POSTBAG
I have read that the Senate's deputy chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Priyananta Rangsit, said both Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag and Prime Minister Samak had the power to revoke Thaksin's passport. She said the law requires the passport of a fugitive facing criminal charges be revoked.
Both Thaksin and his wife are facing several criminal charges. That is an inescapable fact. If neither Tej nor Samak act in the best interests of Thailand and uphold the rule of law, they themselves must be impeached for it is apparent that they work for Thaksin and not the people.
I really do not hold out much hope for these laws to be enforced as Thailand has shown time and again that it is not what you are, but who you are.
Under Samak the message is loud and clear. So long as you rip off a large amount from a large group of people _ in Thaksin's case several tens of millions of people _ you can do as you please with impunity.
FARANG OBSERVER
Bangkok
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Question of money
There have been several letters recently in Postbag complaining about the hypocrisy of various governments, notably the UK, regarding the question of asylum.
The complainers should be aware that hypocrisy is the first prerequisite of being a politician; the whole cabinet is supposed to agree on government policy, even if 49% of them are opposed, obliging them to defend in public what they privately despise.
Some years ago, a South African athlete, Zola Budd, began breaking world records for distance running. She came to England, and had a UK passport quicker than a visa applicant can be told: ''Your application is rejected.''
Americans and Canadians can visit Europe without a visa. Thais are obliged to go cap in hand to an embassy and beg to be allowed to pay for a visa.
I therefore suppose that Mr Thaksin and his family will be granted political asylum in the UK or anywhere else where someone with money to spend is appreciated.
When I liken this to the problems a normal person has in obtaining a Europe-wide Schengen visa, the answer is obviously only a question of money.
DEREK DOYLE
Chon Buri
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Courts not democratic
There have been letters in Postbag contending that efforts to disband the PPP are undemocratic. Actually the possible disbandment of the PPP is a judicial process and there is nothing undemocratic about applying the rule of law.
Democracy (choosing by popular vote) might be used in parliament when promulgating a bill, but applying the law is left in the hands of a select number of highly qualified and accountable legal professionals. Imagine what law and order would be like if verdicts were left to popular vote.
Even if the judiciary is appointed by biased standing governments, they must still make lengthy justifications for decisions based on evidence.
Coup-appointed or not, I believe the judiciary is more balanced than it has been in years. If judgments seem to take a hard line, it can be argued that in this era of poor political ethics examples need to be made.
The history of democracy is awash with such instances. If executive members of a party are in serious violation of a law, and the ultimate dissolution of their party is likely to be controversial, the judiciary needs to deliberate long to justify their verdict.
Some might argue that the law is exceptionally harsh, but in vote-buying Thailand it might be justified. In democratic Thailand parliament can/must vote to change a law, but if the effort is entirely self-serving they should expect protests and resistance, such as from the PAD.
Considering the level of press freedom, judicial balance and free voting here, Thailand can be considered pretty democratic. But as long as there are opposing players in the democratic process, the laws of the land should be held supreme. And all parties need to respect the rules at the time of the democratic vote, or face the music.
ANDREW
Chiang Mai
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Thaksin can't help it
Steve was absolutely right (''Unbelievable'', Postbag, Aug 22).
Thaksin's behaviour was consistent from the beginning. He promised to solve Bangkok traffic in six months and eradicate poverty in Thailand in six years. He said he ''violated the law with honest intent'', when it was found that he transferred assets to his maid and driver.
Contrary to popular belief, Thaksin is not that smart. The worst part is he has no conscience. He did everything in self-interest, and begged for sympathy when caught red-handed. He was a good actor and did buy a lot of sympathy from Thai people, who look up to rich and powerful people. But they also led to his downfall.
His populist policies were designed to create dependency among rural people on the free handouts, instead of strengthening communities through self-sufficiency. This is well-documented. The middle class was angry because it was mostly their tax money he was transferring to the poor to buy votes.
The man can't help himself. His head was always spinning with ways to enrich his family and friends. He was caught red-handed too often for most of us to believe him. He does not possess the most basic qualities necessary for a prime minister.
I didn't agree with the coup. Like Phra Paisal Wisalo once said, ''we fight for justice and principles. It's not necessarily to win [at all costs]''.
The ends do not justify the means. If you use the wrong method, such as a coup, it will come back to haunt you sooner or later. The coup is now being used by the pro-Thaksin side to invalidate everything they don't like. And now it's being used by Thaksin to seek asylum in the UK.
A coup might be quick, but in the end it proved ineffective and moved the country backward politically by decades.
CHOOPONG
Bangkok
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Fire is symbol of God
I was pleasantly surprised to see the photo about Parsi New Year in the Bangkok Post on Aug 20.
In the caption, it said that Zoroastrians worship fire. This, unfortunately, is a common misconception.
Zoroastrianism is the world's first monotheistic religion and fire is a symbol of God's wisdom, strength and compassion as the creator and overseer of the universe.
When a Zoroastrian prays in front of the fire, it is to focus their thoughts on the One Supreme God, so as to lead a life of good thoughts, good words and good deeds.
ROSHNI TALATI
Bangkok
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