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Timeline of major flashpoints in Thailand's deepening political crisis, in which 30 people have died and hundreds have been injured. March 12: "Red Shirt" protesters, calling themselves "have-nots" and "commoners," gather in Bangkok in bid to drive out Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who they claim represents the elite of Thai society and is insensitive to the poor majority. Many are supporters of former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 military coup amid corruption allegations. March 16-17: Red Shirt protesters hurl containers filled with their own blood into the government and residential compound of the prime minister. March 28: Abhisit meets Red Shirt leaders in televised negotiations but both sides walk away without reaching an agreement. April 7: Government declares state of emergency in Bangkok area. April 10: Military, police move to oust protesters from their camp in a historic area of Bangkok. Clashes between troops and Red Shirts result in 25 deaths and more than 800 injuries. April 15-18: Red Shirts consolidate protests in Bangkok's upscale central shopping and tourism district, construct a barricade around their encampments. April 22: Grenade attacks against an anti-Red Shirt gathering kill one person and wound 75. April 28: Troops clash with Red Shirts on an expressway, blocking their effort to take the demonstrations into the suburbs. One soldier dies as a multi-lane highway is transformed into a battle zone. May 3: Abhisit offers fresh elections in November if Red Shirts end occupation of commercial center. May 7-8: Overnight shooting attack and explosions outside protest zone kill two police officers. May 10: Red Shirts say they accept Abhisit's election proposal but will not end their protest unless a top government official faces criminal charges. May 12: The government withdraws election offer and turns to siege tactics after protesters refuse to disperse, announcing that the army would cut off supplies of water, food and electricity to the protest zone. May 13: Maj. Gen. Khattiya Sawasdiphol, a renegade army officer who aided the Red Shirts, is shot in the head while talking to reporters in downtown Bangkok, triggering more clashes in Bangkok that killed one person. The Associated Press: Timeline of events in Thailand's political crisis

BANGKOK — Anti-government protesters dug into their encampments around Bangkok and rejected talk of negotiations Sunday after a monthlong standoff escalated into clashes that killed 20 people in Thailand's worst political violence in nearly two decades. Bullet casings, rocks and pools of blood littered the streets near a main tourist area where soldiers had tried to clear the protesters, who are demanding that the prime minister dissolve Parliament and call early elections. Foreign governments issued warnings for citizens visiting Thailand, where tourism is a lifeblood industry. On Sunday, protesters showed off a pile of weapons they had captured from the troops, including rifles and heavy caliber machine-gun rounds. The activists also captured several Thai soldiers who were later released. Jatuporn Prompan, a leader of the Red Shirt movement that contends the current government is illegitimate because it does not reflect results of the last elections, said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's hands were "bloodied." "There is no more negotiation. Red Shirts will never negotiate with murderers," Jatuporn announced from a makeshift stage. "Although the road is rough and full of obstacles, it's our duty to honor the dead by bringing democracy to this country." Another protest leader, Nattawut Saikua, told reporters that funeral rites would be held Sunday evening for 14 dead protesters near where they fell, and that their bodies would be paraded through Bangkok on Monday. No demonstrations were planned for Sunday. Government forces Saturday night moved into a protester-occupied area around Bangkok's Democracy Monument, near the backpacker mecca of Khao San Road. The push instead set off street fighting. There was a continuous sound of gunfire and explosions, mostly from Molotov cocktails, for more than two hours. Soldiers made repeated charges to clear the Red Shirts, while some tourists watched. Two protesters and a Buddhist monk with them were badly beaten by soldiers and taken away by ambulance. Army spokesman Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd accused protesters of firing live rounds and throwing grenades. An APTN cameraman saw two Red Shirt security guards carrying assault rifles. Four soldiers and 16 civilians were killed, according to the government's Erawan emergency center. At least 834 people were injured, according to the emergency center. The deaths included Japanese cameraman Hiro Muramoto, who worked for the Thomson Reuters news agency. In a statement, Reuters said he was shot in the chest and the circumstances of his death were under review. Police spokesman Lt. Gen. Pongsapat Pongcharoen said an autopsy committee, which would include two Red Shirt members, was set up to examine corpses of those killed, including Muramoto. It was the worst violence in Bangkok since four dozen people were killed in a 1992 antimilitary protest. Late Saturday, army troops pulled back and asked protesters to do the same, resulting in an unofficial truce. South Korea and China both urged their nationals Sunday to avoid visiting Bangkok. Australia warned its citizens of a "strong possibility of further violence" in Thailand, and Foreign Minister Stephen Smith told tourists to stay away from the protests. Apichart Sankary, an executive with the Federation of Thai Tourism Associations, said that if street protests continue the number of foreign visitors could drop to 14.5 million this year, against an earlier official projection of 15.5. The U.S. State Department has not updated a travel alert issued last week when a state of emergency was imposed that advised citizens to be careful when visiting the Thai capital. The demonstrations are part of a long-running battle between the mostly poor and rural supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and the ruling elite they say orchestrated the 2006 military coup that removed him from power amid corruption allegations. The protesters, called "Red Shirts" for their garb, see the Oxford-educated Abhisit as a symbol of an elite impervious to the plight of Thailand's poor and claim he took office illegitimately in December 2008 after the military pressured Parliament to vote for him. Thaksin's allies had won elections in 2007 but court rulings removed two governments on charges of conflict of interest and vote-buying. Saturday's violence and the failure to dislodge the protesters are likely to make it harder to end the political deadlock. Abhisit "failed miserably," said Michael Nelson, a German scholar of Southeast Asian studies working in Bangkok. Abhisit went on national television shortly before midnight to pay condolences to the families of victims and indirectly assert that he would not bow to the protesters' demands. "The government and I are still responsible for easing the situation and trying to bring peace and order to the country," Abhisit said. Army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said 28 soldiers had been captured by the Red Shirts but all but four managed to escape. Reporters on Sunday saw the four being released. Abhisit declared a state of emergency Wednesday night after protesters briefly broke into Parliament and forced lawmakers to flee on ladders over a back wall, with senior officials hastily evacuated by helicopter. Authorities' repeated failure to clear the protest sites raised questions about how much control Abhisit has over the police and army. Arrest warrants have been issued for 27 Red Shirt leaders, but none is known to have been taken into custody. The Red Shirts have a second rally site in the heart of Bangkok's upscale shopping district, where they remained Sunday even after more troops were sent there Saturday. The city's elevated mass transit system known as the Skytrain, which runs past that site, stopped running and closed some of its stations for the second day Sunday. Merchants say the demonstrations have cost them hundreds of millions of baht (tens of millions of dollars), and luxury hotels near the site have been under virtual siege. The Associated Press: Thai protesters reject talks after deadly clashes

