I fully agree with Saritdet Marukatat in his May 13 BP column ''Karun should foot bill for fight to replace him''.
The Supreme Court found Karun Hosakul guilty of defaming his Democrat rival before the 2011 elections in Don Muang.
The court vacated Mr Karun's seat, necessitating by-elections that will cost you, dear readers, and me a combined 10 million baht.
It's all about accountability. If we pay for the by-election, we're telling the culprit: ''It's all right to make false accusations and defame your opponent. Insofar as you've harmed us, at least financially, we'll cover the costs _ so as far as we're concerned, you can go ahead and do it again.''
But surely that's grossly unfair and unjust. We must not only punish such acts, but make the punishment such that it will deter others from following suit, and encourage their parties to do a better job of selecting their standard-bearers.
So, I propose that Mr Karun not only pay for the Don Muang by-election, but pay triple damages as well, as a deterrent, an amount which should go to the public purse.
In addition, the court should order that he reimburse his opponents for all their expenses in the election (the same applies, of course, for anybody else forced to vacate an elected post due to a criminal act).
As Gilbert and Sullivan said in The Mikado, ''Let the punishment fit the crime.''
BURIN KANTABUTRA
Vejjajivas at loggerheads
Re: ''United World must act on interview row'' (Opinion, BP, May 13).
As an international media group, United World must find it impossible to believe political animosity among Thais has permeated into family institutions, and hence the country is still far from being united.
The ongoing rumour that Suranand Vejjajiva, secretary-general to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, might have put pressure on United World not to interview opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva clearly shows that the two are not on speaking terms, despite the fact they are cousins.
It also goes to show that political rows are not present in public offices only _ but in families as well.
VINT CHAVALA
Lamphun
Taxi tactics for beginners
The May 10 PostBag, ''Stranded in Silom'' complains about taxi drivers not using their meters. I had that problem when meters were first installed but lately they all faithfully turn them on. So what am I doing right and what is Mr or Ms Stranded doing wrong?
I think you will find that a taxi driver will take advantage of weakness and try anything he can get away with. I speak Thai on boarding so he knows I am not a beginner.
Lately the Bangkok Post has been reporting crimes committed by taxi drivers: robberies, kidnapping, rape and even murder. As a remedy for this, I jot down the licence plate when sending off fellow travellers. Another precaution is to send an SMS to your destination with the taxi's registration number.
You can complain to the Department of Land Transport. Good luck! They do not have email and their fax does not work.
Years ago I did get a telephone call in response to a registered letter, but they told me the taxi driver had a different version of the story.
FRANK LOMBARD
BangkokSatang coins so irritating
May I suggest that the central bank gets rid of those irritating copper coins worth less than a baht.
Most people would agree they serve no real purpose as a means of exchange, and are an irritant to the vast majority.
So why keep them? Prices could be rounded up or down to the nearest baht, and I do not imagine that anyone would miss them.
BERNI
CONTACT: BANGKOK POST BUILDING
136 Na Ranong Road Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110
Fax: +02 6164000 email: postbag@bangkokpost.co.th
All letter writers must provide full name and address.
All published correspondence is subject to editing at our discretion.