People's Alliance For Democracy To Renew Movement

[sriracha john]

Can understand the mentality, but with the way things are right now this guy just isn't fit for the job - period. Hopefully some level of common sense will prevail in the PPP (as much as I hate the scum sucking !@$#%'s) and they'll realise things simply are not going to progress with Samak in charge.

still no reason to take him off your birthday card list....

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=2031342

I notice everyone forgot the poor ol' guy....

Edited June 14, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

The IM is Same, Same as PM's earlier back-pedalling regarding his threats against the PAD to physically remove them.... They're taking turns coming out with outlandish statements... only to recoil after gauging that public opinion is going against them...and attempt to pawn off their earlier-stated intentions by proclaiming "misunderstanding."

I see Thaksin taught these yokels his time-honored tactics quite well....

Interior Minister says ban on rally broadcast a misunderstanding

The Interior Minister, Pol. Capt. Chalerm Yubamrung, says the order to prohibit local cable TVs from airing the rally by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) is a misunderstanding.

He says he only requested the cable TVs to cancel the broadcast of speeches which use inappropriate words.

The Interior Minister elaborated that he instructed provincial governors across the country to strictly apply laws to prevent the airing of rude and provocative speeches by the PAD as they may create chaos in the society.

He says he is willing to explain the matter to the chairman of the cable TV association by himself.

In response to PAD's remark that it will request the National Counter Corruption Commission and the Supreme Administrative Court to dismiss him, Pol. Capt. Chalerm says he wonders on what grounds he should be dismissed and he is not afraid of PAD's threat that the protestors will rally in front of his residence and the Ministry of Interior.

- ThaiNews (1 hour ago)

Edited June 14, 2008 by sriracha john

[plachon]

It seems like every order these two clowns issue these days ends up being a "misunderstanding" and they end up having to backpedal about the very clear statements they made a day or two before. It just makes them look even more ridiculous and out of control of the situation than if they'd just kept their big mouths shut and got on with the job of raping and pillaging the country's resources in silence. Samak almost looked like he'd grasped that concept the other day with his relative silence for a week, but now Ai Lerm and Mak are back on their comedy duo routine again.

Got to say, it's giving the PAD a lot of credibility and if they do take the protest to Ai Lerm's gaff, then it's upping the ante in an interesting direction. Not without it's risks of course, but I suspect the tide is now starting to turn against this govt. and signals are being made in the backrooms and bars that it's time to move on. Suspect this next week or two could be quite eventful.

[sriracha john]

more like many, many steps...

Chalerm takes a step back

In an apparent backtrack, Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung explains he has no plan to ban the anti-government ASTV channel wholesale.

He says he's concerned only about portions of live broadcasts inciting or supporting subversion of state power, or calling for the ouster of the Samak Sundaravej administration; only these should be censored.

Chalerm said on Friday during a teleconference with all 76 provincial governors that they should have provincial cable-television operators drop ASTV, drawing criticism that this was unconstitutional.

Now he says cable operators should monitor speeches by the People's Alliance for Democracy for incitement to subvert or overthrow the state.

Failure to implement this temporary and limited censorship could, he says, lead to the imprisonment of cable and ASTV operators for up to six months under Article 85 of the Criminal Code.

"What I told the governors [on Friday] wasn't policy: I merely told them to strictly apply the law by negotiating with cable television. If they are to broadcast [PAD rallies] they must be vigilant. When unsuitable content crops up, they must cut it immediately; they can resume broadcasting when aggressive speakers have finished."

The Association of Cable Television operators issued a statement yesterday telling members to continue to broadcast PAD rallies, pending written instructions from the government.

- Daily Xpress (today)

[sriracha john]

Governors warned over ASTV ban

Broadcast block on street protests breaches Constitution: Democrats

The Democrat Party yesterday warned provincial governors they would be at risk of violating the Constitution if they blocked ASTV broadcasts in line with Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung's instructions.

Although Chalerm backpedalled from Friday's remarks by arguing he wanted cable operators to just gag inflammatory comments instead of imposing a complete censor, tampering with the free press is a constitutional offence, the Democrats said.

Chalerm triggered a controversy after threatening to prosecute cable operators for relaying satellite broadcasts covering street protests organised by the People's Alliance for Democracy.

"Provincial governors might fall prey to Chalerm's legal blunder if they rush to comply with his verbal order before checking relevant laws," Democrat MP Boonyod Sukthinthai said.

