Anything & Everything About Thailand

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Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 24 February 2006 :-

Thaksin dissolves House for April election

Embattled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced this evening that he has ordered a dissolution of the Lower House, paving the way for a new election in April.

His Majesty the King granted Mr Thaksin an audience this afternoon, after the premier apparently decided that a new election was the only way out of the current political tension. The Election Commission tentatively set the vote for Sunday, April 2.

The royal decree authorising the House dissolution and election was released as Mr Thaksin spoke to the nation on the national TV pool.

It said elections were necessary to prevent the tense political situation from turning violent. "When a difference in opinion causes serious political divisiveness . . . the common way out in democratic societies, including Thailand, is to return the political power to the people by dissolving parliament and holding a new election."

"The house is already dissolved," Mr Thaksin said earlier, shortly after the audience. Mr Thaksin was relaxed as he talked to reporters and members of his Thai Rak Thai Party ahead of his formal TV announcement of his decision.

He brushed off calls for his resignation. "There is a group of people calling for my resignation but there is a bigger group of people who want me to remain," he said.

He ordered dissolution of the House after a busy Friday, during which political opponents vowed to camp out at Sanam Luang indefinitely following what they hoped would be a mass rally against Mr Thaksin.

Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang and supporters said earlier today they would go ahead with the rally on Sunday even if Mr Thaksin dissolved the House. The aim, he said, was to force Mr Thaksin to resign.

"Even if Thaksin dissolves parliament we will continue to protest because our objective is to make him resign," said Maj-Gen Chamlong this morning.

But the counter-move by the premier seemed likely to take some of the wind out of the sails of anti-government protesters.

The coordinating People's Alliance for Democracy, intends, however, to continue with the Sunday protest. "Dissolving the House and holding a fresh election is not a solution to the problem because Prime Minister Thaksin is the centre of the problem," said spokesman Suriyasai Takasila.

Veteran politician Sanan Krajornprasat, the former Demcrat and current leader of the Mahachon Party, said Mr Thaksin had made a mistake in dissolving parliament.

"He made the wrong decision, because all the protesters are calling for his resignation to make way for real political reform," said Maj-Gen Sanan. "This kind of decision means Thaksin will only have a short time to live in Thailand."

Also critical was Somsak Prisananthakul, deputy leader of the opposition Chart Thai Party. "Today Thaksin is solving his own problem, not the country's problem,'' he said in an interview on Thai TV shortly after Mr Thaksin's announcement.

For certain, though, dissolution of the House removed the possibility of a debate at a joint session of Parliament, ironically offered earlier this week by Mr Thaksin as a way to get disagreements out in the open without resorting to public protests.

At a political meeting earlier Friday attended by thousands of Thaksin supporters, the premier said his family sold its stake in Shin Corp in order to avoid conflict-of-interest accusations.

"My good and genuine intentions were distorted to create a misunderstanding among the public against me and my family," he said.

At that meeting of agricultural cooperatives, Mr Thaksin gave a strong hint of what he intended, but could not say directly until after his audience with the king.

"If you are fed up with me let me know, if you want me to continue working for you, vote for me," he said.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Saturday 25 February 2006 :-

Megaprojects first casualty of snap vote : Pongsak resigned to postponements

The government's vaunted megaproject programme worth 1.8 trillion baht is the first casualty of yesterday's move by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to call a snap election. Rising political uncertainty had already raised doubts about whether any of the high-profile infrastructure projects, seen as a major tonic for the economy, would get off the ground this year.

Speaking yesterday before Mr Thaksin announced the dissolution of Parliament, Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal said he was seeking a one-month postponement of the April 28 date originally set for accepting the first proposals from investors.

Mr Pongsak did not mention politics, saying only that foreign investors had expressed concerns over ''various issues''.

Mr Thaksin late last month briefed 1,300 foreign investors at Government House about the government-supported megaprojects. They cover mass rail transit systems, water management, information networks, defence modernisation, agriculture, science and technology, culture and public health under the so-called Thailand Modernisation framework.

The government set April 28 as the deadline for interested parties to submit technical proposals. One to two months later, they were to be invited to offer financial proposals.

Screening was to be completed by September with the first projects to be started by the end of this year.

