Ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra loses Man City on Tuesday to an Abu Dhabi group - but gains a profit of about 7.5 billion baht. "My financial position has changed in the last 15 months," he said. (BangkokPost.com) - The takeover of Manchester City by Abu Dhabi investors has been made final, and ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra will lose the club by Tuesday, the British media reported from Manchester on Sunday. "My financial position has changed in the last 15 months," said Mr Thaksin, according to the reports. "I thus felt it was in the best interests of everyone associated with the club that I hand over the reins to new owners who share similar ambitions and visions to my own for Manchester City." The deal is believed to be worth roughly 210 million pounds (about 12.76 billion baht; US$375 million). In July of last year, he bought Manchester City Football Club for 82 million pounds, or 5.2 billion baht. The reports quoted Premier League officials as saying that Abu Dhabi United Group, led by Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has concluded its process of due diligence and finalised its negotiations to purchase the team from Mr Thaksin. The former premier, living in exile in England to avoid corruption court cases in Thailand, will retain a minority stake in the club. The Arab group's oil wealth makes City the richest club in world football. Man City has promised to make more high-profile signings in the January transfer window after already luring Brazil striker Robinho from Real Madrid. Robinho scored in City's 6-0 win over Portsmouth on Sunday. (Compiled from agency reports)
The opinions of non-Thais range from disbelief to disdain and disgust at what is going on with Thai democracy. Here is help for our foreign critics to understand how we got into this mess.
In recent times, "democracy" is a word that has been thrown around more often than a ping pong ball in Patpong - and suffers about the same level of degradation.
From words in the pubs to letters in Postbag, to the reports by foreign correspondents and commentaries by the esteemed editors of various prestigious western media, everyone has an opinion on what democracy is, and that it either does not exist in Thailand, or has been battered and abused into something quite undemocratic.
From the observations of many non-Thais, opinions have ranged anywhere from disbelief to disdain and downright disgust at what is going on with the democracy of this Kingdom. With harsh words and brutal assaults, slamming and insulting the Kingdom, and with it, my fellow countrymen.
Well, allow me to address our foreign critics and help form an understanding of how we got into this mess. Though by all means, this observation is one man's humble opinion offered up to be considered, discussed and debated; nothing less, nothing more.
In the West, democracy is a tradition of over 2,000 years old, although it had taken a nap for centuries before it was rediscovered. One may trace the origin of modern democracy to the French Revolution (1782), the American Revolution (1776), or even the signing of the Magna Carta (1215). But no matter which event one would like to attribute modern democracy to, it is unarguable that Western democracy has been several centuries in the making and written by numerous conflicts and much bloodshed.
So if the West has gone through centuries of mistakes, of trials and tribulations, to arrive at a healthy, though imperfect system of modern democracy, why can't Thailand embrace the finished product, packaged with a beautiful ribbon? Well, it's not that we don't want to.
To understand where we are now, one must look at the historical evolution of Thailand since the conversion to constitutional monarchy in 1932.
From our first prime minister, Praya Manopakorn Nititada, to our latest, Somchai Wongsawat, in the 76 years since there have been 36 prime ministers, most of whom were "appointees", by the military or otherwise.
There were many reasons behind these "appointees", military or otherwise, not least of which was the influence of the superpowers and their Cold War chess match. Like the majority of the Third World, we were but a pawn served up on a platter with a side order of freedom fries by our leaders, to be exploited in the name of democracy against the rising tides of communism. Never mind the fact that we ourselves were ruled by military dictators for much of that time.
It wasn't until 1988 when we sustained a succession of "elected" leaders, starting with the government of General Chartchai Chunhawan.
Only for 20 years had the electoral process been able to sustain breathing room in this Kingdom, minus the hiccups in Black May 1992 and the 2006 coup. Is the Thai democracy young and fragile? It's a sickly, crying toddler in an incubator. So why, I ask you, would anyone look at an infant in an incubator with disdain and disgust?
Through much of our history in the 20th century, the overwhelming majority of the Thai population were peasant farmers, the backbone of the Kingdom, who wouldn't know a democracy from a tamagochi. How could they? With little to no education, their primary concerns were simply feeding and clothing their children? Democratic ideals are the luxury of the "haves", the "have nots" hold graver concerns. Is that so unbelievable? So disdainful? So disgusting?
It was only the economic boom of the late 1980s and 1990s, the advances in communication technology and globalisation, that saw the burgeoning middle class. Western education, or education period, was no longer the privilege of the elites.
Be that as it may, not unlike the period of Industrial Revolution in the West, the people were much more infatuated with the newfound riches than the ideals of democracy. Human nature: a pile of cash on the table versus some lofty ideal, which would the average Somchai and Somying one generation removed from the rice field (or the villages of Communist China) choose? Is that so disdainful, so disgusting, so unbelievable?
The infant may be wearing Gucci and the incubator may be the latest Mercedes model, but the fact is, in the 1990s Thailand's democracy was still just an infant in the incubator. As such, we were easily exploited by corrupt leaders, thrifty merchants (local and foreign) and, of course, our own greed. That is disdainful and disgusting, but which country has never gone through such a period? Like puberty, it isn't pretty, but it's a natural process of evolution.
With the Asian financial crisis of 1997, we woke up and realised that we simply exchanged "appointees", military or otherwise, for opportunistic thugs and gangsters, who knew about running a country and economy as much as we Thais know how to queue up in orderly fashion to board/deboard the Sky Train. They simply sneaked into office while the educated middle class were too busy having a bubble bath.
Then it happened. Clouds parted, Beethoven's Symphony No 3 echoed out of nowhere, the birds and the bees chanted, "hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah"! For the messiah had arrived! He was not a general, nor a gangster. He was a businessman who built a telecommunication empire with his own hands.
For a society that had embraced capitalism for only a little over a decade, we were googoo and gaagaa over him like he was some K-pop heartthrob. For the first time in the history of Thailand, the rich, the poor and those in between agreed on one thing: Thaksin Shinawatra was our man.
Chuan Leekpai was solid, but he was a plain housewife. This new guy was Paris Hilton on steroids. Is it so unbelievable, so disdainful, so disgusting? Infant in an incubator, we were lost lambs, confused and desperate, then came our shepherd, our saviour, all glittery in golden lights.
And well, you know the rest of the story.
Here we are in 2008. Duped and deceived, scarred and full of scorn. Conflict in all levels of society. Flocking to the banner of the PAD are simply people who have had enough. Sure, the leaders of the PAD are questionable. Sure, many of the PAD's tactics are unsavoury. But allow me to speak for the average Thai person - rich, middle and poor - we marched simply because we have had enough.
Similar to Black May 1992. Then we marched because we wanted no more military dictatorship, but now we march because we want no more greedy money merchants and their thuggish cronies.
Is this undermining democracy? There is no democracy to undermine. We never had it. Democracy isn't just about going to the poll and voting. Democracy isn't about smiling as you are getting screwed over once again. That may be fine for countries with healthy, but imperfect democracy. But here, in this corner of the Third World, we are tired of taking it lying down and are simply saying enough is enough.
They don't hand out democracy at the local mom and pop store, and it isn't on sale at Central or Paragon. One must fight for it.
It's an ugly fight. But is there such a thing as a pretty fight? Definitely, there isn't anything democratic about a fight, just ask the Coalition of the Willing. At least we avoid bloodshed as best we can. Granted, a lot of us aren't even sure what we're fighting for, a lot of us are simply venting frustrations and anger, but at least we're conscious and alive enough to stand up and fight.
Certainly there are and will be mistakes to overcome, trials and tribulations to triumph over in the road ahead. As I wrote in my first commentary on Sept 14, we Thais also have to look at ourselves and start the change with ourselves, not just point fingers at our corrupt leaders.
Is it so unbelievable, disdainful, disgusting? For those who are understanding, we thank you. For those who are not, please take no offence. You don't have to help us, or support us, constructive criticisms are welcomed and appreciated. But beg your pardon, please do not insult us. Especially if you are a guest in our country.
New Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat denied ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, has a hand in picking cabinet ministers "I am the prime minister and I am responsible," he insisted.
