September 2007

27th September 2007

The Foreign Ministry has urged people to seriously reconsider plans to travel to Burma while the military has begun drawing up an evacuation plan for Thai nationals as the security situation there continued to deteriorate yesterday.

People should closely watch developments in Burma before deciding to travel there, the ministry said.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charunvat said the Thai embassy had called on Thais in Rangoon to stay in contact with the embassy after Burmese troops began to use violence to try and stamp out a monk-led uprising yesterday.

Roughly 200 Thai diplomats and businessmen are known to be residing in the former Burmese capital.

Events in Burma have also forced Defence Minister Gen Boonrawd Somtas to indefinitely postpone a scheduled visit to strengthen military ties with the ruling junta there today.

Supreme Commander Gen Boonsang Niampradit said the armed forces are being constantly updated on the situation by the Thai ambassador and military attaches in Burma. He said a contingency plan was being drawn up and aircraft were on stand-by to evacuate Thai nationals in case the situation worsens.

Authorities are also monitoring the situation along the Thai-Burmese border but checkpoints remain open and commercial flights were also still operating between Thailand and Burma yesterday.

The National Legislative Assembly will today ask the government to adopt a clear stance on the growing troubles.

"The government must take a clear stand on this issue," said legislator Wallop Tangkhananurak.

However, while most people were expressing fears of a repeat of violent crackdowns during the 1988 uprising that left thousands dead, some were voicing concerns of how the unrest may affect trade.

"I hope the protest will not get out of hand and lead to border closures as it will have repercussions on border trade," said Pattana Sitthisombat, president of the Chiang Rai chamber of commerce.

26th September 2007

Nearly 20 years after mass pro-democracy demonstrations forced the former dictator General Ne Win to resign, thousands of people have been taking to the streets again to protest against the country's military rulers. In the past two days, more than 10,000 people have joined the biggest protest marches in the former capital Rangoon since 1988.

Powerless to stop them, Burma's military authorities are increasingly worried that they are losing control of the country as monks, students and ordinary people are courageously joining the street protests against the military government.

Throughout Burma, thousands of Buddhist monks have led these protest marches in what is fast becoming a saffron revolt _ because of the colour of the monks' robes _ to vent their anger at the military government's disregard for the plight of the people.

For more than a week now the revered monks have been marching in protest. These protests are snowballing and are now seriously threatening the generals' grasp on power.

From a few hundred monks, these demonstrations have grown dramatically to more than a hundred thousand.

''We may have reached the tipping point,'' said the independent Burmese analyst, Win Min, based at Chiang Mai University. ''The movement is growing and it's developing a momentum all of its own.''

The regime is so worried that they have ordered all monks back to their monasteries and off the streets. It is not clear whether the monks will obey these instructions.

After a meeting with Buddhist religious leaders on Monday, the Minister for Religion Thura Myint Maung warned young monks and novices not to break Buddhist ''rules and regulations'' in a televised interview on the state-run television. The monks were warned that if they continued their protests they would face legal action.

The country's top generals have discussed the current unrest in an emergency meeting in the new capital, Naypidaw. So far the military is only threatening to come down hard on the monks. But there are growing fears that the generals may be about to move against them. More than 3,000 people died when the military took action against the massive pro-democracy movement some 20 years ago.

Every day the marches get bigger and bigger, involving monks in more and more towns and cities across the country. On Monday more than 100,000 people marched, led by thousands of barefoot monks, to the renowned Shwedagon Pagoda in central Rangoon. On the same day, there reportedly were monk-led marches in more than 30 cities and towns across the country, including Mandalay, Moulmein, Pegu, Mytikyina near the Chinese border and Sittwe in the west of the country. These protests are set to grow.

''We want the people to join us,'' the monks chanted as they walked through Rangoon on the weekend. And on Monday thousands heeded their call and joined the march.

This public defiance is the first serious show of anti-government feeling for more than 19 years. More marches are planned for later this week, according to a senior Buddhist monk who did not want to be identified.

The monks of Rangoon have continued to call on ordinary people to support the protests; they have also asked the students to join the major protest rally planned for today _ a Buddhist holy day. This protest march is expected to be the biggest so far and could match the huge crowds that came out onto the streets nearly 20 years ago and helped topple the dictator Ne Win.

The last few days have also marked a turning point in the monks' movement for justice. Up until a few days ago the monks had been primarily protesting against the local authorities' use of violence to quell an earlier march near Mandalay, where several monks were badly beaten by violent vigilantes wielding sticks. All along, though, the monks have also been calling on the government to reduce prices, supporting the first of the public protests that broke out more than a month ago after the government raised fuel charges by up to 500%.

The monks are motivated by their concern for the deteriorating condition in which most people have to live. The monks are close to the people and understand their hardship.

''They know better than anyone the impact the rising fuel and food prices is having on the people at the grassroots,'' said the Burmese analyst, Aung Naing Oo, who himself lived in a monastery for some time.

Monks rely on daily alms from the public for their survival. They understand that this has become harder and harder, especially over the last two years. ''What they used to collect from four or five houses, now takes more than 30,'' said Aung Naing Oo.

The increasing economic hardship has also boosted the population of monks and novices in the monasteries. There has also been a dramatic increase the number of students from poor families.

But now the monks' marches have clearly turned political.

''We want national reconciliation, we want dialogue with the military, we want freedom for Aung San Sun Kyi and other political prisoners,'' a protest leader shouted through a microphone during Sunday's protests in Rangoon.

Most importantly, the monks are also calling for dialogue and national reconciliation with all parties _ another way of advocating the start of genuine political talks between the military and the pro-democracy parties, particularly the National League for Democracy, led by Aung San Suu Kyi who is currently under house arrest in Rangoon. She has spent more than 12 of the last 18 years in detention.

In a very important symbolic act, more than 2,000 marched to her home on Saturday and she came out to the gate to pay her respects.

Burma's monks do not see themselves as political. They usually only come out of their monasteries to defend the Sangha _ their faith and their elders and to support the people on social and economic issues.

''Normally monks are not political,'' said Win Min. ''They focus on their individual enlightenment according to traditional Buddhism. What is happening now shows that the situation has reached the point where they can no longer tolerate it.''

In the coming days and weeks much will depend on how the military decides to handle the demonstrations. So far, apart from a couple of nasty incidents earlier, the authorities have been relatively restrained and not interfered with the marching monks.

But there were hints on Sunday that the government may been considering more dramatic action against the protesters in future, when they prevented the monks from visiting Aung San Suu Kyi on the second successive day by using water cannons fired from fire-engines.

It remains unclear though how they will react when the demonstrations grow and involve students and ordinary citizens.

''The military will find it hard to suppress the monks' movement as monks are sacred symbols in this Buddhist society. They will draw wide public support, as monks have a great influence over the people, that could lead to significant change,'' said Win Min.

The next few days will be crucial as students and ordinary people join the demonstrations which have clearly turned political and are directly challenging the military.

A group calling itself the All Burma Monks Alliance, which represents the younger, more radical Buddhist clergy recently urged ordinary people ''to struggle peacefully against the evil military dictatorship until it is banished from the land''.

''We pronounce the evil military despotism, which is impoverishing and pauperising our people of all walks including the clergy, as the 'common enemy' of all our citizens,'' the alliance said in a statement.

The monks are now discussing joint action with former student leaders from the 1988 protests in secret, according to sources close to the 88 generation group. The monks have asked the students to unfurl the fighting peacock flag _ the students' symbol which dominated the 1988 protests _ at future demonstrations. The military will see this as a very provocative act, but the monks have promised to protect the students.

''We are going for it, this is our time. We have to take this chance now as there may never be another one,'' a senior former student leader told the Bangkok Post from hiding inside the country.

''The students will support the monks' peaceful protests,'' he said. The monks and the students are clearly concerned that the movement remains peaceful.

''The monks are the country's moral authority and Aung San Suu Kyi has the political authority, both are promoting peaceful change,'' according to Soe Aung, a prominent Burmese activist based in Thailand. The monks' visit to Aung San Suu Kyi's home over the weekend reflects the new political nature of the protests. A very devout Buddhist, she has always promoted change through non-violent means.

''The monks and the students are beginning to join forces in what will be a potent force for change,'' said a Western diplomat based in Rangoon.

''Unless the military are prepared to shoot the monks, which is highly unlikely because of their revered position in Burmese society, the government may have no other option but to concede to the demonstrators' demands and at least start a dialogue with the opposition,'' he added.

25th september 2007

Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas said yesterday that the Council for National Security (CNS) chairman had consulted him on the matter before making up his mind to join the cabinet after he retires from the army at the end of the month.

The next step was to wait for Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont's return from the United States on Saturday.

He would then decide whether to put Gen Sonthi's name forward for royal approval as deputy prime minister.

Gen Sonthi could join the cabinet without the necessity of a portfolio reshuffle as there is a vacant post. The cabinet has 34 serving ministers, one short of the full quota of 35.

