The latest appraisal by the Readers Digest magazine shows Kuala Lumpur almost at the bottom of a list of “Least Courteous Cities” at number 34 out of 36 major cities in the world.
Hmmm. I donlt agree. Thailands success to date has been based on 2 things, both down to exports and both in transition.
1. Rice: Thai rice sales are in disarray.
2. Workforce labour costs: the reason Thai companies are so profitable at home but rarely succeed outside of Thailand, is that the cost of labour in Thailand is so low. That is changing.
And if you haven’t noticed, the Thai economy is already on the skids, white lies or no white lies.
With your name you ought to be good at prognositication. Lets meet again in 2016 and compare notes and reading lists shall we?
I should perhaps point out that ‘permanent decline’ was not only referring to the Thai economy but I’ll write that off to you not really paying attention, because my meaning was clear enough though perhas it required a couple of seconds in thought.
As for the illiterate bit…. well, you know, chalaat muen kwai.
If Thaksin does want to come back to pay respects, then I’m sure his opponents will redouble or quadruple their efforts to prevent this. If he was to show loyalty it will undermine their position of opposition and claims that he is a republican.
Chris Baker and Ajarn Thitinan spoke at the FCCT the other week on Thai politics. They said he would love to come back for just one minute, but that the chances were slim. “You’d need to lock up every hired gun in Thailand first,” said Baker.
Neither of them thought the latter point was positive, I’d hasten to add.
The interesting comments on perception of the monarchy are in my view devalued by the absurd description of Thailand’s “permanent decline” which is economically illiterate.More astute observers would demolish this nonsense not least because of the resilience of the Thai economy and workforce.
[…] The theory that Tsuji murdered Ananda is so audaciously outlandish that it seems almost unsporting to demolish it. As Chris Baker has commented: […]
Indeed. Much depends on how long Prem lives. The prince’s health is also a major issue as I’m sure you know, for reasons other than longevity. Anyway, thanks again, really enjoyed your excellent article.
Never underestimate the power of national chauvinism. After the coronation of the next monarch, at it will require is a Cambodian pop-star or politician to make a derisive comment and the Thai populous will rush to defend the avatar of their civic religion.
I’m not being cynical. I think a boost in revenue from the world’s gay travelers, who are a wealthy demographic, is an appropriate if unintentional reward for being tolerant. Even if tourists don’t want to get married in Vietnam, they are known to favor visiting countries that support alternative lifestyles. A boost in visitors would also support whichever faction of the government pushed for the legislation. Money talks, and sometimes it says the right thing.
As my wife way up here in the far North says, the Thai people have had their eyes opened quite a bit in the last 10 years or so, and, while they respect the guy for what he has done in the photo ops and storied projects in the past, their reverence has become a little tarnished. like the old saying, hate the sin, love the sinner.
Thanks for the feedback on the interviews. It is, long-time readers may appreciate, now five years since the first major NM interview series. Watch this space for some further developments. Back in 2007, this one here was the first in the series.
Indeed. While partially agreeing with Giles Ungpakorn in his rather dismal assessment of the old boy, I believe he has been a willing participant in the deliberate deceits foisted upon the Thai people.
For this he deserves to be remembered badly. When the reputable historians (ie the ones without brown noses) have finished with the the triumvirate of him, her and Prem, I suspect they will be consigned to the ‘Oh my God, why was everyone fooled’ bin of history. I have frankly found the almost complete boycott by Thais of the birthday bunfights to be very satisfying. perhaps the Thais are, after all, awaking from their fairytale dream, only to discover it was a bloody nightmare.
Aargh. “You are posting comments too quickly. Slow down.” a coconut every time. In deference to Andrew W’s extreme sensitivities I will only mutter ‘merde’ under my breath. No point in upsetting the lad.
History has shown that the king actually involve much more in politic than standing straight, for example, he personally endorse the 1957 coup by Salit.
Furthermore, how do you think Tanorm and Praphart fall from their power?
Interesting comment, Annie. I agree with you that the popularity of the monarchy in general is waning among sections of the public and that this shift has significant consequences. In fact I have a paper under review about the anti-royal graffiti of 19 September 2010 at CentralWorld that tackles this very issue.
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Malaysia and Singapore Update 2012
The latest appraisal by the Readers Digest magazine shows Kuala Lumpur almost at the bottom of a list of “Least Courteous Cities” at number 34 out of 36 major cities in the world.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/7/24/nation/11717118&sec=nation
That’s very rude of you, Readers Digest. Don’t you know that we are the nicest people. It’s true because our leaders tells us so.
Not so Happy Birthdays
Hmmm. I donlt agree. Thailands success to date has been based on 2 things, both down to exports and both in transition.
1. Rice: Thai rice sales are in disarray.
2. Workforce labour costs: the reason Thai companies are so profitable at home but rarely succeed outside of Thailand, is that the cost of labour in Thailand is so low. That is changing.
