Anything & Everything About Thailand

[U-Need]

BANGKOK, March 16 (TNA) - Thousands of rural farmers from the North and the Northeast vowed to march to Bangkok on Friday to give moral support to caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

In contrast, the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) ,the coalition of groups behind anti-government rally campaign, will disperse its demonstrators, targeting the Singapore Embassy and several up-country military bases, as well as maintaining the sleep-in at Government House, seat of the Thaksin administration.

Attharit Singlor, vice chairman of the so-called Caravan of the Poor (COP), a coalition of small farmer groups from 19 northeastern provinces, said his group--and an army of fellow grass-roots people travelling by more than 400 farm trucks and pick-up trucks--are now staying in the close-to-Bangkok central province of Pathum Thani, but they will march to gather at Mor Chit bus terminal or the Chatuchak area Friday evening.

The rally leaders are expected to then announce their intention to support the embattled prime minister to fight on, said Atthasit.

Meanwhile, the core leaders of anti-Thaksin groups have agreed to switch their tactics from a mass rally at the official seat of Government to diversify their targets in the capital and other provinces.

Suriyasai Katasila, one of PAD , said five core leaders will lead some demonstrators to protest outside the Singapore Embassy in the capital at noon on Friday.

The move, he said, is aimed at pressuring Singapore to reconsider the recent Shin Corp takeover deal by Singapore's investment company Temasek Holdings which has allegely caused major rift in Thai society.

Mr. Thaksin's family sold nearly 50 per cent of its stake in Shin Corp to the state-owned Singapore investment company Temasek Holdings on January 23. The tax-free sale has sparked a series of major anti-Thaksin street protests in the capital, demanding the prime minister's resignation.

Another group of demonstators will converge at military facilities in the west central province of Kanchanaburi and the northeastern Udon Thani airport demanding that Singapore interests to be moved out of the country.

The PAD core leader also said a group of businesspersons will rally from Lumpini Park to Government House to join activists, members of Dharma Army and other demonstrators to continue their virgil there for the fourth consecutive night until the caretaker premier steps down. (TNA)-E001

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 17 March 2006 -

Pioneering lady of Thai hospitality

When Thanpuying Chanut Piyaoui returned from the USA in 1946, she was determined to build a hotel. But that was only the beginning of her non-stop mission to promote the charm of Thai hospitality to the world

Story by Max Werner

This year, now at the age of 84, Thailand's legendary hotelier Thanpuying Chanut Piyaoui celebrates 60 momentous years in the business and the 36th anniversary of her flagship property, the Dusit Thani, Bangkok.

Her life's work began with the building of Bangkok's first modern hotel with a swimming pool, the Princess on New Road in 1949. In time, she progressed to five-star properties in Bangkok and major tourism destinations in Thailand and overseas, and branched out into hotel and culinary education with the Dusit Thani College in 1993 and a joint venture with Le Cordon Bleu in 2005.

When the spa movement became part of the traveller's lifestyle, she introduced Devarana Spa, the "garden in heaven", to her hotels and resorts here and abroad providing the well-known traditional Thai massage, treatments and therapies in luxurious Thai-inspired surroundings.

But when Thanpuying Chanut was young, in the uncertain days following World War II, life did not offer a glittering rainbow of opportunities for ambitious young Thai women. Respectable career options were few, and marriage was regarded as the most desirable. Although there were resourceful businesswomen at all levels of society, it was a society ruled by men who in turn were largely ruled by tradition.

Chanut Piyaoui's family had sent her to the USA in the hope of broadening her horizons. Their success exceeded everyone's expectations, because in that time, Chanut seized on an idea that was to become a guiding light throughout her lifetime.

"Travelling around the United States before I came home, I discovered something that struck a chord with me," she recalled. "It was the American hotel culture. I loved staying in hotels. They were so efficient, clean and comfortable, and so friendly. I began to think, wouldn't it be a good idea to have something like this at home? And from there I went to: why shouldn't I be the one to build it?

"I wanted a hotel that would be like the ones I'd admired in the USA, but it would have to be a hotel that would be specifically Thai," she said.

"It would be a place where visitors from abroad would experience a truly Thai welcome in a Thai environment, but with modern amenities in the heart of Bangkok."

