Thailand Political Crisis from Anachy System of Feudalism

Vaitor.com : Blog of the Month

2010-08-14T07:50:00.000-07:00

http://www.vaitor.com/ why this blog just get it in this month, I knew this blog in Bloody Bangkok in April - May through his photos and report from him, its great job :) while Almost Thai media have been flatter dictatorshit.

Politics and economy need to go hand in hand

2010-08-14T07:32:00.000-07:00

"What has happened in this country can be said to be an outburst of problems which have been accumulating over the years," said Chatri Sophonpanich, executive chairman of Bangkok Bank, the largest bank in Thailand, in an interview with Thai Rath.

BangkokPost

Publish Post

Yes!! Big boss, then, you knew everything in this country that what happened, what do you talking about? This country 's going to bankrupt because of a man like you, who choose to be in quite or talk about weather or cheap philosophy..

Thai Media Suckkk!!!!

2010-03-27T22:01:00.000-07:00

Biased TV stations intensify divides in Thailand protests : csmonitor

Red-shirted protesters in cars, pickup trucks, and motorbikes snaked around the Thai capital on Saturday, the latest in a series of antigovernment demonstrations. Police estimated that 65,000 people had joined the convoy, which stretched for several miles.
But viewers of Thailand’s TV stations, the most popular source of news, were told that 25,000 attended. As usual, pictures of protesters were bracketed by statements from government officials. No airtime was given to ordinary protesters. And last week when protesters dumped blood at the prime minister's office and home, pro-government media hyped up the health risks and the ethics of wasting human blood, while antigovernment media focused on the symbolism of Thais willing to shed blood for the cause.

That's not crazy but its real happened in Thailand for now. Almost Thai Media attemped to propaganda Thai people by Cheap Dirty Tactic, they plotted it for long time before red shirt group run to Bangkok, but it wasted time, More than 50% of Bangkokrian came from another part of Thailand, no doubt, most of them absolutely supported Red Shirt Group.

Thailand says talks with protesters ongoing despite arrests

2008-10-06T08:15:00.000-07:00

BANGKOK (AFP) — Thailand's deputy prime minister insisted Monday that the arrest of two anti-government leaders would not derail negotiations with protesters besieging state buildings.

The detention of Chamlong Srimuang, a key protest leader, and rally organiser Chaiwat Sinsuwong over the weekend raised speculation in local media that the government was giving up on the talks.

Both men are due in court on Monday and are facing charges including insurrection, but Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, deputy prime minister and chief negotiator with the protesters, said they were still committed to peace.

"I can still negotiate with others ... Our negotiations have not ended yet. There is just a little more to finish," Chavalit told reporters.

"These negotiations will soon be successful," he added.

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat has said he wants thousands of protesters to leave his Bangkok offices by November.

Chavalit has been tasked with ending the six-week occupation of the government compound by a coalition demanding that the elected government step down because of its links to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The group began their campaign in late May claiming that the ruling People Power Party's plan to amend the constitution was aimed at helping Thaksin escape graft charges, and they stormed Government House on August 26.

A day later, Thailand issued arrest warrants for nine protest leaders.

Authorities, however, appeared unwilling to force their way into the heavily-fortified protest camp and deliver the warrants, and arrested Chamlong as he voted in Bangkok's governor elections on Sunday.

Chamlong appeared in court on Monday where police were seeking to extend his detention by 12 days, while Chaiwat was later due to appear in the same court, where his lawyers were expected to argue against his detention.

Comment : Real Thai politics chaos, for now, nobody knows that what happended, why Chamlong like to be a big shot, why he get out from Government house, I don't understand.

Chaovalit contacts Chamlong to disperse protest

2008-09-29T07:57:00.000-07:00

By The Nation
Maj General Chamlong Srimuang, a leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy said Deputy Prime Minister Chaovalit Yongchaiyudh had his close aide call him up but had yet to discuss conditions that the PAD would agree to disperse its sit-in protest.

Chamlong said he was still waiting for advice from Chaovalit over the political impasse and the PAD would decide if it could follow his advice.

"We do not close all doors for negotiations and we are ready to talk to all parties,'' he said.

He said Chaovalit's aide and he had only talked about their well-beings.

Comment : Chaovalit have been secret supported to People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) so far, so its not surprise if Chamlong will be cheerfully accept to negotiate with Chaovalit. It's juggler!

Thailand's ex-PM Samak loses another court battle

2008-09-26T06:06:00.000-07:00

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) — Thailand's Appeals Court upheld a two-year jail sentence Thursday in a defamation case against former Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, who was recently forced to resign for violating the constitution.

Samak, who rose to his feet for the verdict, was stunned by the court's decision and lost his balance. Two court aides caught his arms to prevent him from falling.

The court said it saw no reason to suspend the jail term handed down last year by the Criminal Court, which convicted Samak of defaming a former deputy mayor of Bangkok during a television talk show in January 2006.

Defense attorney Prachum Thongmee said Samak would appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.

The Criminal Court verdict was in April 2007 and the sentence was on appeal when Samak became prime minister early this year. Samak, known for his sharp tongue, had been convicted three other times for defamation and given suspended sentences.

This time, the Appeals Court said it wanted to teach him a lesson.

"The defendant has repeatedly defamed others with groundless, damaging information," the court said in its decision Thursday, read out by a judge. "The courts have given the defendant chances to reform and change his behavior but the defendant has not changed. So there is no reason to reduce the punishment."

Comment : Samak and Dusit, political commentator dual, they 're in duty of mass communication, they aren't a politician, I don't understand, I have just found out that Its guilty. Before that, Sonthi Limthongkul the master of people 's alliance for democracy who has been hit in same accusation for many case, but he didn't found guilty, Thai Juctice had been verdicted that he was a Journalist who did his work by duty. Why ? Sonthi could do that but Samak couldn't. Sonthi is a untouchable man, isn't it?

The Secret Key of New Thai Cabinet

2008-09-23T00:05:00.000-07:00

When I saw the news about New PM line up his cabinet, the name which make me wonder is Gen.Chavalit Youngjaiyuth the ex Prime minister in 1997, why he has just arrive on the scene.

For 6 month before,people alliance 's for democracy did assemble their mob at Rajdumnern Road, we saw advisers of Gen. Chavalit in there all the time. He has been involved this mob from the begining absolutely. He is near with Gen.Prem so far, Gen.Jumlong also. For now, he will joining with new cabinet, Its mean that Gen.Prem have wanted to control bypass to this government by him.

If Gen.Chavalit will be in the new cabinet, so no doubt, he is one of gang which behind the sence of these political turmoil. The elite political group have just wanted to some involve in Thai Politics.

Thaksin give nod for key positions in the new cabinet.

2008-09-19T19:14:00.000-07:00

From Bangkok Post The Somchai Wongsawat cabinet line-up is beginning to take shape now that deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is said to have given his nod and blessing for the key positions. A source in the ruling People Power party said yesterday Mr Thaksin had approved the nominations of former president of the Siam Commercial Bank Olarn Chaipravat as finance minister, Justice Minister Sompong Amornwiwat as interior minister, and Chachoengsao MP Itthi Sirilatyakorn as transport minister.

Comment : Olarn Chaipravat is a keyman of the EGAT 's privatization which had a problem when its tried to be list in Thailand stock index in Thaksin era, you should know that the new Constitution 2005 which stem from 2006 the coup de'tat, when ministers stepped out from cabinet behind they can't to get their job which involve about their ministry for 2 years, so for the professional guru of any technician such a banker or academic in economics sector won't want to be a minister, It's really mad Constitution.

PAD's Guard Group Go Home

2008-09-19T07:39:00.000-07:00

People 's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) had been going to the dead end, but they got a ladder to climb down, when Thailand have a new Prime minister who came from the South of Thailand, which many of PAD came from the South especially PAD 's Guard to be named "Srivichai Warrior", Srivichai is the ancient kingdom in the Southern of Thailand it had ever been located on Nakornsrithamraj province the home land of the new Prime minister.

When Thailand house of representative voted for him to be the new PM, everything changed, Almost Thai media have good reaction to him because his individual manner which friendly, politely, modestly more than Samak. In Thailand, a good manner is most important for politician which they should be practice to be expert like a member of Democrat party. Somchai Wongsawat had ever been a Judge, Somchai met the Chief of the prive council Gen.Prem yesterday who people belive that he has been supported PAD, as Arnun Panyarachun.

This is a game.

Is Thai democracy really so bad? : Newmandala

2008-09-18T06:10:00.000-07:00

Full Article : Click
.....The current political crisis in Thailand has been engineered by opposition forces who are determined to paint Thailand’s democratic system as corrupt and ineffective. One of the main goals of their recent political protests has been to create an atmosphere of political crisis that undermines local and international faith in Thailand’s democratic processes. The way the government has responded to some of these political challenges has made the discrediting job of the opposition forces that much easier.

Comment : They aren't determined but its mastermind is brazen, this crisis shown that Thai politician are just a bit factor of the political scene, they haven't been had real power. This crisis is abnormal, the highly person of Thai society have been involved in this crisis clearly, impossible that PAD group aren't backup.

But perhaps the “crisis” in Bangkok is taking place against an often un-recognised backdrop of satisfaction with the way the Thailand’s democratic system works. Of course there are other political sentiments. The paper by Albritton and Thawilwadee argues, at length, that there is a culture in Thailand “that promotes inequality as the foundation of the society” and which consistently paints democratically elected governments as lacking in moral virtue. These are the sentiments that the PAD taps into so effectively. But the broad-based satisfaction with democratic processes documented in the Asian Barometer surveys helps to explain why the PAD’s authoritarian “new politics” has such limited electoral appeal.

Comment : The master mind of PAD have a hidden agenda to discredit Thai politician, they would tried to control politician's power which further more in Thaksin's era.

Brother In Law of Thaksin is a New Prime minister

2008-09-17T06:29:00.000-07:00

BANGKOK, Thailand (CNN) -- Legislators in Thailand elected the brother-in-law of a fugitive former leader as the country's prime minister Wednesday. from CNN

The Thai House of Representatives chose Somchai Wongsawat as prime minister Wednesday by a vote of 298-163. He is a deputy leader of the People Power Party and is the brother-in-law of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a coup in 2006 and fled the country this year just as he was to appear in court in a corruption case.

Comment : It's show that PPP have been united yet, among last week, we got
the news of conflict about members of PPP between Nevin group and Somchai
group, its not possible that Nevin who faith with Thaksin would betray him absolutely, Thaksin still have been had more power in PPP. For the acting of the last week its just a show.

Thaksin's still the Super Power for Thai Politics

2008-09-11T07:47:00.000-07:00

BANGKOK (AFP) — Deposed Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra will be consulted on who should become prime minister, after a court removed Samak Sundaravej over a cooking show scandal, the ruling party said Thursday.

"Thaksin's support will be taken into consideration, but will not be decisive in determining the candidate," deputy party spokesman Suthin Klangsaeng said.

"We have to listen to him, because Thaksin is still a Thai national," Suthin said.

Suthin said that in addition to Samak, the party was considering nominating Thaksin's brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat, who is now acting prime minister.

Another possible candidate is justice minister Sompong Amornviwat, who is also seen as close to Thaksin.

The party was set to meet early Thursday to decide on the candidate, ahead of a parliamentary vote on Friday.

"I admit that this time, the candidate will not get 100 percent support from all members because there are factions within the party," Suthin said.

Comment : For yesterday, political speculators devined Banharn Silparcha might be a new Prime minister, but for now, its changed, because People power Party had a resolution that they will support Samak go on by vote to him back to be Prime minister tomorrow, for the only one reason why Samak is not give up, before that, political speculators and Thai media devined that after Samak outed, PAD mob might be stop to protest and move from the Thai Government House where they have seized for many days but they 're not !

and then, Samak won't give up also, for the last meeting of People power party's member, so they decided to support him to be a Prime minister again, Goodluck Thailand, go to fight for their right, their people, itsn't to be a feudal class only.

Thai PM 'must go' over cookery shows : Thai Justice Standard

2008-09-09T06:25:00.000-07:00

ITN - Tuesday, September 9 11:17 am

Thailand's Prime Minister must quit because he violated the constitution by hosting TV cooking shows while in office, a court has ruled.

Nine judges have said Samak Sundaravej is guilty of conflict of interest after hosting commercial TV cookery slots.

However, Mr Samak's ruling People Power Party (PPP) has said it will renominate him as prime minister despite the verdict.

The PPP's continued support, which renders the court decision largely irrelevant, is likely to outrage protesters who have been barricaded inside Mr Samak's Government House compound for the past two weeks demanding his resignation.

Thailand has undergone three years of political turmoil and the stock market has fallen 24 per cent since the opposition People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) launched its campaign against him at the end of May.

Last week, as the crisis deepened, Mr Samak declared a state of emergency - that the highly-politicised army chose to ignore - when tensions resulted in the death of man during a street battle between pro-government and anti-government groups.

The main gripe of PAD is that Mr Samak is a puppet of Thaksin Shinawatra, who was removed in a 2006 coup as prime minister.

On Monday, Mr Samak testified in his own defence, denying any wrongdoing as the star of the shows Tasting, Grumbling and Touring at 6am.

He also attended a pro-government rally later that day and vowed not to resign or call a snap election.

Mr Samak said: "I declare that I will not dissolve parliament. I will not quit. I will fight on."

The political stand-off has scared away visitors to Thailand with airlines and hotels reporting cancellations as more countries issue travel warnings in the wake of his state of emergency declaration.

Comment : Constitution Cort of Thailand (Land of smile) verdicts by assemble used Thai Dictionary because standard of Constitution is higher than normal, as they didn't used labour law suit to interpret the words between "employee" with "freelancer", if Samak is employee so he 's guilty. If they used labour law suit then Samak isn't guilty because he 's just freelancer. Please understand, This is Thailand Standard, my friend. He was the first Prime minister of the world who outed because Cookery Show.

Thai PM's TV show could impact political future

2008-09-08T23:05:00.000-07:00

BANGKOK (AFP) — Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej awaited a court verdict Tuesday on accusations that his TV cooking show violated the constitution, which could see him forced from office, at least temporarily.

Thailand's Constitutional Court is set to decide later Tuesday whether Samak violated the constitution by taking money from a private company to host the "Tasting and Grumbling" cooking show.

Comment : It's very silly joke in my country for this case, law of this section was designed by dinosaur's thinking constitution maker who appointed by coup leaders in 2006. They didn't have any vision, object of this law aimed to Thaksin the only one enemy of them, and they thought the politician are bad, greedy, corruption, they have been need to get rid of them all.

If found guilty, he and his cabinet would be forced to resign -- something that protesters occupying the grounds of his offices have not been able to achieve since storming his Government House two weeks ago.

"Ready or not ready, we must wait and see," Samak told reporters as he toured a market in northeastern Udon Thani province, where he was preparing to hold a cabinet meeting.

Samak declared a state of emergency in Bangkok last week after the protesters clashed with his supporters in the streets, leaving one person dead and dozens injured.

Comment : Thai media suck, they never report anything about PAD is a crime who denied arrest warrant.

The protesters want Samak to resign, accusing him of acting as a puppet for former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by the military in 2006 on the heels of demonstrations by the same group of activists.

But Samak's deputy Surapong Suebwonglee told reporters that even if the court decides against the premier, the decision would not necessarily end his rule.

The ruling six-party coalition headed by Samak's People Power Party (PPP) could vote for him to return as prime minister even if he is forced out by the Constitutional Court, Surapong said.

"We have not yet discussed this issue among PPP members because the party has not held a general meeting yet. But it's possible and allowed by law," he said.

The protesters, who call themselves the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), are pushing a broader agenda than just Samak's resignation.

They want to curtail Thailand's democracy so that only 30 percent of seats in parliament would be elected, which they say would restrict the influence of poor rural voters in places like Udon Thani, who have widely supported Samak.

PAD supporters say the change would ensure that Samak's allies cannot return to power.

"We're going to get them all out. They have to improve their morals," said Permpoon Kanchanastit, 66, a retired physician's assistant who flew from her home in California to join the protest.

Comment : PAD : Don't be serious, almost Thai people are watching you wait and see to do something that how to billing note, don't think that you can do everything by claim that the establishment backup to you !

Thai NGOs told people was chained by PAD

2008-09-08T08:52:00.000-07:00

Somsak Boonngamanong NGOs from nocoup.org report that 10 people who came from Nakae, Nakornpanom province, North- east of Thailand to have been allied with PAD since 26 August : the day of seize Thai
government house, they asked him for help to bring them out from the government house because PAD's guard hadn't allowed them to back home and hold ID cards and cellphones of them, at this time the inner is change to bad ambience, by got hire about 300 per day but got it just 3 days only, now he didn't have money to fare back to home, the man who called to Somsak told that he flee from PAD's guard to called to him by used phonebooth near the government house.

Somsak is NGOs who has been working with people in rural for long time ago, this information can be credible because many people in this mob aren't middle class or high class at all which go to this mob daily, some people came from rural and living in there many days.

Thailand threatens jail for defaming king

2008-09-07T18:54:00.000-07:00

From The Times

Until six days ago when the men in uniform led him away at Bangkok airport, Harry Nicolaides was just one more flamboyant expatriate in Thailand. He visited first from Australia five years ago, and made his living as an English teacher with a bit of writing on the side.

He wrote seedy columns about his escapades with Thai bar girls and serious articles about child pornography. He described himself as “an individual who achieved brilliance with raw talent and tenacity”. He liked to wear Panama hats and cream suits.

Last Sunday, as he was about to board a flight home to Melbourne, his career came to a crashing end.

Since then he has been locked in a cell - ill, scared and suicidal, and facing a 15-year sentence on one of the gravest charges in the Thai criminal code. Mr Nicolaides, 41, is not a drug smuggler or gunrunner, like plenty of the other foreign prisoners here. The trouble in which he finds himself is over nothing more vicious than an obscure and forgotten book.

Mr Nicolaides is the latest person to be charged with lèse-majesté, the crime of defaming the monarchy. In 2005 he published a novel entitled Verisimilitude, which contains references to rumours about the “romantic entanglements and intrigues” of the family of the Thai king, Bhumibol Adulyadej, and particularly his son, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn. The contentious material amounts to 103 words that could change Mr Nicolaides' life.

In an interview with The Times at the Bangkok Remand Prison yesterday, he said that he has suffered from a seizure and fever and has been unable to sleep in a cell that he shares with 90 Thai detainees, some of whom are hostile because of the charge against him.

“I've been getting icy stares from men covered in tattoos,” he said. “On the first night I would have committed suicide if I'd had the means ... I want to immediately apologise to the Royal Family for my reckless choice of words. I want to write a letter of apology, with the greatest humility.”

Mr Nicolaides says that before publication he wrote to Thailand's Bureau of the Royal Household, asking for their reaction to the contentious paragraph, and received no reply. He has raised 500,000 baht (£8,200) bail, but this was denied. It is unclear why he has been arrested this week after coming and going over the past seven months. But there seems to have been a general increase in lèse-majesté prosecutions over the past few years.

Within Thailand the law has made any discussion of the role and future of the monarchy impossibly dangerous. There seems to be no limit on what can qualify as insulting the monarchy. Jonathan Head, the BBC's Bangkok correspondent, is under investigation for lèse-majesté. Among the complaints against him is that a photograph of King Bhumibol appeared below that of a Thai politician on a page on the BBC website - rather than at the top.

Thailand's political turmoil shakes tourists and investors: analysts

2008-09-07T18:43:00.000-07:00

Analysts predict sliding stock prices and cancellations of tourist bookings will only worsen as anti-government protests and a state of emergency in Bangkok continue.

"The current political problems will later cripple the country's economic growth," warned Kavee Chukitkasemm, assistant managing director at Kasikorn Securities.

Comment : 99% of Thai media would try to shut up their mount, because they were taking side already.

Thailand's stock market is down more than 26 percent since anti-government protests first broke out in late May, with the market's composite index losing 5.64 percent over the past week.

"The political turmoil has badly affected the travel and tourism business in Thailand," said Apichart Sankary, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, adding that the fall in numbers was already costing Thailand 400 million baht (11.7 million dollars) a day in lost revenue.

At least 13 countries have now issued warnings concerning travel to Thailand.

Prakit Chinamourphong, president of the Thai Hotel Association, said hotel cancellations had jumped since the announcement, adding that as high-season approached in October, hotels would face a critical test.

With no solution to the crisis in sight, real estate is beginning to also feel the effects, said Somchao Tanterdtham, president of the Thai Real Estate Association.

"We real estate operators have been more cautious for the past few months and delayed new projects, mostly owing to a slowdown in the global economy and high oil prices. But the political turmoil is now adding to our problems," Somchao told AFP. BANGKOK (AFP)

Comment : Serve right my friend, some of them have been supported this mob for long time.

Thailand: What might happen next? BBC News

2008-09-07T07:05:00.000-07:00

BBC News Page last updated at 14:31 GMT, Friday, 5 September 2008

Mr Samak holds a referendum

The prime minister has said he plans to hold a national referendum to try to defuse the crisis, asking people what they think about the ongoing protests.

But the earliest this could happen is October, because a referendum cannot be held until at least 30 days after being approved by the Senate.

Even if it gets Senate approval, and the protesters - from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) - are willing to accept the delay, there is likely to be a lot of disagreement over the wording of the questions and the way the vote is organised.

Even the leader of the Senate has voiced scepticism that a referendum will be able to solve the crisis.

Comment : Referendum that will be a joke, PAD isn't accept surely because they didn't accept the election in Democracy, if the government win then they will cite that because Vote-buying.

The government backs down

If Mr Samak and his entire cabinet decide to resign, the protesters will have got what they want.

But the prime minister insists he has a legitimate mandate to govern, after winning December's elections, and is unlikely to just give up and go quietly.

Comment : PAD won't give up because they told that when the house of representative vote for the new PM which will get it from PPP absolutely, they won't accept also.

Mr Samak calls a snap election

At some point, Mr Samak may decide that events are serious enough to warrant dissolving parliament and calling another poll.

This is unlikely to solve much, though. The bulk of support for Mr Samak and his People's Power Party (PPP) comes from the rural voters who supported former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra before he was ousted in a coup and barred from politics.

These people voted for Mr Samak in December, and are likely to do so again - and if Mr Samak returns to power, the protesters are unlikely to give up their campaign.

They claim Mr Samak is just a proxy for Mr Thaksin - and will not be satisfied until he and his party leave office altogether.

The PAD leaders want a largely appointed body to govern the country instead.

Comment : Yes, I think so, PAD will be madly act until Thais who love PPP give up.

The protesters back down

It seems very unlikely that the protesters will just pack up and go home. They have brought tents, camping equipment and even portaloos to their sit-in at Government House, and show no sign of leaving.

Their resolve has been strengthened as Mr Samak's position has become ever more precarious. As well as the PAD, he is also under pressure from the main opposition party and the top army commanders.

Elsewhere in Thailand, others have joined in the anti-government cause, holding strikes and disrupting transport routes.

The protesters are therefore unlikely to give up their demands completely, but they may end up compromising on their call for the government to be replaced by a largely appointed body.

A spokesman for the PAD said on Wednesday that the group would accept anyone as an interim prime minister as long as Mr Samak went.

of PAD accepted before that they have a cost about 1 million baht per day to maintain this mob to go on, everything have a cost, you know, some people in ghetto community around Bangkok and rural was hired to protest in this mob by the mob manager,

Comment : It's not true, PAD is overtired because rainy climate is engaging them everyday and the big sponsors withdraw because they begin to know the truth that High level person isn't support PAD, they was betrayed by PAD leader all the time. This Mob have a cost,you know, Spokesman of PAD accepted before that they have a cost about 1 million per day to maintain this mob to go on, the main of this mob come from Santi Asoke group and EGAT's labour union mix with people from ghetto community around Bangkok and rural who was hired by the mob manager about 500 - 800 baht per day, others walk in by faithfulness or innocence or Fool.

