New Cabinet Appointed

[sriracha john]

dang... there's that history thing again.... it is a tough nut to crack...

[sriracha john]

meanwhile, in the other circles of the intellectual Cabinet, comes the latest from the Foreign Affairs Ministry....

Foreign Affairs Minister Noppadon Pattama proudly shows off the sleeves of his latest suit

Foreign Affairs Minister: Government will not stage coup on itself

The Foreign Affairs Minister and Deputy Secretary-General of the People Power Party, Noppadon Pattama, affirms that the present government will not stage a coup d’état on Thailand itself as the country needs a government that comes to power by elections.

Noppadon dismissed rumors that the government will conduct a coup to assist the deposed Prime Minister and former leader of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party, Thaksin Shinawatra, in fighting his court cases.

- ThaiNews

[Plus]

Shit, I just wrote something about a possible coup yesterday. Was he reading it? I was at home, they probably know where I live.

[Tony Clifton]

I still can`t picture Little Emperor Thaksin swallowing his overinflated pride and then stooping to the court on Wednesday even though he said that was his excuse for returning.

We also haven`t heard of him asking for permission to leave for London on the 13th.

[sriracha john]

Shit, I just wrote something about a possible coup yesterday. Was he reading it? I was at home, they probably know where I live.

I'm sure in exchange for the name of a good tailor, a deal could be arranged for your safe passage.

(good grief, will this man EVER wear a properly-sized suit?)

Edited March 10, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Prime Minister

Samak Sundaravej (CW), also Defence Minister

Deputy Prime Minister

Somchai Wongsawat (RP), also Education Minister

Mingkwan Saengsuwan, also Commerce Minister

Dr Surapong Suebwonglee (CW), also Finance Minister

Suwit Khunkitti (NB), also Industry Minister

Sahas Banditkul (SA)

Sanan Kachornprasart (PB)

PM's Office Minister

Chakrapob Penkair (CW) (NR), also government spokesman*no longer government spokesman*

Deputy Finance Ministers

Pradit Pataraprasit (NRO)

Ranongrak Suwanchawee (RP)

Foreign Minister

Noppadon Patama (NR)

Tourism and Sport Minister

Weerasak Kohsurat

Social Development and Human Security

Sutha Chansaeng (NRO)

Agriculture Minister

Somsak Prissananantakul

Deputy Agriculture Ministers

Sompat Kaewpijit

Theerachai Saenkaew (NB)

Transportation Minister

Santi Prompat (NR)

Deputy Transportation Ministers

Songsak Thongsri (NB)

Anurak Jureemart (CW) (NB)

Natural Resources and Environment Minister

Anongwan Thepsutin (RP)

Information, Communication and Technology Minister

Mun Pattanothai

Deputy Commerce Minister

Wiroon Techapaiboon

Banyin Tangpaporn (NB)

Energy Minister

Poonpirom Liptapanlop (RP)

Interior Minister

Chalerm Yoobamrung (VD)

Deputy Interior Ministers

Supon Fongngam (NB)

Sithichai Kohsurat (FV)

-- The Nation 2008-02-06

News Legend

CW : Crime-Watch (with ongoing criminal litagation)

RP : Related Proxy (by blood or marriage to a banned politico)

NR : Not Related (a close Thaksin associate that isn't RP)

NRO : Not Related Other (a close associate of Thaksin's inner circle, eg. Newin, Sudarat)

NB : Not Banned (a TRT'er who bailed out before the banning date)

PB : Previously Banned (completed their banning period)

FV : Forgery Victim (accused PPP of forging his signature on party membership list)

SA : Samak Aide (self-explanatory)

VD : Very Dodgy (doesn't fall into any of above categories, but nevertheless is...)

