Thumbs up to Abhisit Vejjajiva. His request for Thaksin to immediately arrest those who he and his party have clearly identified as the perpetrators of an alleged assassination attempt - even before investigators are able to obtain accurate facts to close the case - makes perfect sense. Why would Thaksin need to hesitate now, as he has already informed the whole world who was behind this alleged plot?

With Thaksin and the Thai Rak Thai Party not making much sense, it seems the best time for the country to turn to the Democrat Party. We need logic, and a systematic way to work. The Democrats seem to be working well in a coordinated manner, and are concerned with the checks and balances of the government and working towards transparency. Thaksin, on the other hand, is a solo show - anyone else on his team is dispensable, as he appears to see himself as the only one with a working brain.

With Chuan Leekpai, known for his honesty, as the Democrat's adviser, it's time for the country to have a fresh start, or at least to give it an honest try. The Thai Rak Thai Party seems to have too much secrecy among cronies.

With all the country's been through during Thaksin's administration, citizens are so much more aware and want to be involved more. That awareness and effort on the part of citizens, with a government that is willing to work for and with the people, would be a positive force to reunify the country.

Carolyn

Bangkok

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TRT too preoccupied to worry about environmental issues

Re: "High time to raise awareness about proper waste disposal", Letters, August 27.

I'd like to say that I admire and appreciate the intentions of Litter Bugged's letter. Unfortunately, I doubt that it will have any effect because the government in its current position is not capable of financing municipalities.

The caretaker government spends too much of its time and taxpayers' money trying to maintain a clean image and avoiding scandals.

Worrying about the Kingdom's environment isn't likely to be high on its list of concerns. Lamentably, the government is only ruining the reputations of true caretakers who take environmental initiatives to heart.

Bigger Bugs

Chon Buri

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UN paper on terrorism's roots contained valuable insights

Re: "Five root causes of terrorism - and how to solve them", Opinion, August 27.

As a participant in the World University Presidents Summit held in Bangkok in July, I welcome Nophakhun Limsamarnphun's initiative in bringing to readers' attention the excellent paper "Peace and Social Stability: The Role of the United Nations in Defeating Terrorism by Promoting Tolerance", presented by Ramesh Thakur, senior vice rector of the United Nations University. The topicality of the issues that Thakur focused on in his paper is unquestionable. The 61st session of the UN General Assembly to be opened in New York on September 12 has on its agenda the item "Measures to eliminate international terrorism".

The UN High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change, led by Anand Panyarachun, in its final report "A More Secure World: Our Shared Responsibility", cogently called for the creation of a clear, coherent, principled strategy of counter-terrorism that is respectful of universal human rights and the rule of law. The UN is working on a relevant strategy which might include elements such as: dissuade disaffected groups from choosing terrorism; deny terrorists necessary means; deter states from supporting terrorists; develop state capacity to prevent terrorism; and defend human rights in the struggle against terrorism.

Diplomacy is energetically involved at bilateral and multilateral levels in combating terrorism, but has not yet been able to produce a universally accepted definition of this scourge. The progress attained in the elaboration of the draft comprehensive convention on international terrorism is not satisfactory.

Regional initiatives are valuable. A recent example is offered by the Asean-Canada Joint Declaration for Cooperation to Combat International Terrorism signed in Kuala Lumpur on July 28. The 10 Asean members and Canada realised that the complexity and international nature of terrorism, and, in certain circumstances, its linkages with international organised crime, call for a comprehensive and concerted approach that embraces concrete action on many fronts. They recalled that terrorism, as an international phenomenon, must not be identified with any religion, culture, race or nationality. In the same document they acknowledged the UN as the primary forum for the development of the global legal framework to combat terrorism, and reaffirmed the importance of having a platform for cooperation to prevent, disrupt and combat international terrorism through the exchange and flow of information, intelligence and capacity building.

Ioan Voicu

Bangkok

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Forestry Dept should use park admission fees to buy guns

Re: "Army wants guns back from forestry department", News, August 28.

The Army wants its guns back, and the Forestry Department says it has no money to provide the weapons needed to keep their patrols safe.

So what happens to the money we have to pay to visit national parks? Please don't try to tell us that it is all spent on upkeep and new projects. That it gets spent on new cars and entertainment expenses would be more plausible.

The amount spent on entering the parks would clearly cover more weapons than needed by a small army, so where does the money go?

Mike

Bangkok

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Suvarnabhumi plans do not address public transportation

Re: "A planner's take on Suvarnabhumi", August 28. Your story did not place enough of an emphasis on the fact that in any public facility, transportation is vitally important. No attention has been placed on the availability of public transport from the airport.

This means that the majority of passengers will have to schlep their luggage onto shuttle buses, then take their luggage and board a taxi with it. Since I reside in Chiang Mai, I will no longer be able to travel as I do from Don Muang, crossing over the bridge to the train station where I can then travel comfortably to my northern city, spending considerably less than I would have on a plane from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

Sombat Kapeng

Chiang Mai

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Teaching diplomas help to guarantee a basic skills set

Re: "Requiring formal credentials would thin teaching pool", Letters, August 25.

This letter concludes: "A piece of paper does not a good teacher make." By this one presumes that he is referring to the evidence of a genuine qualification to teach.

Teaching is a profession that requires considerable training in order to be proficient. A properly trained and qualified teacher of English is similarly a professional. Undoubtedly, as in any profession, some are good at it and some are bad. Not every doctor or lawyer is guaranteed to be good at his work, but his "piece of paper" does at least guarantee that he has been fully trained. Similarly, a teaching diploma is also a guarantee of a proper training.

The problem in Thailand is that many people become English teachers here without the skills that necessarily go with the job. Who can blame them? Many are here for a relatively short time and want to "pay for their passage". Language schools are only too willing to take them on especially if they are what is euphemistically called a "native speaker". Many can scarcely speak their own language clearly - yet, as native speakers, they are almost always guaranteed a job teaching English. This, of course, does the student paying for the tuition, a great disservice! Not always, but all too often.

The consequence of what I have said is all too clear. Not very many Thai nationals can speak English and those who believe they can, often speak it poorly. Yet English is the main commercial language of the world and if Thailand is to wrest itself firmly into the first world, it must have a literate society capable of speaking English as its second language.

What is to be done? Well, firstly, all schools should be teaching English as the second language. They should all have a standard curriculum to which the teaching staff should adhere.

Like it or not, the government should be prepared to pay a rate commensurate with jobs in the outside world in order to attract good teaching staff - preferably qualified.

Next, the so-called language schools should be under far greater supervision and inspection to ensure the quality of their teaching.

Henry Ashe

Bangkok

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Ability to teach English goes beyond being a native speaker

Re: "A structured approach is needed to improve the way English is taught in Thailand", Letters, August 22.

In response to Dr John Patterson's letter, I offer a simple analogy that my experience teaching the English language to people in Bangkok has taught me: Being a native speaker is merely the icing on the cake, the teacher's ability as a teacher is the real issue.

Of course one should never push any analogy too far. There is always an advantage in being a native speaker, but that is only one of many factors that determine how well students learn.

For instance, it is probably fair to say that most native English speakers teaching English have never gone through the process of learning to speak another language proficiently.

Frank Lee

Nonthaburi