The Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has been fighting for his political life over the past two weeks.

Thousands of demonstrators from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) have besieged his office at Government House, demanding he step down. The main opposition party has filed a motion of no-confidence in parliament.

He has also faced protests by disgruntled farmers, truck drivers and fishermen.

There have even been rumours of another military coup. Mr Samak has only been in office for five months. So what has he done wrong?

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Several thousand protesters have converged on government offices in the Thai capital Bangkok to demand that the government step down.

Police lined the streets as crowds led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) marched in Bangkok.

The PAD, mostly made up of middle-class Bangkok residents, say the government is a proxy for Thaksin Shinawatra, who the military ousted in a 2006 coup.

The group has been protesting in Bangkok since late May.

Militarily Speaking

From the Bangkok Post

Army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda has advised Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to think seriously about dissolving the House to end the turmoil on the streets of the capital.

Gen Anupong, who joined top-level security officials at the Army Club to monitor the People's Alliance for Democracy's protest march yesterday afternoon, told Samak he should explore the House dissolution option, a source said. This was because the PAD demonstrators had declared victory by laying siege to Government House.

Clearing the decks would allow the people to "make a new decision" at a fresh general election.

A House dissolution, however, is technically impossible at present because the no-confidence motion filed by the opposition Democrats has been put on parliament's agenda.

Under the 2007 charter, the prime minister is not allowed to dissolve the House during a no-confidence session. Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, however, said the opposition may "remove the lock" by withdrawing the censure motion if the government sought its cooperation.

The source said Gen Anupong ordered all army units to remain on standby and stay neutral as senators echoed calls for the military to stay in their barracks.

So there will not be another coup in Thailand.

Army Commander General Anupong Paochinda has said so, and now the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, General Boonsrang Niumpradit, has echoed him.

Both men played an instrumental role in the 2006 coup that unseated then-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

I don't think any commanders want to launch a coup now, said General Boonsrang. The problems in the country are too complex to be solved by a coup.

Of course the military said much the same back in 2006, but this time they seem to mean it.

They found the going unexpectedly tough after they seized power two years ago, and recognised early on that the public had limited tolerance for military intervention.

When the party of Thaksin's allies, the PPP, did much better than expected in the election that brought back democratic rule last December, the military accepted the result and handed back power without protest.

So why have coup rumours been sweeping the capital, causing the stock market to plunge?

The reason is this. Just five months into the new government, the deep conflict in Thai society, between those loyal to Thaksin and his vision of a dynamic new, business-driven democracy (led by his party of course), and those loyal to a fuzzier concept of democracy in which the traditional, palace-connected elite make many of the key decisions, has come out into the open again.

That military government's charter weakens elected governments in all sorts of ways - making impeachment of the prime minister easier, and making the Senate a semi-appointed body.

Crucially it gives enhanced powers to Thailand's top judges, those who sit on the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court. The judges are far less likely to be swayed by the power or wealth of an elected politician, however popular.

Although they campaigned and won the election under that constitution, Thaksin's allies in the PPP argued that it was a flawed charter which should be amended. Many Thais appeared to agree with them - in a nationwide referendum last August it was approved by only 58% of votes cast.

But the haste with which the new government moved to alter the constitution after taking office surprised many people, who had expected it instead to focus on reviving the economy. And the clauses it wanted removed - articles 237 and 309 - looked suspiciously like naked self-interest.

Every Thai election ends with rival parties' accusations and counter-accusations of electoral abuses, mostly vote-buying. It is the job of the Election Commission to decide which accusations have merit. It can then either "yellow card" the offending candidates, meaning they can contest the re-run, or "red-card" them, which disqualifies them from political office for five years. Such verdicts are inevitably accompanied by accusations that the Election Commissioners themselves have been "swayed".

The new constitution adds some extra bite to the commission's powers in article 237. If the party is judged to have sanctioned the abuse by the candidate, the entire party can be dissolved.

The PPP and two of its coalition partners now face this possibility because of guilty verdicts against some of their candidates. Their fate will be decided by the Constitutional Court.

