Thaksin's " Big Surprise " Still A Secret

[sriracha john]

There is nothing in the report to suggest he does plan a black magic ceremony nor does the report back up the claims.

There is also a red shirt leader (an organiser perhaps) claiming it will not take place.

i see it as a sensationalist newpaper headline that will sell papers.

it could also be argued the local western media is doing a fair bit of black magic themselves in the form of mind control/brainwashing over their mislead farang readers.

perhpas the editors of these newpapers sacrifice chickens and chant daily to power the brainwashed farang to post their anti-thaksin nonsense here on thai visa .

You can attempt to blame the press and everyone else, but Thaksin's long history of ceremonies on the bizarre fringes of Thai beliefs is well-established and well-documented.

He believes deeply in it... perhaps you could give it a try.

oh i don't doubt he has done some things like this in his past, but the report is not about his past at all. It would be irresponsible for a newpaper to make a claim that Thaksin will have a black magic ceremony done on his birthday and not be able to back it up this claim, particularly if the organiser out and out denies it.

flaming comment erased and ignored

Do you understand that his birthday is today and that these black magic ceremonies are occurring today in his honor? To me, that's the present.

What you mention in regards to denial is from Chiang Mai. But he's got lovers from other areas, eg. the folks in Roi Et are having black magic ceremonies for him.

Why do you now wish to distance Thaksin from his well-established beliefs in black magic?

If he doesn't do it... why are you doing it for him?

Edited July 26, 2009 by sriracha john

[webfact]

The Birthday cake written 61 years for Khun Thaksin in Nong Khai last night:

It rained:

Anyone wants pictures of today Birthday? I'll post when I find them.

I always thought your hero will be 60 years today and celebrate the 5th cycle - not 61 as visibly written on the red cake...

Now I know what surprise he has in store for us! He will be 61years today!

Edited July 26, 2009 by webfact

[Sandstone Art]

The Birthday cake written 61 years for Khun Thaksin in Nong Khai last night:

It rained:

Anyone wants pictures of today Birthday? I'll post when I find them.

I always thought your hero will be 60 years today and celebrate the 5th cycle - not 61 as visibly written on the red cake...

Now I know what surprise he has in store for us! He will be 61years today!

And how many reds are down with the swine flu after caught in the rain last night? I hope they don't die for that!

[sriracha john]

At the ritual, 20,000 masks with Thaksin's face picture on them will be given to participants.

That's a lot of big, square heads walking around if they are like this...

Thaksin Shinawatra (name-sake worn as a mask) and Surapong Towichakchaikul during his MP campaign trail

He said wearing face masks and adhering to hygiene guidelines would help reduce transmission of the virus for those who could not resist the urge to join the celebrations.

The mask theme continues...

RUBBER MASKS of Thaksin Shinawatra are on sale at a fair held by his red-shirt supporters in Roi Et yesterday to mark the ex-leader’s 60th birthday today.

The Nation / 2009-07-26

[sriracha john]

Supporters make merit for Thai ex-premier Thaksin

BANGKOK, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Supporters of ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Sunday joined the merit-making ceremony on the occasion of his 60th birthday, local media reported.

Thaksin's brother-in-law and former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat presided over the ceremony at Kaew Fah temple in Nonthaburi province, just north to the capital of Bangkok. Thaksin was expected to make a phone-in address to his supporters later during the day, and had promised to unveil a big surprise to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the website of the Bangkokpost said.

Nonthaburi's Bang Kruay police inspector Prasong Sirithipvanich said two companies of policemen had been deployed to oversee security at the temple.

The United front for Democratic against Dictatorship (UDD), a pro-Thaksin group had planned to hold a birthday party for Thaksin on Sunday at Bangkok's Sanam Luang, which was banned by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

The government was again seeking Thaksin's whereabouts in the run-up to his phone-in birthday address.

- Xinhua / 2009-07-26

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

Red-shirts gather for religious ceremony for Thaksin's birthday at Nonthaburi temple

Nonthaburi - Hundreds of red-shirt fans of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra gathered at temple here since early in the morning to participate in a religious ceremony to cast away his bad luck.

They gathered at the Kaewfah Temple in Bang Kruay district to take part in the ceremony held on the occasion of Thaksin's 60th anniversary birthday.

