Clouds of violence, coup lift

Fears of political violence and a possible coup d'etat were somewhat reduced yesterday after the supposed plan to surround and dislodge the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters were denied by its architect, former deputy national police chief General Salang Bunnag. Also, there was an assurance from the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces General Songkitti Jakkabat that there will be no coup.

Korn's letter to Thaksin
Korn Chatikavanij, a Bangkok MP of the Democrat Party, has written an open letter to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. It was in response to Thaksin's letter from London, which tried to side-step the guilty verdict over the Ratchadaphisek land deal and blamed the 'elite' for his political downfall.

'No impeachment intended'
October 24 Group says it merely wants to clarify speaker's role

Bloodshed might be unavoidable : Chamlong
Fears of bloodshed have risen as a pro-government grouping is mapping out an offensive to retake the Government House compound.

European leaders raise human right issues
Asian and European leaders pointed to the need for dialogue on human rights.

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Court leaves questions unanswered in Thaksin verdict
Any hope that Tuesday's Supreme Court ruling on the Ratchadaphisek land deal, that handed Thaksin Shinawatra a two-year jail term, will put an end to the on-going political strife has quickly evaporated with the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy declaring it will continue its marathon protest and Thaksin remarking from London that the verdict was "politically motivated".
Border conflict throws villagers' lives out of gear
Government officials say the situation along the border near the Khmer sanctuary of Preah Vihear has eased after a border skirmish last week, which claimed the lives of three soldiers on both sides and injured many others.

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No respite from war for Rosana
Bangkok senator Rosana Tositrakul has worked against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra since her days as a social activist.
Is it curtain forever for Thaksin?
What is the future for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra after the historic verdict over the Ratchadaphisek land case?

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Winning ugly is name of the game
It almost looked like an anti-climax, didn't it? After Samak Sundaravej was pilloried for doing TV cooking shows that couldn't even pay his petrol bills and Pojaman Shinawatra received a humiliating lecture about moral and ethics, you must have expected Tuesday's court ruling against Thaksin Shinawatra to be the final, most spectacular firework.
How PM might ride out NCCC ruling
With armed forces chiefs virtually telling Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat on television to leave office, a major National Counter Corruption Commission ruling which appeared so HUGE earlier yesterday would show up as a filler on today's front pages.

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