Samran Vatanopast's account of gross traffic violations by selfish drivers of cars sporting diplomatic plates in Bangkok is shocking. However, he is wrong to say the traffic police are impotent in the face of this problem. Although accredited diplomats are immune from prosecution - unless this immunity is waived by their government - police are certainly empowered to stop them and explain they have committed a traffic violation.

They can also send a report of the violation to the relevant embassy with a request that diplomats obey local traffic laws. This has been common practice in developed countries for decades, and some ambassadors take a dim view of repeat offenders on their staff. The New York City administration, when Rudy Giuliani was mayor, decided to target diplomatic traffic violators and sent notices to consulates in the city asking for voluntary fines to be paid for each traffic violation. I don't know how much was collected in this way, but I expect it made diplomats think twice before routinely breaking local traffic laws.

Of course, Bangkok's finest, while they exhibit exemplary bravery in confronting unarmed drivers of ordinary-looking vehicles, are typically very frightened of upsetting a phu yai type (Thai phu yai even more so than diplomats). This is potentially not a career-enhancing move, and worst of all, there is no financial upside potential in stopping diplomats. Therefore, it is unlikely that the police will follow any of my suggestions.

However, in Thailand there is another possibility open to individual road users, due to the registration system for diplomatic cars that identifies the embassy on the licence plate. I suggest Samran and other like-minded road users note the registration number of outrageous diplomatic road abusers and write letters complaining about the incidents to the embassy in question and this newspaper (naming the embassy). At least the offenders would not escape public censure, and their ambassadors might just take action to reprimand them when they see their embassy identified in this way.

Road Warrior

Bangkok

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As it's made now, gasohol costs more to use than petrol

Re: "Clear up problems with ethanol promotion policy", Letters, May 30.

I have to concur with this letter. As part of my endeavours to save energy, I switched to gasohol (when it was available), but after a few weeks I gave up using it. The main reason was that I was getting at least 10 per cent fewer kilometres per litre and probably nearer 15 per cent fewer. It was costing me so much more to use gasohol. The letter referred to here clearly explains why: the calorific value is much less than the existing substances used.

I rest my case. Gasohol is currently not a financially viable substitute for traditional petrol.

A concerned motorist

Bangkok

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Where did North Korea get the fertiliser it sold to us?

South Korea donates fertiliser to North Korea as a part of its cooperation to assist with food shortages in the North. This activity is handled by a government firm named the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (Kotra).

Kotra recently claimed that North Korea exported a total of 25,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser with a value of US$5 million [Bt191 million] to Thailand in 2005.

Kotra reported it had requested cooperation from Thailand in disclosing the type of fertiliser imported from North Korea, but the Thai government has so far refused to provide any details.

I believe that Thailand should immediately take some action to clarify its position on this matter.

KT

Bangkok

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Power and wealth corrupts our society every time

We all had a clear vision as teenagers of what was wrong with society. We could differentiate right from wrong. But as we grew, we all had to go out and "hunt" to feed our loved ones. The problem is the greedy and selfish ones continued hunting for more and more, even though they could not possibly consume what they actually had.

They used every means to achieve theirs goals - disregarding fairness, right and wrong - because they had so much that they could waste it, while most of their fellow humans suffered and went hungry from having so little. The selfish ones protected themselves by introducing new laws to create new authority. They promised hope but instilled fear in the majority, who kept waiting for prosperity but were scared to take action for fear of losing what little they had.

That summarises the history of so many countries. All that's different is the name of the tyrant. The end depends on the intelligence of the majority. Africa is a sad case. Most of its people are poorly educated. What little education they receive is just the basic "3-Rs".

Thailand is in a better situation. My fellow educated Thais might say, "We are much better than Africa." I say, "Have you ever spoken with a poor farmer?" Most phu dee - high-class and educated - only talk at or give orders to the poor farmers. The poor farmers might not have as much financial wealth, but each has one vote, and they comprise the majority. That is why I support better education and press freedom; the majority must have access to higher education, and all media should be subsidised by the government, so that voters can base their decisions on informed knowledge and not on what they have been told. Time and instinct will take care of the rest.

Thais are more aware now and have had a taste of the power to influence change. We need a prime minister from the ranks of the farmers or workers, same as in the United Kingdom and the United States. Then and only then will Thailand see a fairer and more balanced society.

Would most of my fellow Thais be prepared not to be involved with corruption, but instead collectively and actively head towards true democracy? I doubt it very much. Greed and selfishness would just corrupt the leaders. If greed, selfishness and corruption failed to do the job, then bullets would. It is very sad for me as a 100-per-cent Thai to admit. I continue to weep for Thailand.

Ariyachai Unchern

Bangkok

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If  Thaksin is innocent, he shouldn't mind an inquiry

The question of whether Thaksin is unfit to perform his duties as PM is closed. This case has been exhaustively debated, analysed and concluded. Unless, of course, Thaksin changes his mind and submits himself to a judicial inquiry to look into that unfinished and pending Ample Rich-Shin-Temasek sale transaction. If he is willing to do that, or even if he is unwilling and is somehow legally sued and tried for violating the Constitution in regard to conflicts of interest, insider trading, etc, and found innocent and judicially cleared of any wrongdoing, then and only then will he be qualified to be PM again.

Vichai N

Bangkok

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Precedent set for 'Ol' Blue Eyes' may save Kenny Boy

Years ago, then-US president Ronald Reagan came to the defence of his old friend Frank Sinatra, who had been accused of having Mafia connections. Reagan gave Sinatra a glowing reference that helped clear him of the allegations.

I wonder if President George W Bush will step forward to make such a loyal gesture to his old friend Kenneth "Kenny Boy" Lay, the former Enron chief awaiting sentencing after his recent conviction?

NW Castle

Bangkok

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Climate-change debate resembles tobacco argument

The current debate concerning global warming seems ominously reminiscent of the debate in the 1960s concerning the dangers of cigarette smoking, when the powerful tobacco companies, driven by an insatiable and immoral desire for profit, employed scientists to dispute that there was any evidence that smoking actually caused lung cancer. Many victims of the disease might have been alive today if they had not. With hindsight, it should have been obvious that drawing in cigarette smoke regularly could hardly be good for the lungs!

One feels that one could apply a similar argument in regard to global warming. At the end of the day, there is clearly an honest difference of opinion on the subject, but surely it is better to err on the side of caution. After all, if the environmentalists are correct, the ramifications will be disastrous for future generations. Do our economically/profit-motivated leaders have the right to take that chance?

Tony Ash

Prachuap Khiri Khan

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Crisis in East Timor must be addressed right away

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is deeply concerned by the growing crisis that has recently beset East Timor, the world's youngest nation. Reports indicate that tens of thousands have fled the capital and are seeking refuge in camps as the result of continuing communal and ethnic violence, which has led to the deaths of at least 27 persons and the burning of many homes.

The AHRC expresses its dismay at the rapid collapse of law and order and the upsurge of ethnic violence in the country. We urge the international community to provide all necessary support to ensure that further killings and destruction of property are averted and that a peaceful resolution to the crisis can be reached. While welcoming the deployment of international peacekeepers, who are reportedly restoring some stability to the situation, it is clear that greater support is still required.

The AHRC calls upon all actors in East Timor immediately to halt the use of violence and hold negotiations.

Asian Human Rights Commission

Hong Kong

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