Article 309 retrospectively legalises all the decisions made by the government appointed after the 2006 coup. It effectively protects the soldiers who led the coup from prosecution, and crucially extends the life of the Assets Examination Committee, set up to investigate alleged corruption under the Thaksin administrations. If the article were repealed, the cases against Thaksin might collapse - and he would get his hands on his frozen assets. He could be a big political player again.

The decision by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to push ahead and remove these clauses caused an uproar. It provoked renewed street protests by the die-hard Thaksin opponents who led the movement against him in 2006.

Samak's offer to hold yet another referendum on the two articles did not appease them. A complete waste of taxpayers' money, they said. The protesters are still there in the old centre of Bangkok, vowing to stay until Samak and his government go. They do not have the numbers or momentum they enjoyed back in 2006, but the government has been weakened all the same.

Samak has already been forced to back away from his threat to use force against the protesters, under pressure from the military and police, and he has had to abandon his attempt to change the constitution, handing the matter over to a bi-partisan committee in parliament.

So Thailand is stuck in a stalemate again. There is widespread expectation that the outspoken Samak will lose control of his coalition, and possibly his party.

The threat of dissolution worries many of his MPs, who may prefer a more accommodating approach to their political rivals in the hope of forestalling such an outcome. No parties can afford the expense of another election. Instead Thailand is likely to end up with a caretaker prime minister, presiding over a weak, re-constituted coalition. That might be exactly the result the traditionalists, those who supported the military coup, would like.

But it would offer no clear leadership to a country which has been without it ever since Thaksin Shinawatra's fall from power.

Thailand's most senior military commander refused to rule out a fresh coup, five months after elections restored democracy. Fears of a new coup have reached a pitch not seen since September 2006, when the army left its barracks and took to the streets of Bangkok to grab power, deposing the then prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra.

Concern is growing that a planned mass anti-government demonstration could spiral out of control and turn deadly, giving the army an excuse to step in, after police failed to quell violence at another rally last weekend. But a police decision last night to formally charge a senior minister, Jakrapob Penkair, with lèse majesté for allegedly insulting Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej may calm the tense atmosphere.

One of the demands of demonstrators was that the police take action against Jakrapob, a minister in the office of the prime minister, Samak Sundarvej, for remarks he made last August.

The protesters are also fighting plans by the coalition government led by the People Power party, a direct descendant of Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party, to amend the constitution. Critics say the government wants to prevent Thaksin being prosecuted on corruption charges and consolidate its hold on power.

No soldier wants to stage a coup, but I cannot guarantee there will be no more coups, said the supreme commander, General Boonsang Niempradit, as he urged Jakrapob to resign from his cabinet post. Later he claimed he had been misinterpreted. He said no coup was in the offing, just as the leaders of the 2006 coup had said before their putsch. I simply said anyone plotting a coup would not tell you in advance. I believe there will not be any coup.

However, the commander of the army units based in Bangkok was summoned back from a European trip, amid alarm over demonstrations.

Interior Minister Chalerm Yubamrung has agreed to allow more frequent, legal cockfighting, saying it's time grassroots people were allowed some fun. His decision drew protests from animal rights advocates, who said he is promoting cruelty to animals.

Chalerm yesterday agreed to increase the number of days cockfights are allowed from one to two days a week to promote traditional recreational activity.

His decision followed a meeting with Yeunyong Opakul, president of the Cockfighting Promotion Association, who petitioned the minister to allow cockfights on Saturdays, in addition to Sundays.

The minister did not agree this would encourage gambling in rural areas, where cockfighting is a customary pastime. 'This is support for a traditional sport and a way local people can increase their income. Let the grassroots people have some fun,' he said.

Once a fighting cock becomes a champion its value skyrockets and the owner can become richer.

Provincial governors will be advised of the new policy.

The chief executive of the Thai Animal Guardians Association, Roger Lohanan, was aghast at the decision: Cockfighting is not a sport, it's a form of torturing animals and it should be abolished from Thai society. Most fighting cocks received serious injuries, some were fatal. Many of the cocks were killed if they lost a fight or were badly injured.