It was 1946 and the young King Bhumibol Adulyadej had become the ninth Rama King. It was a time of renewal and reconstruction after the deprivations of the past, and a time of new hope: an encouraging time for new ventures for Thailand.

A newcomer to the hotel industry - although a hotel industry as we know it today scarcely existed - the young Chanut seemed to be pursuing an impossible dream. But it was no dream to her: it was a clear-sighted ambition to bring Thailand and its culture of hospitality to the world through her own commercial initiative.

"Happily, my family believed in me and they advanced me the loan that helped me find my way," she said.

The building of the new hotel took three years. It was on New Road, the most important thoroughfare in the city since the 1850s when the new foreign legations and trading houses had been built near Chao Phraya River.

"I called the hotel the Princess, and Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana graciously consented to preside at its ceremonial opening in 1949," said Thanpuying Chanut. This was to become an honoured custom, with Her Royal Highness presiding at most of her hotels that were to come.

By 1958, the sky had overtaken the ocean as the preferred option for holiday travel. Chanut was well aware of this and its implications for Thailand. "Pan America Airlines was operating regular flights to Bangkok at this time," she said. "It had chosen the Princess as accommodation for its flight crews, so they were among our regular guests."

Through her relationship with Pan Am, she was invited to take part in a promotional tour of some of the major hotels of the world. This provided the inspiration for the next stage in a career that had begun to take on the nature of a calling, and in her plans to make Bangkok an important international tourist destination.

"In +++yo, I stayed at the Okura Hotel," she recalled. "It was a five-star property with the highest international standards, and yet it reflected Japanese culture and hospitality. I could see immediately that this was what we must have in Bangkok, a Thai hotel that was not an international brand, but would achieve international standards with a Thai identity."

By this time the term "the jet set" had passed into everyday speech, and there were more carriers, more passengers and more opportunities for travel to what had previously been faraway places. International hotel chains would soon be eyeing Thailand as a desirable destination.

"But," declared Thanpuying Chanut, "I wanted us to have a five-star hotel whose roots were truly Thai."

This would be a far more ambitious undertaking than her first venture. To be economically viable, a luxury hotel must be big or it could not survive, and Chanut knew that she would need expert assistance to make it work. In Japan, she had made the acquaintance of Mr Yozo Shibata, and his company gave her invaluable help through every stage of the building process.

"To this day I am grateful to Mr Shibata," she said. "He knew what the hotel meant to me and believed in my ability to make it happen."

The new hotel was built on a land near Lumphini Park, and at the outer edge of the park stood the statue of King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) that could clearly be seen from the site. King Vajiravudh was an accomplished author, and in 1918 he had devised a utopian concept that he called, Dusit Thani, meaning "Town in Heaven", a model city for democratic society whose people would live in freedom and happiness.

"I was inspired by the thinking of King Vajiravudh, and also his international outlook," said Thanpuying Chanut. "I wanted guests at the hotel to have the experience of a 'town in heaven' in Thai surroundings with Thai hospitality and service."

The Dusit Thani, Bangkok, the 510-room hotel with its distinctive tower was ceremonially opened on February 27, 1970. "For several years it was the tallest building in Bangkok," said Thanpuying. "From here we could look clear across the city. But this was to be the way of the future, and soon, other taller buildings would rise up on the Bangkok skyline."

The future became the present at a much faster rate in the next decade, and Thanpuying Chanut was quick to respond to changes in the tourism and hospitality world and their potential impact on the country.

In 1983, it was recorded that Thailand's tourism industry has overtaken rice export as the leading source of foreign income. It was time to look beyond Bangkok, and 1985 saw the opening of her property outside Bangkok - the Dusit Inn Chiang Mai. It was followed later by the Dusit Laguna Resort, Phuket, then the Dusit Resort, Pattaya.

All these properties, and all those that were to come, expressed the "Dusit Thai Way of Life" philosophy that she had pioneered; and the 1990s was the decade in which she entered the international arena as the first Thai hotel group to manage properties abroad. It began with a joint venture in the USA, then properties in Indonesia and the Philippines.

