Villagers paid to attend pro-Thaksin rally in Chiang Mai?

This actually tracks an interview The Nation did with a protestor at the pro-Thaksin rally in Bkk. IN the case, the protestor said he had been paid 200 baht to attend, plus lodging and transportation.

The press really dropped the ball by not looking into rumours that protestors paid to attend. Proving or disproving those rumours would have certainly been newsworthy as so much is riding on the precise nature and depth of Thaksin's claimed support.

Take the money, but mark your ballot for someone else

Our maid lives just outside of San Pa Tong town here in Chiang Mai province. She told us today that everyone in her village was paid Bt200 to attend last night's rally for Thaksin in Chiang Mai. She added that Bt300 was given to those who would provide transportation for the villagers.

She said many took the money and attended. When they returned, no one was sure of exactly what the PM had been saying to the crowd. However, they did remark that it would be good if he would hold a rally every day, because soon they would be rich, even though no one had any intention of voting for him.

William Reynolds

Chiang Mai