Former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh has surprisingly emerged as a potential deputy prime minister in Somchai Wongsawat's new cabinet lineup.
A reliable source said Gen Chavalit, who was army chief before resigning to enter politics, would oversee security affairs and southern unrest if his appointment is tangible.
Mr Somchai on Saturday denied his brother-in-law, deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, had a hand in picking cabinet ministers "I am the prime minister and I am responsible [for selecting the ministers]. Nobody has a hand in it," he said.
A recent trip to London by Yongyuth Tiyapairat, former deputy leader of the People Power party (PPP), had reinforced the speculation.
Mr Somchai said there has been a lot of progress in putting the cabinet together and some coalition parties have already forwarded their lists of ministers.
A source in the PPP said that former Siam Commercial Bank president Olarn Chaipravat has been approached for the finance minister post, but he has not made a decision.
Former interior minister Chalerm Yubamrung is lobbying for a deputy prime minister slot.
However, Mr Somchai's political advisers are reluctant due to his widely perceived negative image.
Kowit Wattana is likely to retain his interior portfolio despite pressure from Mr Yongyuth and his associates to hand the job to deputy party leader Sompong Amornwiwat.
Santi Prompat has reportedly cleared the air with Mr Somchai's wife Yaowapa and is likely to keep his job as transport minister. Chart Thai deputy leader Somsak Prissanananthakul said Saturday there would be changes in the party's cabinet line-up.
Mr Somsak noted that Warawut Silpa-archa, son of Chart Thai party leader Mr Banharn, is likely to be appointed as a cabinet minister.
 Ms Rice said she wanted an agreement "that respects Iraqi sovereignty" |
Iraq's foreign minister has said Iraq and the US are "very close" to a deal on the future of US forces in Iraq.
Hoshyar Zebari says both sides were redoubling efforts to bring 10 months of tough negotiations to a conclusion.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice - on an unannounced trip to Baghdad - said the final deal would be in line with Iraqi laws and sovereignty.
US troops' immunity from prosecution and the timing of a US pull-out remain to be resolved, correspondents say.
The draft deal being discussed includes a commitment that US troops will start to pull out of Iraq's cities from next summer, moving to large bases out of public view, says the BBC's Crispin Thorold in Baghdad.
 |  Really, we are very, very close to closing this agreement and as we said from the beginning, there is no hidden agenda here  Hoshyar Zebari Iraqi Foreign Minister |
In a joint news conference, Mr Zebari and Ms Rice said they had agreed timetables should be set for a withdrawal, adding that a framework was close, but not final yet.
"We have agreed that some goals, some aspirational timetables for how that might unfold, are well worth having in [the Status of Forces Agreement]," Ms Rice said, after meeting with Iraqi officials, including Prime Minister Nouri Maliki.
She said the aim remained to hand over responsibility for security to Iraqi forces.
"We are trying to put together an agreement that protects our people, that respects Iraqi sovereignty, that allows us to lay the kind of foundation that we need for making certain that we complete the work we've all sacrificed so greatly to see accomplished," she said.
Mr Zebari said officials had hoped to conclude the negotiations earlier, but he cited internal political factors for the delay.
"Really, we are very, very close to closing this agreement, and as we said from the beginning, there is no hidden agenda here," he said.
"Time is of the essence, but, really, we are redoubling our efforts to bring this to a successful conclusion," he added.
Approval process
Earlier, Ms Rice said any aspirational timeline for a US troop withdrawal had to take into consideration the situation on the ground.
Any future agreement on the status of US troops in Iraq must be approved by the US president as well as Mr Maliki and Iraq's parliament.
Other issues up for possible discussion included the status of some 20,000 prisoners held by US forces without charge and Iraqi electoral law.
A United Nations mandate for US troops to stay in Iraq expires in December.
Iraqi officials have said they would like to see US forces end routine patrols of Iraqi towns by the middle of next year, and withdraw all combat troops in the next couple of years.
By Aekarach Sattaburuth and Manop Thip-Osod
The state of emergency could soon be lifted but anti-government protesters expect the move would do little to ease political tension.
The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) still insists that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej must resign before it will enter into talks with the government, leaving the stand-off simmering.
Mr Samak said on Friday he was considering ending the state emergency he declared for Bangkok. He said it was becoming a pointless exercise as people refused to comply.
The prime minister issued the emergency decree on Tuesday after PAD protesters clashed with rivals from the pro-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), leaving a UDD supporter dead and 43 other people injured.
The decree forbids an assembly of more than five people, but PAD protesters grouped in and around Government House have refused to comply with it.
In further defiance of the rule, a group of Ramkhamhaeng University students on Thursday night organised a protest march to Mr Samak's house during which two of them were shot and injured by unidentified gunmen.
Army commander Gen Anupong Paojinda, who is in charge of enforcing the decree, has also refused to exercise its powers to break up the PAD protest.
"When people do not comply, it doesn't bode well for the decree. So I will consult with officials in a day or two [about lifting it]," Mr Samak said.
"Normally it would be effective for three months, but I won't drag it out."
In a new bid to break the political deadlock, House Speaker Chai Chidchob, Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej and Opposition Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva have agreed the stand-off should be resolved through dialogue.
At a meeting on Friday, Mr Prasopsuk was assigned to mediate. They decided to meet after the joint House-Senate debate on Sunday failed to yield any concrete measures to end the strife.
Mr Abhisit said Mr Prasopsuk was entrusted with taking the lead role because he has no political affiliations and is widely accepted.
He said while the Senate speaker will act as a go-between, political parties will be asked to pressure their members of parliament to help reduce tension and work out possible solutions.
"We agreed a referendum might come too late. What we have agreed is to resolve the conflict through talks as suggested by the army chief," he said.
In a press conference on the emergency decree on Tuesday, Gen Anupong insisted the conflict must be resolved through political means and limited the military's role in order to avert bloodshed.
Mr Abhisit said the parties concerned should keep their conditions to a minimum to facilitate negotiations.
Mr Prasopsuk said he has been assigned to coordinate between the army chief and the PAD, and his initial offer of help has been welcomed.
"I think the conflict will be resolved soon and in an amicable way. But I cannot tell you with whom I am coordinating in the PAD," he said.
Asked about Mr Samak's refusal to go to the negotiating table with the PAD, he said his job at the moment was only to approach the PAD. He expects to discuss the progress of his work on Monday.
PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila said the group has told Senate representatives that talks are out of the question unless Mr Samak steps down first.
He said the PAD was maintaining its demand that Mr Samak resign because his attitude was not conducive to a dialogue.
"If he quits, we will take a step back and enter discussions to map out a solution in the short and long terms."
Mr Suriyasai warned the next 48 hours would be crucial after the cabinet on Thursday endorsed a law to empower the prime minister to enforce 20 other laws affecting each ministry such as the Traffic Act, the Disease Control Act, and the Defence Act.
He said there was still a chance of police breaking up the protest or the military staging a coup.
"It is a pity that the prime minister lets a chance for society to find a solution which is not a coup to pass him by," he said.
Deputy Senate Speaker Tassana Boonthong said Mr Prasopsuk has appointed Senator Gen Lertrat Rattanawanich to coordinate with the army chief and urge him not to use force against the protesters and stage a coup.
A source in the Senate said Mr Prasopsuk has sought help from senators Khamnoon Sitthisamarn and Paiboon Nititawan who have close associations with the PAD to convince the alliance to produce a proposal.
The source said the PAD will be asked to end its rally if the government resigns or dissolves the House. The proposal is likely to be accepted.
"They are likely to accept it — even if with reluctance. What claim will they use to justify the protest when the government steps down or the House is dissolved," the source said.
However, it remains to be seen how the proposed dialogue will turn out after the PAD and the government slammed the door shut on the prospect of negotiations.
Mr Samak reiterated Friday that he would not negotiate and would instead seek a way out through a referendum.
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has nominated former Thai Ambassador to France Saroj Chavanaviraj to the palace for royal endorsement to succeed Tej Bunnag, who resigned as foreign minister on Thursday.
