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The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Analysis: Tyranny of a Minority In other civilised countries, provocation and occupation of the seat of government would bring swift enforcement of the law. The PAD's revolting rampage has been met with tame official responses. By Thitinan Pongsudhirak The writer is Director of the Institute of Security and International Studies, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University. ______________________________ Over the past three years, Thai politics has degenerated from the tyranny of a majority under former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to that of a minority led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD). Prior to the military coup in September 2006, Mr Thaksin exploited his Thai Rak Thai party's electoral successes to abuse power and monopolise political outcomes, reaping rents and rewards for businesses of his family and associates and lining pockets of his cronies. But now his erstwhile opponents have abused their unelected power from a different direction, holding the entire country hostage to their demands and revealing their distrust and disdain for the majority of the electorate. The ongoing political crisis took a turn for the worst on August 26 when PAD demonstrators moved from their regular street protests to arbitrarily take over a state TV station, several ministries and Government House. They resorted to physical force by breaching and tearing down the fences and walls of these state agencies, and have since encamped at Government House. These unlawful efforts were an unprecedented provocation. In other civilised countries, such a provocation and occupation of the seat of government would have been met with a swift and complete enforcement of the law to regain the state properties. Instead, the PAD's revolting rampage has been met with tamed official responses. Even at Makkhawan Bridge in an old and historic area of Bangkok where altercations between the authorities and protesters ensued following a police attempt to dismantle the three-months-old protest site, injuries were limited. More protesters were injured when they marched and confronted police at the gates of the Metropolitan Police Bureau. Stationed inside the gates with the PAD crowds massing outside, the police reportedly deployed several tear gas canisters. The adverse public reactions to the authorities over these scuffles are understandable. State-perpetrated violence against the people is deeply etched in the Thai psyche, imprinted by the military's gruesome suppression of university students in October 1976 and middle-class demonstrators in May 1992. Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's role in the October 1976 suppression also constrains him from being seen as trigger-happy. As a result, Mr Samak has allowed the PAD to rule the streets and illegally occupy Government House. In addition, as the PAD bullies its way in a unilateral and anti-democratic effort to bring closure on the Samak government, its many sceptics and critics are cowed into silence. Dissent against the PAD brings personal attacks and character assassinations. Yet this is the time for those myriad Thais - the silent majority - who never liked Mr Thaksin then and despise Mr Samak now - to come out and condemn the PAD's blatant hijacking of Thailand's democratic system. They lack the PAD's voice, vehicle and organisation, but they must find a way to speak out. The white ribbon campaign, initiated by Thammasat University law professors, should be revived for those who are no fans of Mr Samak and his government but who oppose the PAD's methods and intentions. Other campaigns to give voice to the columns of people sandwiched between the PAD and the Samak government should also be considered and tried. As fledging and fragile as it is, Thailand's democratic system is still in operation. It staged a general election just eight months ago. The voices of people who spoke at the polling booths then should still be respected. Moreover, these voices are now reinforced by a restoration of institutional checks and balances after the coup. Even the PAD leaders have not doubted the current integrity of the independent agencies such as the Election Commission, National Counter Corruption Commission and Constitution Court. Nor has anyone disputed the rulings of the Supreme Court and Criminal Court, which have taken Mr Thaksin to task and issued a conviction and three-year jail sentence on his wife. Mr Thaksin and his wife even had to flee from the law by their exile in England. This judicial process and its several critical verdicts to come on Mr Samak's conflicts of interest and the ruling People Power party's dissolution, among other cases involving government officials, should be respected and allowed to run their course. But the PAD knows that in the end the majority of the electorate is likely to opt for a party with Thai Rak Thai and PPP's winning policy platform. As a result, it has nakedly revealed its hand. The PAD wants to bring Thai politics back to a bygone era of appointed representatives, of keeping Mr Thaksin, Mr Samak, Thai Rak Thai and PPP out of power for good through its own seizure of power. The forces in cahoots with the PAD are now conspicuous. The Democrat party, which has lost the elections time and again and is still unable and unwilling to focus on appealing policies, has never categorically rejected the PAD methods and objectives. Leading Democrats have visited the PAD at Government House, and a Democrat MP has been a PAD organiser from the outset. Democrat party canvassers and their networks are reportedly involved in the closure of Phuket and Krabi airports. If this is untrue, it is imperative on the Democrats' leadership to categorically deny their members' handiwork in the unrest in the southern provinces, their electoral stronghold. Mr Samak now faces dire choices. The PAD leaders have staked their movement exclusively on Mr Samak's resignation. Caught between a rock and a hard place, Mr Samak cannot crack down on the illegal occupants of Government House for fear of what is perceived as his past sins and the potential for a broad-based confrontation and violence. But allowing the PAD's rampage to settle in makes the prime minister look lame duck and ineffectual. The bicameral legislative meeting yesterday was a good way forward but unlikely to resolve the crisis. As Mr Samak's position becomes more untenable, his resignation and the PAD's blackmailed success would be an event of infamy in Thai political annals, a huge setback for Thai democracy. Even those who abhor Mr Samak but who want to see Thailand's longer-term political maturation would have to root for him to weather this round of PAD-instigated maelstrom.

There are now reports of a bombing incident in Bangkok. Apparently the bomb was quite small and no one was hurt. The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Explosion at Guardhouse after Parliament Meeting (BangkokPost.com) - An explosion occurred at the police guardhouse in Bangkok's Padung Krung Kasem near Pracha Kasem Bridge, opposite of the Teachers Council of Thailand, at around 1am Monday. The incident took place after the special joint session of parliament, aimed at resolving the ongoing political turmoil, ended at 12.45am Monday. The blast shattered glasses of the police guardhouse and nearby buildings, including a private school. The police investigated the site to determine whether the explosion was triggered by ill-intentioned people or caused by the air-condition compressor. According to People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) coordinator Suriyasai Katasila, the group did not trigger the explosion at Padung Krung Kasem. He said other parties could be behind such act and wanted to blame the PAD. The anti-government group will continue to lay siege to the Government House, he added.