Rifts behind Thailand's political crisis

2008-09-06T20:39:00.000-07:00

By Jonathan Head BBC News, Bangkok

It has been nearly two years since an unexpected military coup deposed then-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and appeared to freeze Thailand's democratic evolution in its tracks.The country has experienced 15 months of benign military rule, the drafting of a new constitution, and a general election which returned a party run by Mr Thaksin's allies to office.Yet there is still a sense of unending crisis, of a country still deeply polarised over the former prime minister and his attempts to transform Thailand.

The occupation of the main government offices in central Bangkok this week by protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has underscored just how difficult it is to end this turbulence.

Comment : Yeh Jonathan, PAD is the mob of elite and feudal in Thailand but was protected by Guard from the south of Thailand (low class but favour in Democrat Party) its backup by the same mastermind who toppled Thaksin in 2006'coup.

Firstly, the key PAD leaders, in particular Sondhi Limthongkul and Chamlong Srimuang, an ascetic former military general and mayor of Bangkok who played a key role in the anti-government protests back in 1992, remained virulently opposed to allowing any of Mr Thaksin's associates a role in government.

They have now refined their argument to propose rural voters in Thailand are too poorly educated to be allowed to elect a parliament, and that it should be a largely appointed body instead.

The PAD has also ridden a national wave of anxiety over the future of the monarchy, once 80-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej is no longer on the scene.

Its supporters believe Mr Thaksin and the PPP have a republican agenda - hence the sea of yellow shirts seen at PAD rallies, yellow being the colour associated with the king.

Comment : Republican Idea is very funny in Thailand, for Thais The King have a massive charisma hard to explain that why, Thaksin is a Politician who breath in and out is populism policy so he wouldn't even thought about it absolutely, but Thaksin was a more than ordinary politicians, he was got intrust by Someone to shift this country forward but the other part of the establishment didn't want him.

Thai PM picks new foreign minister

2008-09-06T20:19:00.000-07:00

Samak Sundaravej, the Thai prime minister, has chosen Saroj Chavanaviraj, a former diplomat, as the new foreign minister.

Thai newspapers reported on Saturday that Saroj's appointment would be the third in seven months of Samak's troubled coalition government.

Saroj, 66, replaces Tej Bunnag, a career diplomat with close ties to the palace who resigned this week amid a political standoff faced by the government.

Comment : Tej Bunnag, he came from the palace which send him to clear the problem Pravehere Temple with Cambodia, but he was pressed by mastermind who backup PAD to resign, Saroj 's old burearcrat. This fight is stranger and poor but not too hard to understand.

Thailand to buy 40% more rice from farmers

2008-09-06T19:58:00.000-07:00

By Amy Kazmin in Bangkok FromThe Financial Times
Published: September 6 2008 03:03 | Last updated: September 6 2008 03:03

Thailand’s struggling government has agreed to buy 40 per cent more rice from farmers this year, a decision that could boost its popularity among rural voters as it prepares to face a national referendum aimed at ending an unprecedented siege of the prime minister’s offices.

The plan calls for the government to buy 3.5m tonnes of unprocessed paddy rice from farmers at a guaranteed price, up from an original planned 2.5m tonnes, the Thai news agency reported on Friday.

It appears to be aimed firmly at the same rural voters who last December helped elect the government of Samak Sundarajev, whose removal as prime minister is now being sought by a movement made up largely of Thailand’s urban elite.

The decision to help prop up rice prices was made as parliament appointed Prasopsuk Boondet, a former judge and now the speaker of the Senate, to mediate between the government and protesters occupying the Government House in Bangkok. Mr Samak also said he was considering lifting a state of emergency introduced this week that has failed to persuade thousands of protesters from the People’s Alliance for Democracy to end their occupation.

The PAD has vowed to occupy Government House until Mr Samak resigns. The Thai army said it would not forcefully evict the demonstrators.

Mr Samak has been on the defensive since August 26 when the PAD, which previously led mass protests against Thaksin Shinawatra when he was prime minister, seized his offices and demanded that he quit for being too close to Mr Thaksin, now in exile in the UK.

Beyond Mr Samak’s removal, however, the PAD are also demanding an overhaul of the political system – with the creation of a mainly appointed parliament – so as to reduce the power of the rural electorate, who the PAD’s elite backers blame for electing unsavoury and corrupt politicians.

Mr Samak, a 73-year-old conservative veteran, has refused to resign, but in an effort to defuse the tensions he has proposed holding a national referendum that would allow voters to express their views on how to end the stand-off, asking such questions as whether the government should remain in power, or whether the protests should go on.

However, political analysts expressed scepticism that the unusual gambit would resolve the crisis.

“It is part of the government answering the offensive by the PAD and continuing to legitimise itself in a democratic way,” Giles Ungpakorn, a Chulalongkorn University political scientist, said of the referendum plan. “But if the government wins the referendum, will the PAD shut up and go home? No! They are not in a mood to compromise.”

Comment : Silly referendum, PAD and mastermind who backup them won't have to accept, because they have never been accept the vote in democratic system, they have the 70:30 concept idea that 's mean appointee 70% election 30%, they don't have believe it some Thais, they think rural and labour that's fool, selfish, greedy and vote selling, they think that people shouldn't have right to vote equal HighClass and MiddleClass.

Whether the referendum will actually take place is another question, he said, as a new referendum law must first be approved by the Senate, dominated by military appointees seen as unsympathetic to the administration.

Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2008

Lese Majeste Again and Again

2008-05-29T07:11:00.000-07:00

Thai general hints at coup as tensions mount
By SUTIN WANNABOVORN – 6 hours ago
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) — Thailand's military commander has indicated that a coup is possible as tensions mount over a government minister accused of insulting the king.
The military has strong loyalties to the palace and has in the past also used alleged attacks against the monarchy as a pretext to seize power in some of Thailand's perennial coups.
Supreme Military Commander Gen. Boonsang Niempradit told reporters Thursday that "no soldier wants to stage a coup to topple the government but I cannot guarantee" that there will not be one.
The army and opposition parties have escalated their attacks on Jakrapob Penkair, a minister attached to the prime minister's office accused of insulting King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Thai police say they will charge Cabinet minister with insulting monarchy, send case to court
2008-05-29 12:39:48 -
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - Thai police will recommend that a Cabinet minister accused of insulting the monarch be prosecuted in court.Police issued an announcement Thursday saying that an arrest warrant would be issued next week for Jakrapob Penkair, a minister attached to the prime minister's office.A police officer, acting in a private capacity, in March filed a complaint against Jakrapob, alleging that he had committed lese majeste, the crime of insulting the monarchy.His complaint was based on remarks Jakrapob allegedly made in August 2007 when Jakrapob was part of a group opposed to the military-installed government then in power.Jakrapob denies the allegation and says he is the target of a conspiracy.

Thailand land of lese majeste , freedom of speech is
in our dream only, in real life, its hard to find the true because this law
became weapon to destroy the opposite, It's fool or someone have wanted to use it to discredit to monarchy. Jakrapob who is mob leader to against Thai Coup, many rural people love him so much, if the palace will get rid off him, its no good for do that.

Dubai World may invest in Thailand's real estate and transport systems

2008-05-25T17:34:00.000-07:00

Dubai World, an investment company owned by the emirate's government, may invest in Thailand's infrastructure and real estate to tap growth in the Southeast Asian nation, said Chairman Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem.

Bloomberg News Published: May 22, 2008

The investment group is conducting a "feasibility study" for the construction of a land bridge that will link the nation's southern provinces with the north, Bin Sulayem said today in Bangkok at a seminar hosted by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The study, expected to be completed in four to eight weeks, will be submitted to the government, he said.

"We are very interested in the market in Thailand," Bin Sulayem said. "We are watching the growth and how the leadership is committed to developing the infrastructure. The land bridge will create jobs in three provinces in the south and create stability."

Comment : Thaksin run on his role again, his movement were decoded by his opposite that he 's still in politics, they have been afraid his influence really, its bring the mob assembly again.

Damn Thai media

2008-05-24T03:53:00.000-07:00

The news about Jakrapob's issue, Thai media particular Nation , Bangkok post have tried to instigate Thaksin to conflict with Jakrapob.

For Jakrapob's issue who was accused by Democrats ,Pads, General that lese majeste.
Thaksin: Jakrapob must explain speech or resign

(BangkokPost.com) - Ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra urged Prime Minister's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair to retreat if he cannot reconcile the lese majeste accusation against him.

Mr Thaksin said Mr Jakrapob has to explain on the issue to public because this is a very sensitive matter.

"If he cannot make it clear, then it'd be better for him to retreat," Mr Thaksin said, adding that the royal institution should be given more importance than political matters.

The embattled minister also faces pressure from the People Power party to resign to show responsibility for a controversial speech given at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand in August last year and for a second speech in Thai during a visit to the United States..

The speech was considered by many as an attempt to challenge the royal institution.

But look at Nation media.

Thaksin urges Jakrapob to quit

Thaksin urges Jakrapob to quit

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinwatra on Wednesday urged his ally PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair to reflect on his controversial remarks and chart his future accordingly.

"I think if Jakrapob can not explain himself to society, then it might be better for all concerned for him to retreat," he said, sending a strong signal for Jakrapob's departure from the government.

Thaksin said Jakrapob was obliged to dispel all lingering doubts about his stand on the monarchy, a most sensitive issue to every Thai citizen.

Fuck Thailand Media

What's True ?

The price of speech in Thailand

2008-05-24T03:50:00.000-07:00

By Frank G. Anderson

Nakhonratchasima, Thailand — Thailand’s social, academic and political leadership seems to agree that the country has political woes, but in fact political woes are not the problem, only a symptom. The cause is a corrupt society.

There is also a corresponding lack of public responsibility on the part of the individual Thai, making positive reform more challenging and difficult. Finally, the nail in the coffin is a strict adherence to the belief that Thais must remain monolithic, “non-divisive,” committed to the monarchy and forever permitting elected politicians to do what they seem to do best -- personally benefit from corruption.

It’s not a pretty picture by any means. Incidental foreign visitors to the Land of Smiles and even, perhaps, the majority of expatriates within the kingdom, may not express blanket agreement with such a negative assessment. But what is the reason for their reluctance?

It is very possible that in adapting to their new home by adopting the cultural mores, foreigners have learned to submit to the collective will of the apathetic public and adopt a distorted version of the philosophy of the Noble Truths in the unique way that most Thais have adapted as they are brought up in their own society. In short, these foreigners may have “gone native” and thus can no longer differentiate what they once knew as the difference between right and wrong.

It sounds condescending, of course. But for those in Thailand who have long been privy to hundreds of private conversations, public heated discussions, leaked intelligence and unspoken yet accepted social practices -- generally through language proficiency -- for those who have learned to “think like a Thai” and forget general cultural references, the ability to use peripheral vision in thought, speech and action is diminished.

An example one often experiences among professional Thai translators is their reluctance to translate material from English to Thai or Thai to English that places Thailand, Thai culture or Thai society in a harshly critical light. One foreign Thai-fluent writer, for example, was contacted by a Thai living in San Francisco over a year ago to help translate sensitive language into English for a book about Thai culture and the monarchy. Some of the material hinted at criticism of the monarchy, or more accurately, highlighted situations that Thais steer away from because they somehow involve the monarchy or have been shown in the past to be deemed to be on sensitive ground. The Thai that sent the material to the foreigner in Thailand to translate told the foreigner that no Thai in the San Francisco area was willing to do the job.

Compare this to several instances here in Thailand where a foreigner needed to have translations of English language editorials into Thai. Most of these editorials did not involve the monarchy, but were critical accounts of Thai society and/or social practices he felt were out of touch with the values of Buddhism and democracy. When Thai translators were asked to convert these essays into Thai, they quickly refused.

In one case, the translator falsely let the foreigner believe he would do the work but a week later, when it should have been ready, the translator said he could no longer accept that or any other translation work.

The reluctance to even speak about material critical of Thai society, not just originate it, also occurs on the foreigner side. While working on a book about Thailand, another foreigner asked a long-time colleague from England to write a foreword on the author’s behalf. Having written at least two books himself about Thailand, the colleague emailed back quickly that he felt he was the wrong person to do the job. The overtone, however, was that the material in the book was critical of Thailand and that he would rather not become involved with it.

Needless to say, his own books were polite tourism surveys and lent nothing to important commentary on Thai society.

In an online interview, “The King Never Smiles” author Paul Handley commented, when the interviewer asked him why he had written such a book that was seen by many -- especially the Thai government -- to be critical of the Thai monarchy, Handley replied, “The question to ask is why such a book was not written before.”

Handley hit the nail on the head in a sense. Given ingrained and inculcated reluctance by the individual Thai to criticize anything -- although this is often not the actual situation -- important books that really detail Thai social character and Thai society in depth, up to and including the monarchy, are automatically discouraged. Somehow, it’s just not kosher. So Thais comply and foreigners who decide they need to keep a low profile go along with the flow. Important reportage, in-depth coverage of personalities and events, especially of social upheaval and a meaningful prognosis for Thailand’s future, are all rendered meaningless because they are never written.

Any serious foreigner writing about Thai social developments -- whether they are political, reflect on the monarchy or the country’s wayward practices of Buddhism -- are usually nipped in the bud before they start. There are too many conflicting vested interests afloat to generate truly serious commentary about the Land of Smiles. After all, if you keep your mouth shut, go into business with a local Thai who has had the government “lock the specs” on a product with a guaranteed market that only you are allowed to import into Thailand, and you bought a nice condo on the beach and have a really beautiful Thai wife or girlfriend, are making lots of money, and have friends and relative immunity from the police, then why rock the boat?

Author Paul Findley went ahead anyhow and rocked the boat. He does not expect to be welcomed back into Thailand anytime in the near future. But his book, “The King Never Smiles,” tells an important story and not only about certain aspects of the country’s revered monarchy. It is about Thai society in a more general way, a meaningful way. But in the land of illusion, this kind of revelation is viewed by the elite as divisive and unwanted, and they will always fight to preserve the status quo.

Yet, even as this column is being written, the People’s Alliance for Democracy will gather at Bangkok’s Victory Monument this Sunday, May 25, to protest government mandated changes to last year’s Constitution. Also, on Monday the Thai government spokesman and minister assigned to the Prime Minister’s Office, Jakrapob Phenkair, is scheduled to hold a press conference where he will try to explain his own acts of lese majeste while in Los Angeles on Nov. 10, 2007, as well as at a Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand seminar. Despite the illusions of social unity and joint purpose, despite the cultural pressures that impose silence on those who would speak, there are still those who will speak, Thai or foreigner.

--

(Frank G. Anderson is the Thailand representative of American Citizens Abroad. He was a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer to Thailand from 1965-67, working in community development. A freelance writer and founder of northeast Thailand's first local English language newspaper, the Korat Post -- www.thekoratpost.com -- he has spent over eight years in Thailand "embedded" with the local media. He has an MBA in information management and an associate degree in construction technology. ©Copyright Frank G. Anderson.)

IMPEACHMENT Pressure mounts on Jakrapob

2008-05-18T18:17:00.000-07:00

From Bangkok Post
Conflicting parties should avoid making references to the monarchy as it could be socially divisive, says Privy Councillor and former prime minister Surayud Chulanont. His remarks come as the Democrat party tries to have PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair impeached for a speech allegedly expressing doubts about the monarchy.

Mr Jakrapob delivered his speech in English at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) on Aug 29 last year while Gen Surayud was prime minister of the coup-installed government.

Gen Surayud said he has not met ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra since the coup. But he said he and Mr Thaksin were like brothers at pre-cadet military school, although they held different political ideologies.

Meanwhile, the Democrat party will submit a petition to the Senate seeking Mr Jakrapob's impeachment on Wednesday.

Democrat party spokesman Ong-art Khampaiboon said the party has gathered evidence about the minister's speech and believed he should be impeached for his remarks.

The Democrat party earlier handed a letter to Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, asking him to look into Mr Jakrapob's attitude towards the monarchy.

Mr Ong-art said that after the speech at the FCCT, Mr Jakrapob went to Los Angeles where he spoke in Thai to an audience on Nov 10. Mr Jakrapob's intentions behind the speeches were questionable, he said.

Mr Jakrapob's comments reflected a hostile attitude towards the constitutional monarchy, said Mr Ong-art.

His party wrote to the prime minister about Mr Jakrapob's conduct because it wanted Mr Samak to pay attention to the attitude and ideology of his ministers.

Campaign for Popular Democracy secretary-general Suriyasai Katasila called on Mr Jakrapob to show responsibility for his speech.

Mr Samak should remove the minister from cabinet and set up an inquiry into his comments, he said.

Mr Samak had distanced himself from the matter and told the Democrat party to file a complaint with police instead.

In my comment : Oh my god, Surayud is a good boy of Gen.Prem chief of privy council, its one of silly fake action in Thai political scene, everyone have known that Democrat Party was backed up by Gen.Prem to those movement include Chuan's movement. Please! leave the politician to do their duty alone.

A Thai Stands Up for Sitting Down

2008-05-17T07:48:00.000-07:00

Our Correspondent

24 April 2008

An anti-coup activist faces insult charges for refusing to stand for the king’s anthem before a movie

Before every movie screening in Thailand, patrons are requested to stand up and pay respect to Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej. A short film, played with the Royal Anthem as a sound track, shows fawning images of humble subjects or video clips of the king working tirelessly to help his people. Many Thais bow toward the screen after it ends to show respect.

Thailand imported the ritual from Britain, which in the 1910s regularly showed silent clips of King George V to the tune of “God Save the King" being played in theaters to whip up nationalist sentiment during World War I. The Brits scrapped the practice in the 1960s, but Thais started playing the Royal Anthem before movies in the 1970s and continue to do so today.

The social pressure to stand up is immense. So Chotisak Onsoong, a 27-year-old political activist who opposes the 2006 royalist coup, knew he would get dirty looks and comments when he remained seated in protest, as he normally does when attending a film.

But even he was surprised last September when fellow moviegoer Nawamin Witthayakul, 40, aggressively told him to stand up for the song at a movie theater in Bangkok's ritzy Central World shopping mall. According to Chotisak, Navawamin started yelling in the theater, saying, "If you are really Thai, why don't you stand up?" He then threw his popcorn and a bottle of water at Chotisak.

Aggrieved, Chotisak found a policeman and sought to press charges against Nawarmin. But Nawarmin turned the tables on Chotisak, filing a lèse majesté complaint against him. Police have now followed suit, pressing formal charges against Chotisak on Tuesday.
Thailand’s lèse majesté ‑ French for the crime of insulting the king ‑ laws are among the world’s stiffest, an anachronism that grows steadily more potent as such laws lose their muscle everywhere else, And cases here are by no means rare, although in most cases the king himself pardons the wrongdoer. In state propaganda, the Thai king is treated as semi-divine and most Thais never express dissent over that view in public. Since anyone can file lèse majesté charges, many of the cases are frivolous. Politicians routinely file cases against each other as a way to discredit an opponent, and other cases are sometimes leveled against foreign correspondents seeking to explain Thailand's monarchy to the outside world.

A Swiss man was sentenced to 10 years in prison in March 2007 for throwing paint on Bhumibol's picture in Chiang Mai. He received a pardon from the king.

But as far as lèse majesté cases go, Chotisak's is more significant. Rather than involving politicians or foreigners, his case involves a Thai consciously rebelling against nationalist and royalist propaganda.

Sitting down during the anthem is my right to freedom of expression," Chotisak said in an interview through a translator. "The law doesn't say you must stand up; it says can you stand up. So it's not something that you must do."

Chotisak's case has attracted quite a bit of media attention, which is unusual for a lèse majesté case. While local newspapers typically only run wire stories about the cases in order to avoid compounding the “crime” with their own reporting, the Bangkok Post, Thailand's leading English-language daily, smacked the story on Page 1 with a picture, graphic and sidebar. About 20 other news outlets covered Chotisak’s appearance at the police station.

According to the Bangkok Post, in addition to lèse majesté, Chotisak may have violated the 1942 National Culture Act passed under a military dictator. It states: "Individuals must pay their respects to the national anthem, the Royal anthem and other anthems which are played at an official service, social ceremony or entertainment venue." Violators face a measly 100 baht fine (US$3.17) or up to a month in prison.

Chotisak says he wants laws passed under military regimes to be scrapped. He also makes a routine practice of disregarding the national anthem, which is played on radios, TV stations and public places at 8 am and 6 pm every day.

"The lèse majesté law falls under the constitution, which says that all Thais have the right to freedom of expression," said Chotisak. "Therefore, the lèse majesté law is unconstitutional."

The lèse majesté law has always been a touchy subject, mostly because anyone can bring a case without any input from the king himself. Moreover, no politician would dare propose scrapping the law, and police and prosecutors often feel the need to follow through on the charges out of fear that they might actually be violating the law by not doing so. This all made more difficult since it can barely be discussed in public.

"Somehow, Thai society has dead-ended itself, unable to go forward or back, unable to even address the extremely problematic nature of this law," David Streckfuss, one of the foremost scholars on the law, wrote last year. "Thai society has narrowed its options, leaving a single unavoidable logic of suppression: the law protects the monarchy. Anyone who questions the law must not care about protecting the monarchy. Such a person must be disloyal to the monarchy, and must be suppressed."

Whereas most caught up in the odd tangle of a lèse majesté charge just hope the issues goes away quietly, Chotisak wants the publicity. He is willing to become a martyr for a cause he believes in, even if it means going to jail for not standing up in a movie theater.

"He's very brave," said a friend of Chotisak. "Young student activists, think tank activists and some people in the general public agree with him but they don't have the guts to publicize the issue as much as him."

Thai activist faces lese majeste charge for keeping his seat

2008-05-14T18:30:00.000-07:00

Bangkok - A former student activist has been charged with lese majeste in Thailand for refusing to stand up when the royal anthem was played at a cinema, news reports said Wednesday.
Police on Tuesday charged Chotisak Onsoong, 27, with violating Article 112 of the Criminal Code for refusing to rise when the royal anthem was played at a movie theatre last year, reported the Bangkok Post.
Article 112 makes it a criminal offence to defame, insult or threaten the Thai king and members of the royal family, setting the punishment for lese majeste at three to 15 years imprisonment.
Nawamin Witthayakul, who was sitting two seats away from Chotisak when he refused to rise, filed the lese majeste charge against him.
Chotisak, a former deputy secretary-general of the Students Federation of Thailand, said he had done nothing wrong in refusing to rise for the royal anthem.
'To not rise is not an offense against anyone,' said Chotisak, who noted that the Thai constitution guaranteed citizens the right to make a choice according to ones beliefs and faith.
It has been common practice since the 1970s for Thai cinemas to show footage of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, accompanied by the royal anthem, before screening movies. It has also been common practice, even among foreigners, to rise during the royal anthem.
King Bhumibol, 80, is the world's longest reigning monarch, and much revered among the vast majority of Thais.

What 's happen in my country !!!! It's crazy Thai extremist monarchist, in
Thailand if you're not stand may be die also, Oh!! born to be Thai, Why its so
difficult to live

Lese majeste in Thailand

2008-05-14T03:26:00.000-07:00

By FRANK G. ANDERSON

Nakhonratchasima, Thailand — Thailand's most powerful political and social "hammer" may be the kingdom's lese majeste law. The law, expressed in Article 112 of the Criminal Code, states, "Whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent, shall be punished (with) imprisonment of three to fifteen years."
Often, however, whether you are ever convicted and punished or not is a question of who you are, who you happened to offend and who is protecting your interests. The law is supposedly designed to protect the country's revered monarchy, but is often misused to silence dissent, punish social and political enemies, or to employ against foreigners when Thais would face far less severe charges. Politicians, power brokers and colluding police all benefit from the application -- or merely the threat to apply -- the lese majeste law.
The law implies that lese majeste must be determined as a fact, not that it be deemed to have taken place. Yet, time and time again, Thailand's police have pressed charges against those "deemed" to have committed an offense against the monarchy.