Boonyod was referring to a brief halt to broadcasts in Khon Kaen, before they resumed following the discovery the order was not sanctioned by law.

He said Chalerm should not have acted in haste because he was causing the erosion of his own credibility.

Democrat deputy leader Alongkorn Pollabutr said he would today demand the Public Relations Department show progress on its investigation into the alleged biased coverage of political news at state-run NBT Channel.

The government appeared quick to employ a diversion but was slow to stop bullying its opponents via state-run media outlets, he said.

Stepping into the fray to defend Chalerm, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said the Interior Ministry was trying to enforce the law to penalise those involved in airing and publicising inflammatory remarks against the government.

Samak, speaking on his weekly TV programme yesterday, said Chalerm did not intend to shut down the broadcasts but wanted to stop offending remarks going on air. He said cable operators would have to take their own risks if they continued to relay ASTV's broadcast in full. He cited an analogy of newspaper editors being held accountable for defamations they published.

He urged people suffering from inconvenience caused by PAD-led protests to sue the organisers and demand compensation. The PM advised people to file complaints with the police for legal action. He said the government had no legal mandate to stop the protests or to run financial checks on the PAD.

PAD leaders said yesterday their rally would continue until they were assured the government was not trying to interfere with the legal system involving cases against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. "We will fight against injustice until we win," said Pipob Dhongchai, one of the five PAD leaders.

In a related development, the Campaign Committee for Human Rights yesterday issued a statement denouncing the disruption of ASTV signals as abuse of authority, a violation of human rights and infringement on the public's right to information.

The non-governmental organisation called on the interior minister and provincial governors to "stop the political persecution and abuse of authority in the enforcing of laws for the benefit of their own and their associates."

Meanwhile, People Power Party spokesman Kudeb Saikrachang said the PAD was intent on a long struggle and had tried to shift its demands as a pretext to prop up street protests. The PAD was fabricating a series of stories to fault the government even though there was no evidence to back up its allegations, he said. In its latest claim, the PAD said the government was tampering with the judiciary in order to help ex-PM Thaksin elude the law, although it failed to substantiate this, Kudeb said. The recent scandal about the Bt2-million attempted bribery at the Supreme Court had no link to the government *except that the lawyer identified is a lawyer for the Deputy Leader of the PPP* but the PAD was trying to pin the blame in order to have a pretext to justify its protests, he said.

- The Nation (today)

[jitagon]

Funny. I keep getting we are sorry this video is no longer available.

I've been getting that same message on every YouTube video all over the internet for around two weeks or so now. What's going on? Have they banned it again?

[Moonrakers]

Funny. I keep getting we are sorry this video is no longer available.

I've been getting that same message on every YouTube video all over the internet for around two weeks or so now. What's going on? Have they banned it again?

Possibly something to do with the links, or the ISP?. I also keep getting the "No longer available" message from links on here, but it seems to work fine at home where I use a different ISP.

[h90]

At the moment the PAD is at the EC building....

a lot of people.....

[jitagon]

Funny. I keep getting we are sorry this video is no longer available.

I've been getting that same message on every YouTube video all over the internet for around two weeks or so now. What's going on? Have they banned it again?

Possibly something to do with the links, or the ISP?. I also keep getting the "No longer available" message from links on here, but it seems to work fine at home where I use a different ISP.

No, it's not just links from here, that message comes up on links from all the other sites I visit.

[sriracha john]

Funny. I keep getting we are sorry this video is no longer available.

I've been getting that same message on every YouTube video all over the internet for around two weeks or so now. What's going on? Have they banned it again?

Possibly something to do with the links, or the ISP?. I also keep getting the "No longer available" message from links on here, but it seems to work fine at home where I use a different ISP.

"Aye, There's the rub!"

TT&T provides trouble-free viewing of the link provided and any YouTube video.... while TOT users have been having trouble for months with YouTube (and other sites) and is addressed in several threads on the internet forum and forum support desk.

These have frequently been misidentified as the YouTube site being blocked or "banned". It is not.

[Tony Clifton]

Funny. I keep getting we are sorry this video is no longer available.

I've been getting that same message on every YouTube video all over the internet for around two weeks or so now. What's going on? Have they banned it again?

The video is still available.

PM me if you want access to Youtube.

