Good afternoon,

A Major Win and his 17-year old son have defected from Burma and fled to Thailand (http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=122294). The Major claims that he was not prepared to shoot monks or civilians and that, since the military would have him killed for disobeying orders, he had no choice but to flee. The two men hope to obtain asylum in Scandinavia. Back in Burma, it appears that security forces are still raiding homes overnight and taking away ‘activists’ and those judged troublesome (http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=8869). There are reports on the BBC that monks are trying to flee Rangoon (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7025357.stm) and that hundreds are still being held. The conclusion from the media is that the junta has managed to intimidate the populace sufficiently to dampen down any further protests. The number of dead is not known.

The Thai police have banned another book on democracy (http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/04Oct2007_news04.php). Sulak Sivaraksa’s collection of articles was published in March but now it has been declared that “''undermines social order and public morals'.” According to Khun Sulak: “''Normally I would say this case reflects an attempt to suppress freedom of expression. But this time I think there is a hidden agenda as it will tarnish the government's image and may derail the planned election,'' he said.”

Meanwhile, the new head of the army, General Anupong Paochinda has been acting to strengthen his grip on power (http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/04Oct2007_news01.php). 215 army commanders and unit leaders have been reshuffled in a view, presumably, to put those loyal to him in important positions and demote those whose loyalties lay elsewhere. New ‘Deputy Prime Minister’ General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin is to concentrate on problems in the South of Thailand, perhaps because of his outstanding record there. General Sonthi’s achievements include:

Back tomorrow.