The military junta and the Public Relations Department on Thursday shut down the Confidante community radio station hours after ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra called to talk to listeners on-air. In the broadcast, Thaksin called for an early election, and said people would not tolerate any delays in the election, points he has made in previous interviews in the foreign press. Bavorn Techa-in, chief of the National Broadcasting Commission, said the station had been set up unlawfully, but denied that there was any order to shut it down. Other media reports quoted the chief of the PRD as saying that he had in fact ordered it closed. The inspectors also seized a tape recording of the 15-minute call and talk by Thaksin. The interview marked the first time Thaksin had spoken to any Thai media since the Sept 19 coup.
Bangkok Post
Bangkok Post
A strong earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale struck western Laos near the border with Thailand on Wednesday, causing mild panic among office workers in Bangkok. No casualties or damage were reported. Workers in high rises and hotels in central Bangkok poured into the street after the earthquake caused tall buildings to sway. “I have not seen a strong earthquake like this before, my head felt like it was spinning,” said Nattaya Limngern, a 40-year-old office worker in Bangkok. In Chiang Rai, the top of an ancient pagoda that was under restoration crumbled to the ground, a local official said. Meanwhile, 11 minor aftershocks occurred Wednesday night. The Nation
AFP
Thaksin Shinawatra and his advisors are expected to finish their examination of Manchester City's books and formally table a 100 million pound bid for the football club. Members of the local press say that the ousted Thai Prime Minister's offer has become the clear frontrunner. Despite what transpired three years ago, when Thaksin tried to buy the Liverpool club, activist groups and the public have remained quiet about the prospect of a premiere league club owned by someone accused of human rights violations. Some, however, have charged that his attempt to purchase Manchester City amounts to little more than a publicity stunt and a way to remain in the public eye in Thailand. "This is a win-win situation for him,” said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, professor of political science at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University. “It allows him to stay in the limelight, make news headlines and remain connected to his support base. It's going to be a new focal point; it's going to allow him to get a lot of political mileage and score points at home."”The Telegraph
AFP