When Thailand and Cambodia cooperated on tourism - November 18, 2009 Above is the cover of a brochure from a joint tourism campaign between Cambodia and Thailand from 2000. As far as we can tell, this may have only been used during a German tourist convention. There was initially a plan to have all the nations in this region pool their tourism advertising, but only Thailand and Cambodia ended up following through. The image is a hint at what could be if the nations in the region cooperated as opposed to competing against each other for tourists wanting to come to the region. Web of intrigue - The Nation, November 23, 2009 Prosecution reveals how the Shinawatras hid and multiplied their assets while in power... News and Views - November 2009   (Photo: Matt) Walking the hog - November, 2009 Matt writes: Seen in Ayutthaya recently. Just walkin' the hog. ASTVManager's new book - November 28, 2009 From ASTV Manager, December 21-27, 2009 The headline reads (something like): Bloody December - Overthrow - Romanov - Cruel man's game - Sky [This means something like "A cruel man [Thaksin] has ill will towards the dynasty/royalty." The photo shows the Romanovs who were executed by the Communists in Russia. The article is to promote a new book put out by ASTVManager. This book is being heavily promoted by ASTVManager and openly alleges that Thaksin's plan is to abolish the monarchy.] The book cover in the top left corner reads: The gang to topple the dynasty - Wicked capitalist - The Red Siamese - The poisoned media - The excessive academic - The UFO cult ["The UFO cult" refers to the Dhamakaya Movement’s architectural style that looks like a UFO. The Dhamakaya Movement is a Buddhist offshoot seen as being associated with Thaksin and the Thai Rak Thai Party. Its popularity is perhaps as a reaction to the more traditional, fatalistic Thai Theravada Buddhism. More on Dhamakaya here, here, and here.] [While Manager has spearheaded the fight against Thaksin--often with extreme claims--the rest of the Thai media have been beginning to express opinions about Thaksin's intentions concerning the monarchy that they previously only alluded to. This is despite threats from Thaksin's lawyers to sue those who imply he is disloyal to the monarchy. The Red movement has appeared to ambiguously imply to this in the past. Red Shirt publications have featured a series of historical essays explaining how people have overthrown repressive regimes and replaced them with republics with special attention on royal regimes.] [With the cancellation of plans for the million-man march as well as the generally negative public response to nearly every Thaksin initiative in November, the government seems to, for once, have the upper hand in spinning news and painting Thaksin in the way they want to. This is bolstered by a number of aggressive and sophisticated public relations events including a highly promoted new film on the works of the King to be premiered on giant screens on Ratchadamnoen Road in December. The Silence-Power website is also spearheading a more overt description of Thaksin's alleged aims. The Bhumjaithai Party and its Blue Shirts are behind the Silence Power website having taken up or been assigned the role of openly opposing Thaksin by the coalition government. It is perhaps ironic that much of the rest of the anti-Thaksin movement sees Newin and the Bhumjaithai Party to be as dangerous as Thaksin to the existing political order.] (Photo: Manager) Above: November 10 - Thaksin with Hun Sen and his family as well as former Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat and his wife Yaowapa (Thaksin's sister) Opponents of Thaksin Shinawatra threaten protests as ousted leader visits Cambodia - TimesOnline, November 10, 2009 ...On Saturday he told The Times: “If I were to start the march I would start from the northeastern part of Thailand, on the soil of Thailand, but I will have to enter Thailand from the border. I can enter Thailand from Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar.” “Tonight I will meet and have dinner with Hen Sen and his family,” he wrote today in a message to his supporters on his Twitter online feed. “I miss home so much...” Ex-Thai PM arrives in Cambodia - BBC, November 10, 2009 Thaksin could spark war - Straits Times, November 10, 2009 Point of no return - The Nation, November 