Chanida’s comment brought a question to mind. The King is considered by the Thais to be the father of all Thais. I have never seen the statistics, but I will hazard a guess that the “Thais” are a minority in their own country. The East and Northeast are predominantly Lao and Khmer, in the south a mixture of sea faring people, in the North, whatever mixture of races from the Lanna Kingdom, where they were not Thai citizens until roughly 100 years ago, plus a large number of various Hilltribes, and on top of that, there are a large number of people who have migrated to Thailand in the last 50 years, immigrants, no matter what our visa says.
When the ‘developments’ are completed at the border area within this Thai-Lao friendship bridge between Chiang Khong and Houay Xay, it will definitely be ugly, unkempt, unsanitary and unsightly.
I have been to this place very recently . . . the border area along the bridge connects the towns of Mae Sai in Thailand to the town Tachileik in Myanmar. And boy . . . the place was shabby and seedy . . . and very busy on both sides of the border. The Thai-Lao friendship bridge will be just as ugly, I predict.
‘Many Thais even call King as father.’
I’m curious how long this has been the practice in Thailand.
Is it something that predated the present monarch’s reign?
I’m not blaming it on members of Nitirat. This is your interpretation of what I’ve written based on the strident position you’ve taken up. A bloody revolution would be caused by a combination of factors, and blame itself is certainly one of those. Also, 112 is not unconstitutional given that it is in the constitution. Before you fly off your soap box in rage, saying that does not mean I am pro-112. Quite the opposite.
I follow the link from UDD’s facebook page to here and found unbelievable outsider’s comments. There are UDD around here so I should not be surprised, shouldn’t I.
Some westerners here and UDD use their own standards to judge the matter without ture understanding or Thai culture and politics.
I don’t know how you come up with idea that more Thai people love Taksin than our King. It’s absolutely wrong. Ask UDD, some of them love Taksin and love King too, not all of them love Taksin and hate King. Taksin’s party Phuethai won election from 15 millions votes. Thai population is 60 millions. Is that the majority?
King for western and Thai have different meaning.
Many Thais even call King as father.
King does not involve in politics but the politicians, PAD, UDD tried to dragged him in their game.
Taksin is a politician, he’s done for his own benefit not the nation.
King Bhumibol whether he wants to be king or not, he’s done for national benefits. I see with my eyes not from propaganda especially in the rural area.
Outsiders get insightful information and you will understand more. However, it’s hard for many people to change their own belief and value especially who already judged with biased attitude.
Thai Olympian show King’s picture as traditional as inspiration and we consider him as father of Thai. I don’t think it’s violent the IOC rule to show family’s picture.
Step back a little people and look at ourselves. All these Thai huff and puff and guff about which photo to hoist at what Thai special occasions should leave us all with guffaws . . . yes?
Questions to Tom Hoy:
(1) Will I be treated with derision (or worse) at an Esan social gathering if I showed them a HMK’s photo (instead of Thaksin’s)?
(2) Could a Thaksin photo in one’s person be enough protection against an extra-judicial policeman’s bullet?
It does seem to suggest that these days it may be wise precaution in Bangkok to carry both Thaksin/HMK photos. Just be sure than when challenged in an unknown alley, you fish out the ‘politically correct photo’ for that life-and-death moment.
Haha@41: “I am 100% certain that there is no standing order from sports bosses that the King’s image must be displayed when winning a medal…”. Evidence for such a claim?
And, are you also 100% certain that if not a “standing order” then an order or suggestion to her?
It does seem unlikely, but I am not 100% certain,” that each potential medal winner would carry with them a picture of the king in uniform just in case they did win.
It took 40 posts to get to a sensible post based not on personal agendas, but on simple common sense, which most discussions on thai affairs lack too often.
So I finally found the Andrew MacGregor Marshall since it now shows up on the first page of Google for “bhumibol.”
I agree with some of the comments here that the article is not very well-written but it is full of interesting information, so I look forward to the continuation of the series.
I am not questioning the fine achievements of the medal winners nor am I interested in dissecting their particular political and social views. I was merely pointing out the contradictions in Vichai N’s statement that while many Esan people hoist photos of Thaksin at every opportunity, at the same time he is held in “undadulterated derision”. Quite clearly he is not.
