Tony Clifton

Thaksin's son, Panthongtae, is believed to have left on a flight to Singapore along with Khunying Potjaman and Minister of the PM's Office Newin Chidchob at 9pm last night.

Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai and Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkol were all in New York with Mr Thaksin, whose speech to the UN General Assembly tomorrow should be interesting. A caretaker prime minister who no longer has a country to take care of.

Agriculture Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan and Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak are currently in France, and likely to postpone their return.

The source for this is the Bangkok Post.

From US, Thaksin bans foreign travel

Speaking via a webcam connection from New York, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Tuesday ordered his cabinet ministers not to make unnecessary overseas trips.

He cited political uncertainties during the run-up to the general election later this year, and told ministers via the Internet link they should only travel when it was vital.

Mr Thaksin, joining the weekly cabinet meeting via the Internet link during his five-day visit to New York, told his cabinet members that under the current circumstances, especially regarding political uncertainty, they should not travel abroad except for highly necessary purposes, such as making preparations for visits by members of the Royal family.

The report on Mr Thaksin's order from abroad was delivered to the public by caretaker Deputy Public Health Minister Anutin Chanvirakul.

The prime minister also was reported to have asked the ministers to suspend their planned overseas visits for bilateral meetings on any issues.

Government deputy spokeswoman Sansanee Nakpong said the prime minister did not want the cabinet members to travel overseas except for necessary business.

Mr Thaksin reportedly recommended the ministers to send their assistants to go on their behalf. If cabinet members must make overseas trips during this period, they must ask for his permission in advance for at least one week. (TNA)

Guys,

who can explain me, why the hel_l News channels have been banned including CNN & BBC ? This is not a comunist state, isn't it? This upsets me most.

Who has the authrority to do so? What do they think Thai people will say?

Vlad

They do it this way, preventing Thaksin from getting airtime at the other end and confusing the population here.

Thaksin's speech is a 23:00 GMT, what time is that in BKK?

TRT headquarters and Thaksin house also occupied.

manager.co.th dead as well

Rallies for the PAD and TRT is collecting signatures, intimidating voters who refuse to sign?

DIVIDED KINGDOM

Political battle set to resume

PAD rally kicks off tomorrow; TRT plans signature drive in Northeast

Supporters and opponents of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra were set for another round of dangerous confrontations yesterday as they announced plans to campaign for their causes.

Leaders of the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) yesterday insisted they would begin a mass rally tomorrow at the Royal Plaza and would continue its protest until it could "defeat Thaksin".

Suriyasai Katasila, co-ordinator of the PAD, said the new street protest was aimed at pressuring Thaksin to make it clear whether he will take a break from politics.

"By failing to make it clear about his political future, Thaksin is holding 63 million Thais hostage," he said at a press conference.

PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul told the press conference that the PAD decided to hold a mass rally again to force Thaksin to leave politics immediately. "We will hold a rally every day until he leaves the country," said Sondhi.

Provincial groups allied with the PAD yesterday said they would focus their effort on the Bangkok rally while public protests planned for Chiang Mai and Buri Ram would be put on hold.

Meanwhile, Thai Rak Thai politicians were preparing to launch a signature campaign in 19 northeastern provinces in support of Thaksin becoming prime minister for another term.

Surachat Chamansil, former party MP for Udon Thani, said yesterday that Thai Rak Thai politicians would campaign with party members in the northeast.

"Most northeastern residents are aware about the PM's uneasiness in facing pressure from the opposition and the PAD," he said.

Pro-Thaksin groups in Udon Thani will hold a rally in the northeastern province this Saturday, where as many as 100,000 people are expected to join, said Sompong Chan-ngam, one of the group leaders.

In the run-up to the April 2 general election, later declared void by courts, the PAD and Thaksin supporters held separate rallies in Bangkok.

In a related development, the Thai Rak Thai Party yesterday demanded the Election Commission put a stop to a campaign by the People's Alliance for Democracy claiming it was in violation of human rights to seek a ban on caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra returning to the country.

Kuthep Saikrachang, a Thai Rak Thai legal specialist, said he and the party's legal team would file a complaint with the EC today demanding a probe into the violation by PAD members.

