Good afternoon,

There are fears that 120,000 Burmese have already been killed by Cyclone Nargis and that up to a million may be threatened by disease and famine. The Burmese junta has opened the country to aid and a trickle is beginning to enter the country. It is reported that the aid is nowhere near enough. The Bangkok Post has a story saying the Burmese generals replaced labels from aid crates from Thailand to pretend they were provided by the junta. The Irrawaddy has a story that the first cargo ship carrying aid to Burma has sunk. Despite the terrible tragedy, the junta pushed forward its sham referendum and early reports suggest nearly 100% support for the military government. Criticising the constitution in public has been made a crime.

Meanwhile, more than half the 3,404 people surveyed by ABAC Poll fear another coup in the next six months or an ‘unexpected violent act.’ Army Commander-in-Chief Anupong Paochinda has again ruled out the possibility of his ordering a coup. Air Force Commander Chalit Phukphasuk has warned Jakrapob Benkair, a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, not to try to control the media (O kettle, how black thou art).

Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama has denied any compromise with Cambodia in the ongoing ‘who owns Preah Vihear’ saga. There had been some speculation that the government will yield some land (or claims to the land) in return for concessions re energy, noting the new finds in Cambodian territory of oil and gas and possible future discoveries in the Gulf of Thailand. All of this is being stoutly denied.

We have a nice, shiny, new poster of Manchester City downstairs and publicity is starting for their pre-season tour here. Not sure whether the phrase ‘8-1’ has been banned yet.

Back tomorrow.

Down.