From the BBC

More than 30,000 people have protested in Bangkok in the campaign to force Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra to resign.

The three-day protest in the capital's shopping district which has disrupted business and traffic is the last rally before Sunday's general election. On Wednesday, demonstrators descended on the glitzy new Siam Paragon shopping mall and camped out on the streets. Organisers from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) said protesters would stay at least two nights.

The mall, on one of Bangkok's busiest intersections, was closed in anticipation of the protest. Allowing this prime minister to continue in power is more dangerous to the country and more distressing to the public than a traffic jam

Traffic was gridlocked around the area and public transport was forced to cope with extra passengers.

But there were some indications the strategy might be counter-productive. One opinion poll conducted by Assumption University on Monday showed 26% of Bangkok people supported the resignation of Thaksin, compared to 48% three weeks previously.

Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party is expected to maintain its huge majority in the election on Sunday, but a boycott by opposition parties could make the result constitutionally invalid.

From the Bangkok Post

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has offered to form a government of national unity that will include the Democrat, Chart Thai and Mahachon parties, his nemesis Chamlong Srimuang and media firebrand Sondhi Limthongkul.

His leading opponent's immediate reaction was to question Thaksin's sanity.

I will form a national government after the April 2 elections because it is the way to bring unity back to the country," Thaksin said. You people can also fix the country's divisions by voting in the elections, because it is an easy way to make the protesters end their protest, he told an estimated 20,000 supporters. Nearly half his audience were motorcycle taxi drivers.

Thaksin said his "national government" would have a quota reserved for the Democrat, Chart Thai and Mahachon parties and any small parties that win seats in the general election.

Maj-Gen Chamlong and Mr Sondhi are welcome to join, but must follow the law by registering with parties if they want seats in a national government, he said.

Thaksin's surprise offer was immediately rejected by the Democrat party and the People's Alliance for Democracy. He has gone mad, said Sondhi while addressing the anti-Thaksin protest at Makkawan bridge late last night.

Somkiat Pongpaiboon said PAD's five leaders would not play along with Thaksin's political game. He obviously realises that people will not vote for Thai Rak Thai and many Thai Rak Thai candidates will not be able to win the 20% of votes required by the constitution to qualify for House seats, even if 1,000 elections are held, he said.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva also rejected Thaksin's offer.

From The Nation

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) is holding today another historic march from the National Stadium to Sukhumvit Road to urge more people to come out to support the calls for a royal intervention in the political crisis.

The PAD declared victory Saturday night after over 150,000 people come out to show support for its appeal to His Majesty to grant an interim government to carry out political reform.

The PAD plans to march protesters from the stadium past Siam Square and Siam Paragon shopping areas to Sukhumvit Road to highlight its cause.

From the BBC

Thousands of farmers are marching through Bangkok in support of Thai Prime Minster Thaksin Shinawatra after travelling from the north on tractors.

The so-called "Caravan of the Poor" has promised to stay clear of protesters who are calling on Thaksin to quit.

At least 10,000 of Thaksin's supporters, mainly poor farmers, have spent more than two weeks travelling down from the countryside in the north and north-east, which forms the prime minister's main support base.

Thaksin's populist policies, including debt relief for farmers and a low-cost healthcare scheme, have meant they have remained loyal to the prime minister, despite increasing opposition to him in the capital. No other prime minister has been dedicated to the poor like Thaksin, said Kasem Namchai, who led 3,000 farmers down from Chiang Rai province in the north.

From The Times

Thailand’s election may have to be abandoned after a key MP chooses to take holy orders

Thailand sank deeper into political crisis yesterday after a party candidate suddenly abandoned politics to become a Buddhist monk.

The Thai election commission said that a snap election called by Thaksin Shinawatra, the embattled Prime Minister, may not take place because it was unlikely to return the required number of elected MPs.

The problem is largely due to Premsak Phiayura, a veteran politician who announced that he was taking holy orders. Premsak, formerly a member of Mr Thaksin’s ruling Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) Party, was all but guaranteed a seat as one of 100 MPs elected by proportional representation.

But his decision to join a monastery means that the new parliament will almost certainly be short of the full house necessary to appoint a new government. Demonstrators have picketed Premsak’s monastery, accusing him of sabotaging the election in return for a bribe. But the prayers of Thaksin’s enemies have been answered.

We are thinking about a postponement, General Wassana Permlar, the chairman of the election commission, said in the first official acknowledgement that the controversial poll may not take place.

Thaksin has vowed to campaign on anyway, but constitutional technicalities mean that even if the election does go ahead, it promises to result in a legal and political mess. To choose a new prime minister, all 500 newly elected MPs must be present, but for several reasons this is unlikely.

Premsak’s resignation from the list of Thai Rak Thai’s 100 proportional representation candidates is one of them — none of the minor parties contesting the election is likely to achieve the 1.5 million votes necessary to win any of these seats, meaning that at least one will remain unoccupied.

From The Nation

Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya's promotion yesterday to the No 2 spot in the Cabinet may signal that a major change within the caretaker government is imminent, observers said.

They said Chidchai, who oversees security, was likely to replace Thaksin Shinawatra if the embattled premier steps down amid mounting pressure from protesters, who yesterday gathered near Government House in the tens of thousands.

Previously Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak was second to Thaksin, and Chidchai, who is also the justice minister, was No 3. Thaksin is closer to Chidchai, a former schoolmate at the Police Academy, than Somkid, who is also a friend of protest leader Sondhi Limthongkul. Thaksin is said to trust Chidchai more than Somkid.

Ong-art Klampaiboon, the Democrat Party spokesman, speculated Chidchai's promotion was linked to the possibility of imposing a state of emergency: The government's attempts to scare demonstrators by giving a signal that it is ready to declare a state of emergency, will give it power to suppress anti-government rallies. The decree would allow the government to censor any news reports it deemed "in favour" of anti-government rallies, Ong-art said.

Thaksin remained adamant that he would not resign yesterday. During a campaign stop in Buri Ram last night he said he would never give up to people who want to overthrow the government. I will protect democracy with my life.

See article on Times Weblog

Protestors from the Thailand Sex Workers' Network: We sell our bodies, we don't sell our shares. And from the poster: I sell my body, I don't sell my country.

From the BBC

Tens of thousands of protesters have marched on Thailand's Government House in Bangkok to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

They are surrounding the building ahead of a cabinet meeting. Thaksin will be chairing Tuesday's cabinet by video-link from the north-east of the country, where he is campaigning.

 Thaksin has been under pressure over his handling of an insurgency in the south and his control over the media. He denies abuse of power and has called a snap election early next month.

Bangkok's entire police force has been mobilised, amid warnings the march could turn violent. Security has been stepped up in the capital, with 20,000 police officers on standby.

Chamlong Srimuang, a general who led a 1992 wave of demonstrations against a military government, said Tuesday's protest would be peaceful: You can be assured that nothing will happen. Do not be afraid, he told the rally.

Marchers carried placards reading "Change Through Peace" and "No Violence", and shouted "Thaksin, Get Out!"

From Bangkok Post

People living along the Andaman coast and fishermen at sea are being urged to be on alert following a report of 31 earthquakes in the Andaman Sea over recent days.

In a statement, the National Disaster Warning Centre calls on residents and fishing vessels to notify authorities if they detect irregular changes in the sea including changes in colour, bubbles on the sea surface and a smell of sulphur.

According to the centre, these could be signs of underwater volcano eruptions which may trigger a tsunami. However, the chances of this happening are slim.

There were 31 earthquakes in the Andaman Sea, with the epicentre being about 400 to 600 km off the Ranong coast, from March 9 to 11.

On Friday alone there were as many as 21 tremors while a mild earthquake measured at 4.9 on the Richter scale was felt yesterday morning in Phuket.

Plodprasop Suraswadi, the centre director, said that while a tsunami is unlikely, it is better to put people on alert because having 31 earthquakes in a short space of time is rare.

He advised residents living along the coast to keep their ears to the ground and said the centre will update the situation every 12 hours. He said the centre can issue an early warning, which will give villagers at least 40 minutes to evacuate to safety.

