One good thing about not having an elected prime minister?

At least the new prime minister doesn't sound like an idiot speaking English like Taksin did. More on Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Great article on the Royal backing of the PAD protests

From W. Scott Thompson in his opinion piece in the IHT:

And the demonstrators know that the king is plainly on their side. This time, more than 1974 and 1992, it would be trivial to say that democracy is what is at issue. It's whether or not those others, "unworthy to bear the dust under his shoes," as the royal inflection goes, can finally be worn out. Just wait - the king will wave his magic wand and the crisis will be over. The army - or some other appropriate delegate - will take power, and the country will find the patience to wear out the endurance of an expiring Thaksin, who in exile loses wealth and legitimacy by the day.

Thailand is paying an enormous price for this crisis, but in the end the king's determination to ensure a legacy where his type of people will rule, and Thailand will return to rapid economic growth and the iconic smiles by which it is known - with a bit of democracy thrown in. The king's move in the next few days will be worth watching.

Office staff wearing yellow down 50% today

Yellow shirts, which used to stand for support for the revered Thai King, have now become a symbol of lawlessness and extremism - which most Thais tend to avoid. On a Mondays over the past several months, a ride on the sky train meant seeing walls of yellow. Now you might not even notice as Yellow is quickly going out of fashion.

It's time for action against the PAD

The PAD (People Against Democracy) have gone to far. By their actions, they have held this country hostage. The ability to move freely, to practice religious beliefs, to support your self and your family have all been taken away by the hostage situation playing out a the airport. Their reasons for doing so now need to trump the needs of a country.

Is having a Prime Minister step down more important than costing the country 134 billion baht? Is having a Prime Minister step down more important than the holding thousands hostage?

Do Something!

On a related note, looks like the color Yellow is on it's way out. Don't get caught wearing a yellow shirt in Thailand or else you might wonder why your face is getting kicked in.

More anger against PAD.

What Obama means to Bangkok

Good Article on what Obama means for Thailand...

It is precisely in places like Thailand that Obama will need to repair once strong, now strained bilateral alliances and reaffirm the US's commitment to democracy and human rights in its foreign policy, both to restore America's flagging credibility as a force for democratic good and to forestall China's recent gains in the region, which have come by and large at the US's expense.

Apirak stays mayor of Bangkok

Apirak Kosayodhin, the leader of Thailand's opposition Democrat Party, won re-election Sunday as governor of Bangkok, defeating the ruling party candidate as well as a one-time sex tycoon, exit polls showed.

A Suan Dusit University exit poll showed Apirak with 52 percent of the vote, followed by Prapas with 23 percent and Chuwit with 12 percent. An Assumption University poll had similar figures. - AP

Goverment Shake up over Temple issue

I just saw this email that has been floating around on the whole Cambodian World Heritage, temple issue. The fallout is quite drastic as Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama became the third top official in the ruling People Power Party (PPP) forced out of office in less than 48 hours. More..

This email show a large Thai kingdom of yesteryear, slowly eroded by kings who gave away pieces in order to remain and independent country.
In one of many frames you can see the area given away, and the king who was in power at the time. This one depicts loosing the Lao and Cambodian regions.

The last frame depicts the current loss of land, that has led to this latest step down by the Foreign Minister.