Mr Pongsak quoted investors from Spain as saying they would be unable to meet the existing deadlines as their Thailand offices had yet to be established.

He said Spanish investors taking part in a major trade mission to Thailand earlier this week had shown strong interests in mass transit and ports.

Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya said the government might speed up projects that need local expertise and capital, such as low-cost housing and those related to the culture and public health, if work on mass transit systems was put off.

Chumpol Patanukom of Alstom, French engineering conglomerate, said a one-month postponement was unlikely to affect the mass transit projects for which his company intended to compete.

''A delay at least gives us more time to make the best of our proposal, despite the fact that we are confident we could finish our proposal at the April 28 deadline,'' said Mr Chumpol.

French President Jacques Chirac, who visited Thailand a week earlier, made clear France's wish to secure the new Bangkok mass transit project as a ''flagship of co-operation'' between the two countries.

A source from Siemens, the German transport and engineering conglomerate, said a delay would allow more time for proposal preparation, as the time conditions were relatively limited.

A Bank of Thailand official said delays in the megaproject programme would only have a slight impact on economic growth.

The central bank currently projects economic growth of between 4.5% and 5.5% this year, with an assumption that 130 billion baht in megaproject investments, or 53% of the 255 billion set aside for fiscal 2006, would be injected into the economy in this calendar year.

The official said foreign investment in megaprojects could start in the near future, if the government continued under its existing bidding framework.

''The proposals by international bidders to date have quite a clear plan on funding sources and construction [models],'' said the official, who asked not to be named.

''Under the old deadline, investors were expected to start the megaprojects in the last quarter of the fiscal year from July to September. But if [the bidding deadlines] are stretched out, investment is likely to begin in the first quarter of fiscal 2007, which would still benefit the economy this calendar year.''

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Saturday 25 February 2006 :-

Television series may encourage Korea trips

The local popularity of South Korean TV series "Dae Jang-geum" has raised hopes that Thai tourists will begin to visit the East Asian country in ever-larger numbers.

Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) president Anek Srishevachart recently said South Korea had become one of the most popular destinations for Thais since the series began broadcasting on Channel 3 last year.

On the back of the series' local success, tour operators are selling package tours to South Korea more easily than to Japan and the European Union.

The country also has a wide range of natural attractions to offer visitors.

To take advantage of this and other business opportunities, the TTAA and Krungthai Card (KTC) have organised the International Travel Fair until Monday at BEC Tero Hall, Suan Lum Night Bazaar, offering overseas packages with at least a 10-per-cent discount. There will be more than 200 booths from tour operators and airlines.

The fair aims to promote travel during the school holidays in March and April.

Anek said the association had spent Bt8 million on the fair.

He added that Hong Kong and Nepal would also become more popular destinations for Thais. Hong Kong is promoting its recently opened Disney Land, while Nepal is famous for pilgrimage trips.

However, Singapore is expected to remain a favourite destination for Thai tourists as it is so easy to reach.

"I expect that total spending will be at least Bt10 million at the four-day fair," said Anek.

"We organised this travel fair for the first time in February 2005. Certain destinations were presented on that occasion while this time we are broadening the choices to cover wider regions. Operators and tourism promotion agencies from China, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, Sabah in Malaysia, the Philippines and Nepal, including local and international airlines and travel services, will participate," said Anek.

Fore instance, a round-trip ticket to Singapore from Jetstar Asia is Bt10,000, and a Siam Reap package tour from Bangkok Airways with accommodation at Sofitel is Bt14,900.

Staporn Sirisinha, KTC senior executive vice president for leisure marketing, said credit-card spending by members on travel had increased by more than 20 per cent in 2005.

Customers mostly used credit cards for flight tickets, hotels and package tour reservations.

He said the company would make a special offer at the fair. Members visiting the event will be eligible for instalment payments for flight tickets, hotel accommodation and travel packages at an interest rate of 0.69 per cent through KTC Flexi services.

Applicants for KTC Travel Visa mini-credit card, KTC Bangkok Airways Visa or KTC Titanium MasterCard cards at the fair will be entitled to a Bangkok-Samui round-rip ticket on Bangkok Airways worth Bt7,100 once the application is approved and spending in the first billing cycle meets or exceeds Bt5,000.


