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Published on July 25, 2007

Congratulations to the police who outmanoeuvred the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD) leaders who led a mob from Sanam Luang to Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda's residence on Sunday.

Perseverance on the part of the police, plus the mob leaders' devil-may-care behaviour, led to the arrest warrants being issued against the DAAD leaders, which could at least result in a pause of their political rabble-rousing for quite some time.

This smart action by the police will remind those who pursue dirty political tricks that they cannot always provoke security officials into using force. Those who have lost power should also realise that to gain credibility, they must show themselves worthy of it - not by way of using machinations.

Chavalit Van

Chiang Mai

Demonstrators blinded by old regime's promises

Re: "Arrest looms for leaders," News, July 24th

I don't know whether to feel embarrassed by, or sorry for, the one ringleader and his five henchmen who led the anti-government protest at Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda's home earlier this week.

I am embarrassed because their violent effort reflects badly on Thailand. I am embarrassed because this amateurish plot is not the right way to lodge a protest against the Council for National Security. Those who were involved look like hoodlums seeking revenge.

Obviously, it was planned with little thought. What was their objective in marching on Prem's home? What were they going to do, storm Prem's home and hold him hostage? What did they hope to gain by way of violent opposition? It boggles the mind. I am just happy those who are plotting the anti-government protests are not running the country or we would really be up the creek without a paddle.

I feel sorry for these anti-government protesters because they will be sentenced to the maximum penalty. Unfortunately, Thaksin Shinawatra will never come to their aid either directly or indirectly, as they might hope.

Thaksin has proven that the only person he cares about is himself. He has only used the people's power to gain personal power. Sadly, the protesters do not see through his deception.

When will people learn?

Outraged Taxpayer

Bangkok

Riot an attempt to create chaos in Thai politics

My compliments to the Royal Thai Police for restraining themselves in their handling of the protests outside Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda's house on Sunday night.

This protest against Prem has nothing to do with restoring democracy but is an attempt to create a chaotic political situation, which would allow them to regain power.

The leaders of this hard-core group of 5,000 hooligans, paid by the Thaksin clique, should be punished heavily. Reconciliation politics, as I wrote before, are useless with this mob as they only understand power politics and in fact are not interested in democracy whatsoever.

I regret the support of the voters in Isaan for these greedy, fraudulent people which will create a dire political morass after the next elections.

Egon

Bangkok

DAAD rallies sullied by acts of mob on Sunday

I agree with Suriyasai Katasila, a core leader of the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy, who warns that if the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD) used violence that would destroy the legitimacy of their rallies, and that as leaders, they must be accountable for letting their followers get out of hand.

The DAAD's only chance of winning public support is to show that they hold the moral high ground - and they will lose that if they show themselves to be no better than a bunch of rowdies, seeking to have their way by force.

The DAAD seeks to provoke the authorities into overreacting, and, indeed, the Army is prone to do so, without accountability (witness Krue Se and Tak Bai). Since this is a domestic matter, riot control should be left to the police, who should have been trained to be calmer in such circumstances than soldiers. The police should try to keep their distance from the protesters in order to lessen casualties, eg, by using tear gas and water cannons rather than batons.

The more trouble the DAAD tries to stir up, the more restrained the police must be. Invite the world press and world human-rights organisations in, so the world can see for themselves that this government respects rule of law, and that if there is any violence, it is instigated by the protesters.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

Exporters should not be coddled by government

Re: "Who did what to curb stronger baht?", Opinion, July 23.

Well really as an ex-head of the central bank, MR Pridiyathorn Devakula of all people should know better than to talk about a "crisis" - not if you want it to go away!

Perhaps you haven't noticed the smartest central banks in the global economy don't target their exchange rate - smart because they know very well they can't defeat market forces. It is a pity Thailand apparently didn't learn that lesson from its financial crisis. If the currency appreciates and businesses don't react, that's their problem. It's called survival of the fittest and if you're not fit you don't survive.

Smart central banks try merely to smooth out the excesses on a daily basis and let the trend take care of its self.

As for state enterprises repaying offshore debt, this makes perfect sense for obvious reasons - they can switch to domestic debt, which helps the depth of the local bond market.

Tim Julien

Bangkok

Consensus against US part in Iraq War growing

Re: "Coalition forces in Iraq deserve public support", Letters, July 22.

I welcome David Barkdull's response to my letter but I felt his comments were somewhat flimsy and pedantic. For his information I think I am one of a growing number of people throughout the world who are deeply concerned about the immoral policies of the US, which upon exposure, results in it passing the buck to some other party.

This is not a matter of supporting or not supporting the troops - it is a matter of drawing a line under the disastrous leadership in the US. The failure of Iraq is solely down to the US's weak and warped leadership that has been allowed to flourish since 9/11 under the banner of fear.

If the people in office had any concern for US troops they would have put more thought into their actions before invading this now-destroyed country. Remember, these are the very people who actually put the troops in harm's way under completely false pretences and then amongst other things, stooped to the lowest levels of cowardice in exposing a female CIA agent to danger after her husband spoke about the war. So much for truth and patriotism!

Iraq is lost, and the only thing Bush "supports" is the desire to save his skin and that of his cronies and pass the disaster on to another president to suffer the consequences.

David Barkdull and the like would do well realise that the true meaning of support and sacrifice comes with standing up and showing the courage to resist obviously corrupt intentions.

A Warner

Bangkok

Pattaya quiet as visitors head for friendlier climes

As a resident of Pattaya for the last 18 months, it is very evident that even allowing for the low-season effect, the number of foreigners either residing or holidaying here is dwindling.

I would suggest that this is due to the endless anti-foreigner restrictions concerning constant changes to the visa rules, land and property ownership, as well as overseas currency, crime and overpricing etc. Many foreigners have been driven to the point where they are now looking to other countries that make them feel more welcome and appreciated, which is also to the obvious detriment of many Thais who rely on foreigners to make their living.

How long will it be before the government recognises the damage that is being done to both tourist resorts in particular, and the national economy in general, before more forward-thinking ideas are introduced to review and change many of these anti-foreigner measures and practices?

Lawrence Tilney

Chon Buri