1). FBC Urgent Action Alert: Thailand is working with the SPDC to
undermine Burma's democratic struggle

Dear Free Burma activists and supporters -

In any protest being planned we need to include ROYAL THAI EMBASSY on our target list.

THE REASONS???

I just got a phone call about half-hour ago and learned of what Thaksin
government is doing QUIETLY.

As you know the Thai PM was in Washington and was pressured to call for
Daw Suu's release as part of his bargaining for the US upgrading the
bi-lateral relations between the two countries. Thailand wanted -- and
got -- non-NATO strategic ally status, which Philippines always has.
there are benefits to this, i am sure. The Thais of coursed nodded to
the Bush Administration signal to get tough with the Burmese regime.

But now that they got what they wanted, the Thaksin government has put
unprecedented level of pressure on the democratic forces along the
Thai-Burmese borders. I don't want to give all the details, unwisely.

Here is what the Thaksin government is doing to undermine the
grassroots support base along the Thai-Burmese border.

First, their reported internal analysis.

The Thaksin government has concluded that the SPDC/SLORC
is extremely fragile and maybe on its last leg AT THIS POINT. In other
words, SPDC is at the highest crisis point since 1988 uprisings. If
the SPDC collapses, that would create a lot of chaos along the Thai-Burmese
borders and hence disrupt Thai economic interests and business
activities. (millions of dollars worth of trade going on along the Thai-Burmese border). So the Thai chambers of commerce don't see the collapse of SPDC, or
conversely, the advancement of Daw AUng San SUu Kyi's democratic struggle, to be in their interest.

Overall, with the exception of our NGO friends and a smaller number of
good and broadminded politicians and intellectuals in Thailand, the
Thai political, cultural and economic establishment has never really wanted
Burma to be a free and prosperous neighbor again. Burma in perpetual
crisis since 1948 has benefitted the Thais economically and
politically. So the currently Thaksin administration is ACTIVELY, if QUIETLY,
trying to do everything in their power to undermine our democracy movement,
its potential support bases and our ethnic alliances on the border.

1). the Thai military forces have increased the level of surveillance and sealed off some parts of the border.

2). Thailand is not letting any fleeing refugees from Burma cross the border and on to the refugee camps.

3). Thailand is stopping effectively any humanitarian NGOs from
delivering any type of reflief work -- medicine, basic food, etc.
there are literally hundreds of thousands of Internally Displaced Persons
inside our country (Burma). These people will be severely affected by
the new round of Thailand's actions.

4). there are other direct political intervention or pressure put on
the border-based groups, so that our alliances there will be weakened to
the point of no political value or use for the larger democracy movement
led by Daw Suu.

5). One thing the Thais are said to be doing is pressuring our fellow
dissidents to undo or nullify Mae Tharaw-hta (sp?) declaration in which
all ethnic political organizations pledged their unequivocal support
and solidarity with the NLD and Daw Suu. (Daw Suu and NLD have
acknowledged this support publicly as well).

6). one major reason or sole reason the Than Shwe and thugs closed in
on and attempted to assassinate Daw Suu is, I have heard, the
democratic leadership in Rangoon was about to declare CRPP a parallel govenment.

Now Thailand is actively working in collaboration with the thugs in
Rangoon (remember Thaksin has major telecommunications deals with the
current generals in Burma), and we need to strip the Thaksin government
of all its public pretensions to support Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

A short list of things to do:

1). stage protests in front of ALL and ANY consulates and embassies in
your country of residence

2). call, email or fax your own personal or organizational condemnation
of the Thaksin's actions against the Burmese refugees and democrats and
tell them to stop his short-sighted Burma policies. In your email, you
may mention that our worldwide campaign is considering the launch
against Thailand's tourism and agricultural sectors. (Thailand's tourism is severely hurt and this is one of the weakest spots which the Thaksin administration is sensitive to).

3). contact your political leaders urge them to condemn Thailand's
undermining of our struggle and to summon chiefs of Thailand's
diplomatic missions and lodged the highest diplomatic protest

4). urge your national and local media to expose thailand's
pathological and pathetic support of thugs in Rangoon

5). use the mass media, locally, to spread the word about what is going
on in Burma and what the Thaksin administration and Thai armed forces
are doing

6). forward this email to any friends and acquaitences of yours and
urge them to give us a hand of solidarity.

In solidarity,

zarni
Free Burma Coalition