Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva showed his mettle when he predicted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra would dissolve the House within the year. He also declared the government's populist policies are failing, and thus a snap election to extend its rule is inevitable.
Let's hope the opposition leader comes out more often to expose the other side's ploys to cut political corners and blame bad consequences on everybody else.
It is not really important for the Democrat Party to win elections in the short term. Good and courageous politicians are much needed on the opposition bench at the moment. Keep up the good work, Mr Abhisit _ the country needs you.
Vint Chavala
Lamphun
EXPERIENCE NO TAXI PANACEA
''Stranded in Silom'', as I called myself in a letter published in the May 10 ''PostBag'', would like to inform Frank Lombard, who responded to my letter on May 15, that she has lived in this wonderful country for 23 years, and has spoken fluent Thai since 1993. I'm hardly a ''beginner'' when it comes to taxis or anything else, and I don't think my Thai friends fall into that category either. But as for the real beginners such as the hapless tourists and visiting businesspeople, what chance have they got of getting a taxi driver to turn on his meter, apart from short trips?
Also, I don't think that jotting down a licence plate is a ''remedy'' for taxi driver crimes, more of a futile precaution perhaps.
What I'm doing ''wrong'' is asking the taxi driver to travel quite a long distance. I can understand their reluctance during peak traffic times, when it can take well over one hour to travel 20km, but late at night when there is little traffic the problem is even worse.
The real remedy is some form of action and control by those in charge, and I live in hope that somebody in authority reads these letters and has the gumption to do something about it. Perhaps our newly re-elected aristocratic governor will rescue a damsel in distress, not to mention the hordes of disgruntled visitors to Bangkok?
Still stranded in Silom
DEMOCRATS NEED REAL REFORM
I back Mr Abhisit's efforts to reform the Democrat Party to turn it into an effective mechanism to drive the country forward, and have some suggestions on how he should go about it.
For starters, take the high road and stress accountability, which is at the core of rule of law. Demand that the generals responsible for Krue Se, Tak Bai and Nong Chik be court-martialled, which, besides being just, would greatly facilitate reconciliation. Also, amend the emergency decree. A law that ''could be used to justify murder'', as a UN special rapporteur for extrajudicial killing put it, has no place on the books.
All parties bewail the ramshackle state of our education system, yet each party focuses mainly on superficial fixes, whether it be tablets or school fees. Instead, teach teachers and students how to think, not what to think.
Parties vie to out-praise our beloved King, but take great care to ignore his lessons. Instead of using the lese majeste law to muzzle people, remember that His Majesty himself has said that he is not above criticism.
Promote citizenry at all levels to be thoughtfully involved in issues of the day, for as Charles de Gaulle said, ''Politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politicians.'' Encourage civil society _ schools, universities, media and professional associations _ to analyse and debate local issues, always be open to opposing views, and take stands.
Lastly, learn from Thaksin Shinawatra on how to market yourself _ but be credible by presenting only what is true. Show us how you will use our tax money to add value to the country. By all means, Mr Abhisit, reform your party _ but focus on substance, please.
Burin Kantabutra
THE GOVERNMENT'S BAD SCIENCE
The government says it wants the country to be a medical hub in the region and develop alternative technologies to control pollution. Therefore it was sad to see the report in yesterday's Bangkok Post that funding for research on biology, ecosystem restoration and energy production from biomass have all been reduced, despite the fact that progress in these areas is needed to achieve the stated goals.
It is also very sad that the approval of funding for research is tied to political micro-management, making the work environment worse for researchers. On the contrary, conditions should be relaxed to facilitate research.
In pushing the populist first-car buyer scheme alone the government is squandering almost 100 billion baht, almost 1% of the GDP, while expenditures on scientific research are only 1-2% of GDP.
If barriers for research like these remain, it will be an uphill battle to develop and be competitive in the region.
Sutipunt Bongsununt
Kanchanaburi
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