Army commander-in-chief Gen Anupong Paojinda reaffirmed on Thursday that he, navy chief Adm Kamthorn Phumhiran, air force chief ACM Itthaporn Supphawong and all their subordinates will not stage a military coup. He called on the people not to worry themselves about it and said that the armed forces will try their best to ensure law and order. He also warned civilians not to wear military uniform or military-like clothing, It was not lawful and offenders could be arrested.

Fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra Wednesday said he wanted to send flowers rather than bombs to the Privy Council president as a New Year present.

In his Twitter message, Thaksin said: "If I can make an order, I will send a bomb that is full of flowers and has the scent of tea rose to his home so that HE Prem has some sympathy for me."

The ex-leader was responding to messages from "followers" of his Thaksinlive account in the Twitter social-networking website.

One of the followers said: "I hope there is no bomb during the New Year celebrations. I'd like you to please order your men about this."

The Nation

Following a meeting with Chavalit, Cambodian Premier Hun Sen told reporters how his wife cried at the mention of Thaksin Shinawatra's fate and how a plan to give Thaksin a home "that deserves his honour" was discussed.

"We have been great friends since Thaksin was businessman and the relationship has remained the same since he entered politics," Hun Sen said. "Though I'm not Thai, I'm hurt by what has happened to him. My wife even cried on knowing about it and has an idea to build a home for Thaksin to come and stay honourably."

It was the closest thing to saying Cambodia would be willing to give Thaksin a political exile, an issue which will present both countries with an awkward situation, in addition to the Phra Vihear conflict, going into the Asean summit. read more...

Ex-premier Thaksin Shinwatra Saturday criticised Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, saying he had failed in running the country and lacked leadership and courage over the appointment of the national police chief. Thaksin phoned in to his supporters gathered for a training session organised by the 111 Thai Rak Thai Foundation in Phuket. He said three years after the military coup that brought down his government, the country had been destroyed economically and politically, with respected institutions discredited and politicised.

"The country's credibility is ruined. No country wants to bring its investment to Thailand because of the country's political instability,'' he said. The Nation

The country was hit by two mass protests yesterday when about 20,000 anti-government red shirts held a rally in Bangkok and thousands of the rival yellow shirts marched towards a disputed border area near Si Sa Ket.The Bangkok protest was generally peaceful although it was disrupted by a heavy downpour. However, the march by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to a cliff next to the disputed area near the Preah Vihear temple led to a clash between the yellow shirts and local villagers, who said they feared the protest would further sour ties with Cambodia.The red shirts gathered at the Royal Plaza to mark the third anniversary of the military coup that ousted the government of Thaksin Shinawatra, who is now a fugitive overseas. "We came here today to mark the third anniversary of the coup, which has caused huge damage to the country,"

Former supreme commander Chaiyasit Shinawatra said Saturday that former prime minister Thaksin Shinwatra is waiting for a "miracle" so that he can return home to stay with his family. Chaiyasit, a cousin of Thaksin, said he had returned from visiting Thaksin in the United Arab of Emirates. Chaiyasit said Thaksin was doing well and was happy with doing business with foreign businessmen.

"But he always wants to return to Thailand because he wants to be with children and [divorced] wife. He is only waiting for a miracle from the petition," Chaiyasit said. The Nation

During a video link-up, watched by thousands in Sanam Luang yesterday, he said: "I, Thaksin Shinawatra, and my family will be loyal to the King and the monarchy forever."

More than 20,000 red shirts marched to the Grand Palace yesterday to submit the petition for clemency. Before the group started marching, they gathered in Sanam Luang to hear the song "Deeka Dub Thook Thang Paendin" (A Petition to End the Suffering of the Nation) blaring out of the speakers and listen to Thakin's address.

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, with tears in his eyes, pleaded with His Majesty the King to grant him royal amnesty and thanked his red-shirted supporters for submitting the petition on his behalf. nationmultimedia dot com

Thailand, as the Chair of Asean on Wednesday, expressed its "deep disappointment" over Burma's ruling on its opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The ten-member grouping which Burma is a member called for immediate release of all political prisoners including 64-year-old Aung San Suu Kyi. The call came a day after Burma's court sentenced Aung San Suu Kyi another 18 months for breaching condition of her house arrest after an American John Yettaw swam across the Inya Lake to stay two nights at her resident in Rangoon in May.

A statement from Thai Foreign Ministry said the Asean reiterated the calls made by the 42nd Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the 16th Asean Regional Forum held in July 2009 in Phuket, for the immediate release of all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, to enable them to participate in the 2010 General Elections.

More people believe in Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's ethics and integrity than in former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's, an opinion survey has found.

The survey by ABAC Poll of Assumption University found that 71.4 per cent of the respondents named Abhisit when asked whom they think of as the politicians with ethics while 61.6 per cent named Thaksin. Each respondent can name several choices of politicians in order.

When asked to name politicians with integrity, 68.2 per cent of the respondents named Abhisit while 40.5 per cent Thaksin.
source : nationmultimedia.com