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No one appointed the coup makers either (or did they?). We are unlikely to know for certain the identity of the Thai puppeteers, or at least, in the Thai press, they will remain unnamed and unspoken.

Rent a cheap car and explore the Thailand that is unavailable to the mass herds who are transported by planes, trains and automobiles and busses. Thailand is a lovely country to venture off the beaten path.

I think that the Sangha and Ajahn Brahm are incorrect in assuming that women have been ordained. They must relieve themselves of this delusion. If they would explore the nature of self, using Vipassana techiniques, they would see that beneath the superficial mundane constructs such as women, pretty, educated, football fans, etc. that we casually assign to these beings, they are at heart, and at soul, merely beings existing at the moment, neither "men", nor "women", essentially.

"Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."

John F. Kennedy

How much has Thaksin taken from Thailand versus how much has he given to Thailand.

What has he given to Thailand?

Taken is simple...3000 lifes huge amount of money

This is perhaps Abhisit's biggest moral failure. He has defended the Army relentlessly in the Rohinga matter and defended the Police and refused to take any action against them in the speed freak et al killings. Abhisit seems only interested in promoting the worst elements of the PAD, the military, the police. This is the primary reason he receives little support from the Thai people.

Are you paid to mangle the English language at every opportunity?

Read Seth Mydans latest column in the NYT for a more credible summary of the current likelihood of Abhisit winning an election (approximately 0%).

I highly recommend Seth Mydans latest column in the NY Times to get a less partial view of the recent events.

This is truly an embarrassing attempt at journalism. An English speaker might want to try Seth Mydans latest column in the NY Times to get a better feel for what is happening.

Some societies tip waiters and clerks, some tip policemen and local politicians. When in Rome.....

We are used to such a white-washed (or yellow-washed) view of Thai politics that the truth in his statements almost seems like something that shouldn't be said. Thank Buddha that someone is saying it!

It's "The Ghost of Thaksin" vs "The Ghost of the Coup". Which ghost will win? Only time will tell.

Five weeks 'til a massive dollar rebound against the baht. Hold on!

If this Thaksin fiasco serves no other purpose, it will be worth it if Abhisit is forced to call an election. Abhisit cannot be blamed as he is just a naive pawn. He will likely go on to greener pastures in his career, perhaps flogging ladies cosmetics on the first floor of Central Chidlom.

From the Junta's perspective, Abhisit is the best available at the moment. He's attractive, pretty smile and very obedient.

Comparing Abhisit to Gordon Brown and Thaksin to Suu Kyi; my we are getting creative.

Do read on - I compare Thaksin to Bush and connect Abhisit and Obama.

You can't however associate either of my analogies to that of the asinine work of Hun Sen comparing Thaksin to Suu Kyi. That one just doesn't hold tom yam. Suu Kyi the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Obama the same. Hun Sen the Kymer cutthroat, Thaksin the Cambodian betraying his country in a bizzare but unsurprisingly desperte transformation of alliegance.

I anyway couldn't imagine you or I would want to have either Thaksin or Hun Sen as our leader.

Anyone but Abhisit; for now anyway!

Comparing Abhisit to Gordon Brown and Thaksin to Suu Kyi; my we are getting creative.

Let's remember that Abhisit's primary enemy, of which he is petrified, isn't Thaksin but the Thai electorate. The military can protect him only so long.

With most countries considering the FM a terrorist for his involvement in the airport takeover and their lack of respect for the coup, I doubt any will be willing to assist the present Thai government in its witchhunts.

Thaksin has made a big mistake. He now realized he played this card too early and it backfired.

He may, or may not, have made a mistake. In any case, his opponents are not known for their strategic abilities. It does liven the debate, and any move that puts international journalism in the forefront of Thai political discussion is very welcome.

What goes up, must come down. No worries.

I, of course, applaud Ajahn Brahm's actions which should bring a breath of fresh air into Thai Buddhism, especially in the West where it is flourishing.

Personally, I would love to have a truckload of female forest monks chanting in my next home blessing.

Times Online should be spelled correctly.

They've broken ground on Bangkok Hospital in Hua Hin, just south of Market Village. A welcome addition.

The best of Thailand all seem to be living outside of Thailand ...

Just a thought. I think this interview in The Times will be reported in the Nation and the BKK Post. When was the last time they did an interview with Thaksin. Wouldn't that be a newsstory worth reporting? I don't recall an in depth interview with Thaksin for quite some time by Thai journalists.