Thammasat University students at the Rangsit campus who regularly wear pyjamas to lecture rooms will soon find their liberty limited after a new dress code becomes effective.

The dress code will also restrict all types of casual wear worn by male or female students that are deemed inappropriate.

All students at Sanam Luang campus are required to wear uniforms during lectures on weekdays and casual clothes in certain classes during the weekend.

Casual dress is allowed under a long leniency period for students at Rangsit campus, where dormitories are provided for them, but the restrictions were needed because, according to deputy rector Parinya Thewanaruemitkul, the freedom of dress code had long been overexploited.

Tight blouses and short skirts were unconditionally banned in both campuses, he said. Other clothes to be forbidden include revealing or too tight or sleeveless blouses or T-shirts. Shorts or skirts too high above knee level will be banned, while males must not wear shorts above the knee, pyjamas, sleeveless shirts to lecture rooms or entering the premises.

The government is considering allowing greater foreign ownership in property firms and extending leasehold periods beyond 30 years to stimulate the business, according to Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee.

The amendment would stimulate market segments that have been hit by sluggish demand, he said: This has been discussed quite seriously over the past two to three months. We need to think about the percentage of shareholding and leasing access compared with the number of years. The crisis that we have had in the past two years led us to think and look at a new paradigm.

Dr Surapong said the government would consider new rules on leasing more on par with the region. The government has also abandoned a controversial proposed change to the Foreign Business Act, which tightened the definition of foreign ownership to promote foreign direct investment, he added.

Longlom Bunnag, the chairman of the real estate agency Jones Lang LaSalle (Thailand), said property related to tourism and recreation was expected to benefit the most from any changes because of high demand. He said longer leases could improve Thailand's competitiveness, since many countries now offered longer leaseholds, for instance, 50 years in China and Hong Kong and 99 years in Singapore. Thailand has the shortest eligible period for lease contracts.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Police yesterday stopped 115 motorists in for violating the ban on using mobile phones while driving, in the first nine hours after it took effect. Traffic police spotted most violators waiting in their vehicles at red lights.

All admitted they were guilty, said Pol Maj-Gen Panu Kerdlarbpol, deputy Metropolitan Police chief in charge of traffic affairs.

Pol Maj-Gen Panu said traffic police from 88 police stations around Bangkok monitored motorists between 5am and 3pm yesterday, and found 115 people who violated the ban.

Metropolitan Police will begin fining motorists violating the mobile phone ban from May 20 onwards.

Meanwhile, city traffic police yesterday admitted that despite being equipped with digital still and video cameras, they were unable to get pictures of many drivers who had violated the ban. Pol Lt-Col Sarayut Junnawat, deputy traffic superintendent of Tha Rua police station, said his station used video cameras but was still trying to find the best spots for capturing clear footage of drivers found breaching the ban.

Manchester City owner, Thaksin Shinawatra, has apologised to the Thai people after a group of the club's fans emblazoned his name on the national flag, a crime in Thailand.

The flag was unfurled reading Thank you Thaksin during City's home loss to Fulham a week ago.

Prime Minister Samak Sundarajev was not amused, while Thai police were reportedly mulling charges against the former premier for disrespecting the flag. In Thailand it is a crime to alter or deface the flag in any way.

I regret the incident by Manchester City fans in England, who were trying to show their love for the club and for Thailand, Thaksin was quoted as saying in the Thai-language Daily News.

It's OK in their culture, and once we explained the problem to them, they expressed their regret. I was there at the stadium and I saw it. At the time, I was caught up in the game, but soon afterwards we informed them of the problem and they agreed to stop. They understand the differences in our cultures, and they have conveyed their regret. I have explained the situation to Prime Minister Samak via a third person.

Thaksin's lack of support for the embattled Eriksson has angered many City fans who almost unanimously came out in support of the Swede in the 1-0 defeat at Liverpool over the weekend. Despite fears that he will be fired, Eriksson indicated on Sunday that he expected to lead the club on their end-of-season tour which includes a game in Thailand on May 17.

