Buddhist monks are seriously involved in the protests in Burma. They recently went as far as holding twenty hostages, at least 15 of whom were “mainly local and security officials” for a day. Plus Monks vs. the Military, and Buddhist Monks trash a (local militia leader’s) shop. Staying Southeast Asia, more on the proposal to make Buddhism the state religion of Thailand. Plus Wikipedia on Thaksin Shinawatra, the former cop turned entrepeneur turned Prime Minister (and current owner of Manchester City football club) who may be behind it all. He was ousted by the current military government. – Philip Ryan, Webmaster