Channel 3's cancellation of the final episode of the soap opera Nua Mek 2 has in itself become a soap opera. It has done more to propel Thailand's image across the global stage than all of TAT's futile and feeble attempts. Please continue reporting on the progress of the outcome of Nua Mek 2. All of us who never heard of it and never watched it are now intensely interested. After all, the subject matter is really close to our hearts.
JACK GILEAD
Govt can't win Abhisit war
I find it difficult to believe the murder charges, among others, against Abhisit Vejjajiva over the 2010 red-shirt demonstrations in Bangkok are politically motivated as it appears to be a no-win situation for the government.
If he is acquitted then the government and allied agencies would suffer tremendous loss of face and a large drop in public support.
If he is convicted and is sentenced to a prison term, which he will serve if still here in Thailand, then what chance would there be to bring back Thaksin without prolonged major riots and mayhem?
Or have I missed something?
EL GIBBO
Pattaya
Watching the watchmen
After a nice long break the traffic police who were banned from hanging out in gangs on the sides of the road are back.
The obvious danger they create by running out into speeding traffic was the reason they were told to stay off the road in the daytime.
It's New Year and they are back around midday making people's lives miserable as usual. My mum taught me not to run out in the road when I was a kid. Who will teach the traffic police? This causes accidents.
CHARLIE
Preaching hate won't help
So Eric Bahrt once again has to resort to insulting his critics and those that do not agree with his views by calling them stupid.
Not very smart, in my opinion. While I am sympathetic to his animal rights views, I am very against the way he writes his letters.
He often distorts facts and uses studies and theories debunked by other experts. When people counter his facts, he offends them.
If Eric could stick to the facts about the benefits of vegetarian diets and not try to morally blackmail or scaremonger us into his choice of lifestyle then maybe he would not have so many critics. Eric's hateful style certainly does not do his causes any good.
VICTOR MELDREW
Asean must get nosier
Re: ''2013: New beginnings, New challenges'' (Asia Focus, Jan 7).
It is rewarding to note the optimistic assessment that in 2013 the Asean region will remain the world's key hope in efforts to steer the global economy on a positive trajectory.
However, some generalisations have to be more nuanced.
It is common knowledge that there are unresolved disputes among some Asean members. But the strong affirmation that ''In any case, don't expect Asean to wade into any dispute involving two of its members'' has to be questioned.
The Asean Charter, a fundamental legal instrument ratified by all 10 Asean members, categorically stipulates inter alia, in its comprehensive chapter VIII, that Asean shall maintain and establish dispute settlement mechanisms in all fields of Asean cooperation.
Moreover, when a dispute remains unresolved, it shall be referred to the Asean Summit for its decision. The secretary-general of Asean, assisted by the Asean Secretariat or any other designated Asean body, shall monitor the compliance with the findings, recommendations or decisions resulting from an Asean dispute settlement mechanism, and submit a report to the Asean Summit.
Certainly, it remains to be seen to what extent Asean countries are politically ready to fully comply with the Asean Charter's provisions, in particular those related to the peaceful settlement of disputes.
IOAN VOICU
Bangkok
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