Good morning,

More evidence of the disastrous mismanagement of the economy: President Agri Trading Co is closing its integrated rice-silo operation in Phichit, with 200 workers losing their jobs (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/24/business/business_30046326.php). Accumulated debts are blamed for the problem. Industrial confidence is at a four year low and export predictions have been slashed again (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/24/business/business_30046308.php).

Another junta crony has denied the military would launch another coup if the successor to Thai Rak Thai wins another election, if it is ever held (http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=121075). Junta-appointed ‘prime minister’ General Surayud Chulanont is supposed to be announcing the date of such an election today (http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=31234) but is now saying ‘next week.’ Depends on what orders he gets, perhaps.

Thailand, in common with Vietnam and Indonesia, is contemplating turning to nuclear energy in response to the need for future energy needs while reducing carbon emissions. A Greenpeace spokesperson has argued against the idea, saying that nuclear power is risky, expensive and has a history of accident (http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=121074). However, worldwide, it appears that proponents of nuclear energy are winning the argument.

Across the border, in another military dictatorship, Burmese junta thugs have been arresting protestors (http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=121062). Couldn’t happen here.

Two more of my reviews have been published at Bookideas. The first is of Philip Roth’s I Married a Communist (http://www.bookideas.com/reviews/index.cfm?fuseaction=displayReview&id=3902) and the second is of Justin Hill’s Passing under Heaven (http://www.bookideas.com/reviews/index.cfm?fuseaction=displayReview&id=3901), both of which are splendid, in different ways. Two more reviews are pending at Bookideas and I have several more to write still. I will catch up eventually.

Meanwhile, at Suite 101, I published an article on the Sui dynasty (http://chinese-history.suite101.com/article.cfm/sui).

Back on Monday.