This occurred under the former regime of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra when longtime foreign Thailand veterans working for the Far Eastern Economic Review wrote a piercing article that the government did not like. While Thaksin at the time protested that he had nothing to do with the witch-hunt, it was evident that he was pulling the strings. After all, his name had been mentioned in the article, with an intimation that perhaps he was not always in favor with the monarchy.

Later political events in the kingdom, including pro-Thaksin protestors attacking the home of His Majesty's Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulalonda, proved that perhaps the FEER article carried more fact than it did deemed fiction. But the writers were forced, despite global pressure against the Thai government, to shamefully apologize. The apology allowed them to remain in Thailand, but undoubtedly the experience took some of the wind out of their love-Thailand sails.

Having witnessed -- as a victim -- the misuse of the lese majesty law here in Thailand, this writer cautions foreigners first and foremost that the real danger is not merely saying the wrong thing, but in being perceived so by police or other powerful interests who themselves do not always have real national interests at stake. The higher up your accusers are, and the better connected they are with the military and police, and most importantly, with powerful politicians, the more chance you stand of being convicted.

While in 2005 His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej told the Thai nation that he was not a perfect being and only human, and that he wanted to hear criticism if he did anything wrong so he could improve himself, his subjects continued misapplying the law and taking advantage of its provisions. A powerful tool to silence protests, arouse public support and justify massive armed attacks against democracy protest groups, the lese majeste law in Thailand has faced frequent and strong protest, as well as both internal and external pressures for repeal. It may be that unless the nation's monarch himself calls for repeal, the law will remain on the books for decades more.

On Sept. 20, 2007, Khun Chotisak Onsoong attended a cinema in Bangkok. When it came time, as is the custom, for patrons to rise at the beginning of the movie for the royal anthem, Chotisak remained seated. Another patron nearby, Nawamin Witthayakul, noticed and told Chotisak to rise. The latter refused, considering that it was a matter of personal choice as to how people should demonstrate their respect for the anthem and the monarchy. Afterwards Nawamin went to the theater management and demanded that they take action, but they refused.

Determined, Nawamin went to the police five days later in Pathumwan district of Bangkok and lodged a lese majeste complaint against Chotisak. It took the police seven months to finally charge Chotisak with lese majeste. For his part, the former student activist who had protested against the Sept. 19, 2006 coup, says, "We have different ways of looking at things. To not rise is not an offense against anyone. That's what I think." Released on his own cognizance, Chotisak has signed an acknowledgment of the charge and is awaiting an order to appear in criminal court. He could face jail time, but has braved the political weather at home to live free.

Thailand's media firebrand Sondhi Limthongkul, a primary leader of the country's anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy, was not forgiving, either. At a pro-democracy seminar at Thammasat University on April 25, Sondhi referred to Chotisak. Sondhi implied that given the attempts of Thaksin and his supporters to weaken and topple the monarchy, it was ominous that at this particular moment a Thai had suddenly refused to stand in respect to the king. Like his fellow subjects, Sondhi does not have any patience for those who may wish to choose whether to stand or not. An up-country Thai commented, "If he is allowed not to stand, then anyone who chooses not to will have to be accommodated." Precisely the point.

On April 11, 2007, Southeast Asian studies Ph.D. holder David Streckfuss had an article published in the Bangkok Post suggesting that perhaps it was time to repeal the country's draconian lese majeste law. Wrote Streckfuss, "With the worldwide attention on the King as the longest serving monarch, what a wonderful gift it would be for Thai society to give him or the Privy Council the discretion to take the appropriate measures needed to defend the reputation of the monarchy. Amend Section 112 of the Thai penal code by adding the clause that makes the use of the lese majeste possible 'only by order of the King or with his consent.' Otherwise, the lese majeste law in Thailand will ever be ready at hand to serve as a weapon in the political arena, always to a detriment to the institution the law intends to protect."

The suggestion that Thailand's lese majeste law be amended to where only the nation's monarch issues any such charge is a workable idea but faces overwhelming resistance in the Land of Smiles from powerful interests who have grown used to misusing the law for their own gain and others' losses. If the country's powerful police cannot yet bring themselves to repeal the law, then perhaps they can amend provisions in its enforcement to ensure that legitimate rights are protected on the one hand, and that persons filing lese majeste charges are made well aware of their obligations and possible repercussions from malicious filing.

In a document provided to Thai police on this subject, this writer asked that any individual signing a complaint of lese majeste swear that he or she has no personal conflict with the charged person, and that the person filing also accepts that should the charge be found to be malicious or without foundation, that the individual making allegations accept responsibility. Almost a year after receiving the suggestions, police have not bothered to respond. It is not in their interests to do so.
--
(Frank G. Anderson is the Thailand representative of American Citizens Abroad. He was a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer to Thailand from 1965-67, working in community development. A freelance writer and founder of northeast Thailand's first local English language newspaper, the Korat Post -- www.thekoratpost.com -- he has spent over eight years in Thailand "embedded" with the local media. He has an MBA in information management and an associate degree in construction technology. ©Copyright Frank G. Anderson.)

Sonthi Limthondkul have a hidden agenda for these movement absolutely,
before year, he told about the taboo book called "The King Never Smile", despite a litle of thai people had known about that book it was spread wide in some acadimics only. What he want ?

Chuan's Game ?

2008-04-28T00:58:00.000-07:00

Chuan Leakpai Chief consultant of Democrat Party who told about Gen.Prem was undermined by the nameless gang. Gen.Prem, chief of The King Adviser who was marked by people that he was mastermind in 19 coup 2006. After general election in last year, People Power Party won, he has faded away from public, but in the public eye, he still has been involve in politics chaos by behind the sence.

After the 19 Coup, Gen.Prem didn't get respect from people anymore, accept in the South which the people in there have been far from the truth, he became the bother of Nation who brought the country to politics chaos and supported to Generals to stage a coup which was cause of Thai economics crash. He has tried to show to public that he's neutralist but nobody believed it.

Chuan is the politician from the South, he have been make connection with Gen.Prem for long time ago, he had ever been minister in Gen.Prem's Government for manytime. Chuan have loyalty to Gen.Prem firmly, don't surprise if he would playing like a Prem's bodyguard. But why his loyalty keep off, Gen.Prem was basted by Pro democratic people for long time ago since 19-9-2005 , why he was just protect him.

Now, the actors will being reveal to show on stage again, member of Democrat party tried to accuse to the opposite by claimed that they was behind and tried to tie in with the plan to topple The King by the left wing.

It's the most dangerous game, they will try to do everything to win, don't care anything anymore.

Don't worry about Thailand's crash

2008-04-26T21:06:00.000-07:00

PM. Samak told about the movement of Thai Army that may be stage a Coup again, while he has still concerned and following up this information closely. The invisible hand moved to underground to command and backup the protest group called PAD, by used them to create a situation which they want to claim for Coup again, the man who behind the scene to do with this government which have a shadow of Thaksin is back. However,they can't lose absolutely, Thaksin is dangerous man for them, they thought he would tried to rivalry with them.

In crazy country, the high class emphasize the medium fortuneteller from the North more than justice or any reason. I can't believe that the chief of Thai army and many important person of 19th Coup organization would be disciple of him until they were appear in the worship of the medium in the North of Thailand last month. The medium fortuneteller who often commented about politics by claimed his sign but some politics observer told that the coup leader used him to released the mass gossip for political reason.

Everything can be real for this country

Feudal Dictatorship On Stage Again

2008-04-26T04:53:00.000-07:00

When I was read about this subject I suddenly knew that there are something wrong.

(BangkokPost.com) - About 10 members of an anti-coup group gathered in front of Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda's residence on Friday morning and verbally attacked him despite the presence of tens of soldiers and police.

They are members of the Sept 19 Against Dictatorship group.

The anti-coup people reportedly used inappropriate words against Gen Prem.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, meanwhile, said Gen Prem's people should file a complaint with police on the matter.

Interior Minister Chalerm Yubamrung insisted the government does not want to fight with Gen Prem because it is useless.

Comment : The suck media still have been performing their duty by loyalty to their boss. In this situation, nobody in the anti-coup allies have been moved to do something which may bring our country to be confused, because they have known that the basic target at this time is Constitution correction process which move forward, they should to be wait and see, don't do anything. And after the last election in the past year, their movement was the seminars about the fault of Constitution. It's useless according to Mr.Chalerm said, Gen.Prem who have ever shown to the Public that he wasn't figure in Thailand Chaos in 2 years later, but in Friday 25, Mr.Pajun Tamprateep who Gen.Prem's secretary appeared in the Pad's Seminar at Thammasat University, he claimed that he had just observed commonly. It's funny, he had been role in the Junta and often liked to show his silly comment about politics, It's cleared by his appearance.

For this time, All of the actors In The Damn Thailand Chaos story will being reveal to Public as soon as.

Analysis: Nine months after coup, democracy faces uncertain future in Thailand :AP

2007-06-21T03:58:00.000-07:00

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - Despite a pledge by the military-led government to return Thailand to democracy by December, it is increasingly clear that the country's political direction will likely be determined not by voters but by lawyers, guns and money. Nine months after the bloodless ouster of elected Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the military remains
firmly in the driver's seat.

Blog master said... This country is not belong to me anymore.

Politicians of every party have been all but sidelined. Making common cause with a Thai elite that was greatly discomfited by Thaksin's brand of populist politics, the army looks to be stacking the deck for polls due in December by keeping all political parties weak.

«It will be like a directed democracy, in which aristocrats and bureaucrats become more powerful,» predicts Pasuk Phongpaichit, a political economist at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University.

«The new government will be weak, and it has to compromise with and be subjected to the influence of the elite.Not that Thaksin didn't give the elite an excuse. The telecommunications billionaire-turned-politician was widely accused of using the prime minister's office to enrich himself and his family.

Blog master said... She hated Thaksin and ThairakThai party , She had ever againsted Thaksin before 19 Coup. She's not apologise to Thai people for her fool in the past when she supported the 19 coup.

The charges sparked confrontational anti-Thaksin protests and eventually a political logjam that led to the coup last September.A series of moves in recent weeks has underscored the military-led government's determination to get Thaksin, who has been living overseas since the coup. An anti-graft panel ordered the freezing of more than 60 billion baht (US$1.86 billion; ¤1.39 billion) in assets belonging to Thaksin and his family.

This week, the former leader was ordered to return to Thailand to face charges that he concealed his ownership of a company from the stock exchange. And in a dramatic ruling last month, a Thai court ordered Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai Party dissolved and its 111 top executives barred from public office for five years for electoral law violations.

But Thaksin, who came to office in 2001, remains popular among rural voters who delivered him his two landslide election victories. His populist policies brought financial and social welfare benefits to the long-ignored countryside. The dissolution of his party means that the country's rural majority is likely to be denied a real choice at the ballot box.

In the Thai capital of Bangkok, though, the Sept. 19, 2006, coup had been welcomed by many who had wearied of Thaksin's autocratic style and his alleged abuse of power. An interim government, led by a respected former army commander, was appointed, as was an interim legislature and a committee to draft a new constitution. Military sympathizers and Bangkok bureaucrats heavily dominate all bodies and made known their intention to enshrine responsible rule at the expense of popular democracy.

The new government imposed martial law, which remains in effect in 35 of the country's 76 provinces, and banned all organized political party activities _ a measure lifted only earlier this month.But in recent months, the popularity of the military-installed government of interim Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont had begun to decline. A series of missteps on the economic front, including a bungled attempt to impose capital controls, appalled the business community.

Blog master said... It's nonsense, they can't manage this country , they didn't have capability but they have just desire. They are thinking that it's honour of their life for this special accident.

Despite good intentions, the government failed to resolve a bloody Muslim insurgency in the country's southernmost provinces.And until recently, attempts to bring Thaksin to justice for his alleged crimes had proceeded at a snail's pace. Criticism grew that the military had failed to prove wrongdoing that had been a major justification for the coup.The sense of drift was shattered by the court-ordered dismantlement of the former prime minister's party.

Blog master said... I'm not sure that the military junta sincerely solves this problem.

Ousted Thai PM Faces New Penalties

2007-06-18T22:53:00.000-07:00

By AMBIKA AHUJA 06.18.07, 10:27 AM ET From This

Efforts to punish ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for alleged corruption gained momentum Monday, as state prosecutors said they would seek to have him and his wife tried for a suspicious land deal, and an anti-graft panel ordered more of his assets frozen.....

Blog master said... It's cheap trick of Thai Junta , they should have to press to Thaksin to negotiate with them, and they have want to counterattack to him for the speech to the muster at Sanam luang.

The new actions came just three days after Thaksin issued a bitter public complaint that efforts to dismantle his party and seize his fortune were unfair and unjust, and he would fight them.

Attorney General Phatchara Yutithamdamrong announced Monday that his office would submit to court a criminal case concerning the 2003 purchase by Thaksin's wife, Pojamarn, of some prime Bangkok real estate from the Financial Institutions Development Fund, which is directed by the central bank. The fund was established to handle assets of insolvent companies after the 1997 financial crisis.

Blog master said... Mr.Phatchara have ever met with Gen.Prem who behind the scene before 19 coup, This is Thailand, It's clean and clear.

Last month, the anti-graft Assets Examination Committee - established by the coup leaders - decided to recommend to prosecutors that Thaksin and his wife face charges of conflict of interest and malfeasance in connection with the deal.

An anti-corruption law bars prime ministers or their spouses from doing business with a government agency, and the committee said Thaksin as prime minister ultimately oversaw the FIDF.

Phatchara said at a news conference that he will submit a lawsuit Thursday to the branch of the Supreme Court that handles cases of political office holders. His office also recommended that the plot of land, valued at 772 million baht ($23.7 million), be seized.

The conflict of interest charge carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison while the malfeasance charge carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, said Phatchara. The Thaksins would not have to appear in court when the charge is submitted, he said. They will be summoned to hear the charges only if the court accepts the case.

The Assets Examination Committee Monday ordered 8 billion baht ($245.7 million) in assets belonging to Thaksin's family frozen, following up a similar action it took last week.

It had already frozen 52.88 billion baht ($1.63 billion) believed to be proceeds from the Shinawatra family's 73.3 billion baht ($1.9 billion at January 2006 rates of exchange) sale last year of telecommunications company Shin Corp. to Temasek Holdings Pte. Ltd., a Singapore state investment company. It alleged there was reason to believe the deal involved corruption.

A spokesman for the committee, Sak Korsaengruang, said it determined that the 8 billion baht had been shifted out of the earlier frozen bank accounts shortly before the order was issued covering them.

Blog master said... Mr.Sak , It's dirty job of your life, your knowledge about the Law used for destroyed the justice system of this country.

Complaining that he was persecuted, Thaksin said Friday in a video shown an a public rally of his supporters that the committee's allegations were "libelous, unfair and unethical."

"I already said that I'm retiring from politics but I am just asking that my family and I live with dignity," he said. "It doesn't mean that I'm not going to fight. I will fight for my honor to prove my innocence."

But he also said he supported political reconciliation, and was open to talks with the military-appointed government that succeeded him.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said at a press conference Monday that he was willing to negotiate with Thaksin, as long as it did not interfere with the judicial process.

"Any negotiation with (Thaksin) must not interfere with the legal cases against him ... the government will not intervene with the court process," Surayud said. "I will do what can be done lawfully but more than that, I am not willing to negotiate."

Blog master said... Yes , feudal tyrant in Thailand still have influenced for all system in this country, will they win in this war ? So, Thai people is slave forever.

Student activists deny link to Thaksin camp

2007-06-13T19:41:00.000-07:00

APINYA WIPATAYOTIN From Bangkok Post

A group of student activists at Chulalongkorn who are against dictatorship say they have nothing to do with pro-Thaksin Shinawatra supporters. The student activists said they work individually, but merely share the anti-dictatorship idea.

Around 10 members of the group attracted media attention by performing a five-minute play against the coup in front of the university's Sala Phra Kieo.

A senior student from the faculty of engineering said he regarded the group's move as an over-reaction.

The student, who asked not to be named, also said people should wait for a general election at the end of this year.

Yesterday, the group urged people not to vote for the new constitution, saying that people should accept only the constitution written by an elected government.

The activists also handed out condoms to passers-by to deliver the message that the constitution now being drafted should be stopped in its tracks.

Nattasit Rakkiatwong, spokesman for the group, said corruption alone did not provide justification for a coup.

He says the Thai Rak Thai party had the right to reject the May 30 verdict that dissolved the party and imposed a five-year ban on political activity by its executives.

Theeranai Jaruwatra, a leader of the group, said he was more concerned about abuse of power in a democratic system than Mr Thaksin's corruption charges.

''Just leave the issue to the judicial system. I can't say whether he is right or wrong at the moment. The court will let us know. We don't care whether he is right or wrong. But the coup is unacceptable,'' he said.

Mr Theeranai insisted that the group would not join the PTV protesters. Some members, however, could choose to attend their rallies individually.

He said people tended to link coup opponents with Mr Thaksin's supporters.

Meanwhile, political science lecturer Chaiyan Chaiyaporn threw his support behind the students' move, saying they were exercising their right to express themselves politically.

A recent ABAC poll found that more than 70% of respondents were ready to ''accept'' a corrupt government if it would improve their own well-being.

Blog master Said.... That's right thing for all Thai people to against this coup. Why they were accused that they have a hidden agenda. Before the 19 coup, their lecturer in this university did rally with People allies democracy to against Thaksin, after the 19 coup , they have been support to Junta and the coup maker to destroy Thaksin and his allies. It's really shame...

Pro-Thaksin rally hopes 60,000 will join

2007-06-08T19:46:00.000-07:00

Sanamgluang : 08/06/2007

BangkokPost.com - Leaders of Supporters of Thaksin Against Dictatorship group expect to draw some 60,000 protesters to rally against Council for National Security.

Group organiser Theerachai Saenkaew said he believed more and more people throughout the country will travel to Bangkok to join the rally that is held everyday at Sanam Luang.

"I've received responses from people in the North and the Northeastern," he said. "Although some of them say they cannot come, they ask their relatives in Bangkok to join the protest."

The group, officially established on Wednesday, was founded by some 60 former MPs of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai party as key leaders. They have staged a daily protest at the venue since then.

"Public view us as an NGO campaigning for democracy and against dictatorship," he said.

Mr Theerachai also dismissed reports that the key members paid people to rally. People can't be hired to rally, he claimed.

Blog master said.... God bless us. Thai people would have to show to the world again that Democracy is not simply.

More evidence needed for land purchase deal of Thaksin's wife

2007-06-08T19:13:00.000-07:00

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) asked the Assets Examination Committee Thursday for more evidence on the Ratchadapisek land purchase to make the case against ousted premier and his wife more solid.

Auditor General Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka and public prosecutors met Udom Fuangfung, chairman of AEC's subcommittee probing the land deal, to discuss the case.

Udom said prosecutors wanted documents about the issuing of bonds by the FIDF (Financial Institutions Development Fund), which they believe will make the case stronger.

He said he would ask the FIDF for the documents and submit them to prosecutors next week.

The AEC has filed a suit accusing Thaksin and his wife for corruption over the land sale.

Deputy Attorney General Somsak Boonthong, who chairs the OAG panel examฌining the land deal, expressed confidence that prosecutors would decide on whether to accept the suit within the deadline.

Somsak said his panel would reach an opinion on a complaint from Thaksin about the landpurchase probe when they decide whether to indict him.

He said Thaksin's complaint requested prosecutors to summon evidence on the FIDF's land deal with Erawan Trust Finance and Securities Co. Thaksin claimed Udom's panel refused to include this evidence in its probe.

The FIDF sold the land plot on Rama IX Road to Pojaman in 2003 for Bt772 million, which was over an appraisal price of about Bt700 million.

The AEC claims the fund lost money on the deal because it bought the land from Erawan Trust Finance and Securities for Bt2 billion in 1995.

Blog master said...Elite Group are thinking that this case should be sure to get rid of Thaksin but its not simply , if the evidence of the Assets Examination Committee have a strong why the prosecutor have to ask for more evidence , the Assets Examination Committee always claim that could be prosecute. All the time , Thai media released to the public about this case like a court was sentence its already and Thaksin corrupted absolutely.

Meanwhile, former deputy interior minister Pramuan Ruchanaseree reported to the AEC on Thursday to hear and defend himself against corruption charges related to a government scheme to purchase rubber saplings.

Pramuan said it was unfair of the AEC to accuse Thaksin's entire cabinet because the then agriculture minister Newin Chidchob was solely responsible for the scheme.

"The corruption took place not during cabinet consideration but by people who implemented the project," he alleged.

He raised objections to the scheme in the cabinet meeting but there were no records, he said.

"The Thaksin cabinet meetings were a joke. There was no transparency. There were no signatures of those who attended the meeting, there were no meeting records," he said.

Blog master said.... Thaksin scratched him away from his cabinet because he didn't work , he worked like a bureaucrat , after that his role was changed to be the ultra royalist to against Thaksin. He lied again , the cabinet meeting of Thailand have never been record for description or anything so far.

Pramuan is among 90 people, including ministers, permanent officials, and company executives, the AEC has accused of involvement in corruption in the rubber sapling purchase scheme. Six other former ministers are scheduled to hear the charges against them.

The Nation

Final Countdown for The Coup maker

2007-06-03T09:01:00.000-07:00

Military Government Outlaws the Opposition

June 3, 2007: In the south, nearly a thousand young Moslems demonstrated against the presence of so many soldiers in the south. The security forces have imposed a lot of movement restrictions, and are often rough if they encounter any resistance. The military government is apparently planning to impose even harsher measures in the south.

Blog master said.... These picture : Thais are protesting at Sanamluang Bangkok, I didn't know that how many , the coup maker are trying to bar many people which want to come from many part of Bangkok by used all media hype to the public that third group may be disturb , to accuse this mob , spam sms to mobile phone , don't permit the mass transportation to go the inner of Bangkok. It's really bad thing.

June 2, 2007: The military government has ordered the former prime ministers party disbanded, and banned former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra from participating in politics. In response, over 5,000 people demonstrated against the coup in the capital. Thaksin was very popular, and would probably still win an election. But he offended many urban groups and government employees, who conspired to oust him. Now the military government has to try and run new elections that will not bring to power politicians who will feel obliged to punish the coup organizers. May 31, 2007: In the south, a roadside bomb killed twelve soldiers, and Islamic militants killed five Moslems near a mosque that opposed terrorism. Another four people were killed in attacks on non-Moslems in the south.

May 28, 2007: Six small bombs that went off in southern tourist areas yesterday were considered set by political, not Islamic militant, groups. Thirteen people were injured, and the bombs were similar to those set off in the capital last December. Australia, Canada, France and Japan have reacted by warning their citizens to think twice about going to Thailand.

Blog master said.... For the verdict of constitutional court tribunal , It's real suicide verdict. So, They think that when dissolved Thai rak Thai party then it's game over. They wake up people from fear and ignore to the politics.

The situation of southern region , the politics in Bangkok are involve about that , if the Bangkok chaos is calm then southern chaos would be calm too. The commentator in underground radio told that the eunuch is the mastermind who wanted to discredit to Thaksin 's government , but it was escalated so far.

Thailand crash !

2007-05-31T20:08:00.000-07:00

AP, BANGKOK
Friday, Jun 01, 2007, Page 1

More than 1,000 die-hard supporters of ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday protested a stunning court ruling that banned his party and barred its entire leadership from politics for five years, saying the military-appointed tribunal lacked legitimacy.

