Good morning,

Will the Abhisit-led PADemocrat coalition make it until the end of 2008? There is less than a fortnight to go but it is already looking touch and go: censorship has already begun apparently and the Privileged One's decision to send SMS texts to 53 million voters may have contravened consumer rights (courts banned PMs and dissolved political parties for less than this recently) (speaking of obviously unfair contentious decisions, this simply defies belief) (as does this) .

Yet more important, in political terms, is Abhisit's apparent willingness to give the role of Foreign Minister to Kasit Piromya, who is a leading figure in the PAD moveemnt, who applauded the closure of the airports and was part of the disgraceful faction who tried to provoke a war with Cambodia over the Preah Vihear temple issue. By choosing the very worst possible person to lead such a sensitive role, Abhisit raises enormous questions about his competence (his integrity issues are well-known by now). Is this part of the deal brokered by Army Chief Anupong to give the premiership to the Democrats in the silent coup but with PAD leaders in important positions?

General Anupong has also admitted that Khun Abhisit did indeed dodge military service but that the statute of limitations for this offence is now over (imagine if it had been someone from another party).

There are other stories which it is not possible to talk about now (or even to admit to knowing about, frankly).

Back on Monday - it's the big one tomorrow, Birmingham away. A win would be extraordinary.