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This column is for self study or classroom use and gives guided help with reading the wide variety of writing styles and topics that appear as feature articles in the Bangkok Post. The lessons include background information, skill building practice and vocabulary explanations. November 21, 2006 Signs of uneasiness INTRODUCTION

Apart from the deep South, Thailand is outwardly calm. If you are a visitor to the country, chances are you will see nothing out of the ordinary at all. For those of us who live here, however, there is a feeling of uneasiness. Demonstrations, albeit small ones, have begun against the coup leaders and the government it installed and there are worries about the continuing political undercurrents, especially in the ousted prime minister's strongholds of the North and Northeast. The biggest worry for those currently holding power is that the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will return to Thailand before things have stabilised. That prospect, says Bangkok Post deputy editor-in-chief Veera Prateepchaikul in his commentary today, is even more of a headache that deciding when to lift martial law. He clearly has doubts about whether the government is prepared. "In my opinion, lifting martial law is not as much a problem as dealing with the consequences which may arise in its aftermath. Chief among them is the prospect that Mr Thaksin will return home from exile once martial law is removed. What contingency plans does the government have to deal with Mr Thaksin if he chooses to return home as he once declared, and with the prospect that his faithful supporters may turn up en masse to give him a warm welcome at the airport or at his Thon Buri residence? Also, is there any contingency plan to cope with a possible protest against Mr Thaksin's return by his opponents? As a Thai citizen, Mr Thaksin has every right to return to his home country. The new prime minister had his say about when Mr Thaksin should return. Read to find out when he believes is the most appropriate time. One prominent military man, himself a former prime minister, has also been speaking on the same subject. Who is he and what did he have to say? Does he appear to agree with Prime Minister Surayudh Chulanont? uneasiness feelings of being worried or unhappy about something demonstrations public meetings or marches in which people show they are protesting against or supporting something albeit although political undercurrents negative feelings or opinions about the political situation which are largely hidden but whose effects are felt ousted forced to leave a position prospect possibility lift to remove or end restrictions martial law a situation in which the military controls an area rather than the police aftermath the situation that exists as the result of an important (and usually unpleasant) event exile the state of being forced to live in another country other than your own contingency plans plans for something which may happen en masse in very large numbers

OUR STORY FROM THE BANGKOK POST

Thaksin urged to wait a year before returning Chart na Bangsai speaks during a rally at Sanam Luang, which drew 300 people. They were protesting against the Council of National Security.— PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont made clear that deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra should wait another year before returning to Thailand. The most appropriate time would be after a new government is in place, he said. And talks towards this should take place towards the end of the interim government's term, after the new constitution is promulgated, a referendum has been held and preparations towards general elections are under way, he added. ''If he returned and one group supporting him caused conflict in the country again, would it be appropriate?'' he asked. Gen Surayud rejected former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh's suggestion that he let Mr Thaksin come back to his residence in Thon Buri so as to keep an eye on him more easily. ''It would be tantamount to limiting Mr Thaksin's rights, detaining him at home which is something that should not be done,'' he said. Keeping him under house arrest would be like something a neighbouring country might do, and inappropriate, he said, without elaborating. Mr Thaksin's return was not contingent on the lifting of martial law, which was another matter before the Council for National Security, he added. Even after martial law is lifted, talks would be needed before Mr Thaksin headed back to the country. ''I cannot give orders to Mr Thaksin. It would be up to a mutual agreement as to what we can do for the country, which means making a sacrifice,'' he said. ''We have to discuss what sacrifice Mr Thaksin can make for the country,'' he added. deposed ousted; forced to leave a position of power interim government a temporary government that is in power until a permanent government is installed promulgated (of a new law or system) officially announced referendum an occasion when all of the people of a country can vote on an important issue Read our other instant lesson here. Return to our home page. | © The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. All rights reserved 2006 | Last modified: November 17, 2006