"This is a fight by the people who are rejecting the judiciary's power," said Veera Musigapong, a former deputy leader of Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party and one of the 111 leading party members, including Thaksin, banned from politics by Wednesday's ruling.

"As someone who was personally affected, I am not accepting the decision of the tribunal which was set up by the coup leaders and their illegitimate power," Veera said.

Blog master said... I don't believe that it's true , it's really worse case , to dissolved Thai rak Thai it's not bad but they baned 111 politicians from the politics for 5 years its really mad , they will be Thai politics go to hell.

Party leader Chaturon Chaisaeng said yesterday that a new Thai Rak Thai would try to register under the same name while its banned executives would attempt to engage in political activities short of running for office.

He said that the group hoped to meet Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on Monday to ask him to revoke a ban on all political activities by parties that was imposed following a bloodless coup last September that ousted Thaksin.

Surayud has promised to lift the ban in September and hold general elections in December.

Thaksin, who now resides in London, sent a handwritten letter to his party and supporters, urging them to continue their political activities for the benefit of the country.

Thailand facing uncertainty after court ruling

BANGKOK: Thailand's ailing democracy faced more uncertainty Thursday after a constitutional court shut down the political party of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and barred him and 110 other party executives from politics for five years.

The ruling late Wednesday abruptly removed country's dominant party, Thai Rak Thai, and most of its leading political figures in advance of an election scheduled for December that will redraw the political landscape.

Political analysts here said the ruling put an end for now to the political career of Thaksin, the country's most popular politician. He remains abroad after being deposed in a nonviolent coup last Sept. 19 while he was in New York.

The nine-judge constitutional court in effect ratified the coup, convicting the party and its executives of manipulating an election in April 2006 in what it called an attempt "to achieve totalitarian power."

Echoing the harsh criticism of his critics, it said Thaksin's party "shows no respect for the rule of law, which is the key to the democratic system."

Blog master said.... It's double standard for decision between Thai rak Thai and Democrat and they would broke in the basic rule of Law they can't used the new section which have been proclaim after that wrong doing to retrospect to harmful for someone. Thai politics would be in the dark , Junta would be in trouble for referendum of news constitution , Thais will be used this chance to show that how do they feel about this silly scene to against the coup. It's closed the door for the peace to happy ending in Thailand.

Thailand: Military-Backed Government Censors Internet

2007-05-26T01:36:00.000-07:00

Blocking Cyber Dissidents Obstructs Return to Democracy

(New York, May 24, 2007) - Thailand's military-backed government is undermining free political debate and delaying the return to democracy by barring access to many political websites, Human Rights Watch said today.

Since the current government came to power after a September 2006 coup against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Thai authorities have been active in silencing cyber critics and dissidents. This is in stark contradiction to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont's pledges to create an atmosphere conducive to democratization and political reform.

"A major complaint about Thaksin was his muzzling of the media and willingness to limit free speech," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "The military-backed government promised a quick return to democracy, but it's now attacking freedom of expression and political pluralism in ways that Thaksin never dared."

Blog master........ Thai 's media shut up their mounts , they haven't been shown something that they were professional media , many guru of them had got the reward from the coup at all for help the coup to topple Thaksin. It's really media tyrant.

Censorship of the internet is now being carried out by the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (MICT) and the Royal Thai Police, in collaboration with the Communications Authority of Thailand (CAT) and the Telecommunication Authority (TOT), which provide Thailand's international internet gateways. Since the coup, the MICT has employed around-the-clock "watchers" to monitor content on the internet to find information considered to be offending the monarchy (a criminal offense in Thailand punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment), threatening national security, disrupting public order, or being obscene.

Based on this continuous surveillance, officials from the MICT and the Royal Thai Police have distributed names of websites, both domestic and foreign, to government and private internet service providers (ISPs), telling the ISPs to block access to blacklisted websites.

Many of the blocked websites were established in opposition to the September 19, 2006 coup and the subsequent role of the military in Thai politics. Websites blocked include the September 19 Network ( http://www.19sep.net and http://www.19sep.org ) and websites known to be supportive of Thaksin and his Thai Rak Thai party, such as the online telecast of PTV television ( http://www.ptvthai.com ), the online broadcast of Saturday Voice ( http://www.saturdaylive.org and http://saturdayvoice.no-ip.info ) and the online broadcast of FM 87.75 Taxi Community Radio ( http://www.shinawatradio.com ). Hosts of popular political blogs used among cyber critics and dissidents, such as BlogSpot ( http://www.blogspot.com ), have also been blocked by some ISPs.

Internet users attempting to access blocked websites encounter either an "Access Denied" message, are redirected to the MICT website, or receive a notice with the MICT's logo saying that access to such websites has been blocked due to "inappropriate content" ( http://w3.mict.go.th/ci/blocked.html ).

The MICT has also blocked anonymous proxy servers through which Thai internet users can access a blocked webpage. The ministry has requested Google Thailand ( http://www.google.co.th ) and Google.com to block access to its cached web pages in Thailand by which blocked pages can be accessed, as well as to block by keyword search.

Blog master........ It's shame , I don't believe that minister of MICT which came from Mahanakorn Institute of Technology that dared to run all these measure.

In addition, Thai authorities are monitoring critical opinions and debates on popular opinion boards of Prachathai ( http://www.prachathai.com ) and Pantip.com ( http://www.pantip.com ). They have issued warnings to both websites that they, too, would be shut down if they failed to remove opinions critical of the military junta.

"The military and government are clearly worried that Thaksin may return to power and are engaging in censorship to stop this," said Adams. "But instead of resorting to draconian restrictions on free speech, the Thai authorities need to realize that their promised return to democracy requires opening the political process."

The coup leaders, now known as the Council for National Security (CNS), made their intentions to control the internet known soon after the coup by issuing Order Number 5/2549, which authorized the MICT to shut down internet sites for posting inaccurate content and material deemed to be harming government reform efforts.

On September 29, 2006, access to a leading non-formal education center, the Midnight University website ( http://www.midnightuniv.org ) - which recorded more than half a million visitors per month from all over the world, thousands of articles and discussion boards - was temporarily blocked after its staff held a protest against the coup. Access to the Midnight University website was possible again only after its staff obtained a temporary restraining order from the Administrative Court ordering the MICT to unblock their website.

On November 15, 2006, the government introduced a draft law to criminalize the generation, possession, storage, dissemination of and access to prohibited information on the internet. The Bill on Computer-Related Offenses passed its first reading on the same date. On May 9, 2007, the legislation was quickly passed in the second and third readings by an overwhelming 119-1 vote by members of the National Legislative Assembly. The law provides broad powers to officials appointed by the MICT minister to intercept and seize computer data, and seek court warrants to block the dissemination of information on the internet if such information is considered as a threat to national security according to the Penal Code. The law carries harsh penalties for those found guilty of offenses, including a penalty of up to five years of imprisonment and/or a fine of up to 100,000 baht (US$2,700). Lawyers, internet and media professionals, and bloggers fear that in a tense political environment, these provisions could easily be misused by the authorities against political opponents and critics of military rule.

Human Rights Watch said that freedom of expression and pluralism, including tolerance of dissenting views, is vital if Thailand wants to be a rights-respecting democracy. Active exchanges of peaceful ideas and opinions should be encouraged, not punished.

"Freedom of expression, including offering opinions on the internet, is an essential basis of any functioning democracy," Adams said. "Blocking critical websites resembles the behavior of China and Vietnam. Is this the company that Thailand's leaders want to keep?" From Source

Blog master said........ The last , they blocked "Shout Box" which used to conversation in little group , it's installed on many website in Thailand ,yes, the Saturday voice 's website include, MICT blocked it already. Many of young webmaster in Thailand didn't know that why MICT blocked the Shout Box server. Somebody thought that arise from dirty word which used in their chat room :)

The King concerned

2007-05-24T08:12:00.000-07:00

The King have a speech to justice of administrative court about the case of dissolve two political party (Thai rak Thai and Democrat ) which is authority of constitutional court which appointed by military junta. They have to sentence these case in 30 May among the political tension , rumor about the conflict of Junta and the coup maker , between the coup maker and their allies which have want to destroy the root of Thaksin with the head of Junta which believed that they compromised with Thaksin. (It may be just a rumor)

H.M. the King would try to hint about these case particularly , and say that if the justice of constitutional court misrepresent that Thailand may be collapse, It 's mean that the ex-speech to the justice of administrative at last year , it may be misrepresent , because after that it 's brought to cancel the election result of 2 April , and ran the measure to pressure to the election committee to resign. In Thailand , H.M. the King can't intervene to the politics but may be suggest for something like that which have want to show to the public.

31 May : People 's power of Thailand

2007-05-22T22:21:00.001-07:00

31 May 2005 , all anti-coup groups and PTV will be pack all together for show their power. They have appointed to rally at Lan Pra Roop it 's near to Dusit Palace.

Local news reported that 2 - 3 star Hotal in Bangkok were booked by people which come from many provinces to assembly for this event. The press was identify that Thai politicians back up for them and try to do every things for pressure to Constitution court to sentence in the historical political case in 30 May.

The coup maker and PAD allies would be dissolve Thai rak Thai party , they think that it 's to be useful to destroy political base of Thaksin and his allies , But it 's not easy. For the situation of The coup maker , they have been isolate because their behavior and the query about their transparency for many case, the last , the core of coup maker had tried to forced the Junta to sell the IRPC 's share back to the business man who supported them to stage a coup in lower than the market price, but the Junta isn't allow. Now , the IRPC became to the State Enterprises which hold by many of government funds.

It 's clear that why The coup maker and PAD allies would have to engage with The Junta.

It 's really the conflict of interest Coup.

PTV Rally to Democracy monument , Junta blocked website

2007-05-20T21:18:00.000-07:00

Yesterday , The PTV Group which campaign against to the coup. They started to hydepark at Sanamluang Square in 18.00 (local time) , they have people to ally them about 10,000 up. After that they are rally to the Democracy monument and open stage to hydepark from there.

Saturday Voice Anti-coup group did live from there also via their internet radio station, but it was blocked by Information and comm. tech. ministry later. ICT also have blocked all website that support to Thaksin since last night until now. And surprise ICT blocked the shoutbox element service also , because people who anti Junta used it via to communication among themselves but they have changed to used MSN instead , I don't know that when will ICT block it.

Junta are working so hard to block all information from people because Anti coup groups appointed to big rally in the end of this month and the constitution court will judge a case to dissolve two big Partys at 30 May. The political tension will near to climax and mix with the news about the conflict inside the military.

Thaksin telephone in Saturday voice Radio , Last night

2007-05-16T21:11:00.000-07:00

Surprise at Last night , Thaksin did phone from London to talk with DJ of Saturday Voice radio program its via internet only. He bade the vitality and morale to Thais who fighting for Democracy , he did concerned about many of his policies which useful for Thais it was gave up by military junta. He didn't talk about the plan to comeback to the politics. That 's short time to interview.

Saturday Voice radio program established by the anti - coup group called Saturday Voice which their movement doing for democracy in Thailand to topple feudalism which the aim is Gen.Prem the chief of privy council who supported the military to stage a coup last year. They campaign for petition to the King to discharge him from the privy council.

: Link about Saturday voice may be crash, sometime its was blocked by Junta.

UPDATE sorry for them...This is Thailand.

Radio station closed after Thaksin speaks

2007/5/18
BANGKOK, Reuters

A small Bangkok radio station was raided and closed on Thursday after it broadcast a live interview with former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who lives in exile in London, a senior government official said.

Broadcast regulators filed a complaint to the police after FM 87.75 ran a live interview with Thaksin in its morning show, accusing it of broadcasting without a license and airing content that undermined the national security, the official said.

"When we arrived at the station, they all ran away and took away their transmitter. So the station is now closed," Public Relations Department chief Pramoj Rathavinij, who supervises all radio stations in Thailand, told Reuters.

Colonel Thanathip Sawangsaeng, a coup council spokesman, told reporters FM 87.75 had to be closed because it was airing content that could "instigate unrest" and "bring instability" to the country.

Thaksin made two calls to the station late on Wednesday and Thursday asking about the impact of a quake in northern Laos which rattled Bangkok and thanking his supporters, Thai newspaper Web sites reported.

It was the first time Thaksin had spoken on a Thai radio station since he was ousted in a bloodless coup last September.

Despite repeated announcements he would not return to politics, Thaksin has never been out of the public eye for long.

Shortly after his ouster, Thaksin hired an American public relations firm to help him counter accusations of running a corrupt government.

His supporters have opposed the military-installed government through street rallies and Web sites.

On Thursday, Thaksin also called two other community radio stations, which have limited range, urging reconciliation, the anti-coup prachathai.com site reported. There was no immediate word on whether they had been closed.

"Today's darkness won't last long. When democracy returns to Thailand, all lights will brighten up your life," he was quoted as saying on one of the stations.

Blog master said... It 's double standard !!! The radio of PAD 92.25 FM which try to raise to confrontation all the time but it 's happy to release that its since 19 coup. Is this called FOR UNITY ?

Police found The explosive material in Bangkok

2007-05-15T21:20:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, the police did go through the room in apartment on the east of Bangkok , they found the power gel bomb and another material of its , also they found the fillet prints "liberate" and armlets its belong to P.A.D. This room is belong to nephew of Pean Yongnu the core of P.A.D. and core of E.G.A.T labor union. For the own room is still escape.

This is special phenomenon for Unseen Thailand , all time in the past for many bomb explode in Bangkok , nobody was arrested.

After these case , the night bomb was happened near to the King's Palace and Pean Youngnu did go to petition to relive the PM of Junta for last week.

I think it 's stem from the first case because its challenge to somebody , someone could bomb near to the Gen.Prem's house or wherever but not there.

Also , it seem to be sending the significant sign to all of political faction that should stop and quiet.

Constitution for the coup and feudalism

2007-05-14T11:53:00.000-07:00

The coup 's constitution would be push to vote for referendum immediately when its finish. For many section in this constitution was designed for feudalism to reduce the politician power its their aim. This is the first aim before , but the situation has been change. For the section about the judge can intervene the power of the authority and the lawmaker when the political dead lock , its was bomb from many political faction , particularly reaction from the court. They released the officially comment that they don't want to involve to the political conflict in the future. The constitution draft team did lose face on this case very much.

For 299 section , It was designed for amnesty to the coup and all action which happened since 19 coup for every guilty that they did. This case is necessary, if this section was cut off then the coup may stage a coup again. Nobody know that how much money did the coup spend for special allowance. You know, the ex coup leader , when he died , he left the portion about 100 million USD (its 15 years ago). He didn't have a business. Where is the money from ?
Now , we are lucky, we have a money laundry laws , but this section could be help them from their guilty.

They have been invest for this coup by their honour and everything that they have. They don't surrender simply.

People's Alias for Democracy act for dictatorship

2007-05-12T21:59:00.000-07:00

The Assembly of Isaan People will hold a rally in Roi Et before the end of the month in the hope that the junta will eventually agree to its demand to dismiss Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, protest leader Chaiwat Sinsuwong said yesterday.

"The assembly has reached a consensus that Surayud must go, although members have differing opinions on ways to drive him out office," Chaiwat said.

He said some assembly members did not want to rally, although the majority deemed it necessary to back up their demand.

He voiced optimism that junta leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin might agree to remove Surayud, despite his rejection of the demand on Tuesday.

"Just as Sonthi repeatedly denied that he was preparing to stage a coup before September 19, a change of prime minister might happen any day," he said. Chaiwat added after the dismissal of Surayud, he was ready to name five candidates as possible replacements.

He dismissed the allegation that his assembly was a puppet of the People's Alliance for Democracy, the leading anti-Thaksin group which soon became disillusioned with Surayud's leadership. From Here

Blog master said.... "The Assembly of Isaan People" Never heard it before , but I know him "Chaiwat Sinsuwong" , he is a divine of Santi Asoke its the same group of PAD which exiled Thaksin in last year.

1. They think that PM of Junta may be compromise with Thaksin. So, they would have to do everything for stop it. They (all of their faction) are afraid of Thaksin to revenge them when he come back to the politics. They would be fighting for survive , after the secret agreement had done among Thaksin with the VIP , the role of them would be drop out , for this time they have just like a dust to exclude them from the stage , can't do anything. Don't do anything, they have not the remote control.

2. Or , the capitalist who supported the coup may be used to pressure to PM of Junta for buy his share back from the government in the cheap price which PM of Junta would not be allowed.

It 's complicated, the NGO its called PAD (people 's alliance of democracy) , but they are acting for dictatorship. What's happen ?

Low Support for Thaksin's Return to Thailand

2007-05-10T22:10:00.000-07:00

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Very few people in Thailand would welcome Thaksin Shinawatra’s return to the country, according to a poll by ABAC. Only 16 per cent of respondents think the deposed prime minister should go back immediately to help solve problems, such as the current the economic slowdown.

Conversely, 24 per cent of respondents believe Thaksin should not return because this could spark episodes of violence in the unstable nation, while 23 per cent think the deposed prime minister should wait at least a couple of years before considering going back to his country. (From Here)

ฺBlog master said.... About Poll in Thailand , we have two poll which famous , Dusit Poll and ABAC Poll , but Dusit Poll did stop to release the result of political article before 19 coup , chief of Dusit poll 've ever told that he didn't want to report it because the result 'd shown that social thinking was separated , he didn't want to go round for it.

For ABAC Poll, its different, they are still report it almost daily, they reported that 90% in Thailand supported the coup , or something like that almost of Thais hate Thaksin. :)

I don't believe it , if Thais don't want Thaksin anymore why coup leader and the allies (this poll would be also) will have to be afraid of Thaksin to comeback. They can't get rid of the influence of Thaksin. So, they have got the news about the man who behind the scene compromise with Thaksin already. They would have to try to turn the tide to stage a coup twice. But they are not sure yet that who will win because of military was separated from the coup assured, the another military which under control by the man who behind the scene would keep watch on the coup leader's troop for block them.

The Bomb was near to The Palace last night.

2007-05-05T21:21:00.000-07:00

Last night, the bomb was blow up in Rajavithi Road near to The Palace of the King , Police officer said that to create a situation , it 's the same type with the bombs its was happen in several place which before and after the coup , but this bomb was near to the palace called "Suan Jitlada" , never happened before , his majesty still live in this palace , his majesty is not yet back to The "Glai gung won" Hua hin Palace.
remark ....

1. The bomb was laid in the phone booth near to the house of lady Praneedsilpa Watcharapol who is Kumpol Watcharapol's wife the holder of Thairath the most big newspaper in Thailand. Thairath it 's the influence newspaper, in later, the behavior was changed , It began to engage direct to the Junta and military coup leader further more, particularly criticize about conflict of interest in coup leaders , as the last , Gen. Saprang have got allowance from several of state enterprises , he is FULL UP. It may be cause of this bomb.

2. It was happened to opposite the Palace , where Junta and military coup was lay down the HQ troop all around the palace for security and to protect the King , and It would have installed CCTV in this area. This is mean that bomber could known better about the security in this high risk area , he is not ordinary people absolutely. CCTV in Bangkok could have never capture the bomber , It 's always nonfunctional.

So, the bomber would have try to shown something to the Public that Its have more power , or beam to the palace to request something from there. Because if the bomber want to threaten to Thairath Its would be bomb it near to the office , not to be there , may be to claim that Bangkok was pinch.

Sonthi still don't Stop

2007-05-04T20:24:00.000-07:00

The Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary has defended its chief against media mogul Sonthi Limthongkul's accusations linking the royal secretary to a key figure in the Temasek nominee controversy.

The agency said that even though the King's principal private secretary, Arsa Sarasin, is the younger brother of businessman Pong Sarasin, he "has no connections whatsoever" with the issue.

It said Sondhi made "incorrect allegations" against the royal secretary. "Sondhi's statement indicated that he failed to double-check the facts and had intended to frame and cause damage to Arsa Sarasin and the Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary," read the letter sent to Thailand Dot Com Co.

The company operates the TV programme called "Yam Fao Phaendin" (Guard of the Land), on which Sondhi made the statement in question on April 27.

The letter, dated April 30, was signed by Arsa's deputy, Jitrapat Krairiksh.

Sondhi had said an amendment to the anti-corruption law passed by the National Legislative Assembly had been "stuck" for a month after being submitted for royal endorsement, and suggested the "delay" could be due to Arsa and Pong's family ties.

Pong was a major shareholder in Kularb Kaew, a company accused of acting as a nominee to Singapore's investment arm Temasek Holdings in its controversial purchase of shares of telecom giant Shin Corp from ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra's family.

In its letter, the agency said it had received the amendment from the Cabinet secretariat on April 2 and forwarded it to the Privy Council on April 10. It received royal endorsement on April 22, after the long Songkran holiday, and was returned to the Cabinet secretariat on April 24. Source from Nation

Blog master said.... Sonthi Limthongkul said in his TV program yesterday that Mr. Arsa don't arrogate his position to protect himself by used this letter. Mr.Arsa who direct serve to the King, this is special phenomenon in Thailand , nobody have ever been dare to counter with them before.

I think he did it to save his face , if he stop then he became to the joke in public eye , his divine may be not respect him anymore. Before that in this TV program , he said that he achieved in success to duped the people to topple Thaksin but the military junta can't get rid of the root of Thaksin. This mention was transcribed to shown in his website couple days, after its had adapt to duped by military junta instead.

This case will be proof among the lie and freedom of media. I 'm waiting for other measure from Mr. Arsa to counter attack to Sonthi. I 'm push forward every day. :)

Gen.Saprang's blur !

2007-05-03T17:18:00.000-07:00

Gen.Saprang the key man of the coup told to the press in Bangkok that he would have to send his troop to patrol with the police department in Bangkok for the security because he was informed from London's Police that they arrested the accused from the apartment in London with the terrorist handbook plan to execute in Bangkok.

I was try to search the news about it , but I 'm not found. So , I think he would got it from Saprang's intelligence unit. He didn't talk about it anymore but he hector talked to some politician that "NO MERCY" if he come back. I would try to think It 's mean "Thaksin" or who is him??? It 's the cheap trick of Thai military management style for propaganda to public by always used the politician to be victim , and He is the hero in public eyes.

Besides, Gen.Saprang who is the president of The Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited by ex offices , decided to abolish the contract of the King power of duty free public co.,ltd. who have got the concession to manage the business area in Bangkok Airport. It 's trouble certainly, because this corp would have to stop everything and demolish all of their construction to bring it from the airport suddenly. the King power duty free have to charge to Administrative court Its hard to surrender.

The King power of duty free shop have got concession from AOT in the Thaksin era , after the 19 coup in last year , the new committee board director who appointed by military junta started to investigated about contract in Suvannabhumi Airport. They were being tried to seek the evidence about corruption. For this case they had new estimated about the value of contract to force its to be wrong, they were success to find out the guilt to abolish this contract finally.

2007-05-02T23:18:00.001-07:00

The political news of Thailand or front page of the newspaper its have to have the news about Thaksin one news at least. So, he would not try to get the media arena, but his activities could have to be the news. As the news about Thaksin is biding for share of Manchester city football team , the news about Thaksin was appointed to president of Thai - Pro golf association by its committee.

I heard that the member of Thai rak Thai Party who is member of The Thai Sugar cane association will be enter Thaksin for president of this association. I think that it 's may be have other associations in Thailand would do it also , It 's not joke for military junta faction who can't do anything , just watch these activities by puzzled and moody when they have to inform to the press about these issues. It 's mean they were humiliated to be shame around the world , leave them alone in the dark aged.

In now, Junta is changing to the Joker in the public eyes , Junta can't solve any problems , so they are making waves all the time. They are foolish sense and non experience in their job. "The Expire men" when they will be stop to destroy my country.

