The Korat Post

Baht Biting The Dust?

May 5, 2006 from Manager Online
HYDERABAD, India (AFP) - The Asian Development Bank welcomed Friday an announcement by ASEAN members along with China, Japan and South Korea that they would consider a single Asian currency similar to the euro.
"We highly welcome a study by ASEAN+3 governments (Japan, China and South Korea) on a regional monetary unit," said Masahiro Kawai, head of the bank's unit of Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration.
"We will support ASEAN+3 governments in this area in any way possible," he said in the southern high-tech Indian city of Hyderabad where the ADB was holding its annual general meeting.
The ADB has been spearheading a proposal for the creation of an Asian currency unit or ACU as part of a bid to bolster monetary stability, spur regional economic growth and even out disparities.
"We have asked our deputies to conduct a study on the future of the regional currency unit," South Korean Finance Minister Han Duck-Soo said Thursday ahead of the formal start of the ADB talks here.
"We are conducting the study at the level of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) along with China, Japan and Korea," he said.
ASEAN is made up of Thailand, Brunei, Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, Vietnam and the Philippines.
ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda told a seminar on Asian economic integration the region's options included "European-style comprehensive and deep integration with a common trade and monetary policy" or the North American path of a free trade area.
"The European style of integration seems to have the greatest potential for realizing the dynamic benefits of a common trade area and monetary policy," he said Thursday. As in the case of the euro, the first step toward a common currency unit would be coordination of foreign exchange policies. The ADB said last year it planned to create a theoretical currency unit made up of a basket of Asian currencies that would be similar to Europe's Ecu which eventually became the euro. The theoretical unit would provide a benchmark for Asian countries allowing them to see how much their currency deviated from it.

30 April 2006
the Korat Post

Foreigners Hold Planning Meeting in Korat

As indicated earlier, a short meeting was held at the Pizza Shop, Korat on the evening of 28 April 2006. A representative from the local Tourism Authority of Thailand and six expatriates attended the meeting. Arranged by Tarjei Lodden (www.loddden.info [this is an incorrect URL reference and does not worki] and email: tlodden@yahoo.com), and co-chaired by the Korat Post, the meeting was arranged to obtain input into (1) how Korat can be better promoted, and (2) how better networking and information services can be established fo ruse of foreigners interested in living in, visiting, or investing in Korat. One of the agree-to items was that the central Tourism Authority of Thailand would be contacted by the Korat Post, and local TAT supervisor be advised by the attending TAT representative, that several steps, to be enumerated in an official letter, need to be taken to better promote Korat and to better offer services - free and paid - for expatriates and Thais. Attendees at the meeting signed their names and provided personal contact information. We ask that in future, to safeguard anonymity, individuals indicate at meetings and gatherings that they wish to remain anonymous, if this is the case, and apologize for inconveniences caused by oversights.

Project Details - Translation by the Korat Post 29 April 2006

Municipality Project - Beautification of Thao Suranaree Park
Includes stage acting area, watercourse and falls pool
Construction contract 19.555 million Baht
Contact municipality at 044-242959

Construction contractor: Wongse Sin Thai Co. Ltd.
201 Mutraphap-Nong Khai ?Highway, Baan Koh
Meung District, Nakhonratchasima 30000 Tel. 044-276146-7
Contract signed on 29 March 2006, completion date 29 November 2006.
Total duration 240 days.
Actual date of construction began 20 April 2006.
Yianko Co., Ltd. Architects, Planners, Graphic Designers

Tel. 02-694-3247-8

27 April 2006

In the capacity of American Citizens Abroad (ACA) representative in Thailand, I sent the following to the Presidents of the Thai Supreme Court and Administrative Court, via fax, this morning to urge repeal/voidance of the most recent Parliamentary elections in Thailand.

Subject: Recent Parliamentary Election Results, Thai Democracy; Voiding Elections

Your Excellency:

This is first to thank His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej for very wise remarks made recently, specifically which indicated the fact that the past parliamentary election process was not democratic.

Thailand is facing several critical issues today, not the least of which is abuse of power by the Thai Rak Thai party and leadership. Thailand has experienced a severe deterioration in its human rights record and international reputation as a democratic nation. Today, Thailand is not a democracy. It cannot be a democracy unless the democratic process is permitted to work.

That the three main remaining opposition parties boycotted the elections should have immediately resulted in – for the sake of the nation - the Thai Rak Thai leadership consulting with the Opposition to develop more just for the elections. However, instead TRT went ahead in the hopes of seizing total control of Parliament, first the House of Representatives, and then the Senate. This has nearly come to pass, save for the stubborn and valiant actions of the People’s Alliance For Democracy (PAD) and thousands of upcountry Thai people who are suffering under TRT leadership.

This is to urge the Thai courts to exercise Constitutional wisdom, as well as sage advice from His Majesty, to rule that the past Parliamentary elections be voided – for the sake of democracy, for the sake of the nation, and for the sake of ideals enshrined in the 1997 Thai constitution - which the TRT machine seems to have little regard for.