Gen Boonrawd said he was prepared to step down as defence minister and allow Gen Sonthi to replace him.

''However, Gen Sonthi said he would like the job of deputy prime minister overseeing security,'' Gen Boonrawd said.

He would not confirm whether Gen Sonthi would also double as interior minister if the incumbent, Aree Wongarya, steps down from the cabinet.

He said if Mr Aree resigns, it would be up to the prime minister to consider whether Gen Sonthi should replace him.

There has been speculation Gen Sonthi would be given the interior portfolio as he would be in full control of supervising the general election.

Mr Aree is one of the three ministers found by the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) to have shareholdings in excess of 5% in private firms.

The other two ministers _ Information and Communications Technology Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom and Deputy Commerce Minister Oranuj Osathananda _ have announced their intended resignations amid mounting pressure over the shares controversy.

Suthin Klangsaeng, an executive member of the People's Power party, saw the proposed appointment of Gen Sonthi as a move to pave the way for him to rise to power.

Deputy Prime Minister Paiboon Wattanasiritham said Gen Surayud would talk with the three embattled ministers involved in the shares controversy when he returns from the United Nations meetings in New York, Thai News Agency reported.

If Mr Sitthichai and Mrs Oranuj stick to their decisions to quit the cabinet, the prime minister will have to consider a reshuffle, Mr Paiboon said.

New ministers must be chosen to fill the vacant cabinet positions as soon as possible to ensure continuity in the work of those ministries, he said.

A replacement for Mr Sitthichai would be necessary.

However, finding a successor for Mrs Oranuj, the outgoing deputy commerce minister, should not be of immediate concern as the commerce minister was still in charge at the ministry Mr Paiboon said.

It was unlikely that new faces would be appointed in any reshuffle as the government had only a few months left to run the country, Mr Paiboon said.

The prime minister may only consider swapping his cabinet ministers around.

Earlier, Mr Sitthichai recommended Prime Minister's Office Minister Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan as his replacement as she was once an ICT permanent secretary.

Mr Aree reaffirmed that he would continue to carry out his duty as a cabinet minister despite the mounting calls for him to resign.

The minister was speaking before a group of about 500 tambon and village chiefs, heads of local bodies and people who turned up to show moral support for him.

'' I have to do my best as interior minister. I haven't done anything wrong and I will not cave in to pressure put on me to resign,'' he said.

The prime minister had asked him to take the interior portfolio and he would only resign when the prime minister told him to do so.

Mr Aree said he did not feel any pressure after Mr Sitthichai and Mrs Oranuj announced their resignations.

He brushed aside comments by critics that the two ministers' resignations had set a benchmark against which to judge the moral integrity of other ministers.

24th September 2007

Deputy Commerce Minister Oranuj Osathananda announced her resignation from the cabinet yesterday amid growing controversy over her shareholdings in private companies.

She was one of three cabinet ministers _ along with Interior Minister Aree Wongarya and Information and Communications Technology Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom _ found to have stakes in excess of 5% in private firms by the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC).

The NCCC's findings prompted the ICT minister to announce his resignation on Friday.

Mrs Oranuj said she would tender her resignation to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont when he returns from his trip to the United States on Saturday.

She announced her decision to resign at a press conference at a city hotel yesterday.

Her decision shifted the spotlight to Mr Aree, who until yesterday continued to shrug off calls for him to step down from the cabinet.

He said he will wait until the prime minister returns from the US and will consult him before considering whether to take the matter any further.

Mrs Oranuj said her resignation would likely take effect on Oct 1.

She had informed the prime minister of her decision through his secretary-general and given an explanation for her resignation to Commerce Minister Krirkkrai Jirapaet.

She said the main reason for her decision was that she felt unhappy carrying out her duties in an atmosphere which she described as ''plagued with divided opinions''.

Mrs Oranuj said the cabinet had worked as a team and it was inappropriate for a minister to heap criticism on cabinet colleagues in public.

The critic should have shown more political etiquette, she said, an apparent reference to PM's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan who earlier said the shareholding dispute would affect the government and suggested the three ministers resign to sort out their company shareholdings.

Once the ministers had resolved what could be seen as a conflict of interest, they could then resume their cabinet jobs, he said.

Mrs Oranuj was appointed deputy commerce minister on Feb 1.

She was assigned to oversee the Department of Intellectual Property, the Office of the Insurance Commission and the Department of Business Development, among other duties.

Mrs Oranuj said that after her resignation takes effect she would turn her back on politics as she had made a sufficient contribution to the good of the country.

An Abac opinion survey found that 46% of respondents agreed that the three ministers should resign.

It found that 48.5% of respondents felt the ministers having large shareholdings in private firms had an adverse impact on the cabinet's image of moral integrity.

The pollsters received responses from 1,464 people in Bangkok and surrounding provinces on Sept 21 and 22.

Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said in an article posted on his website, www.abhisit.org, that it was inappropriate for the ministers to have such a shareholding, even though a provision in the interim constitution gives them immunity from punishment for possessing those shares.

He praised Mr Sitthichai for his decision to quit the cabinet, which he said would serve as an example for other ministers in the same situation.

He also expressed the opinion the interim government may not be able to contribute much to the country in the next four months.

What it could do best was to uphold the standards of Thai politics, he said.

Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said as long as Mr Aree remains in the cabinet he will have to face constant grilling by people who have doubts about his shareholdings.

The prime minister would certainly come under growing pressure, he said.

Mr Suthep agreed that Council for National Security chairman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin was suited to take on the position of deputy prime minister after he retires as army chief at the end of the month.

He believed the outgoing army chief has what it takes to tackle the insurgency in the South and to deal with the people who were in power before.

Speculation has been rife that Gen Sonthi would be appointed a deputy prime minister in the next cabinet reshuffle.

It is speculated he would be given the job of supervising the general election, to make sure the old power group does not win power again.

23rd September 2007

The chief pilot of the ill-fated One-Two-Go airliner sent a distress signal to the control tower just before it crash-landed last Sunday, said Pornchai Ua-aree, director of Phuket international airport.

The pilot used a ''mayday'' signal to ask for help just before the plane veered off the runway and crashed into an earth embankment.

Meanwhile, another One-Two-Go flight from Bangkok to Hat Yai yesterday had a minor crash landing, but the pilot managed to control the aircraft.

One of the plane's lights and air-conditioning control panels fell on top of a passenger and oxygen masks also dropped down, airport officials said.

One passenger suffered bruising.

The incident took place less than a week after 89 passengers were killed and 41 injured when One-Two-Go flight OG269 from Bangkok veered off the runway and crashed at Phuket airport.

Sqn-Ldr Pornchai, who briefed a delegation from the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) transport committee about last week's crash, said airport controllers had warned the pilot about gusting winds and rain.

He said the controllers received information [from the pilot] that as the aircraft was about to touch down, its wheels were out, but they did not touch the ground.

He cited the taped conversation between the air traffic controllers and the pilot.

''The chief pilot shouted 'mayday' repeatedly to ask for help until he lost contact with the control tower,'' Sqn-Ldr Pornchai said.

The NLA committee, led by Bannawit Kengrien, yesterday travelled to Phuket to compile information about the crash and visit the injured at Bangkok Phuket hospital.

On long-term measures to cope with emergencies at the airport, he said the airport needed better quality foam to extinguish fires. The foam used to douse the fire last week was not good enough to put the fire out completely, Sqn-Ldr Pornchai said.

He also suggested large, better-equipped hospitals be built near Phuket airport.

Currently, the closest hospital is Thalang hospital, a small hospital that cannot serve many emergency patients, he said, adding the large hospitals are situated far away from the airport.

He said another 50 CCTV cameras would be installed in and around the airport, in addition to the 50 cameras already in place.

The NLA panel also called on the airport to make sure its equipment is well maintained and staff properly trained, he said.

Adm Bannawit said improvements must be made to the airport's rescue capability.

He said the airport still lacked an efficient rescue team and there were no rescue helicopters available.

He said he would pass on complaints about shortcomings in airport rescue work to various agencies.

Adm Bannawit expected all airports under the supervision of the Airports of Thailand to finish installing security cameras by the end of the month.

As for the data recorders which were sent to the United States, he said, the information on the cause of the crash should be made available in a month.

Udom Tantiprasongchai, president of Orient Thai Airlines, operator of the One-Two-Go budget airline, said he had received a report on yesterday's incident which said the pilot had to make a crash landing on the runway to ensure the wheels firmly touched down.

He said it was ''a normal situation'' which happened occasionally and did not suggest the plane was of sub-standard quality. He said officials of the Civil Aviation Department investigated the cause of the accident and had found nothing wrong with the plane.

He said the department had allowed the plane to get back into service.

Whenever heavy rains and floods hit the city, Narmkarng Singsaohair, an animal rescue volunteer, knows she will be busy.

Her cell phone rings constantly, no matter how late at night or early in the morning.