-- The Nation 2009-07-26

[sriracha john]

snippets from:

Supporters of fugitive former premier mark his 60th birthday

In Bangkok, a birthday banquet at Royal Dragon Restaurant was scheduled to be held Sunday evening with 350 tables and about 3,500 guests for Thaksin's relatives and political allies.

Thaksin, never shy about publicity during his premierships between 2001 to 2006, is the main decision-maker and financier behind the UDD and the Puea Thai opposition party.

Although a fugitive from justice, he remains a central player in Thai politics and a threat to the current coalition government's fragile stability.

On April 11-12, red-shirted Thaksin supporters raided the venue of a South-East Asian summit at Pattaya beach resort, forcing current Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajjiva to cancel the event.

Thaksin, through call-ins, urged his followers to stage a "people's revolution" at the time and was widely blamed for instigating the resulting violence and damage to Thailand's reputation.

- DPA / 2009-07-26

Edited July 26, 2009 by sriracha john

[mc2]

Thaksin beats Abhisit in popularity: survey

An opinion survey has found that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra enjoys slightly higher popularity than Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

The survey carried out by Assumption University found that Thaksin has 34 per cent popular rating while Abhisit has 32.9 per cent.

The survey was carried out amng 4,079 families in 17 provinces, including Bangkok, Tak, Chon Buri and Songkhla. It was carried out from July 20 to 25.

Dr Noppadol Kannikar, head of the university's opinion survey office, said the ratings were not different in term of statistics because of the 5-per cent error margin.

The Nation

-- The Nation 26/07/2009

Edited July 26, 2009 by mc2

[grandpops]

There is nothing in the report to suggest he does plan a black magic ceremony nor does the report back up the claims.

There is also a red shirt leader (an organiser perhaps) claiming it will not take place.

i see it as a sensationalist newpaper headline that will sell papers.

it could also be argued the local western media is doing a fair bit of black magic themselves in the form of mind control/brainwashing over their mislead farang readers.

perhpas the editors of these newpapers sacrifice chickens and chant daily to power the brainwashed farang to post their anti-thaksin nonsense here on thai visa .

You can attempt to blame the press and everyone else, but Thaksin's long history of ceremonies on the bizarre fringes of Thai beliefs is well-established and well-documented.

He believes deeply in it... perhaps you could give it a try.

oh i don't doubt he has done some things like this in his past, but the report is not about his past at all. It would be irresponsible for a newpaper to make a claim that Thaksin will have a black magic ceremony done on his birthday and not be able to back it up this claim, particularly if the organiser out and out denies it.

flaming comment erased and ignored

Do you understand that his birthday is today and that these black magic ceremonies are occurring today in his honor? To me, that's the present.

What you mention in regards to denial is from Chiang Mai. But he's got lovers from other areas, eg. the folks in Roi Et are having black magic ceremonies for him.

Why do you now wish to distance Thaksin from his well-established beliefs in black magic?

If he doesn't do it... why are you doing it for him?

Wrong on all counts as ever. The comment was not a flame, it is not erased (I just read it) as you are not a mod. And you didn't ignore it as you obviously had a fit of pique and didn't print it in your reply.

Anyway, to get on topic again, Thaksin really keeps you guys dancing with his big surprise. I suppose he must thank you for all the publicity you give him by constantly cutting and pasting his life story.

[animatic]

Thaksin beats Abhisit in popularity: survey

An opinion survey has found that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra enjoys slightly higher popularity than Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

The survey carried out by Assumption University found that Thaksin has 34 per cent popular rating while Abhisit has 32.9 per cent.

The survey was carried out amng 4,079 families in 17 provinces, including Bangkok, Tak, Chon Buri and Songkhla. It was carried out from July 20 to 25.

Dr Noppadol Kannikar, head of the university's opinion survey office, said the ratings were not different in term of statistics because of the 5-per cent error margin.

The Nation

-- The Nation 26/07/2009

Agains comes the question of WHERE was this poll taken, was it totally random?

Did they JUST pick taxi driver's families, or at places likely to have older Issan folk?

How about in Songlka who got picked, muslim food stall workers, government workers out on lunch?

So many ways to get the result you want from low head count polling.

