Thaksin in Japan, an interview with Kyodo+

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is going to give lectures in Fukuoka and Kyushu on Aug. 1 and 2. He also agrees to meet with Kyodo's reporters. According to the gaishinbu people here in Bangkok, Okuma san, former Bangkok correspondent and Ueda san who is soon to be posted to Bangkok will interview him. I wonder if any Kaigaibu people will join it. I remember that May san used to join Okuma san.

Although Thaksin's influence is a bit fading at the moment, he is still a man Thai public thirsty for. So if he will be vocal, I think media in Thailand will be interested in our story. As you know, his wife was just convicted by the Criminal Court, which is the first instance court, on tax evasion related to a multi-million-bath shares transaction to her stepbrother. Thaksin himself and his wife are tried on another case which he was alleged of abusing power to enable her to get a prime land in Bangkok at cheap price. Many more cases will be out against Thaksin including an allegation that he gained ''unusal rich'' after five years in the office. The Office of Attorney General and the National Counter Corruption Commission have just concluded that an indictment will be lodged to the Supreme Court's Division for Holders of Political Positions soon. They alleged him of abnormally gaining 76 billion baht wealth during the tenure.

In recent political development in Thailand, Thaksin was said to have been disappointed by his proxy Samak Sundaravej as the Prime Minister named a retired career diplomat Tej Bunnag as new foreign minister instead of appointing another person who is closer to him. It has been expected that Thaksin needs an obedient foreign minister because he may need a lot of international support in the near future. Some even speculate that he might have to go on an exile.

Well, I just want to say that I hope there will be a kaigaibu colleague documenting the interview.

what do you think?

Varunee in Bangkok

Slug format for Olympics-related stories

A special page opens tomorrow (Aug. 1) for the Olympics on Kyodo News' website. In order for Olympics-related stories to appear on that page, make sure the FIRST slug of the story is "Olympics".

For example:
     Olympics-China-Pollution
     Olympics-China-Human Rights
etc. etc

Yoroshiku!

Gokurosama deshita!

Well done Aoki-san, Siti, Christine, Chananthorn, and Dario on your coverage last week of the ASEAN foreign ministers meeting, the ASEAN-plus-three meeting, the EAS foreign minister informal consulations, the six-way informal ministeral talks, the ARF meeting, and everything else in between. Thanks to you, Kyodo covered every base and left no stone unturned.

Schedule change heads-up

On Monday and Tuesday next week (July 28, 29), I'll be the only one on the Asia Desk due to reduced manpower. I'll be working from 3 p.m. to midnight on both days. As usual, if there's any breaking news before 3 p.m., call the kanmon desk to get out an urgent story.

This may happen a few more times over the next month, since Darryl will be in Beijing for the Olympics and Hishiyama-san is splitting his time between the Asia Desk and another section.

Kurt

New arrivals to the blog

Welcome Emal, Chananthorn, Kede, and Vivian!  

Emal is our fearless correspondent in Kabul, providing us with daily coverage of the unfolding events in Afghanistan, where the Taliban insurgency is stronger than ever. Stay safe, Emal.

Chananthorn is one of our two multi-talented reporters in Bangkok, which will host the ASEAN Summit later this year. I've never been to Thailand (want to go!) but Tim is an old Thai hand.

Kede is our dedicated correspondent down in sunny Sydney, and so was busy recently covering the vist of Pope Benedict XVI. 

And a big selamat datang to Vivian, who holds down the fort in Kuala Lumpur. Vivian's been busy recently covering the political drama in Malaysia involving the opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim. 

Wish everyone a great weekend.

Kurt

The Asia Desk blog is up and running!

Hey gang,

It occurred to me recently that a blog would be a great way for Kyodo News' overseas writers to let the Asia Desk editors know what they're up to, and vice versa. So here it is! Feel free to post away on anything you like. Goings-on in your part of the world, story ideas, observations, jokes, rants...you name it.

And awaaay we go!

Kurt