Suchat Sritama
The Nation

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Saturday 25 February 2006 :-

Dissolving House won't solve problems: critics : Wallop says Thaksin should step down alone, not take his MPs with him

Dissolving the House is not the answer to the political crisis because Thaksin Shinawatra can reassert his grip on power, critics said yesterday.

Senator Wallop Tangkananurak said Thaksin's decision to call a general election is not what was wanted because the people have problems with him, not the 500 members of Parliament. Questions about Thaksin's conflicts of interest and lapses of moral authority will not go away, he said.

"I'm disappointed at Thaksin's decision," Wallop said. "Thaksin should step down alone, why bring the 500 MPs down with him. He'll probably come back [after the next election] so the problems surrounding him won't be addressed."

Wallop said he anticipated the step would come from Thaksin this week because he could be kicked out of the country if violence marred tomorrow's planned mass rally planned against him. The man also has no courage to face scrutiny in Parliament during the debate set for next week.

Senator Seree Suwanpanont also believes Thaksin will come back for a third term after the April poll. But that won't ease political tensions because of the unresolved doubts about his leadership.

"Society wants Thaksin to resign, not dissolve Parliament. Unless Thaksin decides not to run for re-election, the problems will linger," Seree said.

Kiat Sittheeamorn, a Democrat Party deputy leader, said Thaksin's tactic could backfire.

"Civil groups already said they wanted Thaksin to quit, not to dissolve the House, because it doesn't answer any questions regarding the public's doubt over his legitimacy. I'm afraid that Thaksin's decision [yesterday] will only create bigger crowds at Sanam Luang [tomorrow]."

The Democrats will see how the public reacts tomorrow before deciding on the next move, he said.

Sanan Kachornprasart, a veteran politician and leader of the opposition Mahachon Party, said Thaksin misjudged the public.

"He made the wrong decision, because all the protesters are calling for his resignation to make way for real political reform," he said. "This kind of decision means Thaksin will only have a short time to live in Thailand."

Political scientist Sukhum Nualsakul said Thaksin had worked it out that if he stayed in power he would be severely damaged by further criticism.

He said he was not surprised Thaksin had dissolved parliament.

"Most prime ministers act like him. He may want to prove that in the next election people will choose him and his party," he said.

Thaksin might have made his decision because of tomorrow's rally to oust him, he added.

Prapart Pintobtang, a Chulalongkorn University political lecturer, said although people wanted Thaksin to leave the political scene instead of sacrificing the House, people power had won the day. It was a good beginning to political reform.

"Nobody believed Thaksin would listen to anyone outside of his 19 million Thai Rak Thai supporters," he said.

Chiang Mai University law lecturer Somchai Preechasilapakul said people should keep an eye on Thaksin's caretaker government in case it abuses state power and money to favour his party in the voting.

Anek Laothamatas, a former leader of the Mahachon Party, said he was let down by Thaksin because the people would be denied a general debate by the two chambers of Parliament.

"The decision benefits Thaksin and his party more than the people," he said. "I'm concerned that the protests against him will continue."

Supreme Commander General Ruangroj Mahasaranond agreed with Thaksin's decision because dissolution was a democratic means to refresh politics.

"Why should the premier resign because of pressure from a few people? This way [dissolution], power returns to the people to make a decision on whom they want to become their government."

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Sunday 26 February 2006 :-

Police alert to new marketing ploy for selling pirate CDs : Children, disabled hired to hawk goods

By Wassayos Ngamkham

Police officers have turned their attention to a new marketing ploy used by pirate CD vendors, who use children and disabled people to sell their goods in the hope that people will take pity on them. ''They take advantage of Thais' sympathy for the disadvantaged and use it as a commercial tool,'' said Pol Maj-Gen Khamronwit Thoopkrajang, commander of the Crime against Children, Juveniles and Women Suppression Division (CCSD).

He admitted the police could not seriously clamp down on this because of a lack of information, and because so far the CCSD has focused primarily on the suppression of sexual abuse.

However, the number of children, disabled people, women and foreign labourers who have been drawn into the pirated CD trade is on the increase.

