August 2005- Sondhi begins criticizing Thaksin blatantly on his TV show
Thailand Weekly Up until just before this, Sondhi had been a loud and clear cheerleader for Thaksin, which was probably why his show was the only remaining political commentary program on Thai TV.
15 September 2005- Sondhi removed from broadcast television, as previous critics had been long before. Moves his show to a public stage at Thammasat. 3000 people attend. Shpw is available as video on Manager website and ASTV cable, thus becoming the very first politically dissident TV broadcast in Thai history. Shows concentrate on analysis of all the undemocratic things Thaksin has done, but popularity rises sharply when Sondhi hits the corruption theme button. Thaksin responds with lawsuits and secures an injunction to halt the cable broadcast, meaning ASTV viewers must attend rallies if they want to continue experiencing this unique event.
Thailand Weekly draws 80,000 to its Lumpini edition in early December. Just before being taken off air, Sondhi had introduced a novel element: accusations that Thaksin did not respect the monarchy. At Lumpini, just before the King's birthday, Sondhi wears a yellow T-shirt with the slogan "We Fight For The King".
November 11 2005- Sondhi calls for the King to supplant Thaksin and initiate political reform.
November 18 2005- All three Armed Forces chiefs, plus the Supreme Commander, rebuke Sondhi for bringing the King so blatantly into politics. Next day, Sonthi Boonyaratklin is asked about a coup coming out of this and says "Gone is the era when soldiers staged coups."
December 4 2005- King's birthday speech- "not even I am above criticism"- criticises lawsuits (Thaksin) and politics on TV (Sondhi). "They want to see soap dramas instead....Do not quarrel. No quarelling. Do not over-do." Thaksin drops lawsuits and Sondhi tones down the shows. Mid-January Sondhi's
Thailand Weekly draws 2000 people. Sondhi calls for a rally to invade government house and gets 2000 people and nothing really happens. Sondhi announces a final "farewell" show for February 4 2006.
January 23- Shin Corp is sold to Temasek.
February 4- 50,000 attend the "farewell", which has now taken on the appearance of new beginning. After the show, emissaries from the rally go to the Royal Household Bureau (which is "surprisingly" open at 9pm!) and to Prem's house, at both of which they are received warmly. Sondhi goes personally to Sonthi and asks "Are you going to stand by the people?" "I will stand by the people because I am a soldier of the people".
February 9 2006- PAD is formed.