It seems there has been rising discontent among the people of Thailand recently, as a reported 100,000 came out in Bangkok to call for the Prime Ministers resignation. The protest was led by Sondhi Limthongkul, the media mogul who Thaksin tried to sue for defamation for publishing a letter which accused Thaksin's administration of being rife with corruption. Thaksin had also tried to sue a journalist for implying that he had been passing legislation which benefitted his own family's corporate interests. These lawsuits were dropped after His Majesty King Bhumibhol Adulyadej kindly suggested the PM listen to his critics instead of suing them.   more »

Looks like its time to turn our attention again to the Salween River. Early this past December the Thai government finally signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the SPDC for the development of a series of hydropower dams on the Salween river. The Salween Watch site has all the dirt on the issue. S.H.A.N. has also published a great report on the public health ramifications of the proposed dams.

As one might expect, the dams will lead to massive displacement and loss of livelihood for locals in Shan and Karen States, as well as environmental destruction. Combined with the recent MoU Thailand signed to develop 17.5 million acres under a contract farming system in Shan State, one has to seriously question the current Thai administration's motivations and/or intelligence. It seems the dams are being built not only to produce electricity, which will be sent to Thailand, but are also intended to divert water to the Chao Praya basin, to be used in industrial operations in Thailand.   more »