Good afternoon,

Hot money is still flooding into the country as foreign investors drive the SET and the baht up to record levels (http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/04Jul2007_biz30.php) despite the numerous economic problems under the military government. The Bank of Thailand has denied becoming involved in supporting the price of the Baht (http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=30305). It is certainly true that the Americans seem to managing a controlled slide of the dollar and this is influential, although other factors are also in play. The Hong Kong, Indonesian and Philippine markets all closed at record highs yesterday.

A new plan has been publicized aimed, apparently, at improving the accountability of the police and indeed the efficiency of their operations (http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/04Jul2007_news01.php). Decentralisation or an attempt by the army to seize control over the boys in brown?

YouTube remains banned by the in no way over-sensitive junta (http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=119893) while other forms of censorship start to kick in – thousands of websites and community radios remain blocked. Media coverage of the political situation is significantly and increasingly hindered by this.

Thaksin strikes back (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/07/04/national/national_30039247.php)? Officials are still working out what their story is today (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/07/04/business/business_30039196.php).

A new publication: Walsh, John, “Ein Grund mehr für öffentliche und politische Debatten – Gefahren des Klimawandels für Thailand,” Südostasien, Jg.23, Nr.2 (Juni, 2007), pp.34-5.

Back tomorrow.