=======================================

Cabinet Ministers NOT Listed Above

Deputy Health Minister

Chaovarat Chanweerakul (RP)

Science Minister

Wutthipong Chaisang (RP)

Deputy Education Minister

Pongsakorn Annopporn (NB)

PM's Office Minister (in addition to the previously listed PM's Office Minister)

Choosak Sirinin (NR)

Justice Minister

Sompong Amornwiwat (NB)

Labor Minister

Uraiwan Thienthong (CW)

Deputy Government Spokesman

Natthawut Saikua (CW)

another new article and another new roster update, this time in green.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=1864389

The Cabinet's legal fees must be adding up to a tidy sum.

[sriracha john]

Thailand opposes sanctions on Myanmar: Foreign Minister

BANGKOK — Thailand opposes Western sanctions on neighbouring Myanmar and is ready to help the military-run country hold a referendum on a new constitution in May, the foreign minister said Friday.

"Thailand disagrees with sanctions," Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama told reporters before leaving for Myanmar with Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, who was making a one-day official visit to the country.

Myanmar is under US and European sanctions, which have been tightened after the junta's bloody crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy protests in September 2007.

At least 31 people were killed and 74 reported missing during the violence, according to the United Nations. Human Rights Watch has put the number of dead at about 100 people, far higher than the 15 dead reported by the junta.

But Noppadon said Thailand favoured negotiations over sanctions, adding that talks with iron-fisted generals could lead to positive developments in the country, which has been ruled by the military since 1962.

The foreign minister also said the kingdom was ready to help Myanmar hold its constitutional referendum planned for May. "If Myanmar wants assistance from Thailand, we are ready to offer help as a friendly country," Noppadon said.

Myanmar's junta has already refused UN technical assistance and foreign observers at the May referendum, which the regime says will pave the way for elections in 2010. If held, the polls would be the first since detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi led the National League for Democracy to a landslide victory in 1990 elections, a result never recognised by the regime.

But the new constitution would bar Aung San Suu Kyi from future elections because of her marriage to a foreigner, the late Briton Michael Aris. The junta already refused to amend the charter in talks with UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari.

Thailand is one of the biggest investors and trading partners in Myanmar, spending billions of dollars a year to tap into the country's natural gas and hydropower resources to power its own growing economy.

Samak is expected to discuss two major energy projects between Myanmar and Thailand during the visit, government spokesman Wichianchot Sukchotrat said Thursday.

- AFP

==============================================================

As for those so-called democratic changes that are so highly praised by Noppadope...

UN scorn for Burma's 'democratic' reforms

A United Nations human rights envoy said yesterday he could believe in "gnomes, trolls and elves" as readily as he could credit the Burmese military's democratic reforms.

The UN said Burma denied a visa to its investigator Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, whose report to its Human Rights Council on Thursday cited growing repression after the crushing of monk-led protests in September.

"If you believe in gnomes, trolls and elves, you can believe in this democratic process in Myanmar (Burma]," Mr Pinheiro told a news briefing at the UN's European headquarters in Geneva. Mr Pinheiro initially told the briefing he had been granted a visa for Burma after two months delay, but later learned no visa had been issued.

- The Scotsman

[Plus]

Though that is for SEA forum, I think the only way to improve anything in that country is to work with generals and make the best deal out of their "democratic" reforms. Confronthing them head on is not possible at the moment.

New Consitution and elections might leave an exit door for Tan Shwe and eventually bring NLD into the picture as well. UN obviously understands that, too, as does everybody else excluding that nutter who pesters the Nation with daily letters.

Noppadon is a smart fellow, he knows that helping organise the elections will score him some points on both sides, and he can always say that his public support for Burmese junta was necessary to earn their trust and he had interests of Burmese people in his heart all along.

If it works even being isolated in Asean on Burma issue might turn to Thailand's advantage in the end.

[sriracha john]

meanwhile....not to be over-looked over at the Finance Ministry.... a large pile of cash is being moved into a Happy account...

Finance Ministry to transfer 150 Billion Baht to SML project

The Spokesman of the Ministry of Finance, Somchai Sajjapongse, reported that the Finance Ministry will transfer a budget of 150 Billion Baht from the Live Well Live Happy project to the Small-Medium-and Large Village (SML) project which is aimed at assisting grass-roots people.

