Reds' paper sells out on its first day

Somyos Phruksakasemsuk, editor of the weekly newspaper, said that 20,000 more copies of the first edition would be printed today for sale in the provinces, in addition to some 10,000 distributed in Bangkok on the first day.

"The government must not use its powers to interfere with the freedom of expression," he said, referring to a warning by PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnong-taey that the authorities would monitor the content of the newspaper to ensure no laws were |broken.

Somyos is also a leader of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, which is anti-government and backs fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Many newspaper-distributors in Bangkok yesterday asked the newspaper to increase the number of its copies to cope with high demand, particularly among the "red shirts" and supporters of Thaksin, sources said yesterday.

The weekly newspaper costs Bt20.

The cover story is an interview with former PM's Office minister Jakrapob Penkair, who is wanted for his role in the anti-government rally that led to riots in the capital over the Songkran holiday in April.

Jakrapob, who is now in hiding in an unidentified foreign country, recounted how he fled Thailand during a 35-hour ordeal that involved cars and ships and took him past six checkpoints set up by the military.

He said there were no reasons for the government to fear red-shirt people at the moment, referring to an upcoming anti-government rally in Bangkok. Jakrapob said that the government would have some reason to fear in the next two months. He did not elaborate.