FM tells Economist: You painted too dark and pessimistic picture of Thailand

The Thai Foreign Ministry has written to "The Economist" after the British news magazine has published several articles about Thai politics. This is what was published in the latest issue:

SIR –The Economist painted too dark and pessimistic a picture of Thailand’s political situation (“Exile and the kingdom”, October 17th). Since 1932, and despite many ups and downs along the democratic path, Thais have persevered towards a true parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarchy. Irrespective of their political colours, Thais share an unwavering respect for the monarchy. The current political impasse reflects different perspectives about what Thai democracy entails, and efforts are being made to bridge such differences peacefully through parliamentary means.

Meanwhile, the Thai people enjoy their constitutional rights, not least the right to peaceful assembly, which has been continuously exercised and respected.

Vimon Kidchob
Director-general
Department of Information
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Bangkok

Thaksin: Loy Krathong in Phnom Penh is out

One day after some of his Pheau Thai Party's MPs said Thaksin Shinawatra was coming to Phnom Penh to celebrate Loy Krathong with Cambodian PM Hun Sen, the ex-premier wrote in his Twitter account: "Loy Kratong in Cambodia? No.I am not going. I will stay on here (in Dubai). Besides, people can start getting my sms messages for free as of Nov 1."

Of course, Thaksin knows what a storm he could create if he decides to fly into Phnom Penh because PM Abhisit has made it clear that he will pursue legal proceedings for his extradition, no matter what Hun Sen has said earlier.

It wouldn't be wise for Thaksin to get caught in a web of an international incident even if he reckons he could snub the Abhisit government.

But he has apparently decided it's politically not worth it after all.

It's going to be a hot Loy Krathong...Thaksin is due in Cambodia Nov 2

Pheau Thai MP Pracha Prasobdi says Thaksin Shinawatr will fly his private jet to Cambodia on Nov 2 to celebrate Loy Krathong festival with Khmer PM Hun Sen.

"He also wants to personally thank Hun Sen for expressing his readiness to provide a house for him," the Thai MP says, adding: "If Prime Minister Abhisit wants to visit Khun Thaksin in Cambodia, he may do so. But there is no way he can get Thaksin arrested because the Cambodian government has made it clear it won't hand Thaksin over to the Thai government because it's a political case. And if the government puts additional pressure, he might seek political asylum."

A group of Pheau Thai MPs may join Thaksin in Cambodia for the occasion.

What does PM Abhisit say about that? "We will pursue legal proceedings. There is no doubt about that."

PM Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoei stressed in his statement to Parliament today that Thaksin had committed a criminal offence -- therefore it's under the jurisdiction of the extradition agreement between Thailand and Cambodia.

It's going to be a hot Loy Krathong!

It all started with copying a friend's homework...

Recently-retired Air Chief Marshal Sumet Pohmani has led a team of about 30 former pre-cadet classmates of Thaksin Shinawatr to join Pheau Thai Party.

He was commanding the Air Force Operations Centre when the Sept 19, 2006 coup took place. Sumet said he was ready to put up a fight against the coup leaders. In fact, when he decided to surrender, it was 10.00 pm. He was the last general to lay down his weapons against the coup "because when I checked around, everybody else had fled the scene..."

Why is he so loyal to Thaksin? ACM Sumet admitted frankly to a reporter last week: "Because I am Thaksin's close friend. When we were studying together, I used to copy homework from him for almost two years. He was such a bright student..."

Now, you know why. One good deed deserves another.

Chavalit wants to confuse everybody, himself included

You can never be too sure what he is up to. Sometimes, you are led to think he is a super strategist. Other times, you are tempted to believe that he is nothing but a confused old man.

Whatever your conclusion, Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh is no ordinary retired general.

He shook hands with Cambodian Premier Hun Sen in Phnom Penh on the same day that he disclosed that he was meeting the key leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD). The former is Thaksin Shinawatr's close friend, the latter an arch-enemy.

Chavalit said Hun Sen has set aside a beautiful home for Thakin in Cambodia because he is sympathetic with "mistreated friend." In other words, Chavalit is suggesting that Hun Sen was granted asylum to Thaksin.

Then, he said he was meeting PAD's key leaders including Chamlong Srimuang to talk about natioal reconciliation. Didn't he realize that one bombshell could neutralize the next one. How would Chamlong react to Chavalit's peace overture when the latter was seen helping Thaksin to return to power?

And then, a little bird at PAD told me that it is possible that Chavalit may meet Sondhi Limthongkul, leader of the New Politics Party as well. How public that meeting will be remains unclear.

But never underestimate Big Jiew. He has tried impossible missions before. He has failed so far. But who knows, luck may be on the side this time...and he needs lots of that.

Arisman, the 'persona non grata' at Hua Hin this week...

With 18,000 policemen and soldiers mobilized at the cost of nearly Bt300m, Hua Hin and Cha-am beach fronts will look like a war zone during this week's Asean Summit.

Security will be tight. Everyone entering the hotels where the meetings and related functions take place will be given a different colour of badge. An "Asean Lane" will be set aside for traffic leading to the conference site.

With Arisman Pongruangrong declaring that he plans to lead a delegation of red-shirted protestors to hand a letter to the Asean leaders against PM Abhisit Vejjajiva comes the new announcenment just today that red-shirts won't be allowed into Hua Hin or Cha-am during the conference to prevent any untowards incident.

Arisman, who staged the "Pattaya fiasco" in April, this year, when he led red-shirted protestors to charge into the Asean summit in Pattaya, has been singled out as the Persona Non Grata of this event.

"He can hand over his protest note to Asean anywhere except in Hua Hin and Cha-am..." Deput PM Suthep Thuaksuban said.

Even Arisman's look-alikes should try to avoid that area, if they don't want to be politely told to leave...just to be on the safe side.

Abhisit in one of his happy moods...

You don't often see Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva in such a jovial mood. But then, that's because he sneaked into a friend's house yesterday for a quick lunch. Patee Sarasin, Nok Air's chief executive, didn't say what prompted the PM to drop in at his house but Patee, so of Arsa Sarasin, His Majesty the King's Seretary-General, did post a few pictures of the prime minister enjoying himself at his house on his Twitter account for all his "followers" to see.