Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is a great one for understanding the need for change and has contributed greatly to our nation. In the current world environment, he is the only leader who can lead us on the right path materially, but sadly is a very poor student of interpersonal skills and could also lead us to national havoc.

His slights against the two older men for not adapting to change were misplaced. Neither General Prem Tinsulanonda nor Anand Panyarachun touched on his management skills or vision but rather, without naming names, on the role of ethical and personal conduct in leading our nation into conflict. Neither man needs to understand what thinkers like Edward de Bono and Alvin Toffler propound because this is not related to what is bothering them. Their concern is the national discord in Thailand that has been building up for almost a year now.

In the public's eyes, the ethical standards of both men are a good enough measure for others, even though their terms as premier were not based on popular votes. That should not be blamed on them but on the prevailing circumstances. At least they did not hang on to power when it was time to go and left us with fond memories of their rule.

I wonder whether the latest riposte from Thaksin and his lieutenants has reached the point where Harry S Truman's famous phrase "If you cannot convince them, confuse them" applies? Why don't they simply accept the advice and call for reconciliation, thereby putting the pressure on the opposition instead of clumsily bulldozing on?

Our premier could learn of the wisdom of old age from the English poet, George Chapman (1559-1634), who said, "Young men think old men are fools; but old men KNOW young men are fools". Or from George Santayana (1863-1952), the US (Spanish-born) philosopher, who said: "Before you contradict an old man, my fair friend, you should endeavour to understand him."

Songdej Praditsmanont

Bangkok

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Thailand becoming a failed state is a real possibility

 Re: "Ex-PM Anand 'no democrat'," News, September 1.

It seems that Thaksin and his party really are out to make sure the country stays divided. Is civil war a priority on his agenda?

Those who love the country and His Majesty the King need to think about Anand Panyarachun's warning that we are about to become a failed state and come up with constructive ways to improve the situation. Anand merely gave the warning; it is a reality that Thaksin and his caretaker government have to heed, not ignore.

Caretaker Deputy Agriculture Minister Adisorn Piengket didn't do anything to improve the government's failing image by more pointing of fingers without facts. In fact, he said Anand should "stop commenting now", and that was a complete infringement on one's democratic right. If the caretaker government wanted to improve its image it would show willingness to clear up corruption and do the right thing, and to work with and for the people.

But reconciliation and peace do not seem to be a priority for Thaksin and his party - as seen time after time, they are clearly looking out for themselves and will take as much as they can for as long as they can.

What have they been working on? Why we don't have any answers yet on the CTX scandal, the Kularb Kaew probe or the mysterious thugs who beat up a 70-year-old man and others at CentralWorld as police stood idly by. What about Thailand's newly launched "media", the Thai police, who produced and gave out their own photos and VCDs to the press about the alleged attempt on Thaksin's life before anything was proven by an investigative committee? And why is there no urgency in this caretaker government about resolving the South?

With a failed state, all of us will suffer deeply. Ironically, it will be the poor farmers in the North on whom Thaksin has sprung his populist policies just for their votes who will suffer the most severely.

Carolyn

Bangkok

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No action despite warnings from left, right and centre

 In recent months and especially last week, statements have been made by many prominent people about their genuine concern for the state of the Kingdom. When Khun Anand Panyarachun speaks, people listen. Probably as forceful and as persuasive, if not more, senior statesman and Privy Council president General Prem Tinsulanonda has also continued to speak out, and people listen to him equally. In Prem's case, there are even demands that he speak out more. Both men are esteemed by the public at large as being among the most honest and capable leaders Thailand has ever had in its entire experiment with the democratic political system.

The people have listened, but they are not the ones for whom the messages of Khun Anand and General Prem were intended. Their advice has fallen on deaf ears, or so it seems. Worse still, not only did they stiffen the resolve of the powers that be to do the opposite, they also drew flak from them. Khun Anand was not beyond reproach, suggested one of his outspoken critics, because he accepted the premiership offered by a military dictatorship and had never contested an election. General Prem may have escaped with a lighter scolding, probably because of his venerable and unassailable position. But there are some "proxies" who are now going all out and have taken to the air waves to counter-attack every move that is aimed at peacefully ousting the caretaker prime minister and his administration.

The loudest statement, however, was the string of bomb blasts in 22 banks in Yala province on Thursday, the anniversary of Bersatu's founding. True, this separatist group had reportedly said it would carry out an attack on the day, but the target was to be in Bangkok, which was perhaps a diversionary tactic. Now that they have accomplished their objective, it will not be too long before they consider Bangkok again. And judging from what they did in Yala, they are certainly capable of striking at the nerve centre of this country and wreaking havoc unprecedented in Thailand's history.

It is no wonder that Army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin spoke out on Friday, because he had to. He minced no words about his frustration at being handicapped by political interference that has rendered him ineffectual in dealing with the insurgents, whom he now calls not "ordinary bandits" but "separatists" who want to remove the three Southern provinces from Thailand. His grim face and gestures on television showed that his patience was running thin. Thailand is on fire, he seemed to be saying; not just the military, but also the civil service, urban and rural areas, North and the South, rich and poor, ruling party and opposition, the people and the government that rules them.

Thaksin continues to believe in his invincibility in an election, where it is definitely true he can command an unbeatable majority. He can afford to be arrogant because he is sure that his party, if not he himself, will be returned to power. What he seems oblivious to, and probably considers irrelevant, is the fact that a government can also be toppled by unconstitutional means. All his words and actions have made clear that he dismisses such an eventuality. But it has been part and parcel of Thai politics since 1932, and he does so at his own peril.

Prachyadavi Tavedikul

Bangkok

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A sniper would have been better for an assassination

 I am not sure if the bomb plot against Thaksin is real or a hoax. But if anybody really wanted Thaksin dead, they wouldn't use explosives to assassinate the man. Bombs are traceable materials and can leave clues behind. Then, there is collateral damage to consider.

No, bombs will not do. But a sniper… ah, a sniper can do the job better. And if there really is a conspiracy within the military, I dare say they have sharpshooters who could do the job quickly, effectively and quietly without much ado. Thaksin is such a high-visibility target that an assassin could pick the time and place at leisure.

A missed shot or maybe a slight wound would have earned the "masterminds" more kudos and it would have been a more believable as a scenario to be exploited as a "failed assassination attempt".

So let Thaksin use whatever rhetoric he wants for now; I am sure the media, the opposition and anti-Thaksin groups have better issues to focus on and expose that could bring about his downfall.

Beelee

Bangkok

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TAT crossing the line by selling travel services

 The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) recently launched its own online travel reservations system, which seems unethical considering the thousands of licences paid for by travel agencies and online business with the same business model.

For the TAT to enter the private sector to sell travel-related services directly to consumers seems to be against the ethics of a government agency that should neutrally promote all of Thailand to travellers and support the thousands of businesses with the same purpose.

Using the government's resources and power to promote the "lowest rates" will put all other online travel reservation services and even local travel agencies out of business.

Todd

Bangkok

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Get tough on the smoking laws already in place

 Re: "Smokers to face tougher restrictions", News, September 2.

I see from the report that the Public Health Ministry is to introduce tougher restrictions on smoking in public areas in November, which is commendable.

I wonder when the existing law is going to be properly enforced in air-conditioned restaurants in Pattaya?

Observer

Chon Buri