"We made a big step in the new millennium with the opening of the Dusit Dubai that brought a distinctive touch of Thailand to the important Middle East market," she said. "Most of the staff were recruited from Thailand to ensure a smooth transfer of Thai hospitality"

But before that, there was an even more prestigious event in her life and a singular honour which is such a source of pride to her. On the 53rd anniversary of Coronation Day, May 5, 2000, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej conferred on this pioneer of Thai tourism and hospitality the highest of royal decorations, Knight Grand Commander (Second Class, Higher Grade) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom, and with it the right to bear the most esteemed title of "Thanpuying."

"If Thailand was to be among the world's leaders in hotel and hospitality industry, the education and training of staff would be of the highest importance," said Thanpuying. "To carry on our progress in this direction, we founded the Dusit Thani College.

"Subsequently, it was recognised by the Ministry of Education as the first learning institution at university level to offer hospitality education and training in Southeast Asia, offering bachelor's degrees in Hotel, Kitchen, and Travel Industry Management. Last year, we continued the process by entering a joint venture with the world's leading hotel and culinary education institution, Le Cordon Bleu."


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[KatoeyLover69]

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Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 17 March 2006 -

Pioneering lady of Thai hospitality : Part 2

Also in that millennium year, a Sanskrit term meaning the "garden in heaven" was to become part of her "heavenly city" when Thanpuying Chanut introduced Devarana Spa to her hotels and resorts.

"Our tradition of holistic healing is another aspect of the Thai way of life that I wanted to give to the world, and it coincided with the growing importance of the modern spa movement around the world," she said.

"Thailand has the finest ingredients - massage techniques handed down for centuries, abundant natural products, and caring qualified therapists. All are presented in harmonious, traditional Thai surroundings, and it is not surprising that Thailand has become recognised as the world source of holistic health, wellness and beauty therapies."

Her "Thai way of life" mission continued with the understanding that an important part of a healthy lifestyle is a balanced diet, and the Thai cuisine is acknowledged to be one of the healthiest.

"Thai food is already well known worldwide, and it is an essential part of the Thai culture that I have always wanted the world to appreciate and enjoy," said Thanpuying Chanut.

"Over the years, we have promoted Thai food through the Thai restaurants in our hotels and resorts, and have regularly sent our Thai chefs to take part in many Thai food festivals and promotions abroad.

"What we have not done so far is produce a good cookbook - one which can convey my 'Thai way of life' philosophy through the recipes of our Thai chefs, and would also explain to readers the traditions and techniques of Thai cooking, as well as the influence of the different regions of the country on today's Thai cuisine."

Launched yesterday was Thanpuying Chanut's latest project, the handsome coffee table book entitled Thai Way of Life, The Dusit Cookbook (see review), a further expression of her "Thai way of life" philosophy.

"I read in a magazine once that I was 'an icon of the Thai hospitality industry,"' said Thanpuying. "I don't know about that. I just think I've been lucky to have found the opportunity to make my contribution to this country that I love, and its hospitality industry, for 60 years."

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 17 March 2006 :-

FDA confiscates many sexual performance aids

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confiscated a large amount of sexual performance aids, mostly made in China, and will give itself more authority to curb smuggling of the products. The FDA seized the goods last month but showed them to the press yesterday along with drugs from Sri Lanka and Germany, all smuggled through Don Muang airport.

The office confiscated 2,400 tablets of sexual performance drugs, 140 bottles of Spanish fly used as sleeping pills, 26,400 slimming pills, 320 bottles of blemish cream, 2,800 sex toys and unregistered medicine. The total was worth more than 1.3 million baht. The authorities also took legal action against 68 smugglers, including one Thai, FDA chief Pakdee Pothisiri said. The illegal products were distributed around Yaowarat.

In a bid to prevent smuggling of sex toys and other sex enhancement products, the office wants to list them as non-commercial medical equipment so officials could immediately take action.

At present the agency cannot seize the products without cooperation from the Consumer Protection Office because they are not listed as medical tools.

People convicted of smuggling non-registered medicines can be fined up to 5,000 baht or sentenced to three years in prison or both.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from Bangkok Post dated Friday 17 March 2006 :-

Business unit to run public transport at airport

A business unit will be set up to manage public transportation at Suvarnabhumi airport while Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) will run the airport limousine service itself amid fears of monopoly and mafia influence. Bancha Pattanaporn, acting AOT president, said the AOT board decided to create the business unit for monitoring and managing public transport at the airport, directing the public transport centre through a panel, and submitting reports about performance to the AOT without imposing charges on service providers except parking fees. The board also permitted the AOT to run the airport limousine service by using rented limousines and outsourcing the chauffeurs.

