With World Cup fever running high, one letter-writer suggested that caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin should be a Fifa referee. I beg to differ.

I think the most compelling lesson Thaksin should learn from the World Cup is from the resignation of David Beckham as captain one day after England lost to Portugal due to penalty kicks following double overtime.

Beckham felt responsible for the team's loss in the elimination round, even though he could not participate in the free kicks because of a leg injury. Beckham's outstanding skill at bending the ball to evade the outstretched hands of the goalkeeper in free kicks inspired the movie "Bend It Like Beckham". He could have made a difference in the outcome.

May the Beckham example rub off on the caretaker PM when he attends the World Cup final. Either that or he could go on permanent vacation in the British Virgin Islands to be with all of his Ample Rich shares under his control.

Netirat Intira

Bangkok

--------------------------------------

Is Thaksin angling for a free ride to the World Cup final?

This caretaker prime minister never misses a trick. Thaksin's trip to the World Cup final, one might imagine, is a private trip and not for government business, and as such he would fund it himself.

But look at his comments. Thaksin said he would also take the opportunity to meet with any foreign leaders who might be attending the soccer finale - something domestic critics say violates diplomatic protocol, since he heads a caretaker government.

Yes it seems he is searching for a way to have the trip paid for by the Thai taxpayer. Is it possible this man could stoop any lower?

David Prescott

Bangkok

-------------------------

Letter-writers mistake  Democrats' motivations

May I be allowed a final response to Trirat Petchsingh ("Thailand not yet without recourse to proper process", Letters, July 2) and Songdej Praditsmanont ("Current situation caused by deviation from democracy", Letters, July 2) for their letters. I am happy to retain a difference of opinion with anyone, and in Trirat's case his question, "When does the ordinary man in the street know, for certain, that all processes have been corrupted?" is one for the ages.

When can anyone be sure he knows anything? Philosophers have been asking that question for centuries. On the point of street protesters, I remain optimistic that a successful protest is one that is supported by broad sentiment - without this, it lacks "legitimacy" and is thus doomed to fail. Like Trirat, I am wholly in agreement we do not lack "good men". I truly hope, however, that these good men do not feel the need to wait for certain proof before they stand up to be counted.

As for Songdej, I believe our main difference lies in his insistence the Democrats have somehow been "encouraging unconstitutional ways to stymie the powers that be".

Indeed, what was disappointing was the need for him to quote me incorrectly as saying I would advocate action, "even unconstitutionally", to correct corrupt processes. I consider such convenient editing of what I wrote to be disingenuous. If he has a point, then by all means make it, but he shouldn't feel the need to assign false quotes to back his assertions.

Korn Chatikavanij

Bangkok

--------------------------------

Premier's excessive lawsuit not helping his popularity

Re: "PM sues Democrats", News, July 1. PM Thaksin's suing the Democrats for a huge Bt1 billion in damages for defamation sounds to me like he's a vengeful old man - treating them as his enemies rather than his opponents and trying to drive them into bankruptcy forever and ever. What's his point?

If it were to hurt them, seeking Bt1 million would suffice. If he just wants to show that he's right, suing for a token Bt1 would do.

I recommend he promise to match any court-ordered damages with a like amount from his own pocket, with the whole lot to be donated to the Red Cross, and place the damages sought, plus estimated lawyers' fees, in escrow now, to show that his word's not writ on water. He won't miss what to him is a trifling amount, and it'd help his popularity.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

-----------------------------------------

Fox News a dubious source for accurate reports on Iraq

Re: "Letter-writer scolded for failing to heed Fox News", Letters, June 28. With all due respect to letter-writer Sue P, in this day and age using "Faux News" as a source of credible information in order to foster one's opinion on US foreign-policy matters is to do so on shaky ground.

A Fox News report based on a recently declassified Defence Department report claimed that hundreds of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) were found in Iraq, and enabled Senator Rick Santorum and Fox News to conclude there were weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) after all, that President Bush had it right all along.

Here are three observations that make this information a bit less than credible:

These claims were quickly dismissed by Pentagon officials and the intelligence community, as reported both by CNN and The Washington Post on June 21 and 22, respectively.

Fox News' chief Washington correspondent Jim Angle in the same time frame had been informed that the military nor the White House nor the CIA considered the shells to be evidence of what the Bush administration alleged Iraq had and what this country was told we went to war for.

This matter had also been reported before (by the Bush administration).

The hundreds (500) of WMDs that were found were pre-Persian Gulf War vintage artillery munitions (shells) manufactured well prior to 1991, and the chemicals contained in them had lost since lost their viability.

Fact: regarding the myth of WMDs -regardless of what Santorum, Fox News, The Washington Times, their reporters and talk radio say, no WMDs have been found in Iraq.

Of course, many will continue to deny this fact, in the black-is-white, up-is-down, intelligent-discourse manner of apologists for the current Bush administration.

However, information regarding this so-called "discovery" and matters pertaining to the difference of WMDs (Iraq didn't have) and mass-casualty weapons (Iraq did have and used with the help of the US in the war with Iran) and the "Romanian spy chief" can readily be researched on the Internet. I encourage those interested to do so.

Santorum and Fox News' absurd WMD claim is nothing more than a pathetic attempt to rekindle political support for a failed administration.

I would rather see members of the US Congress and the corporate mainstream media put their energies to better use by calling holding accountable those in the administration who have failed in almost every regard when it comes to Iraq.

Mr Bill

Bangkok

-----------------------------------

Canine rights should come with added responsibilities

Re: "Introduce law to stop mistreatment of dogs", Letters, July 3. I agree with Eric Bahrt. There is no excuse for physical cruelty to animals. However, I think that if the government is to take the time and expense to issue such a law, it should be accompanied with an additional bill to protect humans from dogs.

My recommendations are as follows:

1. It is a felony to bite any human (assault with a deadly weapon - teeth) and pack up and threaten humans who are simply trying to take a walk.

2. Dogs who are hit by a vehicle should be issued a citation for "jaywalking" after the driver stops and gives aid.

3. Packs of male dogs descending on females in heat should be incarcerated for "gang rape" and made to pay child support for any resultant offspring.

4. Dogs barking and/or howling during the night should be picked up for "disturbing the peace".

This bill should include an appropriation to establish a string of "doggy prisons" across the country to accommodate these doggy hooligans.

I am all for establishing equality among members of the animal family.

However, if they are to be given the same rights as humans, they should also be made to face the same responsibilities as humans. This would also include putting them to work in sweatshops or on rice farms.

If none of the above can be accomplished, then I would further suggest Eric get his priorities in order.

John Arnone

Yasothon

---------------------------------

Increasing complexity of passports reflected in cost

Re: "British passport gets smaller while the fee gets bigger", Letters, July 3. I hold no fief for the UK Passport Agency, but Shepherd may not be aware that fees have risen to reflect the increasing complexity of these documents.

The inclusion of biometric data is but one example. I suspect that the 48-page version, only issued to extensive travellers anyway, is now redundant, as EU border controls are in decline and now cover a vast area in Europe.

Lorry drivers, in particular, no longer have their passports stamped to extinction!

In any event, the British Embassy has nothing to do with the fee, which is set by the said agency.

Keith Castell

Bangkok