Special Report: Situation in Thailand

    BANGKOK, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Presenting itself as a peaceful social movement against Thai premier's prevailing political, social and economic policies, so-called "Thaksinocracy," a new civil society group has announced its mission to mobilize social sanctions against the supporters of the caretaker prime minister's policies -- without going to the streets.

    Instead of mass demonstrations, the new movement will focus on letter writing and the internet, to express its views that Thaksin Shinawatra's policies do not truly reflect democracy, the state-run Thai News Agency said on Monday.

    In recent months the premier has visited and written letters to world leaders stating that he is defending democracy in Thailand from the threat of mob rule.

    At a press conference Sunday, economist Sangsit Piriyarangsan said one of the first activities by the "Civil Society Network to Stop Thaksinocracy" will be to petition tycoon Dhanin Chearavanont of the Charoenpokph and Group as part of its peaceful campaign to impose "social sanctions on individuals and organizations that support Thaksinocracy."

    The Network, which announced itself as a breakaway movement from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) that has crusaded through street demonstrations for the ouster of Thaksin, brings together civil society groups such as the Students Network for Democracy, Corruption Watch, the Culture for Development Group, the Northeastern Network for Salvation and academics from a variety of institutions.

    The Network is a loose alliance of organizations united in a campaign for free and fair elections, which opposes the election of corrupt politicians, the official news agency said.

    Sangsit announced that the Network will from Sunday move to impose social sanctions against individuals, groups and organizations that prop up "Thaksinocracy".

    The sanctions will include varied peaceful approaches including writing letters to known supporters of the Thai Rak Thai party, asking them to cease support of the TRT financially, and to governors and administrators urging them to ensure free and fair elections.

    Sangsit stressed the peaceful approach of the Network and said that no protests would be involved. The group will not be headed by one person, but all parties in the Network are equal, and all participants pay their own way to participate in its activities. Enditem     

New alliance launched to against Thaksin     BANGKOK, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Presenting itself as a peaceful social movement against Thai premier's prevailing political, social and economic policies, so-called "Thaksinocracy," a new civil society group has announced its mission to mobilize social sanctions against the supporters of the caretaker prime minister's policies -- without going to the streets.

Resolving southern violence is uphill task: Thai Caretaker PM     BANGKOK, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Thai Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra Sunday expressed his concern over the suspected insurgent shooting of an outgoing senator in Thai deep south Sunday morning, saying that resolving violence in the nation's deep South is an uphill task.

Thaksin to sue anti-Thaksin group's leaders     BANGKOK, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has decided to sue media tycoon SonthiLimthongkul and 11 others on Monday, demanding 1 billion Baht (about 250 million U.S. dollars) compensation for allegedly damaging reputation of Thaksin and his Thai Rak Thai Party over the so-called "Finland Polt" allegations.