The King is the part of our flag. If we do not accepted our King we will take the blue color out of our flag. Like you take out your star out of your flag.
Annie, you finding that a an eventual “collapse of thai society and culture” (in the tea leaves, though, an unvoluntary but telling qualifier to your litany) would be an “interesting process to observe” speaks volumes….
I have no doubt that these will be interesting times for you the “observer”, but how could such prognostic mean anything but unsettling worrying, even dramatic times for Thailand and its people who, outside of academia, might not find that adjective judicious, and may I add,caring?
We NZ are neutral (ranked among the highest in non-corruption index & democracy) and we see through your PM who has zero sincerity or integrity. Faced with problem he bribes and buys his way through. In Sibu, S’wak, he declared along the line of …You help me I help you. BN wins then $xmillion to the Chinese school… Like Dr MM they go for twin towers, submarines, mega projects for maximum kickbacks, but never bothered building the essentials like the trunk road for Sarawak or Sabah. He condones colossal corruption (Taib, Musa, Shahrizat…) and pretend they don’t exist. His men tortured Teoh B H to death on his wedding day over a few thousand $. He is a big disgrace to your Nation. Why haven’t you impeached him for treason – undermining & destroying the Country?
In a democratic country, Dr MM, Najib, Taib, etc would be arrested and tried for treason, undermining and destroying the Nation through: a) Apartheid & racism. b) Deception of the public with controlled media and rigged elections. c) Weakening almost all institutions of governance including the legislature, judiciary, police, ACC/MACC, the Election Commission, and the Attorney-General’s Chambers. d) Mis-management, manipulation and corruption causing losses in hundreds of billions of RM$. If convicted all stolen assets to be returned and then the Convicts executed for treason. It is appalling these people behave like heroes, saints and kings without the slightest remorse or sense of shame. MM’s sons are directors of 200 companies and drive some of the most expensive cars in the world, eg the Ferrari Enzo & the RM5.5million Bugatti Veyron…Am writing from a truly transparent and democratic country, NZ.
Watching “Seven Samurai” years ago was a revelation to me in understanding Asian peasantry. They may not have the social position or the big guns but they learn how to manipulate a social structure using what they have to ensure long term survival. Darwinism in action.
With the advent of media communications in the 60’s, the western influenced and financed “hearts and minds” policies managed to maintain the sakdina status quo. The advent of global communications has been a game changer managed successfully by Thaksin to date. In the long run I suspect they take what he offers, and a lot more besides…
Excuse me for asking, or commenting. What is so hot about these presenters. Half of them from ANU and the other half NUS. What is so special about them? Most of the presenters from ANU have taught in Singapore and had to play with its politics. So, what’s so hot about them? These are the people who practice “speaking truth with power” as opposed to “speaking truth to power”? Find me scholars who are willing to talk about Singapore from the latter perspective and I would agree with you that the conference/workshop will be hot. Otherwise, sama sama!
Hi Nich and Andrew….The comments thread here appears to be truncated from start to comment 102?…. Did you have a software glitch on the new design move?… New design looks good by the way. Paul Handley wrote a good and concise review… Pity if the debate got dropped out along the way.
A response which is even sillier than the first entry to which I responded.
The 2 factors you mention – and by implication the most important – contributing to Thailand’s economic success are simply wrong or over simplified.Rice exports have not been the major item in Thailand’s exports for many decades, its place long outpaced by manafacturing.There is a half truth in the second factor in that Thailand does have a challenge in adjusting to the middle income trap but the record in adjusting the economy historically has been excellent.As previously mentioned the resilience of the Thai private sector and workforce is remarkable.But your fundamental error is to believe Thailand relies on a low cost labour force:this has not been the case for at least twenty years.
Your statement that the Thai economy is on the skids is particularly absurd.Can you find even one respected economic commentator to back this?
Your comment on the origin of the 1997 crisis is equally misguided.
I am afraid your rejoinder rather underlines my earlier comment about economic literacy.
Wentworth, let me get this straight – you leave before the anthem and miss the film altogether? Or do you ‘leave before the anthem and wait at the back then step out etc. etc.? It’s been an awfully long time since they played it before the audience headed for the exits (back in the day when people used to chuff away on their ciggies). And even then there was the occasional ‘bolter’ who didn’t fancy hanging around to pay their respects.
BTW, well done on re-doing the homepage adding some much needed colour after the original faecal atrocity.
Yes. I’m actually a deeply closeted cynic. But once Thailand’s government starts implementing some more cynic-friendly social and legal policies, I’ll out myself and live a proud, openly-cynical lifestyle.
Posted again because the posting doid not display the first time – another buglet?
A bit of self-censorship. On reflection, with my last reply, I allowed myself to rise to the ‘illiterate’ bait. Shouldn’t have done that and I withdraw the ‘kwai’ comment.
Nevertheless, the Thai economy is already showing a number of danger signs, and I don’t see the government being able to resolve them in the short, or even the medium term without first resolving the political and social problems, which they aren’t going to be able to do without triggering a civil war. This is the basis for the economic part of the ‘perhaps permanent decline’.