11, 2009 Koh Chang protest hots up - Bangkok Post, November 11, 2009 Thai politics, Thaksin and role of monarchy - TimesOnline, November 11, 2009 From Kitti Wasinondh, Ambassador of Thailand: ...Dr Shinawatra is neither Thailand’s current opposition leader nor a leader in exile, but a person who is choosing to stay abroad to avoid a two-year jail term resulting from a finalised corruption case... From Thaksin: ...Since being ousted in a coup three years ago I have remained committed to peaceful reconciliation rather than confrontation. My democratic legitimacy means I do not need to resort to low level political meddling... Thaksin in Cambodia - Koh Kong Puzzle - The Nation, November 13, 2009 ...Would Koh Kong become a virtual government in exile or will it become "Thaksin's Singapore"? Thai intelligence is paying serious attention to all such rumours... Thai-Cambodia dispute raises nationalist sentiment in Bangkok - VOA, November 16, 2009 Thai police arrest African ivory traffickers - Thailandnews.net, November 17, 2009 (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Owl for sale at Jatuchak Market - November 29, 2009 Writers who make up details about Thailand - November 18, 2009 It is an open secret that many writers (and this includes guide book writers) report on Thailand from afar while claiming to actually be here. Noel points out this gem: A bizarre, dreamed up description of Patpong From Maxim Magazine in an article about David Carradine's death: ...A vast open-air sex market, the Patpong is a 20-minute walk from the hotel, past the U.S. and British embassies; an X-rated bazaar that looks like a psychedelic Bourbon Street. This is where they filmed The Deer Hunter to simulate wartime Saigon. The Patpong is divided into Soi 4, which is predominantly gay; Soi Cowboy, a note-perfect re-creation of pre-Disney Times Square, designed to cater to the Western tourist; and Nana Plaza, which is where they keep the kink. Girls in baby-doll nighties with numbers around their necks loll on red-velvet cushions behind a wall of glass, like a giant aquarium. In a far corner a Thai guy with a cash register on a rickety wooden table rings up the sales. Looking for answers at the dodgy Nana Hotel, I meet a striking-looking child bride who calls herself A. She pours herself into my lap. Like everyone I talk to in the Patpong, she doesn’t know anything about Carradine, but for 10,000 baht (roughly $300 in U.S. currency) she will come back to my hotel, tie me up, choke me, and stay the night. I take a rain check... We bet they blame this on the editors. More on writer Mark Ebner's made-up article on Thailand - The Shark Guys, November 18, 2009 ...His flight was followed he says, "by a teeth-rattling cab ride through the smog-choked, sweltering squalor of metro Bangkok, dodging rickshaws and limbless sidewalk cripples begging for change...” More on the Carradine/Maxim piece - Global Post, November 24, 2009 This may one of the first articles point out the absurd Carradine article. The author Patrick notes: ...Despite the volume of facts he got wrong, and the general absurdity of his tone, the guy DID come to Bangkok. It would almost be less embarrassing if he DIDN'T. This piece went beyond misunderstanding into full-fledged lying -- I'm thinking of the "child bride" bit in particular... PB Air: "All flights suspended" - November 18, 2009 Airplane on GoogleEarth - November 20, 2009 Tom notes: ..someone from our board found this odd thing on GoogleEarth. It measures about 33 meter in length and 30 meter wing span. But I believe more that’s an illusion, that the airplane flew through the satellite cam. One of our guys went there, to check it out – but you cant see inside, its in the middle of 3m high elephant grass. Corruption Perceptions Index 2009 - Transparency International, November, 2009 Thailand is 84 tied with El Salvador, Guatemala, India, and Panama. More on pre-Khmer Rouge Cambodian films - Bangkok Post, November 18, 2009 Cambodia takes reins of Thai-owned firm as row deepens - Reuters, November 18, 2009 Thai aviation staff banned - AFP, November 18, 2009 Samart builds Cambodian empire without Thaksin's help - The Nation, November 19, 2009 And KI adds: Sun Chanthol, a former Funcinpec minister, defected to join the CPP following Funcinpec's demise. He is now a minister without portfolio