[h90]

in the worst case if you want to see the movie I can ripp it down from youtube and put it on my server.

Not sure if thats legal.....

[Moonrakers]

And so it starts?????

"Two small bombs exploded outside the Bangkok office of a key leader of anti-government protests in Thailand.

Police say two men on a motorcycle threw explosives at a building that houses the offices of Manager Media Group on Sunday."

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stor....htm?tab=latest

[sriracha john]

10,000 Join PAD Rally to EC Headquarters

The People’s Alliance for Democracy’s rally in front of the Election Commission headquarters saw ten thousand people gathered to support three commissioners and call for the dismissal of two others.

People’s Alliance for Democracy core leaders Sondhi Limthongkul, Somkiat Pongpaibul, Somsak Kosaisuk, and Pipop Thongchai led a group of about 3,000 supporters to march from the National Stadium at 10 a.m. this morning to the Election Commission headquarters.

At around 10.30, the number of those gathered in front of the EC office on Rama I Road, swelled to about ten thousand even though a light drizzle covered the area.

The Metropolitan Police closed off Rama I Road, in front of the EC headquarters, and set up metal barricades around the office.

The four core PAD leaders took turns on the makeshift stage on a six-wheeled truck to speak to the people in support of three election commissioners, Chairman Apichart Sukhagganont, Praphan Naiyakowit, and Sumeth Ubanisakorn, and against the remaining two, Somchai Jungprasert and Sodsri Satayatham, who are seen as being pro-Thaksin Shinawatra.

The group brought flowers for the three commissioners and a wreath with Somchai and Sodsri’s names on it.

On behalf of the group, Sondhi read the PAD’s letter to the EC, with four key issues. First is to voice support from the group for the three commissioners: Apichart, Praphan, and Sumeth while the second is to call for the resignation of Somchai for the alleged falsification of evidence in former House Speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat’s electoral fraud case and for being pro-Thaksin.

The other demand is a call for the chairman to restructure the investigative division under Somchai as it has been accused of falsifying evidence in Yongyuth’s case and it has also thrown out 700 complaints of electoral fraud in one month and to set up a well-accepted outsider to probe the cases. The last demand is to call for a closer inspection of the closing argument of the EC in Yongyuth’s case.

At close to noon, the key eyewitness for the plaintiff in Yongyuth’s electoral fraud case, village headman Chaiwat Changkaokam, showed up at the gathering and spoke to the protesters, saying he is doing what he believes is right for the country and for the monarchy.

However, none of the five election commissioners were present at the EC office at the time the PAD was there. Chairman Apichart Sukhagganont is away on official business in Nakhon Sawan while Somchai and Sodsri are away on official business in Prachuab Khirikhan and Chon Buri respectively.

The PAD left the EC headquarters at about noon.

- Thailand Outlook (today)

[sriracha john]

Chalerm's on-again, off-again threats/demands run hot and cold on this.... he seems to have gone back to the hot spigot now...

Governors Ordered to Prosecute Cable TV Broadcasting ASTV

The Interior Minister has ordered governors in all provinces to prosecute local cable TV networks that put the ASTV signal back on air.

Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobumrung called a meeting via video conference with governors in all provinces again today, ordering them to prosecute local cable TV networks that do not stop broadcasting ASTV, after he already told them so on Friday.

He claimed that under article 85, local cable TV company owners who continue to broadcast live footage of the rally could, therefore, receive up to a six-month prison penalty.

He said the People's Alliance for Democracy rally at Makawan Bridge is interrupting the nation's peace with its accusations and attempts to drive out the government.

Meanwhile, representatives from the Thailand Cable TV Association submitted a petition to the minister against the order during a meeting today.

- Thailand Outlook (today)

[h90]

It got an update here the newer version (from TOC), so at the moment we hold at:

Ordered to shut down.

Never told to shut down

Ordered to shut down

Forecast for tomorrow: never told to shut down, just for the own safety blablablabla

Interesting the end: he is not behind the bombs, but he knows that there will be more....

here the article

The Interior Minister has ordered governors in all provinces to prosecute local cable TV networks that put the ASTV signal back on air. He believes the bombs thrown at the Manager Group headquarters are not the end of the story.

Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobumrung calls a meeting via video conference with governors in all provinces again today, ordering them to prosecute local cable TV networks that do not stop broadcasting ASTV, after he already did so on Friday.