Let a few teams go at random and others totally targeted for a desired response.

It is of little relevance to the big picture.

What is notable in all these Thaksin Bday celebrations is the lack of

ANY noticeable amount of YOUNG PEOPLE.

It appears no-one younger than 40 is in attendance.

Yingluck looks on the cutting edge of youth in this group.

Not signs even of the PTP proxy-daughters of banned pols.

So is this Twitter campaign not bearing any young fruit?

Most under 40's tend to go away and work, and also get better sources of information about the nworld,

while the 40 and up, up-country, tend the farm and grandchildren and hear little UNCONTROLED

information about the greater world.

It seems the demographics reflect this even in Chiang Mai AKA Thaksin land,

the younger people are not for him, but the older ones are.

I am sure some pro Thaksin sycophant will chime in with a pic of 3 young people at a rally

and pseudo logical explanations of why something so glaringly obvious,

is JUST an english farang media trick.

Edited July 26, 2009 by animatic

[sriracha john]

From this:

flaming comment erased and ignored

Changed To This:

flaming comment erased and ignored

Wrong on all counts as ever. The comment was not a flame, it is not erased (I just read it) as you are not a mod. And you didn't ignore it as you obviously had a fit of pique and didn't print it in your reply.

Anyway, to get on topic again, Thaksin really keeps you guys dancing with his big surprise. I suppose he must thank you for all the publicity you give him by constantly cutting and pasting his life story.

From Forum Guidelines:

2. Please do not modify someone else's post in your quoted reply, either with font or color changes or wording. Such posts will be deleted and the user warned.

I see you're back to your normal mode of forum rules infractions on both font size AND color.

That's not a "big surprise."

[sriracha john]

PM warns birthday celebrants of ousted premier Thaksin to respect law

BANGKOK, July 26 (TNA) - Urging convicted, ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who celebrates his 60th birthday Sunday to return home from his self-imposed exile and fight legal charges, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said supporters who stage birthday parties must hold events under the legal framework.

Shrugging off press reports quoting Thaksin as saying Saturday that he apologised to Mr. Abhisit on media coverage of his birthday celebrations by his supporters which may have ‘stolen the limelight’ from the government, the prime minister said he had nothing to say to the ex-premier except that he should return to Thailand and face the legal charges against him.

The Thai government will do nothing as it understands fully well that Thaksin move frequently as he is living in less than desirable circumstances, Mr. Abhisit said.

Thaksin’s supporters now holding birthday parties for him in the country and also the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) must conduct their celebrations under the legal framework and must not create divisiveness, Mr. Abhisit warned.

Ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2006, Thaksin now spends most of his time in the United Arab Emirates after his status as a visitor was rejected by a number of countries including both the United Kingdom and Germany.

Last year Thaksin was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison after he was found guilty of having a conflict of interest in his involvement in Bangkok’s Ratchadapisek land deal.

Meanwhile, Thaksin’s younger sister Yaowapa Wongsawat and her husband Somchai Wongsawat, a former prime minister, led opposition politicians and members of the UDD in performing Buddhist religious rites at Kaewfah temple in suburban Nonthaburi.

The rites were aimed at ridding Thaksin’s bad luck and to also bring him prosperity. More than 150 monks joined the ceremony, which was due to end at 1pm.

Meanwhile, supporters of the ex-premier in the north joined merit making ceremonies at temples in Lampang, Lamphun and Chiang Mai where religious ceremonies were conducted to ward off bad luck for Thaksin.

In Chiang Mai, a birthday party will be held at the Varorot Grand Palace Hotel. Among all evening’s activities are collecting 2,492 cakes and making 2,492 birthday cards for Thaksin.

The year 2,492 of the Buddhist Era (B.E.) is Thaksin’s birth year.

-- TNA 2009-07-26

[sriracha john]

Phuket Red-Shirts Mark Thaksin's 60th Birthday

Happy Birthday to 60-year-old Thaksin Shinawatra, wherever you are. Perhaps today brings a romp through the dunes around Dubai, or a caper along a Pacific island beach, or a tapas treat somewhere in central America. At least you are free, even if you can't come back to Thailand.