Senator Rabiabrat Pongpanich said the ''influential figures'' who mastermind the sales of pirate CDs have threatened children and other disadvantaged groups with physical assault, so they dare not give police any information.

''We want our children to walk on the right path, not ending up in the Juvenile Observation and Protection Centre and then coming out to repeat illegal activities time and again,'' Mrs Rabiabrat said during a meeting with the CCSD in her capacity as vice-chairwoman of the Senate panel on women, children and elderly people's affairs.

The senator said the police crackdown alone might not be enough, and urged parents to keep an eye on their children to ensure they do not enter the illegal trade.

Suthisak Prasartkarukarn, secretary-general of the Commission on Intellectual Property Violation Suppression, said influential figures paid kickbacks to some police for doing nothing to tackle the illegal trade.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Monday 27 February 2006 :-

Lively protest draws 100,000

Anti-Thaksin groups came out in force yesterday at Sanam Luang to make their political statement following Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's decision to get the House dissolved. The number of demonstrators was put at 100,000 as the day wore on. Observers believed it would not have jumped this much had Mr Thaksin not called a snap election for April 2.

The protesters occupied half of the ground. The entire area, which is about 78 rai of land, can accommodate 200,000 people. Organisers said the rally would press on until Mr Thaksin quits.

The rally was as colourful as ever with protesters tying yellow bands around their heads. The protesters gathered under the shade of tamarind trees or sat on mats under umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun.

Chamlong Srimuang, former leader of the Phalang Dharma party, was the first to arrive with 1,000 members of Santi Asoke, walking barefoot from the Royal Plaza to the meeting point.

Thousands of people converged at Sanam Luang as the rally was about to kick off. Uthai Pimchaichon, former parliament president and co-founder of Thai Rak Thai, was among veteran politicians to show up. The crowds roared when Maj-Gen Chamlong took the stage after 8pm to address the crowd. In his brief speech, he urged demonstrators to stay put if they were to win the fight.

The crowds erupted in cheers again when media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul took the stage.

He gave them a wai as a thank-you gesture for joining the rally that he believed was the reason for Mr Thaksin abruptly dissolving the House.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Monday 27 February 2006 :-

Panlop: Military coup possible

A military coup may be unavoidable if Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra refuses to budge and political instability persists much longer, said Panlop Pinmanee, deputy chief of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc). Gen Panlop predicted political turmoil if Mr Thaksin clings to his seat. Uncontrollable tension could necessitate a military revolt to restore national calm, he said.

Gen Panlop was a key figure in Class 7 of the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, whose young turks staged an abortive coup in 1981. A coup will be motivated not by the desire to overthrow Mr Thaksin or his opponents, said Gen Panlop.

He believed the soldiers would not want to see protracted turmoil threaten national security.

The coup may not happen any time soon. ''Certainly not today,'' the general said, commenting on the likelihood of the anti-Thaksin rally at Sanam Luang providing the pretext for a revolt.

Gen Panlop said, however, that a coup would not be easy to organise considering that Mr Thaksin's friends in the armed forces almost monopolise the power to authorise military deployment.

''When the country is in a shambles, I trust the soldiers will act professionally and not become the personal protector of the prime minister or the government,'' he said.

The Isoc deputy commander praised army chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin for serving the country well, although some are wondering where his loyalty lies.

A source, however, said Gen Sonthi has been perceived as taking Mr Thaksin's side. He is often seen at social gatherings organised in Mr Thaksin's honour and plays golf with the prime minister. He and other armed forces leaders reportedly made a pact to meet Mr Thaksin regularly. But a source in the armed forces said that even if Gen Sonthi agreed to a ''military intervention'' the success of a coup could not be guaranteed.

The army units backing him are special warfare soldiers, most of whom have now been redeployed as reinforcements fighting separatist insurgents in the deep South.

The power to mobilise personnel is primarily in the hands of Mr Thaksin's classmates at the Armed Forces Preparatory School, the source said.

''There's no way Gen Sonthi's strength alone will get the job done,'' he said.

