Anti-thaksin Rally Sunday March 5 - The Final Show

[Ricardo]

Plus....quote...."Let me repeat it again - Taksin is not qualified to stand in elections aqnd should resign immediately even if 19 million people still think he's the best."

Classic argument for people favoring oligarchy over democracy. Btw, you can't impeach a PM through protests - you need convincing proof, which the opposition obviously doesn't have or else they wouldn't be afraid to run against him in a fair election.

You mean, where he gives more than 90 days notice to his own & the opposition parties, as he had often promised to do, before un-necessarily dissolving parliament, and calling a snap-election ?

[Jai Dee]

Thai protesters hold banners during a demonstration in front of the Singaporean embassy in Bangkok, 07 March 2006. The anti-Thaksin movement gained momentum amid a public outcry over his family's 1.9 billion dollar tax-free sale of its stake in Shin Corp -- the telecoms giant the premier founded before entering politics -- to Singapore's state-owned investment firm Temasek in January.

AFP PHOTO/PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL

Thai students shout slogans during a demonstration in front of Singaporean embassy in Bangkok, 07 March 2006.

AFP PHOTO/PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL

Anti-Thaksin protesters urge Singapore to stop Shin Corp sale

Opponents of Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Tuesday urged Singapore to stop a state-owned investment firm from buying Shin Corp, the telecoms giant founded by the premier.

"The People's Alliance for Democracy calls upon the Singapore government to stop the purchase of Shin Corporation on March 9, 2006," read a letter delivered by a delegation of some 40 protesters.

"Many Thai citizens are closely following the prime minister's behaviour to find evidence that he has violated the Thai constitution and many other laws, including abusing his power to facilitate his family's multi-billion baht businesses," it said.

Singapore's state-linked investment company Temasek bought a nearly 50 percent stake in Shin Corp from Thaksin's family in late January.

Thaksin's relatives made 1.9 billion dollars on the tax-free deal, sparking public outrage that has snowballed into mass weekly protests against the prime minister.

The letter from the People's Alliance for Democracy, a loose coalition of anti-Thaksin groups, said protesters would return to the embassy on Thursday for an answer to their request.

The letter, signed by PAD representative Somsak Kosaisuk, said the Shin Corp deal would mean "the purchase of businesses which are highly sensitive and will affect the security of Thailand, such as mobile phone service, a satellite, an airline and a TV channel."

Somsak accused Thaksin of illegally hiding his family assets, evading taxes and blocking investigations into the deal.

Thailand's Securities and Exchange Commission has found only minor violations of disclosure rules in the Shin Corp deal, while the Constitutional Court has declined to investigate Thaksin's dealings.

An official at the Singapore embassy said the mission was "stepping up security due to reports about demonstrations on Thursday".

"We always remain vigilant."

Thai Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon said he had reassured the embassy that police would provide security.

Because of the size of the Shin Corp deal, Temasek was required by law to make a tender offer for the remaining shares, which expires on Thursday.

Temasek reportedly has already purchased an additional 16 percent stake in the company.

Source: The Manager Online 7 March 2006

[LaoPo]

Temasek reportedly has already purchased an additional 16 percent stake in the company.

Source: The Manager Online 7 March 2006

There you go...anyone thinks Temasek will step out now?

IF they would, they probably have to pay a substantial 'fine' to Shin Corp. and the Chinese don't like that at all...

LaoPo

[Plus]

Btw, you can't impeach a PM through protests - you need convincing proof, which the opposition obviously doesn't have

And what are you/they going to do with your "proof"? Will you/they take it to the dissolved parlament? Will you take it to non-existent NCCC? Will you take it to Constitution Court? Been there, bought the t-shirt.

And do you actually mean they need proof that Taksin orchestrated Shin sale and used his clueless kids as nominees? Do you seriously belive that yourself? Even after Patongtae himself publicly said that the sale is up to the big guys and if they say so, he'll sell. Or that all documents regarding Ample Rich are signed by Taksin's wife's personal secretary?