[U-Need]

PATTANI , March 17 (TNA) – Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya visited this southern border province on Friday to review security strategy after suspected insurgents killed six men in an attack on a local government building.

The men, including a television journalist, were shot dead in the village of Pado after being shot.

In response to the upsurge in violence, Police General Chidchai called a meeting of senior security officials and the governors of the three southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat. Regional police, military and teacher representatives also took part.

The deputy prime minister, who oversees security issues, admitted that security was lax in some areas and needed to be reviewed.

The security plan and strategy in the insurgency-plagued region had to be revised and strengthened to prevent further violence.

He also called on the security forces to maintain their vigilance, saying the insurgents would seize any opportunity to make their presence felt.

“Those insurgents want to demonstrate that they are still active and have the capability to stage major attacks against the authorities in a bid to generate financial support from local residents,” the deputy prime minister said.

Thailand's predominately-Muslim southern border provinces have been hit by two years of violence that has left nearly 1,200 people dead in near-daily shootings, bombings and arson attacks. (TNA)-E001

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BANGKOK, March 17 (TNA) - Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra need not absent himself from Government House because of the peaceful demonstrators who are keeping vigil at the seat of the government, as they have no intention to do anything to harm the prime minister as a person, according to protest leader Maj-Gen. Chamlong Srimuang.

Speaking after joining anti-Thaksin protestors in giving alms at the rally site this morning, the former Bangkok mayor and political activist said the demonstrators would continue to stay put to press for the premier's resignation although he failed appear at Government House.

"I want to plead with the premier to be softhearted because the demonstrators have already rallied for 15 days and nights," Gen. Chamlong said. "Should he feel sympathetic, the people [demonstrators]will go home for a rest."

Maj-Gen. Chamlong, a core leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), the coalition leading the anti-Thaksin campaign, said there is no need for the premier to stay away from Government House because the demonstrators did not intend any harm.

The premier could hold meetings or receive guests on the premises, where it is convenient for him because there are integrated facilities and utilities.

The rallies that have taken place already have had a high quality of intellectual content, Gen. Chamlong said, because many experts and academics joined to express their opinion to explain what was happening in the country.

"The premier's reluctance to come to Government House shows that he dares not face reality, which can lead to mounting public doubt," Gen. Chamlong said."The standoff will end immediately if he can answer th people's questions frankly in interviews on TV," said Gen Chamlong. (TNA)-E005

[U-Need]

Staff and agencies
17 March, 2006
By SUTIN WANNABOVORN

BANGKOK, Thailand - A 30,000-strong "Caravan of the Poor" gathered outside Bangkok Friday to demonstrate their backing of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is vowing to stay in his job despite mass protests against him in the Thai capital.

Thaksin‘s populist policies have insured him mass support in the countryside, but a loose alliance of pro-democracy groups, students, labor unions and Buddhist activists accuse him of corruption and the gutting of democratic institutions.

Demonstrators also continued to ring Government House, the seat of government, vowing not to lift their around-the-clock peaceful siege until Thaksin resigned.

"I will go forward and rely on the principles of democracy. If the people do not vote for me, I will back out. If the people go to exercise their right to vote on April 2, I ask that they please help bring me into the Government House," Thaksin told about 10,000 sugar cane farmers Friday in Kanchanaburi province.

Members of the country‘s Election Commission have said they are considering a postponement of the election.

However, many constituencies have only one candidate — from Thaksin‘s Thai Rak Thai Party. And their victories would be valid only if candidates win the votes of at least 20 percent of the district‘s eligible voters — highly unlikely in some districts where Thaksin‘s party has little support.

[U-Need]

590 words
20 March 2006
Emerging Markets Daily News
English

Thailand's political scene has been thrown into further confusion following conflicting comments and actions from Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. In addition, the Election Commission stated today that the April 2 snap election may have to be postponed, since it is unlikely to fill all 500 legislative seats required by the constitution to choose a prime minister.

A Tougher Line Emerging?

