However, this is a really worrying situation, because the court dismissed the charges on a matter of procedure. The court said that the Electoral Commission did not follow the proper legal procedures in place to bring the case to court. This is the second case that the court has thrown out against the Democrats for alleged political misconduct.

The ruling of course has angered the red shirt opposition, who claim that the court is just supporting the mostly elite ruling party. The result of this case will also surely have to raise questions about the kind of problems that might flow on from this decision. Especially with an election not that far away, one really has to wonder just what chance there will be of achieving some form of stable government that is really going to be respected and enjoy the support of the majority of the population.

However, this is a really worrying situation, because the court dismissed the charges on a matter of procedure. The court said that the Electoral Commission did not follow the proper legal procedures in place to bring the case to court. This is the second case that the court has thrown out against the Democrats for alleged political misconduct.

The ruling of course has angered the red shirt opposition, who claim that the court is just supporting the mostly elite ruling party. The result of this case will also surely have to raise questions about the kind of problems that might flow on from this decision. Especially with an election not that far away, one really has to wonder just what chance there will be of achieving some form of stable government that is really going to be respected and enjoy the support of the majority of the population.

Thailand covers an area of of 514,000 square kilometres, which is roughly the same size as France or about the twice the size of Wyoming in the USA. Located in Southeast Asia and bordering Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Malaysia, Thailand has a population of more than 65 million people.

Thailand is a tropical country and the weather is typically hot and humid, with periodic rain during the monsoon season. Thailand has a variety of geographic regions – varying from mountainous regions, jungles, plains and plateaus, as well as a number of stunning beach areas and numerous islands.

There are 76 provinces in Thailand with Bangkok (krungthep) forming the capital. More than 10% of Thailand’s population live in Bangkok and around 60% of the country’s wealth is concentrated there.

Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with a long and interesting political history. The current monarch is His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who celebrated his 60^th year on the throne in 2006, making him the world’s longest reigning monarch. The King is highly revered within Thailand and respected throughout the world.

Thailand’s political history has proved rather turbulent, with an impressive total of 18 coups d’etat since 1932. However, not a single shot was fired during the last coup on September 19^th 2006, and Thailand is generally a safe and friendly place for visitors.

Despite the economic crash in 1997, which severely affected the country’s prosperity, Thailand now enjoys a booming economy once more. Thailand’s strong export growth allowed the economy to expand by 4.5% in 2007. Exports include computer technology, office machine parts, transistors, rubber, motor vehicles, plastic, seafood and rice.

However, there are a few things which are guaranteed to cause offence and should be avoided when possible.

The Monarchy

Thai people think very highly of the royal family and will not permit criticism. In fact, Thailand’s lèse majesté laws mean that criticising the king can result in 7 years imprisonment, which applies to both Thais and foreigners. Pictures of the king should also be treated with respect and if placed on the wall – as they are in most homes and businesses – must hold pride of place. Defiling a picture of the king also carries a serious penalty, as a tourist in Chiang Mai discovered when he drunkenly drew a moustache on an image of the king. He was sentenced to 50 years imprisonment, but was later pardoned by the king and released.

Religion

Always dress ‘politely’ when entering a temple or religious shrine. Many temples require you to cover your knees and shoulders and it is very important to remember to remove your shoes. Shoes should also be removed when entering private homes and some shops.

Buddha Images

Buddha images are sacred and must be treated with respect. Never climb on a Buddha image, and be very careful about taking photos – some images are so sacred that photographs are forbidden. When sitting on the floor, you must be careful not to point your feet at a Buddha image. Sit with your legs crossed or with your feet tucked to the side, the soles pointing backwards.

Monks

Women must be careful not to touch monks as they are forbidden female contact. If a woman wants to give something to a monk it must first be given to another man or put on a piece of cloth. Often, special seats are allocated on public transport for monks only, be careful to avoid them and give up your seat for a monk if there are none available.
Head and Feet

In Thailand, the head is very scared, whilst the feet are seen as unclean. Be careful not to touch a Thai on the head and avoid touching them with your feet or pointing to things with your feet.

Saving Face

In Thailand it is considered very impolite to shout and show of anger, regardless of the situation.

General

Showing affection between partners such as kissing and cuddling in public is frowned upon – especially amongst older Thais. Although it may not seem like it, Thailand is actually quite conservative and people do not appreciate seeing too much bare skin. Men should avoid walking topless as what are often mistaken for looks of appreciation are actually shares of disgust! Spaghetti tops, sleeveless tops and bottom revealing micro shorts should also be avoided.

