Good afternoon,

I mentioned the other day that we could expect hypocrites and liars* to begin spouting in the aftermath of the death of former PM Samak Sundaravej, who had a long and varied political career, most of it execrable. Here is a corrective view from Giles Ji Ungpakorn and another one from Political Prisoners in Thailand.

The need for economic stimulus has become increasingly apparent – contrasted with the snail’s pace with which the military-installed Democrat-led coalition is proceeding (entirely unconnected with the idea that they are planning to keep the money for themselves – that would be absolutely unfair). Now it appears that projects might finally appear late next year or in 2011. They may not even appear then if considered ‘not necessary.’ Meanwhile, in another story that I cannot now find but did see earlier (honest!), the Ministry of Labour is applying to have the striking/dismissed Triumph factory workers evicted from the ground floor of the ministry building.

In yet another staggeringly complacent announcement from the incompetent Democrat government, the Commerce Ministry has declared that inflation has been positive in the last quarter and that this means global recovery is lifting the Thai economy along with it. Others demur and urge the rapid disbursement of funds for the economic stimulus that is so desperately needed.

Back tomorrow at some stage.

* I cannot just now find a link to the oleaginous Abhisit doing exactly this but it was in the papers on Monday.