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Wednesday, May 28, 2008

OLPC (One Laptop Per Child) finally arrives


OLPC (One Laptop Per Child) finally arrives

Thailand, OLPC is finally here. Much talk about then, finally arrive. Not much for the detail of how government distributes the laptop or how many they've received, but the picture shown like the students who receives the laptop are in
a quite good school, not a school in the rural area.

Picture Credit: http://nationmultimedia.com/

OLPC (One Laptop Per Child) finally arrives



OLPC (One Laptop Per Child) finally arrives

Thailand, OLPC is finally here. Much talk about then, finally arrive. Not much for the detail of how government distributes the laptop or how many they've received, but the picture shown like the students who receives the laptop are in
a quite good school, not a school in the rural area.

Picture Credit: http://nationmultimedia.com/

Chart Thai calls for Jakrapob removal

Chart Thai calls for Jakrapob removal

A Chart Thai MP circulated an open letter on Wednesday calling on Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to sack PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair and suspend a referendum on charter rewrite.



"The country's stability is above that of the government's, bearing in mind that everyone is obliged to uphold the monarchy, a most revered institution throughout Thai history," Natthawut Prasertsuwan said in his letter addressed to the prime minister.

Even though the judicial process involving Jakrapob has not been concluded, his actions have offended the people's sensitivities, Nattahwut said.

He urged Samak either to demand Jakrapob's resignation or to dismiss him.

Jakrapob should quit in order to pave way for clearing his name as an individual instead of dragging the government to get involved in his controversy, he said.

Regarding the issue of charter rewrite, the prime minister has pledged to forge national reconciliation and has no justification to rush the charter amendments at this juncture, he said.

He urged the government to reallocate Bt2 billion earmarked for the planned referendum for other spending plans.

Instead of squandering on the referendum, the government can build about 1,000 school buildings, at the cost of Bt2 million each, or distribute 16.6 million bags of "blue flag" rice to the underprivileged, at the cost of Bt120 each.

Commenting on Natthawut's move, Chart Thai Party MP Warawut Silapaarcha said his father and party leader Banharn Silapaarcha did not give the green light to the letter.

"My father was informed about Natthawut's letter some 20 miniutes ago," Warawut said.

He said Banharn will likely suffer a "political headache" when trying to resolve the trouble stirred up by Natthawut.

REF: http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/05/28/politics/politics_30074175.php

Monday, May 26, 2008

Smell the coup?

Smell the coup?

When the police can't protect citizens,
    people start asking for someone else to do the job.

When the leader let people down,
    there are uprising.

When the government won't do the job for the people,
    they are on the brink of losing power.

When people's backs against the wall,
    just wait and see............


PAD kicks off new rallies

CONSTITUTION

Pad kicks off new rallies

Clash averted as anti-charter rewrite group faces protest

A fresh round of tit-for-tat political confrontation started yesterday, with the People's Alliance for Demo-cracy vowing to stage a rally at the Democracy Monument until this morning to block a constitutional amendment while supporters of the rewrite were trying to disrupt the rally.

Police were adopting cautious measures to prevent both sides from clashing.

The PAD, which played a catalyst role in removing former prime minister Thaksin Shina-watra from office in 2006, has regrouped to pursue the unfinished agenda of uprooting the political power base of Thaksin. It has made it clear that the amendment is aimed at preventing the political parties from being dissolved and at helping the former prime minister get away from the legal cases against him.

Suriyasai Katasila, a PAD leader, said the rally would last until 10am today and that it might move from the Demo-cracy Monument to Govern-ment House and the Parliament.

Supporters of rewriting the Constitution tried unsuccessfully to disrupt the PAD rally.

More than 100 pro-amendment people gathered near the PAD's protest site shortly after the rally began at 3pm. A crowd leader, Waranchai Chokchana, attacked the PAD over a megaphone, using curses and vulgar words.