A new premium beer is to be launched in Thailand. Under the brand Federbräu Thai Beverage, owner of Chang beer, is launching a beer it’s labeling as premium all around.

Federbräu will be the only beer distributed in Thailand which strictly adheres to Germany’s legendary Reinheitsgebot Purity Law of 1516, which stipulates that only the natural ingredients of barley-malt, hops, yeast and brewing water are used in the brewing process.

From the blurb: Federbräu is a premium blond beer made to a traditional European style recipe from all natural ingredients. The name Federbräu translates from the German as feather brew.

The beer has an alcohol content of 4.7%.

Authorities in the Greater Mekong region are being urged to improve immigration procedures to facilitate tourism in the region.

According to Liu Feng, general manager of Kunming Comfort Travel Service Co, a Kunming-based tour operator, immigration regulations, particularly at land border crossings, should be made more transparent.

Thailand grants visas on arrival to Chinese visitors who travel by air, while those who travel by land must produce air tickets for the trip back to China.

According to Feng, some visitors now might want to travel back by land as the road infrastructure has improved. Construction in China and Thailand has been completed, and a part in Laos was expected to be finished this year, he said.

Kunming Comfort Travel Service organised the first caravan tour from Kunming via Laos to Thailand in January. It plans a 100-car caravan tour from China on May 1. The caravan would travel from Kunming via Laos through Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai, down to Ayutthaya, Pattaya and Koh Chang.

Rathakit Manathat, the Thai ambassador to China said the regulations for visas on arrival for Chinese visitors were there for security. However, he agreed to raise the issue with the authorities.

A 27-year-old Thai man who refused to stand up when the royal anthem was played in a movie theater has been charged with lèse majesté, offending the dignity of the monarch, the police said. The crime is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. The man, Chotisak Onsoong, failed to get on his feet last September when the anthem was played before the film started, as is customary in Thailand, where King Bhumibol Adulyadej is widely revered.

It’s the right of any individual to choose what to do,  Chotisak said.

So what does the logo symbolise?

Thai authorities have said that any foreigner involved in efforts to disrupt the relay of the Olympic torch in Bangkok would be subject to expulsion from the country.

They also said they were prepared to shorten or change Saturday's torch relay route if protesters threaten to cause chaos, as they have in other cities.

Some 1,000-2,000 policemen were expected to guard a 10.5-kilometer (6.3-mile) route through the Thai capital of Bangkok, Gen. Yuttasak Sasiprapha, president of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, said.

In Thailand, Crown Princess Sirindhorn will preside over a welcoming ceremony for the flame.

Protests triggered by China's suppression of Tibetan pro-independence activists have dogged the torch relay at various stops on its worldwide journey to Beijing for this year's Olympic Games.

The heavy security planned by Thai authorities highlights the concerns of the government and its desire to avoid the type of chaos that occurred during the torch relays in London, Paris and San Francisco.

Yuttasak also said that foreign individuals or groups who try to disrupt the proceedings would be violating Thai law and therefore subject to punishment, including possible deportation: Supporters of the Tibetan cause have the right to express their views but not to thwart the relay. We will not tolerate that.

A police helicopter will patrol the area and several police motorcycles will be riding alongside the torch runners, he added. Police cars and vans will follow the torch bearers to bring them to safety in case of violence. Thai military units will be monitoring the event, he said, without elaborating.

Eighty runners will take part in the two-hour and 45-minute relay, which will start from the heart of Bangkok's Chinatown and end at the Royal Plaza, a large square in the heart of the old official section of the city.

Martial law will be lifted in 179 districts across the country but will remain in effect in the restive far South, the National Security Council (NSC) says. The NSC resolved at a meeting yesterday to lift martial law enforced in 31 provinces, mostly border districts.

However, martial law will remain in effect in the three southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, as well as in neighbouring Songkhla's Na Thawi, Saba Yoi, Thepha, Sadao and Chana districts.

The NSC's resolution, which requires cabinet approval, is expected to go before a special cabinet meeting today.

Girly Berry Making a point of not wearing spaghetti strap tops

Wearing skimpy outfits at a Songkran event may lead to the popular girl band Girly Berry being stripped of their role as the respectable young face of the Culture Ministry.