Somchai said the meeting between four economic units, including the Finance Ministry, the Bank of Thailand (BOT), the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), and the Bureau of the Budget, has resolved to transfer a budget for the stimulation of the economy.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Surapong Suebwonglee, who acted as the meeting’s Chairman, has assigned the Bureau of the Budget to make a report on the matter and submit it the Cabinet meeting on March 18th.

- ThaiNews

[sriracha john]

Noppadon leaves to visit UK, US

BANGKOK – Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama leaves here tomorrow for visits to Britain and the US with an objective to persuade investors of the two countries to invest in Thailand.

Noppadon said he would travel to Britain Sunday and meet journalists and business leaders there in a bid to restore confidence among British investors after Thailand's democratically-elected government took office again following a general election last December.

When asked whether he planned to visit ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra during his stay in Britain, Noppadon said he did not think so because the deposed premier may remain in Manchester while the foreign minister will only stay in Britain for two days.

Noppadon was legal advisor to Mr. Thaksin but relinquished that post after he became foreign minister early last month. *yeah... right...* :D

The foreign minister said he would then travel to the US and meet his American counterpart, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, to discuss various subjects, including the political situation in Myanmar. *with the PPP doing much to prop up the junta's economy and negate the American embargo, I'm sure he'll be warmly received for talks on Burma*

Noppadon said he would also meet senior National Security Council officials. *I seriously doubt he's been cleared for any seriously classified discussions*

The familiarisation visits to the two countries are Noppadon's first after he became foreign minister early last month.

- TNA

[Tony Clifton]

For the second time last evening, I saw what seemed to be a second episode of A way back for Thaksin shown on Korean channel Arirang. A lengthy documentary with interviews featuring Noppadol, Devakula, Samak, Thaksin, and a few others I forget. All along it keeps you wondering if it was made by Arirang, not knowing if it s a neutral documentary, but looking at all the time spent between the interviewer, Thaksin and Samak, one can only conclude that it was a well orchestrated one-sided piece of propaganda by Thaksin or whoever he hired. Still fascinating and sickening at the same time. Seems like they're on some sort of an an Asian tour trying to polish his image throughout Asia before an eventual comeback if you ask me.

Oh, there was a comment by our friend Nattakorn Devakula where he said " Of course I could have gone to protest but I would have received some phone calls from relatives..."

Edited March 16, 2008 by Tony Clifton

[younghusband]

Noppadon leaves to visit UK, US

BANGKOK – Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama leaves here tomorrow for visits to Britain and the US with an objective to persuade investors of the two countries to invest in Thailand.

Noppadon said he would travel to Britain Sunday and meet journalists and business leaders there in a bid to restore confidence among British investors after Thailand's democratically-elected government took office again following a general election last December.

When asked whether he planned to visit ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra during his stay in Britain, Noppadon said he did not think so because the deposed premier may remain in Manchester while the foreign minister will only stay in Britain for two days.

Noppadon was legal advisor to Mr. Thaksin but relinquished that post after he became foreign minister early last month. *yeah... right...* :D

The foreign minister said he would then travel to the US and meet his American counterpart, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, to discuss various subjects, including the political situation in Myanmar. *with the PPP doing much to prop up the junta's economy and negate the American embargo, I'm sure he'll be warmly received for talks on Burma*

Noppadon said he would also meet senior National Security Council officials. *I seriously doubt he's been cleared for any seriously classified discussions*

The familiarisation visits to the two countries are Noppadon's first after he became foreign minister early last month.

- TNA

The reality of course is that Noppadon will be well received at official level in both London and Washington as the foreign minister of Thailand's new democratically elected government.His predecessor from the junta's puppet government would have received the cold shoulder.It helps of course that the Oxford educated Noppadon is intelligent and articulate.