BANGKOK — Antigovernment protesters who have camped out on the streets of Bangkok for the past three weeks raised the stakes in their mass demonstrations on Saturday, converging on the heart of Bangkok’s shopping district and vowing to remain until new elections are called. The Red Shirt demonstrations had until Saturday mostly affected a neighborhood of government ministries and offices. By blockading the main commercial district, however, protest leaders have considerably ratcheted up the pressure on the government. Tens of thousands of protesters, including many families with small children, took over a main intersection, blocking roads leading to upscale shopping malls and five-star hotels and demanding that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of Thailand take action soon. “We will remain here until the government declares that Parliament is dissolved,” said Veera Musikapong, one of the leaders of the protesters, who are known as the Red Shirts. The government, which until Saturday had tried to take a conciliatory tone, ordered the demonstrators out of the area. The Thai Foreign Ministry said the government would follow a “multistep approach, from light to heavier measures,” in what appeared to be a turning point in its handling of the crisis, the latest chapter of four years of political turmoil. On Tuesday the Thai cabinet extended the use of a law that allows the military to clear out protesters and make arrests. Mr. Abhisit said Saturday that protesters had exceeded the limits of their constitutional right to demonstrate and that the government would negotiate or use legal means to oust them. Mr. Abhisit has offered to call new elections within nine months — about a year before his term ends — but protest leaders, who claim the government is illegitimate, rejected the concession. The Red Shirts, who have wide support in the populous north and northeast, would probably win elections if they were held now, analysts believe. Protesters, many of whom support Thaksin Shinawatra, who was removed as prime minister in a 2006 military coup, say they are angry at what they perceive as the undue influence of the country’s bureaucracy, military and elite. Mr. Thaksin, who is overseas and wanted by the Thai authorities for a corruption conviction, addressed the crowd by video link on Saturday. He urged the crowd to fight for equality. The Red Shirt demonstrations had until Saturday mostly affected a neighborhood of government ministries and offices. By blockading the main commercial district, however, protest leaders have considerably ratcheted up the pressure on Mr. Abhisit’s government. Despite the threats to remove them, protesters appeared to be in a jovial mood late Saturday. As they listened to speeches, many camped out on the sidewalk in front of display windows advertising luxury brands like Dior, Ferragamo and Tag Heuer. Tourists who pushed through the throngs of red-shirted protesters said they were polite and helpful. “I don’t feel threatened,” said Elizabeth York, a visitor from London whose 1-year-old was in a stroller. “They make way for the babies,” she said. Others were less forgiving of the demonstrators. An 18-year-old Thai, the scion of a wealthy family, drove his Porsche into protesters’ motorcycles and was besieged by the crowd before the riot police intervened, The Associated Press reported. A woman who said she had to walk several miles to work because of the demonstration gave this assessment of the protesters: “They are very poor and very stupid.” Protesters Block Heart of Bangkok’s Shopping Zone - NYTimes.com

BANGKOK — Dancing jubilantly in the streets to the beats of blaring pop and country music, anti-government demonstrators on Sunday defied calls by the government to disperse from Bangkok’s affluent commercial hub in a major escalation of three weeks of mass demonstrations. Supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra shouted slogans during anti-government protests at a tourist hub in Bangkok on Sunday. “There’s not a jail big enough to fit us all,” said Nitipong, a protester who stood beside one of hundreds of pickup trucks blocking one of the country’s busiest intersections. On Saturday, the protesters surrounded the national police headquarters, the Four Seasons, Hyatt, Intercontinental and other hotels and six major shopping malls, which are connected by an elevated “skywalk” and together have five times the floor space of the Mall of America, the famed shopping center outside of Minneapolis. The provocative move to shut down the area infuriated many Bangkok residents and elevated what was major annoyance for the Thai government to a full-blown national crisis. The protesters, known as the red shirts, are demanding that the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva call new elections. But some of the protesters, who are largely from Thailand’s rural hinterland, also said they were trying to prove a point by blocking such an economically important part of Bangkok: 15 months ago, their archrivals, the generally more well-heeled protesters known as the yellow shirts, blockaded Bangkok’s two international airports for a week, stranding hundreds of thousands of travelers. None of the yellow shirts have been convicted for shutting down the airport, including Kasit Piromya, the current foreign minister who took part and reportedly said the protest was “a lot of fun.” After four years of political turmoil in Thailand, including a military coup and three other changes of government, political movements are engaging in a kind of street-protest brinkmanship, each staging their own variations of publicity-seeking mass demonstration. Analysts say the demonstrations are a reflection of the failure of the parliamentary system to repair the fractures in Thai society since the administration of Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister removed in the 2006 military coup. Red-shirted protesters on Sunday said they were on the street because their voices had been squelched by the coup and two court decisions that removed prime ministers that represented their interests. One former prime minister, the late Samak Sundaravej, an ally of Mr. Thaksin, was removed from office two years ago because he received income from a cooking show, which judges ruled violated the Constitution. Among the protesters Sunday was Samai Suporn, a 50-year-old rice farmer from northeastern Thailand, who said she had come to Bangkok for the protest because she remained upset at the coup. “We’re here for a long time,” she said of the protest. “Until they dissolve Parliament.” She came with 10 other people in a pickup truck still caked with the red dirt of rural Thailand and has never been inside the shopping malls that surrounded her. Protest leaders have portrayed the current political troubles in Thailand as rich versus poor, but Mrs. Samai, who clears the equivalent of only $300 a year from her small rice farm and fruit orchard, said she had nothing against the rich. “There are good and bad people among the rich and the poor,” she said. “I’m not jealous of the rich.” She says she is upset at the government, especially because news reports on government television stations play down the strength of the red-shirt movement. Although many people at the rally appeared to be from rural areas, there was also a sizable contingent of Bangkok residents. Mr. Nitipong sells computer equipment and is a graduate of Thammasat, a prestigious university in Bangkok. Another woman, Nan, is a chemist who has a master’s degree from Chulalongkorn, another prestigious university. Both declined to give their full names, underlining the fear by some protesters, despite their defiant words, that the government could follow through with its threat to arrest them. Mr. Abhisit, who is under pressure to end the protests, said Sunday that he would proceed cautiously. “I want to tell those people who suggest that the government deal with the demonstrators decisively that, supposing we do, a riot could take place, and there would be losses.” Mr. Abhisit vowed “legal proceedings and prosecution” for anyone who broke the law. The government over the weekend said that anyone who did not leave the area would be subject to a year’s imprisonment, but it did not detail how it would force the protesters to leave. Protesters Turn Up Heat in Thailand - NYTimes.com

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen says he will not allow ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to use his country as a political base to attack the government, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban says. Mr Suthep met Hun Sen in Hua Hin yesterday where the Cambodian leader was attending the opening of the Mekong River Commission summit. The pair met for 40 minutes. Hun Sen said he would not allow his personal ties with Thaksin affect relations with Thailand. "He told me that he could distinguish between personal relations [with Thaksin] and national interests," Mr Suthep said. The deputy prime minister quoted Hun Sen as saying Cambodia would not allow Thaksin to use Cambodia as a base for attacks on Thailand since such activities were banned by the Cambodian constitution. Hun Sen has criticised Thailand's stance towards Thaksin. Asked about those criticisms, Mr Suthep said: "That's a different situation, different feeling." Hun Sen wanted Thailand and Cambodia to put their problems behind them, and said he had instructed military officers along the border to refrain from taking any action that would cause resentment among Thais. Relations between Thailand and Cambodia deteriorated after Bangkok last year opposed Phnom Penh's move to list the Preah Vihear temple ruins as a Unesco World Heritage site. The situation worsened after Hun Sen appointed Thaksin as an economic adviser, and refused to extradite him to Thailand when Thaksin paid a four-day visit to Cambodia in mid-November last year. Both sides recalled their ambassadors. Mr Suthep said he did not discuss with Hun Sen the matter of when the ambassadors could resume their offices. "Mr Hun Sen told me that Thaksin is just an economic adviser to Cambodia, but that during times such as these when Thailand is facing political strife, he would not allow Thaksin to enter Cambodia," Mr Suthep said. "I have asked him [Hun Sen] permission to convey his messages to the Thai people and he agreed." Hun Sen says Thaksin barred

SINGAPORE — Asian stock markets were mostly higher Monday after an encouraging U.S. jobs report offered the latest sign the global economy is on the mend. Japan's Nikkei 225 stock average rose 0.5 percent to 11,339.30, Singapore's benchmark index also increased 0.5 percent, Indonesia jumped 1.7 percent and India gained 0.8 percent. Meanwhile, South Korea's Kospi index added 0.1 percent to 1,724.99 while Thailand dropped 0.4 percent. On Friday, the U.S. Labor Department said employers added 162,000 jobs in March, the largest job gain in three years. The unemployment rate stayed at 9.7 percent for the third straight month. "The U.S. recovery is showing new strength," said Yuwa Hedrick-Wong, economic advisor for MasterCard Worldwide in Singapore. "Demand for Asian exports is stabilizing and has recovered from last year's trough. Domestic demand in Asia is also rising steadily." The Dow Jones industrials rose 0.7 percent to 10,927.07 on Thursday, a new high for the year. Wall Street was closed for Good Friday, as were other major markets around the world. Trading volume in Asia was light as many markets were closed Monday, including Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Taiwan and China. In currencies, the euro was steady at $1.3481 on Monday while the dollar slid to 94.52 yen. Benchmark crude for May delivery was up 30 cents to $85.17 a barrel on Monday. The Associated Press: Asian shares advance on US jobs market recovery

