Re. UK funds freeze - Bangkok pundit e-mailed the arabian editor and got a standard "we can't confirm anything and would rather say we were wrong" reply. The story wasn't officially withdrawn, btw.

A few weeks later Thanong from the Nation wrote a very long article detailing Thaksin's money movements that went far beyond that one line from Arabian News.

Thanong didn't disclose his sources, but he's got extensive contacts in money circles, there's no reason to dismiss his theory as completely groundless.

The money wasn't frozen in the UK, those funds were kept in Swiss banks, acc. to Thanong, and there was a news in European media about Thaksin blowing his fuse off at some Swiss bankers.

......and there was a news in European media about Thaksin blowing his fuse off at some Swiss bankers.

How could that be? All the guide books on Thailand insist that Thais are always 'jai yen' (cool heart = cool headed) and disdain anyone who gets 'jai ron' (heart hot = hot headed).

The clouds will part, the heavens will show a giant glowing T with a golden arrow pointing east to Thailand.

Actually, I think it will be more like a giant, glowing... -,` ท '.-

Reality check: Thanong is a widely acknowleged joke and disgrace as a journalist and I don't know anyone who takes him seriously.Find a reputable source if you continue this line, although thanks for the laugh about "his extensive contacts in money circles".

Don't know about the Swiss angle.Any evidence?

Read Thanong's site covering 1997 crisis, there are probably hundreds of articles there with tons of names and numbers. I bet that part of his experience not so widely acknowledged by Bangkok Pundit. Do you think Thanong got business editor position at the Nation for his opinion pieces on Thai culture?

Swiss article was posted on TV.