Good morning,

The National Economic and Social Development Board (NEDSB) has again revised Thailand’s growth downwards, as the economy continues to struggle with political stability and mismanagement (http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=119219). However, the Thai Baht remains at a very high level (damaging exports) and the Stock Exchange of Thailand continues to be very buoyant. Clearly, money is coming in to Thailand from somewhere and there are some people who believe bargains are to be had.

The demonstration in the southern Mosque has ended, on its fifth day (http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=119214). The demonstrators say that they abandoned the protest to avoid further confrontations with rival groups of local people. Meanwhile, militants are being accused of the derailing of a train in Pattani, as a result of which 18 people were injured (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/05/national/national_30036033.php). A police officer was murdered and two others injured in a bomb an gunfire ambush in the region.

The Constitution Drafting Committee, appointed from among junta cronies, has rejected the call to make Buddhism the state religion (http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=119217). Thailand has historically observed tolerance of religions and the calls to privilege Buddhism would certainly have been a seriously retrograde step. Chiang Mai’s Midnight University has condemned the junta’s tactics in trying to force through its new constitution (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/05/politics/politics_30036049.php).

I published “The Global Peace Index and ASEAN’ at ASEAN Affairs yesterday (http://www.aseanaffairs.com/store/1772737/page/1147844).

Back tomorrow.