That might be one of the reasons for Constitution Court refusal of the petition - there's no way out for Taksin - his name is all over the place.

Do you know anyone who believes it was the kids all along and Taksin had nothing to do with their personal business decisions? I don't. I haven't heard or read about anyone believing it either.

[CL0R0X]

is like the phrase "my dog ate my homework"

[sriracha john]

The list of those opposed to Thaksin gets longer :

Luangta Maha Bua asks Thaksin to resign

Udon Thani - Highly respected monk Luangta Maha Bua Yannasampanno Tuesday became the latest high-profile supporter to turn his back on the prime minister.

The abbot of Wat Pa Ban Tat, in Udon Thani's Muang district, said it was time for Thaksin to abandon the "rotten system he is presiding over". He described the government as "wicked, corrupt, power-hungry and greedy".

"Thaksin should not stay on. It's time for him to resign and admit his fault," Luangta Maha Bua said.

The monk said he regretted endorsing Thaksin's candidacy. "I looked at his financial status and I believed he was honest. I admit that my judgement about this man was wrong," the abbot said.

The sermon lasted about 38 minutes and the monk described it as the "most vehement since the temple was set up".

"It has to be heated because Thailand is drowning. Tell him to resign. You can quote me," he said.

- TN 07/03/06

Edited March 7, 2006 by sriracha john

[bulmercke]

Channel 11's Newsline have this evening been commenting on the Shin sell-off. And unfortunately it seems that Thaksin will, afterall, be getting his hands on all that lovely lucre.

73 billion bahts worth of the stuff -

- isn't that obscene?

- when Thais in my neighbourhood, working an eight-hour factory shift earn just 180 baht a day. (I live outside of Bangkok)

However, it appears that the Singaporeans are increasingly dissatisfied with the deal. They don't want to be associated with "tainted" stock.

[dan10400]

However, it appears that the Singaporeans are increasingly dissatisfied with the deal. They don't want to be associated with "tainted" stock.

Somehow, I think the Singaporeans checked their brains

at the door when they went in to negotiate this deal. You

would think they would be a bit more diligent and

experienced in M&A, but it sure doesn't look like it.

There was an article a bit back that mentioned they had

a "put" on the acquisition in case things got ugly. Not

sure what kind of information was acquired in order to

make that statement, but I sure would have loved to

been a fly on the wall then...

[sriracha john]

Another addee on the against-Thaksin-as-the-status-quo list:

Thai police spokesman calls on PM to resign

The spokesman for Thailand's national police say he has written a letter to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra urging him to quit to end an intensifying political crisis.

Lieutenant General Ajiravid Subarnbhesaj says he is worried about continuing protests demanding Mr Thaksin resign over alleged abuse of power and corruption.

The police spokesman says weekly anti-government rallies since February 4 are taking a toll on the police force.

He says many officers have been working non-stop since the demonstrations began.

In an attempt to defuse the protests, Mr Thaksin called a general election for April 2, but the main opposition parties are boycotting it.

The police chief's office has declined to comment on the unusual public remarks by his spokesman.

07/03/2006, 22:59:55

ABC Radio

[bulmercke]

Much of the general public thinks Thaksin has solid support from the police and the military - but in the case of the army, their allegiance to Thaksin is highly questionable.

Thaksin may have appointed his relatives and peers to positions of high office, in an attempt to garner undivided loyalty, but this could back-fire, when resentment from other disgruntled officers comes to the fore, who were unfairly cheated out of promotions because of good old fashioned nepotism!

In short, Thaksin has his detractors and "opponents" within both camps.

But they are fearful of taking a public stance, at this moment in time, until matters clear and their position is supported by public opinion and common consensus.

Me thinks Thaksin has enemies everywhere..........

Be cautious.....Thaksin......because sometimes your friend can be your enemy!

Edited March 7, 2006 by bulmercke

[sriracha john]

Thai Protesters to Surround Premier Thaksin's Office

March 7 (Bloomberg) -- Protesters seeking to oust Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will "surround'' his office before a cabinet meeting next week.

