PostBag
Since it was the Thaksin government's policy to sell off public assets to the highest bidder, including foreign businessmen, it won't surprise me if the British government is somehow able to overlook Thaksin's abysmal human rights record and his very questionable financial dealings, and cheat us out of justice by granting him political asylum.
It is amazing what so-called democratic governments are able to overlook when wealthy individuals are involved.
CYNIC
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Don't hold your breath
The biggest laugh of the week for me was in the Bangkok Post of Aug 20: "EC defers decision on PPP's fate" - for two weeks, because their investigators need time to photocopy a document.
Now we know there is no such thing as productivity in Thailand and, at this rate, there never will be.
This remark was nearly as funny as Chuan Leekpai's famous saying: "I haven't received the documents yet."
WALTER
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Teacher in the wrong
As an educator of some 20 years' and one who has lived and worked in Thailand for some time now, I am both saddened and outraged at the behaviour of a teacher who beats children ("Student protesters caned by teacher," BP, Aug 20).
No responsible university teaches that this is an effective means of discipline. Indeed, most would say that this is the least effective as it robs the student of his/her dignity.
The Ministry of Education makes it clear that corporal punishment is banned in schools, though I am aware that it is in widespread use.
Legally speaking, Suwattana Permpool has committed the crime of assault and battery and should be called to account in open court - if Thailand is a nation of laws.
Until such time, this individual (as well as others who commit such offences against children) should be removed from the classroom.
BRIAN QUINBY
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Well done, MRT staff
I want to say a huge thank-you to the staff of the MRT and to two nice Thai women who came to my aid when I had to suddenly get off the underground train on Wednesday due to feeling ill (food poisoning).
As I crouched down on the platform clutching the railing, two Thai passengers immediately came to help me. One gave me a menthol breathing stick to help my breathing, and the second one made sure I was alright before she called over an MRT staff person to help.
Within five minutes of me getting off the train, I had four MRT staff helping me (one with a wheelchair!) and when I began to feel slightly better, one of the MRT staff got back on a train with me and took me to Ratchadapisek station. Here she came out of the MRT with me, hailed me a taxi and put me safely in it and on my way home.
I'm originally from England and the US, but have lived in Thailand for five years. I was absolutely amazed to receive such caring treatment from MRT staff and members of the Thai public, as I'm sure this probably wouldn't happen in the US or the UK.
Thank you so much - you all did the MRT and Thailand proud!
MICHELLE TOPHAM
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Both are to be faulted
In his letter, "The system is at fault" (Postbag, Aug 20), Danny Boy implies that only one can be at fault, either Khun Thaksin or the justice system.
I suggest that Thaksin is at fault for not returning as he promised, and the justice system erred by believing him.
Military coups are not a question of being just and certainly have nothing whatsoever to do with the justice system. Ask instead whether the coup was justified and the answer is a resounding yes.
Both the NCCC and OAG had been neutered and outmanoeuvred by the manipulative use of the constitution by the Thai Rak Thai party. Nepotism was rapidly filling senior posts in both the military and police.
Tanks in Bangkok were the only way to do things. I agree with Danny Boy that had the coup failed, its architects would be in prison. Thankfully for Thailand, it succeeded.
DAVID
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Unbelievable Why would Thaksin Shinawatra order his team of legal advisers to take action against the PAD when he does not believe in the justice system in Thailand?
Do you not think that this is a stupid person? He wants the system to work for him and not against him, for if he was not guilty why would he flee like a common criminal to another country?
STEVE
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A vile sport
I was horrified to find the article by Daniel Wools about the British bullfighter Evans in your pages (BP, Aug 19). Does your newspaper really imagine that torturing bulls to death is something to be proud of?
Since this vile "sport" is fast becoming extinct (89% of British people interviewed said they would never visit these spectacles and 72% of Spaniards have no interest in it), it is unlikely that the editor will be re-incarnated as a bull to be slowly tortured to death for entertainment. But to improve his karma, perhaps he should now support kindness to animals and vegetarianism.
MICHAEL NIGHTINGALE
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