I mention this only because if you only listened to obsessive farangs nursing their grievances about Thaksin, like Gollum in his cave, you would never know the world has moved on.

Edited March 16, 2008 by younghusband

[sriracha john]

The precedent of lying about meeting with world leaders has been made with Thaksin's claims in 2006...

As for Bush's take on the previous 2 governments...

The Nation / September 20, 2007

Bush happy Thailand holding poll

US President George W Bush is happy that Thailand is holding an election and says that Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont is a good guy.

"He is a good guy and he has my sympathy," Bush told The Nation on Tuesday during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House.

He said the last time he met Surayud he could not say when the election would be held. "I met him again - this time he said the election is coming. That was good for him," he said, adding: "I am happy with that."

When Surayud met Bush on the sidelines of the APEC meeting in Sydney last week, he briefed Bush on progress on the political front and the scheduled election on December 23.

Bush said he remembered the deposed Thaksin Shinawatra...

"But he got caught, huh…" he said, referring to the recent court charges over the allegedly fraudulent declaration of the ownership of his company and the Ratchadaphisek land scandal.

-------------------------------------------------

What ever happened to their special relationship as once claimed by Thaksin ????

Politics sure are fickle and have a way of giving one a reality check from time to time

Edited March 16, 2008 by sriracha john

[younghusband]

The precedent of lying about meeting with world leaders has been made with Thaksin's claims in 2006...

As for Bush's take on the previous 2 governments...

The Nation / September 20, 2007

Bush happy Thailand holding poll

US President George W Bush is happy that Thailand is holding an election and says that Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont is a good guy.

"He is a good guy and he has my sympathy," Bush told The Nation on Tuesday during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House.

He said the last time he met Surayud he could not say when the election would be held. "I met him again - this time he said the election is coming. That was good for him," he said, adding: "I am happy with that."

When Surayud met Bush on the sidelines of the APEC meeting in Sydney last week, he briefed Bush on progress on the political front and the scheduled election on December 23.

Bush said he remembered the deposed Thaksin Shinawatra...

"But he got caught, huh…" he said, referring to the recent court charges over the allegedly fraudulent declaration of the ownership of his company and the Ratchadaphisek land scandal.

-------------------------------------------------

What ever happened to their special relationship as once claimed by Thaksin ????

Politics sure are fickle and have a way of giving one a reality check from time to time

Not sure what point you're making here.The reality is that the current government is regarded as completely legitimate in the eyes of the Western world as well as Thailand's Asian neighbours.The puppet government was not, and in fact was seen as a disgrace given its military coup provenance.Surayud was I think seen as a decent man and liked personally by overseas leaders, though I doubt much was really known about him.At least he wasn't a Burmese junta type thug.You give some emphasis to some off the cuff remarks from Bush, but it's doubtful whether they signify too much.In Washington at the State Department level (I doubt whether the Thai foreign minister will visit the White House) Noppadon will be received -and listened to- in a way that would have been impossible for his junta predecessor.

Edited March 16, 2008 by younghusband

[sriracha john]

Indeed, comments like this from the other part of the PPP Brain Trust will go a long with impressing the American Secretary of State....

Suppression of activists in Burma normal: Samak

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej Sunday described Burmese leader Senior General Than Shwe as being religious person and killings and suppressions in the neighbouring country were "normal' things.

Speaking during his Samak's Talk programe broadcast live on Channel 11, Samak said Burma is a Buddhist country.

"Killings and suppressions are normal there but we have to know the fact," Samak said.

"And Senior Than Shwe practices meditation. He said he prays in the morning … and the country has been in peace and order."

- The Nation

[Plus]

Noppadon and the government he represents is an unknown entity. He won't be given a hot shoulder but given Samak's background he won't be warmly embraced either. Though UK will probably fall for his Oxbridge charm and ignore his funny suits.

Is Noppadon working for Thaksin? Who cares, Thaksin was democraticaly elected.... Drug war? They don't give a fuc_k over there, in the UK.

