an alliance for democracy in their own minds. I am absolutely against their method of "voicing their opinion". Besieging embassies, government houses and airports to get what they want is wrong and risks violent reproach.
Let the incumbent government do its job. Sure, you can express your opinion, but if you do not get your way, that doesn't give you the right to wreak havoc on our country. You are behaving like spoiled children, and quite frankly, you deserve to be scolded.
I suggest the PAD members try a more mature approach to resolving the Preah Vihear Temple issue, or get back to work. We have more important things to do.
OUTRAGED TAXPAYER
BANGKOK
Civilised advice for a neighbour and a fugitive
In reaction to your article "Thaksin tells PM to observe good etiquette", October 25:
Dear Mr Hun Sen,
As any individual should, you have freedom of expression, so you can freely comment on the situation of one of your close friends. However, if you do not want to seem to be interfering in the internal affairs of another country, you should not make comments on said friend while on official duty.
I know diplomatic etiquette is a bit hard to understand, but in my book "Diplomatic etiquette for dummies", it explains clearly that in such a situation you should express yourself as a private person rather than as the prime minister and during a private visit, not while on an official visit.
Also giving your friend a position in your government based on friendship may be constructed as an abuse of power for personal gain. "Respect of the rule of law for dummies" explains clearly that abuse of power includes using your official position to benefit a friend.
Dear fugitive Thaksin,
Since you seem so well versed in the rules of good etiquette, you must be aware that good etiquette dictates that you should come back to Thailand and start serving your prison sentence before seeking a royal pardon. You should not keep holding a personal grudge against the Thai justice system and have His Majesty the King's benevolence in mind.
CANDIDE
BANGKOK
Don't link the names Thaksin and Suu Kyi
For the Cambodian prime minister to mention Aung San Suu Kyi and Thaksin Shinawatra in the same breath is as absurd as it is insulting to The Lady, whose calm dignity and principled stand for basic democratic rights put the Asean leaders assembled in Hua Hin to shame.
Suu Kyi is a political prisoner while Thaksin is a convicted felon on the run who did profitable business with the same junta that keeps her confined to her own home.
A more apt comparison can be made between Thaksin and Hun Sen himself. They truly are "birds of a feather".
CITIZEN JANE
BANGKOK
Hun Sen's remarks crossed the dignity line
Ref: "Don't be a pawn, Thai PM tells Hun Sen", October 24 ?
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was right when he said Cambodian premiere Hun Sen, in his capacity as Cambodia's topmost representative in the Asean meeting here, should concentrate on Cambodia's contribution to the regional grouping's aspirations and stated goals - and nothing else.
No matter how polite the Thai government should be as host of the meeting, Hun Sen's uncalled for rudeness and diplomatic impoliteness should not be allowed to stand, much less received, with just an embarrassed smile. Thailand has its own dignity. The Cambodian prime minister's uncalled for remarks have gone far beyond the line of diplomatic appropriateness. Hun Sen should realise that when he speaks of someone like Thaksin Shinawatra here, it becomes a big issue. Why? Because half of the people of this country despise this person, that's why.
Hun Sen said one man should not make any difference when he says something good about someone like Thaksin. That is true. But when that one man is a prime minister of a neighbouring country speaking of a runaway convicted felon of another country, one must question why such a supposed statesman should stoop so low.
CHAVALIT VAN
CHIANG MAI