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.

The latest incident that sparked the public protests was the recent sale by the Thaksin family of their 49% share in Shin Corp., the nation's telecommunication's giant, to Singpore's Temasek. The sale earned Thaksin two billion dollars US, tax free. Thaksin has defended the sale, saying it was entirely legal. It was, in fact, legal. It was sold the same day that legislation went into effect making such a sale legal. A coincidence that's just a little too convenient. Although, there have also been allegations of insider trading in the deal, which I'm hardly qualified to comment on. The sale has also raised criticism regarding Ample Rich Investment Co., which Thaksin set up in 1999 as a tax haven. Personally, I wouldn't trust anyone cheeky enough to actually use the name "Ample Rich" for an investment company, much less one intended as a tax haven. That's just ridiculous.

There's a good article about the protests over at Publius Pundit as well. This makes me wish that I were still in Thailand to be able to see how this all will unfold, although I imagine life in Chiang Mai is continuing on as usual. Many Thai friends who I'd spoken to about Thaksin before all these scandals broke said the same thing, they like Thaksin, and beleive he's done good things for the country - he thinks big and has good ideas - but he's too focused and too driven. He's moving faster than the little people can keep up with and they worry he'll leave them behind. It seems a fairly accurate description of what's going on, and Thaksin is pushing his luck with his efforts to sqaush the press and this new scandal. The people who voted for Thaksin knew they were taking a risk, but they apparently trusted that Thaksin's big ideas would take them somewhere, and even if its difficult, they decided to go along with him. They trusted that he has their best interests at heart in all this - even if he is moving too quickly. But events like this certianly bring his motives into question. If Thaksin's big ideas really are benefitting him and his family like this - is he really thinking of the little people at all? He obviously knows the score here, what with his recent reality TV venture. If things continue as they are though, publicity stunts won't do him much good. Much like Bush, he seems to think the issue here is purely a legal, black and white one - he hasn't done anything technically illegal, so it's all ok.

It remains to be seen though, how this will all unfold. Two of his cabinet ministers have recently resigned, so there could be something unfolding within his own Thai Rak Thai party. It could all come down to the King in the end, though. I don't see his Majesty interfering in the natural democratic processes that may occur - but he does have the power to call for the PM's resignation if it he beleives that's what the people want, and its certianly happened before.

A new Prime Minister in Thailand could very well be a good thing for the people of Burma, though. They certianly couldn't do worse than Thaksin.

Links: Demand for Thaksin's Resignation: 100,000 rise against PM
Thousands of Thais Call for Resignation of Prime Minister