Thai Court strikes Thaksin again!

After his removal in a 2006 military coup, Thailand’s deposed Prime Minister and founder of the Thai Rak Thai Party, Thaksin Shinawatra had been blamed of allegedly arranging soft loans to Myanmar to secretly benefit his family’s telecoms business. Now apparently an army-appointed graft panel had accused Thaksin of ordering a state bank in 2004 to increase the size of a loan to the military-ruled former Burma to buy telecoms equipment from Shin Satellite company, then owned by his family. Though the erroneous deal had caused the bank a severe loss of approximately 670 million baht ($20 million), Thaksin had denied any such “rampant corrupt” dealings!

In the latest announcement that came a few days back, Thailand’s Supreme Court has agreed to hear the fourth case against Thaksin. Three others have been looming since 2003. The first hearing is set for September 16th, in which a major decision might come as a relief to the Thaksin Protestors who have been demanding justice for quite some time. The court’s decision is considered the latest blow to Thaksin’s bid to clear his name after a string of accusations from other parties.

Thaksin had been residing in, southeast of England, ever since his deployment in 2006. He returned to Thailand earlier this year after his political allies in the People’s Power Party set up a six-party coalition government. Now all his hopes lie with the judge ruling the court in his verdict, which seems exceedingly difficult.

Ko Kred - The artificial island in Bangkok

Just a few miles out of northern Bangkok, and you have just about reached Ko Kred Island, the artificial island constructed almost 300 years ago along the Chao Phraya River. This “treasure” of Bangkok is just a 10 kilometer square island with no cars but occasional bikes and bicycles…….a sheer delight for the people dwelling in big cities so strangled by the motor vehicles!

Once you have reached Ko Kred via small ferries or the Chaophraya River Express Boat, you step back into a Thailand of 50 years ago. As you wander around the island you will pass orchards and other farms. The typical looking villagers will make you forget the fashionable crowd of Bangkok or Pattaya!

The scattered population of the Ko Kred island thrives on pottery. The rich clay soil provides an ideal medium for the red terracotta earthenware pots and water containers. After making exquisite pots for years as a means of living, the potters have now turned their attention to the tourists who visit the island and are ready to pay generously for their unique creations!

On your way to this small yet stunning island, try the following:

* Joe Louis Theater
* Big tree temple
* Wat Poramai Yikawas or Wat Mon

But if you are not willing to hit any of these places, just take a stroll down the by lanes and enjoy the setting sun. Another option is cruising around the island to see the peaceful life of the locals. For the more adventurous ones, a bicycle ride at a reasonable cost would be most appropriate!