About 50 supporters of the disgraced former Prime Minister gathered today at Wat Mongklonnimid, in Phuket City. Eight monks benefitted from the happy-birthday merit-making ceremony, being supplied with lunch.

The leader of the red-shirt group, Pimsuda Sabaijid, said she would like Khun Thaksin to return to Thailand and resume his position as Prime Minister. Not many people on Phuket would agree.

Continued here:

http://phuketwan.com/tourism/phuket-red-sh...birthday-11372/

- Phuket Wan / 2009-07-26

[timekeeper]

The Birthday cake written 61 years for Khun Thaksin in Nong Khai last night:

It rained:

Anyone wants pictures of today Birthday? I'll post when I find them.

err, no thanks, i have thrown up enough for one day.......

[sriracha john]

Over 100 red-shirts attend merit making ceremony for Thaksin in Lampang

Lampang - Over 100 red-shirt people gathered for a merit making ceremony to bless former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra at a temple here on the occasion of his birthday.

They gathered at the Wat Srichum Temple in Muang district at 10 am to perform a ceremony to cast Thaksin's bad luck away.

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

Some 200 red-shirts in Phitsanulok make merit for Thaksin

Phitsanulok - Some 200 red-shirt people gathered at a temple there to make merit for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on the occasion of his birthday.

The red-shirt people gathered at the Chulamanee Temple in Muang district at 7 am to make merit and pray for Thaksin's bad luck to go away.

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

Some 20 red-shirts make merit for Thaksin in Songkhla

Songkhla - Some 20 supporters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra made merit at temple here to cast his bad luck away as part of nationwide celebrations.

The red-shirt people gathered at the Wad Muang Khom Tepmle in Hat Yai in the morning to make merit.

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

Some 1,000 red-shirts gather in Roi Et to pray for Thaksin

Roi Et - Some 1,000 red-shirt people gathered here Sunday morning to hold a Brahman s rite to cast away the back luck of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on his birthday.

They gathered at the Klong Thom market in Art Samart district at 9:45 am to take part in a traditional rite to bless Thaksin.

They took sample of soil from locations Thaksin visited as part of his Cabinet mobile meeting from July 16 to 20 2006 to perform the rite.

During the ceremony, the red-shirt people chanted "Thaksin dear, please come back to Thailand".

-- The Nation 2009-07-26

[sriracha john]

Phuket Red-Shirts

About 50 supporters

Over 100 red-shirts in Lampang

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

Some 200 red-shirts in Phitsanulok

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

Some 20 red-shirts in Songkhla

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

Some 1,000 red-shirts gather in Roi Et

Impressive nation-wide turn-outs

[sriracha john]

The "big surprise" unveiled, apparently

Sunday, 10.10 am: Good morning everyone. Red-shirted members have been reported to rise up early in some provinces to give alms to monks. In Nakhon Panom, some 300 people took part in a solemn merit making insisting that they came together because of their love for Thaksin. Some 50,000 Nakhon Panom residents were said to have signed the pardon-Thaksin petition.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, in his weekly TV programme, said it was alright for Thaksin to hold such a large-scale "sae yid". "I guess he just wants to be happy," he said. Nice beginning, but then a little swipe. "If his eyes can see dhamma (Buddhist principles) now", Thaksin should know what to do, Abhisit said.

The prime minister woke up to some unpleasant news. His popularity rating, according to an Abac poll, is now one percentage point below Thaksin's (32.9 per cent against 34. It is quite a drop from March when the prime minister enjoyed more than 50 per cent rating whereas Thaksin's was barely above 20 per cent.

Still no more big news about the "big surprise", except that some of his aides claimed the thing would be so touching it would make you cry. Also, Thaksin is expected to heavily touch upon the government's "failure" in handling the swine flu.

On the superstition front, earth garthered from "all the eight directions" will be used in a ceremony to re-inforce Thaksin's stars. Is this against Buddhist teachings? No problem, a Buddhist monk in the province said, because this was a Brahmin ritual that had nothing to do with what Lord Buddha taught.

11 am: Meanwhile, Guinness World Records officials may have been invited to Chiang Mai because birthday organisers said they planned to break a world record on the number of cakes being brought to a birthday party. They plan to have 2,492 people bring one cake each, but it seems the auspicious number is in danger of being overwhelmed by other enthusiastic supporters who also want to bring their cakes. They want a piece of cake in the cake campaign, so to speak.