"Although the PAD claims that it is backed by constitutional right, its actions must not violate the rights of others. Surely it is a human rights violation to campaign against the return of Thaksin," he said.

Kuthep said the PAD was also trying to arrange a boycott of the election and was carrying out political activities as an illegal party. Thai Rak Thai would ask the EC to stop a rally that the PAD had organised for Wednesday at the Royal Plaza.

Vichit Plangsrikul, another Thai Rak Thai legal expert, said he suspected the PAD was in violation of Article 8 of the election law - gathering more than 15 people to carry out political activities during the run-up to the election.

"We will consult with the EC on whether any action can be taken," he said. Vichit said the PAD must review its decision about tomorrow's rally as it could lead to a confrontation with government supporters.

The Democrat Party's Election Office spokesman Thepthai Senpong said the PAD had every right to carry out any peaceful political activity and would not be violating the election law since no political party supported it.

He cited two articles of the Constitution that gave the PAD the right to rally: Article 44 stipulated that a person or persons have the right to a peaceful gathering and Article 65 stipulated that a person or persons have the right to oppose through peaceful methods any activities which would bring about sovereign power but which do not conform to the methods stipulated in the Constitution.

Thepthai said if Thai Rak Thai believed the PAD defamed the party it could take them to court and file a libel suit.

Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa said he feared the PAD rally would create political turmoil. He did not pin high hopes on the new EC as they were inexperienced.

"To solve a political crisis takes time because it's an outcome of many years. I know of a way out but I will not say how," he said.

Chat Thai Party deputy leader Somsak Prissanananthakul said the PAD had the right to organise the rally and the party should not interfere.

"I regard the PAD's political activities as public participation in politics," he said.

Isn't that the best way to intimidate voters by confronting them with a clipboard and a pen asking them to sign for re-electing Thaksin? A clipboard vote before the real election, breaking the law?

The question is why America is missing out.

The American tourist industry is painfully aware that many travellers are put off by the tough visa requirements and the hostile reception that can greet them at the country’s airports.

“We’re not a welcoming country,” said Geoff Freeman, executive director of the Discover America Partnership. “Most countries ask people to come visit them. We have more of a fortress appearance.”

Well, the answers (amongst others) are given here already

For decades I enjoyed going to the USA and even built business; not anymore so

The US administration doesn't understand that a lot of people in the rest of the world oppose to their role they are 'granting' themselves; the US is building an enormous wall around their borders and in the end it's the great (majority of) people of the USA who will finally come to the conclusion WHAT their government has done......and will suffer from the effects.

The USA...once a great nation....is losing ground fast; very fast.

I feel sorry for the people though!

PS: I apologize if this is off-topic but one can ask the same about Thailand.....

Thailand...once a great nation.....is losing ground fast; very fast!

LaoPo

Let them go on with that project of walls around borders, same with Israel. Once completed all we need to do is figure out how to drop a giant lid on top of them.

###### I love the south too but it just ain't worth the risk.

Its a real shame that the international media will not mention that this problem is confined to the south. The headlines will include the word(s) "Thailand" not "South Thailand".

As if the issue with visas wasn't putting enough pressure on tourisim, what tourist will want to come here now that they are a target?

Sad days ahead, and I'm sorry to say, but I place the blame directly on the heads of the former/caretaker govt, they are guilty of failing to act.

Sad state of affairs when a confident Prince is on location after the incident, chatting with locals and foreigners in their language while a spineless amoeba of a Caretaker PM is abroad or hiding as usual, ordering his "best men" to show up afterwards.

And they keep yapping about boosting foreign investor confidence

I sometimes wonder if he'd rather be PM of Thailand or Governor of a new Chinese province.

Short of giving is life, he did accomplish more than they could have ever asked of him for his country. Why hesitate so long to let him skip the service?

They now think they've done him a favour , when he's the one training, on his own!

Blair would be to U.S friendly. The U.S. now goes to or helps with wars againgst U.N. recommendations, keep your distances.