The news we're all waking up to on the morning of Monday, September 1 is an escalation of problems and threats - from both sides. The Thai government is threatening to do something similar to what Ronald Reagan did in response to the Air Traffic Controller strike; fire the railroad workers on 'sick out' strike. For those of you who are wondering if all of this is having an effect on life in Pattaya, the answer is no, at least so far. Again, everything in Pattaya is perfectly normal and the only way you would know any of this is going on is by watching and reading the news. In Bangkok, as far as I know, none of this is occurring in the gay areas or major shopping areas. I would have thought all this turmoil would have a dramatic effect on the exchange rate, but so far the baht has remained relatively stable for the past week. Just for the record here are the opening exchange rates for Monday, September 1: US Dollar: 34.06 Euro: 49.81 British Pound: 61.445 Australian Dollar: 28.99 Canadian Dollar: 31.89 ____________________ The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Transportation, Utilities Threaten Strikes Supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy threatened on Sunday to stage strikes that threaten electricity and water supplies in Bangkok, and to close more airports in the South. In Bangkok, the union spokesmen of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand and the Metropolitan Water Works Authority said workers would take a one-day sick leave on Monday. Official Thai News Agency said the spokesmen threatened to cut water supplies and electricity to all police stations nationwide. Media reports quoted PAD supporters in the South as saying protesters could shut down seven airports. The claim appeared credible; the group easily shut three airports last Friday. PAD coordinator Sunthorn Rakrong told reporters in the South that he had the power to close seven airports: Hat Yai, Phuket, Surat Thani, Krabi, Samui, Nakhon Sri Thammarat and Trang. In addition, if they wished, anti-government groups could block all roads leading to the South, as far north as Bor Nok in Prachuab Khiri Khan province. Mr Sunthorn said he expected there would be large protests if Prime Minster Samak Sundaravey tried to enter the South. Railway service has been halted nationwide. TNA finally reported that all railway service has been halted in the North, even around the key city of Chiang Mai. Assistant stationmaster Silrat Deewajee said he had no idea when service might resume. The Transport Ministry warned the State Railway of Thailand union on Sunday it might hire outside workers to get the trains running against unless workers ended the sick-out they began last Thursday in sympathy for PAD protests in Bangkok. ____________________ The following appears in THE NATION: _____ PAD Warns of More Airport Closures in the South By The Nation Published on September 1, 2008 The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in the South threatened to close seven airports if Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej refused to resign. Shutting airports was one of the measures they planned to adopt, Sunthorn Rakrong, a coordinator of the PAD from the South said. The airports in their sights were Hat Yai, Phuket, Surat Thani, Krabi, Samui, Nakhon Sri Thammarat and Trang. They also planned to block all roads leading to the South starting from Bor Nok and Prachuab Khiri Khan. As a last measure, they announced that Samak would be barred from entering the South. Meanwhile, the government yesterday threatened to hire new workers if State Railway of Thailand (SRT) staff go on long leave or strike work in a bid to pressure the government to resign. The government will consider hiring train drivers and other staff if this occurs, a minister said. The SRT operates at a loss and the agency relies on taxpayers to continue services. "The strikes hurt the public even more. I believe we can find people who can replace them. We can train them how to operate trains,'' the minister said. Meanwhile, Phuket International Airport resumed services yesterday and protesters later dispersed from the airport entrance, their protest site for three days. Phuket deputy governor Worapoj Ratsima and Wing Commander Wicha Nernlop, director of Phuket International Airport, told a press conference after a meeting that the airport would resume operations yesterday afternoon. Deputy Commissioner of Provincial Police Pol Maj-General Pisan Jundilok said security had been tightened at the airport but the crowd of protesters will not be dispersed. In the meantime, airport staff opened another entrance for both international and domestic passengers to access the airport. The protesters dispersed yesterday afternoon, saying they had been successful in pressuring the government and helping PAD demonstrators in Bangkok to continue their protest. Methee Thanmanatrakul, chairman of Thai Hotels Association in the South, said the protest had caused losses and tarnished the country's image as about 15,000 tourists use Phuket's airport each day. Railway services in Thailand's northern region have been paralysed after all northern line train services in Chiang Mai were suspended yesterday. Passengers have no choice but to change to other modes of transportation. An assistant to the Chiang Mai train stationmaster, Silrat Deewajee, said it is unclear when services can resume. The SRT labour union's work stoppage has disrupted train services nationwide. However, Chiang Mai airport is still open amid tightened security. In the South, Hat Yai airport resumed operations on Saturday after a two-day blockage of the facility. Some passengers travelled from Phuket to embark from Hat Yai airport as the island resort's airport remains closed. Meanwhile, Surat Thai airport resumed services yesterday after some protesters, who had blocked the airport on Saturday, dispersed. ____________________ The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Counter Rallies Mobilise By The Nation Published on September 1, 2008 The ruling People Power Party (PPP) yesterday moved to mobilise masses in Bangkok and provinces to join counter rallies against the anti government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD). Thousands of PAD protesters still occupied Government House for the sixth day, paralysing the administration of Samak Sundaravej, which yesterday also resorted to a joint parliamentary session to try to defuse the PAD protests. A PPP source said government MPs, especially those in the Northeast, were ordered to organise at least 5,000 supporters per province to hold counter rallies in front of the provincial city halls. These counter rallies will also head for Bangkok if the PAD did not stop pressuring the Samak government, he said. "In Bangkok, we've also prepared to enlist supporters to join the pro government Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship or DAAD." "These supporters are mainly those working inside industrial estates and factories in Bangkok's peripherals, " said the PPP official. The pro government camp also issued an ultimatum for PAD protesters to leave Government House within the next week or else it would step up its counterattacks. "If they're still adamant, our supporters from all over the country will join forces to help PM Samak to return to his office," Vipoothalaeng Pattanaphumthai, of the pro government DAAD, told crowds gathering at Sanam Luang. The pro government camp also threatened to set the headquarters of opposition Democrat Party on fire as one of its key members is a PAD leader. Pracha Prasobdee, a Samut Prakarn MP, said more government MPs would join the counter rally held by DAAD to show support for Samak. "We won't use violence. We will be peaceful and I believe hundreds of thousands of people will join counter rallies," he said. The pro government DAAD yesterday held a counter rally in front of Parliament as MPs and senators joined the debate on anti government protests. Besides the Bangkok counter rally, pro government groups also show up in several northeastern and northern provinces such as Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaing Mai and Buriram. In the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, pro and anti government groups held rallies next to each other near Suranaree Monument. Police was told to be on high alert to help prevent a potential clash. Prapas Ngoksungnone, a leader of the anti government rally, accused the government of failing to tackle the hardship of farmers. The government has committed massive corruption and acted as a proxy of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, he said, adding that his group held the rally to protest against the use of force against unarmed protesters in Bangkok. Pol Col Boonlert Wongwatchana said more than 50 police were deployed at Suranaree Monument. In Khon Kaen, some 20 teacher groups issued a statement in support of Samak and condemning the PAD. Niyom Sriwiset, a teacher leader, said Khon Kaen teachers disagreed with the PAD and wanted the government to restore order. In Roi Et, some 1,000 provincial DAAD members also demonstrated in support of Samak. In Buri Ram, PPP MP Sanong Thepaksornnarong led more than 10,000 people from 23 districts in a rally at the Muang district office supporting Samak. In Chiang Mai, some 500 people led by Phetchawat Wattanapongsirikul, chairman of the Federation of Northern People for Democracy, also demonstrated at city hall in support of the government.