As much resistance to TRT and to Thaksin Shinawatra as there is in Thailand, there is manifold resistance outside Thailand. This is because in Thailand the government has been doing all it can to make sure that the Thai people only see its version of events, and only believe what it says. That the Thai people upcountry are ignorant of the facts surrounding Thaksin and the TRT, of wrongful actions in the election process and in regards to many allegations of corruption against the TRT machine, is undeniable. It seems that only those who have, for example, been able to watch ASTV New 1 will have their eyes opened and realize that the government is not acting in their best interests, but in its own interests.
For the sake of the Thai people and nation, for the sake of democracy, for the sake of justice, I urge you to join other court justices in ruling in favor of the democratic process. Thailand’s security – present and future – depends on this.

Sincerely yours,

Frank G Anderson
Korat
Tel. 03-1002277

Anyone wishing to send comments to either court may wish to contact (someone may come online to ask what you wish, please indicate you wish them to turn on their fax signal (Thai - chuay pert sanyan fax duay). :

President, The Supreme Court of the Kingdom of Thailand
Bangkok Fax: 02-2241440

President, the Administrative Court of the Kingdom of Thailand
Bangkok Fax: 02-28613990

An Insider's Ear Into The Current Thai Political Impasse

Unofficial translation – the Korat Post 9 April 2006, from Manager Online.

Experts specify that the 2 April 2006 elections should be voided, pointing out that they were a turning point, and the more arbitrary [decisions are] the more divisiveness will be created. They believe that Thai Rak Thai is using legal loopholes to open Parliament even though there is a shortage of representatives. [The experts] believe that if an illegitimate caretaker government is established, it will impact the overall economy, damaging the nation over the long run. Advise solving the initial problem and instill ethics on the part of politicians.

Today, 8 April 2006, at Thurakit Bandit University, an academic conference, “Politics, Economics and Society, after 2 April 2006,” was held at the rector’s office building, and was organized by the Institute of Economic and Social Research. Experts in political science and economics joined together in researching directions for the nation after the elections, whereby Mr. Jermsak Pinthong, caretaker Senator from Bangkok, stated that “At the moment Thailand is at a crossroads, that is, are the 2 April 2006 elections to be voided or not? It’s necessary to wait until the Administrative Court reads a final decision on the issue.
Mr. Jermsak said personally he feels that the past elections should be voided, and if the elections are voided, it will have a wide ranging impact on the national economy, society and politics. But if the elections are not voided, and if the people allow the elections to pass [as valid], he believes that problems of divisiveness that have built up will cause a violent incident in May, giving rise to an incident like in May 1992, but which will be more serious than before.
“Police Col. Thaksin Shinawatra, prime minister, likes to use numbers to delude people. If we consider [the numbers] we’ll see that the reason party list candidates were elected in each district is because of local candidate favor with voters. But the prime minister believes that the sixteen million votes were for his election. And from that kind of thinking we can see Thaksin’s methodology, which views politics from the perspective of business, needing to control business, control the economy. Thus it is hoped that if all sides do not permit the past elections to go by, a turning point will have been reached.”

As for Mr. Trairong Suwansiri, deputy leader of the Democrat Party, he indicated that he believes that the prime minister will not easily vacate his position, because people close to the prime minister aren’t satisfied with personal interests achieved. These people will not allow the prime minister to vacate his position in this circle. But these people will try to be flexible to allow the prime minister to continue in power. And, I believe that Thai Rak Thai will attempt to have the highest number of representatives possible, and will use loopholes in the Constitution, Section 98, Article 2, which stipulates that when there is an insufficient number of representatives, no matter what the reason, to be able to meet as Parliament, even though the said article is intended to accommodate in the event of death of representatives or under criminal indictment which result in an insufficient number of representatives.
“I believe that the said path is the one that Thai Rak Thai has already planned, and will be used as a way out for the election.”
As to the impact of the election on the economy and society, Mr. Trairong stated that he is worried about the condition of state financial institutions that respond to government policies in issuing of credit. It increases the amount of built-up debt significantly. When the economy shrinks and the problems of debt enter the situation, the words that the prime minister spoke making people afraid that if they didn’t elect Thai Rak Thai then the country would return to being in debt to IMF would in fact happen. And no matter who becomes the government the problem from the vote might give rise to Thailand not being able to avoid having to go to the IMF.
“As to the impact to society, it’s something that everyone sees; that is, the image of people in different sectors of society fighting against one another. Society will divide beyond anything ever experienced in the past, because it will cause a rising up of people who want to protest Thaksin’s system.” Mr. Trairong said.
Mr. Wirathai Santipraphop, assistant to the head manager of Customer Business Strategy, Siam Commercial Bank, stated that any political impact in the short term on the economy would depend on whether the election results were invalidated or not. If the elections are voided, then the impact will extend into the third or fourth quarter. As to the long term impact, Thailand is arriving at an economic turning point, which must be reviewed and importance given to long term economic policies. If a caretaker government is formed at this time, it would have significance for political reasons. This important matter may be subject to being abandoned, and may have an impact making Thailand lose an opportunity over the long term.
“I am worried about the future of new senators who are elected, because when one looks at the names of candidates, it appears that there are few experts in economics. So, in questioning of government policies, the Upper house may be affected,” Mr. Wirathai said.

