BOT interest rate rise will hit private investment

I believe any hike in lending rates will slow down private investments and will make unemployment grow. These effects will be noticeable in the very near future. I myself am trying to decrease the number of people working for me in order to increase efficiency and consolidate my operations, as I have to cope up with material price increases, wage increases, and also possibly interest rate increases.

Concerned Factory Owner

Bangkok

Pojaman case conducted according to letter of law

Re: "Why assure the public about a fair court?" Letters, August 27.

Meechai Burapa is concerned about the court case for Pojaman Shinawatra. This explanation is to alleviate his concerns.

First, the court is at liberty to state a preamble for the verdict. In this high-profile case, it was not out of line for the court to reassure the public of its impartiality and fairness.

Second, in the sentencing phase the court took into account a number of factors. The court noted the high social status of the defendant, who set a bad example to the public, as part of the defendant's profile. The court stopped short of imposing the maximum sentence of seven years, which it could have done.

Third, the Assets Examination Committee was established by the Council for National Security (CNS), which was the sovereign power of the day through a successful coup. Whether we like it or not the coup group was capable of tearing up the Constitution and issuing legislation by edicts. We can say that the CNS achieved power illegally. Unfortunately they could respond, "For the time being, we were the law".

Netirat Intira

Bangkok

Thailand's democracy imperfect, but salvageable

Re: "Thailand not qualified to comment on democracy elsewhere", Letters, August 28.

I disagree with Julian Wang's letter saying that a Thai newspaper has no right to comment on world issues just because its own democratic situation is not perfect.

Julian, don't your think the fact that you can have your letter published here shows something? I think it means there is some democracy here in Thailand. A lot of my foreign friends think our country has by far the most vibrant and free press in this region.

Despite our shortcomings, I think our country has a chance to find our own footing in democracy. I personally think democracy must be developed by each country to best suit itself - not some kind of ready-to-wear, one-size-fits-all thing. A country can only develop democracy to suit its own culture, history, geography and people.

Also, in every democracy there are bad politicians. In the case of Thailand we have too many. That's the problem we are trying to solve.

Show me a perfect democracy in this world, and I will show you its imperfections. The fact that you, Julian, can have your say in our papers says for itself that we are not as bad as you think.

Next time, say something nice about us, please. Don't say things we already know. And don't just say things you can't let out in your country and use our press just so you can feel better - and leave us bitter.

Chavalit Van

Chiang Mai

Courts showing an even hand in high-profile cases

Both the extremely wealthy Thaksin and Co and the ascetic Chamlong Srimuang and Co have clearly broken the law, the former by jumping bail and the latter by seeking to evict an elected government by non-democratic means. In both cases, the courts have promptly issued arrest warrants for the accused.

I suggest that when such bitter enemies both accuse the courts of being biased in favour of their foe, that's powerful evidence that the courts are, in fact, following Moses' command: "You shall do no injustice in judgement; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbour" (Leviticus 19:15). They deserve our full support.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok