• [Bangkok Post] SCG Q2 profits beat consensus

  [SCG reported second-quarter net profits of 6.83 billion baht, up 32% from the first quarter, but still down 5% from the same period last year.]
  
  BP: More evidence that Q2 is better than Q1 and the economy may slowly be beginning to rise so if it is a green shoot then it is fairly small

  tags: no_tag

• [Bangkok Post] Families renew Tak Bai appeal

  [They asked the Appeals Court to overturn the Songkhla Court's ruling on the deaths of 78 protesters on Oct 25, 2004, claiming it was unfair and failed to uphold the relatives and victims' rights according to the constitution. They also said the ruling was not in line with Article 150 of the Criminal Code.
  
  The Songkhla Court did not rule on what led to the deaths and did not touch on the people involved in the activities that resulted in the deaths, despite the relatives' presentation of witness testimony, documents, pictures and video footage of the incident. The court only ruled on the cause of death, that the 78 people suffocated.]

  tags: insurgency

• [Bloomberg] Malaria Strain Resists Drugs, May Threaten Millions, Study Says

  [Malaria is becoming resistant to the most powerful drugs available, as the World Health Organization races to stop the spread of the strain that threatens to kill millions more people each year.
  
  Treatments derived from artemisinin, the basis of the most effective anti-malaria drugs, took almost twice as long to clear the parasites that cause the disease in patients in western Cambodia as it did in patients treated in northwestern Thailand, according to a study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine. ]
  
  BP: Bloomberg have a link to the study and some more commentary - lead author is at Mahidol.

  tags: no_tag

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [Global Post] Supernatural Thailand

  [“It’s very embedded in the culture,” said Chris Baker, a Bangkok-based author and Thai political expert who has studied the role of supernaturalism in Thailand. “Most people don’t really question it. It’s like asking (Western politicians) if they believe in the Virgin Mary.”
  
  Thai astrology often directs the timing of political endeavors. When deputy agriculture minister Supachai Phosu took office in May, employees born under the sign of the dog — the astrological rival to his sign, the monkey — were ordered to stay away from ministry headquarters. On his first day, his staffers were told to avoid wearing purple, red or orange and the minister stepped into his office at precisely 7:09 a.m., which carried some starry significance.]

  tags: no_tag

• [Bangkok Post] Q2 GDP likely to fall 5-6%

  [The economy in the second quarter of this year is expected to contract five to six per cent but the fourth quarter should turn out positive, according to the Finance Ministry's latest forecast.]
  
  BP: One can hope that the fourth quarter will turn out positive, but all forecasts so far up until now have been rosier than reality so one cannot be confident of positive growth in the fourth quarter.

  tags: economy

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [Prachatai] MICT’s claim of blocking 16,944 URLs stuns free speech advocate

  [Out of the 16,944 URLs, 11,000 concern national security, 5,872 have content which is socially and culturally inappropriate, and 72 have content affecting the economy.]

  tags: LeseMajeste, FreeSpeech

• [AFP] 4 killed in new Thai violence

  [SUSPECTED separatist insurgents in Thailand's troubled south shot dead four civilians while a remote-controlled bomb wounded five other people, police said on Tuesday.]
  

  tags: insurgency

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [Bangkok Post] Is Abhisit Ignoring the Deep South?

  [Six months ago, there were at least muted hopes than freshman Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva would turn his attention to the South.
  
  The region poses the greatest existing security threat to the lives of the people in the four southernmost provinces.
  ...
  Instead, Mr Abhisit has effectively ignored the deep South. His Democrat Party, once the hope for peace in the South, has been conspicuously silent on the problem.]
  
  BP: This is unfair. Thaksin was criticized for ignoring the South so was Samak. This is often said to be back of a lack of visits. If Abhisit is too visit, the attacks will increase. If he says or does anything, the attacks will increase. It is a lose-lose situation politically. It is about getting the policies right as opposed to speaking about it publicly. You can't he has ignored the South either since the editorial refers to a new economic policy. Now, on whether the policies are right. BP thinks you can criticize him for the 63 billion baht economic package given the military seem to be controlling it, but on other areas we are still short on specifics.

  tags: insurgency

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [Hobby] BP Commenter Hobby Blogs on Attending the Thaksin Bday Event in Chiang Mai

  [I spoke with a few in the crowd and these people are definitely not paid to attend such events, nor do they need to be paid to vote for a Thaksin party as they genuinely believe Thaksin has good policies.
  They grumbled about the economy, which makes me think that perhaps Thaksin and his nominee party are somewhat fortunate they are not in power during the worst of this worldwide economic downturn as they don't have to cop the flak, and can look like saviours when they are inevitably elected.]
  
  BP: It seems like the Democrats are cursed to come to power at a time when the economy is bad, lose popularity quickly, and hold on for as long as possible. Hobby has some other comments and photos.

  tags: thaksin

• [Bangkok Post] On prickly issues, a gentler tread would help

  [Mrs Clinton should understand full well that Asean - of which Burma is a member - wishes to handle any issue regarding its members as an ''internal affair'' for the regional grouping to decide on.
  
  To have aired Washington's position at such a venue could not be interpreted otherwise but as an ill-conceived move bordering on interference in the organisation's internal affairs.]
  
  BP: Was she too harsh on Burma?? This is the first criticism that BP has seen on her being too harsh.

  tags: Burma, ForeignPolicy

• [Political Prisoners in Thailand] Updated: 1st year anniversary of Darunee’s jailing

  [Prachatai (26 July 2009: “Activists call to Khlong Prem, to mark one year of Da Torpedo’s imprisonment”) reports that activists have called on the public to visit Darunee “Da Torpedo” Charnchoensilpakul on 30 July.]
  
  The visit is meant to mark the first anniversary of her imprisonment on charges of lese majeste.

  tags: FreeSpeech, LeseMajeste

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [The Nation] Someone to keep us guessing

  [Newsrooms are being filled with educated as well as simply clueless guesses about the "big surprise" being planned for ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's 60th birthday celebrations in various provinces. Here is a summary of all the theories we have heard:
  ...
  6. Don't laugh, but actually there are people who think that the first, second and fifth scenarios will take place at the same time. Thaksin, visiting as a hologram, will declare that he has absolutely no hatred left in his heart, then he goes ahead to give the Democrats a good spanking before announcing projects like scholarships and transforming the People's Station (formerly D-station) into a free tutoring channel employing expensive, qualified lecturers.]
  
  BP: No. 6 is Tulsie's guess. It is so out there it just may be true... BP thinks he will be much more conciliatory in parts than in the past.

  tags: no_tag

• [Washington Times] Ethnic violence spreads in Thailand

  [Terrorist attacks in the villages of southern Thailand have reached an all-time high, as schools become breeding grounds for young fighters in the conflict between Muslim insurgents and Buddhists, analysts say.
  ...
  "The level of violence is up, the level sophistication is up, the level of religious fervor is up," said Peter Chalk, a senior political scientist at the Rand Corp., a nonprofit think tank.]
  
  BP: Some other interesting quotes from senior Thai diplomatic staff in Washington and others.

  tags: insurgency

• [The Nation] Chumpol supports rewrite

  [The Chart Thai Pattana Party has supported the charter rewrite - declaring it unnecessary to review any further the panel report on the six proposed amendments, Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silapa-archa said yesterday.
  
  "My party has studied the report.... and found it compatible with the party's stand," he said. The panel's six issues slated for rewriting were in line with his party's seven-point proposal to amend the charter.]
  
  BP: Chumpol is quite equivocal. We haven't heard anything concrete from the other coalition partners (aside from the Dems who appear to want a delay/disagree with some of the amendments).

  tags: constitution

• [Bangkok Post] A step in the right direction

  [Given the fact that 90% of the Thai population own less than one rai of land, while the other 10% own more than 100 rai, this new property tax is more than welcome as it would redress the root cause of inequity and injustice in this country. It is simply outrageous that when there are more than 500,000 landless families in need of land to till, 75% of the land owned by the richest 10% remain idle.]

  tags: no_tag

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [Bangkok Post] Expected Drop in Tourism Numbers

  [The expected number of tourist arrivals had been reduced from the expected 14.1 million to 11, he said.
  
  The A(H1N1) flu outbreak could make tourism contract by three to four per cent, causing the country to lose up to 200 billion baht of tourism revenue this year, he said.
  
  Last year, Thailand gained 540 billion baht in tourism revenue.
  ...
  However, he said Thai tourists would help generate an estimated 430 billion baht in revenue this year].
  
  BP: Huge drop, but not unexpected.

  tags: economy

• Bangkok Post : Suvarnabhumi crackdown next week

  [A major crackdown on illegal taxis and unlicensed guides will be conducted at Suvarnabhumi airport starting July 28, according to a notice put up by the Airports of Thailand Plc in the airport on Wednesday].
  
  BP: Translation = Attention scammers, you only have 5 days left before we will have a crackdown. We will alert you again once the crackdown is over and it looks like we have pretended to do something. So make sure you make up for the loss of revenue in the next 5 days!
  
  The crackdown will be jointly carried out by AoT, which is the airport operator.

  tags: no_tag

• [Bangkok Post] EDITORIAL Charter change is no guarantee

  [That the committee came up with such a controversial proposal should not surprising, since its leader, Mr Direk Thoengfung, is a Puea Thai MP of Nonthaburi. The opposition Puea Thai Party made the amnesty issue the top agenda on its political platform. Whether the proposal will be realised at all remains a big question mark. But what is quite certain is that it will face fierce resistance from the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy, the Democrats and a group of progressive-minded senators, who have vowed to do all they can to stifle any move to have the charter amended.]
  
  BP: Direk is a Puea Thai MP??? No, he is a Senator... In fairness, the rest of the editorial is quite good and looks the points and issues, but was astonished that this error was not picked up.

  tags: constitution

• [Washington Post] Clinton Presses Burma to Release Nobel Laureate, Offering Possible Benefits - washingtonpost.com

  [Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton made an explicit appeal to Burma on Wednesday to release jailed Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, offering the prospect of direct U.S. investment in the repressive Southeast Asian nation.]

  tags: Burma

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [State Department] Press Conference of Hillary and Remarks With Thai Deputy Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu

  [QUESTION: (Via interpreter) A member of the Thai press has just asked, following your visit here to Thailand, there’s been a press report from Washington Post regarding the treatment of suspected terrorists by the CIA, and the presence of secret prisons in Thailand. And what would be your view on this and whether there has been an investigation of this matter?
  
  SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I do not comment on intelligence matters for obvious reasons. But I want to underscore the importance of my visit today to emphasize the very broad and deep relationship that we have with Thailand. It has been a very positive one, I think for both the Thai people and the American people. And I would only note that President Obama has made it very clear that his Administration and our country are committed to fulfilling the values and founding principles and high standards that the United States has consistently stood for.]
  
  BP: So the "neither confirm nor deny" response. Not wanting to embarrass the hosts...

  tags: ForeignPolicy

• [Bloomberg] U.S. Strengthens Southeast Asia Ties, Playing Catch-up to China

  [The Obama administration plans to join a friendship accord with Southeast Asia, six years after China signed up and signaled a challenge to U.S. military might and economic interests in the resource-rich region.]
  
  BP: More relevant to foreign policy and multilateral issues in ASEAN, but relevant to Thailand as the Sino-Thai relations is something which BP views has strengthened in recent years.

  tags: ForeignPolicy

• [Bkk Post] Hiliary's Op-ed in the Bkk Pos

  [I want to applaud Thailand for its new, comprehensive anti-human trafficking law that came into force in June 2008. The prosecutions and victim assistance we expect to see as a result of this new law's passage will be an important step in the right direction in combating a pressing human rights issue in the region and beyond.
  
  On these and a range of other issues of common concern, including climate change and global health, progress will only be achieved through partnership between not just our governments, but also our people. Entrepreneurs and educators, doctors and scientists, friends and families have all joined hands across the Pacific in cooperation. This is especially true for the United States and Thailand. Our governments and our people have developed strong ties over 175 years of relations.
  
  Of course every country has its challenges, and no democracy is ever a finished product. The challenge for the people of both the United States and Thailand is to leave our democracies deeper and stronger than we found them. It's hard work, but just as I have faith that each generation of Americans will meet that challenge, I am confident the people of Thailand will do the same. As they do, they can always count on the friendship and support of the United States.]
  
  BP: According to the State Department's blog DipNote, a Thai version appeared in Matichon. More interesting for BP is that the Post and Matichon were chosen than anything that was said although from the rhetoric the Obama Administration appears to be focusing more on ASEAN than its predecessor.

  tags: ForeignPolicy

• [Bangkok Post] North Korea fears forum criticism over missile tests

  [North Korea has called on Thailand to protect its delegates from criticism during the Asean Regional Forum.
  
  Pyongyang's ambassador at large Pak Kun-gwang yesterday raised the issue in talks with Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya ahead of tomorrow's security meeting.
  
  Mr Pak requested an urgent meeting with the minister shortly after the five North Korean delegates arrived on the resort island yesterday.
  
  North Korea is worried its recent missile tests would be condemned by countries participating in the forum, said Mr Kasit's secretary Chavanond Intarakomalyasut.]
  
  BP: Ummmm. Is Thailand powerful enough to stave off the rest the other ARF members? Will then Thailand protect North Korea?
  
  Actually, this is just govt. spin to inflate Thailand's role.

  tags: no_tag

• [BERNAMA] Thailand Needs Bolder Approach On Myanmar

  [Thailand needs a bolder approach in dealing with Myanmar to show that engagement with the country could produce concrete results and not empty promises, said the Human Rights Watch (HRW).]
  

  tags: Burma

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [Science Daily] Mathematical Model Shows Why Defeating Insurgent Groups Like Taliban Is So Difficult

  [Insurgent groups like the Taliban can only be effectively engaged with timely and accurate military intelligence, and even good intelligence may only succeed in containing the insurgency, not defeating it, according to a new study.
  
  The study is one of the first to combine military intelligence, attrition and civilian population behavior in a unified model of counterinsurgency dynamics.]
  
  BP: An interesting report

  tags: insurgency

• [BBC NEWS] Tourists warned of Thailand airport scam

  [Now new allegations have been made that a number of passengers are being detained every month in the duty free area on suspicion of shoplifting, and then held by the police until they pay large sums of money to buy their freedom.]
  
  BP: To be honest, if there was no evidence to suggest they allegedly shoplifted the wallet (go to the Kingpower website to see the CCTV and explanation) then BP would have much more sympathy to their plight. There is a difference between a bribe to avoid time in jail and an innocent person grabbed off the street and where money is extorted from.
  
  It is a few years ago now, but BP does not of someone who was arrested for shop lifting at Don Muang. According to their lawyer, theft at an airport was a more serious offence (ie aggravating factor) than theft elsewhere. From memory, it had something to do with it was a government facility. The person got bail, plead guilty, paid a fortune in lawyers' fees and incentives to get the police version of events slightly altered to their advantage and receive a suspended jail sentence. This took about 3 weeks though. If one was to plead not guilty, you will be in for a looong wait - there is no doubt the person was guilty btw.

  tags: no_tag

• [Bangkok Post]: SHOW US THE MONEY, MR PRIME MINISTER

  [But for people in Buri Ram, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
  
  A kamnan said people do not hate Mr Abhisit but do not adore him the same way they did Thaksin.
  
  Instead, they wanted to see Mr Abhisit show leadership and take immediate action.
  
  "When Thaksin came, his promises were fulfilled just a week after. People saw progress, and money," he said.
  
  "Villagers have no idea when the promised package will come and whether it will help them. Local politicians and their cronies with business connections may simply reap profits from the schemes."
  
  Thonglor Chewroenram, a 66-year-old farmer, still lauds Thaksin.
  
  "Thaksin was the first who cared and did something about our hardship. But we haven't seen this government doing much," he said.
  
  Still, Mr Thonglor has not ruled out a chance for Mr Abhisit to be another idol for him.
  
  "I will wait and see if he can be equal or better than Thaksin," he said.]
  
  BP: Some interesting stats on the Buri Ram economy too.

  tags: economy

• [Bangkok Post]: REBELS' NEW TACTIC BEATS AUTHORITIES

  [Insurgent groups in the deep South have switched to detonating bombs by walkie-talkies to avoid phone signal jammers, a security source in the restive region says.
  
  Police are investigating a car bomb attack that killed a special task force deputy chief and his aide on Friday in Yala's Yaha district.
  
  The bomb was detonated by walkie-talkie signal.
  
  A source in Yala police's bomb disposal squad said the bomb used in the Friday attack was a home-made device assembled with a 15kg gas cylinder.]

  tags: no_tag

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [Reuters] Thailand's Thongchai keeps flag flying for Asia

  [Thai Thongchai Jaidee had high hopes of becoming Asia's first major champion after surging to within four strokes of surprise leader Tom Watson, 59, in Saturday's British Open third round.
  
  "I've been receiving many text messages from people congratulating me and giving me lots of encouragement," he told reporters after shooting a one-under 69 for 210, level par]

  tags: no_tag

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [The Nation] Police clash with red-shirt protesters

  [One of the rally organisers, Niyom Luangcharoen, was detained by police after the discovery that he was carrying a pistol without a license.
  
  Niyom was brought for questioning at the police station and hundreds of the red shirts rallied to demand his release. They also blocked traffic on Huay Kaew, a main thoroughfare.]
  
  BP: So one can now carry guns in one's car at an airport? If he had been held for a long period of time without being charged etc, one can understand the protest, but these reactionary protests are just mob law.

  tags: UDD

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [The Nation] PAD: Don't Intimidate Investigators!

  [New Politics Party secretary-general Suriyasai Katasila called on the government not to isolate the police team working on the case, saying it must draw a clear line between not interfering and leaving them isolated.
  
  Thanee's team had taken the right path in finding the culprits in the attack of Sondhi, who also believed his attackers were men in uniform, Suriyasai said.
  
  "What we worry about is whether the government will support this police team and make sure that this is not a phoney fight, especially when Thanee has revealed that some investigators let out secrets and there have been high-powered groups trying to intimidate investigators," he said.]
  
  BP: And does not intimidating investigators extend to those officers investigating the PAD?

  tags: pad

• [Bangkok Post] MATICHON Editorial

  [Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's visit to Buri Ram province last Saturday was clear proof that national reconciliation remains a distant dream.
  
  Democrat Party members may claim success for their leader's eight-hour stay in the northeastern province, but we wonder if the trip would have gone smoothly without the heavy presence of security officials deployed to protect the prime minister.]
  
  BP: This is why Abhisit would be better served going to any area where the Dems are at least popular. We seem to be going from the extreme of Abhisit to having no security to having 4,000 security officials. Can't they find a middle ground? Also, if the red shirts act like idiots on such a visit then it only helps Abhisit.

  tags: no_tag

• [Bangkok Post] THAI RATH COLUMNISTMUD LEK (IRON FIST)

  [Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva cannot claim that his visit last Saturday to the northeastern province of Buri Ram was a success.
  ...
  In fact, it was Mr Newin who scored political points last Saturday. Mr Abhisit's presence helped restore Mr Newin's confidence after two shocking defeats at the hands of the opposition Puea Thai Party in two by-elections in Sakon Nakhon and Si Sa Ket provinces last month.
  
  Mr Abhisit did not look prime ministerial because he could not identify with the locals. I did not see him mingle with the crowds and exchange pleasantries with them. Instead, he was constantly surrounded by security officials].
  