None of the close aides of Privy Council chairman Prem Tinsulanonda are in key military positions able to call the rank and file to arms. Gen Panlop said Mr Thaksin should stand down because there have been too many questions raised about his suitability as leader.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Monday 27 February 2006 :-

Thai travellers heading abroad again : Concern over higherairfares starts to ease

Travel organisations are seeing a rising number of Thais travelling abroad this year after a slight drop last year. At the same time, the proportion of fully independent travellers (FITs) in Thailand is increasing against the reduction of those travelling in large guided groups.

Paweena Roopkhajorn, general manager of Abacus Travel Service Co, said she expected the number of her company's customers to rise at least 10% this year.

Ms Paweena was one of many sellers attending the four-day TTAA International Travel Fair 2006 staged by the Thai Travel Agents Association at BEC Tero Hall, which concluded yesterday.

Last year, Ms Paweena said, business dropped slightly from 2004 due mainly to higher airfares, which included new surcharges that reflected airlines' soaring fuel costs. However, she estimated the drop was less than 10%.

''For those who planned to travel abroad, when the fuel surcharges rose, they postponed their travel plans for some time. But after a while, they began to accept the situation,'' she said.

Europe, Australia and New Zealand remain favourite destinations for Thais for long vacations, according to Ms Paweena. For those with up to four days to spare, the top choice is Hong Kong Disneyland.

She has also noted the rising trend toward more independent travel.

''More and more Thais enjoy travelling in small groups rather than large groups. Abacus has been offering services for independent travellers for more than 14 years and has seen a steady increase of Thai travellers in this group. Last year, the growth rate of travellers in this segment was about 20%,'' she said.

For FIT travellers who want do sight-seeing on their own without tour guides, Ms Paweena said her company offered packages with transport and accommodation at prices cheaper than what independent travellers could get if they made all the reservations on their own.

''Thai tourists love this kind of package now because they can design their own package and it is flexible enough that they can adjust their travel time and destination anytime,'' said Ms Paweena.

Thai travellers are also better informed than in the past, doing more research and reading before their trips, she added.

Exhibitors from the German city of Munich and Tourism New Zealand agreed with Ms Paweena's assessment.

Five years ago, about 80% of Thais travelling to New Zealand travelled in large guided tour groups, and the rest made trips on their own. But now, FITs account for about 40% of all travellers, said Roskamol Vongchowanart, the Tourism New Zealand manager for Thailand.

For Munich, the ratio of group tourists to FITs has declined from 70:30 to 50:50 over the past five years, said Nantana Pitpeeraka of Pacific Leisure (Thailand) Co, which represents the Munich Tourism Office in Bangkok.

''Many travellers don't like to travel with intensive schedules as in the packages offered for most guided tour groups. They love to spend as much time as they like at each destination without worrying about other people in the same group,'' said Ms Nantana.

''The trend reflects the fact that more and more Thais are well-educated. They speak English and are able to manage their own trips,'' added Ms Roskamol.

According to Ms Roskamol, the number of Thais travelling to New Zealand dropped by about 6% last year due to rising airfares. But during the first quarter of this year, the number of Thais applying for New Zealand visas has risen by 10% compared with the first quarter of last year.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Monday 27 February 2006 :-

Shin Corp becomes 'a S'pore state firm'

Shin Corporation has technically become a state enterprise of Singapore following Temasek Holdings's buy-out of the Thai telecom conglomerate formerly owned by the Shinawatra family.

A very well-informed source, who is following this Deal of the Century closely, said the Thai public had yet to digest the full implications of Temasek's Bt73.3-billion takeover of Shin Corp, although many of them were feeling uneasy about Singapore's control of several Thai concessions, from mobile phones to satellites to television.

"Since Temasek is 100 per cent owned by the government of Singapore, you can say that Shin Corp has become a state enterprise of Singapore," he said. "The deal will prove to have far-reaching implications for Thai-Singapore relations."

There has been growing nervousness in Thailand over Singapore's big-bang arrival with the takeover of Shin Corp. Last week a group of civic, labour and democracy activists, led by Dr Weng Tochirakarn, rallied in front of Singapore's embassy in Bangkok to demand that Temasek nullify its Shin Corp deal.

The group said Temasek's control of Singapore amounted to an attempt to dominate Thailand's economy and sovereignty because Shin Corp's affiliates operated satellites, a mobile-phone network, a low-cost airline, a high-speed Internet service and TV stations.