Mr Saroj, 66, had been approached twice before by Prime Minister Samak to take up the foreign portfolio. The first time was when the present administration was being formed and the second time was after Mr Noppadon Pattama resigned as foreign minister in July. He had declined the two previous offers.
Mr Saroj retired in 2002 as Thai ambassador to Paris after serving four years as permanent secretary for foreign affairs.
A source said Mr Saroj did not want to be involved in politics and this was the reason why he had declined the job twice.
Another source close to Mr Saroj said he has decided to accept the offer this time because he has received requests from many people to help work for the ministry, particvulary since Thailand is now Asean chairman and will play host of the regional grouping's summit in December.
Mr Saroj was the most suitable person because he had the experience in Asean and Cambodian affairs, said the source.
Mr Saroj was director-general of Asean Department in 1988.
Deputy Prime Minister Sahas said Mr Samak wanted a former ambassador to take the foreign minister post.
"If we bring in an outsider, he might need time to study the job. But if we pick up an insider, that person will know the job better and he will not need time to study his job," said Mr Sahas.
What Asean member are concerned most at this time was that Thailand has yet to ratify the Asean Charter. The issue has been pending in parliament, Mr Sahas said.
He said Asean Secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan expressed concerns over this issue after Mr Tej's resigned.
Mr Surin wanted the charter to be ratified in parliament before the Asean summit, otherwise it would embarrass Thailand as the host country, said Mr Sahas.
He said he has coordinated with the Senate to speed up the issue.
Mr Surin has also lobbied with the Thai lawmakers to speed up the ratification, said another source.
PHNOM PENH – A condom lubricant designed for sex workers and gay men has become a popular acne cure among female Cambodians, women in the capital and local media said Thursday.
Number One Plus, a water-based lubricant produced by health organization Population Services International (PSI), is an excellent cure for acne, 29-year-old vendor Tep Kemyoeurn told AFP.
"After I used it for three days, all of my acne dried up and went away," she said. "Many people believe in it," she added.
Khen Vanny, 29, from Phnom Penh, told AFP that women of all ages have taken to using the lubricant to get rid of spots.
"It is very effective. Some people don't believe in it but people who do really get a good result," she said, adding: "My youngest sister and my aunt use it too."
Another woman told Khmer-language Kampuchea Thmey newspaper that she had used many kinds of medicine to treat acne but none had worked.
"After that my friends, who work at garment factories in Phnom Penh, advised me to apply the lubricant from Number One Plus condoms on my face every night," she told the paper.
"And just within three to four nights, the acne on my face gradually and then totally disappeared," she added.
A vendor near a factory in the coastal city of Sihanoukville told the newspaper that she sold packets of Number One Plus lubricant for 500 riels (12 cents) to many women every day.
The paper urged experts to conduct research about the phenomenon.
PSI were not immediately available for comment on the apparent cosmetic benefits of their product.
Mr Miliband said Russia's declaration inflamed an already tense situation
Foreign Secretary David Miliband will visit Ukraine later in an attempt to build the "widest possible coalition against Russian aggression".
The trip comes after Russia's president formally recognised the independence of Georgia's two breakaway regions.
Mr Miliband has branded the move "unjustifiable and unacceptable".
Ukraine's president Victor Yushchenko has described his country as a hostage in a war being waged by Russia against states in the former Soviet bloc.
And he said the brief war between Georgia and Russia had exposed serious weaknesses in the powers of the UN and other international bodies.
'Territorial integrity'
Fighting between Russia and Georgia began on 7 August after the Georgian military tried to retake South Ossetia by force.
Russian forces subsequently launched a counter-attack and the conflict ended with the ejection of Georgian troops from both South Ossetia and Abkhazia - which already had de facto independence - and an EU-brokered ceasefire.
Mr Miliband's visit comes after he urged Russia to "abide by international law" and to withdraw its troops to positions they held before the confrontation.
Our aim is to suffocate aggression
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
Meeting Russia's new 'Number One'
He said Russia's recognition of the breakaway regions "further inflames an already tense situation".
"It takes no account of the views of the hundreds of thousands of Georgians and others who have been forced to abandon their homes in the two territories," he said.
"We fully support Georgia's independence and territorial integrity, which cannot be changed by decree from Moscow."
Moscow's move has been criticised by other world leaders.
France, the current holder of the presidency of the European Union, called for a political solution.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said: "We think it is against the territorial integrity of Georgia and we cannot accept it."
Nato said it was a "direct violation" of UN resolutions, and US President George Bush warned his Russian counterpart that his "irresponsible decision" was exacerbating tensions in the region.
Mr Bush called on Russia to reconsider and "live up to its international commitments".
Cold War
But Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said the West would have to "understand the reason behind" the decision if it wanted to preserve good relations with Russia.
SOUTH OSSETIA & ABKHAZIA
BBC map
South Ossetia
Population: About 70,000 (before recent conflict)
Capital: Tskhinvali
President: Eduard Kokoity
Abkhazia
Population: About 250,000 (2003)
Capital: Sukhumi
President: Sergei Bagapsh
Profile: South Ossetia
Profile: Abkhazia
Q&A: Conflict in Georgia
He said Russia had been obliged to act following the "genocide" started by Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili in South Ossetia in August.
"The most important thing was to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe to save the lives of people for whom we are responsible, because most of them they are Russian citizens," he told the BBC's Bridget Kendall in an exclusive interview in the Russian town of Sochi.
"So we had to take a decision recognising the two states as independent."
He said a new Cold War could not be ruled out, but that his country did not want one.
"There are no winners in a Cold War," he said.
Georgia said Russia was seeking to "change Europe's borders by force".
Most of Russia's forces pulled out of the rest of Georgia last Friday but it maintains a presence both within the two rebel regions and in buffer zones imposed round their boundaries.
Mr Medvedev has blamed Georgia for failing to negotiate a peaceful settlement to the crisis.
BANGKOK, Thailand—Thailand's embattled prime minister announced a Cabinet reshuffle on Saturday, a widely expected move seen as an attempt to fend off growing calls for his resignation.
The reshuffle by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej came as thousands of anti-government protesters continued to demonstrate in Bangkok. Protesters have held relentless rallies since May, accusing Samak's government of attempting to block corruption charges against ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and trying to amend the constitution to cling to power.
The reshuffle involved 11 Cabinet posts, including the key interior, commerce, industry and public health ministries. All were approved Saturday by King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Samak's original Cabinet took office in February, following December elections that were the first since a 2006 military coup ousted Thaksin for alleged corruption and abuse of power. The Cabinet was heavily criticized as full of Thaksin allies who were unqualified, unsuitable or tainted by corruption charges.
Since then, Samak has been forced to defend his administration against critics who contend it has failed to revive the country's sagging economy and was doing the bidding of Thaksin, who returned to the country from self-imposed exile in February.
Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama was forced to resign last month after being accused of jeopardizing the country's claims to land near an ancient Cambodian temple.
"With nonstop protests against the government, Samak had no choice but to replace some of his unpopular ministers," said Sukhum Nuansakul, a political lecturer at Ramkhamhaeng University, who predicted that Samak was buying time before moving to dissolve Parliament and call fresh elections.
The reshuffle is unlikely to win over Samak's critics, since most of the new faces are also considered close allies of Thaksin or unqualified to tackle the country's growing economic problems.
The government reported Friday that inflation had hit a 10-year high of 9.2 percent due to rising food and fuel costs.
"It is very disappointing to see the new Cabinet list," said Abisith Vejjajiva, who heads the opposition Democrat Party. "The new Cabinet cannot give Thais any hope in dealing with the economic situation."
Retired police Gen. Kovit Wattana was named the new interior minister, replacing the unpopular Charlerm Yoobamrung. The opposition accused Charlerm of being behind a July 25 attack in which hooligans used axes and sticks to beat anti-government protesters in northeastern Thailand. More than 20 people were injured, some seriously.
Chaiya Sasomsup, who earlier this month was disqualified as health minister, was chosen to head the Commerce Ministry despite a Constitutional Court ruling that he violated asset disclosure rules by failing to fully declare his wife's shareholdings.