Phuket Governor Udomsak Asavarangkoon said yesterday that the province has informed residents and tourists of the quakes and possible consequences.

Some residents in Laem Tukkae cape community have evacuated to higher ground after learning about the tremors while those at several other beaches have stayed put for a warning.

From The Nation

A TNT bomb exploded at asecurity booth outside Prem's residence. An immediate concern is that the government may declare a state of emergency.

Political tensions rose close to boiling point yesterday following a bomb explosion at a security booth in front of the home of Privy Council president General Prem Tinsulanonda and a firecracker explosion in front of the Vajiravudh College home of Dr Chai-anan Samudvanija.

The caretaker government swiftly moved into damage-control mode by instructing National Intelligence Agency director Gen Jumpol Man-mai to unmask the culprits behind the bombing, which was viewed by police and security officials as politically motivated.

Although two tourists, from England and Canada, sustained minor injuries and the security booth and three vehicles parked near Prem's Dusit district residence were slightly damaged, police said the home-made bomb was made to create noise rather than cause serious harm.

Two firecrackers were thrown into Chai-anan's residence at Vajiravudh College, also in Dusit district, at 9.15pm but did not cause any injuries. Chai-anan has played a key role in collecting some 100 signatures and petitioning His Majesty the King to appoint a prime minister to replace Thaksin Shinawatra.

Amid the turmoil of political events, conflicting theories about the motivation behind the incidents fuelled widespread speculation. Supporters and opponents of the government accused one another of instigating the incident so as to oust Thaksin, or to allow him to cling to power by using the explosion as grounds for declaring a state of emergency.

The plot thickened because the bombing took place one day after the Privy Council met in a special session to discuss various petitions calling for royal intervention to end the political confusion. The council reportedly submitted a confidential report to His Majesty the King and its recommendations were never made public.


Around 2pm yesterday, Prem was doing his exercises inside his home when he heard a loud explosion. Physical damage included shattered windows in the police box at Prem's front gate, broken windscreens in two vehicles and a damaged car roof caused by flying debris, Paiboon said.

Midnight University academic Somkiart Tangmano expressed concern that the situation would spiral out of control and lead to bloodshed if the turmoil persists. He said he is worried the government will rush to invoke the emergency decree.

From the National New Bureau

Following announcements by the Kasikorn and Siam Commercial Bank that there will be an increase in interest rates, many other commercial banks have made similar announcements.

The Bank of Ayutthaya has increased its 12 months savings interest form 0.25% to 3.25%, and loan interest from 0.25% to 7.25%. Meanwhile, Siam City Bank has increased its 12 months savings interest to 3.25% and its loan interest to 7.25%.

The Thai Military Bank, the 5th largest banking institution in the nation has increased interest rates of 12 month savings to 4%, 24 month savings to 4%, and 36 month savings to 4.25%. The Thai Military Bank's loan interests are at 7.25%.

The Bangkok Bank similarly announced that its 12 month savings interest would now be 3.25-4%, 24 month savings will be 4%, and 36 month savings will be 4.25%. Loan interest will be 7%.

This increase in savings interest by commercial banks was made to complement market conditions and the banking interest policy of the government.

From the BBC

Thousands of opponents of Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra held a protest in Bangkok, vowing to stay in the streets until he steps down.

About 50,000 people marched to Thaksin's office waving Thai flags and shouting anti-government slogans. Police said the march was peaceful.

This is the latest in a series of rallies accusing Thaksin of corruption and abuse of power.

He has called a snap election in April in an attempt to win back authority.

One of Thaksin's most prominent opponents, Sondhi Limthongkul, told the crowd: We will rally around the clock until Thaksin and (his wife) Potjaman leave the country.

Another protest leader, Suriyasai Katasila, said: The rally will go on and we won't stop unless we win.

On Sunday afternoon, the protesters marched from Sanam Luang (Royal Field) to the Democracy Monument, which commemorates the end of absolute monarchy. In the evening, rally organisers called on the crowd to march towards the prime minister's office.

The BBC's Simon Montlake in Bangkok says there were tense moments as protest leaders negotiated their way past police lines.

From the Bangkok Post

Police set up highway checkpoints yesterday and stopped vehicles heading into Bangkok for "arms and drugs checks," apparently to deter people from joining the anti-Thaksin Shinawatra demonstration at Sanam Luang.

As far away as Sa Kaeo, checkpoints mushroomed on the orders of Police Region 2 chief Lt-Gen Jongrak Juthanont. Vehicles leaving the province for Bangkok were stopped for painstaking searches and inquiries.

At Ban Kaeng district in Sa Kaeo, traffic was blocked as angry bus passengers sat down on the highway after a half-hour row with policemen manning the checkpoints. The police eventually allowed them to travel on.

In Saraburi, at least 13 checkpoints were set up around the province at dawn yesterday. Frustrated drivers caught in the jam said police at a checkpoint at Phra Phutthabat police station delayed their trips.

In Kanchanaburi, people claiming to come from the Prime Minister's Office warned staff of Moo Ban Dek (Children's Village School), which is an alternative school for the under-privileged, not to join the rally. We planned to accompany 30 students who are keen on taking part in the Sanam Luang gathering, said principal Rachani Thongchai, adding that staff were frightened.

Meanwhile, two separate caravans of Thaksin supporters headed for Bangkok on foot or riding E-tan farm trucks. A caravan of the poor from the Northeast has been travelling on foot towards Bangkok, under the leadership of Attharit Singlor, chairman of the Network for Northeastern Farm Groups

About 500 farmers were to spend the first night at Buri Ram's Krasang district. The caravan hoped to attract supporters along the way and expected to swell to as many as 100,000 by the time it reaches Nakhon Ratchasima, after which it plans to merge on the highway with northern marchers.

From the Bangkok Post

Tens of thousands of what appeared to be efficient and well-organised crowds arrived in caravans of buses and squeezed into Sanam Luang yesterday to give Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra his much-needed morale boost.

The crowds quickly formed lines after getting off the buses and chanted ''Thaksin, Fight!'' as they followed group leaders to pre-assigned spots. They received national flags, dutifully tied headbands saying, ''To Thaksin and Co'' and put up cloth banners emblazoned with the name of the province or the group they belonged to or messages in support of Thaksin.

Boon Chaichana from Nakhon Ratchasima, said she came with a caravan of nine buses and that there was enough food and drink to make sure that no one would go hungry. Trairat Songnam from Uthai Thani, said there were 17 buses in his caravan. The participants were provided with food, drink and 150 baht in pocket money each. Nanthasat Ngamsiri, from Suthisarn area, said he joined the rally after seeing a leaflet and was not paid anything.

It was reported that the crowds were paid 300-500 baht, much less than urban residents who gave Thaksin moral support at Government House last month.

Thaksin  promised not to return to office if his Thai Rak Thai party fails to muster more than 50% of the votes cast in the April 2 election. He said: Listen carefully, if Thai Rak Thai does not obtain more votes than those cast for the vote-for-no-one and other political parties combined, I will not accept the post of prime minister after the election. But if I get elected, I can't say no. The power is in the hands of the people.

In an apparent concession to ease the political pressure mounting around him, Thaksin also pledged to amend the constitution and call a new election, most likely in about nine to 15 months from now, after the amendment was complete. He said a non-partisan committee, representing people from all walks of life, would be set up to amend the constitution after the election.

The Thai Rak Thai leader used the fully-packed Sanam Luang rally to call on rival parties to join the election race. He also urged all parties to take a step back and stop quarrelling for the sake of national unity, and for His Majesty the King who will celebrate the 60th anniversary of his accession to the throne on June 9.

Thaksin once again rejected calls for his resignation, saying his premiership ended the moment he declared the House dissolution. He also defended himself against allegations involving the Shin Corp sell-off, levelled at him by his opponents.

He said he was only a human who had flaws, but was not without ethics. The tax-free Shin Corp-Temasek Holdings deal, share transfers and amendment to the telecom law to increase foreign ownership in telecom businesses to 49% were made in good faith, he said.