It depends on where you intend to be. If you're staying in Bangkok, then as long as you stick to the gay areas and major shopping areas, and keep away from the government buildings, you're probably just fine. In Pattaya you're perfectly safe. In Pattaya you wouldn't even know anything is going on at all. It was like that in Pattaya during the coup too. If it weren't for the news, you never would have known anything was happening. It's the same now. Personally, I would be a little nervous about trying to travel somewhere within Thailand by air, in case the airports get taken over again. But you do have the option of going to the airports and buying one-way tickets. That way, the worst that can happen is you go to your next destination by bus. Nobody has tried taking over buses. I think the odds are in your favor regarding air travel, though. The airports are all clear and operating normally now. Chances are good that the protesters won't try to take over the airports again. In other words, you'll be just fine and there is nothing to worry about at all unless you intentionally go to the areas where the protests are occurring. If you are not sure, then tell your hotel where you intend to go and ask if you are going to encounter the protest areas. I see no need for people to cancel their trips to Thailand, despite what the embassies are saying.

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Resort Airports Reopen at Phuket, Krabi Protesters dispersed and authorities reopened the airports at Phuket and Krabi in the South on Sunday, Airports of Thailand announced. Authorities said up to 15,000 passengers have been stranded at the airport on the southern resort isle of Phuket - the gem of Thai tourism. Several thousand more missed their flights at Krabi. "The airport resumed operations at about 11am," Phuket International Airport director Vicha Neunlop said. The island airport is the second busiest in Thailand under normal circumstances. "Krabi airport resumed normal service since early Sunday morning. The first flight from Bangkok has landed. There are no protesters left since the morning," an airport official at the southern resort town said. Hundreds of protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy appeared suddenly last Friday afternoon at Phuket, Krabi and Hat Yai International airports and forced them to close by barricading approach roads and - in Phuket - going on the runway. Service at Hat Yai was resumed on Saturday.

It's been a long time since I used a short time room. And just think, you had it all set up to go there in no time at all, to use for a little time. Now, that's what I call being prepared, big time . . . . .

I found the following article in the "Legal Matters" column of the August 16-31, 2008 edition of PATTAYA EXPAT Magazine, page 39: _____ In Thailand Probate Court Probate is the legal process of settling the estate of a deceased person, specifically resolving all claims and distributing the decedent's property under the valid will. Probate is a service that a Surrogate court provides to confirm the validity of a deceased person's will. Once a will has been probated by the court, everyone can rely on its authenticity. Probate protects the instructions of the deceased, confirms the executor as the personal representative of the estate, protects the interests of family members who may have claims against the estate, and protects the executor against claims and law suits. In Thailand, there are no probate or surrogate courts. If the deceased had previously drawn up a will before he died, his heirs who had been named in the will or the executor named in the will, must submit a petition to the court within the precinct where the deceased had lived before he died in order to seek for a court order to have power to carry out instructions according to the will. The court will either post or publish a notice to the public to allow other lawful heirs or other people who had interest in the estates to make objection. If no one objected, the court will set for preliminary hearing and see whether or not the will had been correctly done accordingly to the requirement of the law and make sure the executor is capable of carrying out the job as estates manager of the deceased. Upon the satisfaction of the court, the court will issue an order appointing the executor as the manager of the estates of the deceased. You will need to have a lawyer to perform this task for you as this task may take up to 2-3 months. Petitioning for a court order to be the estates manager of the deceased mentioned herein represents the same objective as in a Probate Court. This is to make sure the will had been correctly done and the executor of the estates is capable and fully qualified to become the estates manager of the deceased. The court will not interfere the estates manager on how the estates to be divided. However, the lawful heirs may submit a petition to the court if the estates manager is carrying out his duty unlawfully or not dividing the estates according to the instruction given in the will. If the deceased had not made any will before he died, his lawful heirs either his/her wife/ husband or parents or children may submit a petition to the court seeking for a court order to become the estates manager of the deceased. The court will set for preliminary hearings and if the court sees the petitioner is properly qualified to become the estates manager, the court will give an order of appointment accordingly. After having been appointed by the court, the estates manager shall carry out his duty as estate manager and divide the deceased's estates to his/her heirs according to the state of Law. Thai Legal and Associates http://www.thailegal.co.th E-mail: s_kamnod@hotmail.com

Here's the latest on the airport and railroad situation: _____ The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Foreign Travelers Stranded in Phuket The protests by the People's Alliance for Democracy kept Phuket International Airport closed for a second day on Saturday. About 50 domestic and international flights were canceled and many foreign tourists remain stranded on the resort island. "A large number" of foreigners were left stranded at the airport Saturday, according to official Thai News Agency. On Friday, hundreds of local PAD followers breached the main gate at Phuket International Airport, forced their way into the main terminal, and smashed the windows of the VIP lounge. After the protesters moved out to the runway, airport officials ordered all air traffic halted. There were similar forced closures by PAD demonstrators of two other southern airports at Krabi and Hat Yai Friday, but both reopened for flights on Saturday. Phuket is one of Thailand's most popular beach destinations. It is also a stronghold for the opposition Democrat Party. (dpa) ____________________ The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Travelers' Woes Continue By The Nation Hat Yai Airport Re-opens, but Transport Chaos Continues Some stranded passengers extended their stays in the South while others used other means of transport as closure of key southern airports entered the second day on Saturday. "Do you know when is this going to end?" a businessman who decided to stay on in Phuket asked a journalist friend. He said he knew several travellers had made a similar decision but others decided to embark on sea&land transport to get out of the island. In Krabi, the provincial airport also remained close, with six in-bound flights, two of them international, cancelled. Tourists who had booked out-bound flights have been told they could get re-fund. Protesters occupying the Phuket and Krabi airports insisted they would continue their protest until the PAD leaders say otherwise. "As of now, we will stay here until the prime minister resigns," said a protest leader at the Phuket airport. "We can't say when we can re-open the airport," said deputy Phuket governor Vorapot Rattasima after a meeting with high-level provincial, police and airport authorities. He dismissed fears that force would be applied to drive the protesters out. Around 400 officers standing guard at the Phuket airport were not equip to disperse the crowds and were there only to ensure security and people's safety, senior provincial police officers said. The airport occupation has alienated some PAD members in Phuket who were upset that the province's tourism was being affected. Some have disowned the movement and called for an end to the airport closure. A protest has also taken place at the Surat Thani airport, forcing THAI to suspend its flight to the province on Saturday, citing concern for passengers' safety. The protest involved about 500 people, who blocked the airport's entrance. The Hat Yai airport opened for service on Saturday although 5 flights were cancelled. Hundreds of protesters remained at the airport's entrance, while large numbers of police standing guard. Meanwhile, some 255 railway workers have continued the railway strike on Saturday, affecting 12 northern routes, 27 northeastern routes, 39 southern routes and 15 freights. Damage of the railway strike has been estimated at 51 million baht in lost revenues. Returned tickets have totalled 1.3 million baht. Railway authorities were hoping the protest would not spread to 1,900 other railway workers. The Hat Yai railway station was quiet, with signs "Temporary closed" placed at ticket booths.

