Hearts and Pockets

Despite security warnings from his intelligence service and the fearful concerns of his wife and three children, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra flew to southern Thailand last week to deal with the aftermath of the April 28 bloodbath in which security forces killed 108 alleged Islamic militants. Hundreds of people turned up in the village of Wat Muang in Yala province, home to 17 of the Muslims who died that day, to see the tycoon turned politician console grieving relatives, hand out small amounts of cash, rice and washing detergent, and promise school scholarships to the children of those who died....