I support the rights of all people to hold photos of whoever they choose to.
“Are these Esan people people? If they are, it’s clear that the derision of Thaksin is at least a little bit adulterated.”
Pimsiri is by birth. She is from KK. Kaew is not. He is from Kampaeng Phet…. Home to one of the most beautiful Sukhothai era historical parks (largely ignored)…. and a couple of very, very noisy discos…..
Not that any of this makes a blind bit of difference… Since even in areas in which one particular political group (or mafia clan) is dominant, most factions have a presence.
Pheu Thai Party MP Thanik Maseepitak said, “Khon Khaen people will give her a hero’s welcome upon her return.”
So all the mean-spirited mountains-out-of-molehills being whipped here don’t seem to be bothering the fine people of Kon Khaen, who are justifiably proud of what she has achieved. Good on her….
If Thein Sein allows independent inquiry commission, then according to the result I will accept that whether it was genocide or not.
Now Thein Sein denied the proposal of inquiry.
The author Chan Myae Khine must learn the history of Rohingya before labeling them as Bengali. There are many proofs that Rohingya or Muslims in Arakan existed in Arakan since 8th century. The term “Rooinga” was mentioned in 17th century.
Chan Myae Khine .. get some knowledge first, then write Rohingya issue.
New Mandala .. Please don’t advocate Thein Sein’s regime. You never know how many Rohingyas were killed. Thein Sein denied to allow international commission to access because the regime afraid that the real figure of death toll will find out.
Muslims cannot accept any other religion under sharia law in Myanmar. It means non-believer must be converted if they happen to marry Muslim. (my sister was one of them who being forced to be a muslim. She said ” He promised me I will not be forced to converted, now he broke the promise).
Muslims raping other communities happen in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and many Islamic states. Google it and you will find many. raping non-believers and enslaving them is not a crime in Islamic religion. Read Sura 9. All the peaceful readings in Korun is eliminated by that part alone.
Burmese Muslims who defend Rohingya (aka) Bangali never mention 1942 event nor the Mujahidins from Rakhine state. In 1942, there were many Rakhine villages disappeared due to the genocide initiated by Rohingya Muslims. In 1955, all mujahidins who have been controlling Rakhine state were wiped out by General Ne Win’s military government. Things became quiet for a while!!
After that, Bangladesh Muslims are back under the name “Rohingya”. So,what can we say? we will only say ” this is a sovereign state just as other states” We have a right to create our own law and defend our state and our society. This is a Buddhist state, top of that. However, we are a lot better than Islamic states where non-believers are completely forbidden or being physical abuse (read the latest news from pakistan, 4000 died this year alone). There are minimum 2 millions muslims living all over Myanmar. Many of them are leading business experts occupying central parts of cities. Must go and see the truth instead of arguing by watching news.
In Southern Thailand Muslims murder and mutilate the bodies of Buddhist monks women and children, in fact pretty much anywhere in the world there is violence with Muslims the Muslims are doing the killing. I am not referring to areas where the US war machine is making money for its stock holders.
Yet Burma is different the posts say, it is the fault of rampaging racist Buddhists attacking pacifist Muslims. I don’t pretend to know the facts but it is pretty hard to swallow this version where all other examples suggest it is probably the Muslims initiating the violence.
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Thailand’s silver snatched?
Chanida’s comment brought a question to mind. The King is considered by the Thais to be the father of all Thais. I have never seen the statistics, but I will hazard a guess that the “Thais” are a minority in their own country. The East and Northeast are predominantly Lao and Khmer, in the south a mixture of sea faring people, in the North, whatever mixture of races from the Lanna Kingdom, where they were not Thai citizens until roughly 100 years ago, plus a large number of various Hilltribes, and on top of that, there are a large number of people who have migrated to Thailand in the last 50 years, immigrants, no matter what our visa says.
Mekong bridge at Chiang Khong
Vichai N,
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! With your spectacles, I presume the Chao Phraya running through Bangkok is heavenly.
Mekong bridge at Chiang Khong
When the ‘developments’ are completed at the border area within this Thai-Lao friendship bridge between Chiang Khong and Houay Xay, it will definitely be ugly, unkempt, unsanitary and unsightly.