The latest on the growing crisis is that three of Thailand's airports have been closed until further notice. I would imagine that the situation in Phuket is quite serious. Tourists either can't go home or are forced to find a means of getting to other airports in Thailand. Arriving tourists can't get out of the airport. Businesses in Phuket must already be suffering and I would guess that hotels are getting inundated with cancellations. So far there have been no attempts to shut down Suvarnabhumi or Don Muang Airports in Bangkok: "Bangkok's political turmoil spilled over to other parts of the Kingdom yesterday as the police fired tear gas at proฌtesters in front of Metropolitan Police headquarters and authorities closed Phuket, Krabi and Hat Yai airports." "Airports of Thailand acting president Serirat Prasutanond said he had cancelled all flights at Phuket, Krabi and Hat Yai airports until further notice after anti-government protesters charged into Phuket Airport." THE NATION ____________________ There is now a report that Samak has been called to meet with His Majesty, the King at the Hua Hin palace. There has not yet been reports published about the outcome of that meeting. ____________________ The railroad strike is still in effect. ____________________ Several days ago there were reports that there was to be a major pro Thaksin rally in Bangkok on Friday, August 29. Apparently that did not occur. ____________________ The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: Violence Brewing By Post Reporters Latest Developments The Civil Court on Friday suspended its injunction to evict the People's Alliance for Democracy from Government House, but the Criminal Court again ordered the arrest of the top nine PAD leaders. On the street, the first serious violence erupted between protesters and police. Trains have halted and three key tourist airports in the South are closed indefinitely. The Civil Court ruling said that carrying out its order for the People's Alliance for Democracy to vacate Government House and the streets might cause further damage. The Criminal Court judges rejected an appeal by the nine core PAD leaders asking for their arrest warrants to be revoked. The suspension of the injunction came after PAD's lawyer Suwat Apaipak lodged a complaint with the Civil Court claiming that police beat up the demonstrators while enforcing the injunction. Earlier in the day, crowd-control police clashed with protesters who barricaded themselves inside the Government House compound. Police say they were trying to post an eviction order. In its ruling, the court also said that since the Appeals Court has also accepted PAD's petition to review the injunction, the eviction order should be suspended, pending the outcome of the review. The court on Wednesday ordered the PAD to move out of Government House and its grounds, at the request of the Secretariat of the Prime Minister. The Criminal Court, meanwhile, threw out a request by the PAD's nine core leaders asking for their arrest warrants to be revoked. The court said the warrants were an initial step in the process of bringing the accused in for investigation. Suwat Apaipak, the lawyer representing the nine leaders, said he will appeal against the court's order to drop the request on Monday. Friday morning, police moved in to take over the PAD protest site near the Makkhawan Rangsan bridge on Ratchadamnoen avenue, prompting a brief clash with the PAD protesters. The protesters later retook the site after driving a truck into the band of police who retreated. The clash erupted after police tried to remove barricades put up by the PAD at its protest site, leaving three injured. Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said the clash between the police and PAD supporters followed police action to comply with the court order. "In fact, police could have finished their job [on Friday], but I told them to step back because if they went forward, there would have been a bloody clash." Meanwhile, state enterprise workers staged work stoppages, paralysing transport services across the country. Airports in Hat Yai, Phuket and Krabi have been disrupted by PAD supporters. In Bangkok, police initially took back the PAD protest site on Ratchadamnoen avenue, but the protesters retook the site shortly afterward. The removal of PAD barricades began at 10am when about 1,000 city police armed with anti-riot gear moved to Ratchadamnoen avenue in front of the Royal Plaza. The officers removed PAD's barricades, made of tyres, barbed wire and bamboo poles. The situation grew tense when two companies comprising about 200 police with batons and shields were deployed to nearby Suan Misakawan intersection about 10.30am to ask protesters to move out from the area. A scuffle took place which left one protester injured. Police moved forward to PAD's stage at Makkhawan Rangsan bridge, but were resisted by protesters. On adjacent Phitsanulok road, another group of police was deployed to seal the area. However, they could not move further as PAD put up barricades at Misakawan intersection and Chamaimaruchet bridge. At 2.30pm, thousands of PAD demonstrators, led by Pichit Chaimongkhol, passed through the police barricades on Ratchamnoen avenue and retook the site from police. About 7pm, PAD leader Karun Saingarm led thousands of demonstrators to the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police Bureau on Sri Ayutthaya road. Mr Karun, who was on board a sixwheel truck serving as a mobile stage, ordered the protesters to force open the bureau's gate. Firecrackers were hurled at the PAD's mobile stage, causing chaos among protesters. A source said the firecrackers were hurled by those in the protest group, not from the bureau. Glass bottles were thrown into the bureau, followed by a teargas canister, prompting police to throw it back at the protesters. The bureau used a fire truck to block its gate and put 10 heavily-armed officers from a police task force unit on standby. PAD retreated to the Makkhawan Rangsan bridge at 7.40 pm. ____________________ The following appears in the PHUKET GAZETTE: PAD PROTEST: Phuket Airport Overrun, Runways Blocked PHUKET AIRPORT: At about 4:45 pm today (Friday), People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters breached the main gate at Phuket International Airport, made their way into the main terminal and smashed the windows of the VIP lounge. Several hundred protesters stormed the runways and airport officials have ordered a halt to all air traffic. Police have been called in from around the island to supervise the anti-government rally, which had swelled to an estimated 10,000 protesters by 3:30 pm. The THAI Airways Union has allowed their 15,000 staffers to stop work to show their support for the protest. Earlier, at about 2:30 pm, the protesters used vehicles to block road access to the airport. Tourists with outbound flights to catch have been forced to walk several kilometers with their luggage, then clamber over a two-meter spiked security fence. The traffic tailback now stretches about five kilometers. Some arriving passengers have been seen walking down Mai Khao Beach in a desperate bid to get out of the area without crossing the PAD protesters. A growing number of passengers are now trapped inside the airport and the only movement seems to be though a back door at the airport’s staff housing complex. Just before posting this news online, the Gazette received reports that about 1,000 protesters had marched to the PIA Director’s Office Building, just north of the main parking lot, and some 400 protesters breached the gate at the main entrance and were now heading to the airport, where the scene has been described as “chaos”. Recent additions to the swelling number of protesters include hundreds of university students. While the crowds gathered in Phuket chanting “fight for the King”, Phuket Senator Thanyarat Atchariyachai took to the PAD stage in Bangkok to drum up national support for their cause. Protest organizers at the airport told Gazette reporters at the scene that they will remain at the airport until Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej resigns. PAD members will close down airports in other provinces as well, they said. There have been no reports of injury, however. As the protesters prepare for tonight, supplies of food and drink have been arriving and a mobile ICU from Bangkok Hospital Phuket has been put on standby. One German tourist who fought his way through the crowd to get out of the airport said, “Even if there is no tsunami, the people here know how to create their own disasters.” PIA Director Wicha Nernlop said, “The PAD are destroying the airport’s assets, which makes no sense because we are not their enemy.” He suggested that passengers with scheduled flights contact their airlines directly and try to postpone, if possible. Phuket Provincial Police Commander Apirak Hongthong said that a meeting had been held on the issue, but did not say if or when police would try to forcibly remove the protesters. Const Tongchai Keerat of Tah Chat Chai Police, one of about 90 officers at the airport, said he sympathized with the protesters because the government in Bangkok “is corrupt and embezzling money from the people”. A group of officers at Phuket City Police Station told a Gazette reporter earlier today that the police would not harm the protesters “because our parents are among them”. One action the police did take was to set up a checkpoint in Koh Kaew, near the entrance road to British International School, to prevent large vehicles carrying PAD supporters joining the protest. The checkpoint has delayed traffic in the area. A source from PIA said many luxury vehicles were among those blockading the airport access roads, indicating that “high-level” people are supporting the rally.

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Army Turns on Samak By Wassana Nanuam Army commander Anupong Paojinda has rejected Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's call for a state of emergency and suggested instead the premier either resign or dissolve the House of Representatives to ease tensions, a source said. Gen Anupong made the recommendation in a 15-minute private meeting with Mr Samak which took place shortly after the Defence Council meeting between top military brass and Mr Samak, who is also defence minister. Before a Defence Council meeting Gen Anupong ruled out a coup, saying he did not see how it would resolve the problem - although generals always have denied they planned a coup through all 17 previous military seizures of power. Just minutes after he drove out of the Defence Ministry after the meeting, Gen Anupong was summoned back for the meeting with Mr Samak, to discuss escalating tensions at Government House where the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) was camping out for a fourth day. According to the source, Mr Samak asked whether the army was ready to handle the situation if he declared a state of emergency on Friday night. The source said Gen Anupong disagreed with invocation of the emergency law out of fear of violence. "He refuses to mobilise troops even if the prime minister goes ahead and declares a state of emergency. He wants the prime minister to first deploy police to handle the situation," said the source. The army chief also asked Mr Samak to consider resigning or dissolving the House of Representatives as possible options, the source said. He also said the current situation did not warrant a state of emergency or invocation of the internal security law. The army chief said the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) would not step in to take control of the situation as there were several steps to go through. Gen Anupong also called on PAD leaders and the government to resolve the conflict through talks while expressing confidence that the police could handle the situation. He said he had suggested national police chief Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan not use force and urged PAD demonstrators to respect court orders. Meanwhile, First Army commander Prayuth Chan-ocha has put two battalions on security alert and instructed all units in Bangkok to go on stand-by. A source in the army said that troops were likely to step in if there were attacks on government agencies. The source also said if the military were to stage a coup and bring down the Samak government, it would also "take down" PAD in the process. "The last coup is proof that the military cannot take sides with any party. A coup is to restore order," said the source.

