Thammasat University lecturer Chalidaporn Songsamphan said she and other members of the group decided to write to Pojaman in an attempt to resolve the political situation.

Chalidaporn's co-signatories included Thicha na Nakorn from the Women and Constitutional Network, Malee Prikpongsawalee, chair of the Woman and Children Study Programme from Thammasat University, and Cheunsuk Arsai-dhammakul, of the Woman's Network.

"We wanted to send the letter directly to Khunying Pojaman, but we were afraid she wouldn't get it. So we sent it to the media because it was the best way for her to see it," Chalidaporn said.

The letter said Pojaman and her children had been pulled into the political turmoil. As the prime minister's wife she could choose to ignore politics or perform as his intimate friend, the letter said.

However, Thaksin now seems to have set himself against everyone. This has had a knock-on effect to both the economy and the political administration, while it has damaged social peace, the stock market and tourism.

Despite the political turmoil, the letter said, it was hoped Pojaman, as the prime minister's wife and the mother of his children, would resolve the problems by helping the premier see them for himself without referring to his capitalist friends.

"We believe Pojaman might be the only person who can communicate with Thaksin directly," the letter concluded. "We wish him and the Shinawatra family well."

Saint Joseph convent school alumni yesterday sent an open letter to Pojaman and Sudarat Keyuraphan, the Agriculture minister, as both studied at the school.

Budsarakham Silapalavan

The Nation