Good morning,

The NLA – the junta-appointed ‘parliament’ – has voted to scrap one of the junta’s proclamations and enable some party political activities to take place (http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=120295). However, there are many caveats: “…the use of the name, logo or major policy of any dissolved party will not be allowed until after a five-year period from the dissolution.” (http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=30581). That is aimed, presumably, at banning the pro-poor redistributive policies of the strangely-dissolved Thai Rak Thai party.

Thailand is still the biggest regional draw for ex-pat retirees but is increasingly threatened by Malaysia and other countries which have more amenable land ownership laws (http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=120292).

The big surprise yesterday was the fall of the rotten apple: China lost 3-0 to frisky Uzbekistan and are out of the 2007 Asian Cup (http://www.afcasiancup.com/en/tournament/mtindex.asp?cid=1375&mt=12035). The Chinese only needed a draw and looked set to be edging towards it when Shatskikh headed in a Karpenko free kick with less than 20 minutes to go. The Chinese pressed for an equalizer and were rocked by two late goals and are now going home at the group stage for the first time since 1980. Iran, meanwhile, beat the hapless hosts Malaysia 2-0 (http://www.afcasiancup.com/en/tournament/mtindex.asp?cid=1375&mt=12034) and will be one of the favourites for the tournament – along with the resurgent Socceroos, if they can get past Japan.

Iran will play Korea, who got the win against Indonesia they needed, albeit by a slender 1-0 margin (http://www.afcasiancup.com/en/tournament/mtindex.asp?cid=1376&mt=12040) while the Saudis thumped Bahrain 4-0 (http://www.afcasiancup.com/en/tournament/mtindex.asp?cid=1376&mt=12041). The Saudis will now play Uzbekistan and will be favoured to win, although I would like to see the Central Asian players make further progress.

I put up some more articles at Suite 101 yesterday, which are “Majority Live in Cities” (http://international-environmental-affairs.suite101.com/article.cfm/majority_live_in_cities) and “Technology and Development” (http://easianaffairs.suite101.com/article.cfm/technology_and_development). The first of these is about new World Bank research which talks about growth in population and the fact that more than half of the people of the world now live in urban areas. The second concerns the use of technology in economic development and the importance of making it available to entrepreneurs. I plan to put up some more today – I will get paid for this eventually, I am determined to make it to the magic 10 dollar mark ….

Back tomorrow.