Spelling out his achievements over the past five years including the drugs crackdown and growth in gross domestic product.

Thaksin said he would raise salaries for civil servants in 2007. He denied he had interfered or intervened in the media or state agencies. Thaksin also promised to have a media representative sit on a procurement committee for any project worth over 100 million baht.

From the Bangkok Post

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is fighting back with a counter-rally on Friday at Sanam Luang, saying he has been made a sitting duck by his opponents for too long and it was high time he set the record straight.

I'll speak my mind on March 3 at Sanam Luang. I've been the target all along. I'd like to ask everyone who wants to hear about everything to come over. I'll tell all, Thaksin said.

The rally is to take place two days before the March 5 deadline set by an alliance of anti-Thaksin groups for Thaksin to step down as prime minister.

Thaksin said he had tried to lobby Chart Thai leader Banharn Silapa-archa to come over to the government's side but Banharn had already made a pledge to the core opposition Democrat party.

According to Thaksin, the opposition did not want to negotiate: The bottom line was to have him removed. I have tried my best. Their goal is to have me ousted. There is no rule here. But we need to play by the rules. This is the principle we have been fighting for

Referring to the opposition's decision to boycott the April 2 snap election, Thaksin said the opposition should let the people be the judge and should not be afraid of their judgement.

Earlier in the day, Thaksin said he was willing to give some concession to the opposition parties by putting off the general election to allow them more time to prepare for the race. He said the government could issue a royal decree to change the election date if the opposition agreed to the plan.

The prime minister, however, is technically not in a position to change the election date. That authoriy belongs to the Election Commission (EC) who have given the government the cold shoulder over its proposal to put back the general election.

EC chairman Wassana Permlap said the April 2 election date would remain unchanged because there was no reason deemed serious enough to warrant any change. For now, everything would proceed according to the timetables already set including the March 1-2 registration of party-list candidates, said Pol Gen Wassana.

From the BBC

Campaigners hoping to oust Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra have demanded that he resign by next Sunday.

The People's Alliance for Democracy, a coalition of anti-Thaksin groups, said if he ignored the ultimatum he could be forced from office by mass protests.

Thaksin has faced mounting calls for his resignation in recent weeks, causing him to dissolve parliament on Friday and announce a snap election.

The three main opposition parties have decided to boycott the poll.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva made the announcement on Monday night, flanked by members of the Chart Thai and Mahachon parties. He said Thaksin had refused to agree to their proposals for constitutional changes: This means the government is not sincere about political reforms.

'We give Thaksin until [Sunday] 5 March to resign or face the biggest show of opposition ever, Sondhi Limthongkul, a media tycoon who began the anti-Thaksin campaign, told supporters in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

He was addressing a gathering in a large open area called Sanam Luang, near Bangkok's royal palace, which was the site of a huge rally on Sunday evening.

From The Times

He rose from humble policeman to the owner of one of Asia’s most powerful business empires, and won two landslide election victories as Thailand’s self-styled “CEO premier”.
But yesterday the once-unassailable Thaksin Shinawatra confronted growing opposition to his autocratic Government by calling an election three years ahead of schedule.

Thaksin stunned the nation by dissolving parliament and calling elections for April 2. It was a dramatic counter-attack against his opponents, who brought thousands of demonstrators to the streets of Bangkok in successive weekends, and the biggest gamble of his colourful political career.

The gamble will probably pay off for Thaksin, who in recent weeks appeared to have lost his sure touch, provoking a middle-class rebellion among city dwellers who had voted for him with enthusiasm little more than a year ago. Now he is embattled. His popularity has slumped, according to opinion polls, and former admirers speak of him with venom.

For many, the last straw was the sale of Shin Corp, his family’s giant telecoms business, to a Singapore state company for $1.7 billion (£1 billion). There was disappointment that it was bought by a foreign company. Thaksin’s family paid no tax on the profits, causing outrage among middle-class salarymen, some of Thaksin’s most loyal supporters.

Although the terms of the transaction were legal, condemnation of the way it was structured was universal. Simmering anger over past corruption scandals and alleged abuses of power exploded. In 2001 Thaksin was accused of concealing assets by transferring company shares to family members, servants and a security guard. He has also been accused of hiring old school friends for key posts and handing out sweetheart contracts to build an international airport.

But although people in Thailand’s cities may have had enough of their leader’s self-serving stunts, bloody crackdowns on insurgents and criminals, and dubious business practices, there is one place where the people love him: the countryside, where 70% of voters live.

Yesterday 3,000 farmers from villages near Bangkok cheered the man who has brought some of the new prosperity of Thailand’s urban world into the impoverished villages. If you are sick of me, send me home. But if you want to continue using me, vote for me and I will work for you. Thaksin said.

After a meeting with the revered King of Thailand yesterday, Thaksin began his re-election campaign in earnest, promising pay rises and tax breaks for public sector employees. But the election will be won or lost among farmers, the strongest supporters of his Thai Rak Thai (Thais love Thais) Party. Business leaders also welcomed an election that should end the growing mood of uncertainty in a country nervous of street protests and their potential to turn violent. The main stock exchange rose slightly after weeks of wobbling, although protesters have vowed to hold a third demonstration in Bangkok tomorrow.

Thaksin looks almost sure to win the vote on April 2, but his party is likely to be returned with a much-reduced majority. In a country used to weak governments, Thaksin’s bold style and colourful approach have revolutionised politics. The billionaire captain of industry has instilled in Thais a sense of pride in their nation.

From Phuket Gazette

The fine for remaining in Thailand past the expiry date of a permit to stay, currently 200 baht a day, will rise to 500 baht a day with effect from March 15.

However, the maximum fine payable will remain the same, at 20,000 baht, Pol Lt Gen Suwat Thamrongsrisakul, Commander of the Immigration Bureau, stated in a document posted in Thai on the Bureau's website. The document gave no reason for the increase.

The fine only applies to those that can give themselves up at immigration. If you are caught by the police, they can and do, lock you up until it is sorted (Which is not always easy from inside a prison cell).

Thailand is not a paradise. Surely the smiles provide a goodly veneer of civilisation... But this soon peels away after a few Thai whiskies.

Here is a months worth of headline stories from just one small town. But don't forget that for every act of violence there are maybe 25,000 Pattaya visitors with a smile on their face induced by a beautiful girl, a nice smile and a good lay.

From Pattaya City News
 

From the Daily Mail

The Foreign Office has denied being influenced by "commercial considerations" when it omitted to mention the number of Britons murdered in Thailand in a summary on travel advice to the country.

Emails obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by the BBC, revealed officials considered revising guidelines to travellers in the wake of Katherine Horton's murder last month.

The 21-year-old backpacker from Cardiff was raped and dumped in the sea by two local fisherman on the island Koh Samui after going missing on New Year's Day. The incident brought the number of Britons murdered in Thailand in the past 18 months to nine.

The Foreign Office decided against mentioning the murder statistic to avoid a "disproportionate impact", the emails revealed. The murders were instead mentioned lower down in the travel advice.

The BBC website quotes a passage from an email between British officials in Thailand and London which says: The trouble with that is that it will effectively highlight the number of murders over the last year or more here, which in the current circumstances could have a disproportionate impact on Thailand's reputation and its legitimate commercial interests.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: The personal safety of British nationals abroad is of paramount concern to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). We attach the utmost importance to providing accurate information to enable those travelling to make an informed decision. FCO travel advice is not influenced by commercial considerations.

From the Bangkok Post

Telephone users will have one more digit to remember starting in June, according to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

The switch to 10 digits from nine will increase the potential number of telephone numbers from 90 million to 300 million, sufficient for expected growth over the next 30 years.

Mobile-phone users will have to add an '8' in the middle of the existing two-digit prefix, followed by the existing seven-digit number, in order to make a mobile-to-mobile call. For example, numbers starting with 01 and 09 will become 081 and 089 respectively.

Gen Choochart Promprasit, the NTC chairman, said: We expect to start implementing the 10-digit system within three to four months, with the mobile phone system first.