Mr. Sombat Jantarawongse, teacher in Thammasat University’s political science faculty, said that the problem with the political crisis we are now facing is that there is no one with any regard to ethics in politics, which is a major problem if the people accept [it] and permit that behavior to continue; and if the election process continues, it will have the impact of a single party government. Benefits will fall to a specific group, and the problem of lack of ethics will not have been solved.
“That the results of the election of representatives are reflected, in no votes were more than votes for candidates, showing us the problem of legitimacy in occupying positions, the elections were illegitimate from the beginning. That is, from the dissolution of Parliament. Thus the later results on candidates – that is, illegitimacy. The problem of the nation at this time is ethics. If the nation's administrators are not ashamed, solving the nation’s problems will only experience difficulty.” Mr. Sombat said.

Thai Military On Alert?

BANGKOK, April 8, 2006 (TNA) - Thailand's military Saturday warned activist protestors against caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to back down from demands that the now on-leave caretaker prime minister leave politics altogether. The military are trying to be patient regarding the demands by the protestors, led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), for caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to completely wash his hands from politics and leave the country, caretaker Defence Minister Gen.Thammarak Isarangura Na Ayutthaya said here on Saturday. But some military are thinking about taking action, he conceded. Speaking to journalists after presiding over a ceremony celebrating the 119th anniversary of the establishment of the Defence Ministry, Gen. Thammarak, a deputy leader of the ruling Thai Rak Thai (TRT) Party, warned that the demands by members of the PAD for Mr. Thaksin not to involve himself in politics and leave the country were too much and tantamount to violating the law.

"What would they want the prime minister to do after he had already stepped back?," Gen. Thammarak asked rhetorically. "Do they want the Thai Rak Thai Party to be dissolved?," Gen. Thammarak said, adding that the constitution clearly stipulated that the prime minister must be an elected member of parliament. (MP). Gen. Thammarak said he had told the military to be patient, as he knew that soldiers were thinking of making moves against the PAD and its allies. So far, the TRT Party has not yet discussed who would be the most suitable candidate to become the next prime minister, as the party wants the election process to be completed first, he said. The TRT Party is a big party and difference in ideology is common, he said. By-elections in 39 constituencies nationwide will be held on April 23 after unopposed candidates in the April 2 general election failed to receive the statutory minimum requirement of at least 20 per cent of the total votes.

8 April 2006
the Korat Post

New Stadium - Photo by the Korat Post, 7 April 2006

On Monday 10 April 2006, Korat provincial governor Soomboon Ngamlak is scheduled to chair a meeting and reception for the International SEA Games Committee members at the Suranaree University of Technnology (SUT), at 09:30. The meeting is in preparation for the scheduled 5-10 December 2007 SEA Games to be hosted by Korat, and is intended to involve a hoped-to-be-completed (now in early construction phase) $735 million sports complex now under construction on Pakthongchai Highway, across and up a bit from the Pepsi Plant. Whether SAT (Sports Authority of Thailand).
The new sports stadium is currently under early construction. Piles have not all been driven yet, but foundations, underground drainage and other utility pipes have been laid, concrete bleachers are now in place, and a flurry of activity is underway as the schedule now faces early rains.
There is a great deal of organizational work to do, and little preparation has been made over the last few years to build a reasonable infrastructure that could efficiently host a large international standard sports event. Local sports organizers have almost never advertised events, even international level athletics, in English, and when prompted several times by this paper's management to kindly provide information in advance, gave assurances and that was the end of it. The Mall general manager, in particular, has repeatedly refused/'neglecte' to cooperate in providing advance notices, even in Thai, of any of the many athletic events at The Mall, Korat. Such official resistance, or lack of foresight, can only shortchange future endeavors.
See editorial: High-level perceived need to 'control' is also getting in the way of more efficient voluntary joint sports planning in Korat.

Political Reform Process to be Complete Within a Year

BANGKOK, April 5, 2006 (TNA) - Thai Rak Thai party deputy leader Bhokin Balakula said on Wednesday that he expected Thailand's constitutional and political reform process to be complete within a year, paving the way for a new government to run the country. The senior TRT figure, who is overseeing the reform process, said he would press ahead with the selection of an independent committee to look at amendments to the constitution. The 120-strong committee should comprise people from all walks of life, including academics and former members of the constitutional drafting assembly. It would take at least two months before constitutional amendments could begin to be put forward, with the process continuing for about six months, said Mr. Bhokin, a former parliament president. The caretaker or interim government had a duty to facilitate the political reform process, he said, which in turn would lead to the next general election and a new government.
Mr. Bhokin also said the draft of the amended constitution could be put to a national referendum for approval, rather than forwarding it to the TRT-controlled Lower House.
He declined to detail how the constitution may be changed, saying only that some provisions needed to be revised. One example was the legal requirement to scrutinise the prime minister's performance and other election-related problems, which may require an electoral court to be set up to deal with future cases. Mr. Bhokin is one of four contenders being discussed as a possible replacement for Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra when the new parliament convenes to select his successor. However, he brushed aside the idea, saying that the other contenders were just as qualified to do the job, naming senior TRT figures Dr. Somkid Jatusripitak and Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan. Mr. Thaksin announced yesterday he would step down after the outcome of a weekend national election and weeks of protests against his continued rule.

Kennedy, Kerry, Mondale, Romney - Move Over! Koratians are going 'family.'