After receiving a call, the 37-year-old volunteer leaves home, clutching a bag which contains a snake-catching device, a plastic pole with an adjustable noose on the tip and a fertiliser bag.

On rainy nights, Ms Narmkarng receives two or three calls from Ruam Duay Chuay Kan, a radio programme on FM96.5, asking her to catch snakes that have broken into houses. If the floods are prolonged, requests rise to eight or more in just one night.

The city's flood season starts at the end of August and lasts until early November.

"I wish I could turn them down. But how can you say no when they keep begging 'Please, please come. There is a snake in my house', " she said.

The night she gave an interview to the Bangkok Post she was called to a small house in Samut Prakan's Bang Phli district, a green area in the suburbs of Bangkok.

There she found a male python lying still behind a spirit house outside the home. It had been injured by a bulldozer a few days before.

Praiwan Khamwong, 38, house owner, said her daughter had called for help as the family feared the injured snake might die.

After examining the python, Ms Narmkarng asked for nine joss sticks from the house owner.

"Just in case I run into a sacred snake,"she said, lighting the joss sticks and praying. She always says a prayer before catching snakes. For small snakes, she uses only one joss stick.

After finishing the prayer, she approached the python from behind. She knelt down, extending her hand to pat the python gently on its head.

Ms Narmkarng softened her voice as she whispered to the dark-skinned reptile: "Hey ... how are you. I mean no harm. Everything will be fine. Just come with me."

She placed a noose around the python's head. Then with her left hand she firmly grasped the neck, just behind its jaws.

Assisting her was Tanawat Vorapornphand, 28, another volunteer.

He rushed in to grab the snake's tail, to uncoil and straighten it.

They worked quickly. It is a rule that snake rescue missions must be completed within five minutes, or the creature will find ways to fight back. Pythons of this size can be dangerous if rescuers lack knowledge.

According to one expert, having your neck squeezed by a three-metre python is like having a person weighing 50-80kg jump up and down on your throat.

22nd September 2007

Outgoing army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin said yesterday it was up to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont if he would be made a deputy prime minister in the interim government.

''I cannot answer this question. Whatever job I will be given is up to the government,'' Gen Sonthi said when asked if he would accept an offer to become a deputy prime minister overseeing national security after he retires.

Gen Sonthi, also chairman of the Council for National Security (CNS), insisted the term of the interim government, which had only a few months left in office, was not a determining factor for him to join or not join the cabinet. He said his decision would be determined by national security.

''Just ask the prime minister [about the appointment as a cabinet member] if he thinks I am useful. It's up to the prime minister to decide,'' he said.

Earlier, Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas said a cabinet position was still vacant and there was a possibility that Gen Sonthi would be appointed a deputy prime minister overseeing national security.

Many cabinet members and politicians have voiced support for the CNS chief to become a cabinet member.

Gen Surayud had earlier said any decision on a position for Gen Sonthi would be made after the general retires. Gen Sonthi pointed out he has yet to decide if he would enter politics.

He said he was not interested in becoming a cabinet member.

''Someone asked me to take up the premiership, but I had no interest in it,'' said Gen Sonthi.

Prasong Soonsiri, a National Legislative Assembly member and former chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, said Gen Sonthi would face criticism if he joined the cabinet.

Gen Sonthi had the right to enter politics, but the timing was not right, said Sqn-Ldr Prasong.

''Gen Sonthi should look forward and wait for another four to five years. This will be a graceful way for him to enter politics,'' he said.

21st September 2007

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom has tendered his resignation from the cabinet after the National Counter-Corruption Commission (NCCC) raised questions about his personal shareholdings in local companies.

The NCCC said Mr Sitthichai, Interior Minister Aree Wongarya and Deputy Commerce Minister Oranuj Osathananda held shareholdings of more than 5% in private companies.

NCCC spokesman Klanarong Chantik said the three cabinet members have not violated the law because they do not take active roles in the management of the companies they are shareholders of. But the fact that they did not transfer their shares to a legal entity to help manage the shares on their behalf was deemed ''inappropriate''.

Actually, they are not required by law to be dismissed from their ministerial posts, Mr Klanarong said.

But Mr Sitthichai confirmed that he had notified Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont of his intention to resign and supported Prime Minister's Office Minister Dhipavadee Meksawan to replace him as ICT minister.

Mr Sitthichai told the Bangkok Post he planned to make a formal announcement today.

Gen Surayud said yesterday he would not stop any of the three ministers if they wanted to quit his cabinet but that he would like to hold talks with them after he returned from the United Nations General Assembly.

''Still, I have suggested that Mr Sitthichai discuss the matter with the two other cabinet members first before making his decision,'' said Gen Surayud.

The prime minister left for Frankfurt, last night to hold talks with Thai ambassadors based in Europe on his way to attend the UN meeting in New York.

Mr Sitthichai's shareholdings include 16% of Mahanakorn University of Technology, the university that he founded and was the first rector of, as well as a 31% stake in Thai Space Industry Co, a company that is no longer operational.

Under the 1997 constitution, cabinet ministers are barred from maintaining personal shareholdings of more than 5% in a company to prevent possible conflicts of interest. The rule is the same one being used by the Assets Scrutiny Committee in its investigation of shareholdings of deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra during his time in office.

While Mr Sitthichai disclosed his personal shareholdings to the NCCC, he failed to transfer ownership of the shares.

As the 1997 constitution was abrogated following last year's coup, the failure is not considered a legal violation.

But the NCCC questioned the appropriateness of the shareholdings.

''I maintain that I was unaware of the details of the law. I reported my shareholdings as required but did not transfer ownership. I am a newcomer to politics, and certainly I had no intention to hide the shares,'' Mr Sitthichai said.

''I am resigning, however, because I do not want the government or the prime minister, who asked me to join the cabinet, to be caught up with this matter.''

Mr Sitthichai added that the companies in his portfolio had no relation to his work at the ICT Ministry.

A long-time academic, Mr Sitthichai holds undergraduate and doctorate degrees in engineering from the University of New South Wales in Australia, and declared personal assets of 318.9 million baht to the NCCC last year. Among his assets are 320 handguns and rifles worth 22.4 million baht.

Mr Sitthichai was close to leaving the government earlier this year following a public spat with former TOT director Vuthiphong Priebjrivat.

Mr Vuthiphong had favoured creating a national telecom pool based on the telecom network infrastructure now held by various state agencies. But Mr Sitthichai strongly opposed the plan, and said the pool idea would go forward ''only over my dead body''.

At a rally for TOT employees, Mr Vuthiphong urged the state agency to push ahead with the plan, and was reported to have said: ''If [Mr Sitthichai] really wants it that way, I will fulfil his wish.''

Mr Vuthiphong later was forced out of the TOT board due to conflicts with the ICT Ministry.

In his term of office, Mr Sitthichai is perhaps best known for imposing a nationwide ban on the popular YouTube video-sharing website and also clamping down on internet pornography and ''inappropriate'' sites, raising complaints of censorship from activist groups.

20th September 2007

New army commander-in-chief Gen Anupong Paochinda has promised to return the military to the barracks and stay away from politics. The appointment of Gen Anupong to succeed Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, who toppled the Thaksin Shinawatra government in the Sept 19 coup last year, received royal endorsement yesterday.

Gen Anupong said there would be no political role for the army even though the old power clique may come back to politics.

He affirmed his men would be professional soldiers and not get involved in politics. He would adhere to the idea that political problems must be solved only by political means.

Gen Anupong, a member of the Council for National Security, said he would not stage another coup even though former Thai Rak Thai members may return to dominate the House and the new administration.

''Please be assured that I will take soldiers back to barracks and will not get involved in politics. There may be political problems, but that is the nature of democracy.

''Even if the old political clique returns as a majority in the House and leads the next government, we must accept the public's decision,'' said the 57-year-old general.

He stands firm that soldiers must do their duty and limit their role to national defence.

Cases involving the old power clique would be solved through the judicial system, he said.

Gen Anupong said he would not be lenient towards Mr Thaksin, his former classmate from Class 10 at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School.

''Please be confident that I will never be lenient towards Mr Thaksin. Although we are friends, the national interest must come before personal matters. No one knows what the CNS ordered me to do with Mr Thaksin,'' Gen Anupong said.

The army would engage in politics only through the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), he said. Some Isoc officers would do public relations work to promote public understanding and fight all forms of threats.

He said it was time for the army to handle the southern insurgency seriously. The army would invest more resources to solve problems in the restive region.

However, Gen Anupong admitted he was not familiar with the southern situation, adding that he would study the issue thoroughly.

Gen Anupong was born on Oct 10, 1949. After completing lower secondary school, he entered the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School (AFAPS) Class 10 and later enrolled in Class 21 of the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy. He began his career at the 2nd Infantry Regiment of the Royal Guard in Prachin Buri and was appointed to important posts in the First Army, responsible for overseeing the Central Region.