  BP: As couldn't really understand how the visit would help the Dems in the medium or long-term, was also wondering if Abhisit's visit was to benefit Newin (or at least Newin thought it would), but dismissed it as Newin using Abhisit made no sense. Anyone with a theory of how? Outside of Buriram and surrounding provinces, isn't Newin in a little bit of trouble up against the Thaksin machine?

  tags: no_tag

• [The Nation] Govt to organise TV pool to counter the campaign seeking a royal pardon - Nationmultimedia.com

  [The government will explain to the public via the TV pool that the signature campaign seeking a royal pardon for ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra is in contrary to the law and the prescribed procedures.
  
  "The prime minister has instructed Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga to appear in a live broadcast to warn about the wrongful campaign," PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey said on Thursday.
  
  Pirapan is expected to clarify that a royal pardon is granted only to a convicted who has served part of the punishment and that only a convict is allowed to submit a pardon petition, Satit said.]
  
  BP: Section 191 of the Constitution states "[t]he King has the prerogative to grant a pardon". Up until now, the words "inappropriate" and "should not" have been used as to imply that morally or politically it should not be done. So which law is being breached by the petition? Or it is merely a "wrong campaign"? (i.e the govt disagrees with it)

  tags: no_tag

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [The Nation] Court dismisses PAD's counter lawsuit claiming trumped-up terrorism charge - Nationmultimedia.com

  [The Criminal Court on Tuesday cited a lack of cause for judicial review to throw out a counter lawsuit claiming police fabricated terrorism charge related to the Suvarnabhumi Airport seizure in December.
  
  In countering the police work on the airport seizure case, People's Alliance for Democracy co-leader Chaiwat Sinsuwong petitioned for a judicial review.
  ...
  The lower court ruled that the investigative team, led by assistant national police chief Lt General Wuth Puawet, had acted within the vested mandate and followed the Criminal Procedural Code in filing the charges.]
  
  BP: Things no longer going the PAD's way?

  tags: pad

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [Bangkok Post] Rebels killed 115 teachers since 2004

  [Lekha Issara, from Ban Po Meng in tambon Kayuboko of Yala's Raman district, was killed on June 16, the latest teacher to fall victim to separatist attacks.
  
  She was the 115th teacher in the three southern border provinces to have been killed.]

  tags: insurgency

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [AFP] Myanmar ophans flee to uncertain refuge in Thailand

  [A sudden offensive against ethnic Karen rebels by Myanmar's military junta has caused what aid groups say is the biggest exodus of refugees from Myanmar since 1997, with some 4,000 people fleeing for safety since the start of June.
  
  Just weeks ago the group of 96 destitute orphans fled their children's home in Myanmar to the sound of mortar shells and crossed into Thailand.]

  tags: Burma

• [AFP] Thailand bans protests in Phuket at ASEAN meeting

  ["I am telling all parties.... No kind of rally is allowed in Phuket. We will not designate an area for demonstration, we will not allow protest representatives to show up or mount a road blockade -- even peaceful rallies are not allowed," defence minister General Prawit Wongsuwon told reporters.]
  
  BP: Slight overkill?

  tags: no_tag

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [Bangkok Post] Mingkwan: Thai PM must be economic expert

  [In the midst of economic crisis, Thailand will need the government leader who has expertise in economic and capability to tackle the pressing problems of the country, former deputy prime minister and commerce minister, Mingkwan Saengsuwan, said on Friday morning.
  
  His remark was made during a seminar on “Clear the Country’s Debt, Create Income for the People” held this morning at a hotel in Chiang Mai by the opposition Puea Thai Party.]
  
  BP: He is saying, pick me! Reports that Puea Thai will keep some figurehead until closer to the election as they are worried about another party ban/dissolution. Mingkwan seems to be putting his hand up.

  tags: no_tag

• [Bangkok Post] Thaksin Does the South Pacific

  "Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra flew to the Pacific islands this week, a Tongan government official says.
  
  "He was here on Tuesday," the Tongan official, who did not wish to be named, said yesterday, adding he understood Thaksin left on Wednesday for Fiji.
  
