Good afternoon,

PM Abhisit Vejjajiva has finally admitted that Rohingya refugees were ‘in some instances’ pushed out to sea, where hundreds appear to have died or suffered terribly from lack of food and water. Khun Abhisit denied knowing who was responsible for these ‘instances’ and regretted ‘any losses.’ It remains to be seen whether his claim that there will be an investigation into who is responsible is anything more than an Abhisit promise. Considering how he came to power, it seems unlikely but let us see.

I am generally inclined towards the cock-up rather than the conspiracy approach to public life but my credulity has been stretched by the strange case of the listing of thirteen common herbs as ‘hazardous substances’ – well, according to the Bangkok Post: ‘The Department of Agriculture has bowed to criticism over the listing of 13 plants as hazardous substances by agreeing to amend the announcement.

The department will also revise the draft regulation controlling the production and sale of natural pesticides.

Department chief Somchai Charnnarongkul said the plants' listing had caused panic and misunderstanding among farmers and the public.’ Indeed, well, the conspiracy approach has been that the decision was aimed to make it more difficult for organic farmers to do their job while benefiting the chemical companies.

The labour union representing workers at Thai Airways has threatened to protest against the management decision to freeze wage increases and bonuses. Labour leaders observe that the losses the company has suffered result from poor management rather than any fault of the workers, whom it would be wrong to punish. We will see how much more protest if any will be brought about by the economic crisis and PAD Disaster.

I’m going to schwep next week and am not sure what kind of web access I will have – so will post as and when I get a chance.

There’s no football on this weekend so I won’t miss anything tomorrow anyway.