Strange that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra blames fasting as the cause of death of some 84 detainees in southern Thailand. My son, age of seven voluntary fast consecutively from day one until now. Apart from being thirsty toward sunset, he remotely displays any near death symptoms. Instead, he enjoys it and looking forward the fast-breaking with relish - aren't we all, after without food and drink for 14 hours or so?

Thaksin's accusation is similar to Mahathir Mohamad's accusation of Anwar Ibrahim's self-inflicting injury in 1998. The Thai PM is also not very smart (or perhaps he underestimates the will of Thai Muslims and Muslims from neighbouring countries) to incur wrath of Muslims.

He forgot two important facts. Most Thai Muslims are very poor - they have nothing to loose if they want to fight back. Secondly, some Muslims are willing (wanting) to die as martyrs and Thaksin (with all his arrogance and ignorance) is paving the way for them.