1976? Why stir up the shit?

Much of the recent HRW criticism was directed at the US and the UK, for hypocritically undermining principles of democracy they love to preach.

[younghusband]

Noppadon and the government he represents is an unknown entity. He won't be given a hot shoulder but given Samak's background he won't be warmly embraced either. Though UK will probably fall for his Oxbridge charm and ignore his funny suits.

Is Noppadon working for Thaksin? Who cares, Thaksin was democraticaly elected.... Drug war? They don't give a fuc_k over there, in the UK.

1976? Why stir up the shit?

Much of the recent HRW criticism was directed at the US and the UK, for hypocritically undermining principles of democracy they love to preach.

Oxbridge charm works better in Washington than London.Ask Gordon Brown or Hugh Grant on the other side of the divide.Who said Nop was charming anyway?

You can rant about the US and the UK, or repeat tired juvenilia about Nop's suits -but the fact remains this government is legitimate and the junta wasn't.Civilised countries will recognise this.

[younghusband]

Indeed, comments like this from the other part of the PPP Brain Trust will go a long with impressing the American Secretary of State....

Suppression of activists in Burma normal: Samak

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej Sunday described Burmese leader Senior General Than Shwe as being religious person and killings and suppressions in the neighbouring country were "normal' things.

Speaking during his Samak's Talk programe broadcast live on Channel 11, Samak said Burma is a Buddhist country.

"Killings and suppressions are normal there but we have to know the fact," Samak said.

"And Senior Than Shwe practices meditation. He said he prays in the morning … and the country has been in peace and order."

- The Nation

I agree Thai policy towards Burma is appalling, nothing new here given it follows the policy of several decades.There has been almost no support for Aung San Suu Kyi, indeed quite the opposite including some outrageous remarks from rather surprising quarters.

[sriracha john]

More little nuggets that run contrary to American foreign policy that will no doubt ensure a warm welcome for the intelligent Noppadope by the head of American foreign policy...

Thailand renews plans to build controversial Myanmar dam

Bangkok - Thailand has decided to proceed with the construction of a hydropower dam in north-east Myanmar despite from environmentalists, media reports said Sunday. Thai Foreign Minister Noppodon Pattama confirmed Saturday that Thailand will push ahead with the 228-metre-high Tasang dam on the Salween River which has made little progress since the country won a concession to construct the massive project 10 years ago, the Bangkok Post reported Sunday.

Noppodon visited Myanmar on Friday as a member of an official Thai delegation led by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to strengthen economic ties between the two neighbouring countries.

The 7,110-megawatt Tasang dam, which will be one of the largest in south-east Asia, will create a reservoir flooding hundreds of square kilometres in the Shan State of north-east Myanmar, has been widely criticized for lack of a proper environmental and social impact study. Thousands of families will be displaced by the dam.

The site on the Salween River has long been a conflict zone for Myanmar's military regime, which is fighting ethnic Shan and Karen rebellions in the area.

The Thai firm MDX signed an agreement to develop the project in 2002, intending to export the generated electricity to Thailand.

There are more than seven dams planned on the Salween River, all of which were put on hold after the September 19, 2006, coup that ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who actively pursued business deals with Myanmar's pariah regime during his dual premierships between 2001 to 2006.

The current Thai government is led by the pro-Thaksin People Power Party has reintroduced many of Thaksin's previous policies.

Thailand also ranks among Myanmar's leading trade partners.

Thailand's close economic ties with the regime are in stark contrast to those of most Western democracies, such as the US and the European Union, both of which have imposed new economic sanctions on the country in the wake of its brutal crackdown on anti-government protests led by Buddhist monks last September.

Such sanctions are deemed ineffective as long as Myanmar's main economic allies refuse to follow suit.

- DPA

[Plus]

..the fact remains this government is legitimate and the junta wasn't.Civilised countries will recognise this.

Form over substance. Not much going for so called "civilised" countries.

