Public march should require a permit

The march can only proceed when the permit allows, and the permit should be obtained at least a week before any procession.

Such permits alert the public, including businesses, but also give governmental units responsible for public safety and transportation a chance to deny a permit or prepare for interruptions, while protecting the marchers and the public.

Permits don't guarantee orderly movements, as the world saw in Seattle's WTO protests. But if a group protests without a permit and the public knows that or knows why it was denied, or if the group deviates from the terms of the permit, the government can more readily criticise the action and blame the protesters for any problems that might occur.

MICHAEL MACLEOD

BANGKOK VISITOR

Thaksin is fooling farmers for own gains

It's an oxymoron to protest for democracy and use a grenade-throwing mob to [try to] bring down the government. If the red shirts truly want democracy, they must get it in a democratic way with their votes in due course. Meantime, they need calm delegations to address their needs. They must also open their eyes to the fact that the violent, grenade-throwing members are likely being paid by Thaksin.

Don't fool or use the farmers for your own gain, Thaksin

TIM DEVLIN,

TORONTO, ONTARIO

Follow the money trail

Let's face it: The red shirt demonstrations are an investment. Somebody is putting up the money to hire the leaders and their subordinates, plus cover their daily costs. They expect a return on their investment. Follow the money trail.

Ultimately, it is certainly Toxin. But who in Thailand receives the funds? These are the bad guys. Practically speaking, those funds are income. Are they paying income taxes on those payments? And their subordinates? The same with the stooges down the line. As hard to accept as it might be, there is no free lunch.

The Abhisit government has been pussyfooting around this issue. Why? Are they vulnerable, too?

The quickest resolution to the red shirt scourge is to cut off the money. So do so.

GIBSON MARTIN

Greed was responsible for Thaksin's downfall

Panatda Chennavasin quotes a Japanese saying in her "Hi, Managers" column: "The rice plant bends as the grain develops".

Unfortunately, the word humility has never entered Thaksin's mind. He doesn't know how to agree to "disagree". He has treated himself like he is the centre of the universe.

His cronies have perceived this and made a fortune for themselves at the expense of him and the nation. I repeat, his fate stemmed from his sale of Shin shares without any feeling except greed out of complete complacency that his power and the people surrounding him would never fall. His reaction to this was that those people criticising him were jealous of him.

I am not and never will be.

Things will change only if he changes himself, at least to understand and agree that politics will come and go, like water will rise and fall over time.

What is certain now is he should die from this earth with hatred and he will bring unhappiness and gloom to his former family when only the white cloth with his ashes comes into Thailand once again.

SANSKUL THONGSKUL

PATHUM THANI

Abuses by ex-premier make a long list

The "war on drugs" - lists drawn up countrywide, among those killed a nine-year-old boy, in another case a young boy witnesses the slaying of his parents. Two massacres in the South. A record number of "disappearances" of activists, more often than not campaigning for the type of land reform the foreign media seems to associate the red shirts with. Unqualified support for the Burmese junta, the only real qualification being the installation of a neighbouring country's sat-com system. Record abuses and violations of migrant workers from neighbouring counties, most notably Burma. Muzzling of the press. The amassing of one of the world's largest personal fortunes, some of which was put into offspring's names, much to the detriment of the country. Now I think I finally get the message when I see the buckets of blood poured onto the street by Thaksin's red shirts.

BILL ASHBY

BANGKOK

Why is airport train link not in operation?

With no end in sight to the traffic chaos, it seems quite illogical for the government to simply ask international travellers to leave for the airport three to four hours earlier while the airport link is already completed, except for a few touches.

I know this for a fact because I can see the train running many times every night from my home.

VIC PHANUMPHAI

BANGKOK

A history of Israeli slaps for the US

Re: "Israeli slap at US has a familiar feel", Opinion, March 19

The article by Joel Brinkley is very interesting. As was pointed out this is not the first time it has happened.

It has happened to every president since the UN took Palestinian land and gave it to the Jews.

The biggest accordance, which was not mentioned, is the killing of 34 American sailors and the wounding of 174.

This happened on June 8, 1967 when Israel attacked a US Navy ship, the USS Liberty, in the Mediterranean, using torpedo gunboats and jets. This attack lasted for nine hours. Then president Lyndon B Johnson recalled the Navy aircraft sent to support the USS Liberty.

TOM

BANGKOK

Why is Biden crying now about spoiled brat?

Last year, in a letter to this newspaper, I ridiculed Vice President Joseph Biden for saying that America can't tell Israel what to do because it is a "sovereign country". Yet after practically telling Israel they can do as they darn please, Biden acts so hurt and stunned when Israel announced while he was over there hoping to restart peace talks that they were going to expand the Jewish settlements.

When parents raise a spoiled brat who they not only refuse to punish when he misbehaves but even reward him for it then why act shocked and "insulted" when the spoiled brat continues to act like a spoiled brat?

For decades, Israel has thumbed its nose at America and America has responded by crawling on its belly and licking Israel's feet. Already members of the US Congress who are prostitutes for the Zionist lobby are expressing their outrage at the Obama administration for daring to criticise precious little Israel. It's a joke.

Mark my words, dear readers, the spoiled brat will get away with it again.

ERIC BAHRT

PATTAYA

Unhappy tourist plans shorter stay in future

The writer complaining about the problems for tourists coming to Thailand is right on the mark. I have been coming to Thailand for 15 years and staying for two to four months for the winter, spending about Bt90,000 a month. Earlier, I used to stay for 30 days and then make a visa run to Laos for another 30 days. Not very convenient, but I did it.

This year I did the same thing and on my second visa run was fined Bt7,500. Apparently Thailand chose to change the rules and only allow 15 days for those coming across the border by bus. The immigration agents were smiling the whole time they were explaining this to me and collecting the fine. So I organised some friends and two weeks later we went to China to play golf and on my return I had 30 more days to stay in Thailand. Of course all this makes me and most of the tourists coming to Thailand for more then 30 days feel unwelcome. So I have decided to leave Thailand early and go somewhere that appreciates having tourists visit their country and staying.

When my Thai wife came to America she was given a 10-year green card that allowed her all the benefits that I have as an American, except the right to vote. She can come and go out of my country as often as she likes. No fines. No hassles. She can work, buy property and is protected by our non-corrupt police force.

We have decided that next year if we come to Thailand it will only be for three weeks and the rest of our winter will be in New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia or Indonesia - some place that appreciates their tourists.

I feel sad that I will not spend as much time in Thailand as I have in the past but it does not feel good to be taken advantage of and not appreciated.

WAYNE LAWSON

CRISFIELD, MARYLAND