Calming Down
Stock Exchange of Thailand Index (SETI)

On Wednesday, Thaksin hinted that he might step aside temporarily in favour of a caretaker premier, amid rising political noise ahead of the April 2 snap election, and ongoing protests demanding his resignation. However, he subsequently played down the idea.

Other developments point to a more hardline stance. Thaksin on Tuesday appointed Police General Chidchai Wannasathit, deputy prime minister in charge of security affairs, as first deputy premier. Chidchai, hitherto third deputy premier, displaced Somkid Jatusripitak, who is in charge of economic affairs, to third place. Suriya Jungrungreangkit remains second deputy premier in charge of industry and communication. Chidchai's elevation places him first in line to succeed Thaksin, in the event that he steps aside.

Thaksin also warned that he might declare a state of emergency if ongoing protests turned violent. A state of emergency would ban the right to assembly, and curtail freedom of expression. BMI would regard such an outcome as a severe measure that could heighten political tensions going forward.

The military opposes a state of emergency in any case. Supreme Commander General Ruangroj Mahasaranont and Army Chief of Staff General Sonthi Boonyaratglin publicly spoke against the idea, stating that the anti-Thaksin demonstrations have thus far been orderly, and that the current situation does not warrant it. The military has also played down reports of political intervention. Thaksin's reliance on Police General Chidchai may reflect Thaksin's distrust of the military as opposed to the police forces.

Nonetheless, there may be limits to how tough a line Thaksin can take. The broadcast at the Royal Palace's request of 1992 footage of King Bhumibol urging the then military and opposition leaders to resolve their differences peacefully suggests that the King himself could intervene if the situation deteriorates. On Wednesday afternoon, the King's chief adviser, Prem Tinsulanonda, urged all parties to end the current crisis.

SETI, Baht, Stable For Now

For now, amid peaceful protests and an absence of violent unrest, financial markets have managed to remain stable. The SETI has returned to a 1½-week high of 741.21, having bounced off support in the 720 region, while the baht has stabilised at around THB39.10/US$, cushioned by equity inflows and rising interest rates. The real question for investors is to what degree the political crisis will undermine the improving economic picture and reforms such as privatisation.

In theory, the dispute should be resolved by the April 2 election, in which we expect Thaksin and his Thai Rak Thai party to be re-elected with a reduced majority. However, the opposition boycott, the possible temporary withdrawal of Thaksin, and now the potential delay in the election, suggest that political uncertainty could continue well beyond April.

Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya himself acknowledged that the impasse could take six months to one year to resolve. Naturally, this would temper our generally upbeat view of the SETI and baht, especially if politics started to undermine economic growth. However, so long as economic growth remains on track, both assets should be well supported.

[U-Need]

By Pracha Hararaspitak
675 words
17 March 2006
11:51
Reuters News
English


BANGKOK, March 17 (Reuters) - Protesters burned posters of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong outside the city state's Bangkok embassy on Friday as a campaign to oust his Thai counterpart, Thaksin Shinawatra, took a nationalist twist.

Waving placards saying "Thailand Not for Sale, Get Out", several hundred protesters urged a boycott of all things Singaporean in answer to the takeover of telecoms giant Shin Corp by its state investment arm, Temasek, from Thaksin's family.

"If Singaporeans faced the same situation as we do now, we believe Singaporeans would also rise up to do what we are doing," said Somsak Kosaisuk, a key member of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which is trying to kick Thaksin from office.

They also torched models of Singapore Airlines planes, its "merlion" national mascot and pictures of Lee's wife, Ho Ching, the Temasek boss.

The political crisis has already caused the Thai stock market and baht to wobble and is now raising long-term economic concerns, with ratings agencies looking at growth forecasts and companies delaying public flotations or investment projects.

The anti-Singapore sentiment, which stems from outrage at Thaksin's family paying no tax in January's $1.9 billion Shin Corp deal, now appears to be hurting business.

According to Chainid Ngow-Sirimanee, head of builder Property Perfect PCL, Singapore firms have delayed decisions on potential Thai property investments worth $256 million.

DBS Group Holdings, which had been thought keen on raising its stake in Thailand's TMB Bank PCL, had yet to make up its mind on whether to go ahead, a spokesman said. Analysts attributed the delay to politics.

