Violence in south continued: in Pattani province 1 solder killed by bomb, 1 civilian shot dead 9 July; 2 Muslims shot dead in separate incidents by suspected separatist insurgents 15 July; 1 solder, 1 suspected militant killed in gun battle 26 July. Car bomb killed 2 soldiers in Yala province 17 July. 3 killed in separate drive-by shootings 19, 20 July. Police began questioning leaders of anti-Thaksin “yellow shirt” movement over 2008 blockade of Bangkok airports. Police issued arrest warrants for police and army officer in connection with Apr shooting of People’s Alliance for Democracy leader Sondhi Limthongkul.

Inter-communal tension rising as violence in Malay Muslim-dominated deep South flared. Unidentified gunmen opened fire on Muslims praying in mosque 8 June, killing 10, injuring 12. 7 June car bomb killed 1, injured 19. Almost daily incidents included 2 Buddhist monks shot, 1 killed 12 June; 4 govt teachers killed in 3 separate incidents. Followed late-May ruling by Songkhla court that security forces acted in full accordance with law during 2004 Tak Bai case, when 78 protestors died after being stacked on military trucks. PM Abhisit 14 June said will use development aid rather than security measures to tackle insurgency in south; will not negotiate with insurgents; willing to consider some form of special administrative structure in South to better address Malay Muslim concerns; also exploring use of Sharia law to govern inheritance, family affairs in region. People’s Alliance for Democracy 2 June selected new name – New Politics Party – and new leader Somsak Kosaisuk. Some 25,000 rallied in support of former PM Thaksin 27 June.

People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), spearheading protests against ousted PM Thaksin since 2006, agreed to form new political party to fight for “new politics” 25 May. Followed 1 May claim by PAD leader Sondhi that some army officers - not the army - responsible for 17 Apr assassination attempt on him. Medecins Sans Frontieres 20 May announced it pulled out relief effort from Hmong refugee camp to protest govt’s forced repatriation of Hmong to Laos and military interference in humanitarian assistance. Series of bomb and arson attacks hit capital of Yala province in south 27 May; no casualties reported.

Political tensions rose after late-March protest by supporters of ousted PM Thaksin turned violent. After calling for resignation of king’s advisors and dissolution of parliament, protesters 11 Apr broke into ASEAN summit, forcing its cancellation. PMAbhisit declared state of emergency in Pattaya and next day Bangkok. Demonstrations turned into riots 13 Apr as street battles between soldiers and protesters ended with some 120 injured, 2 Bangkok residents shot dead during apparent clash with protestors. Protest  leaders voluntarily ended rally 14 Apr, citing safety concerns; 3 surrendered to police, but promised more protests soon. People’s Alliance for Democracy leader Sondhi Limthongkul shot and injured 17 Apr. Abhisit lifted state of emergency 24 Apr, called for constitutional reforms. In South, suspected insurgents opened fire at train in Narathiwat 10 Apr, killing 1 crew; also blamed for 9 deaths 27 Apr, day before 5th anniversary of Krue Sae mosque incident. Early month border clash between Thai, Cambodian forces saw 2 Thai soldiers killed, 9 injured; both sides blamed other, downplayed incident.

Puea Thai, main opposition party and ally of ousted PM Thaksin, 11 March filed censure motion against PM Abhisit and 5 others, including interior, finance, foreign ministers; all survived vote. Thousands of Thaksin supporters began sit-in protest outside Govt House 26 March. PM Abhisit approved deployment of 4,000 additional paramilitary rangers to South to improve community relations in insurgent strongholds. Govt 17 March approved strategic plan to improve justice system in South; Abhisit asked officials to explore possibility of using Sharia law in area. 4 militants killed by security forces in 30 March gun battle in South. 25 March standoff between Thai, Cambodian troops on disputed border area ended peacefully next day.

Several attacks targeting security forces in South: 4 paramilitary rangers beheaded in 2 separate incidents; 3 bomb explosions targeting security forces killed 3, injured 9 others.

Govt bolstered its weak majority in 11 Jan by- elections, held to fill seats vacated after court’s Dec dissolution of PPP and 2 other parties. PM Abhisit made first visit to south 17 Jan, took steps to restore civilian control of southern policy, including establishing special committee to handle south. PM’s compound again swarmed by anti-govt protesters 30 Jan as pro-Thaksin United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) demanded Abhisit step down.

2 Dec constitutional court ruling dissolved PPP, 2 other coalition parties in charges related to 2007 vote-buying controversy. Court’s decision barred executive members of the parties from politics for 5 years, removing PM Somchai from politics. PAD protests ended; Bangkok airports reopened next day. After smaller parties joined opposition Democrat Party to form new govt, parliament 15 Dec elected Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva to PM post. Abhisit forced to hold postponed first session of parliament at Foreign Ministry 30 Dec after thousands of “red shirt” supporters of former PM Thaksin blockaded parliament.

Political crisis escalated again as People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) renewed intensity of their protests; rampant rumours of imminent coup. State of emergency declared in Bangkok airports 27 Nov after PAD protesters occupied city’s 2 airports, cancelling all fl Protesters apparently sought to block ministers from meeting PM Somchai in Chiang Mai. Thousands of govt supporters rallied in Bangkok 30 Nov, raising fears any clashes with PAD could turn violent. Earlier, thousands surrounded parliament 24 Nov. 1 killed, 20 injured in 20 Nov grenade attack on PAD- occupied Government House. Army chief called for dissolution of parliament as business disrupted by ongoing siege of govt buildings. UK revoked visas for former PM Thaksin and wife.

Political crisis deepened as bitter anti-govt demonstrations continued, and turned deadly 7 Oct. Demonstrators led by People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) have blockaded newly elected PM Somchai’s office, calling on him to dissolve govt. Protests peaked 7 Oct when demonstrators sought to block opening session of parliament; violent clashes with police killed 2, injured some 400. Queen Sirikit presided over dead protestor’s funeral. Army chief Gen. Anupong called on Somchai to resign 16 Oct; Somchai continues to attract protests. Ousted PM Thaksin found guilty in absentia 21 Oct for abuse of office, sentenced to 2 years imprisonment. 15 Oct gun battle on Cambodian border killed 2 as dispute over Preah Vihear temple intensified.