Despite the presence of about 30 policemen, some of the pro-amendment demonstrators ran after a PAD truck and tore down a banner carrying the message "Don't amend the Constitution if you love the country".

The crowd, many of them from the anti-coup Demo-cratic Alliance against Dic-tatorship, also burned effigies of the five PAD leaders.

The pro-amendment crowd then hurled plastic bottles at the PAD supporters, who threw them back. A 48-year-old man, identified as Weerayut Seni-wongse na Ayutthaya, was slightly injured in the clash.

The pro-amendment people later moved back to their place opposite Satriwithaya School. They continued verbally attacking the PAD and displaying banners condemning its rally.

The PAD rally continued and caused parts of Rajdamnoen Avenue to be closed to traffic as the number of protesters grew.

The group claimed authorities were attempting to block its supporters from the provinces coming to join the rally at the Democracy Monument.

Suriyasai said the group would today file a petition with the Senate speaker against MPs and senators who filed the amendment motion recently. He said their move was an act against the Constitution and therefore warranted an impeachment campaign.

In a related development, the pro-amendment group yesterday threatened to seek a court order to revoke the bail of media mogul and PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul if he took to the stage at the rally.

Pracha Prasobdee, People Power, Samut Prakan, leader of the Great Public Group for the Protection of Democracy, said his team gathered at Sanam Luang and Thammasat University to monitor the protest by the PAD. His team was fully equipped with computers and tape recorders to record the incident to be used as evidence.

The group would resort to legal measures against PAD leaders such as Sondhi if he violated bail conditions by joining the protest.

By The Nation
http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/05/26/headlines/headlines_30073935.php

Think hard, Jakrapob told

Think hard, Jakrapob told

Bangkok, Thailand

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday urged PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair to reflect on his controversial remarks on the monarchy and act accordingly.


"I think if Jakrapob cannot explain himself to society, then it might be better for all concerned for him to retreat," Thaksin said.

"But if he can explain himself, then it's OK. However, we have to understand that all Thais harbour sensitivity toward the monarchy," he said.

Jakrapob was nowhere to be seen yesterday as he shunned the public eye. Pressure has been mounting for him to quit over his speech in August 2007 that appeared to take on the monarchy.

He was scheduled to attend a meeting at the Foreign Ministry but he cancelled it to go see Thaksin at his Charansanitwong Soi 69 residence.

Thaksin said Jakrapob made sound decisions because he listens to public opinion and knows what to do next.

Thaksin seemed to be trying to distance himself from Jakrapob, who has also become a target for impeachment by the opposition. Jakrapob has increasingly become isolated.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said it would be better for Jakrapob to go through the whole legal process.

http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/05/22/headlines/headlines_30073672.php

Friday, May 16, 2008

Thaksin Shinawatra 'sorry' for Man City fans

Thaksin Shinawatra 'sorry' for Man City fans

Thaksin Shinawatra has been forced to make a public apology in Thailand after his name was emblazoned on a Thai flag by Manchester City fans.
# Telegraph TV: Premier and Football League highlights
# Manchester City homepage
# In pics: Premier League action

City owner Thaksin, a former prime minister of Thailand, has sparked a fans' revolt over his plans to sack manager Sven-Goran Eriksson. They chanted support for Eriksson during Sunday's 1-0 defeat by Liverpool at Anfield.

A Thai flag bearing the message "Thank you Thaksin", which was unfurled during last week's Eastlands defeat by Fulham, has landed Thaksin in hot water in his home country, with prime minister Samak Sundaravej "strongly disapproving" of the flag.

"I saw it, but was occupied with the game," Thaksin said. "The fans are now well aware that the actions caused unhappiness in Thailand and they asked me to convey their regrets."

Thai police have accepted charges filed by the People's Network Against Corruption, who said Thaksin should be held responsible for disrespecting the flag. However, he is unlikely to face action after apologising on behalf of the fans.