Reports are starting to come in from various provinces where Thaksin birthday celebrations are taking place. But morning activities have been mostly the same, with people giving alms to monks and performing basic Buddhist rituals. The Kaewfah Temple, hailed as the centre of celebration venue, has been crowded with red-shirted people.

Meanwhile, speculation that Thaksin would display humbleness as the big surprise has all but evaporated after his phone-in on Saturday. He vowed to come back to restore his reputation and "Thailand's dignity" which he said was destroyed by what happened to him over the past few years.

Thaksin is said to have been very touched by a song written for him, prompting new speculation that he would sing "I'll be back" for his supporters today as the big surprise. This matches the claims that the big surprise would be something so touching that tears will flow.

At a temple in Lampang, a "Ngai Baad" (To put an overturned monk's bowl back up) ceremony has been held. Since to overturn a monk's bowl (Kwam Baad) means to disown or boycott, the purpose of this ceremony is obvious.

12.10 pm: Former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, who is Thaksin's former brother-in-law, has joined the ceremonies at the Kaewfah Temple, where a "Ngai Baad" ritual has also taken place.

A lot of "Thaksins" are seen at the temple _ people wearing his masks, a human-sized cut-out of his photo, and a coffin bearing his picture. (Coffins are often used in "sadoh kroh" rituals to repel bad fortunes or turn them into good ones.)

Since private cars are not allowed to park inside the temple, red-shirted members have to park outside, causing quite a traffic nighmare around the venue.

More details on the Abac poll, Abhisit remains much more popular than Thaksin in the South and is still more popular in Bangkok. Thaksin, of course, scores big in the north and northeastern region. In his weekly TV programme, Abhisit said he was not worried by "democratic" competition to increase popularity, but he deplored attempts to block government politicians from many pro-Thaksin constituencies.

In Chiang Mai, rituals have taken place in several locations. One highlighted ritual was to "cut" or remove his karma.

3 pm: It's official now, or so it seems. The "big surprise" is Thaksin singing "I'll be back" in a video footage played out to his supporters at the Kaewfah Temple, who sang along.

Not much else happened when I got stuck in the rain and traffic. We have got hold of Thaksin's written birthday wishes. It was a short message written in his own handwriting. "If you ask me what I wish for on my birthday, I'll say I want to see national reconciliation and strong health and longevity for His Majesty the King," it said.

Thaksin is also known have twittered Abhisit, apparently in response to the latter's "If his eyes can see dhamma" statement. "I'd like to say big thanks and give you my full support for solving national problems. If there's anything I can do, I will be really pleased to help."

Well, I have to admit that both messages sound very nice indeed, which leaves us wondering why it still feels so miserable politically.

-- The Nation 2009-07-26

[sriracha john]

3 pm: It's official now, or so it seems. The "big surprise" is Thaksin singing "I'll be back" in a video footage played out to his supporters at the Kaewfah Temple

gosh... how impressive

[sunnythai]

Theres absolutely no way in the world I would walk around with a mask like that, knowing my luck some crackpot trigger happy somchai would squeeze a shot away, thinking I was the real deal.

As for Lady Boy Thaksin, now that would be ugly

I'm sure there would be a few that would be takers (no pun intended).

Well he's already demonstrated that hes got no balls, so a set of chest puppies and he will be right to roll, so to speak

Probally the only way he could come back to Thailand is a sex change.........

[sriracha john]

Thaksin's big surprise: I'll return

Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's big surprise on his 60th birthday on Sunday was a video clip of him singing "Chan Ja Klab Ma" (I Will Return).

The red-shirt supporters of the fugitive politician, including his brother-in-law and former premier Somchai Wongsawat, took part in a merit-making ceremony at Kaew Fah temple in Nonthaburi.

Thaksin made a brief phone-in address to his supporters. He thanked them for making merit for him on his birthday, and hoped he would return to work

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/15...ise-i-ll-return

-- Bangkok Post 2009-07-26

[webfact]

Thaksin's big surprise: I'll return

Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's big surprise on his 60th birthday on Sunday was a video clip of him singing "Chan Ja Klab Ma" (I Will Return).