Thailand is in deep trouble already, because the appearance of problems, and also improvement lags behind their root causes. If Thailand acts now, the problems will still accelerate during this lag, so it will still get worse. The process of getting worse may itself create other problems which need newer and better solutions which Thais don’t have. Its a chain reaction.
I stand by my opinion. Thailand is in very deep do-do already, even without USA ‘pivoting’ its sponsorship away from the SE Asia mainland, and even without the succession, and even without (God forbid) the K, Q or Prem dying suddenly (which may very well happen). If the K or Q pop off, there will probably be a civil war. If Prem pops off the palace will likely self-combust as a result of internecine power struggles. Gloomy? Yes. Likely – I think so. You dont think so? – that’s fine, not my job to impose or persuade to my opinion, my job is only to state my opinion. But I refuse to call you illiterate because I don’t have enough information to understand why you think what you think. Hope you recognise the difference.
Nick, art education is very low on the agenda. Most students have limited experience until they reach university. So there are no decent art colleges or foundation years to develop basic technical skills prior to university.
There may be political reasons for this, but there are other dynamics too: art isn’t a wealth creator, so there are both less opportunities for embezzlement, corruption and procurement leakage, families often aren’t keen on their kids studying art as its not a “good profession”.
The religious connection with art and traditional crafts and moo sip chang remains strong. As you say, sponsorship and patronage of arts tends to focus on Buddhist/Neo-buddhist “good works”, which build prestige and make merit for the patron.
Developing a stronger art curriculum from secondary school up would probably have the most significant positive effect.
Our King is the part of the Thai Flag. We have three colors in the flag. Blue means the King. If we are not allowed to show our King, means we are not allowed to show our flag.
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Corruption in Malaysia and Singapore
This is what Malaysia needs – a firm kick up the butt. Well done Peter Butler.
http://www.espnstar.com/football/asian-football/news/detail/item850637/Butler:-Sharbinee-will-not-play-for-me-again/
http://thediplomat.com/sport-culture/2012/09/07/i-have-never-sold-a-match/
Thailand’s silver snatched?
Do you know the meaning of each colour of our Thai flag?
Glimpses of the Thailand-Myanmar border
No idea what you two are referring to but chicken wire does sound apt.
Thailand’s silver snatched?
Every country have their own meaning of the colour of their flag. You have to respect their proud of each meaning on the flag.
Thailand’s silver snatched?
The King is the part of our flag. If we do not accepted our King we will take the blue color out of our flag. Like you take out your star out of your flag.
Not so Happy Birthdays
Annie, you finding that a an eventual “collapse of thai society and culture” (in the tea leaves, though, an unvoluntary but telling qualifier to your litany) would be an “interesting process to observe” speaks volumes….
I have no doubt that these will be interesting times for you the “observer”, but how could such prognostic mean anything but unsettling worrying, even dramatic times for Thailand and its people who, outside of academia, might not find that adjective judicious, and may I add,caring?
Some Australians not impressed with Najib Razak
We NZ are neutral (ranked among the highest in non-corruption index & democracy) and we see through your PM who has zero sincerity or integrity. Faced with problem he bribes and buys his way through. In Sibu, S’wak, he declared along the line of …You help me I help you. BN wins then $xmillion to the Chinese school… Like Dr MM they go for twin towers, submarines, mega projects for maximum kickbacks, but never bothered building the essentials like the trunk road for Sarawak or Sabah. He condones colossal corruption (Taib, Musa, Shahrizat…) and pretend they don’t exist. His men tortured Teoh B H to death on his wedding day over a few thousand $. He is a big disgrace to your Nation. Why haven’t you impeached him for treason – undermining & destroying the Country?
Some Australians not impressed with Najib Razak
In a democratic country, Dr MM, Najib, Taib, etc would be arrested and tried for treason, undermining and destroying the Nation through: a) Apartheid & racism. b) Deception of the public with controlled media and rigged elections. c) Weakening almost all institutions of governance including the legislature, judiciary, police, ACC/MACC, the Election Commission, and the Attorney-General’s Chambers. d) Mis-management, manipulation and corruption causing losses in hundreds of billions of RM$. If convicted all stolen assets to be returned and then the Convicts executed for treason. It is appalling these people behave like heroes, saints and kings without the slightest remorse or sense of shame. MM’s sons are directors of 200 companies and drive some of the most expensive cars in the world, eg the Ferrari Enzo & the RM5.5million Bugatti Veyron…Am writing from a truly transparent and democratic country, NZ.
Glimpses of the Thailand-Myanmar border
Then what is it called? Sorry, English is not my mother tongue, so things happen
Chris Baker on Thailand’s Political Peasants
Watching “Seven Samurai” years ago was a revelation to me in understanding Asian peasantry. They may not have the social position or the big guns but they learn how to manipulate a social structure using what they have to ensure long term survival. Darwinism in action.
With the advent of media communications in the 60’s, the western influenced and financed “hearts and minds” policies managed to maintain the sakdina status quo. The advent of global communications has been a game changer managed successfully by Thaksin to date. In the long run I suspect they take what he offers, and a lot more besides…
Malaysia and Singapore Update – its getting hot!