I can't believe Thaksin and Surakiart are still pretending to be dreaming of it, only to look good. "Remember rule #1 Surak! The Chrismast Gift Box. Like the ones in the window at the shopping mall, sooo beautifuly wrapped but there's nothing inside of them."

Has anybody read the following? It was published back in July.

Original text unmodified except where I specify that a man involved in an incident was mentally challenged.

He must have gone out for a drink and a massage after reading this one

What Are Your Qualifications

To Be UN Secretary General,

Deputy Prime Minister?

Asian Human Rights Commission

July 24, 2006

An Open Letter to the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand by the Asian Human Rights Commission

Mr. Surakiart Sathirathai

Deputy Prime Minister

Office of the Prime Minister

Pissanulok Road

Dusit, Bangkok

THAILAND

Fax: +662 281 1359

Dear Mr. Surakiart

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has since 2004 studied your candidacy to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations with interest. To be honest, we are a bit perplexed. Try as we might, we have failed to identify the qualifications upon which you could be elected to the job.

As a Harvard law postgraduate we would have thought that you would understand how important it is to maintain principles for the rule of law and human rights in Thailand, and how these are supported by the international system, specifically the United Nations. However, looking at the record of your government since you served as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2001 to 2005 and after that as Deputy Prime Minister (with special responsibility for foreign affairs), it is hard to find any evidence of this.

Allow us to take a moment to go over just a few features of your record with specific reference to international law and UN treaties and mechanisms:

1. FAILED to ratify a key UN treaty against torture: The AHRC has been among other concerned groups and individuals who for some years have been saying that if Thailand's human rights record is to improve it must join the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. In fact, the ministry that you headed has the primary responsibility for this. But still, inexplicably, Thailand has not signed.

2. FAILED to implement any recommendations of a key UN body: The AHRC is not aware of any attempt to implement any of the key recommendations that the UN Human Rights Committee made to you in 2005 after your representatives in Geneva tried unsuccessfully to keep all kinds of gross abuses under the carpet.

The UN recommendations which you appear to have ignored include to

a. Better support and review the work of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (an attempt on the life of one commissioner recently obtained no reaction from your government);

b. Investigate the "extraordinarily large" number of killings during the so-called war on drugs in 2003 (virtually none are known to have ever been investigated or have gone to court);

c. Investigate the mass killings in the south in 2004 (instead survivors of the killings are themselves being prosecuted while perpetrators in the police and military have been promoted);

d. Investigate the killings and abductions of human rights defenders and social activists (not one successful investigation or prosecution);

e. Consider establishing an independent civilian body to investigate complaints against police (no evidence that it is being considered);

f. Bring the Emergency Decree for the southern provinces into line with international law (the decree was recently renewed without modification, despite condemnation from the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions);

g. Change procedures to allow detainees prompt means to challenge their detention, and access to lawyers and doctors (not done; again no evidence that it is being considered);

h. Investigate alleged cases of torture, illegal detention and death in custody (no investigations or prosecutions); and,

i. End routine shackling of detainees (they are still in chains).

3. FAILED to cooperate with UN special procedures: We are not aware of a single case of alleged torture, forced disappearance, extrajudicial killing or other gross abuse in Thailand before the UN working groups or special rapporteurs that your government has properly addressed. Furthermore, Thailand has deliberately snubbed the repeated requests of the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial executions to visit the country, and has also failed to extend standing invitations to UN experts interested to do the same, for no known reason.

4. FAILED to be elected to the new UN Human Rights Council: For all of the above reasons, and many others besides that we have not mentioned here in the interests of brevity.

On the other hand, the AHRC is aware that you have chastised journalists in Thailand for reporting on gross abuses and other deep problems there, lest their reports throw your candidacy into a bad light, and when a man (mentally challenged) was beaten to death in the tourist district of Bangkok for damaging a religious effigy you showed the extent of your commitment to human rights by paying commiserations to the effigy.

You would have to admit that for someone trying to become the Secretary-General of the United Nations this record of involvement with the UN and its agencies is not very good, is it? In fact, it is better characterised as persistent non-involvement and deliberate negligence.