in Hun Xen's regime. What The Nation failed to mention is that Samart's Siam Cement plant is a joint venture with Cambodia's Khaou Chuly group and Khaou Chuly happens to be Sun Chanthol's father-in-law. (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Bangkok city model - November, 20, 2009 Fans of city planning will enjoy this huge model of Bangkok in the Din Daeng City Planning office. Note that it is closed from 12:00-1:00 for employee lunch and they do not seem to want to turn on the room lights or air conditioning for visitors. GoogleEarth Placemark Scale model of Bangkok goes on display - Bangkok Post, November 14, 2009 Earlier: The Shanghai Urban Planning Museum Violence down 28 per cent in Thailand's deep South, army says - EARTHtimes.org, November 18, 2009  Violent incidents have declined 28 per cent this year in Thailand's predominantly Muslim deep South thanks to the army's hearts and minds campaign in the troubled area bordering Malaysia, the region's army commander claimed... More on the Thaksin-Times interview: So Richard, why can’t British public schoolboys rule Thailand? - andrew-drummond.com, November 10, 2009 ...Actually the author has missed the bottom line on this story and that it is quite simply: Thailand is going to the dogs but Thaksin says will come back to power in Thailand by hook or by crook with Puea Thai after the next election, his sins will be wiped, he will be found not guilty, and he then can put the country together again and save us all. If he wants to march in, he will march in from the north, but he wants to avoid bloodshed, he says, thankfully for once... Rare crocs found hiding in plain sight in Cambodia - The Associated Press, November 18, 2009 ...DNA taken from 69 crocodiles housed in the moats of the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center showed nearly 50 percent were Siamese crocodiles, which until recently were believed to have become extinct in the wild... Follow up from the American family reported by Khmer Intelligence - KI, November 16, 2009 ..."We hope at some point to find the right people to go to with this information. As you know, Cambodia receives close to $1 BILLION in foreign aid, much of it for health care. When the world discovers NONE of that money or medicine actually makes it to the people who need it, things may change. Even telling this story puts us in more danger, but we came to Cambodia to help the people, not to buy Camrys for corrupt doctors. When Ho Noun came to visit us, the staff at Baray-Santouk heard she was coming and washed the walls in the front rooms, and hired people from the village to pose as patients so it looked like they were functional. It was a good ploy, because no one ever really checked. Somehow and somewhere, we'll find the right people who are interested in where all that money goes. Maybe then, the people who need the help can actually get it..." Earlier: Tragedy of an American family in Cambodia "Siamese artillery" - November 7, 2009 1950s Bangkok street scene - November 7, 2009 Another interesting Thai flavor for Lays - November 10, 2009 The bag reads: Lays - River shrimp with condiments - Rock [referring to the cool/strong taste] The character is saying: Vote for me if you like this taste The character is wearing boxing shorts that read: Thai boxing Voting for the flavors are here. Richard Lloyd Parry and Thaksin Shinawatra accused of lèse-majesté - TimesOnline, November 11, 2009 Siamese spat - TimesOnline, November 11, 2009 Thaksin sends protest letter to 'The Times' - The Nation, November 11, 2009 Cambodia accuses Thai national of spying - AP, November 13, 2009 ...Siwarak Chothipong, a 31-year-old employee of the Cambodia Air Traffic Service, which manages flights in the country, was accused of stealing Thaksin's flight schedule and sending it diplomats at the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh, said National Police Deputy Chief Lt. Gen. Sok Phal... The weird jackfruit - KhaoSod, November 12, 2009 The caption reads: The weird jackfruit - The jackfruit of local villagers in Suphanburi province that has a strange appearance that looks like Shiva Lingam [the Hindu phallic symbol of creative power]. The owner reveals that the tree was planted 5 years ago and this is the first time it produces fruit. Villagers flock to make wish for their lucky lotto