The situation in Thailand is, indeed, grim, and we risk a stalemate, another bloodbath, or another coup d'etat -- any of which would be highly damaging to our fragile democracy and economy.
The protesters have legitimate concerns which any government should address. But, no country can long exist if it allows a minority to impose their will on the nation by, for example, closing our main airport (as the yellow shirts did) or shutting our main shopping area (as the red shirts are doing). This is not democracy, it is anarchy.
The silent majority can remain silent no more. Thais of all walks of life must express themselves within the law, both as individuals and as members of associations or societies, pressuring all parties to stop using violence to resolve disagreements. The silent majority must make it clear that it disagrees with the means used to settle disputes (violence or depriving others of their rights) -- not with the protesters' causes.
At the same time, the government must seriously address the protesters' legitimate complaints that benefit the majority of Thais, while protecting the rights of the minority, e.g., doing away with double standards.
Burin Kantabutra
Bangkok
Re: Thailand needs large-scale reform - Kasit (Nation April 16)
Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya's speech at Johns Hoskins University last Monday (April 12) was intriguing in more ways than one, particularly as he was a prominent member of the yellow shirt mob that shut down the airports in 2008, for which the ministry was presumably his reward.
What your report omitted to mention was that the government has already dissociated itself from his remarks, including his call for open discussion of certain topics which traditionally remain off-limits, and his characterisation of Thailand as a "problem child".
It is also interesting that Mr Kasit chose to utter his comments in the comparative serenity of American academia, far removed from the deadly heat of the street battles. In this context, the government's wish for an enquiry by the DSI seems guaranteed to provoke more criticisms of partiality.
Citizen Jane
Re: Anupong should be dismissed now, letter, April 16.
Gen. Anupong should have been fired long ago. First, when he ignored PM Samak's order to throw the PADs out of the Government House, and second, when he refused PM Somchai's order to protect the airport from the PADs.
Who can dismiss the army chief? Surely, not PM or Defence Minister. Unlike developed countries, in Thailand, you don't mess with the army chief even you are PM or Defence Minister. The only PM who dared to mess with the army chief is Thaksin, when he sacked Gen. Surayudh Julanond, and that is one of many reasons he's in trouble.
PM Abhisit and Gen. Anupong is scratching each other's back, because both know they are holding a trump card. Abhisit's trump card is "GT200", while Gen. Anupong's is "draft dodging". It's the case of "If you mess with me I'll…."
Somsak Pola
Samut-Prakarn
Helpless situation
The people of Bangkok should realise that the Abhsit government is now in a helpless situation: The military is not working, because its chief is not helping -- this despite the fact that General Anupong also took part in the 2006 military coup; the coup that has put our country in this difficult situation.
The red shirts are even nastier and more aggressive. The prime minister is now bedded in a military barrack for his own safety. His family is not living comfortably like any other national leader's family. You must support him now.
First, the people of Bangkok should show themselves on the streets - for a short time daily if possible - and in different places. They must avoid wearing any particular color as uniform, because certain colors have become a sign of factionalism within the country.
The first time they gather does not have to muster a huge crowd. But the next gatherings should be bigger and bigger. Neighbors and friends should be persuaded to join in by participants.
Within a week these small gatherings will balloon into huge congregations. The red shirts will be effectively surrounded in the city. This will force them to be mellower and more willing to negotiate. People of Bangkok should not listen to politicians or authorities telling them to stay home and let this act of terrorism go on and on. They have the right to protect their well-being if the government is not working.
This undertaking is about making a safer place for your children and grandchildren too, not just you.
Chavalit Van
Chiang Mai