<snip>

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/15...ise-i-ll-return

-- Bangkok Post 2009-07-26

As Mr. Tahaksin now became a musician... I't like to take this big opportunity and present him my birthday gift...

A song by Manfred Mann's Earthband

There's a finger on the dial,

The lucky wheel goes round,

Little joker knows he can't escape.

The same time every year,

The fun fair's back in town,

Numbers in the air like ticker tape.

58, 56, 54,

Good angels at my door.

63, 62, 61, 60, 59, 58,

Good angels at my gate.

Throw a seven down,

Place another bet,

The joker laughs as the stakes get higher.

The gambler and the clown,

Without a safety net,

Balancing unsteady on a wire.

58, 56, 54,

Good angels at my door.

63, 62, 61, 60, 59, 58,

Good angels at my gate.

There's a finger on the dial,

The lucky wheel goes round,

Little joker knows he can't escape.

The same time every year,

The fun fair's back in town,

Numbers in the air like ticker tape.

58, 56, 54,

Good angels at my door.

63, 62, 61, 60, 59, 58,

Good angels at my gate.

59, 58, 57, 56, 55, 54,

Good angels at my door.

63, 62, 61, 60, 59, 58,

Good angels at my gate.

59, 58, 57, 56, 55, 54

[animatic]

Well lets see, ferwert is attempting insults of musicians all week,

and now his idol lord and paymaster is coming out of the closet as a MUSICIAN of all things.

Careful who you attempt to insult the boss might have things in common with them.

Well the Troubadour of Dubai seems to really roll out the superstitions and magical elements

of Brahman culture and a bit of Buddhism thrown in for the edification of us all.

Gotta make a connection with the hopes AND fears of the electorate up there.

Edited July 26, 2009 by animatic

[Insight]

Ferwert constant references to the various sections of the orchestra are quite interesting, as the majority of Thais I know couldn't tell a banjo from an oboe.

That's not an insult at the locals, it's simply not a national interest.

[zzaa09]

That's the nature of the beast - democracy. Politics is about diplomacy and sometimes compromise.

Quite idealistic conditioning. Politics/Government, by it's very nature, exist only for: creation of control, suppression, and dependency. Freedom is just another word for nothing else to lose....

[Sandstone Art]

Has our dear birthday boy call in with his big surprise yet? It's 21.57 hrs now....nearly one hr behind time.

Or the big surprise is that he surprises all by breaking his promise to call in?

[MaiChai]

So where is the big surprise? Maybe he bought ABAC so all their future polls will put him ahead.

[Insight]

There's an update on The Nation re the phone in. Promises to promote Thailand overseas, and a red shirt rally to oust the govt (again) on the 7th August.

Many people on the Thai forums noting Thaksin's weight loss, attributing it to his rumoured cancer.

Not many warm feelings being sent in Thaksin's general direction in this household tonight. In fact some comments were very uncharacteristically damning, especially when hearing about the black magic carried out by the monks.

[DP25]

Thaksin's big surprise: I'll return

Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's big surprise on his 60th birthday on Sunday was a video clip of him singing "Chan Ja Klab Ma" (I Will Return).

Yesterday they were saying "It will be a major surprise. The whole world will be asking: How can this happen?" Well, I gotta admit, they were right. How could this happen, that the announcement and turnout was even worse than I expected?

[wilsongbrown]

There's an update on The Nation re the phone in. Promises to promote Thailand overseas, and a red shirt rally to oust the govt (again) on the 7th August.

Many people on the Thai forums noting Thaksin's weight loss, attributing it to his rumoured cancer.

Not many warm feelings being sent in Thaksin's general direction in this household tonight. In fact some comments were very uncharacteristically damning, especially when hearing about the black magic carried out by the monks.

An oxymoron surely?

[Chaimai]

Ferwert constant references to the various sections of the orchestra are quite interesting, as the majority of Thais I know couldn't tell a banjo from an oboe.

That's not an insult at the locals, it's simply not a national interest.

Insight - an interesting spelling of ar5e and elbow

[Thaddeus]

Many people on the Thai forums noting Thaksin's weight loss, attributing it to his rumoured cancer.

I hope it doesn't turn out to be something trivial.