numbers. [This photo is on the front page above the masthead. The background seems to be Photoshopped in.] (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Thaksin's TV network - November 13, 2009 The billboard reads: Today - www.voicetv.co.th - Watch VOICE TV - do you? [Meaning something like "Have you already watched VOICE TV?” The Voice TV building (Google Earth Placemark) is strategically located on the other side of the street from government TV on Weepahwahdeerangsit Road, no doubt to create the impression that VoiceTV is the real voice of the people and government TV is not. The entire nearby area from Suthisarn to the Lad Prae intersection was one of the strongholds of the taxi-based red shirts in April as taxi drivers congregate around the "taxi radio" station near the Lad Prae intersection.] Thaksin on a mission to humiliate Thai government - AP, November 7, 2009 Foreign husbands flock to impoverished Isan - The Malaysian Insider, November 8, 2009 A hundred thousand foreign husbands in Issan, northeast Thailand, generating 10.5 billion baht (RM1.06 billion) in spending with 578,609 jobs created? Astounding figures. Got to wonder how accurate they are!... High tide flood in Paknam - Paknam.com, November 8, 2009 ...Samut Prakan is gradually sinking into the sea. During the high tide periods in November, the main city roads are submerged under sea water for three to four hours each day... [In case you hadn't noticed, these posts, especially the flooded wat, have spawned many stories in international press where these interesting Paknam.com finds are re-reported as original news.] Students on cultural trip end up at Bangkok sex show - Merchant News, November 8, 2009 An investigation has been launched by one of the countries oldest schools into reports that students who were on a school trip to Asia were allowed to witness a sex show whist out for the night in Bangkok’s notorious red-light district... PAD still trying to run Thailand telling PM Abhisit what to do about Cambodia and Thaksin - Asia Travel Examiner, November 7, 2009 ...Meanwhile, potential tourists to Thailand should watch this situation closely as, if the PAD are allowed to control the situation like they were previously and it escalates, they could end up stuck in Thailand with no way of getting home... Olden times - November 21, 2009 Two undated postcards. Above: People mulling around the Grand Palace. Below: Monks receiving alms by the mostly vanished city wall. Also note the tram tracks. Photos of His Majesty during during Loy Krathong - Skyscrapercity.com, November, 2009 "Welcome to Siam's termination of the 2001 MOU" - sokheounpang.wordpress.com, November 7, 2009 Thai government bans Thaksin Shinawatra interview with The Times - TimesOnline, November 9, 2009 "Totally disturbing bargain lipo and sex changes in Thailand" - The Frisky, November 5, 2009 [Thanks to Mud for pointing this out.] Old photos of Thai cinemas - November 7, 2009 Serious appreciation of Thai cinemas Sri Muang Theatre, 1956 Sri Muang Theater, 2006 [Thanks to Jack for pointing this out.] Thaksin: My interview distorted - Bangkok Post, November 9, 2009 ..."The falsified article has caused confusion among the readers and the Thai people.  The headline made by Timesonline is not true.  I never said that in the interview," Thaksin said in the statement. ..."Therefore, I condemn Timesonline for publishing this false and confusing article..." Democrat slams Thaksin on interview - Bangkok Post, November 9, 2009 Few former leaders in the world maintain such influence over their country - TimesOnline, November 9, 2009 ...he shares his nine-bedroom villa with a domestic staff of ten and an exercise bicycle. He golfs at the neighbouring Montgomerie Club and shops in Dubai’s vast shopping malls... Ousted Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra calls for ‘shining’ new age XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX - TimesOnline, November 9, 2009 Thaksin Shinawatra: the full transcript of his interview with The Times - TimesOnline, November 9, 2009 From Truth Today, October 27-29, 2009 The headline reads: Lead actor of the Asean Summit [The photo is of Cambodian PM Hun Sen who grabbed headlines at the summit with his comments supporting Thaksin.] "Editorial coverage of Hun Sen is not fair" - The Nation, November 3, 2009 The Cambodia Ambassador vigorously defends Hun Sen: ...Fourth, Prime Minister Hun Sen did not permit "... himself to be part of a cheap ploy by ... Thaksin to steal the spotlight from a major international event", as you have wrongly alleged. You need to better learn about Samdech Techo Hun Sen. He does not need to appear in the Thai media. He only wants to be clear to everyone on what he will do... Suan Dusit Poll: 72.11% disagree with the "Pattani City" idea - November 6, 2009 72.11% of respondents disagree with Puea Thai chairman Chavolit Yongjiyut's proposal for a "Pattani City" autonomous area in the Deep South. 