A standoff in Thailand between protesters and the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva continues. Fears of possible violence are rising after scores of protesters stormed electoral commission offices. Anti-government protesters swarmed the national election commission offices in Bangkok, demanding a response from commissioners about allegations of illegal political donations given to Prime Minister Abhisit's Vejjajiva's Democrat Party. But the invasion of the offices was brief, and leaders of the United Democratic Front Against Dictatorship (UDD) intervened to avoid violence. The UDD, known for wearing the color red, largely support former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a coup in 2006. The group wants Mr. Abhisit to call fresh elections. The protest leaders say Mr. Abhisit's administration has the backing of the military after two pro-Thaksin administrations were disqualified by the courts. For three days, protesters have occupied the Ratchaprasong intersection in central Bangkok, a prime commercial and hotel district. UDD leaders have ignored government and police calls to move. Under the national security law, the government can call in the military to help clear the protesters, but has not done so. Human Rights Watch representative Sunai Pasuk says there are fears of violence, either from the protesters or the authorities. But the protests, which began in mid-March, have been largely calm. "Since yesterday [sunday] the government is now being very legalistic saying that first of all the occupation and blockage of Ratchaprasong intersection which disrupted Bangkok traffic and business - is illegal under the internal security act," he said. "And the government is now trying to get the court to back up the interpretation of the situation." Representatives from business associations met to assess the damage from the protests. Most large businesses in the area have been closed since Saturday, with losses for the area estimated at more than $15 million a day. The Thai Federation of Travel Agents says tourism alone has lost an estimated $300 million since March. Thailand has been gripped by political uncertainty for five years. Mr. Thaksin has broad support from Thailand's rural communities and urban poor. But the country's urban elite and middle class accuse him of corruption, and in 2005 began protests that eventually ended in the 2006 coup. Mr. Thaksin lives overseas, having fled a two-year prison sentence for corruption. Tensions High in Bangkok After Protesters Invade Election Offices | Asia | English

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Dissolving Thailand's parliament to hold an election within weeks would only create uncertainty for international investors and tourists, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said on Thursday. Red-shirted anti-government protesters plan another big rally in Bangkok on Saturday to demand Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva call elections within 15 days, a poll that analysts say the government would almost certainly lose. "To dissolve the parliament and hold an election now, it would provide more uncertainty, especially for the international and business community," Kasit told Reuters Insider during a visit to New York. The protesters and Abhisit failed to reach agreement in two rounds of televised talks this week. Protest leaders rejected a concession offered by Abhisit on Monday to call elections by the end of the year, about 12 months ahead of deadline. The protesters say the British-born Abhisit came to power illegitimately, heading a coalition party assembled after courts dissolved a party that led the previous coalition government. Kasit said the government needed time to implement economic stimulus measures, pass the country's budget in September and discuss economic development measures and political reform before holding elections. "Let the whole thing run it's course," he said. "Let's have more time to consult and come out with a definite program so everyone knows the rules of the game." Despite the political turbulence, foreign investors continue to embrace Thailand, seizing on opportunity to invest in one of Asia's cheapest and now fastest-rebounding markets. Foreign investors have snapped up $1.2 billion in Thai stocks since February 22, according to stock exchange data, helping to drive up the benchmark stock index and make it Southeast Asia's second-best performer after Indonesia. "We have proven all along that we have been very friendly to the business community," Kasit said. "The Thai fundamentals are very good." He said that among his concerns was expressing "confidence to the tourism industry that the political seemingly instability doesn't affect everyday life or the incoming foreign visitors." The Thai prime minister on Wednesday tried to win over the mostly rural protesters with a $1.3 billion plan to halve debts for many farmers, echoing a signature policy of twice-elected and now fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who remains highly popular among the "red-shirts." Thaksin, ousted in a 2006 coup and later convicted in absentia of graft, lives in self-imposed exile. Thai Elections Now Would Cause Uncertainty - Minister - NYTimes.com

BANGKOK — It is often said that Thailand's political destinies — its coups and constitutions — are decided by the Bangkok elite while the rural masses stand at distant sidelines to cheer, boo or yawn. Until now. The countryside has come to the city, both figuratively and in a very physical, gritty way with thousands of protesters. And Thailand will never be the same. Angry, often impoverished farmers want change, and they are willing to tangle with the country's Bangkok-rooted elite and put up with harsh and alien urban surroundings to get it. For the fourth week, thousands of so-called Red Shirts are living in a village-cum-political commune they have set up in the shadows of Bangkok's palaces and high-rises. They've transplanted their own food, music, sharing spirit and hardships. How the mass protest will end — whether the demonstrators retreat or force dissolution of the government — is still guesswork. But there is widespread agreement that rural people, a backbone of the national economy, will no longer accept second-class status, humbly deferring to purported superiors in the traditional hierarchy. "Even if the movement is busted, Thailand will never be the same again. Political awareness and the love for rights have become unprecedentedly high. It's not easy to switch off the quest for freedom and justice," says Chairat Charoensin-o-larn, a political scientist at Bangkok's Thammasat University. Most immediately, the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, the Red Shirts, wants to oust the ruling Democrat Party, saying it came to power via a 2006 military coup which deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin, convicted of corruption and abuse of power, remains popular with the demonstrators, having enacted programs to aid the poor during his six-year tenure. His cheap medical and debt alleviation schemes, along with frequent visits with farmers, raised expectations and mobilized a rural constituency. Now a fugitive abroad, the telecommunications tycoon is said to be funneling funds to sustain the Red Shirts whose numbers have at times swelled past 100,000. But they appear to be moving beyond merely a pro-Thaksin movement with some within their ranks even viewing the ex-leader as a long-term liability, given his corrupt ways and concerted effort to shore up his own power by gutting democratic institutions the Red Shirts say they champion. The UDD has not put forward a concrete political platform, but voices from its rank-and-file are clear enough. They want to narrow the yawning income gap between urban and rural areas, to end the siphoning off of their resources for the benefit of city folk and to receive equal treatment before the law in a country where the have-nots are often harshly punished while sons of the powerful literally get away with murder. Bangkok residents also have expressed resentment and prejudice against the darker-skinned farm people, especially from the northeast, Thailand's poorest region, calling them "buffaloes" and claiming they came to the Thai capital only because they were paid by organizers. "It's a shame that people think we're stupid. If you look like you come from the northeast, people think that you're just here for the money," said Thananan Promma, a protester selling coffee in the Red Shirt encampment. "I want a better future for my two young children," he said, as bystanders and customers nodded in unison, some insisting their hard living conditions are proof that they are passionate about their cause. "I've been sleeping, eating and living on the pavement. The concrete is hurting my back. I do believe in democracy. That's why I am here," said Chalermporn Thanatak, a 58-year-old fruit trader, resident of an urban village which has sprung up along nearly 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) of roadside in Bangkok's historic core. The protesters have been bedding down on bamboo mats or tents pitched atop sun-scorched pavements, using fire hydrants to wash their children and vegetables and stringing up skimpy plastic around makeshift toilets. In the evening, a village fair atmosphere pervades, with folk music played and strangers sharing the staples of the northeast — green papaya salad, grilled chicken and sticky rice. Dusting off vocabulary last used during the era of absolute monarchy, protest leaders have cast their struggle as one between "phrai" and "amataya" — commoners versus elite power-holders. "Class war" is a key slogan in what so far have been peaceful protest marches and rallies. William Klausner, an American scholar who has tracked rural Thailand for more than half a century, notes that the country is not burdened with a rigid class structure, that considerable upward social mobility occurs. The fight, he says, is really against unjust and corrupt officialdom, began some time ago at the grass roots. "But what has dramatically changed, is that villagers are no longer uneducated, provincial and most importantly no longer adverse to direct confrontation to redress their grievances," he said. Television, community radio stations, mobile telephones, the Internet, job mobility and the work of activists in the countryside is sweeping away the subservient peasant, he says. Many have even broadened their horizons while working abroad. Thananan, for example, said he was impressed how South Korean farmers united effectively to fight the government's lifting of a ban on U.S. beef imports. "Governments can no longer ignore or just pay lip service to reducing economic, social and political inequalities and to assuring social justice under the rule of law," Klausner says. "Whatever government is in power will have to deal with the reality of a society rent with divisions rooted in inequality." The Associated Press: Farmers set up protest "village" in Bangkok