QUOTE(GayThailand @ Aug 29 2008, 10:41 AM) Many who live abroad do not even know what is happening in LOS. That's true. My own family in the USA, and they regularly watch the news, said that nothing about the goings on here have been broadcast at all. They knew nothing about it until an Email from me.

I can save you a trip. Go to Chiang Mai instead. Pass through the gate directly across from the Montri Hotel and you'll see the Art Cafe restaurant. If I remember correctly, they have it, among other southern specialties, and it's good!

Transport Strangled (BangkokPost.com, TNA) Railway workers stopped most trains nationwide on Friday in sympathy with anti-government protesters in Bangkok, while PAD activists blocked the vital tourist gateway airports at Phuket and Hat Yai. Hundreds of anti-government demonstrators of the People's Alliance for Democracy gathered at the front of the two southern airports on Friday afternoon. They tried to set up stages for a protest sit-in, saying they wanted to demand the government end its attempt to disperse the protesters in Bangkok. While flights continued to operate, passengers found it difficult or impossible to enter the airport buildings at the two tourist-heavy locations. Police said they hoped they could negotiate with the protesters to clear the airport entrances. But the situation looked likely to get worse instead of better, with Krabi International Airport also likely to be blocked later on Friday. Earlier, the State Railway of Thailand workers' union announced a sick-out to halt all trains nationwide for an indefinite period. The union said it wanted to show sympathy and support for the PAD-led protesters at Government House. SRT union chief Pichet Suwanchatree travelled to the South to oversee the shut down of the critical railway junction in HaT Yai district. He said all trains to and in the South had stopped running as of Friday. Services to the North and Northeast slowed on Thursday and apparently stopped completely on Friday. SRT Nakhon Ratchisima union leader Sathorn Sinpru said more than 100 union members, including 40 railway engine drivers, have taken sick leave for at least two days, beginning on Friday. Mr Sathorn said the aims to focus attention on the lack of welfare plans, as well as to show support for the protesters in Bangkok.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ May 1992 Bloodshed May Happen Again if I Lead Fight: Pallop Gen Pallop Pinmanee, a former adviser to the Internal Security Operations Command, said Friday that the fight by the People's Alliance for Democracy would not remain peaceful if he leads the fight. Giving an interview on Channel 3, Pallop said he would not stop in as long as his friend, Chamlong Srimuang, still leads the fight. "But if I step in to lead it I'll use my way, which is not peaceful one," Pallop said. "To reach our goal, sometime it has to be painful so that it could go ahead. It's possible that it could be similar to the May 1992 bloodshed." The Nation

I love it! Perhaps you remember the old television comedy, "Maude." In one episode Maude and her husband Walter check into a lakeside hotel with an urn containing her uncle's ashes. The uncle had requested his ashes to be scattered over the lake. While Maude and Walter are out, the room maid, without realizing what is actually in the urn, flushes the ashes down the toilet. When Maude realizes what happened, she says to Walter, "Well, at least he made it to the lake."

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ National Railway Strike Looms as Union Suspends Most Services By The Nation Published on August 29, 2008 Railway union workers have staged a strike to show support for the protestors at the Government House, starting with a rail service stoppage at the Nakhon Rachasima in the Northeast and Nakhon Sawan in the North. Sathorn Sinpru, leader of the railway union at the State Railway of Thailand at Nakhon Rachasima, said yesterday that more than 100 members of the union, including 40 train drivers, submitted their leave starting at 5:00 pm, thus paralyzing all the train service from the Northeast to Bangkok. He said the union workers in Nakhon Rachasima along with the union workers elsewhere have already submitted their leave. Effective today, all the trains going into Bangkok will suspend their service because of the strike. The Nakhon Sawan train carrying cargo and oil stopped service at 4:00 pm, while the Kaengkoi, Saraburi service also ceased the service at 5:00 pm. Sathorn warned commuters not to board the train from Bangkok to the Northeast as they will be left stranded along the way. Nakhon Rachasima is the rail juncture to the Northeast. The railway union workers' strike is aimed at showing support to the protestors in Bangkok, who have taken over the Government House over the past four days. Sathorn said the union workers' welfare have never been looked after by the government and that they are concerned about the security of the protesters inside the Government House, who might be stormed by the police. Local police at Nakhon Rachasima, the largest province of the Northeast, interrogated the labour union workers about the strike, but the labour union workers told them that they had no intention to destroy the government properties as claimed. Sawit Kaewwan, secretary-general of the Confederation of State Enterprise Labour Union, said the work stoppage is part of a civil disobedience against the Samak government. "Over the next two days, things would become clearer over the extent of the railway strike. In principle, we would like the strike to affect the commuters minimally. Most of the long-haul train will suspend its service, while the shorter routes might continue their service," he said. Sawit said the railway union workers will consult with the electricity and water labor unions over further strike to deprive the government of their service.

