Good afternoon,

The junta’s ‘prime minister’ General Surayud Chulanont has dismissed the rumours swirling about yesterday of a counter-coup (http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=119438) although, since army factions (it is rumoured) want to get rid of him because of his terrible performance, they are not likely to have told him when they are going to act (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/14/headlines/headlines_30036840.php). The Stock Exchange dived 2.26% yesterday owing to concern over the political situation (http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=29915) but is stabilising at 7 points up today so far.

Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen has lashed out at recent comments made by junta henchmen defaming Cambodian Muslims as dangerous and terrible people (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/14/politics/politics_30036780.php). "Because of their own weakness, they are now finding others to blame," he observed. Junta crony General Wattanachai subsequently made himself look rather stupid by claiming he had never said what was reported in the press and that he was, like Michael Vaughan, misquoted. Cambodia is the only functioning democracy in mainland Southeast Asia.

13 cases of the super-virulent tuberculosis strain have been identified among the 15,000 cases in the country (http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=29917). Thailand is listed at number 17 in the world’s 22 highest burden of tuberculosis countries by the World Health Organisation. One in three people in the world is infected with dormant TB germs which can become active if the person’s health declines.

My review of Geoff Ryman’s excellent The King’s Last Song has been published at Bookideas (http://www.bookideas.com/reviews/index.cfm?fuseaction=displayReview&id=3801) and I have new pieces at ASEAN Affairs daily (http://www.aseanaffairs.com).

Back tomorrow.

Come on, Leroy.