"Meanwhile, how do we get out of here? Which way is up?"

Just a short post today, although I have been quite lazy in updating lately. Let do one of this bullet posts/random links thingies:

• Thailand is mutating into a genetically-modified version of Singapore. Having cornered the broadcast media, government related groups launch take overs for two biggish newspaper groups. Here a preview of what to expect:

The paper is run by editors with virtually no background in journalism. For example, my direct editor was Ms Chua Lee Hoong, a woman in her mid 30s. She was an intelligence officer.

• Then two libel/criminal defamation suits were brought by our Prime Minister on the press. This is in addition to Shin Corp's pending case with Thai Post and Khun Suphinya. Total damages demanded = 1.4 billion baht.

• The outcome is still uncertain, but will it become something like this or this...

Littlemore has also monitored Singapore libel cases for the International Commission of Jurists and notes that members of Singapore's People's Action Party, uninterrupted in power since 1959, have never lost a libel action heard in Singapore.

• Like my friend was saying "Thaksin is taking a page out of Lee Kuan Yew's secret manual of "How to stay in power for the next 40years"...for the press
  

1. Buy and control what you can...
   
2. Intimidate, sue, force out of the country those you cannot...
3. Wait quietly for and era of Media Enthralled where the cowed media outlet do their own self-censorship
   

• I do agree with Chang Noi here on the questionable motives of Sonthi, but the big picture dictates that I throw my lot with his side for our democracy's sake. I like how he ends the piece...
  

Most judgements are relative to some extent. We pick the best available. We support one thing [Sonthi] because the alternative [Thaksin crushing press freedom] is worse.

Meanwhile, how do we get out of here? Which way is up?