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of protesters converged on Bangkok's shopping district on Saturday, forcing major retailers to close while accusing authorities of neglecting the poor on the 21st day of a mass rally seeking snap elections. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's embattled government deployed 50,000 soldiers, police and other security personnel in the city after caravans of the anti-government, red-shirted protesters travelled from rural areas to the Thai capital. At least half a dozen shopping malls including Central World -- the second-largest shopping complex in Southeast Asia -- shut their doors in response to protests and threats by the "red shirts" to stay overnight in the usually bustling area popular with tourists and Bangkok's upper and middle classes. "We cannot let Mr. Abhisit rule the country any longer," Jatuporn Prompan, a "red shirt" leader, told the crowd. "We say it has no legitimacy to rule." ad_icon Backed by Thailand's powerful military, Abhisit has said a peaceful poll now would be difficult given the tensions and has offered to dissolve parliament in December, a year early. The mostly rural and urban poor protesters are demanding he call immediate elections and threatening more protests in coming days, extending a mass street rally that began on March 14 when up to 150,000 "red shirts" converged on Bangkok's old quarter. Analysts say British-born Abhisit would likely lose an election if it were held now, raising investment risks in Southeast Asia's second-biggest economy following a $1.6 billion surge of foreign investment in Thai stocks over the past month on expectations Abhisit will survive the showdown. Adding to the tension, more than 1,000 people who oppose the protesters held their own rally on Friday, donning pink shirts and saying the "red shirts" were unreasonable in their demands to dissolve parliament and were making life difficult in Bangkok. 'SEA CHANGE IN THAI POLITICS' "It's difficult to say where the movement is going, whether or not it will become more permanent," said Chris Baker, a political analyst who has written several books on Thai politics. "But the fact that this many people were mobilized for so long shows the sea change in Thai politics over the last few years," he added. The "red shirts," supporters of twice-elected and now fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, say Abhisit has no popular mandate and came to power illegitimately, heading a coalition the military cobbled together after courts dissolved a pro-Thaksin party that led the previous coalition government. They chafe against what they say is an unelected elite preventing allies of the self-exiled Thaksin from returning to power through a vote. Adding to their anger, Thailand's top court seized $1.4 billion of Thaksin's assets last month, saying it was accrued through abuse of power. Abhisit says his coalition was voted into office by the same multi-party parliament that previously picked two Thaksin-allied governments. Analysts say both sides want to be in power in October for two politically sensitive events -- an annual military reshuffle and the passing of the national budget. The budget gives the government room to roll out welfare policies to court rural voters whose discontent is at the heart of the protests and who now back the Thaksin-allied opposition Puea Thai Party. It also gives whoever is in power a chance to allocate money to the powerful military and ministries. The military reshuffle is even more crucial, allowing the government to strengthen its hold on power by promoting allies in the powerful security forces. It's also a sensitive time when internal military power struggles can ripple into politics. Thai protesters swarm Bangkok's main shopping district - washingtonpost.com

BANGKOK — Thousands of anti-government protesters launched their fourth weekend march in the streets of the Thai capital Saturday, groping for tactics that have yet to force the prime minister to dissolve Parliament and call new elections. The mainly poor, rural Thais that make up the so-called Red Shirts were concentrating their Saturday protests in the heart of commercial Bangkok, studded with glitzy shopping malls and upscale hotels. They previously have failed to oust the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva through both mass peaceful marches and talks with government leaders. Jatuporn Prompan, a protest leader, said the demonstration would continue through Monday and that Saturday's rally would be brief. "Today's another day when commoners will declare war to bring democracy to the country. There is no end until we win this battle," he said as marchers made their way toward the shopping zone, beating drums and chanting "Dissolve Parliament." The Red Shirt movement — known formally as the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship — consists largely of supporters of ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and pro-democracy activists who opposed a 2006 military coup which ousted Thaksin. Protest leaders have portrayed the demonstrations as a struggle between Thailand's impoverished, mainly rural masses — who benefited from Thaksin policies of cheap health care and low-interest village loans — and a Bangkok-based elite impervious to their plight. Thaksin's allies won elections in December 2007, but two resulting governments were forced out by court rulings. A parliamentary vote brought Abhisit's party to power in December 2008. The Red Shirts say his rule is undemocratic and that only new elections can restore integrity to Thai democracy. Abhisit must call a new election by the end of 2011, and many believe Thaksin's allies are likely to win — which could spark new protests by Thaksin's opponents. Residents of the sprawling Thai capital are divided in their view of the Red Shirts, and some are merely fed up about the loss of business, especially in tourism, and traffic jams the demonstrations have caused. The protesters have received support from lower middle-class residents, many of them migrants from rural areas, and are detested by many in professional, business and senior government ranks. However, some in the middle and upper classes have expressed sympathy for the Red Shirts demands for a better economic deal and an end to inequalities in Thai society, but do not support the movement outright because Thaksin is its key shadow leader. Thaksin, a multimillionaire convicted of corruption and abuse of power, is a fugitive abroad but encourages the Red Shirts with frequent messages espousing democracy. His six years in office were riddled by massive corruption, nepotism and an erosion of democratic institutions. The Associated Press: Protesters rally to oust Thailand's government

THE glare of public debate was a departure from Thailand’s usual brand of political dealmaking. And it hardly made prime-time entertainment. But the three-hour televised peace talks on the evening of March 27th between Thailand’s prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, and his red-shirted opponents did at least suggest that a tense political stand-off on the streets of Bangkok might yet be resolved peacefully. Neither side, however, was ready to budge much; a second meeting on March 28th likewise failed to yield a compromise; and it is unclear if there will be more talks to break the impasse. The red shirts, who have been camped out in the Thai capital for three weeks in a huge show of strength, want Mr Abhisit to call new elections at once. They were not impressed by his offer of a nine-month timetable to wind down parliament, in which Mr Abhisit’s Democrat Party heads a six-party ruling coalition. The two sides might yet close the gap on a timetable. Mr Abhisit had pooh-poohed the popularity and legitimacy of the red shirts, so sitting down with their leaders was a concession. It came amid friction between the army, squarely behind Mr Abhisit, and the protesters, who accuse the top brass of dictating government policy. A spate of unsolved bombings of government and military facilities has added to the tensions. The talks on March 27th followed sabre-rattling by both sides, including a threat by demonstrators to storm an army base where Mr Abhisit has been holed up. Bangkok’s royalist elite has been chastened by the red shirts’ pulling power. Far from being a rural army-for-hire, as critics claim, it clearly has plenty of urban supporters. Not all red shirts are fans of Thaksin Shinawatra, the fugitive former prime minister, who backs the movement. But they are ready to join forces to evict a government that, in their eyes, lacks a democratic mandate. To imagine, as some do, that the red shirts will all go home to tend their fields is wishful thinking, argues Chris Baker, a historian and biographer of Mr Thaksin. The movement has staying power and Bangkok’s snooty elites “have been kidding themselves,” he says. A commitment to hold elections soon should end the protest. But Mr Abhisit’s coalition partners, mostly cast-offs from Mr Thaksin’s former party, want to stay in power—and build up campaign funds—for as long as possible. The generals have their eyes fixed mainly on their annual promotions in October, when the army chief must retire. Mr Abhisit told the red-shirt leaders that an election should be held after constitutional amendments were completed and a budget was passed in the autumn. That sounds like flim-flam. And an excuse might yet be found for further delay, beyond the end of parliament’s term in December 2011. Behind the sparring over election dates are calculations over who stands to gain. Many believe that the Puea Thai party, the heir to Mr Thaksin’s electoral machine, would win a plurality in an election, as its predecessor did in December 2007. Red shirts reckon they have a clear majority. But there is a counter-argument. The share of the vote for Mr Thaksin and his proxies has been in steady decline since a 2005 landslide victory. Court-ordered break-ups of two ruling political parties have depleted his stock of credible allies. To this way of thinking, the red-shirt protests represent the flailing of a desperate man. It is a fine theory that would seem worth putting to the electoral test. But Mr Abhisit and his backers do not seem convinced. Thailand's political deadlock: Smiling for the cameras | The Economist