As many as "100,000 people'' will march from Sanam Luang park in downtown Bangkok to Government House on the morning of March 14, said Sondhi Limthongkul, a protest leader. Protesters have vowed to hold rallies every night until Thaksin resigns.

"Thaksin has challenged us, that we are good only during the night,'' Sondhi said in a speech broadcast late yesterday on local television station Channel 3. "We want to show him that we are also very strong during the day.''

Since winning a record majority in Feb. 2005, Thaksin has been attacked over issues including conflicts of interest, media freedom, ministerial ethics, education reforms, free trade pacts, planned sales of shares in public utilities, and Muslim unrest.

Forecast Cut

Morgan Stanley, the third-biggest U.S. securities firm by market value, today cut its economic growth forecast for Thailand on "political uncertainty that is likely to delay investment recovery.'' Andy Xie, chief Asia economist at Morgan Stanley in Hong Kong, reduced his 2006 economic growth forecast for Thailand to 4.9 percent from 5.4 percent, according to an e- mailed note to clients.

"A stable political situation is very important for foreign companies' investment decisions,'' Ichiro Fukue, executive vice president of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., said in an interview in Bangkok yesterday. "Stable government is needed for long-term policies.''

A consortium of Mitsubishi Heavy, Mitsubishi Corp. and Sino-Thai Engineering & Construction Pcl yesterday signed a $322 million contract with state-owned EGAT Pcl to build a gas-fired power plant in Bangkok. Fukue attended the signing ceremony.

Workers at state utilities such as electricity and water companies are considering a strike as part of the campaign to force Thaksin's resignation, said Somsak, who is also secretary general of the State Enterprises Labor Relations Confederation.

[britmaveric]

Uh people do work, so days wages being lost is heaps. Hmmm during the day isnt that good of an idea - sort of interfere with those trying to get work done.

[sriracha john]

I bid thee all "good night" with the best quote of the day:

BANGKOK (AFP) - Thailand's biggest labor unions have thrown their support behind protesters seeking to oust Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as the premier vowed to fight to "preserve democracy".

"We have to show our force until Thaksin gets out," said Pean Yongnu, who heads a group representing 300,000 workers at Thailand's water and electrical utilities.

Thaksin was in Bangkok early Tuesday for his weekly cabinet meeting, but planned to return upcountry later in the day to push his campaign to keep his job.

"I have to fight to uphold democratic rule, which is under threat by groups of people and political parties who are moving against democracy.

I am ready to sacrifice my life," he said.

[britmaveric]

I bid thee all "good night" with the best quote of the day:

I am ready to sacrifice my life," he said.

Translated - send me some dosh!

[lung]

i just find some post i put in on 27.2.2006

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=61532

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

The Shin Corp deal is still hanging in the balance, although the transaction has been completed. People in the capital market say the takeover comes with a "put option" attached, which means that if something goes wrong, like A mass protest in front of the Singaporean Embassy or destruction of Shin products and services, the two parties can cancel the deal altogether.

"The legal term is 'condition consequence'. In case the deal does not work out, the buyer can scrap the deal and get the money back," one lawyer said.

Thanong Khanthong

The Nation

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

[bulmercke]

Temasek keeping mum despite boycott threats

By ThaiDay 7 March 2006 22:01

Singapore government investment vehicle Temasek Holdings refused to comment yesterday as pressure mounted on the company to pull out of its 73.3 billion baht investment in Shin Corp.

Asked late yesterday if the company had already paid the family of embattled caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for its 49.6-percent stake in the telecom giant and would pull out of the mega-deal, Temasek spokesperson Rachel Lin said: “We have no new comments.”

Despite the scheduled closing of the tender offer for Shin shares tomorrow, the stock closed yesterday down 1.50 baht, or three percent, from the previous day’s close of 48.75. This price is two baht below the 49.25 baht tender offer price, which analysts called “extraordinary,” as stocks under tender offer generally trade at or near the tender offer price as the date approaches.

