The recent assault and beating of white-mask protesters in Chiang Mai by red shirts was a reminder, if any were needed, that red shirts are willing and able to inflict violence on those they disagree with. The Chiang Mai case is special, however, as that chapter of the movement, Rak Chiang Mai 51 (RCM51), has been particularly notorious for its intolerance.
In 2008, members of the group gruesomely murdered a man during an assault on a PAD community radio station. In 2009, they violently shut down the city's gay pride parade before it even began. The man heading the group then and now is Petchawat Wattanapongsirikul. With Mr Petchawat at the helm, RCM51 has been responsible for some of the worst red-shirt violence in the country, and they are threatening further action against an upcoming lawful protest.
The upshot is Mr Petchawat does not just head RCM51, he is an adviser to the human development and security minister in the Yingluck Shinawatra cabinet. This is unacceptable; taking into account the group's track record and its continuing willingness to inflict violence, Mr Petchawat should be dismissed from his post _ at the very least.
Some might shrug and say, there are many other red shirts in the government, so what does one more matter? But a man heading a group so committed to hatred and intolerance stands out from the pack.
Mr Petchawat is not a well-known figure in Thailand, but today his name should be on everyone's lips. Prime Minister Yingluck should make the right decision here _ and dismiss this man from her government.
BANGKOK DAVE
Silence won't fix conflict
Re: ''Yingluck 'not siding with red shirts''' (BP, June 16).
I question the desperate attempt of Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit to defend Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra regarding the violent confrontation between the red shirts and white-mask protesters in Chiang Mai. I agree that everyone has rights to expression, but violence is totally unacceptable. As a native of Chiang Mai, I think Ms Yingluck should come out and say something. Keeping quiet is not the solution to this problem.
BURAPAT DANWILAI
Thaksin ill-informed
Re: ''Thaksin urges speedy release of rice figures'' (BP, June 17).
If fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra really said as he was quoted by his legal adviser Noppadon Pattama as saying - that the rice-pledging scheme was good and should be continued - he doesn't know to what extent the scheme has already done damage to the country.
The Yingluck government is still keeping the public in the dark on the exact figures relating to this controversial rice-pledging scheme.
The Pheu Thai-led government is full of people with vested interests.
All evidence available shows the losses from the first harvest year of this programme alone must have reached 260 billion baht, as claimed by critics including Moody's Investor Services.
Hence, it is possible Thaksin may have been misinformed by his aides, and so underestimated the situation.
Thaksin should realise that critics are already calling this scheme a scam.
Last but not least, he should also be reminded that Thailand's slipping from being the world's number one rice exporter was also because of this foolhardy rice-pledging scheme.
VINT CHAVALA
Fungus a sign of times
Re: ''Mushrooms grow in front of Government House'' (Post online, June 17).
I guess it will soon be declared a good omen, like the python in the tree and the giant monitor lizard on the lawn.
JACK GILEAD
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.