He claims that under article 85, local cable TV company owners who continue to broadcast live footage of the rally could, therefore, receive up to a six-month prison penalty.

He said the People's Alliance for Democracy rally at Makawan Bridge is interrupting the nation's peace with its accusations and attempts to drive out the government.

Meanwhile, representatives from the Thailand Cable TV Association submitted a petition to the minister against the order during a meeting today.

Regarding the bomb thrown last night at Baan Phra Arthit, which is part of ASTV and is the Manager Group's headquarters, Chalerm said the government is not behind the action. However, he believed that there will be more violence.

Edited June 16, 2008 by h90

[sriracha john]

Unbelieveable he would actually be telling this to the international media... but oh well....

Thailand's ousted premier says realignment of stars in early July will ease political tension

BANGKOK, Thailand - Ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a firm believer in astrology, said Monday the realignment of stars in early July will help defuse political tension that has been building as anti-government protests enter a fourth week.

Thailand's discord heightened Monday after two small bombs exploded in Bangkok, though no one was injured, and the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy tied up traffic for hours in the latest protest against the current government.

"Be patient with the headache-inducing situation until July 2," Thaksin told reporters. "Mars moving close to Saturn causes the headache. When Mars leaves, the situation will ease."

Thailand is a moderning, Buddhist nation, but fortunetellers and superstition play a major role in society, even among the Western-educated elite. Political decisions in the past have been known to be influenced by fortunetellers' advice.

Before Thaksin was toppled in a 2006 military coup, respected astrologer and Senator Boonlert Pairintra predicted Thaksin's downfall, saying that the planet Mercury used to favor the prime minister, but was later eclipsed by the God of Darkness.

Thailand's latest political tension revolves around Thaksin, who returned from exile earlier this year to face corruption charges against him now that a new elected government has taken office.

Demonstrators have been holding protests since May 25 to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his coalition government. The protesters say Samak is a puppet of Thaksin.

Samak's People Power Party won the most parliamentary seats in a general election last December meant to restore democracy after the coup. Samak's new Cabinet is packed with allies and relatives of Thaksin, and critics say rehabilitating the former leader is among the new government's top priorities.

A court disbanded Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party last year and banned him and more than 100 other party executives from public office until 2012.

Animosity between pro- and anti-Thaksin forces has been simmering. Overnight Monday, two men riding a motorcycle threw small explosives at a house used as an office by Sondhi Limthongkul, a media mogul who is a leader of the anti-government alliance, police Lt. Banyong Daengmankong.

The bomb did not make it past the house's compound wall and exploded on the sidewalk nearby, Banyong said. No one was hurt and only slight damage to the sidewalk was reported.

On Monday, People's Alliance for Democracy protesters marched to the headquarters of the Election Commission to call for the resignation of some commissioners whom they accused of dismissing fraud allegations against Samak's party candidates and political allies. Police barricaded the commission building and the protesters dispersed after a few hours.

The People's Alliance for Democracy also held large street demonstrations in the months prior to the 2006 coup, helping undermine the stability of Thaksin's government. Thaksin had been accused of abuse of power and corruption.

Separately, opposition Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said his party planned to lodge a no-confidence motion in parliament on Tuesday against Samak and several Cabinet members «who have caused a lot of damage and will cause more damage to the country if they remain in power.

- Associated Press / 16-06-08

[sriracha john]

more international media coverage...

Thaksin urges Thais to put their faith in the stars

BANGKOK — Thailand's ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra on Monday urged Thais to put their faith in the stars, blaming the alignment of planets for the current economic and political woes.

Street protests against the pro-Thaksin government have been rumbling since May 25, while soaring oil prices and inflation have shaken investors and prompted Thai farmers and transport workers to threaten strikes.

This can be put down to Mars and Saturn being close together, a situation that should ease soon, Thaksin told reporters in Bangkok.

"Be patient with this headache of a situation until July 2. When Mars leaves, the current situation will ease up," he said.

Like many Thais, Thaksin puts great stock in the predictions of fortune tellers who dispense advice on everything from business deals to the precise time of day couples should get married.

When he was prime minister, Thaksin once had a plane take off at exactly 9:19 am to test Bangkok's new international airport because it was deemed an auspicious moment.

For a period, he also cancelled his weekly press conferences, saying the planet Mercury was no longer in a favourable alignment and would not clear his star until sometime in 2006.

