Good morning,

Red shirted demonstrators continue to call for democracy for Thailand, the ending of the current illegitimate government and the end of the Invisible Hand system. Taxi drivers allied to the movement closed Victory Monument yesterday, leading to enormous traffic problems throughout central Bangkok. Quisling PM Abhisit Vejjajiva has declared a public holiday, although most people seem to have ignored him. He also threatened to ‘deal with’ the protestors, although the Invisible Hand is unlikely to let him do anything, especially with the new ASEAN +3 meeting due to start today in Pattaya. There is some speculation that the demonstrations will be moved to Pattaya so that the rest of the ASEAN leadership can see what the Thai people think about Abhisit and his secret pals.

Parliament was closed early yesterday after a slanging match between MPS threatened to kick off with violence. I quote from The Nation: “Chai postponed the answering of the interpellation [demand for an explanation], citing the irregular political situation.

But immediately after he ordered the session to be adjourned, opposition MPs shouted, booed and jeered Chai, saying Parliament should have been dissolved instead.

Their action drew anger from Democrat MP Attaporn Polbutr.

"You are a group that wants to destroy the institution. You want to sell our motherland,'' he jeered at them.

 "You are a buffalo. You belong to Prem Institution,'' Suchart shot back.

Then Suchart moved to confront Attaporn but about 10 Democrats stopped him from getting into a scuffle.”

Consumer confidence hit a new low in March this year. It is unlikely to be getting better any time soon – that will not help the current government irrespective of who is demonstrating where.

My article on The Taiping Rebellion has been published at Socyberty, while my review of The Old Capital by Yasunari Kawabata has been published at Bookideas.

Back sometime – it is the Songkran holiday starting this weekend and I am sneaking off to Singo in the morning. I may have chance to post before I come back (Wednesday evening) but I may not.

Please win tonight. The wretched of the earth cry out for it.