"We ask that the deal be scrapped in order to maintain the good relations between the two countries," the group added.

Established in 1974, Temasek is an investment agency of Singapore, an outgrowth from its status as a super-holding company of Singa-pore's state enterprises. The Thaksin government once raised the idea of setting up a super-holding company in the same style as Temasek, but this move never materialised.

The proceeds from Singapore's privatisation of the state enterprises will go to the national budget and also to Temasek. Over time, Temasek has grown in size and in investment scope.

The Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GSIC) was set up with seed capital from the international reserves of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Singapore's current-account surplus made it possible to establish the GSIC.

According to Temasek's official website, today Temasek manages a diversified global portfolio of 103 billion Singapore dollars (Bt2.5 trillion), principally in Singapore, the rest of Asia and the OECD economies. Its investments are in various industries: telecommunications and media, financial services, property, transportation and logistics, energy and resources, infrastructure, engineering and technology, as well as pharmaceuticals and bio-sciences.

Its total shareholders' return since inception is 18 per cent compounded annually. It has corporate credit ratings of AAA by Standard & Poor's and Aaa by Moody's.

The most controversial aspect of Temasek's takeover of Shin Corp is that at one fell swoop it has mustered control over key concessions in Thailand, arousing fears of Singaporean domination.

The second aspect of the takeover is that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra himself has been seen as selling the national assets to Singapore, the source said. This is the underlying reason why his popularity has been sinking sharply since the announcement of the deal on January 23.

The anti-Thaksin coalition has broadened to include academics, students and other activist and democracy groups, and they have demanded his resignation because his sale of Shin Corp looks as if he has put his family's business interests above those of the country. Thaksin has finally caved in by announcing a House dissolution.

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

[U-Need]

BANGKOK, Feb 27 (TNA) – Last Update : 2006-02-27 / 07:49:01 (GMT+7:00)

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has still neither accepted nor rejected the opposition’s proposal for a pact for him to sign to set up an independent committee to amend the constitution, saying he has let his party’s legal experts study its detail first.

Speaking of the proposal by the opposition on the matter, he said he had not yet seen its detail.

Mr. Bhokin Bhalakula, deputy leader of the Thai-Rak-Thai (TRT) Party and Mr. Pongthep Thepkanjana, member of the party’s executive committee, were assigned to go through the proposed pact.

Mr. Thaksin reiterated that his Thai-Rak-Thai Party has never obstructed the political reform if the revamp is made rationally.

He said deans of universities around the country had been assigned to study the political reform and constitution amendment because he wants to see a study of the revamp systematically, rather than emotionally.

“Everybody should not do things based on emotion. They should play by rule. Should the political reform be made technically and properly, my party is ready to support,” he said.

Mr. Thaksin conceded that people feel unhappy where there are any worsening political conflicts.

“It is a good thing if we can do to keep order and peace in the country and build national reconciliation,” he added. (TNA) – E005

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BANGKOK, Feb 26 (TNA) - Last Update : 2006-02-26 / 18:47:41 (GMT+7:00)

Most people in Bangkok disagree with plans by political opposition parties to boycott the April 2 election and believe that dissolution of the Lower House will not improve political atmosphere in the country, according to a poll released on Sunday.

The poll, conducted by ABAC Poll yesterday among 1,603 people living in Bangkok and the metropolitan area, showed that 74.1 per cent of the total respondents disagreed with plans by three opposition parties -- Democrat, Chart Thai and Mahachon-- not to field election candidates in the upcoming April 2 election of House of Representatives members.

It said 13.6 per cent of the total respondents agreed and 12.3 per cent expressed no opinion.

A plurality of 41.6 per cent of the respondents said they believed political tensions would remain following the dissolution of the House while 34.2 per cent said the atmosphere would improve.

On who should be blamed if the rally this evening turns violence, 48.8 per cent of the respondents said caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra must take the responsibility and 44.3 per cent said leaders of the protestors are to blame. (TNA)-E111

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206 words
27 February 2006
English

Bangkok Post:

-- Deadlock appeared to set in Sunday as Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra remained cool to the opposition parties ' calls for political reform, and non-committal about their calls for consultations.