But the tycoon-turned-politician was apparently caught by surprise when the army overthrew him in a coup in September 2006.

Thaksin, who has insisted he will stay out of politics, returned to Thailand for the first time since the coup in February this year after his allies in the People Power Party won elections in late 2007.

- AFP / 16-06-08

Edited June 17, 2008 by sriracha john

[Tony Clifton]

Stars, planets, Mercury, moonface, <snip>

Edited June 17, 2008 by Jai Dee
Inappropriate language removed from post

[younghusband]

Stars, planets, Mercury, moonface, <snip>.

Back to the nursery school level again.On a serious note I would welcome someone more knowledgeable than I on the subject to explain PAD's problem with some of the EC.Is there evidence they have been bribed or is it just that any decision unwelcome to the PAD is deemed unacceptable?Aren't the two they find unacceptable in a minority anyway.Serious replies if possible please.

[h90]

Stars, planets, Mercury, moonface, <snip>.

Back to the nursery school level again.On a serious note I would welcome someone more knowledgeable than I on the subject to explain PAD's problem with some of the EC.Is there evidence they have been bribed or is it just that any decision unwelcome to the PAD is deemed unacceptable?Aren't the two they find unacceptable in a minority anyway.Serious replies if possible please.

[hammered]

Stars, planets, Mercury, moonface, <snip>.

Back to the nursery school level again.On a serious note I would welcome someone more knowledgeable than I on the subject to explain PAD's problem with some of the EC.Is there evidence they have been bribed or is it just that any decision unwelcome to the PAD is deemed unacceptable?Aren't the two they find unacceptable in a minority anyway.Serious replies if possible please.

First it has to be said that maybe the two just vote the way they think the evidence points. However, certainly in one case there are a lot of suggestions.

Of the two concerned, Somchai has been seen by some as pro-PPP since he walked out of the EC building with a copy of the papers relating to the Yuth "dooyen" case. The rules said the papers should not have left the building. There was specualtion that the papers reached the Yuth team. Somchai has also fairly consistently voted in a minority in favour of the PPP. If I rememeber correctly he was also head of the investigation team for offences during the last election. The ECs failure to do anything much about complaints was criticised by Anfrel the international monitors. Thai webboards in the past have also had a fairly consistent allegation/story of how Somchai became close to Yuth. It is also a story that seems to do the rounds in politcal circles even crossing politcal divides. Somchai would, to sum up be an obvious target for the PAD.

As for Sodsri, it is hard to know where she is coming from as her voting record is all over the place, so it may just be she is like the swing voter on the supreme court. There have recently been certain alleagtions made but these are not a sdetailed, conssitent or anywhere near as widely circulated as those about Somchai, and so would seem to be more doubtful.

We also sghouldnt forget the politcs when considering these issues. One group of previous pro-Junta people and Juntaites now seemingly actively support Samak within the PPP as a practical and maybe short term counter to Thaksins influence in the PPP. At one time wasnt Samak quite supportive of Sodsri?

Somchai's connections are alleged to be more through Yonyuth who unless he is about to flip (and anything is possible in Thai politcs) is definitley on the ultra-Thaksin wing of the PPP.

We also should remember that what we hear is unsubstantiated rumour and therefore up to each of us to decide on the value of it if we even want to make such adecision and we will never know the truth although in the current polarised and politicised atmosphere it is highly unlikely any decision is made by any of the players without considering the poltical implications. Lets not forget that although it seems the EC is divided it is no different from the PAD or PPP which also have their divisions and all of these end up being just representative of society as a whole which is of course divided, which brings us to what really matters. How can people be brought together again?

The EC is also in a very tight spot and one I dont envy them. They have to rule on many cases and whatever decision they make they will upset many people but and more importantly for their personal wellbeing whatever decison they make they will upset very powerful people. There is an incredible amount of pressure on them from all sides, and that is not a nice position to be in to make decisions. We dont see any side sitting around saying well its up to you and we will accept your decision with grace.

[younghusband]

Stars, planets, Mercury, moonface, <snip>.

Back to the nursery school level again.On a serious note I would welcome someone more knowledgeable than I on the subject to explain PAD's problem with some of the EC.Is there evidence they have been bribed or is it just that any decision unwelcome to the PAD is deemed unacceptable?Aren't the two they find unacceptable in a minority anyway.Serious replies if possible please.

