-- Last December, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra pays a state visit to Washington. Last month, a company controlled by his family, Shin Satellite, wins a $250 million loan guarantee from the Export-Import Bank.

-- In February, Thaksin makes a visit to India and refuses to divulge its purpose. A month later, the Indian government renews contracts to lease transponders on a satellite owned by Shin Satellite.

-- In March, the head of Thailand's telecom authority, a Thaksin appointee, threatens to cut off access to DTAC, the chief competitor to Advanced Info Service, the Thaksin family's mobile-phone operator.