He was positioned in the commander line of the echelon which propelled his rise to the top. He was promoted deputy commander and later commander of the 2nd Infantry Regiment, which is considered the core part of the First Army as it is able to mobilise soldiers in the event of a coup d'etat.

Gen Anupong was commander of the 1st Infantry Regiment in Bangkok, the most powerful force behind a military coup. Mr Thaksin, prime minister at the time, wanted to install his AFAPS alumni friend in the important post to prevent a coup being staged against him.

Not long after that, Gen Anupong was named deputy commander of the First Army and then served as a full commander with the rank of a lieutenant-general. The post gave him the necessary power to assist in the Sept 19 coup last year.

After the coup, he was promoted to assistant army chief.

His two rival contenders for the army chief position who failed to get the job, Gen Saprang Kalayanamitr and Gen Montri Sangkhasap, will become deputy permanent secretary for defence and deputy supreme commander, respectively. Gen Saprang said yesterday he would have to accept the change. He declined to discuss his future plans.

Gen Sonthi, whose mandatory retirement comes at the end of this month, engineered most of the reshuffle list. He has put his men in control of active forces in the army.

Third Army officers close to Gen Saprang, the former Third Army chief, will lose their units to officers from the First Army who are close to Gen Anupong, the former First Army chief.

19th September 2007

Systems to detect dangerous winds at Phuket international airport have emerged as a new factor possibly linked to the horrendous crash of the One-Two-Go flight on Sunday.

Wuttichai Singmanee, director of air safety at the Civil Aviation Department, said three of the six wind shear alert systems at the airport had problems.

''Three out of six low-level wind shear alert systems were not working at the time,'' Mr Wuttichai said in a report by the AP.

An official at Phuket airport who declined to be named told the Bangkok Post that the system run by the Meteorological Department had not functioned for months.

The systems detect sudden strong winds, also known as wind shear, which could cause trouble for a plane landing at the airport.

Officials responsible for the system would normally alert air traffic controllers to warn pilots about the situation on the ground.

These systems are installed at all international airports in Thailand. They are located in areas around the airport.

With investigators still trying to determine the cause of the tragedy, it was unclear yesterday whether the accident, which left 89 people dead and 41 injured, was due to pilot error or weather conditions.

But Mr Wuttichai said even though the wind shear detection system was not fully functional, this would not necessarily lead to an accident.

The airport at Phuket was also equipped with its own, separate wind detecting system and could inform incoming and outgoing planes of the situation, the official said.

''The wind shear alert system is not a requirement for an international aviation standard,'' he said.

A pilot of Thai Airways International (THAI), who asked not to be named, agreed with Mr Wuttichai, saying the wind shear detection system was not crucial for landing or take-off.

Most passenger aircraft nowadays were equipped with their own wind detection equipment, which the pilot could refer to, he said.

Transport permanent secretary Chaisawat Kittipornpaiboon, who is heading the inquiry into the disaster, said wind shear had not been ruled out and it had been the cause of several major airline accidents.

Transport and aviation authorities yesterday appealed to the public not to point the finger at Arief Mulyadi, the chief pilot on the fatal flight.

Chaisak Ungsuwan, director-general of the Civil Aviation Department, said no judgement should be passed before the information on the cockpit voice recorder and the flight data recorder had been analysed.

The recorders, which were retrieved from the wreckage of the plane, were being sent to the United States for analysis, he said. The McDonnell Douglas MD-82 was made in the US.

''I do not want to see any blame heaped on the pilot or any other party involved because it is not fair. We should wait for the results of the examination of the data recorders,'' said Mr Chaisak.

Khajit Hapnanont, chief executive officer of One-Two-Go Airlines, echoed the appeal. He insisted the airline's safety was not lax and that Mr Mulyadi was one of the company's best.

Mr Chaisak, quoting a recorded conversation between the pilot and the flight tower, said flight OG 269 requested landing permission and inquired about weather and wind speed about four minutes after an aircraft owned by Orient Thai Airlines, which owns One-Two-Go, landed safely.

He said flight OG 269 also acknowledged that wind shear had been reported by the other plane before asking for landing approval.

Khanit Promsathit, a THAI pilot, said Phuket airport is a difficult place to land especially at night or in bad weather.

Two critically injured passengers were yesterday flown to a hospital in Bangkok for intensive burn treatment.

Phuket public health office chief Wanchai Sattayawuthiwong said Chainarong Maharae, 38, chief of Bang Muang tambon administration organisation in Phangnga and Ms Bethan Jones, 22, a Briton, sustained 40-60% burns and were transferred to a Bangkok hospital.

Pol Col Pornprasert Kanjanarin, deputy chief of the Foreign Affairs Division, said 36 bodies of Thai victims had been claimed by relatives.

Forensic officials had identified 20 out of the 53 foreigners killed.

18th September 2007

Phuket _ Transport authorities say the bad weather was probably the main factor in Sunday's horrific air crash at Phuket airport, but pilot error has still not been ruled out.

The One-Two-Go passenger airliner crashed while landing, killing 89 people. All the other 41 people on board were injured, many very seriously.

The Transport Ministry set up an inquiry into the tragedy yesterday, headed by transport permanent secretary Chaisawat Kittipornpaiboon.

It held its first meeting immediately.

The cause of the crash will become clearer after an examination of information on the flight data recorders, which are being sent the United States by the Civil Aviation Department.

The McDonnell Douglas MD-82 passenger liner was made in the US.

The data recorders were found amid the wreckage of the aircraft piloted by Arief Mulyadi.

Mulyadi, 56, was a former lieutenant-colonel in the Indoesian air force who had also previously flown for Sempati and Star, carriers which have ceased operations, according to a report in Kompas newspaper, AFP reported from Jakarta.

Mulyadi joined One-Two-Go about two years ago, the paper said.

Indonesian officials said his family were travelling to Phuket to formally identify his remains.

Flight OG-269 from Don Mueang to Phuket was carrying 123 passengers, with five flight attendants and two pilots, when it veered off the runway into an earth embankment, broke up and burst into flame about 3.40pm on Sunday.

Deputy Transport Minister Sansern Wongcha-um yesterday listened to the taped conversation between the air traffic controllers and the pilot.

He said the controllers advised the pilots there was rain and strong winds at the airport with visibility of four kilometres. The decision to land was then up the pilot, he said.

Speaking after the first meeting, of the accident inquiry committee yesterday, Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen and Mr Chaisawat agreed it was likely the bad weather and attendant poor visibility was the main factor in the fatal crash-landing.

However, a source on the committee said the pilot had tried to abort his landing while the plane was still about 100 feet above the runway.

Mr Chaisawat said the members of the inquiry include officials from the Civil Aviation Department, Aeronautical Radio of Thailand and the air force.

They would try to reach an official finding as soon as possible.

Phuket airport was closed immediately after the accident, but reopened about 5pm yesterday.

The first plane to land at the airport after Sunday's tragedy was the flight carrying Adm Theera and his party.

It was followed by the flight of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont who visited the injured and relatives of the crash victims.

The first regular flight to touch down was a Bangkok Airways service from Koh Samui about 5.45pm.

Normal traffic, about 120 flights a day, should resume at Phuket airport today.

Suvalai Pinpradab, the Tourism Authority of Thailand regional chief, said he did not expect the tragedy would deter visitors to Phuket because it was not the result of a terrorist attack.

Travel operators had confirmed planned arrivals and the first two large groups of visitors were Korean, she said.

Sunday's crash is only the third aviation accident in the tourist province of Phuket in 23 years.

The first was in March 1984 and involved a Bangkok-Phuket flight of the then-Thai Airways Co (TAC).

The plane flew into a mountain in Thai Muang district of Phangnga province in poor visibility and everyone aboard was killed.

The second crash was on Aug 31, 1987. A TAC plane arriving from Hat Yai in Songkhla province was ordered at the last minute to abort its landing and allow a Dragon Air plane arriving from Hong Kong to touch down ahead of it.

The TAC aircraft failed to regain altitude and plunged into Ao Por bay, about seven kilometres from Phuket airport. Eighty-three passengers and crew were killed.

17th September 2007

A budget airline flight with 130 people aboard crashed on landing at Phuket airport in heavy rains and strong winds yesterday, killing 88 people and injuring 42.

The One-Two-Go Airlines plane was carrying 123 passengers, two pilots and five attendants from Bangkok. It landed in heavy rain and veered off the runway, before hitting an earth embankment, breaking into two and bursting into flames.

The 12-year-old McDonnell Douglas MD-82 plane that served flight OG/OX269 left Don Mueang airport at 2.30pm before crash-landing on arrival at 3.40pm.

Only 44 passengers were Thai. The other 79 passengers were foreigners.

Witnesses said the plane seemed to abort its first landing attempt. However, it skidded when it touched the runway, before hitting the embankment.