Technorati : Thai rak Thai, Thaksin, junta, political

Sonthi have to declare !

2007-05-02T08:25:00.001-07:00

I have see in the news The Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary (HMPPS) announce that Mr. Sonthi Limthongkul the black media have to declare to the public and the media for the truth about the law of National counter corruption commission, by Sonthi have told in ASTV program(cable TV) that Mr. Arsa Sarasin secretary of HMPPS had try to stall to send this law to the King for endorsement , Sonthi claimed that he did it to help for Thaksin. In the announcement said that Sonthi always try to pull the King to involve in the political tension.

It 's surprised , this announcement is harsh and conform with this situation which I have ever told that Gen.Prem's Junta may be compromise with Thaksin already , and Gen.Prem's Junta may be conflict with the military coup leaders , but someone told me that It 's may be the mirage by their propaganda for exclude Gen.Prem from the coup maker.

This is the significant from the palace again , I think the palace try to show to the public that they don't want to involve in the political situation and everyone can't to use them to claim for political advantage anymore, otherwise , the palace would have send the sign direct to Mr.Sonthi that Your time is up , Stop and Shut up, before it 's too late.

Technorati : ASTV, Sonthi Limthongkul

2007-05-01T22:07:00.000-07:00

Thailand's Council for National Security chairman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin on Tuesday expressed astonishment at the election of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as president of the Professional Golf Association of Thailand.

He said the nomination was caused by certain individuals who have problems with their thinking process, and should be admitted for mental consulting, according to the Bangkok Post's website.

Sonthi said the nomination might have something to do with Thaicom Foundation having donated some money to the golf group. The foundation, initiating the satellite education program for young children in remote areas unable to continue their education at the secondary school level, was founded by Mr. Thaksin.

However, the military leader did not reveal if the authorities will intervene the golf post of the nation.

Pongsak Raktapongpaisal, who was deputy secretary-general of the Thai Rak Thai party, said Monday Thaksin was delighted to accept the post, adding that he was suitable for the title due to his contribution to the association. Source: Xinhua

Blog master said... Oh ! Our military leader, why he spoke like that. He told that Thais would be check their thought ! , I don't understand , president of the Professional Golf Association of Thailand that came from the vote by Association's member, its not by Thais, he 's crazy because the situation in this time was change over. He would be in chaos because he was got the pressure surround , he 's in confusion , Gen.Prem leave him alone. He is not keep in mind and reveal his leadership so clear.

Thailand killed two Buddhist villagers

2007-04-30T10:49:00.001-07:00

PATTANI, Thailand --Suspected Muslim insurgents in southern Thailand killed two Buddhist villagers, beheading one of them, and left a note saying the attack was revenge for a deadly weekend bombing at a mosque, police said Monday.

The two burned bodies, one of them headless, were found on a road in Pattani province's Nong Chik district, said police Lt. Natachai Janpho. He said they were apparently killed Sunday night.

A spray-painted message on the road near the bodies said: "This is revenge for Hutae Bongor," Natachai said. Hutae Bongor is a nearby town where the mosque bombing Saturday night killed a Muslim man and injured three others.

The message suggested that the attackers believed the culprits in the mosque attack were members of the security forces of Thailand's Buddhist-dominated government. However, authorities said they suspected the mosque attackers were Muslim militants bent on stirring up communal tension.

In a separate case of violence Monday, a bomb was detonated at a roadside restaurant in Narathiwat's Sungai Kolok district, injuring one worker. The bomb was hidden in a carry-on bag that belonged to a customer who left the restaurant before the detonation, said police Lt. Tem Intasara. It was triggered by a mobile phone that was later found near the scene, he said.

Thailand is overwhelmingly Buddhist, but Muslims are a majority in the deep south, where they have long complained of discrimination.

Since a Muslim rebellion flared up in the three southernmost provinces in early 2004, near-daily bombings, drive-by shootings and other attacks in the area have killed more than 2,000 people.

More than 20 of the victims are believed to have been beheaded in the attacks.

Insurgents have targeted Buddhist civilians in what is believed to be an attempt to drive them from the area and to rouse animosity between followers of the two religions.

Muslim citizens -- especially those seen as collaborating with the government -- also have been killed. Link to This news

Blog master said... I read the news about southern unrest everyday. It have not been changed from the past , before military stage a coup , the opposite of Thaksin former PM accused that the unrest its stem form him because his policy , if depose him out then the abyss would be calm , what of it ?

My friend in nakorn sri thammarat the southern province told me that the guy in his city was arrested because the police officer found that he involved in the bomb case in Yala province , they 'd had the evidence in CCTV that he did. You know , nakorn sri province have far from 3 province in the southern unrest about 300 Km , and he 's not Muslim....

I ever have a remark in case the ranger soldier from the North was arrested in Bangkok railway station with his many bombs in bag - pack , his destination 's Narathiwat. I didn't get the news or anything about him so far. It 's gone with the wind again. If I 'm use the conspiracy theory to solve it, the southern unrest would have to plot by someone who have a brutal power. 2,000 peoples have to died for what. I still don't know what they want.

Technorati : Thailand, beheading, southern, unrest

2007-04-27T09:51:00.000-07:00

Today , PTV It 's the people television cable TV that 's never on air , but now , It 's on air at Sanam-luang park of Bangkok , Mr. Jakrapob Penkae discuss about the important case , HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited to Singapore last week , that 's the significant sign , after the military to stage a coup in last year , the military junta and organizations appointed by the coup , they have been try to propaganda that Singapore 's the dangerous capitalism country , bad moral , and try to dominate Thai economics.

They have been try to accused Thaksin that betray the country by sold his family's share of Shin corp to Singapore. And collaborate with Singapore to dominate Thailand. They 're bad influence that Shin Satellite , AIS and ITV are internal affair and dangerous for security of Thailand. Many of minister in military junta baste to Singapore for many times , as Gen. Sonthi the coup leader accused that Singapore was tapping cell-phone of the coup maker in Thailand , as Minister of ICT announced that they will buy Shin Satellite back from Singapore , as the PAD its support by the coup maker was try to eject the Singapore Air force base in the north of Thailand , all those case are gone with the wind , It 's just daily propaganda for discredit to Thaksin only , make it current day by day , they 'r so think that Thais are fool.

Mr. Jakrapob Penkae told with the mob that it 's special thing for this time. I think HRH Crown Princess visited to Singapore in the good timing. The relationship of Thailand and Singapore have been worsen because the role of military junta and the coup maker.

2007-04-26T20:07:00.000-07:00

Gen.Sonthi Boonyaratanaglin threat to wake up his mob its claim that a hundred thousand they support to him , I think he was just threat to opposite groups that 's mean Pro-Thaksin group and Anti-Thaksin but Pro- democacy.

I think his mob that 's not meaning muslim in Thailand , he was wrong if he think all muslim in Thailand that support him because he 's just muslim also (he came from Hi-so-shia family , because major of muslim in Bangkok (in 3 provinces of the south are not include) are low profile but high profit , they 're landlord and live in real sufficiency economy) , I 'm think that understand him but his word 's not smart for this situation. It 's not suitable for his status now. And he 's just against brother of Thaksin who promise that to revenge the coup in the future. Besides , he was talk about his military 're still remain in Bangkok and set to high alert , they could be get in half an hour (for stage a coup again or for suppress to the people in the street , I 'm read it).

The Press in Thailand always try to hint that Gen. Sonthi have wanted to be a prime minister but I don't think so. He would be just try to break the game and sustain himself for through this situation because he will be retire in this October. I have never believed that he want to hold on his power and try to inherit (If he 's smart enough), because he known that he have never had the real power so far , he 's just a little jigsaw and the puppet only.

So, he would be try to do everything for sustain himself , don't want to get injured from the big political conflict and struggle through its , for the rest with another part of his life or not , he could be back in the future when political calm if he 's assured that he have not any wound. Under condition , he doesn't believe in his supporter who fawn over him.

You can Vote for him at The TIME 100 :)

Coup leader VS Military junta

2007-04-26T01:01:00.000-07:00

My opinion about political of Thailand , Now, It 's clear that Gen.Sonthi Bunyaratanaglin the coup leader conflicted with Surayuth Julanond PM of the coup already, I think that 's because Gen. Prem who Surayuth's boss would be negotiate for compromise with Thaksin Shinnawat by pass through his proxy. The significant signs were start at the prosecutor was break the Thaksin's lese majeste case (I dosen't mean that the justice system could be intervene) , in Thai new year day (Song-kran) , all of feudalism and members of CNS were have to go to show the respect to Gen.Prem (its normal tradition of Thai feudalism) , Gen.Prem had shown that he wasn't support Gen.Sonthi and Gen.Saprang anymore and clear that he was support Gen.Anupong. Gen.Anupong would be Commander in Chief of the Army in this October after Gen.Sonthi have retired.

I think that Gen.Sonthi and Gen.Saprang are useless for Gen.Prem anymore, particular behavior of Gen.Saprang usually make waves in political situation further more. He 's real man who destroy the harmony in nation by his mount all the time. He don't understand that who 's real master mind , who 's really control for everything , meanwhile the master mind is planing to hold his power , they don't care anything except to make trouble all the time. One way to stop it , Gem. Prem could have to shown he 's not delight to two Generals that 's clear.

And Sonthi Limthongkul the black media mogul , who 's feel more trouble that he was used by trick of the master mind to topple Thaksin , he 's feel like two generals in this time. And he 's being engage the military junta in day by day. He would try to claim from his job to the master mind. I think that he would be most afraid to close his mount forever.

2007-04-25T08:38:00.000-07:00

Hundreds of Buddhist monks led elephants through Bangkok to demand that Thailand's new post-coup constitution enshrine Buddhism as the national religion.

Elephants, considered sacred by many Buddhists, are often used in Thai religious ceremonies.

Police had hoped to persuade the monks, who were joined by hundreds of supporters, to leave the elephants at the city limits as they marched into the capital, said Bangkok Police Commissioner Lt. Gen. Adisorn Nontree.

But protesters pushed their way through a police line as they entered Bangkok, briefly scuffling with police. Marchers planned to meet up with protesters at Bangkok's parliament building.

Police said they feared the elephants would make the rally difficult to control, and that the scorching sun would make Bangkok's streets too hot for the animals to walk on.

The march came a day after coup leader Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratglin backed the idea of recognizing Buddhism as the national religion, amid a worsening Islamic insurgency in the south.

The uprising has killed more than 2,000 people since it flared in 2004. More than 90 percent of Thailand's 64 million people are Buddhists, and Muslims who form the majority in the deep south have long complained of discrimination.

The first draft of a new post-coup constitution, made public last week, retains the wording on the topic from Thailand's previous constitution, from 1997. It does not name Buddhism as the national religion, and says the state will protect all faiths.

However, Sonthi said he expected the charter's drafting committee to "review its decision on this issue," The Bangkok Post newspaper reported Wednesday.

"If a stipulation in the charter to this effect leads to peace in the country, then it is better that it is included. Those who say there is no need for such a stipulation don't take the issue that seriously," the newspaper quoted Sonthi as saying.

Sonthi also recommended adding a clause requiring the government to "take care of other religions, including Christianity and Islam."

Wednesday's protest was the latest in a series of demonstrations by monks. It revives a debate dating back to 1997, when a campaign to make Buddhism the national religion was dropped amid concerns that it would divide the country.

Thailand's 1997 constitution was scrapped after a September 19 coup that ousted then-leader Thaksin Shinawatra.

Coup leaders appointed a committee to draft a new constitution that is expected to be put to voters in a referendum as early as September, ahead of elections scheduled for the end of the year. Source

Blog master said.... This case is abnormal , never happened before , In Thai web board said that The Dhammakaya meditation group was back up this mob. All monks are in Mahanikaya sect , they are opposite of People Alliance for Democracy who had been role to topple the former Thaksin in last year. They were keep in quite all the time , I don't understand that why they have the activity in this time.

U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Urges Government To Negotiate on Drug Pricing

2007-04-25T08:22:00.000-07:00

U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Ralph Boyce on Monday after talking with Thai Public Health Minister Mongkol Na Songkhla said compulsory licensing could be avoided if the Thai government and international pharmaceutical companies work to find a compromise on drug pricing, the Thai News Agency reports (Thai News Agency, 4/23).

The Thai government in November 2006 and January issued compulsory licenses to produce lower-cost versions of Merck's antiretroviral drug Efavirenz and Abbott Laboratories' antiretroviral Kaletra, respectively. Since then, the government and drug companies have continued negotiations (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 3/28). "We respect the Thai government decision to issue compulsory licensing under" World Trade Organization regulations, but "what we would like to see is the negotiations between the Thai government and representatives of major drug companies," Boyce said. He added, "The result of the talks may lead to those companies' decision to lower their price of the drugs that will be affordable to all and that compulsory licensing may not be needed." Mongkol said he plans to travel to the U.S. next month to talk with trade officials and other agencies about the issue (Thai News Agency, 4/23).

Blog master said... Yes , I 'm understand Ralph try to protect US 's profit in Thailand , I would try to understand Monkol too , because I 'm Thai , but I 'm not agree with him about this case , I think he 's fool that used this method to pressure to drug companies , I 'm watching the end of this case what 's going on , if US government have come along . USA would not be surrender absolutely , because another countrys may be use this way the same.

2007-04-24T19:47:00.000-07:00

This is the letter from the anti-coup activist group name "Saturday Voice Against Dictators" or "Kon-wan-sao" , to send it to the press in Bangkok for show that they have got the list for the petition to His Majesty the King to adjudicate for decommission..... Gen.Prem

Thaksin children told to pay $600m

2007-04-24T19:03:00.000-07:00

The son and daughter of Thaksin Shinawatra, the ousted Thai prime minister, have been ordered to pay $616m in outstanding taxes and fines from the sale of the family's telecommunications business.

An anti-graft panel on Monday ordered Pinthongta and Panthongtae Shinawatra to pay the sum in connection with the sale of Shin Corp to Temasek Holdings, the Singapore government's investment arm, for $2.3bn.

"The AEC ruled that [the children] intended to avoid taxes by selling the shares in an indirect manner," Kaewsan Athipho, an AEC member, said.

"They registered the company abroad but conducted business in the country. They have to pay taxes like other corporations in Thailand."

Pinthongta and Panthongtae have the right to appeal the ruling to a civil court.

Family affair

The decision by the AEC, a panel that was established after Thaksin was deposed in a coup last September, is the latest setback for the family of the media tycoon.

This month, the AEC ordered Thaksin's children to pay another $172m in taxes and penalties over allegations that they had profited by buying Shin Corp shares at below-market prices before reselling them.

Pojaman Shinawatra, Thaksin's wife, her brother and secretary were charged in March with evading millions of dollars in taxes over a 1997 share transfer.

The sale of Shin Corp sparked widespread anti-government protests that eventually contributed to Thaksin's downfall.

Opponents were angered that Thaksin avoided taxes and sold off what many considered a strategic national asset to a foreign country.

Aljazeera

Blog master said... This is daily dirty joke from the feudal tyrant's Job , I 'm not excited about information of this committee and don't feel anything about fate of this family , but I want them to stop to destroy our country now. Its Job are breaking the confidence of investment in Thailand , foreign investment and local investment its gone down further. Thailand have been wanted foreign to invest in the country because the scale of local economics is too small yet , Thailand can't stand alone , and local investment was balked , but the feudal tyrant's committee still don't care anything , they have just want to destroy the opposite only.

Thais are waiting for the white knight for stop it again.

2007-04-20T11:46:00.000-07:00

Thailand draft constitution presented by military-backed commission

The Constitution Drafting Council in Thailand [JURIST news archive] Wednesday presented the new draft constitution, which will be put to a referendum later this month. The 2007 draft, which would replace the 1997 constitution [text], calls for national elections to take place by the end of 2007. The 35-member drafting committee said the new constitution will prevent graft and restore democracy to the nation; new provisions address abuses of power and appear to limit the power of elected politicians. The draft constitution limits prime ministers to two four-year terms, and reduces the number of parliament members from 500 to 400 and the number of senators from 200 to 160. Under the new constitution, senators will be appointed rather than elected. A new provision also mandates that any lawmaker found guilty of corruption in a criminal or civil court is automatically removed from office.

Thailand is presently governed by an interim constitution [JURIST report] imposed by the military leaders who seized power from former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra [JURIST news archive] in a coup [JURIST report] last year. The Constitutional Drafting Council was established [JURIST report] in January and given a six-month deadline to prepare the new constitution. Military leaders have said that if this new draft constitution is not approved by the public, they will impose their own constitution. AFP has more.

Blogmaster said... I 'm not faith in this dictator's constitution , Team of draft appointed by the coup , most of them are old technocrats and bureaucrats, they have not ever understand that what people want. They have just draft it by guide order from military coup and feudalism group that they hate politicians and not faith in democracy, they 'r not trust in politicians and usually affront to the people that they 'r foolish , greedy and lack of information. It 's crazy !!

The special issue of this coup's constitution that if It have the political deadlock then they will be appoint the special committee to solve their problem. I've never heard before , what 's committee ? Almost of them will come from bureaucrats. I don't understand why we have to appoint the important decision to them in place of us.

Why don't we appoint them to choose the government in the name of us ?
Why do we have to waste time and budget for the election ?

VVIP met with Thaksin

2007-04-19T08:54:00.000-07:00

Winai denies having met with Thaksin

(BangkokPost.com) - Council for National Security secretary-general Winai Phattiyakul on Thursday denied that he had met with ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra when he took his Songkran vacation in Europe.

Gen Winai said he went to France, not England.

"Sources of rumours that I went to meet Mr Thaksin were probably from ill-intentioned people," he said.

Gen Winai said he went to Paris with National Legislative Assembly president Meechai Ruchupan and NLA members Visanu Krue-ngam and Borwornsak Uwanno, and had informed CNS chairman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin before the vacation.

Gen Winai, however, admitted that he had run into Mr Thaksin's brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawasdi, former permanent secretary of the Justice Ministry, in Paris. He said they had greeted briefly - for only about five seconds - and nothing more.

Blog master said.... I was read in website of the Thaksin's opposite www.akeyuth.org . Its try to tell about VVIP of Thailand went to London last week and Thaksin have met with him , It 's not identify that who is he , but he 's not Gen.Winai certainly. In Thai political website gossip about that VVIP was The Crown prince , Thaksin tried to met him in the Hotel's lobby among the prevention of Thai official in London , Thaksin argue with them that he 's Thais , He could have met him , Thaksin have met him finally , had a chance to greet with him a little. This is the special event , and have to watch closely , may be forecast the future of Thai Political that What happens next.....

Thaksin wants poll to go ahead: Surapong

2007-04-15T07:32:00.000-07:00

Surapong Suebwonglee yesterday tried to distance his Thai Rak Thai Party from the anti-coup protests and defended ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra as wanting to see the general election take place rather than derail it.

"If my party was behind the anti-coup activities, I believe the protests would be on a much larger scale: just look at the mass rallies we organised ahead of last year's general election," said Surapong, a key party member.

The organisers of PTV's demonstrations, the nucleus of the anti-coup movements, have resigned their party memberships, he said.

Thaksin agrees with Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont's road map to restore democratic rule, he said.

"I think Thaksin has made himself very clear that he does not encourage any party members to get involved with anti-coup activities," he said, admitting that he has not had any direct contact with the former party leader lately.

Surapong said the coup-makers should concentrate on fixing the country's problems instead of wasting time plotting another coup.

He also opposes the plan by the People's Alliance for Democracy, a key anti-Thaksin coalition, to pressure Surayud into quitting.

"The key issue is to call the general election as soon as possible, otherwise the country will regress," he said.

The party is sure to win its election-fraud case, he said. A guilty verdict by the Constitution Tribunal on May 30 could mean the end of the party.

Election Commission chairman Apichart Sukhagganond confirmed that election day would be December 16 or 23.

"This is an auspicious marked by His Majesty the King's 80th birthday, a good rallying point for awareness of righteousness to deter vote-buying," he said.

The campaign for clean and fair polls may lose momentum if the general election is delayed till next year, he said.

It would be even better, he said, if the drafting of the new constitution and the referendum on it finish ahead of schedule and the election can take place even earlier.

The EC is reviewing a plan to transport voters to balloting stations free.

To forestall anti-coup campaigners, the Interior Ministry has instructed all governors to beef up security in their provinces for Songkran and beyond.

The CNS's General Sondhi Boonyaratglin yesterday insisted that he would not become premier if PM Surayud Chulanont resigned as critics forecast.

"I see no reason for me to become prime minister," he said.

Sondhi also said he would take a close look at all political movements after Songkran and find out who was behind them.

Sondhi said he would leave any Cabinet reshuffle to the prime minister. (from The Nation)

Blog master.... political Surapong always have a good comment , I don't care what 's real relation about Thai rak Thai with PTV. I went to Sanamluang last Sunday for rally with PTV , they speech like a previous , to aim to CNS , for the military junta they attacked a little. This is mean that the situation was changed , from Thai webboard explain that Gen.Prem compromised with Thaksin and then he sent Gen.Chaowalit went to London last week for deal with Thaksin. Gen.Prem would try to stay away from The coup-makers because he was heavily engage by the Anti-coup activists. It's mean that the coup-makers was isolated and sacrificed. And CNS always conflicted with the military junta in many case also prove that argue because the head of military junta was appointed by Gen.Prem.

Splash! Happy new year, Thai-style

2007-04-14T03:30:00.000-07:00

BANGKOK (Reuters Life!) - Water fights broke out all over Thailand on Friday as thousands of locals and tourists shrugged off security fears and celebrated the Thai new year.

Armed with buckets, hoses and water pistols, Thais and visitors fought pitched battles at the start of the three-day Songkran festival under the watchful eye of scores of policemen on alert for possible bomb attacks in the capital.

Thais believe water washes away bad luck and helps usher in prosperity.

"This is crazy, but it's a very fun way to experience Bangkok," said American tourist Katie Bradley.

Thai police have said they would deploy extra forces in Bangkok for the celebrations to prevent a repeat of the December 31 blasts that killed three people.

Many Thais said they refused to let the security situation dampen their festivities. "Everybody has just come out to play like every year," said Suriyan Chantarakamol. "I am not worried."

Apart for the revelry, the new year is also a time for family gatherings, prayer and visits to the graveyard to pay respects to deceased relatives.

Many countries have advised their citizens to exercise a high degree of caution if visiting Thailand over the Songkran holiday because of threats of terrorist attacks.

Blog master said.... Take a look these pictures , It 's the extreme , Bangkok 's aerospace of this year is lonesome because the weather is no good , Its rainy day and the military junta have new rules as block the pick-up truck which carry buckets for splash , it can't going to the inner of Bangkok etc. , its silly rules. And many Bangkokrians go to vacate in rural.

I think Thais are very serious for more than year from the political stress , this celebrate could be slake them , Thais should have known that political Armageddon be waiting for them in near future. After this drunk festival , we will make history together.

Thailand's king pardons Swiss man

2007-04-13T08:07:00.000-07:00

Thailand's king has pardoned a Swiss man who was sentenced to 10 years in jail for defacing images of him.

Oliver Jufer was sentenced last month, after he admitted spray-painting images of the revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej in the city of Chiang Mai.

Mr Jufer has been ordered to leave the country and was due to be deported by the end of the day, according to the news agency AFP.

Mr Jufer is thought to be the first foreigner jailed under such laws.

"The king in his kindness has granted him a pardon and he has been transferred from prison and is in the process of being deported from the country," Chiang Mai police Col Prachuab Wongsuk told the Associated Press news agency.

Defacing portraits

The king is widely loved in Thailand and often treated as a virtual god.

Analysts say that this act of compassion against a now contrite foreigner will only enhance his image still further.

Jufer had lived in Thailand for more than 10 years before his arrest.

