<p>It is very troubling to hear the new Minister of Information and Technology say that her first and main priority will be censorship of the internet. Ranongrak Suwanchawee gathered top officials of her ministry just before the holiday and gave her instructions in no uncertain terms</p>

<p>At least 53 people have been killed in a fire in a nightclub in the Thai capital, Bangkok, police say.</p>

<p></p><p><span>Editorial by the Left Bank website in Israel 27 December 2008 at the launching of operation &ldquo;Cast Lead&rdquo;</span></p>

<p>Security and military affairs expert Assoc Prof Panitan Wattanayagorn was named as government speaker and deputy secretary to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.</p>

<p> Put on a red shirt and join a political rally, and chances are you&#39;ll be accused of taking a bribe. Are you on the payroll of<strong><a href="http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/adsearch.php?keyword=+Thaksin+"> Thaksin </a></strong>Shinawatra, or have you ever accepted any money from him? <div> </div> </p>

<p>A return to Thai ownership of the Preah Vihear Temple is not an option, new Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said yesterday. But Thailand would maintain cooperation with Cambodia over the historic and controversial Hindu temple, he said.</p>

<p>Another lese majeste complaint has been lodged by police against BBC Southeast Asia correspondent Jonathan Head over a report he wrote and which appeared on a BBC website. Pol Lt-Col Wattanasak Mungkitkandi, of Bang Mod station, accused Mr Head of undermining the monarchy in his article: &quot;How did Thai protesters manage it?&quot;</p>

<p>It would be an understatement to say the Thai military has further entrenched its status over the past few weeks as a state within a state as a result of Army Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda&#39;s controversial but crucial role in helping the Democrats form the Abhisit Vejjajiva administration.</p>

<p>WHY is Harry Nicolaides not as famous as Salman Rushdie? Is it because his novel <em>Verisimilitude</em> sold only seven copies? Perhaps it is because his work mentions Thai royalty rather than Allah and Mohammed. Or maybe it is because Nicolaides, an Australian teacher and aspiring writer, is locked up in a country that is generally friendly towards Australians.</p>

<p>The Democrat-led government is under criticism from its members over its plan to appoint former career diplomat Kasit Piromya as foreign minister because of his support for the actions of the PAD.</p>

<p>According to news from Thailand this week, police are set to file charges against protesters responsible for blockading Parliament after the leader of the main opposition party finally succeeded in becoming prime minister without having to win an election. </p>

<p>Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva could select anybody to be his new foreign minister - except from among the troublemakers who actively helped create crisis for their benefit and at the expense of Thailand&#39;s foreign relations.</p>