The opposition parties held back on their earlier threat to boycott the election with a new proposal for consultations on Monday among the leaders of all four main political parties, including Thai Rak Thai, and the signing of a joint declaration on constitutional amendments towards reform.

The Nation:

-- The opposition coalition -- Democrat, Chat Thai and Mahachon Parties -- Monday hand an "ultimatum" to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, demanding him to join in constitution amendment and political reform. They asked the premier to put his signature on a pact of four political parties tomorrow, which will pave the way for amending the constitution.

Sing Siam Yet Pao

-- In defiance of the mass gathering at Sanam Luang (Royal Square) and frantic backstage political manoeuvring by the opposition to amend the charter, Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra went about his business as usual, handing out houses to the poor on Sunday.

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224 words
27 February 2006
10:05
亞洲新聞臺 (繁體)

BANGKOK, Feb 27, 2006 (AFP) - Protests against embattled Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will continue for a second day, organisers said Monday, a day after 50,000 rallied to demand the premier step down. "Our Monday protest will have more people joining from the provinces," said Sondhi Limthongkul, the premier's fiercest public critic and a key figure in the anti-Thaksin movement that has gripped the capital Bangkok. Several thousands demonstrators camped out overnight in Sanam Luang field, where Sunday's rally drew tens of thousands for the third anti-Thaksin rally in less than a month. Meanwhile, at least 2,000 poor farmer gathered at Government House for a pre-dawn rally that sent hundreds of police scrambling to seal the gates of Thaksin's administrative headquarters, witnesses said. But the farmers have made clear that they are not protesting Thaksin and have not announced any demands, according to witnesses.

Thaksin has come under increasing demands that he quit over allegations of corruption. Much of the anger towards him is focused on his family's 1.9 billion dollar tax-free sale of stocks in Shin Corp -- the telecoms giant he founded before entering politics -- to foreign investors in January.

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BANGKOK, Feb 28 (TNA) -- Last Update : 2006-02-28 / 15:06:13 (GMT+7:00)

Army Chief General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin has given an assurance that the military remains impartial, dismissing rumours of possible intervention by the armed forces in the current political crisis.

The Army commander-in-chief was speaking at a Government House meeting with other senior military figures convened by caretaker prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

General Sonthi dismissed fears that troops from Special Warfare units based in the central province of Lop Buri had been mobilised to ''take action'' in the capital, saying that the red-beret troops were on routine rotational duty at Army Headquarters.

The general said he had been spending days and nights at Army Headquarters under the protection of the Special Warfare soldiers while the political situation remained tense and precarious.

But all military units, including the red berets, would remain neutral and uninvolved in any political events, he said.

General Sonthi made the comment in response to rumours that the caretaker prime minister's army classmates might consider ''taking action.''

Among other military leaders invited to Government House were Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Satirapan Keyanon; Air Force Commander-in-Chief Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukbha-suk; National Police Commissioner General Police General Kowit Wattana; and Deputy Prime Minister Police General Chidchai Vanasatidya.

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BANGKOK, Feb 28 (TNA) – Last Update : 2006-02-28 / 01:26:02 (GMT+7:00)

Anti-government demonstrators paraded from Sanam Luang to the Democracy Monument in Rajadamnuen Avenue late Monday night to declare their intention before the late October 14 heroes to oust Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra within five days

A source said media firebrand Sondhi Limthongkul, one of the core member of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), led the demonstrators to the monument.

He said the members of alliance had discussed with each other and concluded they would move to the monument to declare that the prime minister had only five days left.

March 5 would be the last day of the premier. If he refused to resign, he would face the people force.

“We will move to the Democracy Monument peacefully. We have already coordinated with metropolitan police, who guarantee safety for us. They will try to prevent ill-intentioned persons from infiltrating,’’ said Mr. Sondhi.

To persuade anti-government demonstrators in provincial areas to gather in Sanam Luang, he said, a live broadcast of the rally would not be made on the ASTV station on March 5.

“We want the government to be aware people force is not easy to be deceived. March 5 will be the judgment day. We will move peacefully and orderly. We will show our intention in good faith on March 6 to oust the premier by a peaceful and honest mean. We will give him 5 days to pack his belongings,” said Mr. Sondhi.