Smoking and dropping litter in the street are illegal a 2,000 Baht fine awaits anyone who is caught.

For throwing 1,000 litres of blood at Government House is an act so bizarre that even Caligula would have pondered the point. And news that the Nursing and Midwifery Council  could punish nurses who aid in the collection of said crimson weaponry, only makes the cloudy issue murkier.

For is it better to enlist trained medical personnel to assist in a barbaric act and have it administered safely? Or refuse to help and have an army of oozing self-mutilators wandering the capital feeling distinctly light-headed?

It is a question that should surely never be asked in a developed country. In these modern times of AIDS and blood shortages you would imagine more people would think for themselves and abstain from such foolhardy action. But the passion of the red shirts in undeniable, and if it did not raise eyebrows there would be no point. Red paint would create fewer column inches and not be the action of a truly incensed mob.

But should this action actually have the desired effect and Abhisit quits his post as PM, heaven forbid what bodily fluids the yellow shirts are going to fling in response..

Thaksin made his fortune through telecommunications and lost his seat after he apparently abused his power in office to enrich himself and his family. A small bomb was set off at the Bangkok Bank in the capital on Friday, perhaps as a protest against the court’s decision, but maybe now that the arguments surrounding Thaksin’s billions have been legally settled, there will finally be a chance to let the deep wounds heal.

And despite losing $14 billion before the weekend, at least Thaksin’s football team, Manchester City, beat Chelsea 4-2 on Saturday. And with a row between players from each team all over the English press, you can only hope another hatchet was buried that day.

According to the Energy Ministry, solar farms to be built on the elevated plateau of Isaan in the northeast of the country, as this flat, rice-growing land receives the majority of Thailand’s sunshine.

Both coastlines and mountainous areas tend to bring with them a higher chance of cloud coverage and Thailand is apparently leading the South-East Asian pack when it comes to the use of solar energy.

Most of the South-East Asian countries have a couple of things in common. The first is that they have very minimal budgets when it comes to promoting green technologies, and the second is that they are blessed with more than their fair share of sunshine.

And while I am certainly not one for breaking age-old traditions and modernising the few authentic parts of Thai life that remain, this one strikes me as a fool proof idea, as sometimes things have to change in order for them to stay the same.

 Another two men were wounded in the troubled area when two men on a motorbike opened fire in the province on Pattani.

 The 45-year-old Muslim man was killed was on his way back from worshipping at the local mosque.

 The man was also riding a motorcycle and this is just the latest in a string of incidents involving militants on motorcycle targeting other drivers.

 A village leader was also targeted on his way home from the market in Pattani recently and a government volunteers was shot dead at a Pattani bird singing competition.

 The Buddhist soldier, mentioned earlier, had shots fired at his car as suspected militants from Yala hid by the roadside.

 More than 4,000 people have now been killed since separatist militants launched their insurgency in Thailand’s southern region in 2004.

Is anything worth so much bloodshed?

Another two men were wounded in the troubled area when two men on a motorbike opened fire in the province on Pattani.

The 45-year-old Muslim man was killed was on his way back from worshipping at the local mosque.

The man was also riding a motorcycle and this is just the latest in a string of incidents involving militants on motorcycle targeting other drivers.

 A village leader was also targeted on his way home from the market in Pattani recently and a government volunteer was shot dead at a Pattani bird singing competition.

The Buddhist soldier, mentioned earlier, had shots fired at his car as suspected militants from Yala hid by the roadside.

More than 4,000 people have now been killed since separatist militants launched their insurgency in Thailand’s southern region in 2004.

Is anything worth so much bloodshed?

While I’m fully aware that it is no laughing matter, the news out of Bangkok this week that 80 school students were taken to hospital after consuming a large amount of cough relief tablets that they thought would make them high, reminded me a little too much of my own misspent youth.

The kids in this case had overdosed in Dextromethorphan, a cough-suppressant, while in the care of Wat Tha Phra School in the Yai district of Bangkok.

Various symptoms ensued, such as headaches and nausea, and despite 12 having their stomachs pumped, all of the children are said to have now recovered fully.

The student who supplied the drugs to his classmates said he purchased them from a games shop near the school, which is perhaps the most worrying part of this story.

Obviously these kids have come a long way since my time at school and it is an alarming incident.

We used to take too many puffs on our friend’s inhalers or try and get drunk in class by eating an obscene about of brandy chocolates.

In both cases, however, the worst thing that happened to us was feeling sick.

The thought of taking an unknown pill would I’m sure be too scary for us at the time, just as I’m sure it is for these children’s parents and teachers.