While I should be careful not to besmirch the sterling character of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, I would however like to raise some concerns about the Bt1-billion lawsuit he filed against Democratic Party members for allegedly defaming him in their speeches in Trang province on March 17.

1. If memory serves, there was a recent statement by His Majesty the King that seemed to lament the reckless filing of big-money lawsuits by powerful government officials as a way to silence/punish their critics. Apparently that wise counsel had some effect at the time, but now seems to have been forgotten. It's hard to get a leopard to change its spots.

2. Regarding openly questioning government policies, those familiar with democratic principles know that open debate is integral to a healthy political system. Even though Thaksin might want everyone to kowtow to his every wish, that's not the way things are going. Debate, not lawsuits, is the way to resolve differences.

3. Does Thaksin need another billion baht? If it's the principle of the matter, why not sue for Bt100 in damages?

4. If he loses his lawsuit, should the defendants then become antagonists and counter-sue for defamation, and so on ad nauseum?

Then there's the related concern among some about Thaksin again commandeering the airwaves to project his messages. Opposing politicians should not be so quick to assume the caretaker PM will automatically sway the masses over to his side as he's done in the past. Let's give the common Thai folk some credit for thinking for themselves. It's not a given that they will embrace all that's promised to them at face value this time around. Things can evolve. But to be fair, equal time should be allotted for his political opponents to air their concerns.

Brahmburgers

Chiang Rai

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Criticism comes with the territory in politics

 Re: "PM sues Democrats", News, July 1.

The lawsuit alleges that the defendants accused Thaksin of dodging tax on the sale of Shin Corp to Singapore's Temasek Holdings. It says their claims damaged Thaksin's reputation, so the court is requested to rule that they pay compensation of Bt1 billion plus interest of 7.5 per cent per year.

Apart from the absurdity of anyone damaging Thaksin's reputation, this is an excellent opportunity for the courts to step up to the plate and give notice that criticism comes with the territory in politics.

There are no grounds whatsoever for politicians to sue their critics. Unless, of course, the aim of the courts is to do the bidding of one party that rules the country in perpetuity - as is the case in Singapore, the home of Thaksin's patrons and mentors.

John Francis Lee

Chiang Rai

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Let's not allow the image of a great leader to be tarnished

 That a country's prime minister who calls himself a saviour of democracy should be casting aspersions on "shadow enemies" of trying to pull him down is the latest joke in Thai politics.

Dissent is the very essence of democracy. People with divergent views must be heard. To listen to them, gather all aspects of an issue and finally arrive at a decision in the overall best interest of the country is the job of a prime minister. People cannot be immediately called names and have ulterior motives ascribed to them just because they disagree with the prime minister. It reflects poorly on the mettle of the prime minister.

Thaksin's statements to civil servants on Friday reveals the truth that he is more concerned about clinging to his chair than "serving the country". A true servant of the country would willingly and happily offer his chair to someone else if necessary.

General Prem Tinsulanonda is a shining example of a great democratic leader. Every true Thai should be proud to have such a selfless, patriotic and devoted soldier in our midst today.

After His Majesty the King, it is Prem who needs to be honoured as an epitome of patriotism and selfless service to the country and Thai society. If you are looking for the right role model for our children and for our so-called leaders and public servants, it is Prem. Anyone who points finger at Gen Prem has to be questioned about his true nationality.

This country must now wake up to protect its own honoured and patriotic sons who are being tarnished by selfish, greedy, arrogant and petty politicians.

The youth of this country must wake up. If not, there will be serious danger to this great nation. And there are many who share this sentiment.

A Patriot

Bangkok

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British passport gets smaller while the fee gets bigger

 Flush with cash from its recent sale of land, the British Embassy in Bangkok continues to aim high. Intent on outdoing the local inflation rate, the cost of a 32-page renewal passport has recently been increased by around 33 per cent to Bt6,825. The 48-page passport has been withdrawn. Additionally, the processing time has been increased.

"Less for more" - the hallmark of contemporary Britain, and a major reason why I no longer put myself through the torture of living there!

John Shepherd

Bangkok

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Security forces in South should try night ambushes

 Re: "Six dead in series of bombings, shootings in Yala, Narathiwat", News, June 28.

Why should the security forces wait for a new wave of terrorist attacks? Why not seek the terrorists out at night, with 50, 100 or 500 military ambush teams along the roads of the three southernmost provinces? Twelve soldiers to a team - four in the centre (command), four one mile down the highway and four more a mile away in the other direction. All hidden and very quiet, weapons at the ready in the jungle at the highway's edge.

Whichever way up or down the highway, the spotter team tells the centre team when someone is coming their way. The central command team then decides whether to stop or let through the motorcycle, pickup or whatever. It's guaranteed they will catch some terrorists.

The night is the soldier's friend. The main point is to get the terrorist thinking, "where are they?" Some night-vision equipment would be necessary as well.

Al Eberhardt

Bangkok

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Tangled web behind US invasion of Iraq

 Re: "Writer was a bit selective in citing TV news report on Iraq", Letters, June 29.

The letter from Tommy makes several interesting points on the surface, but when one looks deeper, it is clear many of his arguments are misleading, particularly about UN Resolution 1441.

Tommy claims it was "seized", but it was not. Resolution 1441 was a unanimous decision. What was "seized" was a decision on whether or not to take military action in the face of Saddam Hussein's blatant non-compliance with the resolution. The reason a military enforcement was seized was primarily due to vetoes by France, Russia and China.

We know that France had billions of dollars invested in Iraqi oil. China also had oil contracts with Iraq, as did Russia. Ironically, those people against the war claim the US invaded Iraq over oil; it seems however that nations opposed to the war cast their veto over oil.

If the spy's claims of a Russian exit plan to hide Soviet weapons of mass destruction in Iraq are accurate, as cited by Sue P ("Letter-writer scolded for failing to heed Fox News", Letters June 28), more of Russia's motivation for a veto may be also be apparent. It seems the circumstances get more complicated the more one probes.

Uncle Claw

Ayutthaya

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Introduce law to stop mistreatment of dogs

 While it might be unrealistic to promote animal-rights legislation in this country, what about a "dogs' rights" bill? Since most Thais seem to love dogs, perhaps legislation to help dogs could be passed that would state the following:

1) It is a felony to poison, burn, beat or in any way torture a dog.

2) It is a felony for a driver to hit a dog with his vehicle and not get the dog assistance if it is obviously injured. To be fair to the driver, information on who to contact in such a situation should be readily available.

3) It is a felony to abandon a dog.

4) It is illegal to keep a dog on a short chain. The law can define "short chain".

There should be a major crackdown on dog breeders - I'd like to see most of them thrown out of business - and stiff fines for people who don't get their pets spayed and neutered. Those last two suggestions may sound extreme, but the stray-dog problem is so out of control that extreme measures are necessary.

Readers should feel free to give suggestions of their own. I'm hoping people involved either in animal welfare in general or dog welfare in particular will follow up on this letter.

Eric Bahrt

Chon Buri

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Which Australian national is most influential American?

 Re: "Murdoch named most influential Aussie", News, June 27.

The report says that United States citizen and media mogul Rupert Murdoch has been named the most influential Australian of all time. The list of influential Australians was compiled by the Bulletin magazine, which is presumably Australian.

Could someone tell me which Australian national is the most influential American of all time? I am sure that would be the very same Murdoch, had he not switched allegiance in order to buy a New York television station.

Frank Lombard

Bangkok