CLIMATE: Thailand is an all-year-round destination with warm tropical climate throughout the year. The area of Thailand north of Bangkok has three seasons. March to May is Thailand's hottest period when temperatures in some regions may climb over 40C during the day with humidity levels around 80%. Northeastern Thailand and central Thailand are generally very hot during this time, while the northern and southern regions are substantially cooler. June to December, also known as the "rainy" season, offers plenty of sunshine and temperatures averaging around 32C. Don’t automatically assume that you'll be stuck in your room for 24 hours a day. Sunshine generally prevails, with intermittent heavy showers. If you can allow flexibility in your itinerary, this is a wonderful time to visit Thailand as you'll benefit from lower hotel prices and fewer tourists. When Canadians are enduring winter from November to February, Thailand's temperatures average 28-32C. The southern region of Thailand has two seasons – wet and dry. On the west coast (Andaman Sea), the rains occur from April to October while the east coast (Gulf of Thailand) gets the most precipitation between September and December. But, with careful planning, you’ll never see a drop of rain. CURRENCY: There's no need to take U.S. currency to Thailand as Canadian dollars or travellers cheques can be easily exchanged. One Canadian dollar currently is worth about 31 baht. Prices for goods and services in Thailand vary widely and depend on where you are. For example, a 30-40 minute taxi ride may cost about $8 in the northeast, $15 in Bangkok or $30 in Phuket. A small bottle of water goes for 50 cents and a 375 ml bottle of Heineken purchased at a grocery store is about $1.50. Interestingly, many Thais dine out rather than cook at home because of the affordability and the wide variety of food options available. TERRAIN: Thailand is perhaps best known for having some of the world's most beautiful beaches. But, the tropical islands and long coastline of the peninsula south make up just one of the four distinct geographic areas of the kingdom, a land of rushing rivers and lush forests. Mountains and forests dominate the north, the central plains have vast rice fields and semi-arid farmlands are found in the northeast plateau. WHEN DINING: You'll notice that spoons and forks are used and no knives. The spoon is used to put food into your mouth and the fork to push food onto your spoon. Sharp objects such as forks are not put into your mouth. Chopsticks are also commonly available. GREETINGS: In general, Thais do not shake hands. The "wai" is the usual greeting. The hands are placed together in a prayer-like gesture while the head is lowered with a slight bow. The height to which the hands are held depends on the status of the people involved. ATTIRE: Attire in Thailand is relatively casual except when visiting religious sites or attending more formal events. Sleeveless tops, shorts and flip-flops are not appropriate when visiting temples where women should cover their shoulders and legs. LANGUAGE: English is widely spoken in most major tourist areas of Thailand. You can encounter difficulty in some of the more remote areas of the country. Since many taxi drivers don't have a good working knowledge of English, obtain from your hotel concierge a card showing the hotel address in English on one side and in Thai on the other. Or feel free to simply ask, "Does anyone speak English?" and someone will quickly come to your rescue and provide the necessary translation. RELIGION: Thailand is a predominantly Buddhist country with more than 93% of its people describing themselves as Buddhist. As the saying goes, "To be Thai is to be Buddhist." EASY ON THE SPICE: World-renowned Thai cuisine is famous in part for its spiciness. To tell a waiter that you don't want your food too hot, say "mai pet." NEIGHBOURS: Thailand’s neighbours are Myanmar to the west and north, Laos to the north and northeast, Cambodia to the southeast and Malaysia to the south. Thailand fast facts | Thailand | Asia Now Asia Wow | Special Sections | Toronto Sun

Sawadee! Welcome to Thailand! With its cultural and historical heritage, adventure tourism, stunning beaches, turquoise waters, shopping and delicious food, Thailand is truly every traveller’s paradise. More than 60% of Canadians travelling to Thailand every year are, in fact, repeat visitors. That can be attributed to Thailand’s attractions, the hospitality and generosity of the Thai people, and also because Thailand is recognized as a value destination. There are temptations for seasoned and novice travellers of all budgets. And the country’s continuing development means there are more places to visit and more discoveries for travellers with each passing year. Thailand is a land of contrasts with each region offering something unique. The southern part of the country, for example, has more than 2,500 kilometres of coastline where you can relax amidst the idyllic beauty of some of the world's most pristine beaches or take a dip in warm, tropical waters. Unbeknownst to many, Thailand offers some of the world’s best diving opportunities in the south’s clear waters and coral reefs. Almost all major resort towns have reputable dive shops affiliated with highly regarded international scuba bodies that offer courses in multiple languages. Emerge from the water and master one of more than 200 challenging golf courses in the country. After a round of golf, you might want to rejuvenate your body and soul by experiencing the magical touch of a traditional Thai massage. For those looking for a vacation that is unique and even unconventional, Thailand offers a world of delights. In recent years, Thai food has become one of the most popular cuisines in the world. Its combination of fresh herbs and biting spices is a distinct taste sensation that has become immediately recognizable by epicureans of all sorts. Why not deepen your knowledge of Thailand’s four distinct culinary regions by taking a cooking class or a cooking tour at a specialty school in Bangkok, Chiang Mai or another resort town? The Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampang offers short courses for those who not only want to learn the basics of looking after elephants, but who also want to learn about the serious problems that Thai elephants face, especially in the wake of new sustainable tourism initiatives. Perhaps some travellers would like to get to know more about life in Thailand, and its people. You could stay overnight in a hill tribe village. A course in meditation, lessons in the combat martial art of Muay Thai, or volunteering opportunities are all experiences that promise to enhance any vacation. No matter what kind of vacation you choose, Thailand is easily accessible from Canada, and travel around the country is convenient with very frequent and efficient air, rail and bus connections at affordable rates. Go see why Canadians keep returning to Thailand. It’s just simply amazing. Thailand: Amazing vacation, amazing value | Thailand | Asia Now Asia Wow | Special Sections | Toronto Sun

