It will be fascinating to watch how the (Dis)United States will deal with post-coup Myanmar as part of their 24/7 “containment of China� frenzy. The (jade) elephant in the elaborate room housing the military coup in Myanmar had to be – what else – China. And the Tatmadaw – the Myanmar Armed Forces – knows... Read More

BANGKOK - A Big Pharma star player - Sanofi Aventis - has been battling a stock market tsunami these past few days. It was all caused by a negative rumor about one of its best-selling products, Lantus (or glargine) - an insulin-a-day wonder that is key in the fight against diabetes. Tens of thousands of... Read More

BANGKOK - A new mobile-phone ring tone is all the rage among Thailand's urban youth: "Thaksin! - Ok pai!" (Get out). Human waves continued to yell the mantra at a massive rally in a huge plaza in central Bangkok on Monday, against the dramatic backdrop of the golden spires of the Grand Palace. What began... Read More

"Thaksin Ample Rich. Thais ample poor". - Banner at the 50,000-plus anti-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra rally in Bangkok, February 4 "I'll go on doing my duty as the prime minister for three more years ... These are just a few stupid people. Let's ignore them." - Thaksin's reaction in Chiang Mai, February 5 BANGKOK -... Read More

BANGKOK - Mermaids took over downtown Bangkok this past Friday, sea shells adorning their long, black silky hair. Was this a case of collective good karma leading to their reincarnation as Thai sea creatures? Might they be alluding to a pristine reality where government corruption is absent and political confrontation is unheard of? Not really.... Read More

BANGKOK - The King of Thailand, constitutionally, is head of state and above politics. But this past Sunday, on the eve of his 78th birthday, revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej - with incomparable grace, subtlety and sense of humor - de facto intervened to potentially defuse what Thais consider the gravest threat to their society at... Read More

BANGKOK - December 9. This is the day of destiny when the Buddhist kingdom of Thailand will see which way the wind blows in the ongoing, no holds barred, very un-Buddhist political confrontation between former allies and best friends, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his now fierce critic, Sondhi Limthongkul, founder of Manager Media Group.... Read More

BANGKOK - With a playful smile, Paul Krugman says China will inevitably become the world's No 1 economy, depending on the criteria one applies, "by 2020 to 2040". You can't be too careful when it's early evening, but the internal clock says it's early morning US East Coast time, you crave for breakfast, but soon... Read More