Wreckage was strewn over a large area. Rescuers battled smoke and intense heat to remove bodies of the dead, and evacuate the injured.

A pilot informed the control tower that he would abort the first landing attempt because he could not see the runway.

According to witnesses, a fire broke out on the right wing while the plane was slipping from the runway. The fire went out, but then re-ignited until flames covered most of the aircraft.

Many of the dead perished in their seats, and were found with their seatbelts fastened. Other passengers, mainly from the rear of the aircraft, jumped from windows, or squeezed through jagged openings in the fuselage.

Some made it out through the plane's emergency exits.

The plane had flown in from Bangkok in mid-afternoon in heavy rain and low visibility.

''The pilot asked to go around,'' said Chaisak Angsuwan, director-general of the Aviation Department. ''The control tower allowed it but the aircraft fell to the runway and the body broke.''

Rescue workers had put out the blaze by 5.20pm, then kept evacuating survivors and removing bodies. The airport was closed and about 20 flights were cancelled immediately.

Dr Tinakorn Pongwiwat, adviser of the Narenthorn rescue centre in Phuket, said injured passengers were admitted to Thalang Hospital, Bangkok Hospital Phuket, Vachira Phuket Hospital and Siriroj Hospital.

Most injured passengers suffered impact injuries and burns. The injured foreigners included Australian, English, Dutch, German, Iranian, Israeli and Irish nationalities, according to hospital officials.

The bodies of the dead victims, some badly burnt, were gathered at Phuket airport for an initial autopsy.

Mr Chaisak initially attributed the accident to heavy rains and strong winds at Phuket airport. Inquiries will focus on communication between pilots and the control tower, and flight recordings.

One-Two-Go Airlines chief executive Udom Tantiprasongchai said he was shocked, and expressed regret for the accident. He would arrange compensation for victims and relatives.

''I would like to express my deep sorrow to the relatives of the dead and I will take full responsibility,'' he said upon arrival in Phuket last night.

Airline staff and insurance officials headed to Phuket airport to arrange compensation as the airline opened a 1126 hotline centre and a coordination centre at Don Mueang airport to answer inquiries.

Phuket airport director Pornchai Ua-aree said the airport would stay closed today until the accident site was cleared.

He said the accident took place in heavy rain. However, visibility remained at 3-4 kilometres and the winds were not so strong, about 11 knots or 19 kilometres an hour. He said the airplane's tyres touched the runway but it slid 60 metres from the tarmac. Then its right wing hit the earth wall before the plane caught fire.

Tourism and Sports Minister Suvit Yodmani said the lists of killed and injured foreign passengers were being reported to the countries concerned last night.

Chantra Purnriksha, secretary-general of the Office of the Insurance Commission, said the airplane was rented from abroad and insured with foreign agencies. Forensic police chief Pol Maj-Gen Saengchai Suwatthanapakdi suggested relatives send in personal documents and medical records of dead passengers to help with identification. Forensic staff will arrive at Phuket airport today.

16th September 2007

Former deputy prime minister Pridiyathorn Devakula yesterday urged decisive action by the next government to push ahead with mega-projects that he says are crucial to rescue Thailand from a sluggish economy.

Trouble lies ahead for exporters, mainly due to decreasing demand from the United States, Thailand's major export destination, said M.R. Pridiyathorn. He pinned hopes on public and private spending to prevent the Thai economy from further slipping.

Consumer confidence in the US is down since it was hit by a loan crisis in the property sector, he said. The aftershocks caused stock markets around the world, including in Thailand, to tumble.

M.R. Pridiyathorn said after the election, tentatively set for Dec 23, the prime minister must display courage in turning infrastructure projects from blueprints into reality.

Key projects he identified were mass transit lines and the expansion of the eastern and southern seaboards.

These would be a magnet to woo foreigners to invest in the country, he told Thailand's Future forum, organised by MCOT Plc and FM 96.5 radio.

M.R. Pridiyathorn left his post as Bank of Thailand governor in October to join the government as deputy premier and finance minister, but quit in February.

He said he was disappointed the government of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont was slow in pushing ahead with the mass transit line projects and its investment policies were unclear.

New mass transit projects were approved by the cabinet early this year. The first line was to go to bid in April and the last line by the end of the year. But nothing has happened, he said.

Construction of the five electric rail lines was estimated to cost 165 billion baht. They include two sectors of the Red Line from Rangsit to Bang Sue and Taling Chan, and from Bang Sue to Makkasan and Hua Mark. The others are the Purple Line from Bang Yai to Bang Sue, the Blue Line from Hua Lamphong and Bang Sue to Bang Khae via Tha Phra, and the Green Line from Mor Chit to Saphan Mai, and from Soi Baring to Samut Prakan.

A plan to build seven factories on the eastern seaboard and a southern seaboard plan to build petrochemical plants were necessary to create jobs, he said.

''This government has never had a clear policy about investment. Its unclear policy, and the red tape in going ahead with these projects, were major factors that made private companies reluctant to invest in the country,'' he said.

''The next prime minister must start building up his popularity so that people will forget the former knight on the white horse,'' M.R. Pridiyathorn said, referring to ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Though he expects a short term in office for the new premier _ between one and 11/2 years _ he said whoever succeeds Gen Surayud had to come up with policies that benefit the public.

Former foreign minister Surin Pitsuwan said the next prime minister should end cronyism and make efforts to build up international confidence.

''I believe that our country will wake up from the nightmare that has haunted it for the past five years at the same time that Asean is prospering,'' said Mr Surin, who takes up the job of Asean secretary-general in January.

15th September 2007

Mae Hong Son _ Provincial authorities insist they will go ahead with the relocation of long-necked Karen tribespeople to prevent them from becoming slaves of influential figures who use them as stars to cash in on tourists. Mae Hong Son governor Direk Klonkleep said the relocation scheme aimed to help long-necked Karen tribal people become self-reliant to prevent them from being exploited by influential people or local mafia.

Some influential groups of people had tried to persuade the Karen people not to move to the new site as they feared they would lose benefits.

Under the relocation plan, the tribal people will be moved from Ban Huay Sua Thao and Ban Nai Soi in Muang district to Ban Huay Pu Kaeng in the same district. The relocation is on a voluntary basis.

The tribal people would live together in a new holding centre in Ban Huay Pu Kaeng, on a 103-rai plot of land.

Thirty families have agreed to move to the site. The relocation is expected to be completed this month, according to the governor.

The Padaung, or long-necked Karen people fled their homes across the border in Burma to escape armed hostilities between government troops and ethnic insurgents over 15 years ago.

Mr Direk said the culture of these tribal people and their way of living must be preserved as these would become selling points to attract tourists in their new community.

But they should not be treated like a product exploited to make profits.

He said non-governmental organisations and the United Nations had agreed to help the province take care of the tribespeople at the new holding centre.

A Padaung source at Ban Huay Sua Thao said long-necked Karen in the village had a different view over the province's relocation policy.

Some households still worried the holding site would lack potential to attract tourists who provide them with incomes.

Madang, 23, a tribal woman at Ban Huay Sua Tao, said many tribespeople had stayed in the village for years and did not want to move to the new site.

Most tribespeople were worried no tourists would come to visit them at the new site and that they would lose money as a result.

14th September 2007

The Ruam Jai Thai and Chart Pattana groups yesterday announced an agreement to merge, bringing together political heavyweights to contest the coming general election.

The announcement was made at the residence of Suwat Liptapanlop, a key member of the Chart Pattana group, after an hour-long talk.

It followed Monday's merger of two breakaway factions of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai party, the Matchima group and the Pracharaj party, which will contest the election under the Puea Pandin banner.

The latest merger will create the Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana group, which could pose a formidable force in politics.

It includes political veterans such as former Chart Pattana secretary-general Mr Suwat, former Democrat secretary-general Pradit Phattharaprasit, former Mahachon leader Anek Laothammatat, and former deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak, who played a key role in formulating economic policy for the Thaksin Shinawatra government.

Mr Suwat said the merger of Ruam Jai Thai and Chart Pattana was based on a political need to steer the country out of political crisis and divisiveness.

''We have decided to merge because we share the same views about the country's problems and solutions,'' he said.

Mr Suwat said Ruam Jai Thai and Chart Pattana both have talented members and the merger would benefit the people at large.

He added that it would also allay fears about the political stability of a future government.

Many commentators believe the election will produce a multi-party coalition government which would be politically vulnerable.

''The merger means there are now fewer political groups.

''Puea Pandin is a merger of three political groups. Now five political groups are down to two.

''But the decision [to merge] is not for political stability. It is because the merger will help us better tackle the problems,'' Mr Suwat said.

Mr Pradit said he had involved Mr Suwat in the merger talks for a while now and he was pleased it went through. There were no conditions attached to the merger.

The name of the political party to be formed after later was still being discussed and would be settled soon.