Culture Minister Anusorn Wongwan expressed disappointment with the teenage girl band yesterday and threatened to ''blacklist'' them.

The band, known for their revealing stage outfits and audacious dancing, were chosen to front the ministry's campaign for girls to dress modestly during the Songkran festival.

They were paraded in traditional Thai costumes and posed for photographs as the campaign became the talk of the town with mixed reactions.

But on Songkran day they again turned out in revealing tops and hot pants while performing amid the water-splashing chaos on Khao San road.

Anusorn said he had instructed ministry officials to find out why the entertainers chose such inappropriate outfits. The ministry would have to be more cautious with its choices next year, he added.

Anusorn said the band's agent, RS Promotion, had initially contacted the ministry, suggesting the girls be presenters for the cover-up-for-Songkran campaign.

The ministry considers tank tops and miniskirts too sexually arousing when soaked in water: 'The campaign had its time [only during the Songkran festival], said spokeswoman Nusra Kongsujarit. The band had offered their services free to the ministry and the girls had to live a normal life.

The statistical profile of Thailand's visitor arrivals in 2007 have been made public.
 
The final arrivals figure for 2007 totalled 14,464,228, up 4.65% from 13,821,802 in 2006.

Based on the sheer volume, this is a more than acceptable growth rate. But buried within the figures are these six clear trend indicators:

Arrivals from each of Thailand's six most important source markets fell en masse: Malaysia, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Together, these six markets along generate 40% of Thailand's visitor arrivals.

Most of the decline was in the first half of 2007 in the lingering aftermath of the September 2006 military coup. Although markets such as China recovered rapidly in the second half of 2007, the damage done in the first half was enough to end the year in red figures.

Arrivals from Malaysia were down slightly, largely due to the situation in southern Thailand. Japan has seen a broad slump in outbound travel that has also affected other destinations such as Australia and New Zealand.

Partly compensating for the declines was the emergence of new markets such as Russia (+46%), Eastern Europe (+37%), Finland (+23%) and India (+17%). The most surprising growth was a phenomenal +84% spurt in arrivals from Laos to a total of 521,062.

In terms of demographics, there was a lopsided 10% decline in women visitors but 14.8% growth in male visitors. The fall in women visitors was nearly right across the board, especially from major markets such as Japan (-26%), China (-18%), Germany (-11%), Malaysia (-12%) and the UK (-17%). Even India and the U.S. were down by 7% and 16% respectively.

This decline defies explanation, especially because the Tourism Authority of Thailand has invested heavily in marketing to women by promoting shopping, health and wellness and honeymoon holidays.

Another big surprise was a 29% fall in delegates who identified themselves on their arrival/departure cards as coming to attend conventions. As the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau has spent heaps of money to attract conventions and delegates, and so have the many new convention centres, this decline was quite unexpected. However, business travellers remained strong, up 5.9% to 1.26 million.

The roads have been even more deadly this year, with the death toll at the halfway period of the Songkran festival above last year's figure.

Justice permanent secretary Jarun Pukditanakul said there were 1,018 accidents on Songkran day, Sunday, the third day of the seven-day most dangerous period. This was 5.5% up on last year.

He said 76 people were killed (7% up) and 1,103 people injured (3.9% up).

About 45% of the road accidents involved drink driving and 84% involved motorcycles. The highest number of accidents (39%) occurred on village roads. Most accidents (57%) happened at night, with 30% between 4pm and 8pm.

Chiang Rai province recorded the highest number of accidents, 50, followed by Phetchabun province with 42. Chon Buri had the highest road death toll yesterday with five fatalities, and Chiang Mai saw the highest number of people injured in road accidents, 51.

In the first three days, since April 11, there were 2,238 road accidents, 180 deaths and 2,514 injuries.

All the stated figures are higher than last year at the same stage.

Mr Jarun, who heads the government's road safety centre, said most road accidents involved teenage motorcyclists in villages after dark and mainly resulted from drunk driving.

