Late last week, the rumour circulated around the Bangkok journalists club that four Far East Economic Review were on the immigration coppers "undesirable foreigners" list.

The general view around town was that the pollies would not back this up given the current foriegn investment drive. But this morning the news hit that FEER scribes Shawn Crispen and Rodney Tasker had had their visas revoked and were on their way out sans the Thai smiles...

The culprit was an article publusihed by the Review a few weeks back analyzing the recent "tension" between highly revered King Bhumipol Adulyadej and PM Thaksin Shinawatra. It is very rare for the King to make public statements, particularly those touching on politics, however a recent speech by His Majesty were interpreted by many as being critical of the current prime minister.

The article is publically viewed by the political elite as being damaging to security and interfering in local affairs. The fact that it dwelled on the tricky relationship between royalty and governance the King was the justification that would make it acceptable to the masses. Actions that can be seen as disrespectful to royalty are just not acceptable in Thailand. Best to avoid the whole subject altogether.. (which we should be doing now.. but then again.. I'm only a humble rat..)

More significantly, it emphasises Thaksin's growing confidence in his crusade to reign in both local and foreign press in Thailand, based on the Malaysian Mahathir model. Thaksin hopes that may well break the Thai people's proclivity for changing givernments every few years.

Thailand boasts the most free press in the region, along with Taiwan and the Philippines, but Thaksin has been making moves to restrain the powers of extra-governmental power such as constitutional courts and the media.

This may well be an interesting test of Thai mettle.... (See also our recent feature on Thaksin)... We will keep a rat's eye on it..