Mr Pradit denied a report that he pushed for the merger of Ruam Jai Thai and Chart Pattana because he was disappointed that he was not offered the post of the secretary-general of Puea Pandin.

''I was assigned to coordinate, not to make demands for a post. What use is the merger if it does not last?'' he said.

Mr Pradit said he would keep trying to persuade former prime minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh to join the group.

Mr Somkid, an adviser to Ruam Jai Thai, called on the public to ''open up'' to enable good and capable people to work for the country.

Mr Somkid said he was there to witness the announcement and give support to Mr Suwat, his former colleague in the Thaksin administration, and his friend Mr Pradit, who were dedicated to working to get the country out of its crisis.

Political problems were taking their toll on the economy and society.

He said Gen Chavalit would serve as an adviser, like veteran politician Uthai Pimchaichon, if he joins the group.

The Puea Pandin group led by Pracharaj party leader Sanoh Thienthong and Matchima group leader Somsak Thepsuthin met yesterday to set their political direction.

Mr Sanoh said the Pracharaj party will hold a general assembly on Sept 20, when he will officially resign from the party he founded and admit Pracharaj's political allies as members of Puea Pandin.

Mr Sanoh declined to say whether Supachai Panitchpakdi, secretary-general of the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development, would be named Puea Pandin leader.

Puea Pandin has yet to be registered as a political party.

13th September 2007

Officials will travel to Britain next month to try to start extraditing ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife to face charges at home.

An Office of the Attorney-General official, Samphan Sarathana, chief prosecutor for foreign litigation, said the mission would be made up of Thai prosecutors and senior foreign ministry officials.

He held a press conference following a meeting on Thursday on the possibility of using the extradition treaty between Thailand and Britain.

That meeting concluded that under British law the exiled couple have done nothing wrong in doing business with government agencies while Mr Thaksin was in power.

Therefore, there is a need for officials of the two countries to discuss otheer avenues to extradite Mr Thaksin and his wife Pojaman, now living in London, to fight charges in Thailand, said Mr Samphan.

The couple face arrest warrants after they failed to appear in the Supreme Court on August 14 to defend charges over the land purchase in Bangkok's prime business area by Mrs Pojaman at a much below-market price while her husband was prime minister.

Noppadol Pattama, legal advisor to Mr Thaksin, has said Mr Thaksin would certainly not return to Thailand, citing safety reasons to defend charges against him over the Ratchadaphisek land purchase scandal.

Mr Thaksin had earlier announced that he would return only after a general election has been held and democracy restored in Thailand.

The Supreme Court's criminal division for holders of political positions ordered the couple to appear before the court for the first hearing set on September 25.

The South Bangkok Criminal Court has also approved warrants for the couple on charges of concealing shareholdings in SC Asset. (TNA)

12th September 2007

Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin will not run in the forthcoming general election after he retires as army commander-in-chief at the end of this month, an army source close to him said yesterday.

However, Gen Sonthi, who will remain chairman of the Council for National Security after his retirement, will keep himself available for a cabinet post in the new government, the source added.

The source said Gen Sonthi had dropped plans to set up a political party or become a political party leader, preferring to watch political developments from the sidelines at least for the time being.

However, Gen Sonthi will be ready to join the new government as a deputy prime minister or defence minister upon request, the source said.

The general will try to prove himself in the political arena before contesting future elections to vie for the prime ministership. "Gen Sonthi is trying to take measured steps on the political path," the source said.

But Gen Sonthi has voiced support for Supachai Panitchpakdi, secretary-general of the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development, to head the Puea Pandin party, which officially unveiled its key members and stance yesterday.

However, Puea Pandin has yet to register as a political party with the Election Commission.

It has brought together several factions, including the Matchima group, the Pracharaj party, some members of the Reconciliation group, the Paknam faction, and former members of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai party.

Mr Supachai is seen as the best choice to lead the new party because of his impressive track record and positive image in the international community.

The new party is expected to rival the People's Power party, which is seen as a potent force in the general election.

However, Nakarin Mektrairat, dean of Thammasat University's political science faculty, said that in the present circumstances most political parties and groups are unlikely to campaign for votes by portraying their leaders as contenders for the premiership. They would rather concentrate on jockeying for opportunities to get into the new government.

"Their main objective is to join a coalition government. They do not intend to woo voters using their leaders as a selling point. They just want to survive the crisis facing them," Mr Nakarin said.

Meanwhile, Sanoh Thienthong said yesterday he is ready to resign as leader of the Pracharaj party on Sept 20 prior to joining Puea Pandin.

"I do not intend to prolong my hold on the party leadership, either. I am ready to support a good and capable man to be the next leader,"' Mr Sanoh said.

Assadang Panikkabutr, a political science lecturer at Ramkhamhaeng University, said the Puea Pandin alliance is a far cry from being "a new alternative" for the public. Many of its members are likely to take advantage of the occasion to clean up their poor image, he said.

Meanwhile, leaders of the Chart Thai, Democrat and Mahachon parties met to discuss their political cooperation over lunch yesterday.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the three parties do not mind working with other parties as long as their policies and working styles are compatible with those of the three-party alliance.

He welcomed the Puea Pandin alliance but also warned that the existence of too many parties could confuse people.

Chart Thai leader Banharn Silpa-archa said he earlier approached Mr Sanoh to become an ally of the Chart Thai- Democrat-Mahachon alliance.

However, after learning that Mr Sanoh supports the setting up of Puea Pandin as a political party, Mr Banharn said he will wait and see what position the new party will take before deciding whether to work as its political ally.

In a related development, former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh voiced support for the political platform of the Ruam Jai Thai group, which has the backing of former deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak.

He was speaking after meeting Ruam Jai Thai executive member Pradit Phataraprasit yesterday.

Gen Chavalit said Ruam Jai Thai will register as a political party tomorrow and after that Mr Pradit will invite him to join the new party.

11th September 2007

The Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC) yesterday agreed to file additional criminal charges against deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Khunying Potjaman after acquiring new evidence indicating the couple failed to declare shares they held in Shin Corp during Mr Thaksin's time in office.

The fact-finding panel had obtained financial records which show the couple still held Shin Corp shares, ASC secretary Kaewsan Atipho told a press conference yesterday.

By failing to declare the shares they had violated the anti-corruption law, said Mr Kaewsan, who is a member of the inquiry panel headed by National Counter Corruption Commission chairman Klanarong Chantik.

The ASC said it had ''credible evidence'' that some Shin Corp shares supposedly sold and transferred to Mr Thaksin's children, relatives and Ample Rich Investments Co from 2001 to 2005 actually remained under his control.

Of the total 49.6% Shin Corp stake, Mr Thaksin distributed 22.4% to Ample Rich, his son Mr Panthongtae and his younger sister Ms Yingluck immediately before entering politics in 2001.

His son later sold the shares to Mr Thaksin's daughter Ms Pinthongta.

Mr Thaksin's wife transferred her holding, 27.2%, to Mr Panthongtae and her stepbrother Bannapot Damapong in the same year.

Those nominee holders then sold the total 49.6% stake to Singapore's Temasek Holdings in 2006.

Upon taking the prime ministership, Mr Thaksin informed the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that he had already sold Ample Rich to his son.

But a registered certificate of the firm, provided to the ASC by Singapore's UBS AG, specifies that Mr Thaksin was Ample Rich's authorised signatory from 1999 to 2005, meaning he was also the owner of the 11.2% stake of Shin Corp shares held by Ample Rich at that time, Mr Kaewsan said.

A filing form, which UBS submitted to the SEC, also indicates that the owner of Ample Rich and Win Mark Co was the same person, Mr Thaksin, he said.

The investigators then found out Win Mark owned 55 million ''secret'' shares of Shin Corp through nominees.

Win Mark was also found to have violated insider trading regulations a week before the Temasek takeover, reaping a 500-million-baht profit, Mr Kaewsan said.

An amount of 352 million baht was also drawn out of Win Mark's account during the election campaign in 2000, he said.

Mr Kaewsan said the ASC reached a resolution that it would file charges against Mr Thaksin and his wife over the case within a week for violating the anti-corruption law, which stipulates up to three years' jail as punishment.

If they fail to show up to defend the charges, the case will be submitted to the Office of the Attorney-General for further prosecution in the Supreme Court.

Failure to counter the charges will also mean they cannot request the ASC to free the family's frozen assets totalling 73 billion baht, gained from selling the shares, Mr Kaewsan said.

The ASC yesterday also ordered a freeze on four blocks of land worth over 27 million baht owned by Mr Thaksin's son, Mr Panthongtae, in Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima. The ASC found that the money used to buy the land came from the sale of Shin Corp shares to Temasek.

10th September 2007

Political parties and academics have renewed pressure on the Council for National Security to lift martial law in 35 provinces prior to the general elections, scheduled for Dec 23, saying it restricts their election campaign activities.

They said the coup-makers must revoke martial law to give unhindered freedom to political parties to carry out their campaigning.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday said martial law must be lifted urgently as all sides must be free to put their election campaign agenda into motion.

