Good afternoon,

Will this month-old PADemocrat government be remembered as the most corrupt as well as the most incompetent in the truncated history of Thai democracy? Several members of the cabinet are already mired in scandal and improper activities. Denials of human rights abuses have already become second nature. Meanwhile, the chief Quisling, who is in absolutely no way a proxy for a certain order-refusing army general, presses ahead with the urgent work of suppressing free speech. Tin of rotten fish = suitable metaphor.

I will just provide the newspaper report of this: “Lop Buri - Nineteen soldiers were injured, four severely, when they were shot at by a helicopter supposed to provide them air backup during a raid as part of a war exercise here Wednesday.” Oh those comforting myths of military competence.

Thailand (Sorry, Peter Reid’s Thailand) held Iran to a goalless draw the other night in the second round of qualifying matches for the 2011 Asian Cup. I did not see the match myself but it appears to have been a cagey affair without too many chances at either end. Singapore, meanwhile, beat Jordan 2-1 at home. It looks like three teams will be fighting to qualify in second place behind Iran.

My new article on “Wealth and Inequality in Ming Dynasty China,” has been published at Socyberty (here). Meanwhile, my review of Darwin Gillett’s Noble Enterprise has been published at Bookpleasures (here).

Back on Monday, probably. I will have to go to collect passport from Vietnamese Embassy and then there is a meeting at the BMA for their art book project – that will occupy most of the day. I’ll see how it pans out.

You’re not fit to wear the hoops! Of course, we do not wear hoops these days. Just as well since, with the combination of the Biscuit Men nickname, most opposing fans mocked our players for being big boned, at the least.