TOT Plc has so far given out 87 million of the 90 million telephone numbers available nationally: 29 million to fixed-line operators, 22 million to AIS, 12 million to DTAC, 6.5 million to True Move (formerly Orange) and one million to Thai Mobile.

The decision to move to a 10-digit system is a response to complaints last year by operators that they were running short of numbers.

Local cellular operators have hailed the new numbering plan, saying it was suited to a market where prepaid users account for more than 80% of all customers. The problem companies face is that prepaid customers switch allegiance frequently, depending on which provider is offering the most attractive calling rates at a given time. Operators typically reserve numbers that have gone unused for 60 or 90 days in case their defecting customers return.

Weerachai Patcharopartwong, assistant vice-president for business relations and development of AIS, said that changing to 10 digits would involve minimal cost for a software upgrade: There would have no effect on our operations since the new numbering system requires no change in customers' existing numbers. The company will allow customers to upgrade their SIM cards free of charge by inserting an '8' into all mobile numbers in the memory.

I rather guess that 'society' is confused how anyone can make a capital gain of $2billion without paying any tax. Or perhaps it is simply confused by pub closing times that ruthlessly enforced by police raids without anyone having the foggiest idea about what the hours actually are.

I suggest that you seek out a more astute political commentator than I to work the impact of the following news items. I for one am confused.

From the Bangkok Post

The government will ask for a special joint sitting of Parliament to be held early next month to listen to opinions of MPs and senators on the current political and social conflicts in the country, as well as to clarify its stance on various issues affecting the government.

The move was a result of the special cabinet meeting held last evening and attended by almost all members of the cabinet, at the Prime Minister's private residence.

Surapong Suebwonglee, spokesman to the Prime Minister's Office, revealed that yesterday's cabinet meeting was held primarily to discuss the current political situation and the widely conflicting reports pertaining to the crises, in which many citizens may have been confused due to the twisting of facts by certain groups. Therefore the cabinet has resolved to hold a special meeting of both Houses to address these issues and receive factual reports concerning the problem.

Also at the press conference, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam responded to the current political upheaval by stating that the society is confused. Therefore, the cabinet was specially called to discuss possible solutions within the framework of the Constitution that can also be taken to restore understanding in the society. Yesterday’s meeting agreed to ask the Parliament President to open an extraordinary session sometime in early March.

From the Bangkok Post

The growing anti-Thaksin campaign is ripe for a big clash with the government and Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra alone can stop it by stepping down, Democracy Confederation chairman Weng Tochirakarn said yesterday.

His comment came after Chamlong Srimuang, who brought the then-telecommunications tycoon into politics in 1994 as foreign affairs minister, joined the campaign against Thaksin yesterday by calling on him to resign.

In his weekly radio programme on Feb 4, Thaksin said the only person who could tell him to resign was His Majesty the King and he would immediately step down if the King said so, Weng said.

If the demand for the prime minister's resignation was met, the question of who would succeed him would be considered by the parliament even though Thaksin recently said he saw no appropriate successor.

Thaksin's stubbornness added to the worry that the planned mass rally against him on Sunday may turn into a violent clash between thousands of demonstrators and Thaksin's sympathisers.

The demonstrators, calling themselves the "Popular Front" and comprising democracy advocates, social activists, labourers and students, have vowed to gather at Sanam Luang.

Opposition and Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, in the same radio programme, warned the prime minister about the growing public outcry against his government. Thaksin had failed to clarify questions about his alleged irregularities raised by the opposition in the House and by media firebrand Sondhi Limthongkul, he said: It is a mistake by Mr Thaksin to believe the demand to oust him was pushed only by Mr Sondhi and a few groups which have lost interest.

Abhisit said politicians dissatisfied with Thaksin could try the other channel in the parliament, which allowed legislators to make a request for the removal of the prime minister.

Based on an article from Chiangmai Mail

Amornthad Niratisayakul, Lampang governor, said that to comply with the government’s policy to supposedly deal with social and youth problems, especially adult media, online games shop owners would have to take greater care to ensure that their young customers were not being exposed to adult videos, or games with pornographic content.

These practices are supposed to be eliminated nationally by determining a set of rules and conditions with which each games shop owner must comply. These Utopian rules will protect security and encourage good behavior in youngsters.

These shops must install legal software and ensure that youngsters under 18 years old are only allowed to play between 3 pm and 10 pm to 8 a.m. on weekdays, except during holidays and then not longer than three consecutive hours are allowed, with records being kept of the service.

Every police authority has received orders to monitor the situation and ensure shop owners are following these rules. Any business owner failing to do so is liable to be punished according to Children Protection Act 2003, Tape and Television Control Act 1960 and 50th Action Announcement.

Considering that young people can find these games on line at their homes, this raft of new laws look like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.

From the Bangkok Post

Duty-free shops nationwide will be ordered to remove cigarette packets from shelves after the cigarette display control panel ruled that their display violates the 1992 Tobacco Control Act. After the giant convenience store operator CP 7-Eleven was forced to take cigarette products off their shelves last year, duty-free shops have become the prime target of the ministry's crackdown on tobacco advertising.

Saman Phutrakul, chief of the Department of Disease Control's tobacco and alcohol control unit, said the way duty-free shops displayed tobacco cartons was considered advertising, which was against the ministry's regulation banning cigarette displays in shops: We affirm our stance that public places must be free of tobacco displays. Duty-free shops are no exception

The Council of State also ruled that displaying tobacco products at retail shops was considered a form of advertising. Under the regulation, which took effect in September, all forms of tobacco advertising are prohibited. Violators face a maximum fine of 200,000 baht.

The ban would be enforced as soon as it was approved by the national committee on tobacco control, chaired by the public health minister, said Saman.

The Justice Ministry, meanwhile, has called on hardware stores across the country not to sell solvents to children under the age of 17.

The ministry said the number of children addicted to solvents, such as thinner, had increased sharply.

Based on an article from The Nation

When the parents of a missing girl recently asked a high school in Bangkok to help to find their daughter, police later discovered that the girl had been with a boy she had met on a chat line.

One of the teachers helping with the girl’s case said the girl had reported that her female schoolmates had introduced her to the line called “Chat Sanook” where she met a group of boys eventually leading to sex.

Chat lines have been made more accessible since the numbers were changed, replacing the previous 1900 numbers where calls are charged at Bt9 a minute, with 02 numbers charged at the local rate. Chat Sanook with its 02 prefix became an instant hit with students.

Callers are asked to briefly introduce themselves and are then invited to listen to the others’ introductions to choose a match. Those who are not paying-members are only allowed five minutes to chat, so participants often exchange mobile phone numbers within that time in order to continue the conversation.

Police Maj-General Khamronwit Thoopkrajang, commander of the Division for Suppression of Crimes Against Children, Juveniles and Women, said it was difficult for the police to take action against chat-line providers until it can be proved that the lines have been set up with a sexual objective in mind.

He said in the case of chat-line operators who obviously offer phone-sex services – most of which have 1900 numbers - the police always press charges: Chat Sanook’s operator can claim that it only offers youths a place to chat and has no responsibility for what happens after they exchange phone-numbers. And in this case, police don’t have the power to do anything.

A source from TOT Public Company Ltd, which provides the number, said telephone numbers with the prefix 02 are normally only issued for home or company use. Chat lines are usually required to formally apply for a number with a 1900 prefix so that the TOT is able to monitor the line: In this case, it might be that the operator applied for a general home number and then used it for the chat line service. But it is beyond the TOT’s authority now and it should be the National Telecom Commission who deals with the case.

Chat Sanook’s income comes from the users’ memberships, which can be applied for on a website and paid for via mobile phone or prepaid True Corporation cards sold at 7-Eleven stores.

From Phuket Gazette

The 12 foreign tourists arrested on the morning of February 8 for overstaying their visas, were freed on Sunday.

The most that any of the 12 had overstayed was six days. Others were just 24 hours over the limit.

During their five-day ordeal they spent the first two nights on dirty police cell floors in Kapoe District and the next two locked up in minibuses on overnight journeys to and from Bangkok, where they were sent to be processed for deportation.

