As the police were shooting tear gas at the antigovernment protesters in front of the Metropolitan Police Command headquarters throughout the evening of Tuesday, the Army reinforced its troops at the nearby Sanam Suapa. The military was signalling that it was helping the police to try to maintain peace in the capital. So whose side the military belong to? At least at this critical juncture, the Army under Army Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda appeared to be supporting Somchai Wongsawat, the prime minister. The People's Alliance for Democracy has been staging antigovernment rallies by banking on hopes that if the People Power Party-led government does not resign under pressure, the military would come to its side to force the government out openly or discreetly. The PAD is now caught in its own trap. As hopes of military support fades away, the PAD can only get out of this trap with more reinforcement from the critical mass, who must number more than 100,000 at least. Earlier in the day, Somchai assured that the military would not stage a coup and pointed to the military, including Anupong, standing behind him as having given him the assurance. Somchai was having a meeting with the top military brass to assess the crisis situation. In the morning, police suddenly changed tactics by playing hardball and using tear gas and weapons to disperse the crowd surrounding Parliament. The PAD would like to disrupt the Somchai government's making policy address to Parliament. There were clashes between the protesters,...

These pictures from photographers on the scene yesterday show that some policemen sent to disperse protestors in front of Parliament House were armed with hand grenades, and not only tear-gas cannisters as claimed by the police chief. In fact, when at least four victims among over 400 injured were found with mutilated legs, it was clear that police were told to "do whatever you have to" to clear the way for the MPs and senators to enter the Parliament so that Premier Somchai Wongsawat could deliver his policy speech.

BANGKOK – In yet another startling twist to the hotly contested race for Bangkok governor, independent candidate Chuwit Kamolvisit has upped the stakes by promising to eliminate the physical office of governor entirely and replace it with a 4-year long series of billboards and posters. “Bangkok is a stinking swamp of corruption and lies,” he explained at a recent press conference. “I will stay above the temptation of the office by never being in the office at all.” According to a ten-point outline distributed to the press, Chuwit plans to use the BMA budget earmarked for running the governor’s office and instead spend it on renting a series of large billboards located in strategic locations throughout the city. All decisions he makes as governor will be announced through the billboards, featuring giant stage-set photos of Chuwit acting out the decision. “For example, if I approve a budget for, say, upgrading Bangkok’s parks, you’d see me on the billboards with my sleeves rolled up, pushing a shovel into the ground to plant some flowers,” he said. “That way you wouldn’t need to read about in the newspaper because you would know on your commute to work exactly what it is that I am doing for Bangkok.” Additionally, according to his outline, below-the-line media such as leaflets handed out at BTS stations by women wearing sexy uniforms could be used to supply additional details of any legislation or executive action, and the city budget, which Chuwit claims will contain “100% transparency for...

BANGKOK - Apirak Kosayodhin promised today he would make even more dramatic promises in his second term as Bangkok Governor and then immediately fulfilled that promise. “It is the most sacred tradition of Bangkok governors to make promises to fulfill Bangkok’s tremendous promise and I personally promise to make those promises too,” the Democrat declared. “And with that first promise I am already fulfilling my promise to the people to deliver promises.” Apirak then said: “As I know more than ever that the Bangkok governor position holds no real authority, I can’t promise anything but I can and will promise promises.” He then declared: “I promise to solve the city’s traffic problems and clean up its khlongs . I promise to reduce pollution and get rid of stray dogs. I promise massive new infrastructure projects. Thank you for electing me. My job is done

BANGKOK - Disgraced ex-prime minister Samak Sundaravej has resorted to yelling at people and passing cars, according to eyewitness reports. Having been released on bail following both his convictions for libel and conflict of interest, the outspoken 72-year old veteran politician has apparently been unable to find an audience to listen to his opinions. After his offers for a free “exclusive” interview was turned down by Matichon , Thai Rath , The Bangkok Post , The Nation , Manager , BK Magazine , The Big Chili , In Residence , Guru , Bangkok-by-Night , and www.my-thai-vacation.blogspot.com, Samak has resorted to wandering the streets of the capital, shouting incomprehensible things at pedestrians and traffic. So far there are no reports of Samak injuring anyone or damaging any property, although he had to be restrained by police on Monday after reportedly frightening the children at St. Joseph ’s school on Convent Road