First it has to be said that maybe the two just vote the way they think the evidence points. However, certainly in one case there are a lot of suggestions.

Of the two concerned, Somchai has been seen by some as pro-PPP since he walked out of the EC building with a copy of the papers relating to the Yuth "dooyen" case. The rules said the papers should not have left the building. There was specualtion that the papers reached the Yuth team. Somchai has also fairly consistently voted in a minority in favour of the PPP. If I rememeber correctly he was also head of the investigation team for offences during the last election. The ECs failure to do anything much about complaints was criticised by Anfrel the international monitors. Thai webboards in the past have also had a fairly consistent allegation/story of how Somchai became close to Yuth. It is also a story that seems to do the rounds in politcal circles even crossing politcal divides. Somchai would, to sum up be an obvious target for the PAD.

As for Sodsri, it is hard to know where she is coming from as her voting record is all over the place, so it may just be she is like the swing voter on the supreme court. There have recently been certain alleagtions made but these are not a sdetailed, conssitent or anywhere near as widely circulated as those about Somchai, and so would seem to be more doubtful.

We also sghouldnt forget the politcs when considering these issues. One group of previous pro-Junta people and Juntaites now seemingly actively support Samak within the PPP as a practical and maybe short term counter to Thaksins influence in the PPP. At one time wasnt Samak quite supportive of Sodsri?

Somchai's connections are alleged to be more through Yonyuth who unless he is about to flip (and anything is possible in Thai politcs) is definitley on the ultra-Thaksin wing of the PPP.

We also should remember that what we hear is unsubstantiated rumour and therefore up to each of us to decide on the value of it if we even want to make such adecision and we will never know the truth although in the current polarised and politicised atmosphere it is highly unlikely any decision is made by any of the players without considering the poltical implications. Lets not forget that although it seems the EC is divided it is no different from the PAD or PPP which also have their divisions and all of these end up being just representative of society as a whole which is of course divided, which brings us to what really matters. How can people be brought together again?

The EC is also in a very tight spot and one I dont envy them. They have to rule on many cases and whatever decision they make they will upset many people but and more importantly for their personal wellbeing whatever decison they make they will upset very powerful people. There is an incredible amount of pressure on them from all sides, and that is not a nice position to be in to make decisions. We dont see any side sitting around saying well its up to you and we will accept your decision with grace.

Thanks Hammered.Exactly the kind of background I was seeking.

[plachon]

Stars, planets, Mercury, moonface, <snip>.

Back to the nursery school level again.On a serious note I would welcome someone more knowledgeable than I on the subject to explain PAD's problem with some of the EC.Is there evidence they have been bribed or is it just that any decision unwelcome to the PAD is deemed unacceptable?Aren't the two they find unacceptable in a minority anyway.Serious replies if possible please.

Not 3 days ago you were advising everyone to lighten up and not take things too seriously, as we can't hope to change a thing in the LOS.

Pity you are unable to take your own advice.

Tony provides some excellent light relief from the serious business of power struggles observation and long may he continue to entertain us poor jaded souls. If it is so puerile, why don't you just ignore it, rather than deride it? Seems you secretly rather enjoy his pix, (but would never admit it ).

[sriracha john]

A totally unaltered photo of the clown for the purists...

Deposed Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra (file picture)

Daily Mirror

Thai government in trouble? Only until Mars moves away from Saturn, says former PM

Astrologically-minded former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has predicted that a coming realignment of stars will help defuse mounting political tensions in Thailand.

His comments came as as anti-government protests entered their fourth week yesterday with two small bombs exploding in Bangkok - without causing injuries - and a march by the People's Alliance for Democracy snarling up traffic for hours.

'Be patient with the headache-inducing situation until July 2,' Thaksin said yesterday. 'Mars moving close to Saturn causes the headache. When Mars leaves, the situation will ease.'

Fortune tellers and superstition play a major role in Thai society, even among the Western-educated elite, with political decisions sometimes influenced by fortune tellers' advice.

Thaksin's downfall - in a 2006 military coup - was predicted by Senator Boonlert Pairintra, a respected astrologer, who said the planet Mercury used to favour the prime minister but was later eclipsed by the God of Darkness.

Thailand's latest political tension revolves around Thaksin, who returned from exile earlier this year after a new elected government took office. Thaksin still faces corruption charges.