4 April 2006
Translated & Edited from Korat Daily, 30 March 2006 issue

Apparently learning fast from the Thaksin dynasty how important family can be in politics, relatives of local polilticians in Korat have jammed the field for the upcoming Senate race. Friends also swelled the field, brothers and sisters, relatives, wives of politicians, as well as former members of Parliament surged forward, bringing 67 candidates vying for seven slots.

The Korat Election Board has provided candidates each with 25 seconds' air time (radio) and confirms that it is confident that election results will be known no later than 8:00 pm on the 19th of April.
In accordance with the current Thai Senate expiring on the 24th of April, the Election Commission scheduled applications for senatorial candidacy from 21-27 March 2006. Consequently, on the 21st the General Prem Tinsulanonda Conference Room, provincial hall, Korat, was crowded because of the number of people interested in contesting for the Senate. The applicants were directed to draw random candidate numbers, whereby Col. Poon, wife of TRT deputy prime minister Suwat Liptapanlop (he is currently under considerable pressure to resign from TRT, but like his boss, Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is unlikely to bend)drew first. [Ed. A comlete list of senate candidate names is included in the Thai language article]. Korat's Election Board member, pol. col. Suchart Nilaphap, stated that there were some 20-30 suspect candidate cards but that these were not to be counted. He indicated that if anyone had a clear complaint, they were required to submit it in writing as well as with adequate and proper evidence, and submit it prior to the elections.

Democrats threaten to sue EC

On top of making last-minute candidate changes yesterday for today's vote, the Election Commission faced another headache when the Democrat Party threatened to take it to court.

2 April 2006
The Nation

"After the vote, the EC will be taken to court if it refuses to rule on campaign fraud involving the minor parties," Democrat deputy secretary-general Thaworn Senniam said in reference to the Thai Rak Thai Party's alleged funding of candidates from small parties. Thaworn warned the EC it was fast losing its credibility due to its perceived favouritism towards the ruling party. In regard to disqualifications, two Trang candidates were removed from the race by a Supreme Court ruling. The two are Patipat Kiarttheerawichai and Charat Maneesri, both of the Pattana Chart Thai party, who had failed to register their party memberships before the 90-day limit. In Suphan Buri, 18 of 26 candidates were disqualified because 17 had violated the 90-day rule and one had dual party membership. The eight candidates remaining in the race include five from the ruling party and three from small parties. Two of the five Thai Rak Thai candidates will run unopposed and need 20 per cent of the vote for victory. In Phuket two Thai Rak Thai candidates are involved in one-horse races in their constituencies after the disqualification of minor-party candidates. In Ranong, the Thai Citizen Party's Supha Tanthajina won his appeal to restore his candidacy and resumed his race with Thai Rak Thai's Pairoj Chanpanit. In Ubon Ratchathani, nine Thai Rak Thai candidates found themselves running unopposed when other candidates were booted out for not being members of their small parties for 90 days. In Phatthalung, seven minor party candiates were disqualified while one disqualified candidate in Constituency One, Khemawut Suwan of Pattana Chart Thai, was reinstated.

We Ask for a Meeting

Still Disturbing the Peace

1 April 2006

His Excellency Somboon Ngamlak

Governor of Nakhonratchasima Province

Provincial Hall

Nakhonratchasima 30000

Request for Urgent Meeting

Your Excellency:

We respectfully request an urgent meeting (recorded and minuted, and held no later than 1 May 2006), coordinated by Your Excellency's office, with officials of the Public Relations Department, office of Public Prosecutor, police, and a member of Thailand's Commission on Human Rights tel. 02-2193573 (our case no. is 106/2548) to discuss the following:

1. Why, given human rights protections mandated under the 1997 Thai Constitution, FM 104.5 community radio broadcasts/Papatchanan Chingin - which still continues defaming my wife and myself with clear references (from February 2005) - have not been closed down.

2. Why, given considerable proof of defamation and abuse of human rights (including self-confessed bodily assault in Watpa Salawan on by Papatchanan Chingin) this person has not already been arrested and jailed for repeated and long-term criminal misconduct.

3. Status and details of lese majesty charges allegedly filed against me by Papatchanan Chingin.

4. What steps the Nakhonratchasima administration and other agencies plan to take to prohibit and punish, in a timely manner, further racial, ethnic and human rights abuses here in Korat.

5. Why Papatchanan Chingin was not admonished by the civil court in December this last year when she shouted out during testimony by a Buddhist monk, “Your honor, he's lying! He's lying!”

These FM 104.5 community radio broadcasts have violated and continue to violate provisions of the 1997 Constitution, ethics rules and regulations for community radio broadcasts, and international law that mandate protection (through prevention and not just punishment) of human rights. Many claims by local officials have been made that existing Thai laws do not cover community radio broadcasts. We disagree with this claim. We have many times communicated this opinion to local officials.

In Thailand, when political considerations have been weighed against human rights issues, human rights have most often lost. This includes the Takbai and Khru Sae massacres, the extrajudicial war on drugs that did not eliminate drugs, and other disappearances and killings, coercion and inhuman treatment by Thai authorities or by others who should have been prevented from committing such actions.

Thai law involves both prevention and punishment. Leaving matters of human rights to the courts is not sufficient; law enforcement agencies in Thailand must take effective steps in preventing human rights abuses, not only processing civil and criminal cases.

