Good morning,

National Happiness is down again (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30042901). Bangkok people registered the lowest levels of happiness, as they usually do. I don’t (as usual) agree with everything Aj Pasuk Phongpaichit says but this article, based on the recent Supha Srimamond Memorial Lecture, is quite a sensible summary of the current political situation (http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=120556).

The new secretary general of ASEAN, from January 1^st, 2007, is to be Surin Pitsuwan. It is Thailand’s turn to host this position, which rotates around ASEAN’s membership on a (Latin) alphabetical basis. So, it will be Vietnam next. ASEAN is marking 40 years of existence and is talking of creating a regional human rights body which, if it can be made to work, would be both a breakthrough for this region and also potentially a very useful forum.

Congratulations to Iraq, who deservedly beat Saudi Arabia to lift the 2007 AFC Asian Cup on Sunday (http://www.afcasiancup.com/en/tournament/mtindex.asp?cid=1377&mt=12049). The victory led to all kinds of celebration across the country and, unfortunately, many deaths as bombs and bullets claimed scores of lives. Here in the Land of Smiles, our attention for the forthcoming Premier League will be focused on the performance of Manchester City and the prospect of the three Thai trialists possibly making it into the first team squad.

My most recent article at Suite 101 was the third part of “Climate Change in Southeast Asia” (http://easianaffairs.suite101.com/article.cfm/climate_change_in_southeast_asia_3). I hope to put up some more later, although I am a little pressed for time today.

Back tomorrow.