· December, 2008

Stories about Thailand from December, 2008

Thailand: Revenge of the reds

  31 December 2008

Forget the yellow protesters who occupied Thailand’s airports last month. Today’s anti-government protests in Bangkok are organized by supporters of the ousted government. They have vowed to launch bigger street actions “to restore democracy.” Do not confuse them with the Left. They just like the color red.

Thailand: Text messages from the Prime Minister

  31 December 2008

On his first day in office, Thai PM Abhisit Vejjajiva sent SMS to his constituents. A sample of the text message: “I am your new PM. I would like to invite you to help pull our country pull of the crisis. If you are interested in receiving my messages, please...

Southeast Asia: Newsmakers of 2008

  26 December 2008

For Southeast Asia, 2008 was a year of terrible disasters, both natural and man-made. Rice consumption was reduced, milk products were contaminated with melamine, jobs were lost, bloggers were arrested, and homes were destroyed. But the situation is not hopeless.

Thailand: Blocked websites

  24 December 2008

The Freedom Against Censorship Thailand has just received a secret list of blocked websites leaked from Thailand’s Ministry of Information and Communication Technology. The report mentioned 1,303 websites which were censored by the government.

Thailand: Academic calls for rule of law

  19 December 2008

Bangkok Pundit has posted a statement from Thongchai Winichakul calling for rule of law in Thailand as a means to end conflict. Bangkok Pundit also criticises the National Human Rights Commission.

Thailand: Mastermind behind the crisis

  8 December 2008

Thai Intelligent News Weblog wonders who might be the “mastermind” behind the conspiracy to undermine Thailand's ruling party and former leader Thaksin Shinawatra.

Wife of ousted Thai leader returns to Bangkok

  6 December 2008

Potjaman Shinawatra, the wife of ousted Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra arrived in Thailand on the first day of reopening of Bangkok's airport. The Thaksin couple was earlier found guilty by a Thai court for tax evasion. Twitter user Smartbrain comments: “Pojaman landed. Escorted to home and not arrested despite the...

Thailand: Airports reopen but crisis not yet over

  3 December 2008

Bangkok’s airports are now open. The protesters have agreed to end their protests. But the crisis is not yet over. The ruling party is still dominant. Protesters could still launch similar daring actions in the future. The next few weeks will not be quiet for Thailand.

Thailand: Going Home Finally

  3 December 2008

Oakmonster is happy that she can finally go back to Thailand. The opposition supporters had occupied the main airports in Bangkok and disrupted air services.

Thailand: Airport crisis hurting ordinary persons

  2 December 2008

The airport chaos is hurting Thailand’s tourism industry, even the economy of its neighbors. But it must be pointed out that ordinary persons, Thais and foreigners, are suffering more. Tourists are stranded; Bangkok residents are losing their jobs, especially those who are working in the airports.

Thailand: How will the airport chaos end?

  1 December 2008

The airport chaos and political crisis in Thailand are still not over. Dozens of empty planes were allowed to leave Bangkok, but protesters still control the two major airports in Thailand. Pro-government supporters have been conducting street assemblies already. How will the crisis end? Will it be peaceful?