Mingkwan Saengsuwan, who came under fire for his performance as commerce minister, was transferred to run the Industry Ministry.
The government yesterday unveiled its new cabinet line-up, but critics say they doubt it will be able to tackle problems facing the country.
The reshuffle, endorsed by His Majesty the King yesterday, marks the return of Chaiya Sasomsab to the cabinet. Four current ministers changed posts and six new ministers were brought in by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.
Mr Samak still retains his double duty as premier and defence minister, while he added the position of deputy prime minister to the portfolio of Mun Patanotai, who is the information and communication technology minister.
A source said the additional responsibility for Mr Mun was a reward for keeping the Puea Pandin party in the coalition government led by the People Power party (PPP).
Puea Pandin leader Suvit Khunkitti was among five cabinet ministers who were not in the new line-up after announcing his resignation as industry minister last week.
Also gone were Chalerm Yubamrung as interior minister, Lt Ranongrak Suwanchawee as deputy finance minister, Viroon Tejapaibul as deputy commerce minister and Sithichai Kohsurat as deputy interior minister.
The new cabinet ministers will attend an oath-swearing ceremony in front of His Majesty at Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin on Tuesday.
After the King's endorsement, government spokesman Wichienchote Sukchoterat said he was confident the new-look cabinet would be able to tackle any problems. ''The new cabinet ministers should satisfy the public because of their qualifications,'' he said.
Pol Lt-Gen Wichienchote defended Mr Chaiya, saying he had no corruption problems when he quit the top job at the Public Health Ministry.
Mr Chaiya resigned on July 9 after the Constitution Court ruled that he could not be a cabinet member after failing to declare all assets to the National Counter Corruption Commission.
Mr Chaiya said he had the right to return to the cabinet because he was not banned from politics and his comeback was not against the constitution.
But critics were not convinced after seeing the list of the new cabinet team.
Prapas Pintobtang, a political analyst at Chulalongkorn University, called the new cabinet a reflection of the interests of various factions in the PPP, which pose the question whether they will be able to work together as a unit.
The government might not last long, even with the new faces, due to problems it was facing, especially with its bid to amend the constitution, the analyst said. Mr Samak could eventually be forced to dissolve parliament and let voters decide the future of the charter, he added.
''Society should closely watch the projects that will be urgently approved by the government,'' he said.
People's Alliance for Democracy leader Pibhop Dhongchai called the new line-up a reward for people working for ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
He questioned the ability of some ministers such as Mingkwan Sangsuwan to run the Industry Ministry, Kowit Wattana and Mr Chaiya.
Pol Gen Kowit could have problems with his qualifications and Mr Chaiya was criticised as public health minister when he tried to end the compulsory licensing policy.Chief whip of the Democrat party Sathit Wongnongtoey said he was also worried about the new line-up.
The cabinet reshuffle by Mr Samak was not aimed at boosting government efficiency by finding the right man for the right job, he said. The reshuffle was to please PPP factions, he said.
The change was to prolong Mr Samak's time as government leader, he said.
Potential problems were conflicts between the Industry Ministry under the new minister and the Finance Ministry because Mr Mingkwan no longer was in charge of economic policy, the Democrat MP said.
He also suspected the ability of Mr Chaiya to tackle problems affecting consumers because of his lack of expertise.
Public confidence in the government will erode if the new line-up fails to tackle economic problems, he warned.
But Santi Vilassakdanont, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries was optimistic about Mr Mingkwan's ability to lead the Industry Ministry because he had vision and experience working with private firms before entering politics.
Beijing (dpa) - China has unblocked some websites previously inaccessible to journalists at the Olympic Games main media centre after pressure from the International Olympic Committee, but other sites remained blocked.
Journalists at the media centre were able to access sites for human rights advocate Amnesty International, US broadcaster Radio Free Asia, the China-critical Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily, and Human Rights Watch as well as the site of a group advocating Taiwan independence.
But access to other websites were still barred, including those for the human rights group Human Rights in China and organizations advocating the end of Chinese rule in Tibet and western China's Muslim-populated Xinjiang region.
The websites for the outlawed spiritual group Falun Gong were also blocked.
The improved internet access at the media centre came after the International Olympic Committee (IOC), faced with pressure from the media and rights groups, met with Beijing's Olympics organizing committee Thursday.
"We understand some websites today are available," said Emmanuelle Moreau, the IOC's media relations manager. "We see that as very good news and as a positive step forward."
But Moreau said IOC staff have not been able to see how many sites and which sites have been unblocked.
She declined to say whether further meetings would be held.
A spokesman for the Organizing Committee of the Beijing Olympic Games said China would abide by the promises it made during its bid to host the Olympics and facilitate the Chinese and international media's reporting of the Games.
"The reporting by Chinese and international journalists through the internet is unhindered," the spokesman said.
Internet access has become a major issue in the run-up to the August 8-24 Olympics. China had promised unfettered access for the more than 20,000 journalists coming to cover the Games and had come under criticism for backtracking on its promise.
The IOC also came under fire in recent days by human rights groups for caving in to China.
China's organizers on Thursday insisted their hardline measures would remain in force, arguing that banned websites were not accessible because they violated Chinese laws.
Outside the media centre, a variety of websites considered politically sensitive continued to be blocked.
Deputy Prime Minister Suwit Khunkitti pulled his Puea Pandin party and 24 MPs out of the ruling coalition late on Tuesday in protest against what he called the misguided priorities of the government.
"The party will withdraw from the coalition government. We have given the government a chance to make changes," he told a hastily called press conference.
Government spokesmen said the withdrawal would not affect plans to reshuffle the government and submit a new list of ministers for royal approval on Wednesday.
In addition to Mr Suwit, Puea Pandin has two cabinet members of the Samak I administration: Information and Communication Technology Minister Mun Pattanothai and Deputy Finance Minister Ranongrak Suwanchawee.
The Puea Pandin Party leader said he had submitted his party's letter to notify Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej of its decision to pull out of the coalition government at about noon Tuesday.
Chart Thai Party advisory chief Sanan Khachornprasart called Mr Suwit's decision "appalling," and said he would consult ex-premier and party leder Banharn Silpa-acha. Chart Thai and Puea Pandin supposedly had a deal to act as partners on any major decisions, and Maj Gen Sanan indicated he felt Mr Suwit had back-stabbed.
In the short term, the loss of Puea Pandin and its leader should not affect the ability of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to govern. The premier will still have a majority in the Lower House, and there will be no vote of confidence until next year, barring a major political emergency.
But the withdrawal of Mr Suwit, a key cabinet member who also was industry minister, is another mini-crisis added to unending street protests, the loss of three cabinet ministers to malfeasance charges and the decision by the Supreme Court on Monday to prosecutge 42 members of former Thaksin governments on criminal charges, including three sitting cabinet members.
"We are concerned about the charter amendments," said Mr Suwit, apparently staking out an opposition agenda. "We have said that the amendment of the constitution is less important then people's day-to-day problems."
Mr Suwit also cited what he claimed were his party's concerns over the Preah Vihear temple. "The party is not satisfied with the government's decisions on the temple issue," he said - although he did not detail either his objections or what policy he favoured.
Puea Pandin was the third-biggest among the five political parties backing the ruling People Power party headed by Mr Samak. Mr Suwit is a veteran politician and financier.
The party joins the Democrats, until now the only opposition party, on the other side of the parliamentary aisle.
Mr Samak has promised a major cabinet shakeup involving "more than 10 positions:" in coming days. It is widely expected he will bring in non-politicians to help, particularly with the economic posts, including Mr Suwit's industry minister post.
Thailand and Cambodia are to hold talks next week in Cambodia to try to defuse an escalating row over joint claims to land adjoining an ancient Hindu temple on their border, government officials confirmed Friday.
Joint talks between the two countries' foreign ministers are scheduled Monday in Siem Reap, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat confirmed.
It remained to be seen who would head the team for Thailand, which is currently without a foreign minister.
"If there is no foreign minister, then Thailand will send an equivalent representative," Tharit said.