Very potent observation Keester.
Do come to the Update and put the questions to the presenters directly.
It will be interesting to see how the presenters respond to your observation.
On another note, in your mind, who are the scholars who “speak truth to power?”
Malaysia and Singapore Update – its getting hot!
Excuse me for asking, or commenting. What is so hot about these presenters. Half of them from ANU and the other half NUS. What is so special about them? Most of the presenters from ANU have taught in Singapore and had to play with its politics. So, what’s so hot about them? These are the people who practice “speaking truth with power” as opposed to “speaking truth to power”? Find me scholars who are willing to talk about Singapore from the latter perspective and I would agree with you that the conference/workshop will be hot. Otherwise, sama sama!
Review of A Life’s Work
Oooops… Beg pardon…. You got numbered pages and everyfink… I will never understand the march to Utopia… Bestest…. Dan
Review of A Life’s Work
Hi Nich and Andrew….The comments thread here appears to be truncated from start to comment 102?…. Did you have a software glitch on the new design move?… New design looks good by the way. Paul Handley wrote a good and concise review… Pity if the debate got dropped out along the way.
Not so Happy Birthdays
A response which is even sillier than the first entry to which I responded.
The 2 factors you mention – and by implication the most important – contributing to Thailand’s economic success are simply wrong or over simplified.Rice exports have not been the major item in Thailand’s exports for many decades, its place long outpaced by manafacturing.There is a half truth in the second factor in that Thailand does have a challenge in adjusting to the middle income trap but the record in adjusting the economy historically has been excellent.As previously mentioned the resilience of the Thai private sector and workforce is remarkable.But your fundamental error is to believe Thailand relies on a low cost labour force:this has not been the case for at least twenty years.
Your statement that the Thai economy is on the skids is particularly absurd.Can you find even one respected economic commentator to back this?
Your comment on the origin of the 1997 crisis is equally misguided.
I am afraid your rejoinder rather underlines my earlier comment about economic literacy.
Not so Happy Birthdays
Wentworth, let me get this straight – you leave before the anthem and miss the film altogether? Or do you ‘leave before the anthem and wait at the back then step out etc. etc.? It’s been an awfully long time since they played it before the audience headed for the exits (back in the day when people used to chuff away on their ciggies). And even then there was the occasional ‘bolter’ who didn’t fancy hanging around to pay their respects.
BTW, well done on re-doing the homepage adding some much needed colour after the original faecal atrocity.
Vietnam’s gay pride
Yes. I’m actually a deeply closeted cynic. But once Thailand’s government starts implementing some more cynic-friendly social and legal policies, I’ll out myself and live a proud, openly-cynical lifestyle.
Not so Happy Birthdays
Posted again because the posting doid not display the first time – another buglet?
A bit of self-censorship. On reflection, with my last reply, I allowed myself to rise to the ‘illiterate’ bait. Shouldn’t have done that and I withdraw the ‘kwai’ comment.
Nevertheless, the Thai economy is already showing a number of danger signs, and I don’t see the government being able to resolve them in the short, or even the medium term without first resolving the political and social problems, which they aren’t going to be able to do without triggering a civil war. This is the basis for the economic part of the ‘perhaps permanent decline’.
Thailand is in deep trouble already, because the appearance of problems, and also improvement lags behind their root causes. If Thailand acts now, the problems will still accelerate during this lag, so it will still get worse. The process of getting worse may itself create other problems which need newer and better solutions which Thais don’t have. Its a chain reaction.
I stand by my opinion. Thailand is in very deep do-do already, even without USA ‘pivoting’ its sponsorship away from the SE Asia mainland, and even without the succession, and even without (God forbid) the K, Q or Prem dying suddenly (which may very well happen). If the K or Q pop off, there will probably be a civil war. If Prem pops off the palace will likely self-combust as a result of internecine power struggles. Gloomy? Yes. Likely – I think so. You dont think so? – that’s fine, not my job to impose or persuade to my opinion, my job is only to state my opinion. But I refuse to call you illiterate because I don’t have enough information to understand why you think what you think. Hope you recognise the difference.
Thailand’s silver snatched?
Nick, art education is very low on the agenda. Most students have limited experience until they reach university. So there are no decent art colleges or foundation years to develop basic technical skills prior to university.
There may be political reasons for this, but there are other dynamics too: art isn’t a wealth creator, so there are both less opportunities for embezzlement, corruption and procurement leakage, families often aren’t keen on their kids studying art as its not a “good profession”.
The religious connection with art and traditional crafts and moo sip chang remains strong. As you say, sponsorship and patronage of arts tends to focus on Buddhist/Neo-buddhist “good works”, which build prestige and make merit for the patron.
Developing a stronger art curriculum from secondary school up would probably have the most significant positive effect.
Thailand’s silver snatched?
Our King is the part of the Thai Flag. We have three colors in the flag. Blue means the King. If we are not allowed to show our King, means we are not allowed to show our flag.