17.31% agree and 10.58% are not sure. Suan Dusit interviewed 364 people for the survey. Wax Thai musician - November 6, 2009 Jack writes: Love your site, finally i get a chance to contribute! here's the link to: May 11, 1925 - William H. Egberts of National Museum with Siamese musician And the large size. Siamese children - November 1, 2009 Photograph by "Robert Lenz and Co." (From Vintage postcard) Wat Phra Kaew and gas station - November 1, 2009 Circa 1950s? Dwarf banana now multiplied - Manila Bulletin, November 5, 2009 ...Now christened Mama Sita banana, it was introduced from Thailand a few years back through the initiative of the Mama Sita Foundation... B350m army airship 'next to useless - Bangkok Post, November 2, 2009 An airship imported by the army to carry out patrol and surveillance work in the lower South is next to useless as it is not equipped with the essential cameras the US supplier promised, an army source says... Surveillance plan grounded - Bangkok Post, November 3, 2009 ...Spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd yesterday said deployment had been complicated by the US reluctance to supply the two high-resolution surveillance cameras for the plane-shaped balloon... Thailand's shadowy southern insurgency - BBC, November 6, 2009 So far the wars of the 21st century have revolved around insurgencies with nameless, faceless and often fearless fighters bombing, shooting and beheading with little care for their own lives... [Thanks to Mud for pointing this out.] Police arrest Finn on fraud, money laundering charges - TNA, November 1, 2009 Earlier: Investment fraudsters under investigation - Uutiset, October 15, 2009 ...In March 2008 a Tampere man invested 200,000 euros in an Ikaros subsidiary, IG Entertainment, to help bankroll a night club in Phuket, Thailand. However the funds were allegedly paid directly into the personal accounts of the subsidiary's director... A "Finnish Reader" notes: This story is about Ikaros Group and its subsidiaries operating in Phuket, Thailand. Stories in Finnish here, here and here. Of sidenote, on Finland is an ongoing criminal investigation against Finland's biggest Ponzi sceme about "Wincapita/Winclub", of which leaders escaped to or lived in Pattaya and Phuket in 2008... An English-language thread on the company is here. Steaming to Ayutthaya - Bangkok Post, November 1, 2009 On a few special days each year, roaring, antique trains carry delighted passengers along the rails to the old capital of Siam... Former Thai PM to visit his “brother” Than Shwe - The Irrawaddy, November 2, 2009 ...Chavalit is a former Thai Prime Minister who worked to end Burma’s isolation in the international community after the violent suppression of the uprising in Burma in 1988. He was involved in business deals with the Burmese junta in timber, fishing and hotel construction. On his second visit to Burma in 1989 Chavalit agreed to repatriate student activists who fled to Thailand after the crackdown.  In another controversial move recently, Chavalit said the current Thai government was wrong to condemn the Burmese junta over opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest...   