Look how they treat Hamas - substance over form. The inconsistency has been noted, official positions of either Uk or the US have nothing to do with what is right and what is wrong, it's realpolitics. Their governments do not believe in human rights or democracy stuff even for a second.

Their approval doesnt' lend even a shred of legitimacy, only eats away at their own credibility. For the US it's the all time low, and if they elect McCaine it will sink even further.

[samran]

More little nuggets that run contrary to American foreign policy that will no doubt ensure a warm welcome for the intelligent Noppadope by the head of American foreign policy...

Thailand renews plans to build controversial Myanmar dam

Bangkok - Thailand has decided to proceed with the construction of a hydropower dam in north-east Myanmar despite from environmentalists, media reports said Sunday. Thai Foreign Minister Noppodon Pattama confirmed Saturday that Thailand will push ahead with the 228-metre-high Tasang dam on the Salween River which has made little progress since the country won a concession to construct the massive project 10 years ago, the Bangkok Post reported Sunday.

Noppodon visited Myanmar on Friday as a member of an official Thai delegation led by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to strengthen economic ties between the two neighbouring countries.

The 7,110-megawatt Tasang dam, which will be one of the largest in south-east Asia, will create a reservoir flooding hundreds of square kilometres in the Shan State of north-east Myanmar, has been widely criticized for lack of a proper environmental and social impact study. Thousands of families will be displaced by the dam.

The site on the Salween River has long been a conflict zone for Myanmar's military regime, which is fighting ethnic Shan and Karen rebellions in the area.

The Thai firm MDX signed an agreement to develop the project in 2002, intending to export the generated electricity to Thailand.

There are more than seven dams planned on the Salween River, all of which were put on hold after the September 19, 2006, coup that ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who actively pursued business deals with Myanmar's pariah regime during his dual premierships between 2001 to 2006.

The current Thai government is led by the pro-Thaksin People Power Party has reintroduced many of Thaksin's previous policies.

Thailand also ranks among Myanmar's leading trade partners.

Thailand's close economic ties with the regime are in stark contrast to those of most Western democracies, such as the US and the European Union, both of which have imposed new economic sanctions on the country in the wake of its brutal crackdown on anti-government protests led by Buddhist monks last September.

Such sanctions are deemed ineffective as long as Myanmar's main economic allies refuse to follow suit.

- DPA

unfortunately SRJ, this is going to be a positive for Thailand in the eyes of the west, regardless of what they say publically about Burma. Stuff like this helps exert a non-Chinese influence of Burma. They'll take Thailand doing the influencing on their behalf. The Thai's know this.

The west will keep hush hush on this, lest Chinese inflence over burma becomes so great that we end up with a Chinese naval facility on the Indian Ocean.

[sriracha john]

Even more of Noppadope's folly that will guarantee he'll be in the good graces and have an earnest reception at the U.S. State Department....as well as a full top secret briefing over at the U.S. National Security Council...

Noppadon rejects sanctions, Burmese to 'vote no'

Thailand opposes the western sanctions on neighbouring Burma and will help to prop the Burmese military junta's planned constitutional referendum in May, Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama said. "Thailand disagrees with sanctions," said Noppadon before he took off with PM Samak Sundaravej for an official visit to Burma. Noppadon's statement put the Thai government firmly against Burmese activists who announced a "Vote No" campaign for the referendum. "This constitution is designed to protect and promote the interests, wealth and security of generals and their cronies," said a statement issued by The 88 Generation Students. "This constitution will allow the military dictatorship to perpetuate in Burma." The US and Europe have put heavy sanctions on Burma, and tightened them after the junta killed at least 31 people and tortured monks to suppress a peaceful pro-democracy protest last September. Noppadon said Thailand wanted negotiations instead of sanctions. He claimed, without a shred of evidence, that talks with the dictators "could lead to positive developments in the country," where the military has ruled since 1962.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=126507

[younghusband]

..the fact remains this government is legitimate and the junta wasn't.Civilised countries will recognise this.

