PM Abhisit 11 March said he will dissolve parliament in first week of May, elections likely early July. Some 30,000 anti-govt “red shirt” activists demonstrated in Bangkok 12 March. Parliament 19 March rejected no-confidence vote against Abhisit and 9 ministers. Thai army chief 23 March said Indonesian observers “not wanted” in disputed border region with Cambodia, despite Feb agreement. In southern Pattani province, gunmen 3 March killed 1 imam; 5 March killed 1 Buddhist monk. National Security Council SG 8 March said violence in south intensifying, insurgents focused on larger attacks.

Hostilities broke out along Cambodian border near disputed Preah Vihear temple after Cambodian court sentenced 2 Thais to prison for espionage: at least 3 Thai, 5 Cambodian soldiers killed as forces exchanged fire 4-7 Feb. UNSC 14 Feb called for permanent ceasefire; both govts 22 Feb accepted Indonesian observers in area following informal meeting of ASEAN FMs. In face of rising “yellow shirt” demonstrations calling for PM Abhisit’s resignation, govt 9 Feb invoked Internal Security Act in Bangkok, granting security forces more power to control protests. Deputy PM Suthep 17 Feb said general election will be held “before June”. In southern Pattani province, suspected Islamist militants 3 Feb killed 5 Buddhist villagers, 10 Feb killed 3; car bomb in Yala town 13 Feb injured 17.

Govt commission investigating Apr-May violence 24 Jan delayed report indefinitely, citing lack of cooperation from police and military; echoed by Human Rights Watch 25 Jan. Some 30,000 anti-govt “red shirts” rallied in Bangkok 10 Jan, largest demonstration since May govt crackdown. Police 18 Jan arrested “yellow shirt” leaders Chaiwat Sinsuwong and Somoboon Thongburan for involvement in Dec 2008 seizure of Bangkok airport, later released on bail. In south, some 50 suspected Muslim separatists 19 Jan killed 4 soldiers in attack on Narathiwat army camp; 1 killed in 22 Jan Pattani province attack. Govt 18 Jan extended state of emergency in 3 southern provinces for 3 months, except Pattani’s Mae Lan district where law lifted 28 Dec.

Govt 21 Dec lifted state of emergency in Bangkok and 3 other provinces, in effect since Apr, citing improved security situation. Constitutional Court 9 Dec dismissed second and final electoral misconduct charge against ruling Democrat Party (DP), defusing fears it could be dissolved. Court 30 Dec jailed 84 pro-govt “yellow shirt” protesters for storming state TV station in 2008. String of attacks by suspected Islamist militants in restive south: 5 killed 4 Dec in separate attacks; 5 killed, including 2 soldiers, 18 Dec in Yala province; 2 paramilitary rangers killed in Narathiwat province 23 Dec. Border tensions with Cambodia continued: Phnom Penh 30 Dec charged 7 Thais, including MP from DP, with illegal entry; PM Abhisit called for their immediate release.

Impartiality of Constitutional Court questioned after series of videos leaked online late Oct and early Nov alleged nepotism, corruption among judges. Court 29 Nov cleared ruling Democrat Party (DP) of charges of misusing campaign funds; DP could have been dissolved if found guilty. Some 10,000 “red shirt” opposition activists rallied in Bangkok 19 Nov, marking 6-month anniversary of May military crackdown on anti-govt protests, demanded release of “red shirts” arrested May. Thousands of royalist “yellow shirts” 24 Nov rallied in Bangkok denouncing PM Abhisit’s plans to amend constitution without referendum. Violence continued in restive south: 3 Muslims, including 2 local politicians, killed by unidentified gunmen 24 Nov in Narathiwat province. Army previous day announced drawback of troops in south due to reduced violence. 20,000 Burmese refugees fled across Thai border 9 Nov following post-election clashes (see Myanmar/Burma).