If martial law remains in place, it could raise the question of whether the elections are being organised by neutral parties, he said.

The law is still enforced in 35 provinces, mainly in the North and Northeast, political bastions of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai party whose leader and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted from power in the Sept 19 coup.

Mr Abhisit said the Internal Security Bill, now before the Council of State, the government's legal arm, should be put on hold. He argued the legislation, criticised for allowing the military to exert control over an elected government, went against democratic principles. The matter should be left to the next government to decide.

Wiboon Chaemchuen, an academic and former Kalasin senator, said no country held elections under military restrictions.

Peeraphan Palusuk, a former Thai Rak Thai member, questioned the CNS' motives in keeping martial law in place in 35 provinces. Normally, the law is invoked for the purpose of heightening internal security and is used only when essential.

Vorapol Prommikabut, a former dean of Thammasat University's faculty of sociology and anthropology, said martial law should be lifted everywhere except in three southern border provinces, where insurgent unrest continues.

The country would be viewed negatively in the eyes of the international community if martial law was still imposed.

9th September 2007

The Election Commission (EC) is required to seek approval from the National Legislative Assembly if it is to sign the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on election observation with the European Union, or the process would be unconstitutional, EC secretary-general Sutthipol Thaweechaikarn said yesterday.

The commission is concerned about Article 190 of the 2007 constitution which requires agreements having a bearing on sovereignty to be debated and approved by parliament.

Mr Sutthipol said several legal experts agreed the proposed MoU should be submitted first to parliament. He said the legal complication is not an excuse to avoid signing the MoU.

He said the EC had informed the EU of the complication at a Sept 6 meeting attended by Portuguese Ambassador Antonio de Faria e Maya, whose country holds the EU presidency.

Mr Sutthipol said the EU saw things differently, but Thailand has the final say when it comes to legal interpretation.

''So I think we should go for another option which is deemed to have fewer problems,'' he said, referring to the EC's plan to invite foreign countries to observe the polls. Russia and India have expressed interest in observing the election.

Previously, the EU delegation insisted the signing of the MoU was necessary if its observers were to be present. Under the proposed MoU, up to 250 observers would be sent to Thailand.

Mr Sutthipol said the EU's offer to send an Election Observation Mission (EOM) will be reconsidered by the five commissioners on Tuesday.

Asked to comment on the People's Network for Elections' suggestion that the EC should not be worried about the MoU, rather its content, he said there were several approaches to get observers.

''Why do we have to choose a road full of obstacles when we have a free-way,'' Mr Sutthipol said.

EC member Prapan Naikowit said yesterday the commissioners would look into the content of the proposed MoU when they meet to consider the proposal.

According to Mr Prapan, the proposed MoU has been deemed to place burdens on Thailand while offering no mutual benefits.

''I do not want to say it puts Thailand at an disadvantage. However, the MoU says the host country has to provide [observation team] assistance and give them free access to elections,'' he said.

Kraisak Choonhavan, former senator and chairman of the Senate committee on foreign affairs, yesterday suggested the proposed MoU be submitted to the NLA for debate.

He said the EU delegation should also be invited to clarify the proposal to the NLA's committee on foreign affairs before the debate.

He said the EU representatives should attend the NLA meeting to listen to Thailand's concerns about the proposal.

The constitution drafters should also be there to explain the rationale behind Article 190, he said.

NLA member and political scientist Sujit Boonbongkarn said yesterday if the EC agreed to sign the MoU, it would seek advice from the Foreign Affairs Ministry to decide whether the MoU is covered by Article 190.

He said it is up to the EC and the ministry to decide because only they have studied the proposed MoU.

Concerns have been raised by diplomatic sources about the EU's proposed mechanism to observe the polls.

An EU-EOM is normally sent to troubled areas, but in countries where the situation is normal, election observation is usually conducted by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe which has EU support.

The sources said the EU also wanted the EC to make a quick decision as it needed at least two months to prepare for the mission.

8th September 2007

The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) is to award Thailand a gold medal for successfully organising the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006 exposition in Chiang Mai.

Agriculture Department chief Adisak Sreesunpagit yesterday said the AIPH had been satisfied with the organisation of the event because the contents of the exhibition and its management were in line with the world flora exposition theme.

More than three million trees and plants were put on display at the three-month flora expo from Nov 1, 2006- Jan 31, which was also held as part of the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's accession to the throne in 2006 and the King's 80th birthday this year.

Thailand is the third country to receive a gold medal for the floral event. Japan was the first to be awarded the medal in 1990 and China received it in 1999.

The department will consult Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thira Sutabutra about having the presentation of the gold medal made to the King, said Mr Adisak.

The department will seek a budget of around 170 million baht from the government to develop the exposition site as a botanical garden.

A foundation will be set up to manage the site, said Mr Adisak.

Parts of the site were recently opened to the public. The entire garden is expected to open in December, in time to celebrate the King's 80th birthday on Dec 5, he said.

7th September 2007

Spokesmen for ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday denied he had concealed money in Swiss banks, saying he was misquoted by a Swiss newspaper. They said Mr Thaksin did not threaten to sue Swiss banks for freezing his accounts in Switzerland as reported by Mittelland Zeitung because he did not have any money deposited in the country.

''What he meant was his bank accounts in Thailand, not in Switzerland. The newspaper must have misreported what he said,'' said Mr Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama.

The paper quoted Mr Thaksin in extracts from an interview scheduled for publication on Sept 16 as saying Swiss banks had frozen some of his money and that he would sue them.

London-based spokesman Tim Bell said Mr Thaksin was asked about the state of Swiss banking. ''But he doesn't have any Swiss bank accounts so doesn't have any money that can be frozen,'' said Mr Bell.

The Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC), has frozen 52 billion baht in 21 bank accounts held by Mr Thaksin in Thailand.

Suchart Sakkankosone, director for the Bank of Thailand's Exchange Control and Credit Department, said the bank had not asked any Swiss banks to freeze Mr Thaksin's accounts. Both the Swiss embassy in Bangkok and ASC member Jaruvan Maintaka also denied Mr Thaksin's reported claim, saying there had been no requests for Swiss banks to take such action.

ASC secretary Kaewsan Atipho said he would like to talk to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont about Mr Thaksin's remarks.

In another development, Attorney-General Patchara Yutithamdamrong has appointed a team of nine public prosecutors led by his deputy Chulasing Wasantasing to bring the deposed prime minister and his wife, Khunying Potjaman, back to Thailand to face corruption charges related to the purchase of a 772-million-baht land plot in the Ratchadaphisek area.

Chief prosecutor for foreign litigation Samphan Sarathana said the team, which includes himself, would meet next week to discuss how to seek extradition of the pair, living in self-imposed exile in London.

Mr Thaksin and his wife face arrest warrants issued last month by the Supreme Court's criminal division for holders of political positions, after they refused to attend the first hearing of the land purchase case.

6th September 2007

Assistant army chief Gen Anupong Paochinda has overtaken other top candidates to emerge as a clear favourite to become the next army commander-in-chief when Council for National Security (CNS) chairman Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin retires as army chief at the end of this month, a highly-placed source in the army said yesterday. Speculation that Gen Anupong, also a member of the CNS, would succeed Gen Sonthi came after a meeting of key army leaders and CNS members on Tuesday.

Gen Anupong is one of the three strong contenders for the army's top post. The other two are army chief-of-staff Gen Montri Sangkhasap and assistant army chief Gen Saprang Kalayanamitr, although both of them now seem unlikely candidates for the post.

The same source said Gen Sonthi met Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and Defence Minister Gen Boonrawd Somtas last week to discuss who should be the next army chief and agreed that Gen Anupong was the best choice.

The source said the outgoing army chief decided on Gen Anupong after other CNS members and army leaders at the meeting on Tuesday agreed with Gen Sonthi's proposal that Lt-Gen Montri Chompoochan be promoted to the post of army chief-of-staff.

Lt-Gen Montri is currently assistant chief-of-staff for personnel. If promoted, he would automatically become secretary-general of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc).

The source said Gen Anupong has all the qualifications to serve as the next army commander-in-chief.

He has long followed a traditional military career path that is considered to be made specifically for those who will become an army chief.

Gen Anupong moved up through the ranks from a battalion commander through to division commander until he was appointed as the commander of the First Army before being promoted to be assistant army commander-in-chief.

This means if Gen Anupong is to be the next army chief, it is because he met the military qualifications, not because he is a CNS member, the source said.

''Even if the Sept 19 coup had not taken place, Gen Anupong would still be in line for the top job at the army anyway,'' the source said.

Gen Anupong played a crucial role in the coup that ousted then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Soldiers involved in the coup last year mainly came from the First Army under the command of then Lt-Gen Anupong.

In light of this, Gen Sonthi favours Gen Anupong since he controls all the major forces in the army and also has the capabilities to cope with politicians from the old power clique linked to Mr Thaksin, the source said.