City are due to visit Thailand on a 10-day tour starting next week with Eriksson in charge, even though his departure as manager is likely to be rubber-stamped after Sunday's Premier League game against Middlesbrough.

"Yes, I will go to Thailand - we all will," Eriksson said. "It's a tour that has been arranged and that hasn't changed. It's a combination of playing football and holiday, so it should be a good trip."

Ref: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/05/06/sfnmac106.xml
By Mark Ogden

Human Right Violation by Thaksin Shinawatra

Friday, May 9, 2008

Sven's fan club do their bit but exit still looms after City lose to Liverpool

Sven's fan club do their bit but exit still looms after City lose to Liverpool


He insists on maintaining The Iceman image to the last, but Sven Goran Eriksson still said enough on Sunday to confirm that his Manchester City tenure has only a matter of weeks to run.

City's former England coach was serenaded by 3,000 travelling fans from start to finish and repeatedly acknowledged their backing with a wave of the hand and bow of the head.

It was an outpouring of support for Eriksson delivered in hope, if not expectancy, that Thaksin Shinawatra may have a rethink over dispensing with the 60-year-old Swede after just one season in charge.

Asked if it might achieve its objective, though, Eriksson pointedly replied: "No, I don't think it will make any difference to my position."

Banners, Swedish flags and Eriksson face masks in the away end spelt out the overwhelming dismay among City fans at the way last Sunday's meeting between the owner and manager had ended with the most acrimonious of splits.

If that did not get their message across, the noise that followed did, as the usual Blue Moon rendition gave way to chorus after chorus of "Thaksin, leave our Sven alone", sung to Pink Floyd's The Wall.

Finally sunk by a record-equalling goal from Fernando Torres, Eriksson shook hands with Rafa Benitez at the end before striding towards the Anfield Road End and raising a clenched fist in a rare show of emotion.

He had resolved to maintain a diplomatic silence over his future, for another week at least, but there were enough indicators in a good humoured Press conference to give the game away.

"I've never known such an incredible level of personal support for me at any time in my managerial career and I am so grateful for it," he said.

"It meant I had to keep getting up from the bench to wave to them, but that's OK. I can do that. I want to say a big thank-you to the supporters, because they have been fantastic and were amazing again today.

"But I don't think it will make any difference to my position. One week should pass quickly enough and we can talk then.

"I know my agent has apparently said he doubts I will still be here next season, but perhaps agents should work more and not talk. I haven't spoken to him about it, just as I haven't spoken to the owner since last Sunday.

"All I will say is that I accepted the job here not just because it was a big club in the Premier League but because I saw it as a project. It was a fantastic opportunity to build something new and make it better.

"We have achieved our initial target of a top-10 finish, but whether we will be able to take it further, we will have to see. Do I know my fate? Maybe, but I think that is enough on that subject."

Given that Eriksson apparently objected to what he saw as interference from Thaksin, it was significant he dismissed questions about any reticence over his future by saying: "I haven't been told not to say anything. At my age, I don't need anyone telling me what to do."

Liverpool's players appeared to be doing their bit for the pro- Eriksson lobby as they passed up the chance of a landslide win that would have given the missing City owner ammunition.

It was due partly to the brilliance of Joe Hart, who launched a stunning display with a flying save from Steven Gerrard in the 32nd minute.

The Liverpool skipper had fizzed one drive narrowly wide when he took aim and curled a shot that looked bound for the top corner until Hart took off to palm it round at full stretch.

There was nothing he could do about a 58th-minute winner from Torres. The £21million record signing latched on to a Dirk Kuyt header and went past Richard Dunne as if he wasn't there before sliding home his 23rd Barclays Premier League goal of the season.

It put him alongside former Manchester United star Ruud van Nistelrooy for the highest tally by a foreign import in his debut season and emulated Anfield legend Roger Hunt's 46-year-old feat of scoring in eight home league games on the trot.