Thai construction workers: How to sink pylons on soft ground - YouTube, November, 2009 [Thanks to Thomas for pointing this out.] Chiang Mai: Exploring the old alleyways of a former kingdom's capital- WSJ, November, 2009 [Thanks to Mud for pointing this out.] Wanted: Pornthip's head! - mysinchew.com, November 1, 2009 ...Since then, she has been told by the police that her head was wanted by certain people in southern Thailand. "They offered at least one million baht (approximately RM100,000) for my head, but I'm not afraid of it!... Tracking down the bombing mastermind - mysinchew.com, November 2, 2009 ...Thanks to the mysterious death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock, Malaysians get to know this fashion-conscious legendary woman... The sensational side of Pornthip Rojanasunan - mysinchew.com, November 3, 2009 ...But her backpack is quite unlike what other women would carry, full of cosmetics and sort. Inside her backpack are all kinds of chains and rings which are related to Buddha. Besides, there are also pictures of the Holy Priest as well as the late kings of Thailand... (Photo: trueslant.com) Narcotecture: A photo tour of Kabul’s poppy palaces - trueslant.com, July 12, 2009 [Interesting caption under this photo in the article.] Update: From an aid worker in Kabul: A couple of us looked at the pictures and we have identified one of the houses in the photos. It is being used to house international relief workers. I suspect the author of the article knew that, which puts his comment about AK47 armed guards in a different light. They aren't guarding drug lords, but foreign relief workers. The building we identified is a couple of blocks from the UN guesthouse that was attacked, so armed guards might be warranted in such a setting.   New guidebook reveals darker side of tourist sites in Shan State - shanwomen.org, November, 2009 Forbidden Glimpses of Shan State - shanwomen.org, November, 2009 Fascinating info in the pdf including the demolition of Kengtung Palace (below).   (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Clearing the corner - November 21, 2009 A huge lot on the corner of Rama 4 and Si Phraya Road is being gradually being cleared of old shop houses. Google Earth Placemark Railway wharf Songkhla - November 13, 2009 Earlier: Songkhla rail wharf Also: The Songkhla train station - Walking the Songkhla line - The Songkhla to Hat Yai rail line   "Bangkok - A sledge" - November 13, 2009 Pornthip: Big shots could be behind the heinous crimes in Thailand's Deep South - mysinchew.com, November 4, 2009 ...She believed that these militants might need plenty of funds to finance their actions, and it was therefore possible that they had paired up with local crime syndicates, or been involved in smuggling and other illegal activities in order to rake in the profits. "As what I understand, it is very likely that they have been sponsored by the politicians..." Govt cannot afford to be lax in upcoming showdown with Thaksin - The Nation, November 24, 2009 ...Thaksin's soldiers of fortune comprise the red shirts, hired thugs, members of the Pheu Thai Party and followers left from the dissolution of his two earlier parties. They are supposed to be more formidable and they also aim high - abolition of the monarchy, if possible... Red shirts indefinitely postpones rally from Sunday - The Nation, November 25, 2009 Thaksin to Red Shirts: 'postpone rally, it's not right time' - TNA, November 25, 2009 Thaksin's new name: Takki Shinegra - The Nation, November 25, 2009 Thai woman and lover jailed over murder - Harborough Mail, November 5, 2009 ...Unlike British law, where trials can takes weeks if not months, Thai justice proved swift. Statements for prosecution and defence were given last Thursday and a Roi-Et courtroom found the defendants guilty. The hearing was adjourned until yesterday, when Mr Beeston's wife and Channondon were sentenced to life behind bars... Thaksin to receive $425 per month from the Cambodian government - Khmer Intelligence, November 24, 2009 ...Following his appointment earlier this month as the 117th official adviser to Prime Minister Hun Sen, fugitive former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will receive a monthly salary of US$425 from the Cambodian government. Strangely enough, among the legion of Hun Sen's advisers, Thaksin has been given no special status such as "Senior Adviser" or "President of the Prime Minister's Advisory Council." He just seems to be "primus inter pares..." Thai film tops TIFF list of decade's best - CBC News, November 23, 2009 Happy Air - November 26, 2009 Jani points out: Yet another classy airline site: Happy Air Travellers And a thread on the forum about the company Song of Siam, 1948 - YouTube, November, 2009 Thread on this file here. Expat Explorer Survey 2009 - HSBC, November, 2009 Stephane notes: Here's a report you may find interesting. ...Thailand is #3, language is the main barrier and a staggering 47% of expats found love in Thailand (compared to 20% in other countries). Maoists' offices in Beijing, Bangkok? - Deccan Herald, November, 2009 ...