Good morning,

The new school term in the South of Thailand was marked by more bombs, including one in a tea shop that wounded 14 people (http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=119526). Other bombs wounded three other people. Thousands of students are sitting in tents without books, blackboards or other basic facilities as their schools have been burnt down by militants. Junta-appointed ‘prime minister’ General Surayud Chulanont has given up any pretence of dealing with the situation and has ordered all schools to be closed (http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=119529). Apparently, the ‘prime minister’ has the new policy to “educate young people and change their attitude on discrimination--said to be the excuse of insurgents to create the unrest.
Asked about negotiations with insurgents, the premier said there was no detail for the time being but there should be progress next month.
He attributed the more violent situation in the South to the political situation and the insurgents' attempt to attract the international community.”

The junta-appointed ‘National Legislative Assembly’ meanwhile is spending time and money well by introducing new bans on alcohol all over the country. Hospitals, educational institutions (presumably including universities), temples and government offices will all be completely alcohol-free because … well, they don’t have a good reason why but they want the Thai people to know that they cannot make decisions for themselves and it is their own fault. Abusers always blame their victims (http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=119535).

Stock prices were up very nearly 3% yesterday in yet another irrational surge (http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/19Jun2007_biz30.php). Someone seems to think there is money to be made here – how else is the Baht defying gravity? But who?

I’ve got to run off to the BSRI Conference at Srinakarinwirot University this afternoon but should be back tomorrow.