The detainees were eventually spared deportation from Bangkok following successful negotiations between their embassies and top Immigration officials in the capital.

They were then returned, still under detention, to Ranong, from where they finally left the country under expulsion orders. They then re-entered the country as free men and women on new tourist visas.

The arrests have caused confusion and fear among foreign tourists and resident expats, who for years have been able to depart the country after overstaying – within reason – their permit-to-stay by simply paying a 200-baht-a-day fine.

One of the 12 arrested, Australian Chris Taylor, 31, told the Gazette today, We were under arrest the whole time … when we weren’t locked in a cage we were being escorted by Immigration or other police officials … many people did not sleep at all for the whole time … They weren’t giving us information, and when they did give us information they lied to us,”he said.

He said that when he finally got back to Phuket, nobody could believe he had been locked up for five days because of a one-day overstay: The way we were treated was shocking … Some of the food I couldn’t eat; it was just bloody dog food. The Kapoe Police did their best to accommodate us; they tried to make us comfortable. They did their best with the sleeping arrangements, but I don’t think they really knew what was going on.

But the Tourist Police, Immigration Police in Bangkok and especially the Immigration Police in Ranong, none could speak English at all – and they were very rude, treating us like crap.

Janpen Munsa, owner of the Penphet Visa Run Company, said the arrests were unprecedented in the company’s six-year history and had hurt her business because former customers now feared arrest if they use it: Why was our vehicle pulled over and our overstayed customers singled out?” she wanted to know.

Anchalee Praphut, owner of Angelina Travel and Tour Agency, which arranged the visa tour for one of the overstays, said the whole episode had sullied the reputation of the Tourist Police. She had to plead with the police to allow two of the group who were diabetic to have insulin shots, which they had to pay for themselves. She called on the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to look into the matter, saying that TAT efforts to promote tourism abroad would be all for nothing if the Tourist Police treated foreign tourists so badly after they arrived.

Ranong Governor Mekin Methawikul, who was informed of the issue by K. Anchalee, told the Gazette that he had sent a formal request to the head of the Ranong Tourist Police for a report about the incident.

Gov Mekin added that, as the arresting officers were low-level police, it was unrealistic to expect them to communicate well in English. The tour company staff, who speak English, should have explained to the tourists what was going on.

So much for the idea that tourist police are there to help tourists.

From Phuket Gazette

A group of 12 foreign tourists arrested for overstaying their visas have spent their second night sleeping on the floor of a jail cell at Ranong Police Station.

Ranong Immigration Police, who have announced that they will deport the group, say they are only following “standard procedures” and will send the 12 to an Immigration detention center in Bangkok “soon”.

The group were arrested by a team of six Highway and Tourist Police officers at about 11 on Wednesday while on their way to Ranong and Burma for a “visa run” in the well-known “Big Bus”.

The bus was in Kapoe District, just 40 kilometers from the Ranong Immigration office, when it was stopped and the 12 were separated from the other passengers on board and placed in custody. The most that any of the 12 had overstayed was six days.

Speaking from his prison cell, one of the detainees an Australian man on his second trip to Thailand, told the Gazette: I can’t believe what has happened. The want to send us to the Bangkok Detention Center, from where they will deport us to our home countries – all because of a one-day overstay [in my case]. It was our second night sleeping on the dirty floor, with mosquitoes. I am black and brown from dirt.

Some members of the group had contacted their embassies, he said, but been told, Sorry. You are being deported – there is nothing we can do, it’s all part of ‘due process’. He said the group members had thought they would be released after paying 1,000-baht fines at Ranong Court yesterday. But they had been misled: We’ve been treated like animals, sleeping on the ground. I’ve never been locked up before in all my life. It’s absolutely disgusting. You cannot trust the Tourist Police anymore. They are supposed to be on our side, helping us. But now they have gone against us and made a big problem for us.

Jutarat Payonchart, an employee of Phenpat Co Ltd, which runs the visa run service, told the Gazette from the Ranong courthouse yesterday afternoon that the police had overreacted in incarcerating the visa runners. Why did they have to keep them overnight in a cell? These aren’t illegal aliens trying to hide out in the country, she said, adding that most had overstayed by just one or two days.

Pol Capt Weerachai Phugkesorn of the Ranong Immigration Office told the Gazette that all 12 foreigners were arrested because they had overstayed their visas. Among those facing deportation were English, Korean, German, Vietnamese, French, Italian and Swedish nationals, none of whom had overstayed by more than six days, he admitted.

It’s true that if people arrive at our office and have overstayed their visas we just fine them 200 baht per day of overstay. But it was [another police division] that arrested them, not us. If they hadn’t been arrested, we would have just fined them as usual.

The case went to court, where the judge rendered a decision. They were sent to us by the police and we are just following the provisions of the Immigration Act by transferring them to Bangkok for deportation,” Capt Weerachai said.

From Phuket Gazette

Twelve foreign tourists were pulled off a “visa run” bus just 40 miles from Ranong and confined to a jail cell overnight for overstaying their visas.

The company that arranged the tour claims that the arresting officers, from the Tourist Police and Highway Police, demanded 5,000 baht from each of the overstayed tourists in exchange for letting them go. The police strenuously deny this.

Six officers waved over the well-known “Big Bus” run by Phenpat Co Ltd at about 11 am yesterday morning in Ranong’s Kapoe District. The officers inspected the passports of the 34 foreign passengers and found that 12 had overstayed their visas.

They separated the 12 from the others, who were allowed to continue on to Ranong. The 12 were taken off in a police truck and confined in the local police cells.

Jutarat Payonchart, an emplo yee of Phenpat Co Ltd, told the Gazette from the Ranong courthouse this afternoon that the police had overreacted by incarcerating the visa runners.

Why did they have to keep them overnight in a cell? These aren’t illegal aliens trying to hide out in the country, she asked, adding that most were just one- or two-day overstays. The maximum overstay was just 12 days, she added.

K. Jutharat said she was preparing to pay fines for those who had not brought along enough money to cover the unexpected expense – but by 5:30 pm the following day they were still at Ranong Provincial Court trying to pay the fines.

One of those arrested, a 31-year-old Australian man whose 30-day tourist visa expired the day before, told the Gazette: It was crap. The police are hospitable in a way, but they don’t give us any information. They say we broke the law and all this stuff. In my case, on Tuesday I went to [Phuket] Immigration and said, ‘This is the last day of my visa, it expires tomorrow, what should I do?’ and they said, ‘Go and do a visa run tomorrow and pay a 200 baht overstay.’ That’s exactly what I [was doing], but then we get pulled over by the Tourist Police and Highway Police and they make a huge problem for us.

He added that he found it dangerous and embarrassing to be forced to squat in the back of a cramped, hot police truck, which transported the overstayers along the highway with a police escort, sirens blaring.

Pol Maj Songproad Sirikul, the new head of the Ranong Tourist Police denied K. Jutarat’s claims that the officers asked for 5,000 baht from each tourist in exchange for letting them go: I think that’s impossible. I can guarantee that the Tourist Police officers did not ask for money because we are not in trouble [financially] and I constantly remind them to not do that. If the visa runners have any witnesses or other evidence as to which officer asked for money, they should contact me direct.

From The Nation

About 500 Muslims men protested in front of the Danish embassy in Bangkok Monday morning, calling for an apology from publications that published cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed: Today we came here to condemn the Danish government and Danish media that published our prophet Mohammed in comedy cartoons.

Mulis Timasen, who organized the protest with a group calling themselves Muslims Love Peace. He added that publishing the cartoons showed the media in Denmark have contempt toward Islam. From now on Denmark has become an enemy of Muslims, he added.

About 100 police blocked the small road in front of the embassy as the protesters chanted and lectured for about 90 minutes while holding banners demanding Denmark and the EU apologize for insulting Islam.

From The Nation

A meeting of representatives from 40 organisations yesterday agreed to set up the new group to show the government that people from all sectors of society – not only supporters of Sondhi – want the prime minister to quit, as well as to achieve political reform.