We look forward to confirmation of a meeting, coordinated through Your Excellency's office, to discuss these important issues.

Sincerely,

Frank G Anderson (written in personal capacity)

Thailand Country Representative, American Citizens Abroad (ACA) Tel. 03-1002277

Our position is that while the Thai civil and criminal courts are finally adjudicating these accusations in part, that the Thai government has a large responsibility, which it did not fulfill, to stop these broadcasts and to warn Papatchanan Chingin that she should not, must not, nor will she be allowed to make such libelous charges over the public media - and if she does, she will be immediately arrested. The Thai Constitution surely provides for these enforcements.

As recently as the end of March 2006, Papatchanan Chingin again made unmistakable charges over FM 104.5 that my Thai wife was not Thai.

A List of some of the unacceptable and shameless Lies and Defamation (all on audio tape) broadcast on FM 104.5 community radio by Papatchanan Chingin:

“Frank. You look down on my royal family.”

“Khun Tongmuan is not a Thai. I have checked and this is true.”

“Khun Frank & Khun Tongmuan Anderson are foreigners here harming the religion, the nation and the monarchy.”

“Khun Tongmuan's father was a Pakistani/Afghani. A Muslim.”

“Frank Anderson said in front of Provincial Hall, ‘Hey fatso, I am going to get the Privy Council and the Monarchy to throw Luang Pho Pherm out of the temple.'”

“Frank Anderson said, ‘Hey, Pherm, when are you going to get out of the temple?”

Various other barbaric insinuations and innuendo have also been made by Papatchanan Chingin over the radio, combining stated suspicions that my wife and I have accumulated money and wealth through dishonest means, including drug dealing, that we would not have what we do except through being crooked, that we are not desirable because we are harming the religion, the monarchy, the nation, that we should be arrested, that we should be deported, that people should get together to sign a petition against us to throw us out of Thailand, etc. Continued allowance of these broadcasts is a negative reflection on Thailand's will to adequately enforce human and civil rights. It must not be tolerated. It must be prevented. Those committing these acts much be punished and stopped.

Democrat leaders attacked in Chiang Mai
The Nation, 31 March 2006

Chairs, eggs and paint thrown at party chiefs as violent episode blights lead-up to Sunday's ballot

Democrat Party leaders were attacked and pelted with chairs and a rally they had planned for Chiang Mai was cut short by road blockages and abusive behaviour in a concerted and highly effective campaign by supporters of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday. The supporters thwarted the Democrat Party's key members at the airport, blocked the road to the rally venue and threw chairs, rotten eggs, paint and all manner of rubbish onto the stage when they tried to address the rally. About 100 Thaksin supporters in Chiang Mai, his home town, rushed to Chiang Mai National airport to protest the arrival of Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, who was scheduled to fly in at 4pm for a speech at Chiang Mai University.
The group went inside the terminal without waiting for weapons checking and held banners with messages condemning Abhisit and the party for boycotting the April 2 election. The Democrat leader was forced to evade the protesters by leaving the airport by a rear gate, which angered the protesters who shouted insults at Abhisit and threatened tourists who witnessed the incident.

Another group of Thaksin supporters used their cars to block Nimmanahaeminda Road, where Chiang Mai University's Art Museum is located. Key members of the Democrat Party, including Abhisit, secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban and senior adviser Chuan Leekpai were stopped from reaching the venue. The protesters also hung up effigies of the party's key members, as well as leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy like Sondhi Limthongkul and Chamlong Srimuang and then burned them. Hundreds of people who wanted to attend the rally had to wait outside and on the streets around the museum. The rally eventually started at 6pm, with deputy leader Alongkorn Pollabutr as the first speaker. Only 40-50 people who managed to get into the venue before the roadblock was erected listened to him. More Democrat supporters later climbed a fence to get in.
As Alongkorn was speaking, supporters of Thaksin verbally attacked him and the party, as well as the Chiang Mai audience, through amplifiers. Abhisit was finally able to get to the museum at 7.20pm. He was giving his speech and telling people why the party had boycotted Sunday's election when about 300 Thaksin supporters rushed the stage. They shouted at him and other party members. About 100 police and security officers tried to drive the protesters back, but failed and Abhisit had to end his speech 10 minutes later.The party's spokesman, Ong-art Klampaiboon, said the rally was cancelled and no plans made for a new one. Nobody was seriously hurt in the attack, he said, although Chuan was hit with a chair and deputy party leader Chaiwut Bannawat had to use his arms to protect himself from a thrown chair. Some of the protesters stayed in the art museum until 8pm, while some of the key Democrat members were still there. After the Democrat executives left, Prachuab Wangjai, editor and anchorman of the Nation Channel in Chiang Mai, was punched in the ear.
Members of the audience who turned up to see the Democrat leaders were visibly shaken by the violence from the pro-Thaksin camp. A third-year medical student at the university broke down and cried, saying all she wanted was to hear some political information but instead had to deal with barbaric people. She did not understand why the protest had got out of control and why police had allowed it to. A university lecturer said it was not the kind of behaviour you would expect to see in Chiang Mai, so it was quite likely the protesters were hired from outside. She said it was an embarrassment for Chiang Mai people.