He was recorded on surveillance cameras on 5 December, defacing the portraits on the king's 79th birthday.

Earlier he had tried to buy alcohol but been refused, since such sales are sometimes banned on important days.

The case against Jufer highlights the strict laws in Thailand that forbid any criticism of the monarchy.

These laws have remained virtually unchanged since the creation of the country's first criminal code in 1908.

Most Thais feel a deep reverence for their monarch. But they also fear discussing the institution because of the severe penalties for criticising members of the royal family.

The government is also anxious to protect the monarch's image. Despite heavy criticism, it recently took the decision to block access to the videosharing website YouTube because it contained clips which were deemed offensive to the king. Source

Blog master.... I thought My king would be pardon him , because the Royal 's speech in 2004 significantly about the public criticism would be nature flexible. Every year in 5 December festival (the birthday of the King) , The King is always be absolution for many prisoners. This case is very special , never seen before. 2 things about this , I can't talk all everything about The King and I can't criticize to our Justice system. OK ?

And for Oliver Jufer , Goodbye and Good luck.

2007-04-12T12:21:00.000-07:00

Apr 12, 11:09 AM
By Thomas Fuller

When Thailand announced earlier this year that it was breaking patents on drugs to treat HIV and heart disease, Western pharmaceutical companies reacted with fury. Abbott Laboratories, the maker of the AIDS drug Kaletra, took the radical step of withdrawing all of its new products from Thailand, depriving Thais of access to new drugs for rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, heart disease and high blood pressure.

"Thailand has chosen to break patents on numerous medicines, ignoring the patent system," said Jennifer Smoter, a spokeswoman for Abbott, which is based near Chicago. "As such, we've elected not to introduce new medicines there."

But two months after the uproar began, there are signs that Thailand has gained the upper hand. Its aggressive stance could be paving the way for other developing countries to extract lower drug prices from pharmaceutical giants in Europe and the United States.

Abbott announced Tuesday that it would cut the price of Kaletra in low-and medium-income countries, including Thailand, to $1,000 a patient per year. That is less costly than any generic on the market and 55 percent less than the current price, the company said.

The Swiss drug company Novartis offered an effective 75 percent price reduction this week in its leukemia medicine, Glivec, after Thai officials said they were studying a compulsory license on the drug, which would have allowed the government to produce it in its own factories and distribute it on a nonprofit basis.

Merck, the U.S. drug maker, has also offered to cut the price of its HIV drug, Efavirenz, here after the Thai government announced it would break the patent for that drug last November.

Drug companies say they fear a spread of Thailand's confrontational strategy.

"We don't want Thailand to be used as a springboard for other countries to do the same," said Teera Chakajnarodom, president of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association, an industry group in Bangkok.

To bring drug companies to the negotiating table, Thai officials used as a bargaining chip a World Trade Organization rule introduced in the 1990s. The rule, part of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, or Trips, gives countries the right to break a patent and either produce the drug themselves or import generics from other countries.

Many countries, including Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mozambique and Zambia, have broken or have threatened to break patents on drugs for HIV and other infectious diseases.

What is new in Thailand's case is the broader categories of drugs that the government is aiming at.

A groundbreaking case was the compulsory license for Plavix, a blood-thinning drug developed by Sanofi-Aventis of France and marketed by the U.S. company Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Plavix is designed to help prevent heart attacks and strokes. The pharmaceutical industry says the spirit of the WTO rule is being violated: It should be used for national emergencies like AIDS or other fast-spreading infectious diseases, the industry argues.

Thai officials make no excuses.

"People told us, 'It's useless to negotiate with them unless you start to announce that you want to go for compulsory licensing," said Suwit Wibulpolprasert, a senior adviser on disease control at the Thai Ministry of Public Health. "Then they start to talk to you.' "

"We learned that lesson," Suwit added. "After we announced our intention to implement compulsory licensing they knocked at our door almost every day."

Drug companies were stunned by the quick succession of the compulsory licenses - and worried about the threat of more, said Paul Cawthorne, the head of Medecins Sans Frontieres, the medical charity, in Thailand.

But in practice, the strategy may be nothing more than using the WTO rule as leverage for some old-fashioned haggling. Analysts say the government may not even intend to produce its own drugs. Officials note that they have not started production.

"Our door is never closed," said Health Minister Mongkol na Songkhla, who is heading to the United States later this month to explain the government's drug policies. "We are willing to discuss. We are willing negotiate."

The WTO rules are vaguely worded: Governments can act in cases of national emergencies. But a declaration in 2001 by WTO members also gives countries the "freedom to determine the grounds upon which such licenses are granted."

In forging their more aggressive approach toward drug companies, Thai health officials had plenty of room to maneuver in the tumultuous political atmosphere that has reigned in Thailand since the military coup that ousted a civilian government in September.

The current, military-appointed government has shown little reluctance to take bold and controversial measures, such as capital controls and crackdowns on foreign ownership of companies.

After breaking the patents, Thai officials received support and plaudits from many global health organizations, including Medecins Sans Frontieres, the Clinton Foundation and Unaids, the UN agency charged with helping tackle the disease. People from these organizations say Thailand is taking advantage of an underused provision in international law that could help save lives.

Support and sympathy for Thailand among health advocates also rose after Abbott announced its partial boycott in March. Medecins Sans Frontieres called the decision to withhold new drugs "appalling."

Some of Abbott's investors also protested the move. Christian Brothers Investment Services and members of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, who together own $35 million in Abbott shares, said they were concerned that the company's actions might damage its reputation.

"To our knowledge, no pharmaceutical company has before withdrawn AIDS drugs in response to a pricing or licensing dispute," the groups said in a statement. "By keeping life-saving medicines like Kaletra off the shelves in Thailand, Abbott Labs is threatening the health of Thais who need access to these drugs for survival."

Abbott has reduced the price of its Kaletra capsules, an older form of the drug that requires refrigeration, but not its more recent tablets, which are better suited for Thailand's hot climate. Thai officials said Wednesday it would be days before the government decided whether Abbott's price reduction would forestall compulsory licensing.

By breaking the patent on Kaletra, the Thai government estimates it would save 8,000 lives, by making possible distribution to people who cannot afford it through the country's public health care system.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association of America argues that U.S. consumers are unfairly carrying the burden of financing research for the rest of the world.

"Americans are effectively subsidizing other countries' health systems through higher prices, while having fewer medicines from which to choose," the group said in its complaint to the U.S. government.

Suwit, the Health Ministry official, advises drug companies to learn from what he describes as a Chinese proverb: "Less profit means more profit."

"If you sell at a lower profit per piece," he said, "people will consume more."

Source

Blog master said... If Thailand win , Its the first success of his job or this government junta, the Health care 's minister who came from the past , he is the old doctor who had retire for many years ago. In first month of his work , he ordered to abolish the 30 bath health care program of Thaksin 's regime and changed to be total free , he claimed that its the populist policy , so dangerous for something else , he had to destroy it by that changed and renamed it , perhaps Thais may be forget Thaksin and his policies in near future.

For his role about the brangle with the drug company , I don't know about side effect from this case if he (Not Thais) overcome. He worked like a crazy assured.

Oldnews

Security fears keep Asian tourists away from Thailand

2007-04-10T17:38:00.000-07:00

BANGKOK, APR 10 : Asian tourists made fewer trips to Thailand this year due to security concerns after New Year's Eve bombs killed three people in Bangkok, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
East Asian arrivals fell 7.3 % in the first two months of this year from last, it said, raising concerns some holidaymakers may be avoiding the "Land of Smiles", where tourism accounts for 6% of the economy.

East Asians made up about half of the visitors in the first two months of this year to a country which had a coup in September and faces an insurgency in the Muslim-majority south, in which more than 2,000 people have been killed in three years.
European were the second largest group at 35%. Overall, tourist arrivals at the main airport were up two % in the first two months of this year from the same period of 2006 at 1.77 million, but arrivals in February slid 6% from January.

"A drop in tourist numbers this year is not a big surprise as we just had the New Year bombs. Some people are still concerned about security and may want to wait and see," TAT spokesman Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya said.

"But having talked to hotel and tour operators, they have been doing okay and there are no major cancellations," he said. The bombs, which also wounded about 30 people, prompted Australia, the United States and Britain to urge their citizens to avoid all public gatherings and to remain vigilant in Bangkok, a sprawling city of nine million people.

Arrivals from Australia and New Zealand rose 11% in the first two months of 2007 from last year, travellers from Europe were up 13% and arrivals from the Middle East were up 24%. Asian visitors appeared to have been the most sensitive to security fears. "Our Chinese clients fell by half in the first two months while overall bookings were down 20 %," N4 Travel chief Natchakarn Wannachote said.

"It's not looking good this year as everyone is talking about safety and bombs here," she said.
Japan-focused agent New Sai said clients dropped less than 10 % in the first two months as it was the holiday season for Japan and there were no cancellations so far. Unrest in the south had a limited impact on tourism as more than 60 % of arrivals were repeat visitors, Chattan said. "These people understand the situation well and that troubled region is not where they are heading," he said.

However, business arrivals were affected by uncertainty under an interim post-coup government and its imposition of capital controls in December to stem a surging baht as well as a proposed tightening of foreign business rules, Chattan said.
"The political situation and regulations changes have discouraged business travellers from coming," he said.

TAT remained positive and hoped this weekend's Thai New Year celebrations would attract more visitors as the government will deploy extra police in Bangkok to prevent a repeat of the serial blasts. "We hope the festival will help, but if the number of tourists is still falling, we will have to take a serious look again," he said of the Songkran Festival in which people splash each other with water.
—Reuters

Blog master said..... The tourists are essential for economics of Thailand, if they 're not confidence about security then they 're not risk. I went by Khaosan road yesterday , Its lonesome , Its have a few tourist , this is a real tourism index of Thailand because its natural backpacker tourist. Its show that tourism could have being worse. Its impact to economics , before the coup de'tat , the period of PAD rally deposed Thaksin , many of media who hate Thaksin had ever told that the protest would not been impact to economics , and then what happens now!? , if they have any ethics they had better to apologise , Its barefaces , not dutiful , of course they don't care about people , they 're particularly care for military junta and coup leaders only. Its really shit Thai media.

American's Thai Bombing Trial Opens

2007-04-10T05:22:00.000-07:00

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - A Vietnamese-American accused of trying to bomb Vietnam's embassy in Thailand said at the start of his trial Monday that he had taken only ``symbolic'' actions on behalf of democracy.

Thai authorities accuse Vo Van Duc, 47, of placing a backpack containing explosives in front of Vietnam's embassy and tossing a small bomb over its wall on June 19, 2001. Both devices failed to explode.

``The symbolic act - (with) which I am charged - I am confident will be viewed by those living in the free and democratic countries around the world as patriotic in the fight for a free and democratic Vietnam,'' Duc said in a statement distributed to reporters.

Duc, a naturalized U.S. citizen who fled communist Vietnam in 1978, is a member of the California-based Government of Free Vietnam, an anti-communist group that Vietnam considers a terrorist organization. The communist government in Hanoi has called him a ``ringleader'' of the bombing plot.

He was arrested in the United States in October 2001 after returning from a trip to Bangkok.

A resident of Baldwin Park, Calif., Duc was charged in the United States with conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction. U.S. prosecutors decided to drop the charges after he agreed not to fight extradition to Thailand in December.

Duc faces charges of illegal possession of explosive devices, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, and attempting to bomb an embassy.

Worasit Piriyawiboon, his lawyer, said Duc pleaded not guilty. Worasit also petitioned the Bangkok Criminal Court to drop the case, saying Duc should not be tried for the same offenses he was charged with in the United States.

The court said it would decide on Worasit's motions at its next hearing on April 30. Source Link

Blog master... Sorry for Vo van duc , this action wasted time to fight with the Vietnam's government , he didn't understand Vietnam in this time that different from the past ,they changed from communism to social capitalism for economics section , but politics still have been communism , he would be fight about the corruption in Vietnam 's bureaucrat , Its very famous hits , I think someday in the near future Vietnamese will prepare to fight for more Democracy by natural themselves

For Thailand .... Why did F.B.I. simply arrested him ? Why Thai police can't , its not because of Thailand 's standard , Thai Police couldn't work freely. About the New year Bombs or the yesterday bomb , They had to always face with extraordinary people , they can't investigate frankly, they have been know all everything about these situation. They have to known that who 's behind these bombs. I 'm really feel for them but I 'm feel for Thais more , They 're always the victim.

Bangkok Bomb is comeback again

2007-04-09T12:04:00.001-07:00

Bomb explosion at a Bangkok theater

Bomb explosion damaged public telephone booths and injured no one at a theater on Monday night.

The blast destroyed three telephone booths in front of Major Cineplex Ratchayothin at about 11.30 pm. There was no report of injuries. The theatre was one of ten targets attacked by bomb explosion on New Year's Eve.

Blog master said... Its good timing for stage a coup again , Happy Songkran day. Why did bomber choose this place ? Its not necessary if have want to shake the government Junta. Why did they blast it near the government? Its not make sense ! Peoples didn't know that what are they playing. They seized the power from their people as they wished , Is it not enough ? Its really madness !!!
I think the power men would be try to created this situation for seize the power again by another military group or former.

If by the former group take it , Its nothing else except their benefit aliquant.

If by the new group, this case is interesting for peoples because there may be something change.

However , the peoples 're not concern forever.

More than 1,000 protest Thai junta

2007-04-08T23:30:00.000-07:00

More than 1,000 protest Thai junta

BANGKOK

09-Apr-07

MORE than 1,000 protesters rallied against Thailand's junta yesterday, police said, despite a government warning that anti-coup rallies could provoke a state of emergency in the capital.

The protesters, led by allies of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was deposed in a coup last September, organised the demonstration at Sanam Luang park outside Bangkok's municipal centre.

Police Major General Manit Wongsomboon said he had deployed about 1,000 police, both uniformed and plainclothes officers, around Sanam Luang area, where about 1,200 demonstrators gathered early Sunday evening.

The crowd held banners attacking the military-installed government headed by former general Surayud Chulanont, and called for the return of Thaksin.

Manit said the police presence was heavy because of a parallel gathering at Sanam Luang marking the start of celebrations for Buddhist New Year.

A similar rally last Friday attracted between 2,000 and 3,000. Junta leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin had urged the government to declare an emergency last month in the face of small, but growing protests against the coup. Surayud refused, but defence minister Boonrawd Somtas on Saturday warned that a state of emergency would be declared if the protests got out of control.

The protest movement is beginning to create an odd coalition of allies, with some pro-democracy groups, who last year protested against Thaksin, now joining forces with his allies in rallying against the junta.AFP

Blog master said.... I think AFP recieve the souece from Thai medias absolutely , because Thai medias were foreced by Junta that they have to blocked all of information about their opposite 's activity. Its taboo picture of this Mob , You can't see it in all of Thai media now!

Its shutdown political website !

2007-04-08T22:34:00.000-07:00

Thailand orders popular political Web forum to shut, in crackdown on Internet

BANGKOK, Thailand: The Thai government continued a crackdown on the Internet by ordering one of the country's most popular chat sites to shut its political forum because of postings deemed insulting to the revered monarch, officials said Monday.

The political chat room of the Web site http://www.pantip.com was closed Sunday after authorities ordered its creators to temporarily pull the forum off-line, said Vissanu Meeyoo, a spokesman for the ministry of information and technology. The chat room carried frequent postings that criticized the leaders of a September coup and the current military-installed government.

YouTube, the popular video-sharing site, has been blocked in Thailand since Wednesday because of videos that mocked King Bhumibol Adulyadej. YouTube's owner, Google Inc., has refused to remove the videos but has said that it is working with the Thai government to resolve the impasse.

Insulting the monarchy in Thailand is a criminal offense known as lese majeste. Last month, a Swiss man was imprisoned for 10 years for vandalizing portraits of the king in northern Thailand.

Pantip.com initially posted a notice saying that its political forum, known as the Rajdamnoen Room, was suspended at the ministry's request for "national security" reasons. But the message was later withdrawn. The forum is named for an area of Bangkok that has historically been the center of pro-democracy protests.

The Web site's founder, Wanchat Padungrat, was quoted by The Nation newspaper Monday as saying he had found no postings that insulted the monarchy and did not understand the reason for the government's ban. He said the ministry did not specify which messages were offensive and implied that the military-installed government might have been offended by anti-coup postings.

The site called on its members Monday to post messages condemning Google for not removing the video clips that mocked the king. More than 1,000 people had posted messages by Monday morning, including one that said Google's reaction had "really hurt the people of Thailand" and showed a lack of respect for the country's culture and traditions.

The YouTube ban has drawn sharp reactions from critics and proponents in Thailand. Some have criticized the ban as a violation of freedom of expression and another sign of censorship by the military-installed government, which took power after a coup ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Blog master said.... It 's gone.... This 's the most popular political website of Thailand , you have to used ID card for registered it before. Its most powerful political oldest website and most natural comment. Many time , politicians , journalists or bureaucrats , even businessman have ever been used information form this website. In Thaksin era , all political website could be open by freedom but he was just accused by opposite group that its not democracy enough , for this case happened , they shut up. Its so stupid , Junta wouldn't be understand the block its make them difficult to control mid-class in Bangkok and push the people to joy with the mobs much more.

for Youtube , they could block the only one clip but they choose to blocked all website because Its have many clip about against the coup in that website , and Thaksin the Ex. PM have been used to inform to his supports.

Youtube ; We 're Block it , and , They 're Post it

2007-04-07T01:44:00.000-07:00

Popular video-sharing Web site YouTube and the Thai government are discussing ways to end an impasse that arose after clips mocking the country's revered king appeared online, a Thai official said Saturday.

Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom, the minister of information and technology, said the government would only remove its ban on the site once it has the technical capacity to block individual offensive pages.

"I am waiting to hear from (YouTube) about what can be done," Sitthichai told The Associated Press. "If YouTube can't suggest a solution that we can effectively implement, then we have no choice but to keep the ban."

Thailand blocked YouTube on Wednesday after its owner, Google Inc. (nasdaq: GOOG - news - people ), refused to remove a slideshow of King Bhumibol Adulyadej juxtaposed with imagery deemed to be offensive.

Insulting the monarchy in Thailand is a criminal offense known as lese majeste. Last week, a Swiss man was imprisoned for 10 years for vandalizing portraits of the king.

After the site was blocked, several more videos mocking Thailand's revered king appeared on YouTube. Some of the new postings explicitly criticized the censorship of the first video.

YouTube said one of its representatives has spoken with Sitthichai directly and that the Ministry's technical team is having difficulty understanding how to block individual videos.

"While we will not take down videos that do not violate our policies, and will not assist in implementing censorship, we have offered to educate the Thai Ministry about YouTube and how it works," said Julie Supan, head of global communications for YouTube.

Meanwhile, Sitthichai said that the site will remain blocked until all the contentious clips are removed.

"I am a proponent of free speech but this is just culturally insensitive and offensive," he said, adding that he would not block access to materials that are anti-government. "But we will not tolerate materials that offend the monarchy."

He also said that the Ministry remained concerned about the difficulty of blocking new materials that appeared almost daily.

"Pulling down individual clips is not effective since they could repost them," he said.

The initial video, which was withdrawn Thursday, showed pictures of feet over the king's head - a major cultural taboo in Thailand, where feet are considered dirty and offensive - and graffiti scrawled over the 79-year-old monarch's face. At least one still frame from the video remained on the site.

A variation of the withdrawn video reappeared Friday, along with a new one that showed a picture of the king superimposed with a monkey's face. It also carried messages with profanities and said that Thailand's "leaders are evil and hate free speech."

The YouTube ban has drawn sharp reactions in Thailand.

Some have criticized the ban as a violation of freedom of expression and another sign of censorship by the military-installed government that took power after a coup ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Many viewers, however, have reacted with outrage, hurling abuse at the clip's creator. Some newspaper columnists have praised the ban, saying that YouTube should respect cultural sensitivities and not allow videos that would be considered illegal in Thailand.

Blog master.... It 's difficult to stop , the ministry of ICT , he 's stupid and have to accept for all damage , Now , how many peoples all around the world have been watching that clips in the moment. Because he managed this case like a buffalo , he 's silly idiot , he didn't understand that Thais used Youtube a little and nobody known about that clip before , until he blocked it. Now , this planet knew that clips and somebody would try to upload many many clip like that to Youtube as fun.....

Youtube don't care about this country because Thais used Internet about 5 millions only but the world have a billion watchers are waiting for search and click on Youtube. I think Youtube or Google didn't brush away , but they can't stop it !!! And I can reach it by The Proxy all the Time.

Still Blocked Youtube

2007-04-05T06:14:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, 4th April, 2007, Thailand’s military-appointed government has blocked access to the popular video-sharing site YouTube after its owners, Google Inc, declined to take down a clip ridiculing the country’s revered monarch: King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
“When they decide to withdraw the clip, we will withdraw the ban,” said ICT Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom.
Source

To a large degree, the Google board's stance illustrates the complicated position on censorship the company has as it expands worldwide.
On the one hand, censoring Internet search results runs afoul of Google's core goal of organizing and disseminating all of the world's information. Yet in order to do so, it says it must abide by varying degrees of censorship worldwide.
Perhaps the best known example of this tightrope Google's walking occurred in China, where Google abided by a government request to censor information to get a business license.
This conflict crystallized even more so on Wednesday, when Google's YouTube video site said that the government of Thailand's is blocking the site after it was used to air an unflattering video of its king.
In a statement, a YouTube spokesman suggested that the company may be planning to fight the decision.
"We are disappointed that YouTube has been blocked in Thailand, and we are currently looking into the matter," the spokesman said
Source

Acknowledging that the Internet presents “new and unique cultural challenges,” Julie Supun, head of global communications for YouTube, said the company was “disappointed” that the site had been blocked in Thailand.
“We are currently looking into the matter,” Ms. Supun said in a statement on Wednesday. “You Tube reaches a wide global audience and strives to provide a community where people from around the world can express themselves by sharing videos in a safe and lawful manner.”
In Thailand, insulting King Bhumibol Adulyadej is a criminal offense. Last week, a Swiss man convicted of vandalizing images of the king and Queen Sirikit was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Since the military government came to power with the overthrow of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra last September, it has banned Web sites, instructed the media to minimize reporting about Mr. Thaksin and has at times blacked out broadcasts of international news channels like CNN. Reporting in newspapers remains lively and apparently uncensored, except for criticism of the monarchy.
Mr. Winai said his department was looking for the person responsible for posting the clip of the king, which had been viewed more than 16,000 times and was posted by someone using the name Paddidda.
Source

Blog master said..... It 's make me feel that I 'm living in China. I've never thought before this case could be happened in my country. Before, I 'm so funny and abuse it when I heard the news about the despotic government in other countries banned opposite websites. In this case , nobody can stop it absolutely , even that clip was deleted from Youtube Its could be upload again and again , so Youtube's officers would not do anything and they have to be watching the monitor all the time. If this case have been announced to public then nobody couldn't known this clip absolutely , but the military junta have wanted to banned Youtube before , because its used to be against the military junta by upload many clips about man who behind the scene of military junta and the 19 coup last year. Therefor , they have to find the way to ban this website , this issue most appropriate because they have known better that all Thais 're beloved the King , Its sensitive case for Thai peoples. Thai people just would not against the military junta for the ban. Its cheap trick.

Noam Chomsky 's comment about Thai coup

2007-04-02T20:39:00.000-07:00

George McLeod speaks with Noam Chomsky, the world's leading intellectual of the 20th century, about regional and global issues and the rise of China. The following are excerpts from that interview.

George McLeod: As you know, Thailand's Thaksin government was deposed in a military coup. Thaksin was criticized for undemocratic rule and corruption. Can you comment on the Thai coup? Do you believe that it is possible for a coup to bring about democratic change?