“We have heard that there are some rumors about the deal possibly being cancelled, but the speculation is still going on and there are no facts coming out,” said Nuttaluk Polchan, an analyst at Kasikorn Securities. “Some think the deal will get done, others are worried. It would be quite serious if Temasek still hasn’t paid for the shares.”

Questions about whether Temasek had actually transferred the money to Thaksin arose after media firebrand Sondhi Limthongkul claimed that the premier still has not received any money from the share deal.

But a top banker on the deal, speaking anonymously yesterday, confirmed that the money had been transferred. Circumstantial evidence backs up that claim, as the Bank of Thailand governor said days before the deal was announced that the baht appreciated due mainly to the inflow of foreign capital for the purchase of Shin shares.

Moreover, stock market rules dictate that shares must be transferred and paid for within three days of the agreement. And Bangkok Bank and Siam Commercial Bank said earlier this week that Temasek had already withdrawn money that would be used to purchase the shares.

Many bankers and lawyers say it would be unusual if Temasek did not have a way to pull out of the deal. Anti-Thaksin protestors have threatened to boycott Temasek and other Singaporean companies.

Investors are now “panicking” and “afraid,” an analyst at a foreign brokerage said yesterday. “This has become a bigger issue than everyone thought it would be.”

Some background information on Thaksin: Annonymous

"Let me tell you something about Thaksin. Of course, his police past is well known. He graduated from the Police Academy in 1973, went to the USA to pursue graduate studies where he was recruited by the CIA. Back to Thailand, he rose to the rank of police deputy superintendent (Lt Col) after finishing his PhD in the USA in 1978.

The 1970's were particularly shady for Thaksin. He worked for the CIA as a covert agent gathering information on and subcontracting assets in the newly established communist Vietnam. Reportedly. he was involved in a small but critical operation undertaken by American spooks to liaise with Khmer Rouge militias then rampaging in Cambodia.

What is not clearly was the role played by the CIA in the episode. But we know what happened after. Cambodia was ravaged by genocide. Vietnam interfered, causing a rift with China. The over-all result was the fragmentation of communist cohesion in the Indo-China Peninsula that had the effect of a 'containment' scenario favored by the policy wonks at the National Security Council; thus, turning a patent disadvantage (lost of Vietnam in the American sphere of influence) to a favorable circumstance for the USA (parcelization of communist unity in Indo China).

Thaksin is not from a wealthy family. He is of Chinese ethnicity. It is a riddle that during the 1970s period he progressively acquired unexplained wealth. Some reports point to his supposed links with the drug syndicates of the Golden Triangle area -- the same syndicates the CIA used to fund their covert wars in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Suddenly in 1987, he resigned from the Thai Police force to form a communications company, which is now the main provider of mobile phone service. He could not have possibly acquired the initial capital to start and develop his business without connection both within the Thai government (then under a military junta) and money from the CIA and drug syndicates.

Do you remember a few years ago, when Thaksin did an "Alfredo-Lim" act in liquidating drug pushers and other criminal syndicates? Is it not surprising the efficiency his hit squad went after these syndicates? Some reported that in a span of 1 month almost a 1000 suspected drug dealers were killed. This could only be possible if Thaksin liquidation squad knows who they were after. And they were after the former associates and surrogates of PM Thaksin."

Edited March 7, 2006 by bulmercke

[Ricardo]

Hello

thank you for all the information and thoughts, very interesting !

I have a question

Can somebody explain me why the thai baht gets more and more strong although the situation seemed to be unstable ?!?!

thank you

Shingdam

Very good question. It's a mystery.

PM says Chart Thai still have its chance on fielding its members to join in the general election until tomorrow

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has indicated that the Election Commission (EC) has opened for candidates to register their names to join the election until tomorrow. Therefore, the Chart Thai Party still has a chance to field its candidates in the general election. Besides, the Prime Minister will travel to Suphanburi (สุพรรณบุรี) Province to invite the Chart Thai Party members to join this election by himself.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 March 2006

It's certainly very generous of the PM to spend his time campaigning on behalf of another party.