  "He talked to someone at foreign affairs, who looked after him."
  
  The official did not give any further information on the purpose of the visit."

  tags: thaksin

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [Reuters] Bomb kills soldier in Thai south

  [A soldier was killed by a bomb and a Muslim civilian was shot dead in the latest violence in Thailand's restive south, police said Thursday.
  
  The bomb was detonated as troops travelled in a pickup on a patrol in the town of Yarang in Pattani province. Five soldiers were wounded.]

  tags: insurgency

• [Thailand Politics] The Return of the Blue Shirts

  [Matichon reports that the PM Abhisit will visit Buriram on Saturday, and that the Blue Shirts are part of the security preparations, which includes 3,000 provincial police from Nakhon Ratchisima, Surin, and Buriram. ]
  
  BP: The red shirts will also be there....

  tags: no_tag

• [The Australian] Fugitive former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra's secret Fiji talks

  [Fugitive billionaire former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra flew in his Learjet to Fiji for a secret meeting with the controversial prime minister and military commander Frank Bainimarama.
  
  The subject of their discussions, held in Mr Bainimarama's office in Suva on Monday, is unknown, but informed sources in Fiji say Mr Thaksin is considering investing $300million in the country.
  
  In return, he would probably be assured safety there from extradition, if he should choose to use Fiji as one of his bases in exile. Thailand is seeking to return him to Bangkok, where he faces two years in jail for abuse of power.]
  
  BP: He is meant to be heading to Tonga and Vanuatu next. Fiji also had a coup around the same time as Thailand and the military still haven't given up power.

  tags: thaksin

• [VOA] Internet, Satellite Communications Widen Political Debate in Thailand

  [Thailand has undergone a quiet revolution as satellite broadcasters and the Internet have challenged traditional broadcast outlets to lead the political debate. There are concerns the government now wants to undercut these new challengers.
  ...
  "The ability to broadcast a signal over the Internet outside Thailand, so that it could be uploaded legally to a satellite, and that really made a huge change because the government didn't have the legal means to control that," he said. "Suddenly you had a level of political debate on television you had never seen before." ]
  
  BP: That is a quote from Baker. It is not just broadcasting over the internet, but also the internet itself which provides more access to information.

  tags: media

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• Bangkok Post : Preah Vihear is a quandary hard to solve

  tags: no_tag

  • This year, bilateral ties plunged after the government's protest against the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation last month. Thailand's argument was the approval of the registration resulted in border tension instead of bringing about peace and cooperation.

    
    

    This strategy was unnecessary and in fact was a setback for Thailand more than the UN agency.

    
    

    Mr Abhisit said this renewed protest did not involve Cambodia as there was no mention of the neighbouring country. But in reality, it cannot be denied Cambodia's involvement because of the nature of the issue.

    
    

    Phnom Penh probably overplayed the issue too.

    
    

    What the Cambodian strongman said on the mismatch of soldiers between the two countries went too far. He certainly is not welcoming war, but his remarks were clearly aimed at local consumption in order to get Cambodians behind him and boost his popula

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

• [Political Prisoners in Thailand] New: Opposing Thaksin by supporting the monarchy

  [When the pressure mounts from the so-called pro-Thaksin side of politics, the other side, represented by PAD and the Democrat Party gets excited. They attack Thaksin and demand loyalty and trumpet the monarchy as their symbol of anti-Thaksinism. The election victories have Puea Thai have set the cat amongst the pigeons again.
  
  The Bangkok Post (3 July 2009: “PM, senators denounce petition for royal pardon for Thaksin”) is a useful example of panic amongst royalists and their supporters.]
  
  BP: Indeed

  tags: no_tag

• [Thailand Politics]: Thai Economy: May 2009

  [The BOT has released its charts and economic summary for the month of May 2009. I'm hesitant to make sweeping generalizations without knowing the seasonal trends and other variables that can greatly affect demand in particular sectors. That being said, the only "green shoot" I can see from a cursory glance at the charts and data is the slight improvement in the electronics sector, a key sector in Thailand's export dependent economy.]
  
