With the recent purchase of Shin Corp shares by Temasek, however, the Singapore-government enterprise has caused a great deal of concern among the Thai people, which may negatively affect the good relations between our two countries. This is due to the fact that the company's shares were acquired by devious means, through policy-related corruption and abuse of power by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Moreover, the company's businesses involve concessions that are of importance to national sovereignty, security and basic public services.

In addition, the Singapore government has colluded with the Thai government under Prime Minister Thaksin to rent military bases in Udon Thani and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces under a 15-year lease, instead of on a year-by-year basis as in the past.

Reliable sources have reported that the Singapore army has permitted the US army to share the bases as well, and that this has caused concern in other countries in the region.

Of particular concern is the causal relationship with violence in the three southern-most provinces in Thailand.

The People's Alliance for Democracy requested the Singapore government to review the above-mentioned activities in a letter dated March 7, 2006, and went to the Singaporean embassy on March 9 to hear the answer.

The Singapore government, however, has ignored our requests.

Such action confirms that the Singapore government's attempt to interfere in Thailand's internal security affairs may lead to a rift in relations between the two countries and tarnish the image of Singapore's transparency and good governance.

People's Alliance for Democracy

BANGKOK

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Kennedy's words ring true over the decades

On January 20, 1961, John F Kennedy uttered the famous phrase in his inaugural address as president of the United States: "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country."

In that same inaugural address, which was intended not only for American citizens but also for citizens of the world, especially those who were living under unjust leaders in various communist and dictatorial regimes, he warned: "In the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside."

How very appropriate, indeed, to the present circumstances that Thailand and Thais find ourselves. The man who in particular is supposed to ask himself what he can do for his country is not doing what he is supposed to do. And while he still has many chances to not end up inside the tiger, he seems to be doing everything he can to be eaten.

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) is not doing much to alleviate his predicament. Indeed, its leaders are cheering on the idea that somehow the prime minister must be punished for the high crimes he has committed.

Prominent among these misdeeds is the surrender of the country's telecommunications security to a foreign entity, which may be very detrimental to Thailand's well-being in the long run.

Thaksin's days as prime minister, regardless of whether he knows it or not, are now numbered.

What PAD and those who mean well for Thailand's national interest should do is provide a scenario in which he can climb off the tiger's back safe and sound. If he could be assured of that, maybe it won't be so difficult for him to reverse his course.

First, he wants to be assured that his wealth will not be confiscated. Second, he wants to make sure that the April 2 elections go on as scheduled. So let him get those elections. But then let's make sure that he will not get he wants: a Parliament with 500 Thai Rak Thai MPs. It is now almost a foregone conclusion that this is not going to happen.

As true disciples of democratic principles, let us all go out to vote. Not for Thai Rak Thai candidates but for nobody, as most of us know that all the existing candidates other than Thai Rak Thai may be nominees.

Prachyadavi Tavedikul

Bangkok

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Thaksin is too mild in crushing the opposition\

Unlike most protesters, I wish Thaksin to resign not because of his unethical conduct or wrongdoing, but rather for being too soft and lame. He has in the past proclaimed that he has moulded himself along the lines of other great Asian statesmen, but he has failed spectacularly in his effort to emulate the most famous and powerful.

In a democracy and normal circumstances, Sondhi Limthongkul would have woken up and read in the paper he is gay and had sodomised his driver (as happened to Anwar in Malaysia). Subsequently, he would be banished to sell political propaganda at the exits of subway stations, and living in a cheap motel with no running water.

Similarly, Chamlong Srimuang would have been jailed for practising a deviant kind of religion and holding street protests without a licence. It is appalling that Thaksin has failed to nip this thing in the bud by getting rid of his opponents during the initial stages. A great statesmen would have had no hesitation using force to crush any political dissent.

Damien L

BANGKOK

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Thaksin and Berlusconi: two peas in the same pod

I would like to express my solidarity and my admiration for the people of Thailand. They are showing great civic sensibility in demonstrating peacefully against their current Prime Minister.

Thaksin in Thailand and Silvio Berlusconi in Italy came to power more or less at the same time, and driven by the same political ethos they intermingled their own personal financial interests with their positions.

It is perhaps not a coincidence that both of them are, finally, about to leave at the same time.

As an Italian who lived and worked in Thailand for four years while Thaksin was in power, I'm now excited at the prospect of "my" two countries going towards a brighter political future.

Dr Mario Saraceni

Portsmouth, England

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Blaming the Palestinians ignores facts on the ground

Re: "Media glosses over faults of Palestinians", Opinion, March 20.

To say that Palestinians are living a tragedy "of their own making" not only baffles belief, but also highlights a complete lack of understanding, something that has characterised this issue consistently.

To slight the world media for portraying Israel in a "bad light" just highlights how the (Israeli/American) propaganda machine has achieved its goal. Israel is the vulnerable, peace-seeking victim; Palestine is the uncivilised, evil aggressor.

I am left completely befuddled about how facts like having your house bulldozed down, your land expropriated, your water and electricity cut off, your nation cut up into pieces and newborn babies dying at checkpoints (because the "security services" won't let them through to hospitals) can logically be considered "of their own making".

JFW

Bangkok

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Don't forget the role of China, Maine, in global politics

Re: "People should oppose Chen Shu-bian's scheme", Letters, March 19.

I had to chuckle at the letter from Chinese embassy spokesman Wu. It's a perfect illustration of the principle that the louder any government insists that a given proposition is true, the more likely it is to be false.

"There is only one China in the world," Mr Wu proclaims. "Taiwan is part of China."

Hey, if God wanted Taiwan to be part of China, why did he create the Taiwan Straits? But wait, I know the answer. "We are atheists," the Chinese government will declare primly. "We don't believe in God. We believe in Marx." So OK, when it comes to theology, I'm easy. If Marx wanted Taiwan to be part of China, why did he create the Taiwan Straits?

Theology aside, there is in fact more than one China in the world, because there is a town named China in the US state of Maine. There's even a South China.

There's also a town named Peru, but this is not an issue, because you never hear the Peruvian government asserting, "There is only one Peru."

I want to see it when the government of the People's Republic of China tries to assert its authority over the stroppy farmers of China, Maine. All the "Mainiacs" will come roaring down from as far away as Skowheganand and Millinocket, waving their axes and pitchforks and yelling, "You Chinese fellas go home! An' don't pull none of them fancy kung-fu tricks on us, either!" It will be just like a scene out of "Braveheart".

Whether China is one, two or 102, there is considerable evidence that the 23 million people on Taiwan are not eager to be swallowed up by the 1.3 billion people on the Chinese mainland.

S Tsow

Bangkok

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Ease off the childish name-calling in the 'Letters' section

Re: "Pax Vobiscum should check his facts before writing", Letters, March 19.

It is hilarious, but annoying, to read David Donnely's candid but obviously insulting comments on the manner that Dr Charles Frederickson writes his letters to leading English newspapers.

Debate and discussion should be done through an intelligent exchange of ideas with a little bit of respect and a trace of maturity.

Bong & Pla

Bangkok