Noam Chomsky: In principle, the answer is yes. Almost anything is possible, but the burden of proof for using force to overthrow a government is very high. They [coup leaders] have to demonstrate conclusively strong arguments that the use of force is legitimate.

For example, there is plenty of corruption in Washington-there is favoritism and headlines [about corruption] one day after another, but that doesn't justify a military coup.

In the case of Thailand-and let me say that I do not have a detailed, specialized knowledge of it-I did not think that the burden of proof was met.

Blog master said.....His comment 's not acrid , It 's not satisfy me , He 's accurate over , NOT deserve one's dignity for the great intellectual. He 's too old and lose bravery mind . He 's not state man why be considerate.

Seripisuth orders website probe

2007-04-02T19:22:00.000-07:00

From : Bangkok Post

Acting national police chief Seripisuth Temiyavej has ordered an investigation into a website which is trying to gather signatures to petition for the removal of Gen Prem Tinsulanonda as president of the Privy Council. The acting police chief said Gen Prem cannot be removed by such a petition as his post was not political in nature and he was installed in that position by His Majesty the King.

.........In last year , PAD , academics and Politicians tried to petition ask for the King to give the new PM (Its mean decommission Thaksin), but his majesty refused. I remembered nobody criticized to these action even police , military or media. Someone told Its so beautiful action in democracy way...ha ha.... But now , its change to opposite. This 's real double standard.
.........for Gen. Seripisut , He changed his first and last name by the reason of Chinese fortune , yes, he always change very fast.

Opponents of the Sept 19 coup d'etat, who accuse Gen Prem of masterminding the putsch that toppled Thaksin Shinawatra from power, are trying to collect 100,000 signatures to petition for his removal. The signature collection campaign began on Friday during a protest outside City Hall led by a group of former Thai Rak Thai politicians wanting to establish the satellite-based PTV television station.

Pol Gen Seripisuth has assigned Special Branch police to browse through http://www.saturdaynews.org/ (Its was blocked by ICT and you can't visit to it also because they were bawled out collapse...ha ha...) for any statements that might be considered to be lese majeste.
Special Branch police chief Theeradet Rodphothong said yesterday that the website's content, as far as he knew, does not contain any statements deemed lese majeste. However, such a signature campaign is not appropriate as it may sow divisions in society, he said.
Songkhla Mayor Uthit Choochuai, a leading supporter of Gen Prem in the province, said he and his big group of supporters are not planning to travel to Bangkok to show support to the statesman, a native of Songkhla, because they do not want to plunge the country into deeper chaos.

.........So , He would not read this comment form the officer of special branch police..... Police have rejected an appeal to charge activists, who launched a website to collect signatures in a bid to oust Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda, for insulting the monarchy, the head of the Special Branch said yesterday (The Nation). The lese majeste law could not protect Gen. Prem or members of Privy council.....

However, if the coup opponents continue to show disrespect to Gen Prem, the southerners could have a change of heart, Mr Uthit said.

He said people in the Northeast, particularly in Khon Kaen, had also expressed their dissatisfaction with the anti-coup demonstrators for demanding that Gen Prem step down.
Sonthiya Sawasdi and Prachak Satsue, Prachakorn Thai party executives, yesterday lodged a police complaint with the Crime Suppression Bureau against the rally participants and the signature campaign seeking Gen Prem's removal.

.......It 's absolute stupid propaganda , In this time everybody claim people falsely. I don't know when they have checked their people 's comment.

In a related development, Council for National Security (CNS) chief Sonthi Boonyaratkalin admitted yesterday that it would be difficult to find the needed evidence to take legal action against those providing financial backing to the organisers of the ongoing rallies.
He also dismissed talk that he has locked horns with the prime minister.

CNS deputy chief Chalit Phukphasuk is not the least bit worried by the rallies against the CNS and the government.

''It was natural for rally organisers to try to gain voter sympathy before the elections,'' ACM Chalit Phukphasuk said.

He brushed aside concern that the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD)'s plan to go back to staging rallies would disrupt public order and create the kind of situation that prevailed before the Sept 19 coup. The CNS will meet today to discuss measures to deal with the demonstrations, he said.

Meanwhile, PTV executives Chatuporn Prompan and Jakrapob Penkair yesterday filed a police complaint accusing Sondhi Limthongkul, the Manager website and Alongkorn Ponlabutr, Democrat party's deputy leader, of defaming them by linking their names to the signature campaign against Gen Prem.

Mr Chatuporn said the PTV operators will hold another anti-coup rally at Sanam Luang this Sunday.

..........Its idiot case , If they think when they arrest these activists that can be stop everything at all , I don't think like that , opposite , Its accelerate the confusion to the blood chaos faster. Good luck Thailand , for they have got a stupid rules.

But I have known the one thing that for this crisis , WWW were used to be power machine for attack or counter attack by political factions or people activity groups at all. It 's much more than WWW 's war between Arab and Western. Its can used to built the allignment , unsure that its may be use to topple military tyrannical junta its the first time of the world , if they sucess its make history.

Could Thailand be Getting Ready to Repeat History?

2007-04-02T09:53:00.000-07:00

From Asia Sentinel

Certainly, the political spectrum is very muddy. Further confusing things are the stepped-up attacks on former prime minister Prem Tinsulanonda, who heads King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 19-member Privy Council. At the PTV rally last Friday (March 30), some in the crowd launched a signature campaign to petition the king to remove Prem from the monarch’s advisory body.

The reaction from Prem supporters was swift. The mayor of Songhua, the privy councilor’s hometown, condemned the demonstrators for linking Perm to the coup and claimed they might take action of some sort. Coup leader Sonthi insisted Prem had nothing to do with the coup and said he was studying whether the petition was offensive to the monarchy, which could invite lese-majesty lawsuits.

But though many here are reluctant to criticize Prem because he is so close to the king, who is generally considered to be “above politics,” the privy councilor’s involvement in the political affairs is increasingly becoming a mainstream topic of conversation as many wonder what role he played in the September 19 coup.

“General Prem has been compromised,” said Chulalongkorn’s Thitinan. “He can't have it both ways. He got so involved and now he wants to be untouchable. But we are in a big mess and people want to know who is responsible. Look at the choice of prime minister, of the National Legislative Assembly… it’s not surprising people are pointing the finger at General Prem.”
Thitinan also worried that the increasing polarization of the Thai political scene was hurting political discourse. “Why can't we be anti-Thaksin, anti-coup, and anti-government?” he said. “It’s dangerous for some anti-Thaksin people and pro-Prem people to be brushing aside criticism by saying if you criticize General Prem, you are paid by Thaksin. It’s very dangerous. People are frustrated, and they have the right to be mad at the master. It doesn't mean that they support Thaksin.”

Blog master said...
Why ? Gen.Prem is not royal family.
Why can't they criticize him ?
Is he the untouchable man ?
He obviously involved in 19 coup. You can find that report in the old newspaper. He accepted to be the head coup. Its very ugly ! He 's not make sense what 's his duty. He can't be involve about politics. He have to resign immediately and apologise to people for his done.

Suriyasai insists Thaksin involved

2007-04-01T21:38:00.000-07:00

PTV RALLIESSuriyasai insists Thaksin involved :From The Nation

Democracy alliance threatens to resume protests if anti-govt activity continues The government should review the bail of Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra and former Thai Rak Thai Party members if they continue to financially back PTV anti-government campaigns, a political activist said yesterday.
Campaign for Popular Democracy secretary-general Suriyasai Katasila alleged rising anti-government campaigns by PTV and the Thai Rak Thai Party were undeniably a strategy designed by deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to topple the Surayud Chulanont government.
Public prosecutors on March 26 charged Pojaman, her brother Bhanapot Damapong and her personal secretary, Kanjanapa Honghern with conspiring to evade tax. The three were bailed for Bt5 million each.
Suriyasai said anti-government campaigners were open about wanting Thaksin back in power. He said they were challenging court authority because Thaksin family members were under investigation for corruption and other offences.
"If the Thai Rak Thai Party continues its support of PTV, public prosecutors must review the bail granted to Pojaman to stop its anti-government campaigns,'' he said. He added if protests continued it was likely the People's Alliance for Democracy would resume its political movement to counter Thaksin groups.
"We will come back not to create confrontation but to make sure the government brings corrupt people in the Thaksin administration to justice,'' Suriyasai said.
PTV yesterday threatened to sue Pracharaj Party leader Snoh Thienthong for alleging it had been paid to organise demonstrations against the government and the junta. Jatuporn Promphan, an executive of the planned satellite television station, said he would ask its lawyers to consider suing Snoh for defamation.
"I challenge Snoh to provide evidence showing who financed the rallies," Jatuporn said. "He is 73 years old so he should [know he needs to] back up allegations with evidence."
If Snoh does not stop attacking PTV, the station will definitely sue him, Jatuporn said. Snoh, however, repeated the allegation at his birthday party yesterday, though he backed down on his threat to name the person who allegedly bankrolled PTV's rallies. Snoh said he did not have to identify the person because the government and the Council for National Security (CNS) knew who was behind PTV's rallies.

Blog master said... OK , Mr. Suruyasai , Thai people who pro-Thaksin and other Democratic group are waiting for revenge you and the gang every their breath. Please , hurry up , assembly your mob now !

Some Thais are waiting for the new Constitution and go to vote for the new government. Its wasted time , Its will not be solve their problem , as long as they can't accept the rule of democracy. They're not accept and respect majority right but try to claim for minority right all the time. Hey ! Suriyasai , We're waiting for you.

Thailand pulled from the brink

2007-04-01T04:38:00.000-07:00

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has brought Thailand back from the brink of another dangerously slippery slope. His decision to put a proposal to impose a state of emergency on hold could prove crucial for the political survival of the interim leadership - his own government and the Council for National Security (CNS). Some may say it has done little to boost his image and improve the overall situation, but Surayud undeniably has demonstrated good faith and consideration for the state of the country. And he has done it knowing that his relationship with the CNS could grow more estranged.

The interim leaders and their supporters are being given a taste of their own medicine. To declare a state of emergency would mock the ongoing campaign against ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra, but that is the smallest of the problems it would present. Such a drastic measure would darken the already gloomy political atmosphere and compound the economic misery generated by the country's crisis. Doubts would grow, locally and abroad, over the motives of the interim leaders. Moreover, nobody could be certain if increased military power to cope with simmering dissent would make things better or worse.

Rumour has it that the CNS seriously wanted to impose a state of emergency, citing the nature of the anti-coup protests that brought together supporters of Thaksin as well as activists and villagers who regard the September 19 military takeover as a major setback for democracy. The protests have seen some elements directing fierce political attacks against Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda. The CNS, it is said, has become worried that the relentless assaults on Prem's character could snowball into a major confrontation. There has also been concern that anti-coup elements, if allowed to gain a more solid foothold, could be transformed into a large-scale campaign against the new charter draft.

From The Nation

Blog master said... The coup maker conflict with Junta in this case. the coup maker want Junta to impose a state of emergency. In Thailand , almost people don't care about it but investers worry about that. The people may be confuse about Prem's involvement in 19 coup. What happen ? They've never herd before. But in Thai political website , they criticized Gen.Prem behavior for long time , But ordinary people didn't know. All Thai media can't talk about him, He's The untouchable man. Also, I heard the femel journalist told that "Stop !! Don't touch him Otherwise go to hell". I don't understand , we can criticize this man , its not lese majeste, he's not royal family. I think this case may be bring situation to confrontation.

Nude snaps charity stunt snubbed by Aids temple

2007-03-31T04:00:00.000-07:00

Wat Phra Bart Nam Phu temple, which cares for abandoned Aids patients, has turned down an offer of cash donations to be raised from an Aids charity edition of Fame magazine containing nude pictures of male and female celebrities, models and actors. The temple abbot, Phra UdomPrachathorn, widely-known as Phra Archan Alongkot, said the temple would not accept donations from such activity.

He added the temple in Lop Buri knew nothing about the plan, nor had any hand in organising it, even though the magazine may have used the temple's name in connection with the auction for the nude photos, to be held sometime between April 5-9.

The organiser had faxed the temple to say it was sending a representative to provide a cash donation.

An organiser, who declined to be named, said the magazine was having second thoughts about the project.

The Ministry of Culture also turned its nose up at the proposed charity event.

The magazine is yet to come out, but promotional pictures released this week have already caused a stir. Culture Minister Khunying Khaisri Sri-aroon said there were better ways for celebrities to raise money for Aids victims than posing nude for a magazine.

Although she conceded that some of the pictures could be regarded as ''artistic'' rather than simply being lewd, some of the poses were sexually provocative. One in particular showed a model bending down.

Raising funds for charity was a noble thing, but the method chosen was inappropriate, she said.

The minister was responding to reports ahead of the release of the magazine that will showcase 32 celebrities, models and actresses who posed nude to raise funds for Wat Phra Bart Nam Phu, a major sanctuary for Aids sufferers.

''Taking off your clothes for photography is a different matter [from raising money for charity],'' said Prisana Pongtatsirikul, secretary-general of the Office of the National Culture Commission.

''I would like them to cover themselves. Being naked is not beautiful, nor is it a practice of decent women,'' she said.

Any charitable efforts should be socially responsible and keep within the boundaries of Thai culture _ especially that of dress _ in order to set a good example to young people.

Aids patients would be glad to receive the kind of assistance that would not adversely affect society, she said.

From Bangkokpost

Blog master said.... Its funny why they couldn't do that. In Thailand had donated like that in the past before, The famous Khaniga Phol temple (or Mung-gorn-ga-ma-la-vad), this is one of the temple was built from donation of the prostitutes who was faith in Buddha. She was admired very much from Thai people in her faith. This is the legend of the most famous temple in Yaowaraj (little china of Bangkok). We may be compare this temple with the donation in this news , its not different , so they can do that , what's wrong ? The ministry of culture is silly. But I'm understand , now in Thailand, may be crazy , You can hear something like "moral" "ethic" or others that make you have to be awareness in spritual thing. It's new trend of fasion after 19 coup.

Finally, what will the next constitution say, and will people accept it?

2007-03-30T09:47:00.000-07:00

Finally, what will the next constitution say, and will people accept it?

The junta’s constitution drafters are set to finish a first draft of the new charter on April 15 and finish it by July 6. Then the country will vote on whether to accept it. If the constitution is rejected, then the interim constitution states that the cabinet and junta-appointed legislature will get together and choose any of Thailand’s previous 17 charters, make any revisions they want, and within 30 days it will become supreme law of the land.

Although the referendum was meant to give the Constitution credibility and make it more “democratic,” many are already wondering what will motivate voters. Prasong Soonsiri, a former intelligence chief and the lead constitution drafter, has said the government’s lagging popularity might prompt people to vote against the constitution. Others say a widespread movement against the constitution would only take place if they introduce clauses for a non-elected premier, which could spark an uprising. Still others say that it’s impossible to vote yes or no on a long and highly complex document, especially when the alternative is unclear.

“How many people will be able to decide rationally about whether to vote yes or no on the constitution?” asked Chulalonkorn’s Prudhisan.

“I’m not even sure whether I’m capable of looking through 300 or so articles and making a yes or no decision.”As for what the document might say, bits and pieces have leaked out.

So far, the loudest debates have been over the issue of a non-elected PM, whether to make Buddhism the national religion, the number of parliamentarians and a clause that would absolve the coupmakers of any blame.Most blatantly, however, the new constitution looks set to increase substantially the power of the judiciary and other non-elected actors, particularly through a Senate that will be appointed by a newly created “selection committees.

” The judiciary, and particularly the Supreme Court, will have more duties — seemingly in response to the king’s speech in April 2006 where he called on the country’s top judges to solve the country’s political problems. Judges will play a greater role in independent bodies like the National Counter Corruption Commission and take over certain responsibilities from the Election Commission. They will also be able to name an interim prime minister and cabinet when a sitting prime minister calls for an election.

“The bureaucracy will govern Thailand again,” said Vorajet Phakheerat, a law lecturer at Thammasat University. “The country will go back to the Prem system of 20 years ago, and that’s not good. ”The references to former general Prem Tinsulanonda, who heads the king’s 19-member Privy Council, foreshadows what could grow into a movement against the constitution, and ultimately the coup leaders themselves.

Several anti-coup groups have vowed to campaign against the constitution because they see Prem as the root of the problem. A recent protest by the Confederation for Democracy was staged in front of Prem’s house to urge the 86-year-old senior statesman to stop pulling strings from behind the scenes. He is a close confidante of chief constitution drafter Prasong, whom the pro-democracy protestors see as the last person who would usher in an improved democracy.

Attacks on Prem are not taken lightly, as Thaksin found out last September after making a veiled reference to Prem when he accused an unnamed figure of trying to overthrow his government. Many fear that increased agitation against the powerful privy councilor may prompt authorities to get tough on protesters.

From AsiaSentinel

Blog master said.... Its that junta's trick , the con artist will use the new constitution to dominate Thai Politics. They will build the players for use in the next election, the players are compose from many political factions or many political party, but Thai rak Thai party and Thaksin absolutely not include. I don't understand , is this democracy ? Thais can't vote for the party that they want in this country.

Thai Insurgency in South Intensified After Coup, Sondhi Says

2007-03-28T18:25:00.000-07:00

``The degree of intensity has increased,'' Sondhi said at a news briefing in Hat Yai, in Songkhla province, about 950 kilometers (590 miles) south of Bangkok. ``Insurgent groups have turned their focus on killing randomly, ending the lives of innocent people.''

Media Briefing
Sondhi, who is also the leader of the military junta that ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in the Sept. 19 coup, traveled to the region today to meet with officials and brief international media. He answered questions from about six of more than 20 reporters during a 50-minute briefing.
``We have been successful in getting 99 percent of the local population on our side,'' Sondhi said of the three restive provinces, which are home to about 1.8 million people. ``Winning the hearts and minds of youth is difficult'' as some young Muslims have sworn an oath of allegiance to support the insurgency, he said. Rebels try to integrate themselves within local communities to ``brainwash people,'' he said.

``Military units are here to assist the local population and give them protection from the violence,'' Sondhi said.
Four of the 11 suspected insurgents arrested today had outstanding warrants, Sondhi said. Another three are women suspected of being rebel leaders, he said. They were allegedly carrying guns, fertilizer, clocks, electrical wiring and radio equipment, he said.
To contact the reporters on this story: Dominic G. Diongson in Bangkok at ddiongson@bloomberg.net ; Beth Jinks in Bangkok at bjinks1@bloomberg.net

Apart From Bloomberg

Blog master said.... Oh !! Goddd..... I don't understand what he said, how did he know that degree of intensity has increased or decreased , Its blab or cover information or propaganda.

He said he known that Wadah group(Its mean the group of the South Muslim politician ) and old power(Its mean Thaksin and ThairakThai Party) were backup the terrorist group, he's crazy, HaHaHa , before stage the coup , the coup maker claimed that Thaksin and his party couldn't control the unrest and stem from their policy. I'm not sure that who teach him to talk.
Thai soldiers always think that Thais 're fool forever , Its not enough yet , Now ! they think that the world 're fool too. They 're real genius and progressive forward they can fake this world.

General who led coup urges emergency rule in Bangkok

2007-03-28T08:13:00.000-07:00

By Thomas Fuller and Seth Mydans

Published: March 28, 2007

BANGKOK: The general who led a coup last September asked his appointed prime minister on Wednesday to impose a state of emergency in Bangkok, as public opposition to the government grew louder.

There was no immediate public response from the office of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, who was appointed to his job by the coup leader, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin.
The general's request came in advance of planned rallies by both pro-democracy groups and supporters of the ousted prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, who has remained highly visible during his travels around Asia.

Sonthi said he was concerned that the rallies could get out of hand. "If we have no stability, investment and tourism will be hit," he told reporters. "The new constitution won't be finished."
The government is drawing up a new constitution and has promised to hold parliamentary elections toward the end of the year. Critics have voiced concern that the revised constitution could give the military far-reaching new powers.

The possibility of emergency rule added to worries that the generals, who were widely acclaimed here when they took office with a promise to restore democracy, would become a more standard-issue junta.
The declaration of a state of emergency would give the authorities the power to ban public gatherings, impose curfews and censor local news reports. It would contain some of the elements of martial law, which the government lifted in Bangkok and some other provinces just two months ago.

Both supporters of Thaksin and members of pro-democracy groups - dominated by former critics of Thaksin - said Wednesday that they would proceed with their rallies.
"We are ready to be arrested," said Japuporn Trompan, a leader of the pro-Thaksin camp.
The Thaksin supporters have announced that they will hold another Friday demonstration this week, following last Friday's gathering of about 1,000 protesters, some of whom threw rocks and plastic bottles.

A coalition of pro-democracy groups announced Wednesday that it would follow the Thaksin group next week to a royal parade ground, where a week-long protest would begin.
"What will we do if the numbers of protesters go beyond 100,000?" said Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd, a spokesman for the junta, which is known as the Council of National Security. "It will greatly damage the country's image."
Thailand has a history of demonstrations that end in bloodshed, and both military and civilian figures have expressed concern about violence.

Months of increasingly large rallies last year set the scene for the coup that ousted Thaksin on Sept. 19 while he was in New York preparing to address the United Nations.
Like Sonthi's request for emergency powers Wednesday, the coup came in advance of a planned demonstration, that on in opposition to Thaksin.
"Even Thaksin allowed people to protest," said Giles Ungpakorn, an organizer of the first pro-democracy demonstrations against the current junta.
"To announce a state of emergency is evil," he said. "It is destroying democracy and it shows that they are afraid and they are weak."

The request for a state of emergency followed a court hearing Monday at which Thaksin's wife, Pojamorn, was charged with tax evasion in the first of what the government hopes will be a series of corruption cases that could tie Thaksin down politically. But the cases have been slow to come, giving his supporters breathing room to reorganize.
The possibility of a state of emergency reinforced an impression that the generals are less comfortable with the complexities of civilian rule than with a clear-cut military approach.
Highly popular when they ousted Thaksin, they have lost support as they have reversed policies and retracted statements, coming under criticism for what is seen as uncertainty and a lack of control.

In December, the government imposed and then modified capital controls, disrupting the stock market and frightening investors.
Last month the country's respected finance minister resigned, following the appointment and immediate departure of a high-powered economic spokesman.
The government has also unsettled international airlines with a series of contradictory statements regarding Bangkok's troubled new airport, which concluded this week with the partial reopening of the old airport for some flights.
Thomas Fuller reported from Bangkok. Seth Mydans reported from Perth, Australia.

Blog master said.... Its good news , The head coup desired to use that Law.

They'll decide it tomorrow morning.

And mobs announced for a moment that they'll rally to government house too.

Its shown that the coup maker tried to destroy these mobs by our troops , our army !!!

I'm funny , the head coup Sonthi said that he concerned about Investment , Tourists , New constitution but why he didn't concern before stage a coup in 19 sep.

Buddhists protest for troops

2007-03-26T22:56:00.000-07:00

About 2,000 Buddhists in Songkhla's Saba Yoi district ended a four hour-demonstration in front of the district hall yesterday after authorities agreed to their demand to keep troops in the area to ensure public safety. The Buddhist demonstration was staged to counter Muslims' demand for a troop withdrawal following a mysterious explosion at an Islamic boarding school in the district on March 17.

The Muslims believe the blast at the Bamrungsart Witthaya Islamic boarding school that killed three students and injured three others was an attack by Army rangers. They staged demonstrations in following days to demand the rangers be withdrawn from the district.
Buddhist protesters yesterday submitted a seven-point letter of demands to Saba Yoi district chief Preecha Damkerngkiart.

Their demands included an increase in security forces in the district, arming of local Buddhists for self-protection, equal enforcement of laws for Buddhists and Muslims and equal protection from the National Human Rights Commission.