Sondhi claimed victory yesterday in his battle against Thaksin after the overnight rally at Royal Plaza drew nearly 100,000 people, the biggest anti-government protest since the bloody May 1992 demonstrations against the Suchinda administration. But the media tycoon vowed to fight until Thaksin goes, calling another rally for this Saturday to continue his crusade.

Sondhi told the thousands who stayed at the Royal Plaza until yesterday morning that the protest achieved notable goals. He had managed to lodge three petitions against Thaksin with His Majesty the King, General Prem Tinasulanonda, chairman of the Privy Council, and General Sondhi Boonyaraklin, the Army chief.

From The Nation

Thaksin Shinawatra, the embattled premier, yesterday suffered the biggest setback of his political career as nearly 100,000 Thais gathered at Bangkok’s Royal Plaza to demand his ouster in the largest anti-government rally in over a decade.

At the biggest show of people power since the bloody May 1992 uprising, which overthrew the Suchinda government, Thais of all walks of life from the capital and around the country chanted: Thaksin get out. Thaksin get out.

The largely peaceful protesters, many of whom wore yellow shirts, included disgruntled teachers, labour and community activists, environmentalists, provincial people affected by government policies and members of Bangkok’s middle-class.

Sources said up to 30,000 protesters came from the provinces, while the majority were middle-class and working people from Bangkok and nearby areas. Many protesters came with their families.

With the massive rally stretching from the statute of King Rama V to Rajdamnoen Avenue, protest leader and media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul said Thaksin no longer had the legitimacy to govern and the country was heading toward a crisis.

In another blow to Thaksin, Sora-art Klinpratoom, the information and communications technology minister, yesterday became the second Cabinet member to call it quit. Sources said last night more Cabinet members could resign in coming days as public sentiment towards the government appears to have worsened.

For Thaksin, the political downturn has progressed rapidly over the past two weeks following his family’s Bt73-billion tax-free sale of 49 per cent of the shares in Shin Corp to Temasek of Singapore.

From the Bangkok Post

Despite a fresh move by a group of senators to oust him and the resignation of a prominent cabinet minister, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday urged his supporters to stay home and avoid Sondhi's rally at the Royal Plaza.

Throughout the day, Thaksin lashed out at a number of newspapers, his critics, the Democrats and Manager daily owner Sondhi Limthongkul and vowed again that he would not betray those who voted for him by resigning.

Thaksin's day started off with the surprise resignation of Culture Minister Uraiwan Thienthong. She cited political ethics as the reason for leaving and said her resignation was not meant to target any individual.

Then came a petition by 28 senators yesterday for the Senate to ask the Constitution Court to investigate and judge whether Thaksin had breached the constitution which bans cabinet members from holding shares in private firms either openly or secretly.

The senators charged that the prime minister had hidden stocks of telecom giant Shin Corp in the name of an alleged front firm before he assumed the premiership in 2001 and had them transferred to his children later.

During a surprise visit to Klong Toey slum Thaksin said: Last night I lay thinking how to solve people's problems. I was not thinking of who would show up to oust me. I don't care... To those who love me and support me, don't you go to the rally. Stay home. Let them do the rally... If you go, you will only hear them lie and you may lose your patience... To those who love me, please stay home. Let them go mad on their own. If you go and listen, your face will become red because they are good at lying.

He admitted that the people who would be staging the rally against him had the democratic right to do so but he pointed out that his Thai Rak Thai party was ruling the country because it won 19 million votes in the past election. Democracy depended on the majority vote. ''I am working for the majority,'' he said.

Later at Government House, Thaksin described the rally against him today as being a gathering of people who suffered from his anti-drug and anti-mafia policies and the people whom his government did not favour.

Thaksin insisted he and his family were innocent in the Shin Corp share sale. The National Counter Corruption Commission and the Constitution Court had investigated the issue and he and his family had already been cleared but facts were being distorted to mislead people.

He insisted the Shin share sell-off on the stock exchange was tax-free by the book and even owners of some newspapers that were criticising him enjoyed the same tax exemption when they sold their shares.

Responding to calls for him to resign, Thaksin said he could not do that or he would be viewed as betraying the people who had elected his party. If I resigned today, that would mean I betray the people who voted for me... I told them what I would do during the period of four years I have. If I suddenly resigned, that would mean I betray them.

From Thai Visa

Re Feb 3rd 8:40pm news broadcast on the Nation TV channels.

1. The broadcast started off, 5 minutes late, with something about budget for healthcare. 2 minutes
2. Then on with Biz News, stock market etc. all rosy... 5 minutes
3. Out and About, some Swiss guy who flies a balloon in Pattaya. 3 minutes

8:50 pm... end of a shortened news broadcast which usually lasts until 9 pm and?

NOT A WORD ABOUT THE PROTEST TOMORROW or the latest resignation from the minister of culture...

Has the Nation been gagged or is it self-imposed silence?

Be warned also that Makha Bucha Day is generally maintained as a dry day (somehow the bars aren't told of this until the last moment)

From Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department

Loei Public Health Office warns teenagers to protect themselves for sexually-transmitted diseases in the month of love.
.
Loei Public Health Officer, Dr. Wiwat Kowiriyamol said that Thai people, especially teenagers, regard February as the month of love according to the Western culture. He said that teenagers who adopt this belief mostly have sexual intercourse without thinking carefully. He said that the relationship could be consensual, resulted from drunkenness, or even rape. He said that careless sex may lead to unwanted pregnancies and other sex-related diseases.

Dr. Wiwat said that teenagers should learn how to say no, adding that they should stop all risky behaviors, especially having many sex friends, which could lead to fatal diseases. He urged teens to follow Thai tradition, but said that if necessary, the teenagers should use condoms every time they have sex to prevent disease and unsolicited pregnancies.

From the Department of Religious Affairs

The department has asked all provincial culture offices to co-ordinate with local schools in organising religious activities for students, including Dhamma teaching by monks, either in schools or nearby temples Feb 13-15.

In addition, the department will co-operate with the World Buddhist University to organise a grand Buddhist sermon and celebration at Sanam Luang during the same period. Makha Bucha Day takes place on the full moon of the third lunar month, commemorating the day Lord Buddha recited the "Ovadha Patimakkha" (Fundamental Teaching) to his disciples. This year Makha Bucha Day falls on Feb 13, one day before Valentine's Day.

According to the Department of Religious Affairs Director-General, Buddhist- related activities to be attended by students nationwide would help reduce the younger generation's enthusiasm for Valentine's Day, considered as a western materialist cultural intrusion. Instead of letting our young people become obsessed with the day of love, Preecha said: we should enrich their minds and souls with Dhamma teaching that will keep their lives healthy, both morally and spiritually.

From the US Embassy

Attention American Citizens:

The Royal Thai Police (RTP) authorities have confirmed that a large demonstration is expected to occur in the area of the King Rama 5 statue, Rajdamneon Avenue, near Sanam Luang and Government House in Bangkok on Saturday, February 4. Police estimate up to 100,000 people will gather in an anti-Thai Prime Minister Thaksin demonstration headed by Sonthi Limthongkul, a prominent Thai government critic. The crowd will include several diverse groups of demonstrators and is expected to start assembling in the morning with no announced starting or ending times. Organizers have not indicated a marching route, should they
leave the area.

Bangkok demonstrations are usually peaceful in nature, but all demonstrations are unpredictable and conditions can change unexpectedly. The RTP has indicated that 2,000 - 3,000 police officers will be on hand to maintain public order. There are concerns that anti-Sonthi groups may attempt to confront the demonstrators, which could lead to violence. For this reason, please do not approach the demonstrators.

The Embassy encourages all Americans to avoid this area. Should you find yourself in or near the demonstrators, move indoors for shelter until the demonstration has passed, or ask for police assistance to leave the area.

What nutter countries can possibly believe that 11pm is a good time to close bars.

Spotted on Thai Visa

The Public Health Department drops a bombshell with a new proposed law that introduces strict drinking hours at hotel pubs.