I have been to this place very recently . . . the border area along the bridge connects the towns of Mae Sai in Thailand to the town Tachileik in Myanmar. And boy . . . the place was shabby and seedy . . . and very busy on both sides of the border. The Thai-Lao friendship bridge will be just as ugly, I predict.
Thailand’s silver snatched?
Chanida @66
‘Many Thais even call King as father.’
I’m curious how long this has been the practice in Thailand.
Is it something that predated the present monarch’s reign?
Developing the monarchy
Tom Hoy,
I’m not blaming it on members of Nitirat. This is your interpretation of what I’ve written based on the strident position you’ve taken up. A bloody revolution would be caused by a combination of factors, and blame itself is certainly one of those. Also, 112 is not unconstitutional given that it is in the constitution. Before you fly off your soap box in rage, saying that does not mean I am pro-112. Quite the opposite.
Don’t drink and post, champ.
Post Thaksin politics
in case you still could not download the book from the link please emal to [email protected]
we will send you a file.
Developing the monarchy
Indo
The people like Nithirat who advocate their legal views freely and concede the same right to others are not the bloody revolutionaries.
It is those who want to deprive them of these rights unconstitutionally, and with violence or threats of violence who are the bloody revolutionaries.
Blaming it on them is like saying a woman is asking to get raped because of the clothes she wears.
Thailand’s silver snatched?
If you think King use propaganda to gain loyalty.
Taksin can not do that? He hires lobbyist, PR to work for him.
Maybe in this websites too.
Thailand’s silver snatched?
I follow the link from UDD’s facebook page to here and found unbelievable outsider’s comments. There are UDD around here so I should not be surprised, shouldn’t I.
Some westerners here and UDD use their own standards to judge the matter without ture understanding or Thai culture and politics.
I don’t know how you come up with idea that more Thai people love Taksin than our King. It’s absolutely wrong. Ask UDD, some of them love Taksin and love King too, not all of them love Taksin and hate King. Taksin’s party Phuethai won election from 15 millions votes. Thai population is 60 millions. Is that the majority?
King for western and Thai have different meaning.
Many Thais even call King as father.
King does not involve in politics but the politicians, PAD, UDD tried to dragged him in their game.
Taksin is a politician, he’s done for his own benefit not the nation.
King Bhumibol whether he wants to be king or not, he’s done for national benefits. I see with my eyes not from propaganda especially in the rural area.
Outsiders get insightful information and you will understand more. However, it’s hard for many people to change their own belief and value especially who already judged with biased attitude.
Thai Olympian show King’s picture as traditional as inspiration and we consider him as father of Thai. I don’t think it’s violent the IOC rule to show family’s picture.
Thailand’s silver snatched?
Step back a little people and look at ourselves. All these Thai huff and puff and guff about which photo to hoist at what Thai special occasions should leave us all with guffaws . . . yes?
Questions to Tom Hoy:
(1) Will I be treated with derision (or worse) at an Esan social gathering if I showed them a HMK’s photo (instead of Thaksin’s)?
(2) Could a Thaksin photo in one’s person be enough protection against an extra-judicial policeman’s bullet?
It does seem to suggest that these days it may be wise precaution in Bangkok to carry both Thaksin/HMK photos. Just be sure than when challenged in an unknown alley, you fish out the ‘politically correct photo’ for that life-and-death moment.
Thailand’s silver snatched?
#61 Tom Hoy
“I support the rights of all people to hold photos of whoever they choose to.”
Yep…..
#60 Ralph Kramden
“Tom Hoy is right to note that Vichai seems to make a separation between “Thais” and “Esarn people.”
There is a difference. Isan is mainly not Thai. Lao and Khmer and Thai. Isan is a mixture… One of the things that makes it such an interesting region.
Thailand’s silver snatched?
Haha@41: “I am 100% certain that there is no standing order from sports bosses that the King’s image must be displayed when winning a medal…”. Evidence for such a claim?
And, are you also 100% certain that if not a “standing order” then an order or suggestion to her?
It does seem unlikely, but I am not 100% certain,” that each potential medal winner would carry with them a picture of the king in uniform just in case they did win.
Thailand’s silver snatched?
Haha #41
Best contribution so far.
It took 40 posts to get to a sensible post based not on personal agendas, but on simple common sense, which most discussions on thai affairs lack too often.