In short, we cannot understand how you can contemplate becoming UN Secretary General from a position as Deputy Prime Minister in a government that refuses to join key UN international treaties, fails to consider or implement the sound recommendations of UN international treaty bodies and keeps UN experts at a distance.

We also cannot understand how you can contemplate becoming UN Secretary General from a position as Deputy Prime Minister in a government that pursues a policy of extrajudicial killings and disappearances against parts of its own population, tacitly endorses the use of torture by its police, has been recognised globally as an enemy of free speech, fails to protect even its own officially-appointed human rights commissioners--let alone the thousands of environmentalists, community leaders, journalists and others with lives at risk in Thailand--and has caused untold damage to the rule of law.

As you will understand, the role of the UN Secretary-General at this time in world history is of critical importance. We are concerned that the right person gets the job. Looking at your record, we are worried. It doesn't seem like you are up to the task, considering that your government has managed to make such a thorough mess of countless lives and numerous institutions in Thailand. Imagine the damage you could cause globally. Being based in this region, the Asian Human Rights Commission would share some blame if an unqualified Asian candidate was somehow to get the job and make a misery of the lives of people in other countries around the world in addition to his own. It is for this reason that we are compelled to write.

We trust that when it comes time to vote, the international community will share these concerns, and common sense and recognition of the need to preserve the integrity of the UN will rule the day. Assuming that this is so, we expect that you will be looking for other work. Unless of course, you really can answer the question, what on earth are your qualifications to become Secretary-General?

Yours sincerely

Basil Fernando

Executive Director

Asian Human Rights Commission, Hong Kong

http://www.globalpolicy.org/secgen/nextsg/...4ahrcletter.htm

So, the police did do something about it. Afterwards. Again too late.

With the amount of people present and all that goes on in that area, a citizen or tourist should see a cop on the beat at about every street corner. Instead you've got new hanging flower pots and other budget wasting/profiteering decorative junk coming to your rescue. They have a massive and inexpensive police force. There's just no excuse but incompetence.

OK, let's assume he takes a break and the TRT wins the next national election (as is expected). Any ideas on who Dr. Thaksin would support as the next PM?

If world history is any example, many tyrannical despots have had their sons take over for them:

He certainly looks like he's ready to be the next PM...

There is a resemblance

"Your attention please. Mr. Chakaphan Yomchinda, please step up to the unemployment counter"

This plot is serious, it was hatched on the 4th hole and continued in planning onto the 19th hole.

Most high ranking Thai army officers are more concerned with how many caddies they need and how the handicap is going than staging a take-over.

The pra-thi-wat in Thailand is about exchanging one group of crooks with some uniformed ones while it is decided who is going to rob the country next.

I personally would start with a few warning shots, right into Thaksins square head.

Logbags, suggest you be very careful about things like your last statement. Several of my Thai friends have warned me about internet traffic being monitored for such things...not just porn.

This is especially dangerous if you have a traceable line, like DSL.

It's not North Korea... yet.

ET, alias E-Thi, is an astrologer and she knows all about Thaksin Shinawatra.

According to an informed source, ET has been to Bangkok on several occasions. "She would be flown in to meet top leaders and give them personal suggestions," the source said.

.....and this is the leader of this country?

This is the actual ruler of a nation??

This is a Commander-In-Chief of a sovereign military???

This is who the Thais look to for inspiration????

Relying on astrologers and rituals in order to better run a country... I have been saying for a long time that this man is not mentally fit.

At least 20 years behind... Their methods still will remain primitive until they stop relying on road blocks or standing on the corner to pull cars over. A drunk driver could weave for hundreds of kilometers and will always have the assurance that a patrol car will never follow him as they are close to non-existent.

Quadruple the punishment to any policeman who tried to cover for drunk drivers.

This ain't no <deleted>' chat window man!

50/50? I think his chances are actually lower than me finding the world's largest gold nugget ever next time we have the septic tank sucked dry.

Unforgiving Thailand.

No. Business first.

Déjà vu!

Putting words in other politicians mouths, thinking that being abroad will allow him to get away with more lies...

No surprise that anyone the government didnt want was not selected.

And it won't be a surprise when the election is contested, again.