The main point of the BP article was not, it seems, to dismiss the qualifications of MPs who are members of political families. The point is that these clans put money and power interests over politics. As the author writes: “The picture isn’t one of families in politics, because that implies politics is the more powerful force…” The sheer number of MPs from political dynasties is excessive. Arguably, these families are not entering politics mainly to improve legislation for the benefit of the electorate. The loyalty of these MPs tends to be first and foremost to their families when it should be to the ultimate sovereign, the people, who elected them. This is all about social and political reproduction. And that young family members are learning the rules of the political game early on is all the more worrying as these rules seem to be more about power-grabbing, networking with the right institutions, and backroom dealings than about the obligations of parliamentarians in a democracy.
Yet, the solution to this would not be – as the BP article suggests – to pass a law to limit the power of political familes. To break the “the power of the lords and barons” you need quality education opportunities for all citizens in order for social barriers to become more permeable and to enable people from outside the families to come and challenge the clans and loosen their grip on power.
Finally an end to the plane saga…. http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/251083/germany-releases-royal-jet
“Mr Abhisit told reporters the government has posted the full 38 million euros demanded by Walter Bau company in an account to be controlled by the German court.
As a result, the court released the jet.
Terms of the agreement were unclear, as was the role of Mr Abhisit.”
Similar article already at Thairath but nothing from The Nation.
Looks like a complete backdown by the Thai government. Maybe Abhisit is hoping that this final humiliation is lost under the news of Yingluk’s endorsement, market meltdowns etc etc
“Chiang” acquired his wealth in a short time as a tax collector and then moved into moneylending. Sarassawadee notes that the role of tax collector at this time was a bought position (ie. you bribed to get it) with the expectation of a large return.”
In that era, tax collectors got a “concession” through a bidding process. That is the government (central, regional, or local) outsourced the tax collection process usually by district or town. So it was not a “bought position” and Chiang did not bribe to get the position.
Mr Abhisit told reporters the government has posted the full 38 million euros demanded by Walter Bau company in an account to be controlled by the German court.
As a result, the court released the jet.
Terms of the agreement were unclear, as was the role of Mr Abhisit.
The government used public money for the deal. The Crown Prince had earlier offered to pay expenses of the legal fight, but Mr Abhisit told him it was a civil matter and the government would cover the expenses.
I agree with Arthurson that adding spacing between words would be helpful for all, and though I respect John G. and others who say the writing rules make it obvious enough where one word ends and another starts, I respectfully disagree. It is definitely not a “non-issue.” I am another professional translator, and still find it obnoxious to have to parse the words myself. I may get to the point where it’s six of one, half-a-dozen of the other, but look how much time it will have taken me to get there! Spaces are completely unambiguous. In fact, though, there are many places where word combinations could be read in more than one way. Besides that, as Arthurson notes, punctuation has value. Thais are using it (With the western symbols!) more and more, but there’s not much clarity in their use, or systematization. Let’s face it, in many ways this language has not reached a high level of development. I say that as one who loves it very much.
Politics is a business. and a very profitable one. No doubt useless and corrupt families have strangleholds on that in Thailand, there again look at the Bush family, they have brought their incompetence to power many times. If anyone believes they all serve for the good of the country then they are sadly delusional, it is about power and money.
Australia has had its share, but more often we get the “professional” politician, meaning of course they have never actually held job that wasn’t tax payer funded. Less a few exceptions they also usually lack any qualifications for their positions short of being able to lie and spin away their incompetence. There again for a populace that constantly elects the mediocre or the corrupt, should they expect any less back?
Possibly the govt of Myanmar should adopt a integrated profit scheme with many small holders who are giving a small plot of land for the personal framing plus 4 -5 hectare of land for the rubber planting. see the FELDA scheme of malaysia and emmulate it. I am certain that the UNDP and the UNIDO would be happy to sponsor the scheme, or even the World bank would finance with the minimum interest rates or “zero” interest, if the scheme assist and upgrade the standard of living in the rural folks and also irradicating the poppy cultivation
Every writing system has inefficiencies. English has arbitrary non-phonetic spelling (see “ghoti” = fish). Thai has the vowel positioning, silent vowels and the spacing between words etc. Foreigners regard the lack of spacing as the most obvious defect, but that is superficial — it may well turn out that other features present more difficulty to natives.
I’m surprised article did not mention the Lao spelling reform — Lao script is similar to Thai, yet has only 27 consonants (instead of 44), eliminating the several symbols mapping to a single sound.
Current Thai alphabet is slightly bit messy but not so complex as to prevent universal literacy (it may well be equivalent to or easier than the English spelling for respective native learners).