Perhaps he might also arrange, while helping the opposition, to ask his pals at the EC to delay the whole election, to a date more than 90 days away ? Or perhaps not.

(edited by ricardo to correct a factual error)

Edited March 8, 2006 by Ricardo

[lukamar]

I have a question

Can somebody explain me why the thai baht gets more and more strong although the situation seemed to be unstable ?!?!

Shingdam

Very good question. It's a mystery.

Don't shoot the messenger on this one.

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

Tuesday March 7, 8:01 PM

Thai Ctrl Bk Gov: Baht Strength Due To Shin Tender

BANGKOK (Dow Jones)--Recent gains in the baht are due mainly to inflows related to the tender offer of Shin Corp. (SHIN.TH) shares by Singapore's Temasek Holdings (TEMAH.YY), Bank of Thailand Governor Pridiyathorn Devakula said late Tuesday.

"The central bank has nothing to do with the recent baht strength. It was due mainly to funds from Temasek for the Shin deal," said Pridiyathorn.

The dollar finished at THB39.07 Tuesday, down from THB38.725 at Monday's close on short covering, mainly by offshore banks.

The U.S. unit has been falling steadily against the baht since Feb. 22 - when it stood at THB39.62 - due to substantial selling orders from Temasek. The Singaporean firm has been buying baht in preparation for the settlement of a tender offer for shares of Shin Corp. due March 14.

Temasek, through its units, is making a tender offer for 1.51 billion shares of Shin Corp. at THB49.25 each. Temasek last month bought a 49.6% stake in the telecommunication firm from the family of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra at a price tag of THB73.3 billion.

Pridiyathorn said he expects the baht to return to normal after the March 14 settlement but he didn't say what level he believes is normal.

Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya said Monday that after the tender deal is over, he expects the baht to pull back to around THB40 against the U.S. dollar.

The governor said that even without inflows related to the tender offer, there are still net inflows into the country and there are no factors that would cause outflows or cause the baht to weaken at present.

"Ongoing political tension hardly has any impact on foreign investors as they can separate between politics and economic issues," said Pridiyathorn.

He said consumption and private investment are being relatively unaffected by the political jitters. "I don't think the political situation will have any effect on this year's economic growth and there is no sign that the economy will slow down," said Pridiyathorn.

[Jai Dee]

Some background information on Thaksin: Annonymous

"Let me tell you something about Thaksin. Of course, his police past is well known. He graduated from the Police Academy in 1973, went to the USA to pursue graduate studies where he was recruited by the CIA. Back to Thailand, he rose to the rank of police deputy superintendent (Lt Col) after finishing his PhD in the USA in 1978.

The 1970's were particularly shady for Thaksin. He worked for the CIA as a covert agent gathering information on and subcontracting assets in the newly established communist Vietnam. Reportedly. he was involved in a small but critical operation undertaken by American spooks to liaise with Khmer Rouge militias then rampaging in Cambodia.

What is not clearly was the role played by the CIA in the episode. But we know what happened after. Cambodia was ravaged by genocide. Vietnam interfered, causing a rift with China. The over-all result was the fragmentation of communist cohesion in the Indo-China Peninsula that had the effect of a 'containment' scenario favored by the policy wonks at the National Security Council; thus, turning a patent disadvantage (lost of Vietnam in the American sphere of influence) to a favorable circumstance for the USA (parcelization of communist unity in Indo China).

Thaksin is not from a wealthy family. He is of Chinese ethnicity. It is a riddle that during the 1970s period he progressively acquired unexplained wealth. Some reports point to his supposed links with the drug syndicates of the Golden Triangle area -- the same syndicates the CIA used to fund their covert wars in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Suddenly in 1987, he resigned from the Thai Police force to form a communications company, which is now the main provider of mobile phone service. He could not have possibly acquired the initial capital to start and develop his business without connection both within the Thai government (then under a military junta) and money from the CIA and drug syndicates.

