Congratulations to Atiya Achakulwisut for seeking to hold to account the Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi in her excellent piece, "Three reasons for doubting Plodprasop" (Opinion, Sept 24).
Thailand needs more of this kind of journalism where the writer poses pertinent and legitimate questions to a leading politician. No doubt Mr Plodprasop's spin doctors are formulating responses based upon the usual rhetoric applied by members of this reckless, shambolic government. All spin and no substance.
BKKBRIT
Unclog those canals
Don Muang ("Empty promises," PostBag, Sept 24) is right. Every year, our small back canal which feeds Phra Khanong canal is cleared of plants. Not this year. You can hardly see what is canal and what is land. Nothing has been done to correct it, and because of it there may be the possibility of flooding. In 2011 we were spared. This year? Time will tell.
WILMA
Whither our democracy?
Whether democracy, Thaksinocracy or Abhisitocracy, none is the best form of governance. They are only the least evil.
For any government that lacks credibility to rule, or that steals from the people, or that strives to change criminals into innocents, democracy would be a far cry.
A proper democracy is a system that prospers in countries bestowed with a clean government that rules with integrity.
It is a wild goose chase to find one such government here. Has politics always been this dirty?
SAM SV
Enter the dragon
It has been interesting to read the various letters praising or criticising the United States.
Rather than looking back at past reasons why American power has been beneficial, I personally think looking to the future is more pertinent.
Most Southeast Asian countries are acutely aware of the rise of China and its aggressive foreign policy. If anyone thinks it is "self-restraint" that has prevented China from retaking Taiwan or the various territories it claims in contest with the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan and more, think again. This ''restraint''is because of the deterrent presented by the US Navy.
To quote Ho Chi Minh during the Indochina war: "You fools! Don't you realise what it means if the Chinese remain? Don't you remember your history? The last time the Chinese came, they stayed a thousand years.
"The French are foreigners. They are weak. Colonialism is dying. The white man is finished in Asia. But if the Chinese stay now, they will never go."
I rest my case.
PETER HART
Airport courts misery
We are made to believe tourists can now feel satisfied because they are able to lodge their claims against scams, fraud, extortion, theft and other abuses at a special courtroom in Suvarnabhumi airport (''Airport courtroom opens to hear first foreigners' cases'', BP, Sept 24).
But it's likely no one will hear of any legal outcomes, face the accused or receive any compensation. l would think the average tourist would probably appreciate an extra toilet or two and a faster way to the gate than wasting their time on more unnecessary suffering and frustration brought about by sitting in a courtroom for nothing.
PERRY
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