Former Thai foreign minister Noppadon Pattama was forced to resign earlier this month over widespread criticism of his handling of the Preah Vihear temple affair, which has since blossomed into a potential military conflict between the two countries.
Preah Vihear, an 11th-century Hindu temple built on a 525-metre- high cliff on the Dongrak mountain range that defines the Thai-Cambodian border, has been the cause of a border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia for decades.
In 1962, the two countries agreed to settle joint claims to the temple at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Cambodia won, but the court stopped short of defining the border in the area.
Thailand claims that a 4.6-square-kilometre plot of land adjoining the temple is still disputed.
The ancient spat got a fresh start earlier this month when UNESCO agreed to list Preah Vihear as a World Heritage Site. The inscription excluded the 4.6 square kilometres of disputed territory, and Thailand protested the listing.
Noppadon, who first backed the Cambodian proposal and then reversed his position, was forced to resign after failing to block the listing of Preah Vihear.
The spat escalated from a diplomatic row to a potential military conflict last week, when three Thais were detained for entering the disputed temple territory.
Although the threesome were quickly released, troops were called in from both sides to protect their border.
While Cambodia first appealed to the Association of South-East Asian Nations and then the UN Security Council to get involved in the border standoff, both bodies have urged the two countries to settle the matter bilaterally.
A bilateral meeting Monday between Cambodian Defence Minister Teah Banh and General Boonsrang Niempradit, supreme commander of the Thai Army, in Sa Kaeo province, Thailand, 270 kilometres east of Bangkok, failed to find a quick fix to the joint claims on the temple's surrounding area.
The temple sits on the border between Si Sa Khet and Phrea Vihear provinces in Thailand and Cambodia, respectively, and is about 400 kilometres north-east of Bangkok.
The border spat has come at a sensitive time politically for both Cambodia and Thailand. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen faces a parliamentary election Sunday, and Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is under mounting pressure to resign, in part over his government's alleged mishandling of the Preah Vihear affair.
Border talks end in deadlock
Cambodia, Thailand to meet again in August
Supreme Commander Gen Boonsrang Niempradit, right, and Cambodian Defence Minister Gen Tea Banh, left, take questions from reporters at a joint press conference held in Sa Kaeo’s Aranyaprathet district after the two countries failed yesterday to find ways to end the Preah Vihear row. CHANAT KATANYUSA KAEO: Talks between Thailand and Cambodia went nowhere yesterday after both countries refused to back down from claiming sovereignty over the disputed area near the Preah Vihear temple.
But Supreme Commander Gen Boonsrang Niempradit and Cambodian Defence Minister Gen Tea Banh promised not to take any further military action that might heighten tension on the border between Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket province and the Cambodian province of Preah Vihear, where the 900-year-old temple is located.
‘‘The two sides affirmed there will be neither a withdrawal nor reinforcement of their troops,’’ Gen Boonsrang said.
After eight hours of intense talks at a hotel in the border district of Aranyaprathet in Sa Kaeo province involving the two generals and selected officials, the two countries called it quits and agreed to adjourn the General Border Committee ( GBC) meeting to next month.
A government source said a new schedule has been tentatively set for Aug 18-20 in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Gen Boonsrang, who is the GBC deputy chairman for Thailand, admitted the main obstacle was their ‘‘different legal documents’’.
He said Thailand and Cambodia insisted on using different agreements as a basis for the talks on the disputed border area.
Gen Boonsrang did not elaborate but was apparently referring to ways to resolve the 4.6-square-kilometre area of disputed territory.
‘‘The meeting yesterday was not easy,’’ he said.
Thailand insists on using the watershed mark as the border between the two countries.
Cambodia maintains the demarcation of the area has to be based on a map drawn in 1908.
Gen Tea Banh, who is also a deputy prime minister and chairman of the GBC for Cambodia, did not consider the talks a failure and said there was a need to ease the border tension.
‘‘We realise we have to reduce the [unfriendly] atmosphere, tension and [military] stand-off,’’ Gen Tea Banh said.
Thailand and Cambodia each have about 500 soldiers deployed in the overlapping area. Thailand has 2,400 troops and Cambodia has about 2,000 troops in the area as a back-up.
deadlock – a situation in which neither person or group involved in a disagreement is willing to change their opinions or position ความล้มเหลวในการแก้ไขความขัดแย้ง
joint – (of two groups or people) done together ร่วมกัน
sovereignty – the right to control or rule over อำนาจอธิปไตย
affirmed – stated that something is true ยืนยัน
withdrawal – the removal of an army from an area of fighting ถอนกำลังทหาร
reinforcement – extra soldiers who go to help an existing group of soldiers ทหารกองหนุน
intense – involving or done with a lot of effort, energy, attention, etc. อย่างเข้มข้น
adjourn – to temporarily end something, such as a meeting บอกเลื่อน เลื่อนออกไป
tentatively – not yet definite or certain คร่าวๆ โดยประมาณ
elaborate – to give more details or information about something ขยายความ
resolve – to solve a problem แก้ปัญหา
watershed – a high piece of land that divides the flow of water in an area ลุ่มน้ำ
demarcation – the establishing of a border การแบ่งเขต การกำหนดขอบเขต
ease – to make a problem, bad situation, or pain less severe บรรเทา เบาบาง
stand-off – a disagreement or fight in which neither side can do anything to achieve what they want ความโต้แย้ง / ขัดแย้งที่เจอทางตัน
deployed – put in place and ready to be used เคลื่อนกำลังพลพร้อมอาวุธไปอยู่ในตำแหน่งที่พร้อมจะต่อสู้ (ทางทหาร)
overlapping area – an area claimed by two different countries พื้นที่คาบเกี่ยว
KING-OUA LAOHONG
Three Muslim men claiming to be leaders of separatist insurgent groups in the far South announce a ceasefire in a video made in Germany and screened on Channel 5.Army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda has refused to give credence to the surprise ceasefire announcement by three Muslim men claiming to control 11 insurgent groups operating in the restive southern border provinces.
Gen Anupong said yesterday the group had talked to Gen Chettha Thanajaro, the leader of coalition party Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana, rather than going to the proper state authorities.
He refused to accept that the men had the power to control southern insurgency groups.
In a pre-recorded video broadcast by army-run Channel 5 television station yesterday at noon, three unnamed Muslim men claiming to have 11 insurgent groups in their charge said they had stopped attacks in the three southernmost provinces.
Speaking through a translator (right in picture), one of the men (left) said they had ceased their violence without condition from last Monday at noon and would support the peace process.
They called their group Thailand United Southern Underground (TUSU).
Channel 5 broadcast the announcement at the request of Gen Chettha, who is a former army chief.
The clip was also broadcast via satellite to 150 countries worldwide.
Gen Anupong said the announcement took the army and Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej by surprise.
His staff only managed to identify the leader of the men in the video clip as Madipeng Khan, who led an active insurgent group in the three southernmost provinces from 1984 to 1987, Gen Anupong said.
The man had tried to make himself the leader of other insurgent groups in the region, but failed to win their respect and cooperation, he said.
Army spokesman Col Akara Thiprote said Gen Chettha had not told the Fourth Army, which is in charge of southern security, of his negotiations with the Muslim groups.
Col Akara said Fourth Army chief Lt-Gen Wirot Buacharoon regarded the ceasefire announcement as the work of a civic group led by Gen Chettha.
sceptical – having doubts about something that other people think is true or right ที่น่าสงสัย
forswear – to agree to give up something or to stop doing something สาบานว่าจะไม่ทำ
insurgent - of a group of people fighting to take control of their country by force การจราจล การก่อจราจล
give credence – to believe that something is true ให้การยอมรับ
restive – not willing to be patient and becoming increasingly difficult to control หัวแข็ง ดื้อรั้น
coalition party – a political party that has joined with one or more other parties to form a government พรรคร่วมรัฐบาล
in their charge – under their control ภายใต้การควบคุม
via – through ผ่าน โดยวิธี
civic group – a group of private citizens, i.e., a non-government group กลุ่มพลเรือน
Thitinan Pongsudhirak is Director of the Institute of Security and International Studies, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University.