Do you remember a few years ago, when Thaksin did an "Alfredo-Lim" act in liquidating drug pushers and other criminal syndicates? Is it not surprising the efficiency his hit squad went after these syndicates? Some reported that in a span of 1 month almost a 1000 suspected drug dealers were killed. This could only be possible if Thaksin liquidation squad knows who they were after. And they were after the former associates and surrogates of PM Thaksin."

I'd be very interested in the source of this "anonymous" information...

[lukamar]

I'd be very interested in the source of this "anonymous" information...

The statements are not only anonymous but libelous as well. I wonder who else may ask the same question? Seems to differ greatly from the Wikipedia account.

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

Early career

Thaksin was born in Sankamphaeng in Chiang Mai Province. Thaksin's great-grandfather Seng Sae Khu (aka Khu Chun Seng) was a Hakka Chinese immigrant from Guangdong who arrived in Siam in the 1860s. In 1908 he settled in Chiang Mai. He married a Thai woman called Sangdi. His eldest son, Chiang Sae Khu, was born in Chanthaburi in 1890, and also married a Thai woman, called Saeng Somna. Chiang's eldest son, Sak, adopted the Thai surname Shinawatra ("does good routinely") in 1938 during the Phibun regime's anti-Chinese campaigns, and the rest of the family also adopted it, including Loet, Thaksin's father, born in Chiang Mai in 1919. Loet married Yindi Ramingwong. Thaksin is thus one-8th Chinese by blood.

Thaksin’s grandfather Seng Sae Khu (aka Khu Chun Seng) made his fortune through tax farming — a common (though unpopular) occupation in those days. Later the Sae Khu/Shinawatra clan added to their fortunes via the silk trade (Shinawatra Silks), catering to the tastes and interests of the Thai bureaucratic elite, and then by moving into the spheres of finance, construction and property development.

By the time Thaksin was born Shinawatras were already one of the richest, most influential and powerful families in Chiang Mai, enjoying close relations to the royal family, the army and the bureaucratic elite, as well as other wealthy families in the region.

Thaksin attended Monfort College, a high school in Chiang Mai. He went on to the Thai Police Cadet Academy and upon graduation, he joined the Royal Thai Police Department in 1973. He later went on to obtain a Master's Degree in criminal justice from the Eastern Kentucky University in the United States, in 1975. In 1978 he received a doctorate in criminal justice at Sam Houston State University in Texas. After reaching the position of Deputy Superintendent of the Policy and Planning Sub-division, General Staff Division, Metropolitan Police Bureau, Thaksin quit the police to form the Shinawatra Computer and Communications Group in 1987. One of the group's members, Shinawatra Paging, is now Thailand's largest mobile phone operator AIS. In 1990, Thaksin made a daring but successful bid for a 20-billion baht, 20-year concession to operate the Thaicom Satellite.

Edited March 8, 2006 by lukamar

[Jai Dee]

Laborers threaten to join Tuesday's rally if government does not agree to payrise demand

The network of labor Unions for Democracy plans to demonstrate to demand a pay raise, insisting that they will join the major rally on March 14 if the government fails to respond.

President of the Network, Somyos Prueksakasemsuk (สมยศ พฤกษาเกษมสุข) said yesterday that about 1,000 members will gather at the Democracy monument before marching to meet Labor Minister Somsak Tepsutin (สมศักดิ์ เทพสุทิน), asking Mr. Somsak about the minimum wage increase to 200 baht per day. In addition, the network will demand that the government cancel the Labor Protection Act drafted by the government, as the Act does not meet the Network’s wishes. The government will also be asked to consider the draft proposed by the group.

In addition, the group said that if the meeting of the Central Wage Committee on March 9 does not yield satisfactory results, the group will join the rally organized by the People’s Alliance for Democracy on March 14, to pressure the prime minister to resign.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 08 March 2006

[ShingDam]

thank you for the explanation about the baht

whos gonna shot me hmm ? I ask that question for 4 days already and not everybody is so well informed like other members here. I stay a bit out of the center. The more I appreciate this forum !

