Thaksin's power play with Thai generals Asia Times April 7, 2005 Bangkok - Thai politics have always been characterized by a close association between the country's military and its politicians. But under the administration of business tycoon turned politician, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, that relationship has changed.

Thai tactics win fear, not favour Asia Times February 26, 2005 Pattani - Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's call for a two-day joint parliamentary session to discuss security issues in Thailand's restive south, has done little to disperse the mistrust of the mostly Muslim residents of the country's three southernmost provinces, where an insurgency blamed on Islamic separatists erupted a year ago.

Recipe for Thai disaster Today February 21, 2005 Pattani - Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s visit to his country’s troubled southern provinces, Yala Pattani and Narathiwat, was labelled as a trip to “build bridges of understanding”, but it ended up erecting higher fences between the government and the mostly Muslim local population.

Thaksin quells autocracy fears Today February 8, 2005 Bangkok - Thailand's Sunday vote had a clear whiff of money - not the smell that was spread by widespread allegations of vote-buying - but more a scent of economic prosperity that would follow in the wake of the crushing election victory by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Thaksin bubble may be about to burst Today February 4, 2005 Bangkok - No one doubts that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will win Thailand's next general election on Sunday. But, many have openly declared that his next term is not going to be an easy ride and that he may not even see the full four years of his term through.

One week on, next-of-kin accept tsunami reality Inter Press Service January 2, 2005 Phuket - Many of the distraught next-of-kin and friends of the missing are coming to grips with the emerging harsh realities in this island resort, one week after tsunamis engulfed Thailand's southern coastlines - sweeping away thousands to their deaths.

No sign of new year festivities in Phuket Inter Press Service December 31, 2004 Pukhet - It might be New Year's Eve but there's certainly no sign of festivity in this southern Thai island resort. The stench of death, instead, permeating through the air will greet any newcomer to this former playground of Western tourists.

Common courage in the face of disaster Inter Press Service December 29, 2004 Phuket - Four days after Sunday's massive earthquake and subsequent tsunamis in the South-east and South Asian region, bodies are still being pulled from the wreckage in Thailand's southern island resort of Phuket.