"I AM DEMOCRACY"

Thaksin, who remains defiant in the face of the middle-class metropolitan movement to oust him, hit the provincial campaign trail once again, rallying his core rural support base for snap elections called on April 2.

The Election Commission says the poll, which Thaksin has billed as a referendum on his leadership, may have to be postponed as a boycott by the three main opposition parties is likely to render it constitutionally unviable.

Thaksin, who is accused of corruption, cronyism and eroding the checks and balances of the 1997 constitution, does not agree.

"April 2 is the day for people to choose whether to let mob rule prevail or give the democratic process a chance to work," he told sugarcane farmers in the western province of Kanchanaburi, home to the famous "Death Railway" bridge over the River Kwai.

"I represent the democratic process. If you agree with the opposition boycott, you can abstain," he said, referring to one of the options on Thai ballot papers.

More than 100,000 people hit the streets this week calling for his head, sparking fears in the royal palace and army of a repeat of the bloodshed during a "people power" uprising against military rule in 1992.

However, both sides appear to be going out of their way to avoid violence.

Police marshalling the protests have been good-natured and unarmed and Thaksin switched a meeting from Government House to avoid confrontation with thousands of protesters camping on its doorstep.

A 20,000-strong pro-Thaksin "caravan of the poor" which arrived in northern Bangkok on Friday also vowed to steer clear of its political adversaries.

"We don't want to clash with them," said Attarit Singhlor, head of the 3-km (2-mile) convoy of trucks and home-made tractors which snaked its way slowly down from the impoverished northeast as the political crisis in the capital deepened.

"We'll make statements and express our requests for the prime minister to help on land, land deeds and funding for organic fertiliser projects, then leave Bangkok," he said.

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BUR
594 words
17 March 2006
16:18
Agence France Presse
English

KANCHANABURI, Thailand, March 17, 2006 (AFP) -

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra told cheering supporters here Friday that he would not surrender to "mob rule" as his opponents staged a protest outside the Singapore embassy in Bangkok.

About 1,000 demonstrators demanded that Singapore cancel the controversial sale of Shin Corp, the telecoms empire that Thaksin founded, to the city-state's investment firm Temasek.

Cheers erupted as they torched effigies of a black Singapore Airlines jet and a two-metre-tall Merlion -- the mythical symbol of the city-state -- which were both painted with swastikas.

"Who are you to control our national assets?" and "Where is Singapore government's morality?" read some of the banners, referring to anger over the 1.9 billion dollar tax-free sale by Thaksin's family.

Posters of Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife, Temasek chief Ho Ching, defaced with red forked tongues and the slogan "Criminal Singapore - get out" were fixed to barricades outside the mission.

Dozens of police monitored the noisy demonstration outside the embassy's gates which blocked two lanes of traffic on one of Bangkok's busiest roads.

Despite being cleared of any wrongdoing, the Shin Corp sale ignited a simmering anti-government movement and triggered weeks of mass rallies, mostly at grounds near the royal palace.

Organisers said recently that they would adopt new tactics, with plans to hold protests at locations including the embassy, the central business district and the stock exchange.

Business groups were due later Friday to drive in a convoy from a city park to Government House, to protest against the damage that the political deadlock was inflicting on the economy and investor confidence.

But despite the demonstrations and doubts that April 2 snap elections he called to defuse the crisis could proceed, Thaksin went on the campaign trail to western Kanchanaburi province where tens of thousands turned out to see him.

After suggesting this week that he was considering standing aside temporarily, he insisted he would not budge and that mob politics was a thing of the past.

"It's not right to ask me to give in to unruly people. I have to stay in order to preserve the rule (of law)," he said in Kanchanaburi, which is famous for its "Bridge over the River Kwai".

"April 2 is a very special day when people will make their decision on whether to allow mob rule to supersede the rule of law, or whether to comply with democratic rule," he said.

With his office in Bangkok besieged by protesters for most of this week, the premier basked in the support of a huge crowd of sugarcane growers who shouted "Thaksin fight, fight!"

Thaksin, who has two landslide election victories to his credit and enjoys strong support in the countryside, urged voters to turn out on April 2 and reiterated promises he would quit if he failed to secure half the vote.

