Good morning,

Despite the relentless media bias, the enormous amounts of money spent (at least 50 million pounds this year alone) and the intensive marketing campaigns, yesterday witnessed a victory for honesty and good hard work – orchestrated by owner Thaksin Shinawatra, Manchester City beat Manchester United 1-0 (http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=120983). Violent elements in society have been weeded out (Joey Barton was exiled to Newcastle), foreign experience and flair has been introduced to the club and a new sense of harmony has been restored.

In other news, the Bank of Thailand has warned that exports will be down in the second half of the year (http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=31139). However, ill winds blow some good: concerns about the safety of China’s goods following a series of health scares might mean more opportunities for Thai food exporters (http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/20Aug2007_biz20.php).

Meanwhile, it is being floated that around 40% of those voters who did turn out rejected the junta’s charter (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/20/politics/politics_30045713.php), with majorities rejecting it in some areas. The turnout looks to have been about 56%, which means that approximately 33% of Thais supported the junta’s constitution. The official results have not yet been announced but are likely to be available some time tonight. Junta-appointed ‘prime minister’ General Surayud Chulanont is saying this means there will be some kind of election before the end of the year (http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=31143). Chief of the junta General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin is now openly talking about running in the election, presumably in some military-friendly party (http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=120979).

Back tomorrow.