Thai script is many orders of magnitude simpler than old Vietnamese Chu Nom (non-phonetic mess based on thousands of traditional Chinese characters, with more complexity added on top), so it’s not apparent that a benefits of a major reform would outweigh the implementation costs.
Jesse. I think you will find that Australian is, in fact, the original language from which many others have borrowed. As a student from my daughter’s school said on a recent trip to France “what is the French word for croissant?” I rest my case. AW
“These reforms have included spelling reforms to more accurately reflect the etymology of the words and an attempt to modify the writing system to reflect the WESTERN PRACTICE placing vowels and consonants in the order in which they were pronounced as well as adding spaces between words”
Absolutely idiotic ! Thai language is one of the most beautiful and complex languages in the world. Australian English should be modified to reflect British and American ways !
Thank you very much for these comments. I agree that reforms of the Thai script are not going to happen any time soon.
Perhaps we can hope that improving teaching methodology, improving teaching materials, providing more funding to schools (particularly rural ones), providing better and more access to literature (such as libraries and affordable books), providing programs to educate parents on the benefits of reading aloud to their children as well as the negative effects of excess TV. will one day throw up the Thai equivalents of Truong Vinh Ky and Huynh Tinh Cua.
Indeed, if these steps towards developing a reading culture are continually downplayed by successive Thai governments, then a more likely result might be the eventual emergence of a Kemal Ataturk.
In the meantime, is there anyone in the pipeline to produce a Thai equivalent of “Sesame Street”? And can we have a legal minimum size of Thai font so I don’t have to keep reaching for my magnifying glass?
My intentions were merely to set the medical facts straight since toni #26 refuted the authenticity of this letter based on his incomplete knowledge of this disease.
Your comments are surely an interesting contribution, regardless of whether said person actually suffers from the disease or not, and if so, by what means the mutated gene developed.
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Family business, Thai style
The main point of the BP article was not, it seems, to dismiss the qualifications of MPs who are members of political families. The point is that these clans put money and power interests over politics. As the author writes: “The picture isn’t one of families in politics, because that implies politics is the more powerful force…” The sheer number of MPs from political dynasties is excessive. Arguably, these families are not entering politics mainly to improve legislation for the benefit of the electorate. The loyalty of these MPs tends to be first and foremost to their families when it should be to the ultimate sovereign, the people, who elected them. This is all about social and political reproduction. And that young family members are learning the rules of the political game early on is all the more worrying as these rules seem to be more about power-grabbing, networking with the right institutions, and backroom dealings than about the obligations of parliamentarians in a democracy.
Yet, the solution to this would not be – as the BP article suggests – to pass a law to limit the power of political familes. To break the “the power of the lords and barons” you need quality education opportunities for all citizens in order for social barriers to become more permeable and to enable people from outside the families to come and challenge the clans and loosen their grip on power.
Plane audacity in Thai dispute
Finally an end to the plane saga….
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/251083/germany-releases-royal-jet
“Mr Abhisit told reporters the government has posted the full 38 million euros demanded by Walter Bau company in an account to be controlled by the German court.
As a result, the court released the jet.
Terms of the agreement were unclear, as was the role of Mr Abhisit.”
Similar article already at Thairath but nothing from The Nation.
Looks like a complete backdown by the Thai government. Maybe Abhisit is hoping that this final humiliation is lost under the news of Yingluk’s endorsement, market meltdowns etc etc
The Shinawatra family tree
Re: Paul Rivett #3
“Chiang” acquired his wealth in a short time as a tax collector and then moved into moneylending. Sarassawadee notes that the role of tax collector at this time was a bought position (ie. you bribed to get it) with the expectation of a large return.”
In that era, tax collectors got a “concession” through a bidding process. That is the government (central, regional, or local) outsourced the tax collection process usually by district or town. So it was not a “bought position” and Chiang did not bribe to get the position.
Sirisan
Letter to Thailand
Living in US is somewhat expensive. Their house in Sanford is not cheap. Sending 4 kids to college is also quite expensive.
…
Someone has to pay the bill, folks.
Maybe they do it the way most Americans do it? Through old-fashioned student loans and credit card debt.
I found the link below to be intriguing:
http://www.goldbergsegalla.com/attorneys/vacharaesorn-vivacharawongse
Plane audacity in Thai dispute
A new update from BangkokPost . . .
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/251083/germany-releases-royal-jet
Find the gap
AW, I bet the student was originally from western Sydney.
Didn’t Croissant originate from China ? Or was it just spaghetti !
