What ‘really’ happened and is happening between Thaksin Shinawatra and Sondhi Limthongkul? It’s a question overshadowed by the issue of media freedom and growing public disenchantment with a once-popular leader.

POLITICAL TENSION: Keep the King out of rows: Surayud

Monarchy should not be a part of political disputes: privy councillor. General Surayud Chulanont, a member of the Privy Council, called yesterday for people in-volved in political disputes to stop referring to His Majesty the King to win public support. “Recent references to the monarchy were inappropriate. The institution should not be involved in politics. Political disputes should be solved in a political way,” Surayud said.

Govt on edge as court set to rule on TPI saga

The Thaksin administration faces the possibility of another setback today if the Supreme Court rules that founder Prachai Leophairatana should be given first option to buy shares in Thai Petrochemical Industry Plc (TPI) rather than PTT Plc and other government-backed investors. The court’s decision has already been made and delivered in a sealed envelope to the Central Bankruptcy Court, where it will be read today.