As Gen Anupong is due to retire in 2010, he has three years left in the army service, which is long enough to ensure the army under his command would be stable, the source said.

The same source added Gen Montri would be appointed deputy supreme commander in the forthcoming annual military reshuffle and then would move up to become the supreme commander next year, replacing Gen Boonsang Niampradit, who retires next year.

The source said Gen Montri was not chosen to succeed Gen Sonthi because he has never commanded a major combat unit and never taken control of major forces of the army, even though it was known that he has the full trust of Gen Sonthi, said the source.

Gen Montri rose from a major general to a full general within a span of only eighteen months.

''It is obvious Gen Sonthi has done his best to support Gen Montri by making him army chief-of-staff and pushing him to be the next supreme commander,'' the source said.

As for Gen Saprang, he has only one year left in the army service. Also, he has the reputation of being '' aggressive'' in his approach, which makes him an easy target of criticism, the source said.

Campaign for Popular Democracy spokesman Suriyasai Katasila said the army was being vague about who would be the next army chief. He linked the uncertainty over who would get the job to internal conflict in the army

5th September 2007

A female suspect arrested under the new Computer Crime Act is seeking bail after being detained at the Central Women’s Correctional Institution for almost 20 days, said a lawyer.

The Law Council of Thailand lawyer, who asked not to be named, said he was approached by the suspect’s family to help her seek bail because her family had financial constraints.

The 37-year-old woman was reported to be the second person to have been arrested under the Computer Crime Act, which came into effect on July 18. The first suspect was a male webmaster widely known in the cyber community as “Phraya Phichai”.

According to the lawyer, the woman was charged under articles 14 (1) and (2) which prescribe punishment of a maximum of five years’ imprisonment or a Bt100,000 fine for posting false content on the Internet with the intent to harm others and public security. These were the same charges that Phraya Phichai, now freed on bail, had faced.

The lawyer said the woman told him that she was charged because she posted messages urging people to vote no in the referendum on the draft constitution last month.

About 20 police officers raided her house in Pathum Thani on the morning of August 24 and seized her notebook computer without producing a search warrant, said the lawyer

4th September 2007

The Bangkok Southern Criminal Court yesterday issued arrest warrants for deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife, Khunying Potjaman, after they failed to appear before the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) for alleged violations of the stock trading law.

They are the second arrest warrants issued for the couple. The other warrants involve the Ratchadapisek land purchase.

They have been accused of concealing their shares in SC Asset and thus violating the Stock Exchange of Thailand's information disclosure regulations.

DSI director-general Sunai Manomai-udom said a team of investigators will be appointed to follow up on the arrest warrants. The warrants were sought by the DSI after the couple twice failed to show up before the agency.

Mr Sunai said he was not sure if stock trading violations are covered by the extradition treaty between Thailand and the United Kingdom, where the couple now live in self-imposed exile.

Public prosecutors earlier voiced concerns over a condition in the agreement that may allow for an extradition only if an offence is a punishable offence in both the UK and Thailand.

The extradition would take effect if it turns out that such a violation is also an offence in the UK, Mr Sunai said.

But if that is not the case, the Thai government may need to "ask for cooperation" from London, he added.

The Foreign Ministry is reportedly in the process of asking the UK to amend the agreement, which has been in use for a century, he said.

The couple's lawyer Pichit Chuenban said yesterday that the pair insisted they would come back to Thailand to testify against the alleged irregularities only after the election is held and the new government is set up.

However, he said he would inform Mr Thaksin and his wife of the arrest warrants immediately.

3rd September 2007

The Democrat party and the Campaign for Popular Democracy (CPD) yesterday called for the lifting of martial law to ensure the December general election is truly democratic.

They agreed that martial law under the emergency decree was needed in the insurgency-torn southern provinces for security reasons. The right timing for ending martial law elsewhere would be after the announcement of the royal decree on the election, they said.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said martial law prohibits political gatherings of more than five people and would be a hindrance to election campaigns and other activities needed for voters to be able to make well-informed choices.

Martial law was not a cure-all for vote buying as many hoped.

''If martial law is not lifted, underground activities can still be easily carried out,'' Mr Abhisit said.

CPD secretary-general Suriyasai Katasila said the revocation of martial law was crucial to ensure the election is democratic. Losing candidates at the polls could well cite the suppression of public rights as grounds to challenge the results or protest about the election's credibility to the United Nations or other international agencies.

Mr Suriyasai also urged the Election Commission (EC) to look into the possibility that former Thai Rak Thai members were behind the idea of inviting the European Union to observe the polls. He said the EU may be misinformed, but also suggested the government and the EC invite local and international agencies to observe the general election, to ensure fairness.

Martial law has been imposed in 35 provinces since last September's coup, mostly in the northern and northeastern regions. Even in last month's referendum on the draft constitution, Council for National Security chairman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin rejected a call for martial law to be lifted in border provinces, saying security remains the top priority.

2nd September 2007

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said yesterday the general election scheduled for Dec 23 could be postponed if ''other factors'' are taken into account.

Speaking during his weekly TV programme, Open Ban Phitsanulok, on Channel 11, Gen Surayud said Dec 23 was only a tentative date that he and the Election Commission (EC) had agreed upon in talks last Monday.

The date was announced by Gen Surayud late last week after meeting EC chairman Apichart Sukhakkhanont. The actual date could be later, he added.

He said the official general election date would have to wait until late next month after the three organic laws of the constitution are endorsed.

The three organic laws, which regulate the House election and the installation of the Senate, political parties, and the EC, are necessary for holding a general election.

They are expected to be in place by the end of next month.

'It [the announced election date] is just to inform political parties and the public that we have been preparing various procedures for the election and setting the overall framework which is likely to be pursued if there are no other factors to make it change,'' said Gen Surayud.

He denied he was worried that the three organic bills would not be passed. ''No, I am not worried by them since the organic laws are just amendments to previous laws.''

He also said a possible change in the general election date had nothing to do with the appointment of the new army chief who will succeed outgoing army chief Sonthi Boonyaratkalin upon his retirement on Oct 1.

But the prime minister did not elaborate on what the factors are.

The Dec 23 election date was criticised by some prominent politicians, including chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee Prasong Soonsiri, who warned a hasty decision to hold the election may cause problems and the date must be selected with more care.

Asked if he was concerned that the old power clique would return to power, Gen Surayud said he believed voters were informed well enough to make their own choices.

The prime minister said that over the past year in office he had set goals to see the country move toward a general election, to alleviate the violence in the deep South and to pave the way for economic recovery.

''I might not achieve all my goals, but I wanted to help reduce the burden of the new elected government,'' said Gen Surayud.

The prime minister insisted martial law was still needed in some areas, especially along the border, before the election despite calls from members of the former Thai Rak Thai party for it to be lifted.

Martial law has been lifted for some time in Bangkok and other places, said Gen Surayud, but the government must consider carefully whether it should be lifted elsewhere.

Gen Sonthi, chairman of the Council for National Security, said martial law would not pose a problem for law-abiding people, and it would ensure safety for those people.

1st September 2007

Surachart Bamrungsuk, a security expert at Chulalongkorn University's political science faculty, said the focus of attacks has now shifted from rural areas to cities which are easier to strike but are difficult to guard.

Besides, an attack on a city had a strong shock impact on the psyche of people as it received worldwide media attention, he said.

''Most attacks in Iraq occur in cities. A similar pattern is also common in other countries. This includes terrorist strike against the World Trade Center in the US, the bombings at London railway stations and the gas attack on the Tokyo subway.

''Much of the separatist violence in the three southernmost provinces also occurs in downtown areas,'' he noted.

Metropolis cities such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Phuket and Hat Yai as well as their satellite towns were vulnerable to attack.

Mr Surachart spoke during a seminar on measures to prevent threats from terrorism. The seminar was held by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation yesterday.

He suggested the government sector educate and re-educate city residents about terrorist attacks and prevention measures.

He said the Metropolitan Police Bureau must be the main force in tackling terrorist attacks in the city. BMA thetsakij inspectors, disaster prevention officials and civil disaster prevention volunteers must support the police operations.

Mr Surachart suggested the government sector instruct all cities to be prepared for a possible terrorist assault. Each city must have anti-terrorist measures in place to cope with emergency situations.

Closed-circuit television systems should be installed. He said most big cities in Europe had installed these security devices.

The academic urged authorities to do away with their old thinking that giving information to the public about terrorist attacks would cause chaos in society.

Alerting people to impending or potential threats from terrorists would be the right measure to take, he said.

In the event of an attack, people should stay away from glass doors or windows, avoid using elevators and switch off their mobile phones, he said.

Niyom Kannasut, director of the Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, said the office provided training on how to handle bombs to its staff and volunteers after Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin issued a disaster prevention policy.

So far, about 2,000 officials and volunteers have undergone the training.