Moving to operator that doesn't support fugitives

Upon hearing that AIS was paying for large advertisements on ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra's new Voice TV station, I called AIS to ask for an explanation.

They gave me none. So I am now cancelling my AIS phone number and moving on to a mobile-phone operator that does not financially support fugitive criminals who incite violence.

EX-AIS PLATINUM USER

BANGKOK

Government should stop indulging in ostrich politics

The problem the government is facing is Thaksin Shinawatra, who will forever be a problem, whether he is in jail, a free man in Thailand or a fugitive on the loose overseas.

A petition for Thaksin's pardon was signed by millions, but not dealt with by the government.

In fact, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva indicated that it might take "forever" for the petition to be handled. I would ask Abhisit to start behaving like an adult and deal with the matter on an urgent basis. When we know the outcome, we will also know if Thaksin will continue being a "national" problem or just a personal problem for Abhisit. Then we can welcome our "neighbours" again.

Stop the ostrich politics. Burying your heads in the sand when faced with a problem does not make the problem go away. You only get sand in your eyes. All this talk about national unity is just talk. Thailand is a divided nation due to the government's indecisiveness.

I will remind Abhisit of the fact that Thaksin has the love and support of more than 50 per cent of the Thai population, and in their eyes he is a victim, not a criminal. Is there anyone talking about true democracy or equality? We talk |about it every day in my circles, because that is what we want but do not have in Thailand.

PER G

AYUTTHAYA

Slaughtering other species remains reprehensible

Re: "Food for thought about what you eat", Editorial, November 5

I nearly fell off my chair when I read your editorial practically promoting vegetarianism. I have never read an editorial in a mainstream newspaper that was so sympathetic to my cause.

Every year tens of billions of animals (not including marine animals) are murdered and often tortured for food that is not even healthy to consume. As to those who argue that eating meat is "a matter of choice", I ask what choice do the animals have. How can any human being refer to torture as "a matter of choice"? And the fact that the victims of this torture are members of a different species is from a moral and ethical perspective completely and totally irrelevant.

While I don't want to offend anyone, eating animals is an atrocity and I'd |be a total hypocrite to pretend that isn't true.

ERIC BAHRT

PATTAYA

Chavalit has got it partly right in ideas for South

I partly agree with Pheu Thai Party chairman Chavalit [Yongchaiyudh], who proposes a "Pattani City" covering several provinces. I agree that developed areas should have local governments whose structure is like that of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), coming under the Constitution. Such a structure would allow locals to take care of their own issues, including peace and order, and take part in decision-making in local affairs.

But, I see no reason to combine the four southern provinces into one. Yes, the majority of southerners are Muslim, but to me, that's not sufficient reason to form, in essence, a state within a state. Like many other peoples, we Thais have gained from diverse influences - like the intermixing of Thais and Chinese - and I see no reason why Buddhists should not benefit from learning about and respecting Muslims, living together in harmony, and vice versa.

In seeking reconciliation, we should keep Obama's words in mind: "I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn't steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. These are not just American ideas, they are human rights, and that is why we will support them everywhere."

To achieve what Obama speaks about, we should promote Anand Panyarachun's seven Pillars of Sustainable Democracy, which are: elections, political tolerance, the rule of law, freedom of expression, accountability and transparency, decentralisation and civil society. Thus, we should let developed areas like Pattani, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Korat and Chon Buri have more autonomy, like the BMA - including direct election of governors.

As PM Abhisit said, "My basic assumption is that you will never have reconciliation unless there is justice. The same principle applies to the South." Thus, as General Chavalit echoed, the security agencies, especially the military and police, must look beyond separatism and pay more attention to the feelings of locals. For starters, amend the emergency decree so that never again can generals avoid accountability for atrocities like Krue Se (use of excessive force, 32 bodies) and Tak Bai (manslaughter, 78 bodies).

Our leaders, whether PM Abhisit or Chavalit, talk the talk and want to achieve reconciliation by promoting democracy. Let them now show us that they walk the walk.

BURIN KANTABUTRA

History will judge Hun Sen, not ambassador

I read the emotional response by You Aye, the ambassador of Cambodia, with humour. You Aye may have forgotten that Thailand is a democratic nation whose political figures are publicly scrutinised. The defence that she provided in the case of Hun Sen indeed reflects the real truth about the country's prime minister. You Aye can defend and paint Hun Sen into whatever hero of Cambodia she likes. |The real fact is that Hun Sen is still Hun Sen.

Well-informed historians and people in a better-educated world can reflect upon what Hun Sen really is. You Aye's view of Hun Sen reminds me of the Nazi propaganda for Hitler, and of the Communist Party for Stalin. Time will tell what Hun Sen is like and what he really has done for Cambodia's people, or for himself and his cronies. There have been so many examples of such leaders who later on go into oblivion.

THE INSIDER

Envoy ruins case with her choice of language

It was with interest that I read the letter from Ambassador You Aye of Cambodia on November 3. It is great that someone of her stature would give the time to write to the media. However, what surprised me the most was some of the terms she chose to use in her letter. I am sure that Ambassador You Aye had a lot to say but after reading some of her terms, it turned me off.

It is understandable to be patriotic, but one must also be aware of one's stature in society, as there are younger generations who look at ambassadorship as a symbol of diplomacy. It would be interesting to see how Ambassador You Aye would operate in a world diplomacy forum if her ability is to resort to such language. I think other world leaders would not take her seriously. I know I did not.

RAMBO

BANGKOK