Just when it appeared as if the government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej was down and out, it has retaken the offensive and thereby upped the ante in Thailand's winner-takes-all political drama.
Key rulings from the judiciary last week dimmed the government's longevity. The recent spate of crucial rulings began with the Constitution Court 's 8:1 landmark verdict against the Samak cabinet's resolution to endorse the joint communique supporting Cambodia's unilateral registration of Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage Site.
The overwhelming ruling indicated that the joint communique between Thailand and Cambodia was under the jurisdiction of Article 190 of the Constitution, which required parliamentary approval.
It was tantamount to a conviction against the government for having violated the charter. Many saw the government's "unconstitutional" enactment as sufficient grounds for resignation to show responsibility.
Another ruling on the same day was anticipated. The Election Commission's earlier "red card" against Yongyuth Tiyapairat, an executive of the ruling People Power party, for election fraud in the Dec 23 elections was upheld by the Supreme Court's division for crimes involving political office holders.
This decision puts in motion the party dissolution case against the PPP through the Office of the Attorney-General to the Constitution Court, a process of six months or less.
The spectre of PPP's disbandment, much like the destruction of its forerunner Thai Rak Thai party, will thus grow in likelihood in the weeks ahead.
Another ruling the next day against a cabinet minister for failing to fully disclose his wife's assets rocked government stability further.
By Friday, when former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama was compelled to tender his resignation, it looked as if the Samak government was collapsing amidst the court rulings, the anti-government street protests by the People's Alliance for Democracy, and rising cost of living and worsening macroeconomic conditions.
Even a major cabinet reshuffle appeared too little, too late.
But then Mr Samak and his PPP lieutenants decided to go for broke, budging not an inch but instead turning the crisis into opportunity.
When he came out of his corner in his weekly Sunday talk show, Mr Samak threw a combination of punches to confront the government's coalition of opponents. He had something for everyone who has undermined the government and is intent on its downfall.
After making an earlier tactical retreat on constitutional amendments, the prime minister has reiterated the government's intention to restart the amendments process as soon as parliament reconvenes.
He openly criticised the judiciary, accused it of overstepping its boundaries over the executive and legislative branches, and threatened to set new parameters around the role of the judges through constitutional amendments.
Mr Samak further challenged the courts by exposing a potential "red card" for a Democrat party executive and MP in Ubon Ratchathani province.
If the EC fails to confirm its provincial branch's "red card" finding, or if the Constitution Court rules in favour of the Democrat executive in question, charges of discrimination and conspiracy will fly from PPP headquarters.
By last Tuesday, when the cabinet held its weekly meeting, the government's offensive was in full bloom. A new, six-month relief package of tax cuts and utilities and fuel subsidies to the tune of 47 billion baht was announced to offset higher living costs, with the emphasis on low-income earners.
Having been distracted and obstructed by its opponents in recent weeks, the PPP-led government has returned to its populist roots. The majority of the electorate is the PPP's greatest asset.
Mr Samak and the ruling party are now poised to fight its upcoming battles with its support bases firmly in tow.
The conspicuous return to its tried and tested populist agenda is a win-win outcome. Even if the government is aborted and new elections are due, relief measures for the poor and downtrodden will translate into votes.
Yet the Samak government is still deep in the woods despite its defiant posture, economic stimulus to its supporters, and challenges to its opponents.
A long list of court rulings is in the offing, including charges against Mr Samak himself and a number of his cabinet members.
The forthcoming cabinet reshuffle can buy him time if he brings in respected outsiders to shore up macroeconomic management. If they are prominent enough, these outsiders will make difficult targets for the PAD and other anti-government groups.
Mr Samak also has to remove or relocate cabinet liabilities such as Interior Minister Chalerm Yubamrung.
A complete revamp of the cabinet may enable the Samak government to hobble along for a few months until the PPP dissolution verdict arrives.
Political temperatures will rise inexorably, and Thailand will become increasingly ungovernable, in the interim.
Many hold out the hope that the judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court, Constitution Court and Administrative Court, can resolve the political crisis through its rulings. Such may be the case if the decisions are seen as fair across the board and can set political direction.
The danger, however, is that the crisis will persist and transcend beyond the judicial decisions, politicising and compromising the courts.
The cost of dragging the judiciary into Thai politics would then not be worth it.
By Boonsong Kositchotethana
Families of the victims of the One-Two-Go airlines crash in Phuket last September are preparing to file more than 70 lawsuits in the US courts, demanding compensation of $US400 million - 13.2 billion baht.
The lawsuits name Bangkok-based Orient Thai Airlines and its budget carrier One-Two-Go Airlines as twin defendants.
The families have also asked Thai authorities to file criminal charges against Udom Tantiprasongchai, the chief executive and founder of the two carriers.
Ribbeck Law Chartered, a Chicagobased law firm specialising in aviation disasters worldwide, has been authorised by the families of victims and survivors to represent them in claiming compensation for damage caused, from the airlines, the Boeing Company and liable parties.
One-Two-Go's MD-82 jetliner crashed on Sept 16, 2007, in strong winds and heavy rain after attempting to land at Phuket international airport, leaving 89 people dead and 41 others injured.
The plane was manufactured by McDonnell Douglas Corporation, which was taken over by Boeing in 1997.
The budget carrier is facing a string of multi-million-dollar lawsuits brought by the families of victims and survivors in several locations including California, Texas and England.
In Thailand, Ribbeck is helping families who are filing complaints with insurance regulators in London to suspend the licence of One-Two-Go's insurance carrier to underwrite future coverage for airlines.
The basis for the complaint against the insurer was its bad-faith denial of payment of medical bills and compensation, such as burial expenses, to the victims' families, said Manuel von Ribbeck, the founder of the law firm.
In addition, the victims' families are in the process of filing a formal petition with the Thai government and the governments of 29 other countries to revoke the business licences of airlines that have insurance coverage from the same carrier that covered One-Two-Go.
One-Two-Go and its insurance carrier are being represented by Clyde & Co LLP and Beaumont & Son Aviation out of Singapore, said a family member of one of the victims.
"We are being treated as less than human beings by the representatives of the insurance carrier," Mr von Ribbeck quoted a family member as saying.
Now in Bangkok to deal with the case, Mr von Ribbeck complained that Thai authorities were taking too long to release a report of their investigation.
He said multiple lawsuits would be filed against all of the potential defendants in the US, adding he was speaking to Thai authorities about criminal prosecution in Thailand.
He said he was confident of winning the cases on behalf of his clients.
A preliminary investigation into the crash initially found pilot error as the cause of the tragedy.
Wuthichai Singhamanee, the deputy director-general of the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), said yesterday that Thai authorities would conclude their formal investigation of the crash in the next month.
He said the DCA only last week received reports on the examination of parts of the doomed aircraft by the US National Transportation Safety Board.
Mr Wuthichai said One-Two-Go would be subject to the most severe penalties if found guilty.
"We want to tell the whole world that we are not compromising just because the operator is a Thai firm, as some have claimed," he said.
Mr Udom declined to comment in detail and said he would rather let the legal process take its course.
"What [the plaintiffs' law firm] is telling the Thai media is a way to stimulate business for itself as its interest is to make more money for itself," he told the Bangkok Post.
One-Two-Go, he said, was not dealing directly with the cases but was working with the law firms representing the insurance companies.
The families of Thai victims and survivors have accepted initial compensation of $150,000 each.
Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama resigned to show his spirit on Thursday - but said defiantly that events will show that he and the ministry staff handled the Preah Vihear temple issue perfectly.
"Time will prove that I and the Foreign Ministry have done what is right. I am not a nation-seller. I am as patriotic as all Thai people. I have not caused damage to the country," he said.
Earlier, the Democrats began a process to impeach Mr Noppadon in parliament. It was not clear if that effort would be dropped in light of the resignation.
Out on the street, core leader Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang of the People's Alliance for Democracy demanded the entire government resign. The minister may have quit to take responsibility but the whole cabinet was to blame, he said.
