Your editorial raises some very striking truths but does, I feel, not go as far as it should. Firstly we are where we are and there must be no going back. The tyrant Thaksin has been removed and must stay removed. The reasons for that are patently clear, having brought the country to near ruin.

Secondly, the investigation of his activities while in power is, as you say, paramount and must be undertaken with the utmost vigour if the purpose of the coup is not to be seen as a lie or a pointless exercise.

Thirdly, there has been much talk of his financial misdeeds whilst in office but little of the extra-judicial killings personally sanctioned by him, which should be an easy area in which to indict him.

This was a very dark time for Thailand, which rightly brought condemnation from the civilised world. This shows clearly the moral footing of this wicked man.

Stealing is not the most shocking crime he has committed against the Thai people. If you do not successfully prosecute this destructive man, as well as those to whom he gave succour, who so nearly destroyed the kingdom and its institutions, make no mistake he will return and use the money stolen from the Thai people to wreak havoc and revenge.

This is no time for talk of compromise and reconciliation where Thaksin is concerned. If you do not destroy him then he will for sure destroy the Thailand we all know and love.

Dr John Symons

Bangkok

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Legal aspects of Thai politics give grave cause for concern

Re: "Thaksin seen scheming an eventual return to power", News special report, October 24.

The following is a direct quote: "Although Thaksin has resigned as leader of the Thai Rak Thai Party, the move was 'to withdraw to regain control'. One tactic is to avoid a criminal offence in case the Constitution Tribunal dissolves the party, as a criminal offence cannot be prosecuted retroactively."

My question: Does Thai politics really operate like this? If a political figure simply changes his affiliation, he's legally off the hook? If so, it sure is an easy way to avoid responsibility for criminal offences. Please tell me it ain't so.

Ken Albertsen

Chiang Rai

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BOT governor must be committed to the country

With a highly-respected finance minister who used to be the Bank of Thailand (BOT) governor and an equally well-respected BOT governor-designate working hand-in-glove, the interim government has a fleeting window of opportunity to strengthen the BOT.

First, the government should revise the BOT governor selection and appointment process. We should seek governors who are consistently of the quality exemplified by, say, Dr Puey Ungpakorn, possessing the long-term vision, expertise and dedication to long-term national interests - not a politician. We should learn from how the US selects its Federal Reserve Bank chairmen and adapt the process to fit our needs.

Second, having selected outstanding governors, we should change the accountability process to give the governor true independence from politics, while still preserving a robust system of checks and balances. Politicians tend to look only as far as the next election. We cannot have the nation's economic well-being diverted to, effectively, fund any ruling party's election campaign, for the BOT's vision must be long-term. We should seek to have something like ex-Federal Reserve Bank chairman Greenspan's expertise and independence to serve our country.

With only a year-plus at the helm, the government should move quickly on this front.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

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Foreigners should make contingency plans for visas

Re "Visa rules will separate families, cause cash exodus", Letters, October 23.

In his letter, Steve P appears to be commenting on a new visa regulation concerning the non-immigrant O marriage visa where foreigners need to demonstrate a regular income rather than showing a single deposit of funds in a Thai bank.

Could I suggest that he move his money to a bank or financial institution in his home country and organise regular payments to his Thai account. I imagine that this should satisfy the authorities (or then I may be wrong).

I'd also like to add that while the visa regulations for foreigners living on a long-term basis in Thailand are restrictive and unfair, the new regulations for tourists are fair enough. These are the regulations and you should consider developing a Plan B for leaving if things go wrong. I am under no illusion that if I become unemployed I may have to leave Thailand as I would need find a job within 90 days, in a non-excluded job category, and at a minimum monthly salary of Bt50,000 (though I would not stay on less anyway). Be prepared and plan your exit strategy now.

