Does that ring the bell? Yes, it's from www.hi-thaksin.net, the website that is gaining increasing popularity among supporters of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra - and becoming a thorn in the side of the military.

Amid rumours that the government is blocking the site, the e-mail arrived to show how to access it. There are also a number of alternatives to tap into the site if the conventional HTML does not work. Indeed, the government should be extremely concerned about the website's contents. Many comments are against the beleaguered government, which has been overwhelmed with criticism for its slowness in tackling problems.

I couldn't help but agree with them, particularly when I scrolled down to the icon concerning the scholarships financed by proceeds from two- and three-digit lottery sales.

Since this government was installed, we know it has had trouble in passing a law to legitimise the lottery sales. Without the sales, there is no money. And without money, how can those students who are studying in local and foreign institutions further their studies?

Last month - four months after the government's formation - iTV, when it was still iTV, ran a story on the shortage of funds. Many students were interviewed complaining of hardship in receiving funding for their summer courses. They were obviously concerned about their future. Education Minister Wijit Srisa-an was interviewed and said he, too, was worried about the financing issue.

Shortly after that, Thaksin sent a message back to Thailand expressing his concern about the students.

Days after that, the government announced there was indeed a fund that was deep enough to cover the tuition of all the students until they finished their studies. If that was the case, why did Wijit, as part of the government, not know about it? Is he too old to be informed about the existence of such a fund?

The pro-Thaksin website ran a very long article on this issue. It may well agitate the government's supporters by its opening: "Though he is no longer the premier, he has followed this issue with great care. No matter who is fighting, the students' future should not be held hostage."

And this part should cheer up Thaksin's supporters: "There is a bad joke that says even though Thaksin is not the prime minister, he still carries the power to motivate the government into action."

Under the article were comments.

One from "Old Man" said that once a father and mother exploded into domestic violence, the children were the ones who were hurt the most. He compared the former government to a father and the current government to a mother.

My wonder is will either the father or the mother win this fight? If both of them die, who will take care of their kids?

achara_d@nationgroup.com