Form over substance. Not much going for so called "civilised" countries.

Look how they treat Hamas - substance over form. The inconsistency has been noted, official positions of either Uk or the US have nothing to do with what is right and what is wrong, it's realpolitics. Their governments do not believe in human rights or democracy stuff even for a second.

Their approval doesnt' lend even a shred of legitimacy, only eats away at their own credibility. For the US it's the all time low, and if they elect McCaine it will sink even further.

Plus, in the most respectful way when you are in rant mode like this you sound just like some agitprop leftie just like your "coup for the rich" nemesis.Sure there is a realpolitik aspect to the way states behave but there is a bedrock of democratic values in the US/UK that can't be dismissed.Just look at the very impressive US electoral process now going on.

Didn't take you for a Hamas fan.What is it you like the uniforms, the guns, the "discipline"..... oh yes now I get it.But Hamas, repellent and incompetent though they are, at least had the jump on the Thai junta by being elected into power by the majority.Hold on I'm confused now;their majority support would mean you think they're ignorant peasants.Whir whir blur blur.In answer to your question I suspect the West will eventually encourage some kind of negotiation with Hamas.Poor Palestinians they've really been screwed not just by the Israelis but also by their appalling and corrupt (I concede not Hamas in the latter category) leadership over the decades.

[Old Man River]

Noppadon leaves to visit UK, US

BANGKOK – Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama leaves here tomorrow for visits to Britain and the US with an objective to persuade investors of the two countries to invest in Thailand.

The foreign minister said he would then travel to the US and meet his American counterpart, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, to discuss various subjects, including the political situation in Myanmar. *with the PPP doing much to prop up the junta's economy and negate the American embargo, I'm sure he'll be warmly received for talks on Burma*

- TNA

Publicly, Noppadon will be well received as he must be. This is protocol. However, once leaving there will be private conversations between US and UK government officials and institutional investors about investments in Thailand which fund mega projects relating to Myanmar. The US and UK governments will not allow this. I am surprised that the Thai government thinks they will.

[plachon]

unfortunately SRJ, this is going to be a positive for Thailand in the eyes of the west, regardless of what they say publically about Burma. Stuff like this helps exert a non-Chinese influence of Burma. They'll take Thailand doing the influencing on their behalf. The Thai's know this.

The west will keep hush hush on this, lest Chinese inflence over burma becomes so great that we end up with a Chinese naval facility on the Indian Ocean.

Thought they already had one? At least, as good as one with all the listening gear, chinese supplied hardware and "advisors" galore. Or doesn't it count until the Chinese flag is flying over the town?

[Plus]

...there is a bedrock of democratic values in the US/UK that can't be dismissed...

Bedrock - yes, governments - no. The simple fact is that the world's opinion of the US has shifted in the past decade. If I remember correctly, more people have a better opinion of China than of America. In the UK Blair did all he could to tarnish country's image, too. Alistair Campbell was a brilliant advisor but rotten to the core and everyone could see that.

Surely there were voices against Thaksin being a fit and proper person but in the end they didn't matter to people in charge. So Noppadon's support for Burma will be forgiven as long as they can use him.

I mentioned Hamas because lately there were rumors of Americans trying to undermine Hamas government by actually starving their people. In the meantime they prop up Pakistan's Musharaff who sold nuclear technology to terrorist states. Does the US support the democracy or not? Go figure. I'm not taking sides in those conflicts - I don't know much about politics there. My point is that both the US and the UK demonstrated that they will sacrifice rights and freedoms and democratic ideals if it suits them. Today they are your friends, tomorrow they'll abandon you, like they did with Hungarians in 1959, or their mess in Central America.

The idea that they will support Thailand to stave off Chinese is an interesting one, though it's probably too late.

[sriracha john]

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej

Thai Cabinet approves 1.83 Trillion Baht budget for next fiscal year

BANGKOK — Thailand's cabinet on Tuesday approved a budget worth 1.83 Trillion Baht (58 Billion US dollars) for the next fiscal year from October 2008, up 10 percent from the current budget, an official said.