R

Bangkok

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Message to US voters and 'would-be voters'

To the gentleman who wrote suggesting that everybody in the world should be entitled to vote in US elections: Sir, as a US citizen, I welcome everybody else to vote in our elections so long as you also pay our taxes.

To the senior US diplomat who said the US dealings with Iraq had been marked by arrogance and stupidity: Sir, your remark outraged me. Diplomats should be more careful in their statements. You left out ignorance.   To the US government: Instead of trying to act as the world's policeman, why not encourage the nations in each region to manage their own affairs? The nations most endangered by North Korea's nuclear weapons programme are China, South Korea, and Japan.

China already has nuclear weapons and can take care of itself. The US has more hydrogen bombs and guided missiles than it needs. So why don't you give a bunch of them to South Korea and Japan? That will enable them to defend themselves and even out the playing field with North Korea. It will also really get up the nose of North Korea's porky, pompadoured, playboy princeling.

Constance Beasley (Mrs)

Bangkok

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Coup gives the Burmese junta pause for thought

The military coup in Thailand may topple the military government in Burma. General Surayad's appointment as prime minister almost gave a heart attack to Than Shwe. When General Surayad was army chief in Thailand, he almost invaded Burma to destroy the drug factories of the United Wa State Army (UWSA). The UWSA is responsible for guarding large sections of the Burmese border with Thailand.

General Surayad has always treated the Burmese refugees with compassion and his interim government is expected to end all government-financed investment projects in Burma.

What worries the SPDC is the participation of 10,000 American troops in the Cobra-Gold annual military exercises over the past four years, which was intended as practise for peace-keeping operations in an unnamed neighbouring country. The SPDC is fully aware that they will be toppled if 10,000 American troops use a base in Thailand as a staging area during the next national uprising in Burma.

General Surayad's interim government will hold free and fair elections within a year after writing the new Thai Constitution. This makes Than Shwe and his generals look like idiots, since they have been unable to accomplish the same objective for 13 years.

Myint Thein

Bangkok

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Suvarnabhumi no match for Singapore's Changi

Re: "Budget carriers ought to move on", Business, October 19.  

I have just had the misfortune of having to use Suvarnabhumi Airport twice in the last week. Whilst I have no vested interest in any low-cost carriers, I do sympathise with any view that Don Muang is a preferable alternative to "the world's newest and one of the most spacious airports". In terms of functionality Suvarnabhumi is an absolute disaster, and an appalling waste of an opportunity to lead the world and become the major hub for Asia, a boast often reported.

My first trip through Suvarnabhumi started with great expectations. From the moment I parked, this became disappointment. Once through check-in and immigration this turned to shame for the authorities, and finally to anger at an opportunity totally lost.

What a shambles! Not the teething troubles - they are expected - but the design flaws, the shoddy workmanship, the incompetence of management. It's such an absolute shame and such a poor image for Thailand!

What a contrast when I arrived in Singapore. What a pleasure: a comfortable, uncongested, pleasant  and truly "spacious" airport with shops everywhere, restaurants, Internet and seats. The best airport in the world I have ever travelled through. And it's 25 years old - but light years ahead in terms of customer experience than Suvarnabhumi. Who on earth designed Suvarnabhumi?

My return to Bangkok was not a bad experience until exiting customs. The space is congested with people carrying signs for meeting people. It's difficult to break through the crowds, and people are constantly and overtly hassled by limousine hawkers. Passengers don't know where to go, since there are no signs for anything. After searching for a while and fighting off the hawkers, I eventually found the public taxis - on the next floor down from the arrival floor.  The design cannot be fixed, it's too late. Demolishing and rebuilding the airport to a new design would be the only drastic solution.

In all honesty, if I could choose between Don Muang and Suvarnhabhumi, I would choose Don Muang. The bottom line is that I have no wish to use Suvarnabhumi if I can possibly avoid it in the future, and will avoid travelling unless it is essential. A very poor indictment for what should have been a triumph of development for the region.

John K Clarke

Bangkok