But did I read that the European Union, of all organisations, is wagging its finger and saying "tut-tut, Thailand, you really must get a move on with a more democratic form of government, and soon." Well, I never! Is that the pot calling the kettle black! I mean, can their own house be considered a paradigm of cleanliness, accountability and democracy?

R Bones

Chon Buri

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Benefits of phone jammers outweigh disadvantages

 Re: "Cell phone jammers not the answer to security threats", Letters, October 22.

John Francis Lee explains his concerns of abuse by the authorities if cell phone jammers were available to them. In his letter he jumps into a tirade about the United States creating more terrorism. Careful John, your true colours are peaking through.

The modus operandi of the people who set off these bombs has become quite predictable. They explode one bomb and then when the police or Army personnel arrive at the scene there is another bomb nearby which they detonate using a cell phone, killing or wounding again. John also states, "The time and place of a bomb attack would have to be known in advance for these jammers to protect any real people". Obviously this fact is not often known. But the protection of the authorities investigating the crime scene is primarily what I was referring to. Also, are not the police and Army personnel "real people"?

If the life of one person was saved through using the cell phone jammers, it far outweighs the inconvenience of waiting a few minutes for the "passing of the motorcades of arrogant VIPs" and in no way would "result in the further degradation of the lives of ordinary Thais".

Which is more important: a human life or being able to make a call on your mobile which you can make 10 minutes later?

Concerned

Kalasin

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An upmarket shopping mall with an airport tagged on

 A great deal has been written about Suvarnabhumi Airport both before and after its opening on September 28: the alleged corruption, the problems of baggage handling, lack of toilet facilities, parking, distance to walk and so on.

I have travelled to and from the airport, so it was good to see at first hand if any or all of these criticisms were valid. I was struck by two major failings. The first was the lack of announcements which, I was amazed to discover, was a deliberate policy. If Suvarnabhumi is to be a quiet airport, not only must it be the first of its kind in the world but it probably qualifies as the only quiet place in a country that is otherwise plagued by noise pollution. Our aircraft took off nearly an hour late because it was waiting for passengers who had dozed off in the concourse, and I understand that this is a regular occurrence. I was left wondering how an emergency would be communicated to everyone.

The second was the overriding impression that Suvarnabhumi was really an upmarket shopping mall which also had - rather inconveniently - an airport tacked on to it. The number and quality of the shops, which could at best cater to a only tiny percentage of the passengers going through the airport, made me suspect that if the amount of time, money, energy and effort that had clearly been put into the commercial area had been put into the rest of the airport instead, many of the problems already referred to might not have occurred.

Finally, a lot has been said about the grandeur of the airport, and how its modern-looking image reinforces the perception that Thailand would like to portray to the rest of the world that it is a forward-looking and progressive country. Whilst the structure does indeed look imposing from afar, up close and inside, with its concrete columns, visible steel structures and metal walkways - which, incidentally, trap the baggage trolley wheels - I found it rather tawdry and with a feel more of a warehouse than a new international airport that cost billions of baht.

On the plus side, the baggage system worked, Immigration seemed to have its act together and the signage was acceptable. I am sure that all the problems will be sorted out in due course, but at considerable cost and inconvenience to passengers, which should have been unnecessary.

Johnny Thoyts

Pranburi

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Time for Rice to take the honourable way out

 Re: "America's foreign policy is the cause of international conflicts", Letters, October 21.

Is Richard Stampfle the apologist for Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Feith and the rest of the neo-cons that have brought America to its knees?

It is the Department of Defence that has ruined the United States of America, hollowed out and emasculated the Department of State. Poor Condoleezza Rice is played for a fool, just as Colin Powell was before her, by the neo-con cabal that has destroyed the United States of America.

She should resign, as Powell should have before her. It is the only honorable thing to do in her position.

John Francis Lee

Chiang Rai

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Everyone should be entitled to vote in US election

 Re: "America's foreign policy is the cause of international conflicts", Letters, October 21.

How right you are. Planet Bush and Planet Cheney and their marauding band of truth robbers have indeed sunk the world into a mess the likes of which would be inconceivable to a sane mind.

What is sad and frightening is that they were actually elected (a second time) by the populace of a nation supposedly the most advanced in the history of the world. Go figure!

Still, when Karl Rove is involved, there goes serious debate out the window.

It's dirt season and no one throws it better than the Rovin Republicans.

I propose this:

Since the US insists on the right to invade and destroy other nations, based on unsubstantiated claims and straight-out lies, and since it chooses to act as the world's policeman, to the detriment of the rest of the world, then we should all be allowed to vote in the US presidential elections. We deserve a say in who these self-appointed Gods of the New World Order will be

God forbid that John McCain should get in next time. His last public utterance on Iraq was "let's take out that Shi'ite cleric Al Sadr".

Geez John, well thought foreign policy, mate!

Let's face it, most Americans can't be bothered to vote and many who do don't seem to have much of a grip on US politics and how much affect it has on the rest of the world - for better or usually for worse.

So let's all get registered and vote in the US elections, and let's pass an amendment to the US

Constitution making it easier to impeach morons like the current crop of war-mongering environment-destroying liars that have hijacked what used to be a respected world power and reduced it to their own dangerous but wilting plaything.

Boris Loosebrain

Bangkok

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America's rhetoric on Iraq is wearing thin

 The Republican spin-doctors are trying their best to win the hearts of the American people as well as the world body. It is hardly working; rather it's a huge blunder on their part. What they do miss, as usual, is telling the truth.

Iraq is going through an undeclared civil war, with attacks day by day in Baghdad. This is a never-ending story. And let's not forget the unheard-of war in Afghanistan. This is the huge mess Bush has led us to. It does not matter any longer what the spin doctors are saying. The world and the American people are not fools. And that is exactly why his party will lose many seats in the mid-term election. It is not what Bush says [that will get the message across], it is the body bags sent home to loved ones.

JSF

USA

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Visa rules will separate families, cause a cash exodus

 It seems the press is not willing or able to publish readers' letters on the new immigration laws. Is this an oversight or an order from a higher power? And does it not bother the press that we (expats) are your readers and subscribers? Thailand is about to see a massive exodus of expats, and going with them millions of dollars - and readers. Does this not mean anything to the press or the government?

Why, when someone who has been here for many years living on savings or inheritance money - with millions in the bank but no monthly income from a company or other source - is he suddenly told he cannot get a one-year visa and must leave after 90 days. I truly hope Thailand will stop upsetting tens of thousands of Thai families and doing untold damage to its reputation as a wonderful country, which, I'm afraid, is going to be tarnished by this latest law change.

Many thousands of expats are expected to leave this wonderful and peaceful country due to the harsh and confusing laws. We contribute millions of dollars to Thailand's economy. In my six years here I have grown very attached to the people and customs, but because I and many others cannot show a monthly income of Bt40,000 we have been told to leave after 90 days and are unable to receive a yearly visa. Many of us are married with children and own condos, and in most cases have enough money in the bank to support our Thai families for many years to come.

Has the government really thought this law through? I think not. Many expat friends of mine have no alternative but to sell up and move on to a more friendly country. So, to the many expats planning on leaving, I will see you in Cambodia.

Will someone please explain to my wife and kids why papa cannot stay home.

Steve P

Bangkok