Mr Noppadon quit just hours after he returned from Canada, where he attended the meeting of Unesco which approved Cambodia's application to declare Preah Vihear temple a World Heritage Site. While he was absent, on Tuesday, the Constitution Court ruled that he had violated the constitution by signing a joint communique backing the Cambodian government without first submitting the document to parliament for approval.
"Although I didn't do anything wrong, I would like to show my spirit and take responsibility by stepping down from foreign minister post," he said at a press conference held at mid-afternoon on Thursday, and broadcast nationwide on Army TV Channel 5.
The resignation takes effect on Monday.
He was not humbled by events. He insisted he did done the right thing by supporting the Cambodian application. He respected the Constitution Court's verdict but felt the entire issue was debatable.
He insisted he did not cause Thailand to lose sovereignty over the disputed area around the temple: "I did not sell the country and did not cause any damage to it."
The only thing he was truly sorry for, he said, was that the issue had been used to instigate conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, and to wrongfully arouse nationalistic sentiments in the country.
He also got in criticism of his more radical opponents, saying they had even harassed his sister at her home in Nakhon Ratchasima.
"I am resigning to show my spirit," he said, "so that the government can concentrate on solving people’s problems."
He had indirect support from Army commander Anupong Paojinda, who said that he felt the only way to face any problems with Cambodia over the temple issue was through peaceful negotiatons.
He rejected calls by nationalists to oust Cambodian vendors in the disputed area around the actual temple, on the grounds that it is Thai territory. He said the area is in dispute, and legal and international relations mechanisms should be used. There are better ways to deal with the problem than simply to use armed force against the Cambodians.
In parliament on Thursday morning, opposition whip Sathit Wongnongtoey began formal impeachment proceedings against Mr Noppadol by handing a letter to Senate Speaker Prasobsuk Boondech.
Mr Sathit said Mr Noppadon had violated the constitution, and "shoulc have used his common sense in considering how much his own actions affected society," he said.
That was before Mr Noppadon resigned, and it was not known if the Democrats will continue to press the issue. Probably they will; Mr Sathit said he plans to seek the removal of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej for the same violation of Article 190 of the constitution.
At the Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge, Day 47 of the PAD demonstration was under way, and Maj-Gen Chamlong seemed happy.
The rally will continue indefinitely, he said. He called Mr Noppadon's resignation just one of 17 political victories by the protesters, and he said they will not stop before the government is brought down.
ตอนนี้เราต้องตั้งสติให้ดีครับ แล้วคิดวิธีรับมือกับปัญหาที่ละขั้นตอนครับ และคิดวิธีการที่มีความเป็นไปได้ ปฏิบัติได้ เพราะเรื่องบางเรื่อง แม้เราอยากให้เป็น อยากทำอย่างโน้นอย่างนี้ แต่ในทางเป็นจริงมันทำไม่ได้ ตอนนี้สถานการณ์มันไม่สุกงอม การพยายามที่จะปลิดผลไม้ใดๆ ออกจากขั้วที่ยังไม่แก่พอ มีแต่แต่จะเกิดผลเสีย
ผมว่าตอนนี้ คนไทยแบ่งออกเป็นสองฝ่ายชัดเจน คือ "คนในชุมชนหมู่บ้าน" และ "คนในชุมชนเมือง" ทั้งสองกลุ่มนี้มีกรอบวิธีคิดทางการเมืองที่แตกต่างกัน คนในชุมชนเมืองคือ "คนชั้นกลางเป็นส่วนใหญ่" แต่มีกลุ่มคนจนในชุมชุนเมืองที่เป็นคนชั้นล่าง ส่วน "คนในชุมชนหมู่บ้าน" คือ ชาวรากหญ้าทั้งหมด มีคนชั้นกลางเล็กน้อย เช่นพวกครู หรือข้าราชการที่ไปทำงานในระดับหมู่บ้าน
ประเทศไทยแบ่งออกเป็นแบบนี้ กระแสแนวคิดและความเข้าใจต่างๆ ตอนนี้ "มาจากชุมชนเมือง" เท่านั้น
หาก แบ่งตามฐานเลือกตั้ง "คนในชุมชนหมู่บ้าน" ยกเว้นภาคใต้ แล้ว เลือก พปช. แทบทั้งหมด มีบางเขตเท่านั้นที่เลือกตัวบุคคล พรรคอื่นๆ เช่นชาติไทย เป็นต้น
ส่วนในชุมชนเมืองอาจเลือก ปชป. เช่นใน กทม. แต่ คนพวกนี้ก็ไม่ได้เลือก ปชป. ทั้งหมด พวกเป็นกลางที่เรากำลังพูดกันคือ "คนในชุมชนเมือง" ที่ยังไม่เลือกข้าง ซึ่งหลายฝ่ายพยายามแย่งมาเป็นพวก แต่ผมไม่คิดว่าตรงนี้จะสำคัญนัก เพราะคนชุมชนเมือง มีประชากรเพียง 30% ของประเทศเท่านั้น และมีเฉพาะ กทม. เท่านั้น ที่เป็นเขตชุมชุนเมืองทั้งหมด มี สส.ได้ 37 คน แต่ที่เหลือคนชุมชนเมืองเวลาเลือกตั้ง เขตเลือกตั้งจะไปทับซ้อนกับคนชนบท คนในสังคมหมู่บ้าน ทำให้พลังของชุมชนเมืองไม่มากนัก จะมีก็แต่ เชียงใหม่เท่านั้นที่เขตเทศบาล อาจมี สส.ได้ 1 คน ดังนั้น ผลกระทบต่อการเลือกตั้งของ “คนในชุมชนเมือง” มีไม่มากนัก แต่คนเหล่านี้เสียงดังผ่านสื่อเท่านั้นเอง
มวลชนส่วนใหญ่ของประเทศยังอยู่กับ พปช. การแย่งชิงมวลชน ทำได้แค่ในกลุ่มคนชั้นกลางเท่านั้น ในชนบท ฝ่ายอำมาตยาธิปไตย เจาะเข้าไปไม่ได้ ตอนนี้ พปช./ทรท. คุมเสียงแทบทั้งหมดแล้ว
