Abhisit is asked: Is the era of military coups over?

Does Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva think the era of military coups is over?

In response to that question posed by Forbes magazine's Eric Ellis in the latest edition, the Thai prime minister had this to say:

"We hope so, I would have said, 'Yes, but I've had a number of lessons. After 1992, we were very determined that the 1991 coup was the last one. But it's sad to say that during the Thaksin years, they were dragged back into politics. Every time there's a coup now, the military learn a hard and more expensive lesson that, though they might get cheers from people when they come in to restore order, they are not in a position to govern..."

Abhisit added: "Part of the mistake of the Thaksin years was involving the military as a political tool, creating the reasons or excuses, depending on how you see things, for a coup. If you look back at the history of coups, you can always list the reasons in the first announcement of the coupmakers: corruption is on top, division, violating the monarchy. It's always been like that. If we eliminate these conditions, there's no reason why there should be one."

After London and Tokyo, will Washington ban him too?

Will the US also close its door to Thaksin Shinawatr? There are no official indications so far. But speculation is flying thick that Washington may follow London and Tokyo in refusing to issue a visa to him if he applies.

The official reason given by the Japanese consular officials are simple and clear: Under official guidelines, anyone sentenced to one than one year in jail by court and doesn't lodge an appeal within one month would be considered a convict not allowed into Japan. It doesn't matter whether you are an ex-premier or a criminal.

China may not have the same ground rules but Chinese officials have reportedly been keeping a close watch on Thaksin so that he won't land there to organize political activities that may sour relations with the current Thai government.

Chinese leaders are pragmatic people. They don't want any government to issue visas to people hostile to the Beijing government either.

Thaksin: Where are you?

Everybody knows where he is supposed to be today. But then, nobody is quite sure.

One of his close aides, MP Chatuporn Prompan, a core leader of the "Red-Shirted Movement," has told his friends in the Pheau Thai Party not to disclose the ex-premier's whereabouts "for fear of attempted assassination."

But a group of MPs from this party, led by Chiang Mai MP Surapong Tovichakchaikul and Samut Prakarn MP Pracha Prasobdee, has made it public that they are heading for Hong Kong this weekend to pay Thaksin a visit.

So, is Thaksin really in Hong Kong? We shall soon know.

One thing is certain for now, though. He isn't in Koh Kong of Cambodia. That's the assurance given by no less a person than Premier Hun Sen who told visiting Thai Defence Minister Gen Pravit Wongsuwan yesterday that Thaksin was definitely not on Cambodian soil, at least as far as yesterday was concerned.

Thaksin can't go to England. Japan has banned him. China keeps a close watch on his movement to avoid offending the Abhisit government. Cambodia's PM Hun Sen is a shrewd politician. He wouldn't want to sour relations with PM Abhisit by appearing to be too close to Thaksin although they remain "close friends." You don't hear Thaksin express too keen an interest in going to the United States either.

So, there aren't too many places that Thaksin could go now, especially if he is nervous about attempts on his life.

Thailand's very own Obama's look-alike: Bangrak Obama

Supoj Boonseubwong, 50,owner of a sportswear shop in Saraburi province, wasn't aware of his facial similarity with that of the new US president until recently when he was playing in a local soccer match.

The announcer at the game said it loud enough for everyone to hear: "We have an Obama look-alike here today. Cheer him up!"

Then, a song composer Charan Sariwong, approached him, saying that he was interested in composing a set of songs for him so that he could issue a music album by the end of this month.

Supoj the singer will be known as "Bangrak Obama."

Bhumjaithai: Coalition of the Desperate

Keep a close watch on the newest political party in town -- Bhumjaithai -- which has turned out to be a collection of some of the best-known former supporters of Thaksin Shinawatra.

Bhumjaithai may be loosely translated as "Pride of Thai."

Thaksin probably thinks they are "traitors" -- but they probably think of themselves as the country's saviours by helping the Democrats -- their former arch-rivals -- to form the current coalition government.

The leaders of Bhumjaithai include such political heavyweights as Newin Chidchob, Suriya Chuengrungruangkij, Somsak Thepsuthin, and Sora-ard Klinpratum -- all of them once standing by Thaksin's side. Now, they are on the opposite side.

Today, the party boasts at least 32 MPs in their stable, having moved from People's Power and Machima, the two parties dissolved by court orders two months ago for breach of law.

The Democrats need them to survive. They need the Democrats to continue in a position of power.

Perhaps, we can call the arrangement the "Coalition of the Politically Desperate."

Thaksin and the 'two kids'

Who are the "two kids" trying in vain to untie the web of serious
problems of the country?

That's'Thaksin Shinawatra's latest salvo against the Abhisit government
in his "phone-in" to a seminar of his Pheau Thai Party at Khao Yai yesterday.

He didn't elaborate. But, it isn't too difficult to guess. He was apparently referring to two "young kids" in the Cabinet -- Premier Abhisit and Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij. Both are in the late 40s. Both went to Oxford. Both could pose a threat to "Thaksinomics" if the new "Abhisitonomics" works out.

Thaksin said: "The whole world is facing problems. The two kids' ability to solve problems is limited. The problems aren't as easy as they thought."

Thaksin's biggest fear, perhaps, is that if these "two kids" manage to convince the Thai people that they can do a better job than Thaksin, then it could mean he will be gone forever.

Abhisit from Davos: Never underestimate somebody with so much money...