March 31 (Bloomberg) -- Thailand’s baht may strengthen 3.3 percent against the yen in a month based on so-called Fibonacci points and moving averages for the currency, according to Okasan Securities Co. Ltd. The baht appreciated 7.3 percent in March versus the Japanese currency, its best monthly performance since November 1998, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. After rising beyond 2.8884 yen, the baht may advance to 2.9813, which represents a 61.8 percent retracement of its decline to a January 2009 low from a high in August 2008, based on the Fibonacci sequence, said Tsutomu Soma, a bond and foreign-exchange dealer at Okasan in Tokyo. “There is a good chance the baht will move to another upper range,” Soma said. “Gains in the baht stalled four times near the 50 percent rebound level of 2.8884 in 2009, and a break of that will give it further momentum.” Fibonacci analysis is based on the theory that prices rise or fall by certain percentages after reaching a high or low. Other Fibonacci levels are 23.6, 38.2, and 76.4. A break above resistance, or an area where sell orders may be clustered, signals a currency may move to the next level. The baht’s five-day moving average against the yen crossed above the 10-day line on March 5 in a so-called “golden cross,” which forms when short-term moving averages pass above longer-term lines. The currency has traded mostly above the 200- day mark since, another bullish signal, Soma said. Thailand’s currency rose 0.6 percent to 2.8854 yen as of 11:26 a.m. in Bangkok, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. It reached 2.8920, the highest level since June 2009. In technical analysis, investors and analysts study charts of trading patterns and prices to forecast changes in a security, commodity, currency or index. Baht May Rise 3.3% Versus Yen on Fibonacci: Technical Analysis - Bloomberg.com

Nestled between the rugged mountains on the northern borderlands with their waterfalls and rivers, and the sweeping plains of the lower north, the northern region is the birthplace of Thai civilization and the ancient Lanna Kingdom. The picturesque cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are perfect destinations for tourists looking for an adventurous holiday, or just an opportunity to really get away from it all and spend some quality time in the great outdoors. From trekking in the mountain-studded north to hiking, rafting, bird watching and elephant riding, Thailand has eco-friendly activities for every taste and every budget. The mountains are also home to Thailand’s ethnic hill tribes. Six main tribal groups – the Karen, Hmong, Lahu, Mien, Akha and Lisu — have maintained their own unique customs and clothing, as well as their nomadic lifestyle. But, they welcome all travellers to experience cultures like no other. The northeast of Thailand, known as Isan, is one of the country’s most intriguing and unknown travel destinations. Covering a vast plateau, Isan is a starting point not only for adventure journeys to the mighty Mekong river, but to Thailand’s archaeological wonders. Udon Thani and Khon Kaen are an amazing entry into the archaeology of Bronze Age civilizations as well as the legacy of the great Khmer empire – complexes, palaces and pagodas. With regular flights to Isan’s regional airports, this once-hidden jewel is becoming a travellers’ favourite. Thailand: Diverse and colourful | Thailand | Asia Now Asia Wow | Special Sections | Toronto Sun

March 31 (Bloomberg) -- Thailand’s industrial production rose for a sixth straight month in February, confirming the nation’s economic recovery and putting pressure on the central bank to raise interest rates. The Bank of Thailand said last week it will start to “normalize” the benchmark interest rate as the economic rebound reduces the need for “extra low” borrowing costs. The recovery is benefiting companies including Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Pcl. The nation’s largest private hospital operator plans to double investment this year as revenue accelerates. “Manufacturing growth remains high, correlating with robust exports,” said Usara Wilaipich, a Bangkok-based economist at Standard Chartered Plc. “But the growth may moderate soon as exports lose momentum following the completion of global restocking and China’s tightening monetary policies.” China has twice ordered banks to set aside more deposits as reserves this year to cool a record credit expansion and avert asset bubbles in the world’s third-largest economy. Chinese demand has helped lift Asian exports amid faltering orders from the U.S. and Europe. Rate Decision Thailand’s central bank this month kept its policy rate at 1.25 percent, the lowest level since July 2004. The Finance Ministry on March 29 raised its economic growth forecast for this year to as much as 5 percent. The $261 billion economy contracted 2.3 percent in 2009, the first decline since 1998. “The trend for manufacturing is still good, especially high-tech products,” Bank of Thailand Senior Director Suchart Sakkankosone said today. “Capacity utilization has improved. Investment has also improved steadily” and will soon reach pre- crisis levels if the trend continues, the director said. Thailand’s exports, which are equivalent to about 60 percent of the economy, increased 23.5 percent in February from a year earlier, the central bank said today. Shipments gained 31.4 percent in January, the bank said last month. Imports climbed 80.8 percent last month after a 50.1 percent jump reported earlier for January. Thailand had a trade surplus of $452 million in February, compared with a $591 million surplus the previous month. Sentiment Improves An index of business sentiment rose to 51.3 last month, the central bank said. “Concerns on political instability have increased, while concerns on economic uncertainties eased,” Suchart said. Anti-government protesters have roamed Bangkok’s streets since March 12 demanding the government dissolve parliament and call fresh elections. Tensions increased last weekend after red- shirted demonstrators confronted soldiers and grenades exploded at several locations. “It’s very difficult to evaluate the impact of political uncertainty,” Suchart said. “If the parliament is dissolved, it may obstruct public investment and the budget for the next fiscal year. But it may also have a positive impact” by clearing uncertainties and bringing back confidence, the director said. The current-account surplus narrowed to $1.52 billion in February from $2 billion a month earlier. The measure comprises the difference between exports and imports of goods and services, investment income and remittances. Trade makes up about 70 percent of the current account, and tourism contributes most of the service industry’s 30 percent component. Tourist arrivals surged 40.6 percent from a year earlier to 1.6 million last month. Thai Output Rises a Sixth Month as Economy Recovers (Update2) - BusinessWeek

Ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra has told his supporters he is in Russia on business and has not been expelled from Sweden as rumoured. Thaksin last night mocked the Foreign Ministry, which is trying to track down the fugitive former prime minister, by telling his red shirt supporters at Phan Fa Bridge of his whereabouts. "I tell you [the ministry], I'm in Russia now," he said, speaking via video link. "I came from Sweden. But I wasn't kicked out of Sweden, contrary to what the Foreign Ministry said. "Don't waste your time searching for me. You'd be better off using it to work for the country." He said he was in Russia to meet a billionaire who wanted to invest in Asia. Thaksin said he wanted to stay in contact with the billionaire to encourage him to invest in Thailand once he returned to the kingdom. Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya yesterday ordered all Thai envoys in Europe to check on Thaksin's whereabouts. The order came after the minister received confirmation that Thaksin had left Sweden on Monday for another European country, Mr Kasit's secretary, Panich Vikitsreth said. Mr Panich said Thaksin entered Sweden from Dubai with two other people on the weekend using a passport from a third country. He left for another country in Europe on Monday night after making a video call to his supporters in Thailand. "We don't know where he went to after that," Mr Panich said. The Swedish government has told the Thai embassy in Stockholm it will not allow anyone to use its country as a base for political activities which could damage bilateral ties with another country, he added. "The Swedish government told us that it could not bar Thaksin from entering the country because he is not on a blacklist," he said, adding that it was unclear whether Thaksin had been expelled from Sweden. Pongpanu Svetarundra, director-general of the Comptroller General's Department, said within two days the agency will notify six commercial banks by letter to transfer 46.37 billion baht held by Thaksin and his family in about 30 accounts to the state's revenue account, following the Supreme Court's ruling to seize the assets. The National Anti-Corruption Commission has authorised the department to act on the Supreme Court's order and seize the assets immediately despite the Shinawatra family's appeal against the ruling, he said. A total of 56 of the family's bank accounts were frozen prior to the court's verdict. 'I'm in Russia,' taunts Thaksin

Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand's ousted Prime Minister, have resided in Sweden in recent days, after he was asked to leave the United Arab Emirates, according to Thailand's Foreign Ministry. The Swedish Foreign Ministry has confirmed that Thaksin has been in Sweden, but do not want to comment on Thai reports that Thaksin was forced to leave after contacts between the Thai and Swedish Foreign Ministries. According to Thai media, Thaksin gave a speech to his supporters via video link when in Sweden. (TT) http://www.stockholmnews.com/more.aspx?nid=5075

Thailand is extending the Internal Security Act, ahead of this week's MeKong River Commission summit. The commission's first ever four day summit of leaders from Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam begins tomorrow to discuss the future of the four thousand kilometre long Mekong River. The vital waterway, which runs through China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, is suffering from overuse its water levels reported to be at its lowest in 50 years. The five Southeast Asian nations blame three Chinese dams upstream for the dropping water levels although Beijing blames it on a long-running drought. Radio Australia:Connect Asia:Story:Mekon River Commission prepares to meet in Thailand