ดังนั้น ไม่ว่ายุบสภา ยุบพรรค เราก็ยังไม่อับจนสิ้นหนทาง เพราะคนส่วนใหญ่ ไม่ได้โดนยุบไปด้วย ฐานเสียงเรายังอยู่ แม้ "ผู้แทนของคนรากหญ้า" จะโดนสังหารทิ้งทางการเมืองไป แต่ คนรากหญ้า เข้าก็ส่ง "ผู้แทนชุดใหม่" มาสู้ได้อีก
การเมืองมันไม่ได้เป็นเรื่องของคนชั้นนำอีกต่อไป แต่มันคือการต่อสู้ของพลังระหว่าง “ชุมชนเมือง” กับ “ชุมชนหมู่บ้าน” การทำลายล้าง "ผู้แทนของประชาชนทั้งสองกลุ่มนี้ไม่มีผลอะไร เพราะเขาก็จะส่งผู้แทนชุดใหม่เข้ามาสู่สภาอีก
ภาพที่เราเห็นชัดเจนมานานคือ การเมืองในต่างประเทศ เช่นการเมืองของสหรัฐอเมริกา ผู้เลือกตั้งหรือประชาชนได้แบ่งออกเป็นสองขั้วอย่างชัดเจน คือ พวก Democrat กับพวก Republican ประชาชนทั้งสองกลุ่มนี้จะหนุนพรรคการเมืองของตน ผู้แทนของทั้งสองพรรคนี้ ก็เหมือนตัวแทนของคนทั้งสองกลุ่มนั้น ดังนั้น แม้ว่าจะมีผู้มีอำนาจบารมีเพียงใด สังหารผู้แทนของ ประชาชนที่นิยม Democrat หรือ Republican ทิ้งหมด ก็ไม่มีผลต่อการเปลี่ยนแปลงทางการเมืองมากนัก เพราะพวก Democrat หรือ พวก Republican ยังอยู่กันเต็มประเทศ พวกเขาก็จะส่งผู้แทนชุดใหม่ ที่ยังมีแนวคิดและนโยบายทางการเมืองเหมือนเดิมมาอีก การสังหาร หรือการตัดสิทธิ์ผู้แทนไม่ให้เล่นการเมือง จึงไม่มีทางกำจัดความขัดแย้ง การแตกแยกความคิดทาการเมืองได้
จงแปรความโกรธ ความเศร้า และความท้อแท้ให้เป็นพลังครับ
สังคม เรากำลังเปลี่ยนแปลง ถึงอย่างไร พวกเขาก็ไม่อาจดึงให้คนส่วนใหญ่ของประเทศย้อนกับไปเหมือนเดิมได้ เหมือนลูกหลานที่โตแล้ว "ปู่ย่า" ทั้งหลาย ก็ต้องทำใจ ให้ลูกหลานเติบโตต่อไป จะดึงให้พวกเขาเป็นเด็กต่อไปไม่ได้แน่นอน
ขอเอาคำพูดหลวงวิจิตรวาทการ มาปลุกใจนะครับ
"ชีวิตคือการต่อสู้ ศัตรูคือยากำลัง อุปสรรคคือความสำเร็จอันดีงาม
ชีวิตที่ไม่เคยประสพการต่อสู้ ย่อมเป็นชีวิตที่อ่อนแอ
คนที่ไม่เคยมีศัตรู ย่อมจะเป็นผู้เข็มแข็งไปไม่ได้
งานใดที่สำเร็จราบรื่นไปโดยไม่มีอุปสรรค ย่อมเป็นงานที่ไม่หนักแน่นและถาวร"
ประชาธิปไตย ที่ไม่ได้มาจากการต่อสู้ของประชาชน ย่อมเป็นประชาธิปไตยที่ไม่เข็มแข็ง ประชาชนย่อมไม่ห่วงแหนมัน เพราะมันได้มาโดยง่าย ประชาธิปไตยที่ต้องต่อสู้เพื่อให้ได้มาอย่างยากแค้น เลือดตาแทบกระเด็น ย่อมเป็นประชาธิปไตยที่เข็มแข็ง ยั่งยืนและถาวร
นี่เป็นอุปสรรคเล็กๆ น้อย ๆ เท่านั้นครับ
สิ่งที่เราต้องการอยากให้เกิดขึ้น กับสิ่งที่เป็นไปได้มันไม่เหมือนกันครับ การเสนอสิ่งที่เป็นไปไม่ได้ มันไม่ได้เกิดประโยชน์อันใดนะครับ นอกจากปลอบใจเราเองเท่านั้น
จงอย่าคิดในสิ่งที่เป็นไปไม่ได้ จงสู้คิดในสิ่งที่ทำได้ดีกว่าเราอาจโกรธ โมโห แต่การกระทำจริงๆ มันต้องทำในสิ่งที่ทำได้
การจะทำรัฐประหารตัวเองได้ มันต้องกุมอำนาจทุกอย่างไว้แบบทหารพม่าครับ
ยิ่งช้ความรุนแรง พวกเราก็ยิ่งขาดความชอบธรรมครับ และสุดท้ายก็แพ้เขาอยู่ดี
ตอนนี้สิ่งที่ประชาชนจะทำได้ดีที่สุดคือ การไปกาเบอร์ลงคะแนนให้พรรคพลังประชาชน ในชื่อใหม่ นี่คือหนทางที่เป็นไปได้มากที่สุดครับ และผมเชื่อว่ามันจะออกแบบนี้ครับ เพราะสิ่งที่คาดว่าจะเกิด เมื่อมีการยุบพรรคคือ ตั้งพรรคใหม่ แล้วหานายกฯ ที่เหมาะสม ซึ่งก็ไม่ยากครับ เพราะ สส. พปช. ที่เป็น กรรมการบริหารพรรคมีประมาณ 10 คนเท่านั้นครับ ซึ่งจะต้องสิ้นสภาพ ก็หาคนที่เราคิดว่าจะเอาเป็นนายกฯ มาลงเลือกตั้งแทนคนเหล่านี้ (เช่น นายอุกฤษ์ มงคลนาวิน) เป็นต้น
ทุกคนที่เหลือก็ย้ายไปพรรคใหม่ พรรคชาติไทยซวยหน่อยเพราะ สส.เป็นกรรมการบริหาร ถึง 15 คน ก็ต้องเลือกตั้งซ่อมส่วนนี้ ที่เหลืออาจมาเข้าพรรคใหม่ของ พปช. หรือบางส่วนอาจไป ปชป. แต่คนที่อยู่ในเขตภาคกลางหรือภาคอีสาน หากย้ายไปสังกัดพรรค ปชป. ก็เกิดยากอย่างแน่นอน เมื่อนายบรรหารกับครอบครัว และคนดังในชาติไทย โดนห้ามเล่นการเมืองทั้งหมด ผมเชื่อว่า 15 ตำแหน่ง ของชาติไทยที่เลือกใหม่ พรรคพลังประชาชนในชื่อใหม่ จะกวาดไปได้หมด
เชื่อผมเถอะว่าพรรค พปช. ชื่อใหม่ แม้ไม่ยุบสภาก็ใหญ่กว่าเดิมครับ เพราะจะรวม สส.พรรค มัชฌิมา และชาติไทยมาด้วย และพรรคเพื่อแผ่นดินที่อยู่ในคิวจะต้องโดนยุบต่อไป ก็จะย้ายมาสังกัดพรรคพลังประชาชนชื่อใหม่เกือบทั้งหมด
" ความเสี่ยงคือ" พวกอำมาตย์ อาจมาซื้อ สส.พรรคพลังประชาชนในช่วงที่กำลังหาพรรคใหม่สังกัด ไปอยู่กับพรรคประชาธิปัตย์ หรือพรรคที่เขาตั้งขึ้นรองรับ แล้วไปจับมือกับ ปชป. ตั้งรัฐบาล แต่ต้องซื้อไปได้ไปไม่ต่ำกว่า 50 คนนะครับ ปชป. จึงจะมีโอกาสตั้งรัฐบาลได้
แต่ สส.ที่ทรยศแบบนี้ จะโดนประชาชนสังหารทิ้งในการเลือกตั้งครั้งต่อไปแน่ครับ แต่หากเห็นสัญญาณไม่ดี เราก็ยุบสภาก็ได้ครับ
หากพวกอำมาตย์ คิดว่าจะทำรัฐประหารแล้วนำเอาระบบ 70/30 มาใช้ ก็เท่ากับ "ร่นเวลาล่มสลายของศักดินาอำมาตยาธิปไตย" ให้เร็วยิ่งขึ้นครับ เพราะคนไทยมีประสบการณ์ กับการต่อต้านระบอบประชาธิปไตยครึ่งใบมานานแล้ว ตั้งแต่ยุค พล.อ.เปรม เป็นนายกฯ แล้ว และสุดท้ายก็เกิด รธน.ปี 2540 หากพวกเขาทำอย่างนั้น ก็ต้องทำรัฐประหารก่อน เพื่อเอา รธน. ฉบับใหม่มาใช้ การทำรัฐประหาร หากทำได้พวกเขาทำไปแล้วครับ แต่พวกเขากลัวการต่อต้านจากประชาชน และกลัวการ คว่ำบาตรทางเศรษฐกิจจากนานาชาติ พวกเขาจึงไม่กล้าทำ
หากไม่ทำรัฐประหาร ก็ต้องแก้ไข รธน. ปี 50 ตามระบบปกติ ซึ่งมันมีความเป็นไปไม่ได้เลยครับ
หากพวกเขาทำรัฐประหาร ก็ยิ่งโดนต่อต้านสูง เชื่อผมเถอะว่า เขาใช้อาวุธสุดท้ายคือ ตุลาการวิวัฒน์ จุดมุ่งหมายคือ "ไม่ต้องการให้ประชาชนเลือกพรรคนิยมทักษิณอีก"
แต่ พวกเขาทำไม่ได้หรอกครับเชื่อเถอะ เพราะพวกเขาวิเคราะห์สังคมไม่แตก วิเคราะห์ไม่กระจ่าง จึงทำผิดพลาดมาตั้งแต่ 19 กันยายน 2549 แล้ว
