Airport faces rocket-attack threat

Book a window seat if you plan to use Suvarnabhumi Airport next Saturday, as you may get a chance to witness the most spectacular pyrotechnic show of mass fireballs and balloons shooting by outside.

February 17, 2008

Victims of the airport's development yesterday threatened to release balloons and home-made rockets the whole day in protest against the delay by the government and the airport's owner, Airports of Thailand, in paying them compensation for their misery.

"Yes, we are concerned about the possible chaos and ruining of the country's image, but we have no other choice," villager leader Somchart Manathamsombat told the press conference.

The villagers first threatened to float balloons up the flight path last September and were rewarded with some success. The government and AOT agreed to set up a tripartite committee to resolve outstanding issues.

But after a long wait, they decided to prod the new government into fulfilling past promises with a scarier weapon, local fireballs or bang fai.

"We smell insincerity from AOT in solving our problems. While we are suffering from severe noise pollution, there has been no significant progress from the committee's work but 10 meetings," Somchart said.

"What we need is nothing special: we're just asking AOT to follow the January 2 Cabinet resolution. What we get is AOT insisting that it will act only when its board of directors gives its approval," he said.

The Nation

Chirmsak stops hosting radio talk following threat

My take: It's time for Thailand to have public radio!!

Former Bangkok senator Chirmsak Pinthong Wednesday gave up hosting in his daily radio talk show after he criticised Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej for allegedly covering up the Thammasat University massacre of October 6, 1976.

PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair, who supervises the Public Relations Department, telephoned production house Fatima Co to give notice that he might not extend its airtime contract, a company source said.

The explanation given was that the show's content had to be adjusted to match the new programming schedule, the source said.

The company asked Chirmsak about Jakrapob's reason. He understood the situation by withdrawing as a radio host, the source said.

"Chirmsak's Views" was broadcast from 8-9pm on FM105, which is under the PRD.

The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30065295

SATELLITE BROADCASTS: Samak raises legal grey area

PM-elect says MVTV should have same right to air policy debate as ASTV while law remains unclear

February 3, 2008

Incoming prime minister Samak Sundara-vej yesterday raised a legal grey area related to satellite television broadcasts.

He said he would allow MVTV, the station run by anti-coup activist Veera Musigapong, to broadcast the upcoming policy debate live, even though the law on the issue remains unclear.

"Although the satellite broadcast is still an unresolved issue, ASTV has received a court injunction to allow the broadcast, pending completion of a judicial review, and MVTV should get the same kind of protection," he said in reference to the litigation involving anti-Thaksin campaigner Sondhi Limthongkul.

Samak said he planned to amend relevant laws in order to clear up legal issues over satellite broadcasts.

He spoke after a meeting with leading activists from the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, including Veera, Natthawut Saikua and Jatuporn Phromphan.

Veera and his fellow activists spearheaded the launch of satellite station PTV, to counter the anti-Thaksin movement. The station was later transformed to MVTV when crusading against the September 19 coup.

Its activists called on the prime minister to congratulate him on his appointment.

Veera said his meeting with Samak was a courtesy call, and he did not lobby for any positions for his group as alleged by a clique of People Power members of Parliament from the Northeast.

A source said Samak exchanged views with the activists over the position of government spokesman and two deputies.

Jatuporn is tipped to become spokesman and Natthawut a deputy. The two are expected to work under the supervision of designated Prime Minister's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair, an alliance leader and former spokesman in the Thaksin government.

The Nation

PPP Taxi

PPP's (People Power Party) sticker like in the back of this taxi can be
seen everywhere in Bangkok before the 2007 election. It proved to be a
very effective way of getting people on their side. The more you see,
the more you can think of them when you are in the election booth.

More pictures on how PPP stay in power by staying with people

These pictures show exactly what I described earlier. PPP manage to win
the heart of majority Thai, where there is less educated, less access to
information and most of their time spend to make ends meet.

This is how PPP won

People Power Party won most seats in parliament already. But these
pictures show how they win the vote by being everywhere, mostly with the
poors and taxis.