With automobile sales rebounding significantly in recent months, automobile companies are hoping their participation at the annual Bangkok International Motor Show will turn out to be a great success. This will be a totally different scenario from last year, when auto sales in the first two months plunged on the global recession and rumours of an auto excise-duty adjustment stalled consumers from making purchases. Nevertheless, last year's show was a lifesaver, helping the auto market recover, with 18,000 orders placed. This year, apart from fresh new models like the Nissan March, the Ford Fiesta and the Mazda2, auto companies are also updating their current product line-up, in order to attract customers. Toyota will launch the facelifted version of the Vios, while Mitsubishi will concentrate on its Lancer EX. On the premium side, Mercedes-Benz will highlight the 570-hp SLS AMG Gullwing sports car, while BMW will launch the X1 compact recreational vehicle. Swedish auto-maker Volvo will introduce the facelifted version of the C30 hatchback. Visitors will also get to check out three concept vehicles: the Toyota RiN, the Lexus LF-Ch and the Suzuki Kizashi Special Edition. With auto sales shooting up more than 50 per cent in the first two months of this year, as many as 20,000 orders could be placed for new vehicles at the show, which officially starts today and runs until April 6. "Most of the growth will come from Nissan's eco-car and other small and fuel-efficient models," organiser Prachin Eamlumnow said yesterday. Mazda has already sold more than 5,000 Mazda2 subcompacts, while Nissan has more than 3,000 bookings for its March eco-car, which was launched earlier this month. Although the Thai automobile market fell more than 10 per cent last year, with combined sales of 548,871 units, most of the damage took place in the 1-tonne pickup segment, which fell 17.5 per cent. The passenger-car market, on the other hand, enjoyed 1.4- per cent growth, thanks to the increased popularity of small and fuel-efficient cars. Auto sales are expected to grow despite the ongoing political turmoil, thanks to the government's stimulus programmes and favourable crop prices. "This growth has been present since the fourth quarter and reflects the improving economy and increased exports, along with the government's stimulus program, which has produced positive results," said Toyota Motor Thailand senior vice president Vudhigorn Suriyachantananont. "Although the political rallies may affect consumer confidence and are a factor that puts pressure on the auto market, the introduction of new models along with the special promotions and offers at the show will help boost growth in the auto sector." Prachin expects 1.8 million visitors generating Bt50 billion at this year's event. Virtually each auto company participating in the show will offer special sales promotions. Toyota, the Kingdom's largest auto company, will not have a completely new product this year but is still expected to be the biggest seller at the show, thanks to attractive promotions. Corolla Altis buyers - except those buying the compressed-natural-gas model (CNG) - will receive free first-class insurance or a Bt14,000 gift voucher, while buyers of Vios, Yaris and Hilux Vigo pickups (except smart- and double-cab models) will receive free insurance or a Bt12,000 gift voucher. German auto-maker BMW will offer trade-in value boosts ranging from Bt350,000 to Bt400,000 on various models, plus free iPod Nano or iPhone 3G devices. Chevrolet will also offer a trade-in promotion, with a Bt30,000 increase on red-book prices when purchasing a Captiva sport-utility vehicle, plus insurance. Optra and Optra CNG buyers will receive Bt20,000 bonuses and Colorado-pickup buyers Bt15,000. Meanwhile, Volvo will break away from the crowd with a four-day, three-night package tour at the Kirimaya Khao Yai Resort, or a one-year car-wash/polish package. Mazda will offer a "Mazda Prime Time" promotion, designed to make it easier for customers to own a Mazda. Mazda2 sports sedan and Mazda2 hatchback buyers will receive free first-class insurance, while BT-50 buyers will receive special interest rates starting at 1.79 per cent, plus first-class insurance. For the entire article go to: Success in the air ahead of Bangkok International Motor Show

Protestors took to the streets of Bangkok as supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinwatra demanded the current government be dissolved and new elections held. Though raucous and featuring the symbolic splattering of blood on the gates of the country's administrative headquarters, Government House, the demonstrations were largely peaceful. As a long-time friend of Thailand, the United States is watching the situation there closely. As Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said in Bangkok on March 12, the United States hopes that political differences can be dealt with in an appropriate way through the electoral process and through other democratic institutions. An estimated 100,000 protestors began gathering in Bangkok that day to press demands that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva call elections now rather than late next year. They blame the Thai army and senior government officials for the collapse of a pro-Thaksin government in late 2008. Security was heavy throughout the city to prevent a repeat of protests last year that spun out of control, killing two people. The standoff is the latest confrontation in a deep split that has roiled the nation since 2006, when Thaksin was deposed in a non-violent coup backed by the military. A series of pro- and anti-Thaksin governments have traded power since then, usually as a result of strikes and demonstrations. As the parties confront their differences, it is hoped that this week's symbolic tossing of blood is the only bloodshed in the confrontation. Peaceful demonstrations are a hallmark of democratic society. Protestors and their leaders must avoid the use of violence. We urge all sides to exercise appropriate restraint as well. Protests In Thailand | Home | Editorial

* * 16Share * My 2-year-old son was demanding to wear his T-shirt from our vacation on Bali. Getting him to focus on anything in the mornings, let alone sartorial choices, can be an ordeal. So Bali it was. It was only after we walked outside into the tropical heat of Thailand's capital, Bangkok, that we realized just how monumental a mistake we had made. Thais in the parking lot stared. The whispering began. Could it be that a blond American toddler had knowingly dressed himself in a red shirt? In Thailand, people literally wear their politics on their sleeves. The nation has been locked for years in a paralyzing political showdown between two camps. There are the red shirts, who support former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 military coup and later convicted in absentia of abuse of power. And there are the establishment yellow shirts, who back current Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. On March 12, around 100,000 red shirts, whose numbers are drawn largely from Thailand's poor rural regions, began descending on Bangkok by bus, truck, boat and tractor for what they deemed their final stand: a massive march to force the yellow-backed government to hold elections, which the reds believe will favor them. "Relinquish power and return it to the people," went the rally cry from protest leader Veera Musikapong. (See pictures from Thailand's April 2009 protests.) The protests are the latest in a years-running to-and-fro between the groups. In 2008, the yellows occupied Government House, the nation's seat of power, for three months. Later they hijacked Bangkok's two airports for a week, a disaster for a tourism-dependent economy. Last year, after a yellow-supported government took office, the reds swarmed an international summit at a seaside resort, forcing the emergency airlift of foreign leaders. That was followed by a scarlet siege of Government House, a takeover that culminated in Thailand's worst political violence in nearly two decades. Of course, the color revolutions — orange in Ukraine or rose in Georgia — prove that Thailand is not the only country that mixes politics and pigments. But no other nation is quite as rigid about color schemes. In the U.S., Democrats may be associated with blue, but that didn't stop Barack Obama from wearing a red tie on Inauguration Day. (Outgoing President George W. Bush chose a blue tie for the occasion.) (Read "Amid Massive Protests, Thai PM Won't Step Down.") Thailand's color obsession extends beyond politics. Every day of the week has a shade. Born on a Wednesday? Your lucky color is green. Saturday is ruled by the color purple. Thailand's beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej entered the world on mellow-yellow Monday, which is why for years millions of his loyal subjects have voluntarily worn that hue to begin their week. But since the yellow shirts, who made support for the monarch a cornerstone of their activism, have chosen that color for political purposes, the number of Thais donning it on Mondays has declined dramatically. So what's safe to wear in Thailand these days? Pink — and the hue gets to the heart of a color conundrum. The Thai King may have been born on a Monday, but he was born in Massachusetts, which is half a day behind Thailand's time zone. Technically, he was born on Tuesday, Bangkok time, which means he should be honored by the color pink. In late 2007, King Bhumibol wore a carnation-pink blazer and shirt following a hospital stay, apparently because an astrologer had judged the shade as auspicious for his health. The monarch's fashion statement galvanized a run on all things pink, with tens of thousands of shirts selling in a matter of days. Last September, the 82-year old King, the world's longest-reigning monarch, was readmitted to hospital. In late February, during a rare public appearance, he was again pictured wearing a pink shirt, prompting millions of Thais to pull similarly hued clothes out of their closets. Now, with Thailand again turning rosy, I have to convince my son that pink really is cool for boys to wear. Read more: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1973185,00.html#ixzz0izogKCQO