There is a widespread feeling among Buddhists in the predominantly Muslim region that they get worse treatment from the authorities than Muslims.
District chief Preecha said the authorities would respond to the demands within three days.
The Nation
Saba Yoi, Songkhla

Blog master said.... As I think, Its near to the boiling point. I think that the southern unrest have to be the conspiracy theory. Many time , the polices arrested the accused in many case but that cases have been fade away , Thai medias didn't care to follow up. In many cases , the accused are volunteer-soldiers or polices. There's something wrong absolutely but its unclear that what happened in their region, even the mob in this news , you have to observe the cutout in that picture , Its professional over the ordinary people could make it. Its look like this mob organized by government backup , but I don't know that what did they for???

Requesting for fairness in the prosecution of two lese majeste cases

2007-03-26T14:36:00.000-07:00

7 February 2007

RE: Requesting for fairness in the prosecution of two lese majeste cases

Enclosed: Three letters written to the prime minister and two reply letters from the Prime Minister’s Office

Dear Acting National Police Chief Seripisuth Temiyavej,

First of all, I would like to congratulate you on your new important position. To my knowledge, you are known for your fairness and compassion for ordinary citizens. As such, you are different from the national police chief under the Thaksin government. Also, the prime minister seems to be of this view. As reported in Thai Post newspaper on 19 January, “The Prime Minister criticized the inefficiency of the police, their inability to adapt to social changes. The whole system needs to be revamped. All the police care about is catching thugs at the expense of other considerations and with disregard for the consequences. The police are used to the patron-client system and are prone to abuse the freedom of others. The Prime Minister is determined to set in motion police reforms in an open and honest manner to regain the trust of the people.”

It is clear that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra persecuted me for my oppositional views by filing the two charges of lese majeste against me. The letters I sent to the prime minister were forwarded by the Prime Minister’s Office to the Royal Thai Police Office to be used in the deliberation of the prosecution against me. I have called for the ending of the prosecution. (Please refer to the enclosed materials.) But the Royal Thai Police Office seems indifferent.

Therefore, I write to call upon your impartiality to bring about an end to the prosecution so as not to disturb H.M. the King. The King made it clear that any charge of lese majeste filed would not only hurt him but also the monarchy.

Ending the prosecution will facilitate national reconciliation and solidarity. The second lese majeste case lodged against me has to do with an English material that still has not been translated into Thai. Its translation into Thai will lead to widespread ramifications, and the translator may even face the charge of lese majeste as in the case faced by former police chief Pol. Gen. Sawat Amornwiwat.

If my case is brought to the attention of the international community, the credibility and image of the kingdom will be undermined. The king had raised this point before in one of the royal speeches. I am known nationally as well as internationally as a royalist who wants to protect the monarchy within the framework of democracy.

Previous charges of lese majeste lodged against me were also done with malice, for instance at the time when General Arthit Kamlang-ake was jockeying for power vis-à-vis Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda. In this particular case, my lese majeste case was already sent to the military court, but the prime minister intervened to stop it. And when General Suchinda Kraprayoon illegally toppled the Chatichai Choonhavan government, my trial lasted four years. I was eventually acquitted of the charge of lese majeste. The court affirmed my innocence, declaring thus:

After considering the statements of the witnesses for both the defense and prosecution, and the complete transcripts of the defendant’s speech, most fair-minded people would question why the defendant had been charged, what was the defendant’s intention, and toward whom was his public talk directed. We cannot only consider literally what he said. We can see clearly that the intention of the talk was to make the students and the people aware so they would be awakened to resist the unjust authority of the NPKC in seizing power from an elected government and its attempts to prolong its hold on power. The talk also tried to clarify the basic principles of democracy, liberty, and equality of the people. No group should use the monarch to serve their own political purposes, and the military groups which have seized power have violated these basic principles throughout the history of Thai democracy. The defendant also denounced the validity of the five points the NPKC used as an excuse for staging the coup. He also condemned individuals and groups that were submissive to the NPKC as having a part in destroying Thailand ’s reputation within the international community.

When considering the first and the second phrases that the prosecution charged as lese majeste within the context of the complete talk, it is clear that the defendant sought to teach the students to be conscious of the essence of democracy which has the King as head of state. He warned the students not to live a luxurious, consumer-oriented lifestyle, not to worship being rich, not to admire people in power, and to be concerned about justice and righteousness.

I am confident that you fully understand the court’s decision cited above and that you have the moral courage to order the ending of the prosecution when it is still within the authority of the national police chief to do so.

Yours respectfully,

Sulak Sivaraksa
(The alleged offender)

Blog master said....I think that the coup would be use this case for propaganda absolutely. For show that they have a moral and kindness. They will forgive him by claim that's good time for the unity , for harmony, what ever. But not for Thaksin.

September 19 was not Thaksin's worst day

2007-03-25T19:17:00.000-07:00

'September 19 was not Thaksin's worst day'A close Thaksin Shinawatra aide who was in New York with the former prime minister when he was ousted on September 19 last year has revealed the coup was not the "worst" event in the former leader's political life.
Thaksin's "most tense" day was a failed attempt on his life, former government spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee told The Nation.
Breaking his silence over the events of September 19, Surapong revealed how news of the coup came out of the blue for Thaksin and his entourage.
He said Thaksin handled the situation with calm in spite of the obvious stress he was feeling. It was not Thaksin's "most tense day" when compared with the anxiety surrounding the bomb plot against his life a month earlier.
Surapong returned to Thailand in October. He spoke with this newspaper last week.
Surapong sketched the scene on the morning of September 19, New York time.
The Thaksin entourage was preparing for breakfast at 8am in the Grand Hyatt.
The prime minister called them to his suite and informed them of the coup rumours coming out of Thailand. Nobody believed it, Surapong said.
Things became clear an hour later, when Thaksin resolved to declare a state of emergency. The mood in the suite was positive. None of Thaksin's confidants believed the coup would succeed, Surapong explained.
"We never thought about a coup. We thought acting PM Chidchai Vanasatidya could handle the big anti-Thaksin rally planned for September 20," Surapong said.
Thaksin went off to write his address to the nation. When he was reading it on Channel 9 he was unaware he had been taken off air, Surapong explained.
It was not until noon that confirmation came that Thaksin had been overthrown. In the tense four hours until that time the Thai delegation was glued to the BBC and CNN channels. They snacked on a room-service breakfast.
Thaksin "appeared calm" but said little in this time. "He finally declared, 'It's over. The junta has seized power'.
"Thaksin was less tense than when he knew someone had wanted to assassinate him with the car bomb," Surapong said.
He added that 2006 was "a tense year for Thaksin".
Adviser Pansak Vinyaratn was in the suite that day. No stranger to coups - he was with former prime minister Chatichai Choonhavan when the National Peacekeeping Council toppled him in 1991 - he joked, "It's hit me again".
"We all understood the situation. We discussed where to go from there," Surapong said.
Surapong insisted there had been no previous discussion of a coup until that time. During the trip the delegation had worked on election policies and Thaksin was busy drumming up support for the poll planned for that coming October.
Thaksin had been on a trip to Finland, Cuba and the United States when he was overthrown. Immediately after his ouster he jetted to Britain to be with his daughter.
Surapong remained in the US, where he has a son studying at Indiana State University. He spent his free time visiting museums and libraries in several cities. "It's hard to do those things in normal times," he said.
"I'm not distressed. I understand what happened. And, I know how to spend my life now."
Surapong looks more relaxed and happier than when he was government spokesman.
His political experience has taught him "all problems pass one day".
"The important thing is to understand uncertainty and to live happily and prepare for a better future," he said.
He said the coup was not as harrowing as the events of October 6, 1976, in which friends were among the casualties. That depressed him.
Jintana Panyaarvudh, Sucheera Pinijparakarn

The Nation

Blog Master Said.... Its very bad time but not worst , I agree , I remembered Thaksin faced the car bomb day, Oh , they wanted to kill him because its not possible to topple him by used the fair game in democratic rules forever. The only way can stop him down that's the death , the accused in car bomb case told that "if this plan's not success , we have to seize." They known that the car bomb was most easily to get rid off Thaksin. Now, for the car bomb case , Its was forgotten by the Thai media because they distorted the case that its hoax. Its really joke !!

Thailand’s Economic Projection for 2007 (As of February 2007)

2007-03-23T14:10:00.000-07:00

Thailand’s Economic Projection for 2007 (As of February 2007)

The Fiscal Policy Office (FPO), Ministry of Finance, has announced that the Thai economy is forecasted to grow in the range of 4.0-4.5 percent (y-o-y) in 2007, decelerated from 5.0 percent (y-o-y) in 2006 due to expected slowdown in exports of goods and services following softening world economy. However, given that the public sector’s spending can be accelerated as targeted and interest rate could be sufficiently lower to enhance domestic demand, the Thai economy is likely to grow at the upper range of the projection at 4.5 percent (y-o-y).

1. Economic growth The Thai economy in 2007 is expected to expand by 4.0 - 4.5 percent per annum, lower than 5.0 percent in 2006. This slower growth rate is mainly due to declining growth in real exports of goods and services, which were the main economic drivers last year. The real exports in 2007 are expected to grow at 6.4 - 7.4 percent (y-o-y), decelerating from 8.5 percent (y-o-y) in 2006, following the expected slow down in the major trading partners’ economies. Real imports of goods and services are likely to improve from 1.6 percent (y-o-y) growth in 2006 to 7.8 - 8.9 percent (y-o-y) this year. Rebound in imports of goods and services comes from expected domestic demand recovery in the light of diminishing inflationary pressure, declining interest rate, and accelerating disbursement of FY 2007 government budget after approval in January 2007.Real total consumption in 2007 is forecasted to increase by 3.9 - 4.8 percent (y-o-y), a slight improvement from 3.2 percent (y-o-y) in 2006, while real total investment is expected to increase by 4.2 - 6.4 percent (y-o-y) from 4.0 percent (y-o-y) in the previous year. Furthermore, there are critical factors that could support the Thai economy to expand at the high case scenario of 4.5 percent (y-o-y) rather than the low case of 4.0 percent (y-o-y), including (1) the government must achieve its disbursement target of 93 percent of total FY 2007 budget, (2) the state-owned enterprises are able to disburse their capital investments up to the average target of 85 percent of their planned investment budget, and (3) domestic interest rate could be lower sufficiently to enhance domestic demand.

2. Economic stability In 2007, Thailand’s internal stability is further strengthening. Headline inflation is expected to be 2.5 - 3.0 percent (y-o-y) this year, compared with last year’s 4.7 percent (y-o-y). This downward trend of inflation stems from lower costs of production as a result of declining energy prices and strengthening trend of Thai Baht. Dubai crude oil prices are assumed to be around USD 54-58 per barrel, lower from last year’s average price of USD 61.5 per barrel due to anticipated decrease in the world’s oil demand in the light of expected slowdown in the global economy. Thai Baht is likely to slightly appreciate against the USD to 35.5-36.5 this year, compared with last year’s average of 37.9 Baht/USD. This strengthening Thai Baht against the US Dollar is based on the fundamental twin–deficit problems of the US, which should further cause USD depreciation and additional foreign capital flow into Asia including Thailand.

In 2007, Thailand’s external stability remains resilient whereby the current account is forecasted to record a surplus in the amount of 0.7 - 1.5 percent of GDP, compared with last year’s figure of 1.5 percent of GDP. The size of the current account surplus would greatly depend on the prospect for domestic demand recovery since increasing domestic spending will increase the level of imports. Given the improving domestic demand, the trade and current account balances are expected to be in surplus of USD 1.4 and 1.7 billion, respectively. However, if the domestic demand continues to be sluggish, resulting in a slower pace of imports, this would lead to a greater trade and current account surpluses of USD 3.1 and 3.4 billion, respectively.

Click for Summary

Blog master said...Report from Fiscal policy Office : This is the last technocrat who have been still alive among the propaganda terms of the coup. The press , feudalism academics or mutant ngos were adapt to minion of coup already sofar.

I don't know that how the coup could manage and control the economic system. I'm serious !

Hundreds protest coup in Thai capital, some hurl rocks at police

2007-03-23T08:43:00.000-07:00

Hundreds protest coup in Thai capital, some hurl rocks at police

The Associated Press
Published: March 23, 2007

BANGKOK, Thailand: Hundreds of pro-democracy activists faced off against police in the Thai capital on Friday during a rally to call for the quick restoration of democracy in the country following last year's military coup.
Some protesters threw rocks, plastic bottles and chairs at the police as they marched toward a large Bangkok park, Sanam Luang, where nearly 1,000 people had gathered.
No injuries were reported and the protest carried on peacefully after the 20-minute showdown.
"The coup destroyed democracy in Thailand," shouted one of the protest leaders, Veera Musigapong, who was a former deputy leader of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's Thai Rak Thai party. "I hope this is the last coup Thailand will ever see."
Sanam Luang is where tens of thousands of people held regular protests last year demanding Thaksin's ouster, climaxing in a military coup in September while the former premier was out of the country.

Friday's demonstrators also called for the resignation of the military-installed interim government, and demanded elections be held immediately.
The government of interim Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has vowed to step down after elections scheduled for the end of the year.
Veera and other former Thai Rak Thai executives also protested the government's move to block the launch of their new satellite television network PTV, or People's Television. The government-owned CAT Telecom refused to relay PTV's signal to a satellite.
The government fears Thaksin may attempt a comeback after his Sept. 19 ouster.
Thaksin, in exile since the coup, has been traveling between his London residence and various Asian countries.

Block Master said.....Its suck !!! the coup maker blocked the websites their live from Sanamluang Square everyday and try to stop the protest by collaborate with the Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayothin. Before day, Bangkok gov. was try to bar the protester groups and claim that Sanamluang Square to be use in week of "Thai folk sport Show". Its very suck !!! Nobody care about that anymore !!! The country will be explode tomorrow ............

Sounding out Thaksin's rural legacy

2007-03-22T08:43:00.000-07:00

Sounding out Thaksin's rural legacyBy Shawn W Crispin CHIANG MAI, Thailand - Ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra hails from the northern province of Chiang Mai, part of the rural heartland where his grassroots political support is supposed to run deepest. Yet six months after the populist leader was toppled in a bloodless military coup, all is calm on the former premier's home front.

Much has been made of Thaksin's strong rural support base, which catapulted him to resounding electoral victories in 2001 and 2005. After seizing power last September, the Thai military initially fretted that Thaksin loyalists, which they then vaguely referred to as "undercurrents", would try to stir unrest in protest against his removal. The junta has harassed a handful of top Thaksin aides, but to date it has maintained a loose security policy toward the country's northern provinces.

There is perhaps no better gauge of rural Thai sentiment than the news and views expressed on independently run community radio stations. Asia Times Online recently took the pulse of nearly 20 different community and commercial radio stations across northern Thailand, several of which previously broadcast news that favored Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai political party. Since the coup, stations have almost unanimously changed their tune, shifting from pro-Thaksin to pro-junta commentary.

To be sure, part of that shift can be attributed to the ruling junta's initial order to broadcast news that promotes national unity. But after an initial meeting with all station managers at regional army headquarters last September, enforcement of the military's vague guidelines has been slack - if not non-existent. There is no visible military presence in Chiang Mai city and in provincial areas barring the provincial airport. And few if any of the northern region's more than 1,000 community radio stations, which generally cater to about 20-25 different villages each, have opted to close down in protest.

Moreover, anonymous call-in radio programs, which were banned for a few days directly after the coup, are on-air again. Nearly all of the station managers who spoke with Asia Times Online said callers seldom if ever spoke critically of the interim military government's performance, nor did they yearn for Thaksin's return to power.

The lack of grassroots complaints about the coup through community radio's anonymous interactive channel sends a complicated signal about Thaksin's rural legacy - as, too, does the rural grassroots' apparent easy acquiescence and acceptance of the abrupt transition from democratic to military rule. To be sure, Thaksin's well-marketed populist policies, including a cheap-health-care program, a revolving development fund for most of the country's 77,000 villages, and other populist handouts, were well received by many rural voters.

Liberal academics have argued that those well-targeted policies sparked a new political consciousness in Thailand's countryside, where rural voters are now more demanding of both their local and national representatives. Those populist policies, however, represented only one small part of Thaksin's larger political strategy toward the grassroots. Feudal legacyRather than promoting more local-level autonomy and democracy, Thaksin in effect maintained and positioned himself atop the local patron-client relationships that have arguably long hobbled rural Thailand's political and economic development.

That feudal legacy was slated for reform through various decentralization measures included in the progressive 1997 constitution, which was annulled in the wake of last year's coup. Thaksin deliberately - if not disingenuously - ensured that those center-to-periphery power-devolving reforms were never fully implemented. To the contrary, he moved to reimpose national authority over grassroots governance, most visibly by taking personal, benevolent-patron credit for well-targeted government handouts of taxpayers' money to rural constituencies, but also through policies such as his CEO (chief executive officer) governor program, which gave Thaksin-appointed representatives huge discretion over budget outlays.

At the same time, Thaksin often formed political alliances with local politicians known or suspected to have links with powerful organized-crime groups, including the drug- and human-trafficking trades that run rife in Thailand's various lawless northern areas. For instance, Worataan Talugrasit, a 70-year-old community radio broadcaster from Phetchaboon province, claims that in his village Thaksin's political supporters took control over rather than combated the local methamphetamine trade. When Thaksin launched his controversial war on drugs in 2003, where more than 2,200 drug suspects were killed in extrajudicial fashion, Thai Rak Thai party heavies arranged the murder of their pill-peddling rivals, Worataan claims. "People were scared of influential people connected to Thaksin.

Things are better after the coup." In northernmost Chiang Rai province, Thaksin likewise formed political linkages with local politicians known to have ties to human-trafficking rings, including at least one prominent member of his former inner circle whom the military hauled in for questioning after launching last year's coup. According to sources familiar with the situation, the US Central Intelligence Agency before the coup alerted a foreign aid worker investigating trafficking issues in the province to leave the area because the politician in question had placed an assassination order against him.

Meanwhile, grassroots activists and opposition politicians spoke out against Thaksin and the development projects his government designed for Chiang Mai city, which often put his political associates' and his own family's business interests ahead of local-community livelihoods, including the forced evictions of villagers to make way for his family's Night Safari tourist attraction. "Although he was born here, to many in Chiang Mai he was just another rich politician," said Jiraporn Witayasakpan, a lecturer of mass communications at Chiang Mai University. "Some may have liked him, but there was a widespread perception that he did things more for his political party and underlings than the general public.

In the end, ordinary people didn't get much from his government." Unrevealed realitiesIn Chiang Mai, those on-the-ground political realities, often unrevealed to visiting news reporters who focused on Thaksin's billboard-marketed populist policies, from the start raised hard questions about his frequently stated commitment to democracy and law and order. But those perceptions would go a long way in explaining the grassroots silence surrounding Thaksin's unceremonious demise, including in rural areas where his support was supposed to be strongest. Liberal academics like to perpetuate the scenario of a politically conscious rural mass, peeved by the new draft charter's likely proviso allowing for an appointed rather than elected prime minister, descending on Bangkok to demand a return to Thaksin-led democracy.

Left-leaning Thai newspapers, including the English-language daily The Nation, likewise dispense dire predictions of a clash between the military and yet-to-coalesce street protesters, similar to the cataclysmic events in 1992 that saw soldiers gun down perhaps hundreds of pro-democracy demonstrators in the capital. Recent front-page reports have focused on a small fringe of anti-coup groups, which to date have yet to mount more than 1,000 protesters. Previous pro-democracy protests in the direct aftermath of the coup led by a radical Marxist academic attracted more journalists than actual protesters. Meanwhile, the army's comparatively under-reported "good morals" drive last weekend attracted more than 10,000 participants. If the prevailing mood in Chiang Mai is any indicator, rural-led protests are not on the foreseeable political horizon. And they likely won't be even if the coup makers, as expected, introduce a less democratic new constitution that allows them to appoint the prime minister and maintain some sort of role in politics after this year's general elections.

"Thaksin's grassroots support was always more financial than philosophical," said a researcher connected with Chiang Mai University's Social Research Center. "After the coup, those allegiances broke down. Now that the military is stepping in to fill [the] financial gap, now the people are suddenly on their side." If so, Thaksin's own anti-democratic legacy toward rural areas sowed the seeds of his own political demise. Despite his strong electoral mandate, he was widely viewed more as a strong leader than a liberal democrat. And now the military has adroitly inserted itself atop the same political-patronage pyramid that Thaksin - albeit more skillfully - once presided over through populist handouts. To be sure, the military's mobilization of royal symbolism from the start signaled to the rural masses - who deeply revere His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej - that the military's intervention had palatial consent. Since, the royal association with the military-appointed interim administration led by former army commander and privy councilor General Surayud Chulanont has purposefully been less stark.

The local print media have now taken to skewering Surayud's government of once-retired bureaucrats, soldiers and technocrats for its indecisiveness and policy miscues - news reports that the military has notably not moved to censor. That's because the political psychology of Bangkok-based newspaper editors and the country's rural masses are in many ways at direct opposites. Thailand's rural countryside, and even urban-based middle class, frequently demonstrate a strong conservative streak in their political behavior, often to the consternation of left-leaning academics and reform activists. If King Bhumibol were symbolically to cast the first vote during the planned national referendum on what is expected to be a less democratic constitution, the rural countryside would obediently follow the royal lead. And even if the monarch chooses to remain aloof from the upcoming referendum, there are no indications yet that Thailand's rural masses are prepared to mount any protest against a sustained military role in politics - not even in Thaksin's own home town. Shawn W Crispin is Asia Times Online's Southeast Asia Editor. (Copyright 2007 Asia Times Online Ltd. All rights reserved. Please contact us about sales, syndication and republishing.)

From Asia Time

Blog Master said.... Its good article ! You have to know about Thais , they're always be in quiet , but if they explode their emotion out , its terrible thing. They have ever found PM like Thaksin before, He's unique. This's article shown that microphone of the press've never told the truth what the people's think like a national votes.

Thai military reshuffle announced

2007-03-21T10:13:00.000-07:00

The King of Thailand has endorsed the mid year military reshuffle, which involves more than 400 senior officers, the government announced on Wednesday, according to a local media.
Among the most prominent officers sent out was Gen. Pornchai Kranlert, deputy chief-of-staff of the three armed forces, who would assume the new post as an adviser attached to the Office of the Defense Permanent Secretary, the Bangkok Post said on its website.
The Class 9 of the Royal Chulachomklao Military Academy, led by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Montri Sangkhasap, now has controlled over all the Army Regions from 1 to 4, seen as having crucial say on the successor of Army Chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin who is scheduled for mandatory retirement in September.
Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's former classmates at Class 10 who escaped the first wave of reshuffle after the September 19 coup have all been removed from key military positions.
Lt-Gen. Sujate Wattanasook, commander of the Second Army Region and said to be close to former defense minister and Thai Rak Thai party heavyweight Thammarak Issarangkoon na Ayudhya, is to become a "special adviser" attached to the Office of the Permanent Secretary.
His transfer reportedly stemmed from his failure to curb the " undercurrent" problem in the Northeast which is under the jurisdiction of the Second Army Region, said the report.
Lt-Gen. Chatchai Thavornbutr, deputy chief-of-staff of the army, a former close aide of Thaksin, would also move to the Office of the Defense Permanent Secretary as an "adviser".
The Bangkok Post quoted a source as saying that the reshuffle completed the Council for National Security (CNS) consolidation of controlling power of key military positions in the three armed forces. Even some senior officers deemed loyal to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont have been sidelined.
From Xinhua

Blog Master Said....
Its mean that the head of the coup maker may be pospone their schedule for retirement. They wouldn't be sure in situation of the politics. They've never understand that they would be falling in dangerous game. Goodluck !!!