A mandate can sometimes be a dangerous thing. Since scoring the largest electoral win in Thai history last February, Thaksin Shinawatra has proved to be a Prime Minister with no tolerance for criticism. He promised voters a return to prosperity, but as the country's economy continues to crumble, Thaksin has lashed out at economists, academics, bankers, bureaucrats and news organizations that have questioned his policies. Citing the 11 million votes (out of 29.9 million cast) he won, the PM has told his detractors to support him or shut up. But last Tuesday, Thaksin got a very public dressing-down from a man...