When Thai red-shirt opposition protesters spilled their own blood at key locations in Bangkok, they were not just making a show for the TV cameras, as the BBC's Vaudine England has been finding out. A Thai protester holds a container of blood on 17 March 2010 Protesters formed long lines to donate blood for the ceremonial spatter Many Thais and Westerners were revolted by the spectacle and worried by the hygiene implications of the recent blood-spilling on Bangkok's streets. Some denounced the sheer wastefulness of a precious resource which could have been used to help the sick. But red-shirt leaders said the blood spilling was a sacrifice for democracy and a curse on the government. In the battle for Thailand's political soul - played out over several years by "yellow" and "red" waves of protesters - symbolism is probably the most important weapon. A powerful belief in astrology and the supernatural ('saiyasat') co-exists alongside an increasingly commercial, globalised culture. This is not just a frame of mind found in far-flung rural areas. Many of the country's top leaders, civilian and military, have actively participated in magical rituals to seek special powers and enlist them on their side. Harnessing spirits A leading historian of Thailand, Chris Baker, and top economist and political analyst Pasuk Phongpaichit, have produced a paper entitled "The spirits, the stars, and Thai politics". The blood of the common people is mixing together to fight for democracy Natthawut Saikua Red-shirt leader In pictures: Bloody protests Profile: Thailand's reds and yellows It outlines several instances of serious consultation by leading political figures - from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to the generals who led the coup against him in 2006 - with astrologers, spirit mediums and supernatural forces. It details events such as damage to specific shrines and the smashing of a statue at the famous Erawan shrine in central Bangkok as efforts to either harness or distract spiritual forces at times of political tension. "Of course this is not new; but there does seem to be a definite correlation between periods of military rule and upsurges of interest in supernatural influences on Thai politics," the authors wrote. One of the key complaints among red-shirt protesters against the current government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajjiva is that the military was hand-maiden to its formation, and the military is what keeps Mr Abhisit in power. His retreat to the headquarters of the 11th Infantry battalion all this week while red-shirts protested may only have reinforced this point. A stroll through red-shirt territory in Bangkok, where thousands of protesters are still camped out, shows most men wearing many large amulets - considered a force of special protection at any time, but particularly in risky situations. More dramatically, analysts recall the incident of October 2008 when a group of women supporting the red-shirts' rivals, the yellow-shirted Peoples' Alliance for Democracy (PAD), offered up their sanitary napkins around the equestrian statue of King Rama V. A Thai protester wears multiple amulets on 15 March 2010 Amulets, as worn by this protester, are used as protection The PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul explained this was to counter attempts to sabotage the power of the statue to protect the nation - harnessing the perceived negative cosmic force of female blood to counteract, or un-do, the allegedly evil acts of others. "For many years past, the powers of many sacred things... have been suppressed by evil people using magic," Mr Sondhi wrote at the time. "I must thank the women of the PAD because they took sanitary napkins from menstruating women and placed them on the six points (around the statue). "Experts said that the spirit adepts were furious because their magic was rendered ineffective." He cited symbolic centres of nationhood as being under threat - and appeared to believe that blood had helped to fend off the danger. 'Black magic' Cosmically therefore, when the leaders of the red-shirted United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) created ceremonies to spill blood at the entrances to the seat of government, it was intended as a powerful curse. Protesters carry a poster of ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra on 14 March 2010 Leaders including Thaksin are said to have consulted astrologers It could also be seen as an act to counter the perceived illegitimacy of that government - and Mr Abhisit who leads it - when the blood was spilled outside his home. That is not how the government chose to see it, of course. "The world sees some people in Thailand as believers in black magic and as uncivilised," said Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is in charge of national security. "Blood is a symbol of violence and hurling it at the house is saddening. The prime minister is speechless over this incident," a minister in the prime minister's office, Satit Wongnhongtaey, told reporters. But just as the red rallies were kicking off at the beginning of the week, one local paper chose to give most of its page two over to a feature about a veteran policeman proudly showing off his collection of amulets and the supernatural forces he calls into play to help solve crimes. Days of the week are associated with particular colours, certain numbers are significant and layers of symbolism abound. One red-shirt protester told the BBC he felt his donation of blood was akin to forging a bond of blood brotherhood with fellow protesters as ancient warriors have done. But the point of politicians employing certain rituals, Drs Pasuk and Baker say, is to harness and accumulate power. "The ability to influence events through supernatural forces is a form of power." BBC News - Symbolism and beliefs behind Thai blood protest

Anti-government demonstrators in Thailand say they will stay on the streets of Bangkok indefinitely to continue their push for new elections. Their numbers have dwindled after four days of rallies - of more than 100,000 who started the protest, police said about 40,000 remained. Protest leaders have promised nightly entertainment shows and further rallies in the days to come. Both the government and the protesters have kept the rallies peaceful. On Tuesday and Wednesday, protesters performed ritual blood-throwing events at Government House, the headquarters of the ruling Democrat Party, and the home of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajjiva. On Thursday they stayed in their camp around Government House - but said that they would come back out on to the streets at the weekend. Rotations The red-shirt protesters say Mr Abhisit's government is illegitimate and want him to step down. In the battle for Thailand's political soul, symbolism is probably the most important weapon Symbolism behind blood protest He has refused to do so, and has been staying at a military base while protesters remain encamped around Government House. Speaking on television, Mr Abhisit said he was open to dialogue. "If the demonstration is still within the law the government does not object to holding negotiations" with protesters, he said. The reds, meanwhile, said they were staying put and would seek to bolster their numbers at the weekend. "We will have pick-up trucks and motorcycles going out all over Bangkok to urge people who agree with us that this government is illegitimate to come out," said one leader, Nattawut Saikua. PROTEST TIMELINE 2006: Yellow-shirts launch street protests to oust PM Thaksin Shinawatra Sept 2006: Thaksin ousted in military coup Dec 2007: Thaksin allies win first post-coup elections Sept 2008: Yellow-shirts occupy Bangkok government buildings, clash with pro-Thaksin red-shirts Nov 2008: Yellow-shirts occupy Bangkok's airports, forcing cancellation of hundreds of flights Dec 2008: Thaksin-allied government falls, rival Abhisit Vejjajiva forms government Apr 2009: Red-shirts storm Asean summit, clashes erupt in Bangkok Mar 2010: Red-shirts launch protest aimed at bringing government down Q&A: Thailand protests Press: Protest divides society Many people have travelled a long way from rural provinces and have jobs and businesses to return to. But for those remaining in Bangkok, leaders are planning mass cultural shows and political meetings. On Wednesday, alongside the blood donation and blood-spillings, protesters delivered a letter to the British embassy saying they wanted to counter false media reports about the protests. They went on to picket the US embassy, accusing US intelligence of bugging former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The protesters say the present government was installed illegally after Mr Thaksin was ousted in a military coup in 2006, and two subsequent governments of his allies were deposed by court action. Montenegrin police confirmed on Wednesday that Mr Thaksin was in Montenegro, having travelled there on 13 March from Dubai where he has been living. A Thai court gave him a prison sentence in absentia for corruption. BBC News - Thai 'red shirt' leaders say Bangkok protests to go on