He belongs in such elevated company after an exceptional start to his Liverpool career.

City threatened briefly when Elano clipped a post with a free-kick and Benjani later tested Pepe Reina, but Liverpool would have been out of sight with greater care near goal.

Kuyt drew a spectacular save from Hart in the 61st minute and hit the bar with a header four minutes later.

The erratic Holland front-runner also directed a header straight at Hart when he should have scored and sent another wide.

Benitez said: "Maybe we have to work hard in the summer to make sure we take more chances, but Torres was amazing again."

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-23482256-details/Sven's+fan+club+do+their+bit+but+exit+still+looms+after+City+lose+to+Liverpool/article.do

Thaksin Shinawatra asks players to bow

Thaksin Shinawatra asks players to bow

EXCLUSIVE BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE


Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra has hit the club with another shock by asking for the players to bow to him Thai-style before each game.

Sunday Mirror Sport revealed three weeks ago that Shinawatra's relationship with manager Sven Goran Eriksson was at breaking point.

And the former England coach will be sacked at the end of the season, despite being less than 12 months into a three-year contract.

Shinawatra aims to placate fans by bringing in Phil Scolari after the Brazilian's contract with Portugal expires after Euro 2008.

But officials at the Eastlands club have been worried for some time by requests from Shinawatra - and his latest is for the team to bow towards him after performing their pre-kick-off sporting handshake with the opposition.

Bowing is a traditional mark of respect in Shinawatra's native Thailand. But some at City see this as another example of how the former Thai Prime Minister is turning the club into his personal dictatorship.

A City insider said: "At first we thought it was a joke, but the owner was serious about the players paying their respects. It's just not going to happen."

Shinawatra is preparing to sack Eriksson against the wishes of all the high-ranking officials he retained at the club when he took over last summer.

Former chairman John Wardle, chief executive Alistair Mackintosh and legal expert Bryan Bodek could follow Eriksson out.

City fans are furious about Shinawatra's treatment of Eriksson - and some have demanded season ticket refunds after the Swede issued a personal plea on marketing material urging supporters to renew.

http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/05/04/thaksin-shinawatra-asks-players-to-bow-98487-20404661/

My Take: Respect is earned, not given!!

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Thaksin regrets flag insult

BANGKOK (AFP) — Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra has apologised to the Thai people after a group of the club's fans emblazoned his name on the national flag, a crime in his homeland.

The flag was unfurled reading "Thank you Thaksin" (???) during City's home loss to Fulham a week ago, a shock defeat that fuelled speculation that manager Sven-Goran Eriksson will be sacked.

Prime Minister Samak Sundarajev was not amused, while Thai police were reportedly mulling charges against the former premier for disrespecting the flag. In Thailand it is a crime to alter or deface the flag in any way.

"I regret the incident by Manchester City fans in England, who were trying to show their love for the club and for Thailand," Thaksin was quoted as saying in the Thai-language Daily News.

"It's OK in their culture, and once we explained the problem to them, they expressed their regret.

"I was there at the stadium and I saw it. At the time, I was caught up in the game, but soon afterwards we informed them of the problem and they agreed to stop.

"They understand the differences in our cultures, and they have conveyed their regret. I have explained the situation to Prime Minister Samak via a third person," he added.

Thaksin's lack of support for the embattled Eriksson has angered many City fans who almost unanimously came out in support of the Swede in the 1-0 defeat at Liverpool over the weekend.

Despite fears that he will be fired, Eriksson indicated on Sunday that he expected to lead the club on their end-of-season tour which includes a game in Thailand on May 17.

My Take: From the picture spread over the media, only "Thaksin" word on the lower white stripe of Thailand flag is visible. For Thais, red on the flag means the nation, white means religion and most importantly blue means the King. Therefore, having the name on the flag symbolize much more than westerner can imagine. And that's why this is very inappropriate and upset most Thai people.

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