Thailand's budget deficit in the next fiscal year would reach nearly 250 Billion Baht, equal to 2.5 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), the official said.

The government also said it expected the Thai economy to expand by 5.5 percent in the next fiscal year with the inflation rate seen at 3.5 percent, the official said.

"The economy is likely to grow from rising domestic demand and a recovery in investments from the private sector," he said, adding investor confidence would also likely recover under the current government.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej took office in early February and appointed [a doctor] Surapong Suebwonglee, one of the closest allies of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, as the country's Finance Minister.

Boosting the Thai economy is one of the top priorities for the Samak government, which has vowed to repeat Thaksin's money-throwing populist economic measures and kick-start a multi-Billion-Dollar public works project.

Surapong said last week the government would launch a raft of stimulus measures to shore up sluggish domestic consumption.

- AFP (2 hours ago)

[sriracha john]

The article reads like the exact opposite of its headline....

A woman of substance

There are four female ministers in premier Samak Sundaravej's 35-member Cabinet. They are Labour Minister Uraiwan Thienthong, Energy Minister Poonpirom Liptapanlop, Deputy Finance Minister Ranongrak Suwanchawee, and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Anongwan Thepsuthin. Of these four women, Anongwan, the wife of former Agriculture Minister Somsak Thepsuthin (TRT Banned #18), is the youngest and appears in the news most often, not because of her role as the Environment Minister, but because she is leader of the embattled Matchima Thipataya Party. The party is awaiting a ruling by the Election Commission on whether it should be dissolved for electoral fraud. Just months before being persuaded to play a decisive role in the new party, Anongwan had planned to open a noodle shop to promote a famous noodle recipe from her hometown of Sukhothai. Anongwan, 50, said she had anticipated an election victory on the ticket of the party founded by her husband, although she failed to win a seat in the election. She had hoped to become an ordinary MP so that she could have tended to such small-time ventures. But given her parallel roles as Leader of the new party and a member of the Cabinet, Anongwan was compelled to forget about the noodle business and focus more on her political duties. Following is a Q & A with the country's first female Party Leader.

How could a female party leader make a difference compared to a male counterpart?

A female leader would probably handle partisan affairs and other business in more scrupulous, caring fashion than a male leader. Besides, women might maintain order and discipline among the party's rank-and-file more efficiently than men.

You have been widely criticised as being a nominee for your husband, regarding both the Matchima Thipataya Party leadership and the ministerial post which you concurrently assume. Are you?

It's pretty hard to say. I would not do anything, even if I could, to stop people from calling me a nominee for my husband. But I did not assume the party leadership on a stop-gap basis, as alleged.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/19Mar2008_news35.php

[sriracha john]

Government to inspect education degree of minister

Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Somchai Wongsawat says relevant units have to inspect complaints on education degrees of Social Development and Human Security Minister Sutha Chansaeng.

The Secretary-General of the Office of the Civil Service Commission, Preecha Watcharaphai, says the office has already examined the case of Sutha and found that his academic institution is accredited by the Philippines government.

The Secretary-General also says the Secretariat of the Cabinet can clarify the education background of Sutha.

- ThaiNews / 3-18-08

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former TRT Party MP and current PPP Party MP and current Social Development and Human Security Minister, Sutha Chansaeng

Bachelor of Science (BS) - Management (1984)

Republican College, Murphy, Philippines

*No school website and only a yahoo email account listed as a contact. As a presumably small college of no note, presumably most courses would have been taught in Tagalog.*

[Tony Clifton]

This guy was featured on ASTV as well this week. Copies of documents shown on camera clearly showed many inconsistencies with the information he provided about himself every time he ran as candidate. Nothing unusual coming from TRT/PPP, cheats and criminals. Let's see what kind of trick they pull out to try and save his sorry ass.