PM Abhisit 5 Oct lifted state of emergency in 3 north-eastern provinces, stronghold of “red shirt” opposition, but renewed it in Bangkok and 3 central provinces until end of year. 4 killed, 9 injured 5 Oct in bomb explosion in province adjacent to Bangkok, latest in series of blasts around capital over recent weeks; govt blamed “red shirts”, who denied involvement. More than 6,000 “red shirt” activists rallied in Bangkok 10 Oct, defying emergency decree. Police 11 Oct claimed 11 “red shirt” affiliates arrested 2 Oct confessed to receiving training in Cambodia to assassinate top Thai politicians, including Abhisit; Phnom Penh strongly denied. Abhisit 18 Oct appeared before Constitutional Court to defend his Democrat Party (DP) against allegations of misusing campaign funds; DP could be disbanded if found guilty, final verdict expected by Dec. Violence continued in restive south: 5 shot dead by suspected Islamic separatist insurgents 6 Oct.

Thousands of anti-govt “red shirt” protesters rallied in Bangkok 19 Sept despite continuing state of emergency in capital and elsewhere, marking fourth anniversary of coup removing former PM Thaksin and demanding release of those arrested during May military crackdown. Early month saw several bombs defused in Bangkok and elsewhere. In restive South, 7 Sept slaying of 2 teachers in Narathiwat prompted 3-day school closure. Also in Narathiwat 4 Buddhist civilians killed 18-19 Sept; police blamed insurgents trying to evict non-Muslims from province. 5 villagers shot dead in Pattani 28 Sept. Thai, Cambodian PMs 24 Sept discussed Preah Vihar temple on border.

Govt 16 Aug lifted state of emergency in 3 provinces, still in effect in Bangkok and 6 other provinces. Public prosecutors 11 Aug indicted 19 “red shirt”-leaders on terrorism charges for role in March-May protests; trial started 16 Aug. PM Abhisit 3 Aug approved annual military promotion list that reportedly installs General Prayuth Chan-ocha, who played key role in suppressing “red shirt” protests, as army commander. Supreme Court 11 Aug rejected ex-PM Thaksin’s appeal against seizure of US$1.4bn assets. Govt 23 Aug announced it will resume diplomatic ties with Cambodia after Thaksin resigned as economic advisor to Phnom Penh, but tensions continued over Preah Vihar temple on joint border.

Govt 6 July lifted state of emergency in 5 provinces, but rights groups criticised its extension for 3 months in 19 others and Bangkok; state of emergency lifted by end-month in 9 further provinces. 1 killed, 10 injured 25 July in Bangkok bomb blast on day of by-election, no claim of responsibility; poll saw ruling Democrat Party candidate narrowly beat Puea Thai party candidate Kokaew Pikulthong, still detained for role in March-May “red shirt” protests; opposition claimed they were disadvantaged under state of emergency. Attorney-General’s Office 13 July recommended dissolving Democrat Party over illegal donations received 2005; Constitutional Court to hold 1st hearing on case 9 Aug. New Politics, political party of People’s Alliance for Democracy, 3 July elected “yellow shirt” head Somsak Kosaisuk as leader. In South, 8 killed, including 6 security officials, in 1-2 July bombings in Yala, Narathiwat provinces; 3 civilians killed in 18 July Narathiwat attack.

Following May crackdown on “red shirt” protesters, govt department of special investigation (DSI) 21 June identified 83 individuals and companies accused of funding movement. Police 25 June arrested 2 linked to “red shirt” movement over late month bomb attempt at ruling party headquarters. Govt 22 June deployed 800 police in Bangkok ahead of cremation ceremony of “red shirt” general Khattiya Sawasdipol killed in May. Thousands of mourners attended; state of emergency remains in place in Bangkok and 23 provinces. PM Abhisit 6 June appointed new cabinet members in wake of May failed no-confidence vote. In restive South, at least 5 killed, 17 injured in series of shootings and grenade attacks in Yala and Pattani districts; Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center 11 June stated 9,417 militants in South. Thai, Cambodian soldiers clashed briefly at border 8 June; no fatalities.