Critical review of King Bhumibol’s life
So I finally found the Andrew MacGregor Marshall since it now shows up on the first page of Google for “bhumibol.”
I agree with some of the comments here that the article is not very well-written but it is full of interesting information, so I look forward to the continuation of the series.
Thailand’s silver snatched?
OWWB
I am not questioning the fine achievements of the medal winners nor am I interested in dissecting their particular political and social views. I was merely pointing out the contradictions in Vichai N’s statement that while many Esan people hoist photos of Thaksin at every opportunity, at the same time he is held in “undadulterated derision”. Quite clearly he is not.
I support the rights of all people to hold photos of whoever they choose to.
Thailand’s silver snatched?
Tom Hoy is right to note that Vichai seems to make a separation between “Thais” and “Esarn people.”
Thailand’s silver snatched?
#56 Tom Hoy
“Are these Esan people people? If they are, it’s clear that the derision of Thaksin is at least a little bit adulterated.”
Pimsiri is by birth. She is from KK. Kaew is not. He is from Kampaeng Phet…. Home to one of the most beautiful Sukhothai era historical parks (largely ignored)…. and a couple of very, very noisy discos…..
Not that any of this makes a blind bit of difference… Since even in areas in which one particular political group (or mafia clan) is dominant, most factions have a presence.
Pheu Thai Party MP Thanik Maseepitak said, “Khon Khaen people will give her a hero’s welcome upon her return.”
So all the mean-spirited mountains-out-of-molehills being whipped here don’t seem to be bothering the fine people of Kon Khaen, who are justifiably proud of what she has achieved. Good on her….
The conundrum in western Myanmar
Is New Mandala advocating Thein Sein’s regime?
If Thein Sein allows independent inquiry commission, then according to the result I will accept that whether it was genocide or not.
Now Thein Sein denied the proposal of inquiry.
The author Chan Myae Khine must learn the history of Rohingya before labeling them as Bengali. There are many proofs that Rohingya or Muslims in Arakan existed in Arakan since 8th century. The term “Rooinga” was mentioned in 17th century.
Chan Myae Khine .. get some knowledge first, then write Rohingya issue.
New Mandala .. Please don’t advocate Thein Sein’s regime. You never know how many Rohingyas were killed. Thein Sein denied to allow international commission to access because the regime afraid that the real figure of death toll will find out.
The conundrum in western Myanmar
Muslims cannot accept any other religion under sharia law in Myanmar. It means non-believer must be converted if they happen to marry Muslim. (my sister was one of them who being forced to be a muslim. She said ” He promised me I will not be forced to converted, now he broke the promise).
Muslims raping other communities happen in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and many Islamic states. Google it and you will find many. raping non-believers and enslaving them is not a crime in Islamic religion. Read Sura 9. All the peaceful readings in Korun is eliminated by that part alone.
Burmese Muslims who defend Rohingya (aka) Bangali never mention 1942 event nor the Mujahidins from Rakhine state. In 1942, there were many Rakhine villages disappeared due to the genocide initiated by Rohingya Muslims. In 1955, all mujahidins who have been controlling Rakhine state were wiped out by General Ne Win’s military government. Things became quiet for a while!!
After that, Bangladesh Muslims are back under the name “Rohingya”. So,what can we say? we will only say ” this is a sovereign state just as other states” We have a right to create our own law and defend our state and our society. This is a Buddhist state, top of that. However, we are a lot better than Islamic states where non-believers are completely forbidden or being physical abuse (read the latest news from pakistan, 4000 died this year alone). There are minimum 2 millions muslims living all over Myanmar. Many of them are leading business experts occupying central parts of cities. Must go and see the truth instead of arguing by watching news.
The conundrum in western Myanmar
In Southern Thailand Muslims murder and mutilate the bodies of Buddhist monks women and children, in fact pretty much anywhere in the world there is violence with Muslims the Muslims are doing the killing. I am not referring to areas where the US war machine is making money for its stock holders.
Yet Burma is different the posts say, it is the fault of rampaging racist Buddhists attacking pacifist Muslims. I don’t pretend to know the facts but it is pretty hard to swallow this version where all other examples suggest it is probably the Muslims initiating the violence.