The Thai Prime Minister has won praise for his handling

of the economy and the tsunami cleanup, but many fear he may

be getting too powerful

WHY THAIS LOVE HIM...

-- GDP growth has averaged 5.2% on his watch

-- Unemployment has dropped to 1.6% from 5.7%

-- Debt-to-GDP ratio has fallen to 48% from 57%

-- Banks' bad-loan ratios are down to 12.5% from 42%

...AND WHAT WORRIES THEM

-- Bird flu that could spread from human to human

-- Rising separatist violence in the south

-- Attempts to muzzle the independent press

-- Conflict of interest with Thaksin businesses