And if you haven’t noticed, the Thai economy is already on the skids, white lies or no white lies.
With your name you ought to be good at prognositication. Lets meet again in 2016 and compare notes and reading lists shall we?
I should perhaps point out that ‘permanent decline’ was not only referring to the Thai economy but I’ll write that off to you not really paying attention, because my meaning was clear enough though perhas it required a couple of seconds in thought.
As for the illiterate bit…. well, you know, chalaat muen kwai.
New Mandala site upgrade
Couldn’t agree more. Loving it.
Vietnam’s gay pride
Of course you’re being cynical sweetie. You just haven’t admitted it to yourself.
Thaksin and the palace
If Thaksin does want to come back to pay respects, then I’m sure his opponents will redouble or quadruple their efforts to prevent this. If he was to show loyalty it will undermine their position of opposition and claims that he is a republican.
Chris Baker and Ajarn Thitinan spoke at the FCCT the other week on Thai politics. They said he would love to come back for just one minute, but that the chances were slim. “You’d need to lock up every hired gun in Thailand first,” said Baker.
Neither of them thought the latter point was positive, I’d hasten to add.
Not so Happy Birthdays
The interesting comments on perception of the monarchy are in my view devalued by the absurd description of Thailand’s “permanent decline” which is economically illiterate.More astute observers would demolish this nonsense not least because of the resilience of the Thai economy and workforce.
Not so Happy Birthdays
“Now is the winter of our discontent”…
Not so Happy Birthdays
If I go the movies I leave before the anthem or wait at the back then step out and leave the sheeple to it for a few minutes.
The Devil’s Discus – in Thai
[…] The theory that Tsuji murdered Ananda is so audaciously outlandish that it seems almost unsporting to demolish it. As Chris Baker has commented: […]
Not so Happy Birthdays
Indeed. Much depends on how long Prem lives. The prince’s health is also a major issue as I’m sure you know, for reasons other than longevity. Anyway, thanks again, really enjoyed your excellent article.
Not so Happy Birthdays
Never underestimate the power of national chauvinism. After the coronation of the next monarch, at it will require is a Cambodian pop-star or politician to make a derisive comment and the Thai populous will rush to defend the avatar of their civic religion.
New Mandala site upgrade
We are hoping that the “you are posting to quickly” glitch has been resolved. Please let us know if any of you encounter this problem again.
Vietnam’s gay pride
@Alan
I’m not being cynical. I think a boost in revenue from the world’s gay travelers, who are a wealthy demographic, is an appropriate if unintentional reward for being tolerant. Even if tourists don’t want to get married in Vietnam, they are known to favor visiting countries that support alternative lifestyles. A boost in visitors would also support whichever faction of the government pushed for the legislation. Money talks, and sometimes it says the right thing.
Not so Happy Birthdays
As my wife way up here in the far North says, the Thai people have had their eyes opened quite a bit in the last 10 years or so, and, while they respect the guy for what he has done in the photo ops and storied projects in the past, their reverence has become a little tarnished. like the old saying, hate the sin, love the sinner.
New Mandala site upgrade
Very pleased to see the return of the quirky culturally informative visuals that have always made this site sanuk kha.
AM
New Mandala site upgrade
To me, the masthead is a lot more attractive now.
New Mandala site upgrade
Thanks for the feedback on the interviews. It is, long-time readers may appreciate, now five years since the first major NM interview series. Watch this space for some further developments. Back in 2007, this one here was the first in the series.
Best wishes to all,
Nich
Not so Happy Birthdays
Indeed. While partially agreeing with Giles Ungpakorn in his rather dismal assessment of the old boy, I believe he has been a willing participant in the deliberate deceits foisted upon the Thai people.
For this he deserves to be remembered badly. When the reputable historians (ie the ones without brown noses) have finished with the the triumvirate of him, her and Prem, I suspect they will be consigned to the ‘Oh my God, why was everyone fooled’ bin of history. I have frankly found the almost complete boycott by Thais of the birthday bunfights to be very satisfying. perhaps the Thais are, after all, awaking from their fairytale dream, only to discover it was a bloody nightmare.
Aargh. “You are posting comments too quickly. Slow down.” a coconut every time. In deference to Andrew W’s extreme sensitivities I will only mutter ‘merde’ under my breath. No point in upsetting the lad.
Not so Happy Birthdays
History has shown that the king actually involve much more in politic than standing straight, for example, he personally endorse the 1957 coup by Salit.
Furthermore, how do you think Tanorm and Praphart fall from their power?
Not so Happy Birthdays
Interesting comment, Annie. I agree with you that the popularity of the monarchy in general is waning among sections of the public and that this shift has significant consequences. In fact I have a paper under review about the anti-royal graffiti of 19 September 2010 at CentralWorld that tackles this very issue.