Thousands rally against new Thai PM

28-Dec-2008
Thousands of supporters of fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra have rallied against the new leader, Abhisit Vejjajiva, threatening to engulf the kingdom in a fresh wave of political unrest.
Red-clad protesters waved signs saying “We love Thaksin” at a central Bangkok parade ground while a separate group halted traffic outside Parliament, one day before [...]

Thailand experiences political chaos in 2008

2008-12-28 11:21:29
by Shen Min
    BANGKOK, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) — With the usher-in of a new Democrat Party-led government on Dec. 21, 2008, Thailand’s political process, which has gone through a three-year nightmare of struggles and battles, seemed to have seen a short break and it will take time for the new government to restore [...]

Thailand on edge for protests against new PM

28-Dec-2008
BANGKOK (AFP) — Thailand faced a fresh wave of political unrest on Sunday as supporters of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra prepared for a rally against new Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
More than 3,000 police were deployed in central Bangkok as the protesters started to meet on Sunday. They then plan to move to parliament where [...]

Elite still calls the shots

Dec 28, 2008
Ruling class sees rise of rural masses as threat to its dominance
By Nirmal Ghosh, Thailand Correspondent In Bangkok
DISCREETLY tucked away on a high floor of a building in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Road is the elegant, dark wood panelled Pacific City Club.
The club, where membership is by invitation only, was founded in 1995 [...]

Hope for Thai democracy

Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008
By KEVIN RAFFERTY
Special to The Japan Times

HONG KONG — Abhisit Vejjajiva seems the least likely person to rescue Thailand from what commentators claim are the death throes of democracy. He is boyish-looking, physically slight, has no commanding military or police connections, no reputation for wheeling and dealing, and was foreign born [...]