the year started off ominously in Thailand, which was home to me for 3 years. After a fairly quiet coup in 06 that ended Shinawatra's administration, Bangkok was rocked by 6 bombs on new years eve signaling perhaps more trouble ahead. The military junta has appointed a civilian government and vowed to produce a new constitution - it now looks certain that the new constitution will certainly curtail freedoms in favor of stability. NYT's offers a look at the status quo and quotes Surin Pitsuwan, former foreign minister: “The country is going to be in commotion, old elements will certainly regroup. I think the ruling group has been jolted into a new realization that things are not going to be as calm as they thought.” Shinawatra's supporters who are suspected of being behind the bombings have obviously been underestimated- even in (self chosen) exile he is proving to be a force in Thai politics eager for his comeback.