Re: ''V for Thailand's rapid growth spooks govt'' (BP, June 24).
Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung is charging around again spouting vitriol against anti-government protesters. He accuses the white-mask groups of having links to people who run businesses on the ''grey market''_ but who believes anything he says these days?
The fact the white-mask groups are autonomous would suggest the uprising was a spontaneous uprising of people with grievances against the government just as the red-shirt uprising was alleged to be.
Mr Chalerm should not worry that the white masks will displace the government as the rice-pledging project will sort out that problem.
RICHARD BOWLER
Democracy goes two ways
Many people have rightfully expressed their outrage about the red shirts attacking anti-government protesters. Actually, the red shirts have a history of attacking people they don't like _ although BBC News has assured us that the red shirts beat up people for the benefit of democracy!
But before we get too self-righteous, let's not forget that the opposition is responsible for the fact that red shirts are rotting in jail because of the lese majeste law. The trouble with Thais is that they think democracy is only for people who agree with them.
Some people think it's ironic that I call myself pro-democracy when I refer to my critics as being ignorant and stupid. But I respect their right to be ignorant and stupid and I wouldn't put them in jail or beat them up for being jerks. And that, dear readers, is what real democracy is all about.
ERIC BAHRT
At last, an honest thief
With regard to the hold-up of a 7-11 store by robbers wearing Guy Fawkes masks, all I can say is, ''At last! A bit of transparency from certain quarters.''
WARNER
Privacy worries very real
In his letter on June 20, Eric Bahrt wrote: ''Does anyone have any evidence that President Barack Obama has ever violated the privacy of the average American citizen? I didn't think so.''
Well, I have some evidence. In her article, ''The other side of the American national security story'' (BP, June 18), Gail Collins recounts the experience of Brandon Mayfield.
The privacy of his family home, office, computers and phone calls was violated repeatedly and secretly under a warrant from the special and secret courts set up under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
A fingerprint taken from the scene of the 2004 Madrid bombings had been matched with his prints in the database of all past and present members of the US military. (A court later found this match was ''fabricated and concocted'' by the US authorities.)
Unfortunately, there was no evidence that he had ever been to Spain, let alone at the time of the bombings.
He was arrested and detained for two weeks until the Spanish authorities, who had never suspected him, identified the real culprit. Mr Mayfield received US$2 million (61.8 million baht) in compensation and a formal apology.
Now admittedly this occurred during Mr Bush's presidency and not Mr Obama's, but the US government still operates by the same rules. There seems good reason to be concerned.
ALEC BAMFORD
Southern stats perplex
Re: ''Officials the new target in attacks'' (BP, June 25).
The Bangkok Post reports that southern violence has doubled since talks began. Yet both the prime minister and the military report less violence than before. Will someone please make up his/her mind?
You can't have it both ways. Someone is telling porkies, and I don't think it is the reporters.
MOST CONFUSED MANGO
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.