The PAD protesters have begun to flex their muscles with the police. The sympathetic railroad strike is now in effect and nobody seems to know how long that will last (see "Railroad Trains to Halt Service Throughout Thailand" thread for the latest information). Nobody seems to have any idea how long the protest is going to continue, when it will end, or how it will end. For whatever reasons, in my opinion the protesters are deliberately trying to provoke the government into taking violent action. The whole thing reminds me of "Seven Days in May," when President Lyman finally confronts General Scott and accuses him of trying to stage a coup. At first General Scott denies any such thing, but he finally loses his temper and admits that's exactly what he's trying to do. The President loses his temper too and reminds the general there is a political system in place if he disagrees so strongly with the government policies. He tells the general that if he wants to become president himself, instead of resorting to aggression and violence, "Then by God run for office!" The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Shoving Match (BangkokPost.com) Latest Protesters armed with clubs pushed and forced police off the grounds of Government House early on Friday morning as a senior PAD member threatened to make demonstrations "more aggressive". The 1am confrontation ended with 400 police retreating to the street after being threatened by demonstrators armed with sticks and golf clubs. After their muscle-flexing "victory", the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters celebrated by dancing to rock music. "We can relax now, but please be cautious, they might return soon," a protest organiser told the gathering, now in its four day of occupying Government House, despite a court order to leave. The PAD protest aims to throw Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his government out of office. One of the top alliance leaders, retired Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, said on Thursday night that the "legal" protest would continue to no matter what the court ordered. He is one of nine leaders sought for arrest by police. He insisted the protesters were doing nothing wrong. He stated: "We are staging a protest because the government has made too many mistakes and has no legitimacy to run the country. From now on, it will be stickier. Our political rallying will get stronger because more of our supporters from upcountry will come to help us. We will not back down." His successor-in-waiting - ready to take over if police actually arrest Maj-Gen Chamlong - said on Thursday he will step up the protest and get more aggressive. Former commander of the Internal Security Operations Command retired but influential army Gen Panlop Pinmanee appeared to issue a direct threat to the government: "Go tell Mr Samak if he is brave he must over the arrest of Maj-Gen Chamlong and the other core leaders and disperse the protest. "Once the arrests are made, I will volunteer as the next leader in lieu of Chamlong as we have made some commitments. As a friend, I will pursue his goal. I need only two days and everything will end. "In this situation, Maj-Gen Chamlong or Samak cannot take a step back. There must be a breaking point, otherwise the country will become disheartened. If we want to remove an abscess, we must be ready to face pain to get rid of the infectious part." Gen Panlop is generally known as the foremost expert and practitioner of dirty tricks in Thailand. He was fired by ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra two years ago after a bombing attempt on the life of Mr. Thaksin. Although he denied any involvement in that incident, Gen. Panlop openly bragged that "If I were behind it, the prime minister would be dead".

Apparently this will last at least two days, but nothing in either article says how long this will really go on. It may only be just the a couple days or it may be a lot longer than that. I have no idea. The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Trains to Stop Nationwide as SRT Unionists Join Protest Train services are expected to come to a halt tomorrow morning (Friday, August 29) as part of the protests against the government by employees of the State Railway Authority. A 45-year-old SRT worker in Nakhon Si Thammarat said the unionists have coordinated with SRT workers nationwide to carry out the civil disobedience against the government. He said officials in charge of train services, such as drivers and engineers have submitted their leaves since Thursday. He said trains that leave main stations will stop at the first sub-station, and thus will block all the routes and paralyze the services nationwide. The Nation ____________________ And this, from the BANGKOK POST: _____ Trains Halt BangkokPost.com Railway workers on Thursday began a sick-out and announced that all train service to the North and Northeast will halt at midnight on Friday, causing disruption to commuters and tourists to support the anti-government actions in Bangkok. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) union, in an announcement late on Thursday said employees "are not ready to work," a move that will cause severe problems for workers and foreign visitors, as well as movement of goods. Latest reports say train services from Taphan Hin in Pichit would stop at 5am on Friday. The chairman of the SRT’s labour union in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Sathorn Sinpru, said almost 100 engine drivers, usherettes and repairmen have taken sick leave for at least two days, reasoning that they are not happy with their work. He said if they are still not ready to work after two days, the sick-out could prolong as their performance could cause dangers. Members of the SRT’s labour union took part in the mass rally led by the anti-government People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) at Government House. The reason behind the SRT’s halt of operation could be the government’s provision of free transport for the protesters who wish to return home. As of Thursday evening, five scheduled trains from Bangkok to the Northeast failed to leave the station, deputy governor of the SRT Thawin Sarmnakorn said in a television interview. Mr Thawin said he has ordered substitutes to replace the staff who have taken leave, but the number of the substitutes is inadequate for all the services to fully operate. He added that he plans to hold talk with SRT staff on Friday to prevent the suspension of train services in other regions. The discontinuation of rail services will first of all affect more than 1,000 Ayutthaya workers who depend on the train to get to work in Bangkok every morning.

All I know is that Thailand recently started allowing people to make a living will. That's not the problem. The problem is getting a Thai doctor and/or hospital to honor that will. It is my understanding that most Thai doctors and hospitals refuse to honor the living will and they're going to keep you alive as long as possible whether you want that or not. It might be a good idea to discuss that with various hospitals. If you find one that will honor your wishes, then it is also probably a good idea to let your friends in Thailand know which hospital is your preference in case something happens to you, if that would do any good. It still makes no sense to me that you have no real say-so as to what is to be done with your body after your death. As I said above, I could understand if whatever you want done is unfeasible for any reason, and then start worrying about a next of kin, but they just won't do it that way. I wonder what the embassy does if there is nobody for them to contact. Can you imagine that? You know you are about to die and you have no idea what's going to be done with your body. Maybe they'll give it to a vendor and he can try to sell it at the beach. My preference is for mine to be cremated in the usual manner at Pattaya's Wat Chai. If for some reason that can't be done, then maybe someone can arrange to do what George Carlin recommended: Just have my body blown up. That way, anyone who wants to drop by can view the explosion and say, "There he goes . . . . ."

Probably the best set of movie reviews, show times, etc, is Thomas Ohlson's weekly movie reviews, which he sends out, usually on Thursdays, every week. I have attached an example of what he sent out this week. To subscribe, just send him an Email and ask to be placed on his weekly Pattaya movies mailing list. He also does a similar list for Chiang Mai. I don't know if he does other cities in Thailand, but you can ask. To subscribe, contact him at: thomasohlson@hotmail.com

Attorneys for the PAD have filed an appeal to the eviction set by the lower court. Thirty Thai senators have stated that treason charges would be too harsh and are not appropriate. The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ PAD Appeals Court's Eviction Order (BangkokPost.com) - At 3.20pm Thursday, People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD)’s lawyer Suwat Apaisak appealed the Civil Court’s injunction, ordering the anti-government group to move out of the Government House and surrounding roads. The injunction was filed against the five PAD leaders, including Sondhi Limthongkul, Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang, Pibhop Dhongchai, Somsak Kosaikul and Somkiat Pongpaiboon, and its coordinator Suriyasai Katasila by government lawyer Methee Jaisamut on Wednesday. Mr Suwat also sent his clerk to the Criminal Court on Thursay afternoon, requesting the court to provide the details of the arrest warrants for the PAD’s nine key members who were charged with rebellion and rebellious attempt, organising gatherings of 10 or more people to incite civil unrest and defying police orders to disband. At the same time, lawyer Methee filed another injunction to the Civil Court to appoint legal execution officials after the PAD failed to obey the court’s order by remaining at the Government House and surrounding areas.