Anucha Mokhawet, director-general of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Departmen said the state should impose a ban on alcohol sales during Songkran because drink driving was the main cause of road accidents during this period.

Earlier, Interior Minister Chalerm Yubamrung suggested that if such a ban is introduced it should only cover two days, the first and the last, of the Songkran holiday since most of the driving is done on these two days.

But Jarun has suggested that the ban be enforced on April 13 and 14 as the casualty toll seem to peak on these two days.

Dr Thaejing Siripanit, secretary-general of the Don't Drive Drunk Foundation, said the ban should cover the entire week.

Update: Totals

18th April 2008

A total of 48 people died in road accidents on Wednesday, bringing the total number of road deaths over the Songkran holiday period to 324. There were 3,955 accidents during the long Songkran holiday, which ran from April 11 to April 16. A total of 324 people were killed and 4,884 injured, said Deputy Interior Minister Sithichai Kohsurat, who oversees the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department.

However, the total number of injured was much lower than in figures released by the Public Health Ministry, which put the total at more than 7,000 across the country.

Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsab said 7,074 travellers and revellers were treated at 800 hospitals nationwide during the holiday period. Most of the injured suffered either broken arms or legs, he said. He said he did not receive any casualty reports from the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department and could not comment about the disparity in the figures.

Update: Final Tally

19th April 2008

The Road Safety Center Friday ended its road toll monitoring throughout the Songkran Festival's so-called "seven dangerous days" and concluded there was a total of 368 deaths and 4,803 injuries in 4, 243 accidents nationwide.

When compared to the same period last year, this year's figures were 31 less accidents, seven more deaths, and two less injuries, said Deputy Prime Minister Sahas Banditkul. Most accidents resulted from drunk driving at 41% involved motorcycles at some 82%.

Alcohol sales will be banned over Songkran festivals in the future, if the road toll this year exceeds targets.

Interior Minister Chalerm Boohoothatlteachem will consult the public first, he says, but he's keen on prohibiting booze sales on the first and last days of the annual, traditional new-year celebration.

Alternatively, the hours alcohol can be legally sold could be tightened from the current restrictions.

The road toll for the first two days of Songkran this year reached 104 dead and 1,411 injured, according to the Road Safety Centre. However, the Narenthorn Emergency Medical Institute says the toll as at 5pm yesterday is 143 dead and many more injured.

Transport permanent secretary and centre member Chaisawat Kittipornpaibool says the main cause of accidents, once again, is drunk driving, with alcohol responsible in almost 42% of all accidents.

If the Culture Ministry has its way, the next Songkran festival will not necessarily start on April 13.

Wattana Boonchab, an expert at the Culture Ministry, said the ministry is considering reviving a tradition in which Songkran Day is determined with the help of an ancient calendar that is common in most Southeast Asian countries, rather than fixing the date on April 13.

By tradition, Songkran Day is determined based on a suriya yatra sacred book which describes the passing of the sun.

Songkran is a Sanskrit word, meaning the passing of the sun from one zodiac to another. The passing happens every month, but the most important passage is in April when the sun leaves Pisces to enter Aries, which traditionally marks the beginning of the new year.

That Songkran is fixed on April 13 makes people forget the other two important days during the traditional new year. They are wan nao and wan thaloeng sok, which literally means celebration of the new year, on April 15 or April 16, Wattana said.

Nao, he said, means stay in Thai. In this sense, it specifically means the lapse of the sun passing: That's exactly the period when the sun is between the two zodiacs. Nao when pronounced by people in the North is a word that gives this particular date an inauspicious meaning. It sounds like the word for rotten so people usually skip this day if they are to hold an important event, to avoid bad luck.

But since we no longer recognise wan nao, we inadvertently conduct auspicious ceremonies on an inauspicious day. The revival of the tradition will help people know when to avoid this date,that is, a day between Songkran and wan thaloeng sok.

Wattana said wan thaloeng sok this year falls on April 15 and it will fall on April 16 for the next three years. In 2012, it falls again on April 15. Thereafter, thaloeng sok will be on April 16 for the next 80 years

The Election Commission (EC) resolved Friday that Chart Thai and Matchimathipataya parties be dissolved because their executives were involved in election fraud during the Dec 20, 2007, polls.