Suranaree scholars: Rectors urged to drop neutrality

23 March 2006
A group of 50 lecturers from Suranaree University of Technology yesterday circulated an open letter calling for the governing body for universities to renounce the flawed leadership of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
"The University Rectors Conference should stop any mediation which will allow the rogue government leader to cling to power," the open letter said in reference to the attempt to hold negotiations between Thaksin and his opponents. The governing body for universities should also drop its political neutrality and help to sway justice, it said. Under the Constitution and relevant education laws, universities are obliged to instil ethical and moral standards in the learning process, it said, adding that educators would fail in their duty if they continued to associate themselves with the rogue leader. - The Nation.

CHIENG RAI, March 21, 2006 (TNA) – Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Monday took an English-language newspaper to task for its report on a change in the chairman of the organizing committee responsible for holding the country’s grand event to commemorate the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King to the throne, saying it is very unethical for the press to do that. The independent Nation newspaper quoted a source in its news report in the Monday issue as telling that privy councilors resolved at a meeting to replace the caretaker premier with Privy Council President and Stateman Gen. Prem Tinsulanond as the chairman of the committee.
Mr. Thaksin said the government had denied the report as totally groundless.“It is very unethical for the press to make up that story. It is very terrible and shameful. Such a behavior is so damaging. It is very inappropriate,” said Mr. Thaksin. He added Government Spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee had enquired with the Office of the Royal Household’s Private Secretary and the Privy Council on the matter. Both confirmed there was no such a story. So, the government needed to clarify it to the people. Mr. Thaksin affirmed the continuing political tension would not affect the country’s grand celebration event in honor for the longest-serving monarch.
Asked about the political development, he said: I will talk less about politics. I want to ask media to present news candidly. Don’t make up a story.”

Thaksin reacts to peaceful rally with emergency act threat

By David Ogan 14 March 2006 22:53

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra warned yesterday that emergency powers may be invoked if demonstrations in Bangkok aimed at forcing him from office turn violent and the security authorities deem it necessary. “I am ready to authorize emergency powers if requested by the security council,” Thaksin said yesterday speaking from the Northeast, where he is campaigning for the April 2 general election.“There is no harm in being prepared,” he said. “If the security [advisors] deem it necessary and need [the emergency decree] then I must sign it. It isbeing prepared because of past incidents, and there are those whowere involved…who are also present in this incident, so we must be prepared.”

The warning came after more than 100,000 anti-Thaksin protesters marched peacefully from Sanam Luang to Government House yesterday morning in the biggest show of people power since Black May in 1992 which toppled military dictator Gen Suchinda Kraprayoon. Thaksin’s warning ran counter to comments made by Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratakalin who said enactment of the controversial decree would produce no benefit and damage the country’s image abroad. The general was also adamant that the military would not get involved in the current political conflict because military intervention would “throw the country backwards.”
Concern over possible imposition of the emergency decree was partly fueled by a decision by the caretaker Cabinet yesterday to elevate deputy premier in charge of security affairs Pol Gen Chitchai Wannasathit to be the first deputy premier to act on Thaksin’s behalf when he is campaigning upcountry. Chitchai replaced deputy prime minister in charge of economic affairs, Somkid Jatusripitak.vHowever, Chitchai said yesterday’s reshuffling of duties had no political significance. He also dismissed any immediate possibility of the caretaker government invoking the emergency decree. Political analysts greeted Thaksin’s remarks nervously.

“On the positive side, the government is just being prudent,” said Jade Donavanik, dean of law at Siam University. “It is a precaution in case there is interference by so-called third parties. On the other hand, it could also mean that Thaksin is thinking of using the decree as a way to crack down on the demonstrators, which I sense is the hidden message [behind his remark] because the government is losing control of the situation,” Jade said. “In his five years as prime minister, Thaksin has proven himself to be bold enough to invoke the decree,” Jade said, adding that Thaksin is under a great pressure.
“I think Thaksin is now under tremendous pressure because PAD [People’s Alliance for Democracy] has pushed him into a difficult spot,” Jade said. “The April 2 election seems very shaky now, and if he steps down he knows PAD will push for asset seizing measures against his family’s Shin Corporation share sale.” In July last year, the Cabinet controversially passed the emergency decree after claiming that martial law was insufficient to deal with the escalating southern insurgency. Yesterday’s mass march started at Sanam Luang at about 7am when tens of thousands of demonstrators began filing out of the Royal Field onto Ratchadamnoen Avenue.

Members of the Santi Asoke Buddhist sect lead the march, which arrived at Government House shortly before 9am as planned. Demonstrators marched in orderly file and the mood was upbeat. Many of the marchers waved colorful flags and banners while chanting: “Thaksin Get Out” in unison. Adhering strictly to their pledge to protest peacefully, the marchers displayed orderly restraint as they proceeded along the five kilometers route to Government House. Along the route of the march, Thai Rak Thai election posters bearing the face of a smiling Thaksin, remained untouched. Perhaps the only disruption was caused to traffic, which ground to a halt in Rattanakosin Island. After reaching Government House slightly before 9am, PAD leaders took turns on a makeshift stage to declare their commitment to remain until Thaksin resigns. They pledged elicited enthusiastic cheers from the crowd. Tents were also erected in which protesters will camp out.Within the Government House compound, hundreds of police commandoes from the Crime Suppression Division looked on intently, but remained calm and were armed only with batons and shields. “We will be here forever if needs be,” Sondhi Limthongkul, a PAD core leader, told the crowd outside the gates to Government House. However, a large number of demonstrators left around noon to escape the blazing sun and to rest after rallying throughout Monday night. They regrouped again on Phitsanulok Road just before dusk. Monitoring the demonstration, Gen Sonthi confirmed that the military would not get involved and ordered all military personnel to remain within their barracks. Meanwhile, Thaksin was in a hotel room in Ubon Ratchathani as he continues campaigning for the election. There were reports that Thaksin was ill, but they were denied by Promin Lertsuridej, the caretaker prime minister’s secretary-general, who said Thaksin was well and that he had presided over yesterday’s Cabinet meeting at Government House via video conference. Despite ministers having attended the meeting, a large number of civil servants stayed away from work because of fears of violence.

