Philippines:

(SOURCE: BBC, 24 February 2006)

Philippines President Gloria Arroyo declared emergency rule, which allows arrests without warrants and an extension of detention without charge, as protesters gathered to mark this week’s anniversary of a "people power" revolt that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.

The immediate impact: The Philippine peso fell almost 1 percent, Manila stocks retreated more than 2 percent and the country’s dollar sovereign bonds weakened.

Thailand:

Embattled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced this evening that he has ordered a dissolution of the Lower House, paving the way for a new election in April.

His Majesty the King granted Mr Thaksin an audience this afternoon, after the premier apparently decided that a new election was the only way out of the current political tension. The Election Commission tentatively set the vote for Sunday, April 2. […]

"If you are fed up with me let me know, if you want me to continue working for you, vote for me,"

Thaksin’s party Thai Rak Thai holds 377 of the 500 parliamentary seats. However, Democrat Party is optimistic that the public clamor that forced the dissolution of parliament could also translate into a solid anti-Thaksin vote in the coming election.

Last month, Thaksin sold his family’s stake of 49% stake in in Shin Corp to the Singaporean government’s investment arm, Temasek Holdings and avoided paying capital gains tax, resulted in widespread criticism and repeated rallies from public calling him to go.

The similarity between the duo, which happened to be simultaneously trapped in political turmoil, is that, they are singing the same tone: What’s next?

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