Good morning,

Police chiefs have closed ranks to resist the junta-military power grab (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/07/06/politics/politics_30039551.php). The new plans to ‘reform’ the police force have been dressed up as ways of reducing corruption, increasing public participation and so forth but police realised pretty soon who was trying to control them (http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=119929).

Unelected and unaccountable junta appointed ‘industry minister’ Kosit Panpiemras has been trying to talk up the economy again, despite all the evidence (http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=30345). The baht is at a ten year high as exports are on the verge of a drop and foreign investment has declined amid low confidence in the military government and the economic conditions. The SET has reached record levels as foreign money floods into East Asian bourses (getting out of the dollar?) but this indicator is decoupled from the reality of the economy.

Bangkok governor Apirak Kasoyodhin is apparently keen for Bangkok to join the UN effort for ‘green buildings’ (http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=119945). Thailand, in common with other developing countries, will have rapidly to change their stance towards global warming and its implications as they were previously not obliged to participate in the Kyoto Protocol but will now have to take part in any further multilateral agreements.

Back on Monday.