Thai democracy in the wilderness
By Dylan C Williams
3 March 2006

Reprunted with permission: Asia Times Online (www.atimes.com) [linking to http://www.atimes/com for online publication].

BANGKOK - When Thailand goes to the polls on April 2, voters will be faced with just one choice: caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's Thai Rak Thai party - a prospect that sets the country's struggling democracy on an uncharted course.
The main opposition Democrat Party, along with the smaller Chat Thai and Mahachon parties, followed through Thursday on their
threat to boycott the snap polls Thaksin called last week to head off mounting criticism. Thaksin had declared on national television that the election result would put an end to the rallies and corruption allegations that in recent weeks have rocked his government's credibility.
The ongoing political brinkmanship threatens to allow Thaksin to seize total control of parliament, including majority rule over the Democrats' historic stronghold in the south. An unopposed Thai Rak Thai election win would banish the Democrat Party to the political wilderness until new polls were held in 2010, dissolving the last credible check and balance on Thaksin's power.
It is now evident that the opposition has placed its hopes for unseating Thaksin and returning to power on some sort of extra-constitutional intervention. Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva told reporters on Wednesday that his party was, counter-intuitively, boycotting the election in the name of restoring democracy.
"We are [boycotting the election] to stop a government that betrays and steals from its people under the guise of democracy," Abhisit said. "Thaksin has turned democracy into a license for corruption and violations of rights."

Abhisit also hinted that if the Democrats somehow resumed power they would consider conducting probes into the Shinawatra family's controversial business dealings, Thaksin's government's opaque finances, and human-rights violations committed in pursuit of counter-insurgency activities in the country's restive southernmost provinces. Legal convictions against Thaksin and his ministers on any of these counts could conceivably lead to imprisonment - although there is an established precedent of leniency here for official misconduct, and the Constitutional Court recently refused to hear a petition made by a group of senators calling for Thaksin's dismissal on legal grounds. That leaves extra-constitutional avenues. What form such an intervention might take is now a matter of heated conjecture among Bangkok's elites. Widespread rumors of a possible military coup, and more recently an alleged counter-coup plot led by army loyalists from Thaksin's former cadet class (known as "Class 10" in the Thai educational system) against rival military factions, have been played down by the government. Abhisit also told reporters that a military intervention would represent a "step backward" for Thai democracy.
Attentions have now turned toward the somewhat obscure Article 7 of the 1997 constitution, which allows for His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej to dismiss a prime minister and appoint a replacement during times of national crisis. Abhisit declined to comment on the possibility of royal intervention.
Traditionally, the highly revered monarch hovers above the cut-and-thrust of Thai politics, intervening only in the event of bloody military crackdowns on the civilian population, most recently in 1992. The conservative Democrats came to power after King Bhumibol oversaw a transition back toward democracy, and senior members of the 60-year-old party are known to have close ties to the palace and its custodians.
Breaking taboos, some of Thaksin's critics drew the monarchy into the current fray when last year media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul accused Thaksin of disloyalty to the throne during a nationally televised talk show. Sources close to the palace note that the royal household has never reprimanded Sondhi for making the allegations, and they say that the wives of certain privy councilors had quietly attended some of the media personality's anti-Thaksin rallies last year.
So, with the opposition boycotting the elections and the looming threat of a violent clash between rally-goers for and against, is Thailand now in political crisis?
The country has definitely reached a political impasse, but arguably not yet a full-blown crisis. Thaksin has sagely appealed to democratic processes in an attempt to assuage his critics. Political analysts unanimously predict that, even if the opposition were to partake in the polls, Thaksin would likely win in landslide fashion, giving up a limited number of seats in Bangkok and the few his party now holds in the south.
Thaksin's popularity in rural areas, where most Thais receive their news and a fair share of pro-government propaganda from tightly controlled, state-owned television, including channels directly managed by the Prime Minister's Office, is for obvious reasons still strong. The station owned by Shin Corp, iTV, has grotesquely underestimated the strength of the rallies over its broadcasts, undercounting the recent 100,000-strong rally to 6,000 (see Thailand's spreading yellow tide, February 7).

Democratic high ground
Both Thaksin and the opposition are now battling for the democratic high ground - an increasingly nebulous space in today's Thailand. Both Thaksin and Abhisit are portraying themselves as champions of democracy. Thaksin has repeatedly said democratic elections should take precedence over mob-led politics - although Asia Times Online has received credible reports from political insiders that his government has shelled out as much as 1 billion baht (US$25.6 million) to lure more than 300,000 pro-government rally-goers to Bangkok on Friday.

