Entitled: "The Transformation of Authority into Power through Radio Broadcast; The Prime Minister's Talks to the Thai People. A Case Study of The Violent Crisis in The Three Provinces of The Southern Border of Thailand" was conducted by Master's degree student Jiraporn Jarerndej, who is also an editor of Krungthep Turakij newspaper.

Jiraporn said the study found that every script from the weekly radio broadcast was written for the PM to explain the government's actions during the week.

"I have never seen any country leader using radio or television media to detail the government's works like this premier has. It is clear that the PM uses his authority to do that," she said.

The research studied several methods of communication used as part of an overall strategy for political persuasion. Data collected during the Prime Minister's response to the southern crisis included three major incidents  on January 4th, April 28th, and October 25th, 2004.

The author studied speeches made by Thaksin and analysed the significant role they played in relation to the violent incidents in southern Thailand in 2004

It shows how the PM managed the flow of news as an attempt to control the situation in the south, including how he spoke to defend his actions in several situations. He has also tried to dispel people's bias against the government and not only urged their antipathy towards the media  but also tried to make people disbelieve what the media reported.

The thesis concluded that Thaksin is the only leader who has used the media for his political gain.  "After analysing the PM's words I discovered that the PM has used excessive power and been the most talkative leader on record."   

The Nation