“The Maoists leaders from India often visit their offices in cities like Beijing and Bangkok to hold discussions with their contacts..." Risk areas in Bangkok - Lat Phrao 101: Riskiest area - The Nation, November 30, 2009 Is your seafood harvested by slaves? - truthout, November, 2009 ...The murdered man was, like Winko, a newly acquired fishing slave unsure how to work the boat’s machinery. But while Winko kept quiet, the new man protested. He was kicked across the deck until he tumbled overboard and disappeared in the turquoise wake. Life is hell for Thailand’s fishermen slaves, a largely Burmese workforce lured into the Thai fishing industry by brokers... Thai navy vessel fires on Burmese soldiers - The Irrawaddy, November 30, 2009 Five Burmese soldiers are injured in an exchange of naval gunfire in waters off Kawthoung Township in far southern Burma... Delights of the Singapore to Bangkok 'jungle railway' - BBC, November 28, 2009 Thanks to Mud for pointing this out. Thai police vow crackdown on Buddha statue thieves - Thailandnews.net,  November 26, 2009 ...At least 20 heads of Buddha statues have recently been reported stolen from temples in the World Heritage province of Ayuthaya, which was the kingdom's capital from 1350 to 1767, said deputy national police chief Jongrak Juthanond... Thai Airways' excess baggage charge costs more than seat - Time, November 25, 2009 [Thanks to Joost for pointing this out.] Source of East Coast cholera outbreak suspected to be from Thailand - Thailandnews.net, November 25, 2009 Cholera outbreaks in Terengganu and Kelantan were believed to have been spread from Thailand... Thaksin 'will stop protests if govt spares him from jail' - Bangkok Post, November 27, 2009 ...The source said Thaksin wanted the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship movement to keep up its campaign against the government. At the same time, he wanted to open talks with the government about his fate. Any negotiations would proceed on the condition that Thaksin would be spared the two-year jail term which he fled overseas last year to avoid... In pictures: Bangkok soup vendor's working day - BBC, November, 2009 [Thanks to Mud for pointing this out.] Thaksin and UDD member chat on a webcam in Dubai - YouTube, November 21, 2009 Bangkok Blythe doll craze no passing trend - cnngo.com, November, 2009 The pricey dolls with the creepy eyes continue to captivate the city’s young ladies -- including celebrity Chompoo Araya... Thai tourism could be our teacher - Thanh Nien Daily, November 26, 2009 ...I used to think that Thai tourism authorities were only good at organizing sex tours or shopping trips. But now I know their entire tourism system is a machine superior to most others in the region... Software police target Phuket businesses - Phuket Gazette, November 5, 2009 ...A list of 1,000 suspect companies nationwide compiled by the ECD has been based on tips, some anonymous. These are typically from sources within the target companies. ...The raided companies came from a wide variety of industries, including manufacturing, real estate, automobiles, shipping, design and engineering... (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Saturday in Bangkok - November 14, 2009 Saturday afternoon - Police raid software shops - Above: Police officer taking an evidence photo of a pirate software shop at Mahboonkrong (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Above: Waiting in traffic in front of Central World (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Above: No movement in traffic in front of Central World 2 hours and 15 minutes later... Police: PAD blast caused by grenade - Bangkok Post, November 16, 2009 Small blast at PAD rally - Manager, November 15, 2009 Four hurt by firecracker at Thai protest: organiser - AFP, November 16, 2009 "The Thai People’s Declaration to the World" - Manager, November 15, 2009   Scenes from Thaksin's visit from KhmerLiveTV 2009-11-10 Thaksin visits PM Hun Sen 2009-11-12 Thaksin Shinawatra Speech Press Conference Part 1 (of 15) 2009-11-11 PM Hun Sen and Thaksin Press Conference Part 1 (of 7)     (Photo: Tom) Fish massage - November 7, 2009