Reforming Thai language structure
I agree with Arthurson that adding spacing between words would be helpful for all, and though I respect John G. and others who say the writing rules make it obvious enough where one word ends and another starts, I respectfully disagree. It is definitely not a “non-issue.” I am another professional translator, and still find it obnoxious to have to parse the words myself. I may get to the point where it’s six of one, half-a-dozen of the other, but look how much time it will have taken me to get there! Spaces are completely unambiguous. In fact, though, there are many places where word combinations could be read in more than one way. Besides that, as Arthurson notes, punctuation has value. Thais are using it (With the western symbols!) more and more, but there’s not much clarity in their use, or systematization. Let’s face it, in many ways this language has not reached a high level of development. I say that as one who loves it very much.
Family business, Thai style
Politics is a business. and a very profitable one. No doubt useless and corrupt families have strangleholds on that in Thailand, there again look at the Bush family, they have brought their incompetence to power many times. If anyone believes they all serve for the good of the country then they are sadly delusional, it is about power and money.
Australia has had its share, but more often we get the “professional” politician, meaning of course they have never actually held job that wasn’t tax payer funded. Less a few exceptions they also usually lack any qualifications for their positions short of being able to lie and spin away their incompetence. There again for a populace that constantly elects the mediocre or the corrupt, should they expect any less back?
Rubber planting and military-state making: military-private partnerships in northern Burma
Possibly the govt of Myanmar should adopt a integrated profit scheme with many small holders who are giving a small plot of land for the personal framing plus 4 -5 hectare of land for the rubber planting. see the FELDA scheme of malaysia and emmulate it. I am certain that the UNDP and the UNIDO would be happy to sponsor the scheme, or even the World bank would finance with the minimum interest rates or “zero” interest, if the scheme assist and upgrade the standard of living in the rural folks and also irradicating the poppy cultivation
Find the gap
Nice discussion, but with a few omissions.
Every writing system has inefficiencies. English has arbitrary non-phonetic spelling (see “ghoti” = fish). Thai has the vowel positioning, silent vowels and the spacing between words etc. Foreigners regard the lack of spacing as the most obvious defect, but that is superficial — it may well turn out that other features present more difficulty to natives.
I’m surprised article did not mention the Lao spelling reform — Lao script is similar to Thai, yet has only 27 consonants (instead of 44), eliminating the several symbols mapping to a single sound.
Current Thai alphabet is slightly bit messy but not so complex as to prevent universal literacy (it may well be equivalent to or easier than the English spelling for respective native learners).
Thai script is many orders of magnitude simpler than old Vietnamese Chu Nom (non-phonetic mess based on thousands of traditional Chinese characters, with more complexity added on top), so it’s not apparent that a benefits of a major reform would outweigh the implementation costs.
Find the gap
Jesse. I think you will find that Australian is, in fact, the original language from which many others have borrowed. As a student from my daughter’s school said on a recent trip to France “what is the French word for croissant?” I rest my case. AW
Find the gap
“These reforms have included spelling reforms to more accurately reflect the etymology of the words and an attempt to modify the writing system to reflect the WESTERN PRACTICE placing vowels and consonants in the order in which they were pronounced as well as adding spaces between words”
Absolutely idiotic ! Thai language is one of the most beautiful and complex languages in the world. Australian English should be modified to reflect British and American ways !
Find the gap
Where would you put the gaps? Would it be Bangkok or Bang Kok?
Krungthep or Krung Thep?
Family business, Thai style
At least Chalerm Yubamrung’s son was rejected by the voters.
Find the gap
Thank you very much for these comments. I agree that reforms of the Thai script are not going to happen any time soon.
Perhaps we can hope that improving teaching methodology, improving teaching materials, providing more funding to schools (particularly rural ones), providing better and more access to literature (such as libraries and affordable books), providing programs to educate parents on the benefits of reading aloud to their children as well as the negative effects of excess TV. will one day throw up the Thai equivalents of Truong Vinh Ky and Huynh Tinh Cua.
Indeed, if these steps towards developing a reading culture are continually downplayed by successive Thai governments, then a more likely result might be the eventual emergence of a Kemal Ataturk.
In the meantime, is there anyone in the pipeline to produce a Thai equivalent of “Sesame Street”? And can we have a legal minimum size of Thai font so I don’t have to keep reaching for my magnifying glass?
Ji Ungpakorn on lese majeste
@CT
i’m so happy to know that not every thais are blind.
you making the points here, saying everything i wanted to say.
What do you read on mainland Southeast Asia?
I like the quirky but original Thai Intelligence News
Find the gap
Of course, the “nice, red TV satellite dishes” are for TrueVisions, part of the True Corporation evil empire…
Letter to Thailand
the letter was from here?
http://vivacharawongse.blogspot.com
Crown Prince’s family update?
Roy #54
My intentions were merely to set the medical facts straight since toni #26 refuted the authenticity of this letter based on his incomplete knowledge of this disease.
Your comments are surely an interesting contribution, regardless of whether said person actually suffers from the disease or not, and if so, by what means the mutated gene developed.