However, with a boycott called by the main opposition parties, and the disqualification of hundreds of candidates leaving his party unopposed in many constituencies, electoral authorities are now considering whether to proceed.

The months of turmoil are taking their toll on Thai people, according to health authorities who said Friday that up to one third of the population of 63 million is suffering from "political stress syndrome."

"We are constantly receiving calls at our hotline number from people complaining about sleep disorders, headaches and depression," mental health department official Wachira Pengchan said.

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158 words
17 March 2006
16:14
BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific
English

Text of report in English by Thai newspaper The Nation website on 17 March

Monarchs and their spouses from 14 countries will attend celebrations marking His Majesty the King's 60th year on the throne this year. His Majesty is the world's longest-reigning monarch.

The royal rulers of Brunei, Swaziland, Monaco, Japan, Lesotho, Nepal, Sweden, Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Malaysia and Cambodia will come to Thailand to participate in the celebrations, Government Spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee said yesterday.

Monarchs from 12 countries said they would dispatch delegates to the celebrations. These are the Netherlands, Liechtenstein, Bhutan, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Norway, Spain, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, Tonga, Saudi Arabia and Morocco.

Surapong denied speculation the UK's Queen Elizabeth II had decided not to come to Thailand because of the political crisis.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Friday 17 March 2006 :-

Royal guest list unveiled for King's anniversary

Monarchs and their spouses from 14 countries will attend celebrations marking His Majesty the King's 60th year on the throne this year. His Majesty is the world's longest-reigning monarch.

The royal rulers of Brunei, Swaziland, Monaco, Japan, Lesotho, Nepal, Sweden, Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Malaysia and Cambodia will come to Thailand to participate in the celebrations, Government Spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee said yesterday. Monarchs from 12 countries said they would dispatch delegates to the celebrations. These are the Netherlands, Liechtenstein, Bhutan, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Norway, Spain, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, Tonga, Saudi Arabia and Morocco.

Surapong denied speculation the UK's Queen Elizabeth II had decided not to come to Thailand because of the political crisis.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Friday 17 March 2006 :-

Anti-Thaksin protesters protest at Singapore Embassy

Hundreds of Thai protesters marched on the Singapore embassy, renewing demands for Singapore-owned Tamasek to end deal with Shin Corp or facing with boycott of Singapore products.

More than 600 protesters marched from Lumpini Party to the embassy, waving banners and placards reading, "Close Relations With Singapore," Don't Buy Singapore Products and Don't Use Singapore Services and Banks.

Some placards depicted pictures of Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsein Loong and his wife, Ho Ching, executive director of Temasek Holdings stating "Singapore, Get Out!" During the protest, some protesters burnt the placards.

The protestors submitted a letter to the embassy demanding the Singapore government end its 15-year agreement with Thailand to rent military bases in the kingdom and calling on Singaporeans to help their cause.

"We, on behalf of the Thai people, would like to call upon the people of Singapore to assist us by scrutinizing the business conduct of Temasek Holdings and the rental of military bases in Thailand, as well as applying pressure on the Singapore Government to adhere strictly to transparency and good governance and to abstain from interfering in other countries' internal affairs by cancelling the purchase of Shin Corporation's shares and removing its military bases from Thailand," the letter said.

The Bt73.3 billion sale by Shin Corp which belong to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's family has outraged many Thais because it was tax free and amounted to selling off sensitive sectors to a foreign government.

This was the fifth protests of members of People's Alliance for Democracy in front of the Singapore Embassy. Embassy officials have told the protesters that the Singapore government could not get involved with the deal even though the holding company is wholly government-owned.

The protesters have warned that the boycott would lead to at least 3 million subscriber cancellations of the Advanced Info Service (AIS), the mobile phone service owned by Shin Corp.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Friday 17 March 2006 :-

Petrol to rise Bt0.40 / liter on Sat 18 March 2006 : Diesel price unchanged

All oil retailers Friday announced that they will raised their retail prices of unleaded fuel by Bt0.40 a liter in line with the rising world's crude oil prices.

The higher prices of petrol at all stations as of 5 a.m. Saturday morning will be Bt27.14 for octane 95 unleaded fuel, Bt26.34 for octane 91 and Bt25.64 per liter for gasohol.

Retail price of diesel fuel remains unchanged at Bt25.49 a liter.