Thai PM

To summarise the article, the Thai prime minister has engaged in illiberal schemes that have undermined the democratic foundations of the Thai government. When the US launched its war on terrorism, Thaksin followed suit and began to consolidate power and to aggressively quell the southern Muslim insurgency. He effectively destroyed the federalism that managed to tame and contain the insurgency. Muslim extremism is growing and proliferating throughout the country, even in the north. With several other similar actions, he is moving Thailand towards a non-liberal , autocratic regime, one that will strengthen extremist fundamentalist Muslim opposition - as it is doing now - and undermine the future of Thailand.

Mr. Chowdhury, to his credit, acknowledges this, but altogether too briefly. For Mr. Chowdhury to say that the southern Muslims exhibit a "total lack of confidence" in the Thai prime minister is an understatement. We rightly should remain aware of what goes on politically there. Thaksin could be sowing the seeds of great political disruption, which, in turn, could adversely affect Bangladesh's relationship with Thailand.