But i doubt that the baht will come to normal after that and guess this is only talking for calm the market. Situations like that are favoured from the international financial market sharks, i am sure they are watching.

Sorry for my english

shingdam

(goatfarmer, he he he )

[gurkle]

Laborers threaten to join Tuesday's rally if government does not agree to payrise demand

The network of labor Unions for Democracy plans to demonstrate to demand a pay raise, insisting that they will join the major rally on March 14 if the government fails to respond.

President of the Network, Somyos Prueksakasemsuk (สมยศ พฤกษาเกษมสุข) said yesterday that about 1,000 members will gather at the Democracy monument before marching to meet Labor Minister Somsak Tepsutin (สมศักดิ์ เทพสุทิน), asking Mr. Somsak about the minimum wage increase to 200 baht per day. In addition, the network will demand that the government cancel the Labor Protection Act drafted by the government, as the Act does not meet the Network’s wishes. The government will also be asked to consider the draft proposed by the group.

In addition, the group said that if the meeting of the Central Wage Committee on March 9 does not yield satisfactory results, the group will join the rally organized by the People’s Alliance for Democracy on March 14, to pressure the prime minister to resign.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 08 March 2006

At least we have one group that honestly admits why they want the PM out - for their own personal gain.

[Butterfly]

They all come feeding on a dead corpse.

Seriously the guy should resign and let's hope the new guy will not be worse (but he will for sure)

[Jai Dee]

Police Chief said officials are responsible for keeping order during demonstrations.

The Commander of the Royal Thai Police General Kowit Wattana (โกวิท วัฒนะ) insisted that the police has the responsibility to keep order during rallies, adding that he personally wants all parties to compromise so that the situation will return to normal quickly.

General Kowit spoke on the comment made by the Royal Thai Police’s spokesperson Lieutenant-general Achirawit Supanpesat (อชิรวิทย์ สุพรรณเภสัช) that the police are weary of controlling the prolonged demonstrations of the People’s Alliance for Democracy that it is Mr. Achirawit’s right to express his personal opinion. However, he said that the police are responsible for keeping order for the country. As for the protestors’ change of protest strategies to increase pressure in various locations, he said the police has prepared to deal with the situation.

The Police Chief added that he wants all parties to talk over issues and compromise, so that the situation will return to normal quickly.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 08 March 2006

[Jai Dee]

Interior Minister said police will ensure safety for demonstrators at Shinnawat building.

Interior Minister Kongsak Wantana (คงศักดิ์ วันทนา ) expressed confidence that police will be able to take care of protestors preparing to demonstrate at the Shinnawat Building to pressure the premier to resign.

Mr. Kongsak commented on security at Shinnawat building and the Singaporean embassy that the police will take care of the matter, although the deputy police chief has come out to admit that police are beginning to feel weary of taking care of various demonstrations.

Commenting on a threat by protestors that they will let the people use electrcy and water for free until the Prime Minister steps down, Mr. Kongsak said that the threat is impossible, adding that there are officials overseeing water and electricity fees. He said that if there are problems, related offices will take care of the matter.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 08 March 2006

[ColPyat]

Some background information on Thaksin: Annonymous

There are major inconsistencies in this anonymous source's description.

Thaksin came from a very wealthy and powerful family, and married the daughter of a very powerful police general. Which doesn't exactly fit his self promotion as a rags to riches business genius, especially given that all his free market enterprises not exactly strived, until he got his huge wealth by going into the semi closed privatisation of the telecom sector, benefitting from his family connections.

The drug war was not exactly what yo would call a surgical strike against powerful drug cartells as most victims were lowest level dealers. The names were collected in blacklists that Police, Puyaiban's and other officials were ordered to establish within two weeks. Given the wide spread of amphetamines it wasn't exactly a highly guarded secret who sold the pills.

