Biker gang backs Thaksin

BANGKOK (AFP): One hundred Thai motorcyclists riding chrome-covered “choppers” rumbled up to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s office today to add their support to a wave of public sympathy for the embattled premier. The leather-garbed bikers handed over bouquets for Thaksin – who is facing graft charges in the Constitutional Court that could see him barred from office for five years – to his deputy, Pongpol Adireksarn. Then the riders, sitting astride their machines, broke into a song with lyrics that praised the prime minister for taking on a “thankless” job and offering their support regardless of the verdict.