New regulations proposed by the Public Health Department could cut drinking time in hotel bars and restaurants to 11 to 1400 and 1700 to 2300, Thai Hotels Association members were told at their meeting yesterday.

Although the regulations still need to be fine-tuned before they are presented to the Minister of Public Health for approval, hoteliers expressed dismay claiming the rule would rob the country of its tourism capital status.

Already facing stiff competition from Singapore , which relaxed rules and allows virtually around-the-clock drinking and entertainment, Bangkok hoteliers said the proposed rule was “contrary to the country’s objective to position the city as a tourism capital in Asia .”

It would also rob the hotels of revenue and could force some properties to cut back on staff if drinking hours are introduced in hotel restaurants and pubs.

From The Nation

Beer gardens may become a thing of the past if a proposal yesterday by the national subcommittee on alcohol consumption control is approved.

Besides a halt to issuing beer-garden licences, the panel set up by the Public Health Ministry proposed three other measures to control alcohol advertising in a resolution passed at its meeting.

Disease Control Department director Dr Thawat Suntrajarn, president of the subcommittee, said the measures comprised a 24-hour ban on alcohol advertisements in all media, except tie-in adverts in live broadcasts from overseas; a ban on the display of alcohol products, brands and manufacturers’ names in all media; a ban on advertising competitions organised by alcohol companies; and asking the Excise Department to stop issuing licences for beer gardens: We see many activities in beer gardens, such as using beer girls, that are kinds of advertisement, so if the Excise Department still allows beer gardens, those promotional activities should be forbidden.

Thawat said the resolution would be forwarded to the main committee on alcohol consumption control for approval. If the proposal is approved, the Office of the Consumer Protection Board and the Public Relations Department will enforce the new rules, he added.

A source at a local brewery, who asked not to be named, lamented that the Public Health Ministry would be trying to block brewers from doing business through the new restrictions and was making it seem like alcohol firms were bad guys who are killing people: The aim of any controls and restrictions applied to alcoholic beverages is to reduce accidents and promote good health. But this restriction set to eliminate beer gardens is beyond that … It is going to be a campaign to score political points.

From The Nation

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has joined the police investigation into a small bomb explosion at a courtyard near the Justice Ministry, Permanent Secretary for Justice Somchai Wongsawat said yesterday. The bomb went off during a lunch break at the courtyard of the Software Park Building that houses the ministry’s offices in Nonthaburi.

The explosion slightly injured four officials: Nanthawan Sukkhaparb, Hathairat Naksil, Soawalak Thangjitwattana and Nannapas Jaiboon as well as a courier, Kittisak Wangdee.

Somchai said after reporting the incident to Government House and to Justice Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya, currently on a visit to Japan, he had instructed the DSI to work with police in the investigation.

He said he did not want to draw any conclusions about the perpetrators of the attack. Speculation abounded yesterday that the bomb might have been motivated either by internecine violence in the deep South or by an ongoing corruption probe into bidding for 16 projects by the Metropolitan Administration that DSI officials are also investigating.

He said he had allowed officials to finish work early yesterday for security reasons. Security personnel then scoured the premises for any further bombs. The building in Nonthaburi houses several other organisations and companies besides the Justice Ministry’s local offices.

A source at DSI said the blast could be related to the unrest in the Muslim-majority South because the small C-4 bomb device used was a commonly employed device in the restive region. DSI investigators will see if the original suspicions bear up under further scrutiny, the source added.prior to the explosion.

From The Nation

The Cabinet Tuesday approved a variety of strict measures to control alcohol consumption, including a ban on public advertising and the sale of alcoholic drinks near schools.

Excise taxes on drinks would be drastically hiked, especially on beers and popular lowpriced white spirits, government spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee said. Selling drinks to people under 21 would also be considered a crime, he said.

Integrated rehabilitation treatments for alcoholics would also be set up across the country. The idea, proposed by National Centre for Control on Alcohol Consumption, would be further implemented by relevant government agencies and formulated as law in the near future.

The amazing thing about this story is that the CCTV footage was repeatedly shown on the TV news in its full glory

From the Bangkok Post

The chairman of a Nong Khai municipal council went on a shooting rampage yesterday afternoon, killing the mayor and seriously wounding a councillor before turning the gun on himself, police said. Shortly after a meeting began, Pongsak Chanchom, chairman of tambon Si Chiang Mai municipal council, drew a pistol and pressed it against the head of mayor Chula Chananto, who was sitting close to him, and fired one shot.

Pongsak then turned the gun on councillor Mongkol Kesornprom, who was critically wounded, before shooting himself and ending the rampage, police said.

The bloody shooting was recorded by a video surveillance camera.

An initial investigation revealed Pongsak had won a 12-million-baht contract to build a new stadium, police said. Construction was way behind schedule and he was under intense pressure, having been told he had to pay a 1.3-million-baht penalty because of the delay.

Police said they were looking into other possible motives such as business conflicts

From the Bangkok Post

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday gave his children all the credit for helping him avoid conflicts of interest in their sale of Shin Corp to Singapore's Temasek Holdings that will generate a tax-free windfall of 73 billion baht. But the move was blasted by lawmakers who accused the prime minister of using the laws of the country for his own benefit.

Thaksin insisted the sale by his family was the business of his children who held Shin Corp shares _ protecting him from allegations of conflicts of interest: The kids would like their dad to devote himself completely to politics. The kids know their dad is working and they want Dad to do his best at work.

His family sold the controlling stake in Shin Corp to Temasek in a deal worth 73.3 billion baht, allowing the investment arm of the Singapore government to acquire a 49% stake.

But the prime minister was angered when reporters asked if the share sale had been delayed until the amendment of the Telecommunication Operation Act, which allows foreigners to hold 49% stakes in Thai telecoms firms from 25% previously, had been finalised. The act, which was only recently amended, also lifted the requirement for three quarters of directors in such companies to be Thais.

The sale also calls into question whether the Shinawatras should be taxed for selling their shares to the Singaporean firm. His position was backed by Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya who explained that any individuals who sold shares on the stock exchange could legally enjoy income tax exemption on earnings.

But tax lawyer Ruangkrai Leekitwattana said the Shin Corp share sale should not enjoy capital gains tax exemption because Thaksin's children had acquired the shares cheaper than their market price out of the stock exchange. They were not considered to have invested in the shares inside the stock exchange which would justify tax exemption, said the lawyer.

From the BBC

The two fishermen convicted for the rape and death of Katherine Horton were sentenced to be executed by lethal injection

Wichai Somkhaoyai, 24, and Bualoi Posit, 23, will appeal against their sentences.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said the men should be executed because of the damage done to the country's image. But the judge made a point of saying that Thaksin's statement did not influence the decision.

At the hearing on Wednesday, Judge Chamnong Sutchaimai said: "The crime they committed has terrified people. To prevent others from committing similar acts, the court rules that the two defendants be sentenced to death.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: We are grateful to the Thai police for all their hard work with this case. But he added: The government opposes the death penalty in all circumstances and has made this clear.

From The Nation

The policy barring photo-journalists from taking pictures of criminal suspects has been relaxed, a police spokesman told a seminar yesterday.

Police Colonel Phinit Maneerat said press conferences would be allowed but without the suspects paraded in front of cameras. Only mugshots of suspects prepared by police, or ID-card photos, can be distributed and published in news reports.

The officer was speaking at a seminar entitled “Direction of News Coverage after the Iron Rules” organised by photographers covering criminal news and university lecturers on journalism.

Press conferences would not be held after every arrest, he said. Mano Thongparn, a lawyer, said crime reporters and photographers needed to utilise investigative skills to dig deeper into details in each case and had to be more careful about including opinions about suspects in their reports. Jittima Phanutecha, who represents a human rights group, said the situation was a dilemma for all parties involved.

The Thai Government is excelling itself at dreaming up bollox legislation that has cleared been thought about for no more than two minutes. And then when it is enacted it gets quietly ignored because it is totally unpractical.