Abhisit, meanwhile, characterizes his party's election boycott as a move to reform Thai democracy and shore up checks and balances on politicians. "There is not a democratic country in the world where the majority decides on the legality of issues and government actions. We will not participate in a process that launders Thaksin's government."

At the same time, the opposition's boycott raises important longer-term questions about urban-elite attitudes toward a democratic process dictated by rural preferences - particularly considering that Thaksin is still the darling of the rural heartland after splurging in recent years on an array of populist spending policies aimed at the grassroots economy.

Significantly, the disparate interest groups represented at the growing anti-Thaksin rallies have duly failed to identify the opposition Democrat Party as the best alternative to Thaksin. Moreover, recent opinion polls show that an overwhelming majority of Bangkok-based voters are opposed to the opposition's decision to boycott the polls. Abhisit told reporters that the party's decision was not a publicity stunt, but represented the only path possible to place Thai politics back on a democratic course.

But as corruption allegations against Thaksin's government mount and his actions widen the dangerous divide emerging in Thai society, in the event of some sort of extra-constitutional intervention - either from the palace or the military - the Democrats are the only viable option if the country is to stay on a democratic course. Increasingly, the Democrats are finally offering up some fresh policy ideas - even if that means rolling back many of Thaksin's controversial economic programs.

If Abhisit's party were somehow returned to power it would look to roll back Thaksin's plans to privatize Thailand's electricity-generating monopoly and a controversial free-trade agreement with the United States, the Democrat leader said.

The current political standoff has brought business planning across the country to a standstill. As inflation rises, the current account slips into deficit and overall business confidence wanes, perhaps the Shinawatra sale of Shin Corp to Singapore's Temasek was an indication of the family's own waning confidence in Thaksin's policies - and staying power.

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Military chief is unhappy at what he calls extremely sensitive comments. The Privy Council is set to address TV commentator Samak Sundaravej's controversial criticism of its president and statesman General Prem Tinsulanonda during its weekly meeting tomorrow. A source revealed yesterday that privy councillors plan to raise the comments made by the former politician. The remarks have already caused uproar with the pressure on Samak heating up since he made his opinions known last week.

The armed forces yesterday demanded that Samak and his co-host Dusit Siriwan take responsibility for criticising Prem on air. “On behalf of the Thai armed forces, we call on them to come to the realisation that their criticism was inappropriate and shows irresponsibility,” the Defence Ministry's spokesman Lt-General Palangkoon Klaharn said. He added that he was relaying the message from Supreme Commander General Ruengroj Mahasaranond. Palangkoon, who also heads the Office of Supreme Commander's Directorate of Joint Civil Affairs, said the TV commentators had hit on an extremely sensitive issue.

“Thai armed forces and its military members are concerned,” Palangkoon said. However, he declined to say how Samak and Dusit could rectify the matter. During the “This Morning in Thailand” TV programme on Channel 5 last week, Samak criticised Prem for choosing to address the topic of public administration at an event held at Suan Dusit Rajabhat University. Prem's talk was about ethics and public policy management in line with His Majesty the King's initiative. Samak commented that Prem shouldn't have chosen to lecture on public administration at this juncture, because such a move could be construed as an indirect attack on Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra – who is facing calls to step down from a number of parties. Palangkoon said Samak's criticism of Prem affected all Thais, including military officers, because Prem was a respectable figure who has made great contributions to the country. “On top of that, his lecture concerned references to His Majesty the King's speech,” Palangkoon said. In a related development, more than 200 Songkhla residents arrived at Channel 5 yesterday afternoon to demand that the station take “This Morning in Thailand” off air. The one-hour programme is broadcast between 6am and 7am from Monday to Friday.

Maj-General Premsin Nitisiri of the Royal Thai Army, which owns the Channel 5 station, received the letter containing the demands. “We thank you for your comments,” Premsin said. He added that the station did not support Samak's criticisms, but it was beyond the station's control to prevent such statements being made, because “This Morning in Thailand” is a live programme. He added that Channel 5 had already issued a warning to the company that leases air time for the programme from the station, as well as issuing warnings to the programme's producer and its two presenters on Friday. He said the station also issued a separate letter to Samak yesterday morning to demand that Samak apologise to Prem on air during the programme. “If he doesn't do so, we will ask our air time lessee to change the commentators,” Premsin said. He said if similar comments were made during the programme again, the station would cancel its contract with this company. Asked whether Samak would be given a deadline to apologise, Premsin said: “He should do it promptly because he and his co-host should be aware of the social sentiment”.
“This Morning in Thailand” will be broadcast tomorrow as usual. Pol Maj-General Suntorn Saikwan, who heads the Southern Resident Association, said southern residents wished to offer Prem their support and to see Samak take responsibility. “Samak is a mature person. He should be aware that he should urgently do something to relieve the public concern caused by his inappropriate references,” Suntorn said.

In a related development, Dusit said that Channel 5 and the company that produced the TV programme had yet to contact him. “Probably because there was no cell-phone signal,” Dusit said. He said he had been on holiday in Chiang Mai over the past two days and added that he had not seen any news or talked to Samak since Friday's programme.