Anand speaks on Thaksin's Power Grab

Former PM Anand Panyarachun, currently head of the National Reconciliation Commission tasked with finding solutions to the violence in the South, has spoken publicly about Thaksin's new emergency power measures. Anand regards it as a huge mistake which may end up provoking an even worse crisis by completely alienating the population of the deep South who already mistrust Thaksin.

Anand added that it was a mistake for the measure to be passed as a cabinet resolution rather than being put before the full parliament for approval. As such it lacks legitimacy.

Another step towards dictatorship

Following a series of bombings and other violence in Yala a few days ago, Thaksin has brought in new legislation which would allow him to declare a state of emergency and exercise the ability to censor the press, arrest people without charges, and intercept phone conversations.

The press, even the usually docile and pro-TRT elements, are upset, as is the opposition and human rights groups. Thaksin has issued assurances that he would not abuse the powers given him by the new law. Yeah - right. Declaration of the state of emergency would require only cabinet-level approval.

PM's popularity declines

An ABAC poll has found a dramatic drop in the popularity of Thaksin. Democrat leader Abhisit, on the other hand, now enjoys the favour of 38.8% of the respondents, still below but within striking distance of Thaksin's 45.9% support.

More than 40 per cent of the respondents said they “had no confidence” that the government would be able to solve the economic problems, compared to almost 14 per cent who believed it could. In terms of the corruption problems, over 47 per cent said they did not believe in the government’s ability to deal with corruption, compared to less than 15 per cent who did.

On the other hand, of those surveyed 18.5 per cent called for a change of government while 75.1 per cent of the respondents said they were happy for the government to remain in power.

This only emphasizes the extremely low expectations Thais have of their government.

General Prem criticizes Thaksin gov't

One of my favorite Thai military dictators, General Prem Tinansulonda has accused the Thaksin government of using “a double standard”: one for “family and friends” and another for the rest of the country. He also warned the government that it must curb rampant corruption or face being removed from office before its term ends. The elder statesman was speaking at a seminar held at the National Institute of Development Administration.

General Prem ruled Thailand through most of the eighties, creating a stable foundation for the economic boom of the late eighties and early to mid nineties.