Reference: BBC interview: Thaksin on protests, April 13, 2009

In the BBC's hard hitting interview (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7996781.stm) Thaksin says that he did not instigate riots but that he merely encouraged the poor people to fight for democracy because there has been either 10 or 17 coups in Thailand and that during his administration "the poor lealy feel that democracy is mean to them". Asked what made the current government undemocratic he says "they form the government in militaly balacks". Pressed again on the the legality of coalition governments he says "they try to distort the parties that come from ..... (pause)... the people". He cuts a pathetic figure clearly at a loss for words and unable form coherent answers to clearly stated questions. It's a must watch.

Cha-am Jamal

Thailand