Demonstrators have been holding protests since May 25 to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and the coalition government he has headed since December's general election.

They say Samak, of the People Power Party, is a puppet of Thaksin. Samak's new Cabinet is packed with allies and relatives of Thaksin, and critics say rehabilitating the former leader is among the new government's top priorities.

A court disbanded Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party last year and banned him from public office until 2012.

- Daily Mirror (today)

[sriracha john]

The participants list just grew very large....

Thai unions join anti-government rally, no strikes

BANGKOK - Thai state unions voted on Tuesday to join a long-running anti-government rally but said they would only strike if force was used to break up the protest, a thorn in the side of the nearly five-month-old coalition.

The support from the unions, who have 200,000 members, is another a blow to an administration forced to focus much of its energy on countering the demonstration at a time of stagnating growth and soaring inflation.

The union decision caused a fall on Bangkok's main stock index, which has lost more than 11 percent since the protest started on May 25 due to concerns among investors about everything from policy paralysis to a military coup.

Within minutes of the union leaders' meeting, government spokesman Wichianchot Sukchotrat shot back, saying action would be taken against anybody who broke the law.

"We have drawn a line for them to walk along. If they go beyond that, causing trouble to the people, the government will not yield. We stand ready to take legal action against them," he told reporters after a weekly cabinet meeting.

- Reuters (today)

Edited June 17, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Thai unions call on workers to join anti-government protests

BANGKOK - Thailand's most powerful unions on Tuesday urged their 300,000 members to join protests seeking to force the resignation of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.

Union leaders from 43 state enterprises, grouped under the State Enterprises Workers' Relations Confederation, said the four-month-old government had failed to rein in high food and fuel prices.

They also accused Samak, who won elections in December, of being a puppet for ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled in 2006.

The unions had also thrown their weight behind protests against Thaksin.

"The government has completely failed in its work, especially to solve the economic problems facing workers' well-being. The government has allowed prices for fuel and food to soar," the unions said in a statement.

"This has left low-income workers without enough money and affects all the grassroots people."

The unions also accused Samak's government of meddling in the justice system and the mass media to help Thaksin, who faces a slate of corruption charges.

"It's clear that Samak's government is the puppet of Thaksin. Therefore, the government lacks the legitimacy to run the country," the statement said.

The unions also threatened to consider acts of civil disobedience, including cutting power and water supplies to government agencies.

"We ask all family members of state enterprise workers to join the protest until we gain victory, because we consider this government is not legitimate," it added.

Protests against Samak have rumbled for three weeks in central Bangkok, where activists have blocked a road near the UN offices, demanding that the prime minister step down.

The political uncertainty has battered the Thai stock market and sparked rumours of another coup in the kingdom.

The protests are led by the People's Alliance for Democracy, which also spearheaded the rallies against Thaksin two years ago.

- AFP / 17-06-08

[Tony Clifton]

''Thai government in trouble? Only until Mars moves away from Saturn, says former PM"

"Thaksin urges Thais to put their faith in the stars"

[sriracha john]

State enterprise unionists threaten to strike

An umbrella group of state enterprise workers threatened to have its members lay down tools and cut power and water to government offices if the government uses force to crack down on anti-government protesters.

The State Enterprise Workers' Relations Confederation Tuesday issued a statement to pledge full support for the demonstrations of the People's Alliance for Democracy.

Sawit Kaewan, Secretary-General of the confederation, said his group voted to have its members join the PAD's rallies.

He said that at least 10,000 state enterprise workers would join the rallies.

He said if the government used force against the demonstrators, state enterprise workers would strike and stop servicing government agencies but would provide free services to the people.

- The Nation (today)

[sriracha john]

State Enterprise Labour Union to Side with People's Alliance for Democracy

The State Enterprise Labour Union declared it will join the People's Alliance for Democracy to fight against the government and affirmed it will carry out civil disobedience if force is used against the rally members.

The State Enterprise Labor Union announced its second declaration stating their intention to join People's Alliance's rally.

The union leaders have decided to fight along with the PAD until the government is overthrown as they feel that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his Cabinet have no legitimacy in governing the country.

In its declaration, the union stated that if force is used against the PAD, the labor unions are ready to commit civil disobedience by launching retaliatory measures, such as cutting off electricity and water to certain state agencies or even holding a strike.

- Thailand Outlook (today)