The two parties are key partners in a coalition government led by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's People Power Party (PPP).

Election commissioners voted 4:1 that executives of the two parties knew about or conspired in vote-buying schemes in the general election last year. The EC will now forward the cases to the attorney-general's office, which will then recommend the cases to the Constitution Court.

Prosecutors now have 30 days to decide whether to uphold the commission's findings. If they agree, the case would then go to the Constitution Court, which would consider whether to accept the charges. The Constitution Court will give the actual rulings after hearing the cases.

But even if the coalition lost the 45 seats the parties hold, the remaining partners would still hold a comfortable majority, with 271 of the 480 seats in parliament.

However, Prime Minister Samak has launched a drive to amend the constitution and strip the courts of the power to disband political parties. He argues that the threat of party dissolution destabilises the government.

A police officer filed a criminal complaint yesterday seeking to have a journalist for the BBC charged with insulting His Majesty the King.

Pol Lt-Col Wattanasak Mungkandee said he filed a complaint against British reporter Jonathan Head in connection with remarks he allegedly made when moderating a panel discussion at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand on Dec 13 entitled Coup, Capital and Crown. Lese majeste carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.

Pol Lt-Col Wattanasak said the police's Crime Suppression Division will have to translate the evidence he presented to see whether it would pursue the case.

Update: Charged

13th April 2008

The charge against Jonathan Head was filed on 8 April 2008 by Pol Lt Wattanasak Mungkitjakarndee, Investigation Officer of Bang Mot Police Station, seconded to Phaholyothin Police Station. Pol Lt Wattanasak alleged that during the FCCT seminar Head used phases that constitute a violation of the laws on lèse majesté.

Pol Lt Wattanasak then gathered evidence in the form of a CD of the seminar, an English transcript of Head’s speech, and a Thai translation and handed this to Pol Maj Boonlert Kalayanamit, an Investigation Officer at the Crime Suppression Division. Pol Lt Wattanasak has also filed a similar charge against the Committee of the FCCT.

Taking a Stand

See full article from Prachatai

A Thai man and his female friend have been charged by police with lèse majesté for not standing for the royal anthem at a movie theatre in Bangkok late last year.

On April 5, 2008, Pathumwan District Police called to Chotisak Onsung and his friend, asking them to visit the police station to hear the charge for the offence alleged by Navamintr Witthayakul who was among the cinema audience.

A panel under the National Police Committee will make the final decision on whether to pursue the case or not.

On September 20, 2007, Chotisak and his friend went to a cinema in Central World shopping complex in downtown Bangkok. They were urged by Navamintr to stand up for the royal anthem which precedes every movie shown in Thailand's cinemas, and they had a heated argument with the man.

They claimed that they were physically abused. Afterwards they filed complaints at a police station against Navamintr for verbal and physical abuse, damage to personal property and coercion, while Navamintr filed a lèse majesté complaint against them.

Lady boy wearing spaghetti front dress

A girl band normally seen in hot pants, miniskirts and sexy tops will front the Culture Ministry's annual campaign against wearing of inappropriate clothing during the Songkran Festival.

The ministry yesterday rolled out its guidelines on the ''correct'' way to dress during the Thai New Year holiday.

Culture Minister Anusorn Wongwan and senior ministry officials said the flag will be carried by the Girly Berry band _ four young teenagers normally seen wearing scanty outfits in public.

In an about-turn, they will try to convince other teenage girls to wear modest clothing that covers their bodies well during the water-splashing festival.

Anusorn said the idea was to encourage traditional Thai culture and good manners, instead of the aggressive and violent behaviour that has become synonymous with Songkran.

National Culture Commission secretary-general Preecha Kanthiya said girls should wear black outfits that help conceal their bodies even when their clothing was soaked.

Girly Berry singer Mananya ''Bell'' Limsathien said girls should not wear spaghetti-strap or strapless blouses, hot pants or revealing dresses. She also asked men to treat women politely and gently during the festival.