  BP: Links to the charts and economy summary available in the above link. Note particularly, as the poster notes, the fall of prices in the agricultural sector and think of the political impact of this.

  tags: economy

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• [Asia Times] Time to Engage the Burmese Generals?

  [In the last year, he has been to Burma six times and travelled extensively. He has seen profound changes and traditional barriers falling away. All the more case, Thant says, for a campaign to engage with the generals.
  
  "It was a narrow approach," he said. "We tried to further isolate the country as it was coming out of its own isolations. They built a wall around themselves in the 1960s and 70s, and then we built another wall around that." ]
  
  BP: His grandfather is former UN Sec-Gen U Thant.

  tags: Burma

  • In the last year, he has been to Burma six times and travelled extensively. He
    has seen profound changes and traditional barriers falling away. All the more
    case, Thant says, for a campaign to engage with the generals.

• [Reuters] Q+A: What is behind Thailand's mysterious insurgency?

  ["The insurgency is highly organized," said Anthony Davis, a security analyst for Jane's Information Group. "The secrecy is very effective, and militarily they've stuck with what they know best. They could keep this campaign going indefinitely."]
  
  BP: Some interesting quotes and analysis

  tags: insurgency

• [SWJ] Siam Cement Wins Thailand's Top Title in The Wall Street Journal Asia's Asia 200 Survey - WSJ.com

  [It's been a tough year for Siam Cement PCL, one of Southeast Asia's oldest and biggest industrial conglomerates. But that hasn't kept it from maintaining its status as one of Thailand's most-respected companies.]
  
  BP: A list of top ten admired firms.
  
  

  tags: economy

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• [Bangkok Post] South unrest leaves 2,897 orphans

  The number of orphans had increased sharply from1,425 in January 2007 to 2,897 at the end of June, showing that the violence had intensified in the last 30 months, he said.
  
  Mr Suparerk said southern unrest has left 542 women widows in Pattani, 502 in Yala, 439 in Narathiwat and 69 in Songkhla

  tags: insurgency

• [Bangkok Post] PAD leaders to be charged

  [Charges will likely be laid against leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy PAD) in the next couple of weeks over the occupation and shutting down of Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports late last years, a senior police investigator said on Thursday.
  
  Pol Lt-Gen Wuth Puawes, the chief investigator in the case, said a complaint backed by evidence had been laid against the PAD by the Aviation Department.�
  
  Investigators were writing their case report and preparing to file charges, which would probably be in �mid-July.
  
  He declined to reveal who among the PAD leaders would be charged.]
  
  BP: About 3 months ago, the police said PAD leaders would soon be charged....

  tags: pad

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• [BERNAMA] Southern Thai Split On Emergency Decree Extension

  [He said the security forces felt that the decree allowed them to work efficiently to cope with the daily violence and undertake pre-emptive measures using the legal tool provided. Police and military officials told the seminar that there were 7,000 to 9,000 insurgents, with 274 of the 2,200 villages considered as red areas.
  
  "They can detain a suspect for seven days under the martial law and a further 30 days under the emergency decree. This allows them to conduct interrogation and get more information, whereas under the normal criminal law, a suspect can be held for 24 hours only and they have right to attorney," he said.
  
  He also said the level of violence had dropped with the emergency decree and round-up operations.
  
  "But it could also be due to the fact there are 60,000 troops concentrated heavily in the three provinces. The military also said they have 759 bases and check-points throughout the provinces, so it surpresses the level of insurgency," he said.]
  
  BP: That is quoting Srisompob of PSU. Some other interesting tidbits particularly on support for the current legal infrastructure.

  tags: insurgency

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• [DPA] Thai by-election results boost fugitive former premier

  ['What these by-elections tell us is that in this part of the north-east, which has been rock solid for Thaksin all the way through, nothing has changed,' said Chris Baker, the co-author of Thaksin - The Business of Politics in Thailand.]
  
  BP: Agree. Some quotemeister and more Baker in the analysis.
   

  tags: no_tag

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