Good afternoon,

The ‘For the Motherland’ party is going to be entirely neutral, spokespeople claim, neither being pro- nor anti-coup (http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=121521). The party, which many people believe is a front for the junta and military cronies to attempt to maintain power after any general election may be held, is to be financed in part by Prachai Leophairat who is rumoured to have made a quid pro quo arrangement with th junta. Of course, these are only rumours. Junta chief General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin is (for today, at least) not going to run in the election (http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/12Sep2007_news01.php). It is widely believed that he will.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) is trying to wriggle out of its duty to hold an election on December 23^rd because, one said, it has to wait for ‘three organic laws’ to be passed before the election can be held, which will probably be next year (http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=31584). I have not met anyone who knows what these ‘organic laws’ really are or why they are necessary. The EC is also refusing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the European Union regarding the latter’s role as official observer of fair play in the election, if it is ever held (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/09/12/headlines/headlines_30048660.php). Many people wonder what the EC has to hide but, of course, that is just gossip.

Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan has been cleared off all charges relating to the misuse of state funds (http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/12Sep2007_news03.php). In what was a high profile supposedly anti-corruption case, it has finally been admitted that the wrongly accused and very popular social leader is entirely innocent. Other officials are being blamed instead. Could never happen here, eh? Oh.

Back tomorrow.