Thai Police Won't Use Force to Crack Down on Protesters: Police Chief BANGKOK, Aug 28 (TNA) - Police will not use force to disperse or arrest the nine core leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) who have been served arrest warrants, but will use a "tender approach" and negotiation to deal with the PAD supporters, according to national police chief Police General Patcharawat Wongsuwan. Meanwhile, anti-government protesters led by the PAD remained inside the premises of Government House for a third day Thursday morning despite court orders for them to leave and give way to traffic. Gen. Patcharawat said the authorities would not raid the government compound but will wait for the nine PAD core leaders to present themselves. There was no deadline set for the surrender, he said. Until now police had taken no action despite having arrest warrants for nine PAD leaders on charges of inciting unrest and trying to overthrow the government, and the court's injunction for the PAD activists to move out of Government House. Thailand's Civil Court granted an immediate injunction ordering all PAD demonstrators to move out of the Government House compound in Bangkok and end road blockades, to allow cabinet members access to Government House. If they did not, police would have to enforce the court order. The PAD leaders, however, vowed to stay put and would file an appeal to the court order on Thursday. The five PAD leaders are Sondhi Limthongkul, Piphop Thongchai, Gen. Chamlong, Somsak Kosaisuk, Somkiat Pongpaiboon and the PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila. The other three persons are Chaiwat Sinsuwong, Amorn Amornrattananond and Therdpoom Chaidee, who led PAD stalwarts in Tuesday's raid on the state-owned NBT television station. The PAD leaders were charged with rebellion and rebellious attempt, organising gatherings of 10 or more people to cause public disturbances and defying police orders to disperse. However, no untoward incidents and no acts of violence were reported during the night after the Civil Court order was obtained by the police at about 10pm Wednesday to compel the protesters to leave Government House immediately. The court also ordered the anti-govt coalition to dismantle platforms and barricades earlier set up inside Government House and give way to traffic at and around Government House. Police, equipped with batons and shields, stood on alert inside the Govenrment House premises while PAD leaders Maj-Gen. Chamlong Srimuang and Sondhi Limthongkul told the protesters, most of whom gathering about the lawn just outside the Thai Khu Fa building to stay. Gen. Chamlong and the other PAD leaders sat on the lawn encircled by their followers, including middle-aged women with their ''guards'' forming an close entourage around them, some reportedly from the Santi Asoke religious movement. The former deputy prime minister and former Bangkok governor said he would not resist arrest by the police following the Criminal Court's issuance of arrest warrants for a total of nine PAD leaders Wednesday afternoon. The arrest warrants were issued primarily on grounds of state rebellion committed by the PAD leaders. Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Pol. Gen. Kowit Wattana, who met with senior police officers at the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police barely a kilometre away, urged the anti-government protesters to follow the court orders by leaving Government House immediately. However, the interior minister, asked by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to take full charge of the situation at Government House, said he will not use force to put the court orders and arrest warrants to work. The police earlier suggested that the protesters return to Makkhawan Bridge nearby where they had gathered in bid to press the Samak government to resign en masse since May 25. (TNA)

I'm having difficulty making sense out of this. The part that's on my "I Don't Get It" list is the fact that it seems like no matter what you do, your next of kin makes the ultimate decisions. Why? Why can't your own will and/or specified wishes take precedence over leaving the decision-making up to your next of kin? I could understand if the policy was that your own specified wishes take precedence unless there is something unfeasible about your wishes. In that case, that's when your next of kin would take over the decision making. Why is it not done that way? Also, there is an apparent assumption that you even have a next of kin. Suppose you don't? What happens then? Who makes the decisions? I am also curious as to who decided it should be done this way in the first place. Is this strictly embassy policy, designed by the embassy, or is this a standard State Department policy. The embassy statement says, "By law, the Department of State cannot carry out instructions on the disposition of the remains until we have received the required funds." Why can't funds be either sent or placed in some sort of an escrow account, available to the embassy, prior to your death, so that your own wishes can be guaranteed?

That's a good idea, but I would still recommend that you check with the embassy and find out if they will honor that letter. Based on what I was told they won't, even if the embassy notarizes it. Bear in mind that I spoke with only one embassy official, but he was the chief of American Citizens Services at the time. It sounds just like Thai banking. One branch tells you one thing, and another branch tells you something entirely different. Meanwhile, none of us really knows or has assurances about just what the embassy will actually do. I think what we need to find out is whether an actual policy exists, or better still a written policy about this sort of thing. If there is one, we need to obtain a copy of it. Right now, as it stands, we're either guessing or taking the word of an embassy official. It seems to me it would stand to reason that there must be some way of guaranteeing that our individual wishes will be honored.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Criminal Court Issues Arrest Warrants for PAD's Nine Leaders By The Nation They are Facing Life Imprisonment or Capital Punishment, if Convicted People's Alliance for Democracy suffered a big blow on Wednesday after Criminal Court decided to issue arrest warrants for PAD's nine co-leaders for their involvement in the raid on NBT TV station and the Government House. Court made the decision at the request of police that provided the video footages of the incidents. The warrants cited serious charges, such as inciting crowds to turn unruly, bids to oust the government and intimidate the media, via the NBT raid, and illegally entering government installations, he said. The nine PAD leaders were Sondhi Limthongkul, Chamlong Srimuang, Pibhop Dhongchai, Somsak Kosaisuk, Somkiat Pongpaiboon, Suriyasai Katasila, Amorn Amornwattananon and Therdpoom Jaidee. The four charges are Article 113 of the Criminal Code for treason, Article 114 for conspiracy for incite treason, Article 215 for conspiring with more than 10 people to cause disturbances or physical harms, Article 216 for resisting to disperse when ordered by law enforcement authorities. If convicted, the nine could face life imprisonment or capital punishment.