[Jai Dee]

DPM Chitchai has assigned officials to ensure safety of the gathering in front of Government House

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Chitchai Wannasathit (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์) has instructed officials to prepare for the People’s Alliance for Democracy’s (PAD) demonstration in front of the Government House between the 13th and the 19th of March. The officials have been instructed to keep the gathering in an orderly manner.

Deputy Prime Minister Chitchai said that security-related units have followed up with the movement of the protestors who are planning to organize another rally at the Government House next week.

He has assigned related agencies to maintain order as such rallies can cause traffic problems, while many party are concerned that the third party might cause chaotic situation during the demonstration.

Gen. Chitchai also referred to the decisions of the demonstrators who claimed to continue the rally at the Government House until Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra resigns from his post. He said that concerned agencies have been reinstructed to be prepared at all times, to deal with any possible chaos.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 08 March 2006

[Plus]

There's been very little news on capital market reaction to anti-Taksin protests, that's why no one could reply to that question about baht strength. Overall, it seems, investors realise that there's very little chance of the situation escalating into bloodshed or mass arrests, like in Philipines, so they don't worry too much in the short term.

One thing is clear - Thailand is far more mature country now than it was twenty years ago, and far ahead of bedlam that the Philipines is now.

[Jai Dee]

Protesters demand Singapore pullout

Protesters hold banners at the demonstration outside the Singaporean embassy yesterday.

The anti-Thaksin Shinawatra alliance launched its “urban guerilla warfare” campaign yesterday by demonstrating outside the Singaporean embassy and calling on the city state to annul Temasek Holdings’ purchase of Shin Corporation.

A leader of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), Somsak Kosaisuk, led a small protest outside the embassy on Sathon Road yesterday afternoon and handed over a letter addressed to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong stating that the deal represented a serious threat to Thailand’s national security and would damage good relations between the two countries.

Essentially, the letter stated that Shin Corp owns various national concessions in telecommunications, satellites, airlines and television and that Thaksin may have abused the law to benefit his family.

PAD demanded that Temasek Holdings, a Singapore state enterprise, disclose details of the contract and stop the deal going through, or face a large-scale boycott of Singaporean products and services in Thailand.

“The secretary of the Singaporean ambassador accepted our letter and promised to send it quickly to his government,” Somsak told ThaiDay.

“We also told him that we would come back again on Thursday en masse to receive their answer.”

The protest outside the embassy was the first in a series of planned “guerilla warfare” tactics that will continue daily, culminating in a mass march on Government House next Tuesday while the Cabinet is in session.

“We are adapting our strategies and will utilize urban guerilla warfare tactics. We will divide our forces to target the power base of the Shinawatra family,” Suriyasai Katasila, a founding member of PAD, told ThaiDay.

“These venues include the Stock Exchange of Thailand, the Revenue Department and the Shinawatra Building. We will be holding daily activities until we march on Government House.”

This morning, a female workers’ group is scheduled to march from the Royal Plaza to Government House to demand Thaksin’s resignation, according to Suriyasai.

Somsak added that at 9am on Thursday, 5,000 protesters will march from Lumphini Park to the Singaporean embassy.

“We will ask for their answer,” he said.

In justification for their actions, Suriyasai said that it was a matter of national security.

“The Shin Corp sale represents a threat to national security, particularly in the case of satellites,” he said.

“If Shin Corp decides at some point in the future to move the ThaiCom 4 control station to Singapore then it will affect the safety of our country.”

Suriyasai added that details of other planned marches had not yet been finalized, adding that they would be worked out on a daily basis.

“We decided to monitor the situation daily before making any move. But all the little moves will culminate in the march on Government House on March 14.”

Pian Yongnu, president of the Metropolitan Electric Authority Union and a leading PAD member, told ThaiDay that various state enterprise workers’ groups plan to join Tuesday’s march on Government House.

“We will meet with other groups within the State Enterprise Labor Relations Confederation this week and expect there will be up to 100,000 state enterprise workers joining the march on Government House,” Pian said.

Source: ThaiDay - 8 Mar, 2006