From The Nation

Public Health Minister Pinij Charusombat yesterday presided over a meeting of the ministry’s Alcohol Consumption Control Board, to set short- and long-term measures to control alcohol consumption.

He said the board had resolved to ban alcohol advertising entirely and would establish a sub-committee to study the laws of the Public Relations Department and the Food and Drug Administration to draft a ministerial order for the ban.

That ministerial order will be proposed to an Alcohol Consumption Control Board meeting within 45 days and will not need approval from the Cabinet, he said.

Pinij said he would invite representatives of alcohol producers to offer their opinions at the board’s next meeting. He said: A study by the World Health Organisation found that banning alcohol advertisements had an impact on the number of new drinkers. Countries in which ads were controlled had 16 per cent less alcohol consumption and 23 per cent less road fatalities than countries in which alcohol advertising was allowed.

Advertising Association of Thailand president Chaipranin Visudhipol said the ban would leave the alcohol market in the hands of a few recognised brands, while newcomers would be unable to carve out market share. He also said the advertising sector would be seriously affected, losing about Bt1 billion a year.

As a long-term measure, Pinij said he would expedite the introduction of the Alcohol Control Act, which is now being drafted. According to the proposed act, selling and consuming alcohol would be banned in temples, schools, on mass transportation vehicles, in public parks and by the roadside. Shops opening for more than 16 hours a day would also be banned from selling alcohol.

The act would forbid the sale of alcohol to anyone under the age of 21, or to anyone who is already drunk, said Pinij.

The draft act will be finalised next month and then go to a public hearing, which might take about two months.

From the BBC

Forty people have been arrested in Thailand after an overnight protest outside the office of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, police say. Some 2,000 people had marched to Thaksin's office after taking part in a rally against him late on Friday night.

Thaksin accuses the protesters of illegally entering government property - a charge the marchers deny.

The Friday night rally was led by Sondhi Limthongkul, a media tycoon and critic of the government. A former business partner of the prime minister, Sondhi has been hosting weekly road-shows in which he accuses Thaksin of corruption and cronyism.

Thaksin said on Thai radio on Saturday that Friday night's protests had been organised at the behest of business leaders disappointed that the government had not granted them favours. He accused some of the protesters of breaking down the gates to Government House in Bangkok.

Witnesses quoted by the Reuters news agency say riot police dispersed protesters who had left the government compound without causing any damage to property.

From The Nation

The 40 protesters who were rounded up early Saturday morning for allegedly unlawful gathering outside Government House have been released. Pol Maj Gen Chatchawal Suksomjit, deputy metropolitan police commissioner, said the 40 people were released from the Bang Khen Police Academy at 8 pm.

Chatchawal, the head investigator of the case, said police did not require the 40 to post any collateral as bail as the charges against them was not serious and investigators had interrogated all of them. Chatchawal said it would be useless to continue detaining them.

Earlier the day, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra vowed to pursue legal action against those who stormed into Government House compound late Friday night.

Thaksin angrily said the intrusion was a show of contempt to an important office which is significant to the national image. I've been patient enough but breaking into Government House's compound was a show of disrespect to an official place which is significant to the country's image. It's unacceptable.

From an editorial in The Nation

A poor turnout and lack of planning prevented Friday night’s protest from having the impact it might have. On one hand, it looked like a nasty game of cat and mouse between Thaksin Shinawatra and Sondhi Limthongkul. Friday night’s protest in front of Government House, during which several hundred demonstrators intruded into the compound, and yesterday morning’s commando sweep of the area, which at least for now put an end to the defiance, capped another episode between the two friends-turned-arch-rivals.

From the signs he gave, Thaksin is either unaware of the growing disillusionment among Thais or pretends not to know about it. Massive corruption is now on the verge of breaking the camel’s back. It’s the main reason why Sondhi, despite his highly questionable motives, manages to command a strong following. The commandos may have succeeded in ending the scariest anti-government protest yesterday, but surely the worst is yet to come for a prime minister who is increasingly alienated by the middle class.

Thaksin was lucky this time that their timing was poor and the planning was messy. First they chose the eve of Children’s Day to storm Government House, which was scheduled to be opened to kids just a few hours later. Second, the march had not been strongly advertised, so while it drew some people along the way, the numbers were not big enough to create a major impact and create the kind of momentum we saw in the old days. The commandos had a relatively easy task yesterday morning. Intruding into the Government House compound was a bad mistake. In fact the protesters may have walked straight into a trap, considering the lack of resistance offered by security forces. The unruly incident gave the government a good excuse to send in the commandos and allowed the prime minister to justifiably vow to “protect state properties at all costs” during his weekly radio address yesterday.

The prime minister’s political strategists will be ill-advised to assume that Friday was the best the movement could do. The march, which drew cheers from many pedestrians, and the gathering at Government House, could be just a test of strength, and even so it at times regenerated those feelings of May 1992. That most free-TV stations and radio programmes seemed to conspire to virtually ignore the event only added to the deja vu.

The eeriest factor of all reminiscent of 1992 is probably the belligerence of Thaksin. He vowed not to quit, threatened the demonstrators and deemed them disruptive, if not yet seditious. As a lot of political pundits may have observed, the time may not yet ripe for a middle-class revolt, but developments this weekend show that most if not all the ingredients may be already there.

From the Bangkok Post

Media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul and former senator Pratin Santiprapop led protesters to march from Lumpini Park to Government House to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Sondhi and Pratin led some 3,000 protesters to walk to Government House at the end of Sondhi's Thailand Weekly talk show.
The protesters waived the national flags and the yellow flags representing His Majesty during their walk on Rama IV Road . People along side the road waived to the protesters to show their support.

Joining the march were government critic Prasong Soonsiri, Klanarong Chanthik, former secretary-general of the National Counter Corruption Commission, and Bangkok senator Chirmsak Pinthong.

At about 11 pm, the number of demonstrators in front of Government House was about 10,000.

The protest was maintained overnight.

About 1,000 policemen were led by Police Commissioner-General Kowit Wattana round up some 40 protesters outside Government House at about 7:50 am Saturday. Kowit arrived at the protesting scene at about 7:40 when less then 100 protesters remained there.

Police then broke at the rally at about 7:50 am by selectively arresting whom they believed to be leading members. Some 40 of them were arrested and several suffered head injuries when police tossed them inside mobile bars. Their heads were said to hit the bars when being pushed inside.

Kowit declined to answer reporters' questions as to what charges were used to justify the arrest. They were transported to be detained at the Bang Khen Police Academy, usually used to detain political crime suspects.

From the Bangkok Post

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has for the first time admitted publicly that Somchai Neelapaichit, the human rights lawyer who disappeared while defending Muslim separatist suspects, is dead. Thaksin revealed that certain circumstantial evidence the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) had obtained confirms the lawyer is no longer alive.

Somchai's wife, Angkhana, however, said Thaksin's admission about her husband's fate was nothing new. Thaksin told her in person last year that her husband had died and had pledged to act against those responsible for the crime. He told her if they could not be prosecuted criminally, he would see to it that they were disciplined.

The DSI stepped in to handle the Somchai case in July 2005 because several policemen were accused of being involved in his disappearance. Before he vanished, Somchai had lodged an appeal with the Bangkok Criminal Court for five suspects _ accused of looting weapons from an armoury and killing soldiers guarding the installation in Narathiwat province on Jan 4, 2004 _ to be treated fairly.

On Thursday, the Criminal Court sentenced Pol Maj Ngern Thongsuk, of the Crime Suppression Division, to three years in jail in connection with the lawyer's disappearance and acquitted four other defendants, also policemen, on the same charge citing flimsy evidence.

Thaksin said the DSI must first establish with compelling evidence that Somchai was dead in order to press murder charges against a suspect. The prime minister made a New Year pledge to wrap up the case and end the missing lawyer mystery for good. Normally, a dead body must be found before a murder charge can be formalised.

The DSI, under the Justice Ministry, is now compiling an investigation summary solid enough to justify a murder charge with the proviso that it must know for certain that Mr Somchai is dead. The department was expected to conclude its probe next month, Thaksin said, adding o