The chances of electoral fraud and ballot stuffing by the ruling elite regime are inevitable – given the stakes (see Amsterdam and Peroff, “Down by the Law: Thailand 2011 General Election Report Series, No.2: http://robertamsterdam.com/thailand/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/ERS-DOWNBYLAW.pdf) In Australia, 18 & 19 June will be the days in Canberra and Sydney for formal voting, but in the past few months the Thai Embassy has sent out notification forms for postal voting requesting all personal information and IDs. The cheating will not take place in Australia, but all votes from various countries will be sent in sealed boxes to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok to sit there for a few weeks mixed together & unattended (guess the rest!) Rules of the game are also changing by the minute to marginalise pro-democracy “red” voters: there is a video shown in Thailand by the Election Commission (р╕Бр╕Бр╕Х) which shows voters what to do and what not to do. Red shirt voters are shown voting wrongly while yellow shirts come along and show the correct method! (see the “two [Red] Ajaan’s” Dr Suda Rangkupan and Dr Jaruporn Kundilok: http://thaienews.blogspot.com/2011/05/2_29.html). Pre-voting is another easy method of fraud and has already started as companies and government agencies coerce their employees to vote in advance so that their votes can be manipulated. The DP’s amaat Governor of Bangkok [M.R.] Sukhumbhand Paribatra has asked the army to be in the capital during the elections. This is very dubious and smacks of a hidden motive. This is the first time the military has been deployed in this way for keeping an eye on a general election. NLA Meechai Ruchupan came out to say that he is not happy with the provincial electoral commission (actually elected by the people!) and agrees with the corrupt judiciary that these positions should be selected by them. Then there is the veteran peace and human rights advocate [seen sitting on the fence, but leaning towards the centre] Gotham Arya, posing as a neutral actor, who may even take ASEAN observers to see the regime’s staged “good” balloting, and ensure observers avoid the corrupted balloting elsewhere around the country! We can anticipate lots of likely dodgy activities from a range of pro-amaat actors in the coming weeks until the election. So what can we do? A red election watchdog is being formed within Thailand and outside Thailand by pro-democracy Thais. We cannot guarantee that the election outcome will not be fraudulent but we can and will at least monitor and document every activity undertaken by the despotic regime and its friends.
UPDATE: I expect to run the story in one week. I will be able to give more details in a few days. Updates will be posted on my new Twitter account @zenjournalist
I’m sure Yingluk is a very fine and upstanding lady. She, however, remains as much a part of the ruling elite as her brother. As you say, she will receive “proper practice and guidance from men around her”. And what a wonderful track record those men have.
I wouldn’t be pinning your hopes on her qualifications in political science degree. I have one of those…and look how popular my views are.
Yes, but Abhisit has lousy business skills. It has been proven already. and 2/5 is still too much. The economy isn’t doing so hot, either. Palm oils anyone? 3/5? With that score, we’d think that Suthep was doing the grading.
[…] su reakcije na Yingluckinu kandidaturu? Pi┼бu─Зi za New Mandala, Andrew Walker prepoznaje njenu snagu: Yingluck je mnogo bolji Thaksinov zastupnik od Samaka, mnogo bolje […]
Nathawut mentioned Aungsan Suu Kyi, Corazon Aquino, and Benazir Bhutto and compared them with Yingluck in his speech at Lumbini Park last Saturday. The three ladies from three different countries were not prepared for political role but when situation required, they could stand up to the occasion. With proper practice and guidance from men around her, I believe Yingluck can do the same. Don’t forget Yingluck studied political science in the US.
I personally noticed Corazon could be very tough after she became president and that is what Yingluck should do if and when she is elected PM. Right now, she should maintain her softie image.
Chris Baker 42
I was quite stunned by the overnight appearance, volume and street impact of those posters in BKK 2 weeks ago. It certainly spelled out that election time is here and how. The stakes are high and the thinking and spending behind the image demonstrates a quantum leap from the old photoshopped geezers in their whites. Do you know who the “Mad Men” were in this instance?
I think it possible when we look back in years to come that this poster may indicate a pivotal moment in thai political history. For better or worse. . .
It’s a big gamble to put up a woman for competition in this society and it’s going to be fascinating to watch. Image IS everything, culturally as we know.
n.b. I think you were a little harsh on Samak. Evidently a lot of thai men found his image very attractive 🙂
Thomas Fuller piece in the New York Times about the U.S. citizen arrested in Thailand last week and denied bail on LM and Computer Crimes charges. This article seems to say that the charges are the ones from the U.S. citizen posting a link to the Yale University Press book as well as translating parts of the book about 3 years ago while resident in Colorado:
As far as we can discern, since we ultimately have only a hazy idea of what the historical Buddha actually taught, his teachings about practice, meditation, and virtue are all aimed at moksa, or liberation, also know as nirvana. But all the evidence indicates that this is quite clearly and specifically conceived as liberation from the cycle of samsara, from the ultimately unsatisfying cycle of birth, death, rebirth within the multiple planes of existence, whether heavenly, wordly or hellish. Quite simply, Indian Buddhist teachings, thought and practices make no sense without reference to the cosmology of multiple realms of existence and birth/rebirth that was seemingly presumed by him as the frame of his instruction, the foundation upon which it developed and to which it responded.
And these cosmological presumptions were clearly not “polytheistic leftovers from older religious beliefs”. In fact, the historical evidence indicates that this vision of samsara, rebirth and moksa (as broadly understood across the Indian religious landscape at that time) was a relatively new development in Indian religiosity, perhaps initially developed among the broad community of mendicants and renunciants among which the Buddha was just one example.
Unfortunately, Western Buddhists are typically quite uninformed about actual Indian religious history (vs. simplified and outdated Orientalist imaginings). I have no problem with Western Buddhists adapting and modifying Buddhist notions to fit their own cultural and historical moment and needs. I do object, however, to them claiming justification for their innovations by claiming that all they assert is in accordance with what the historical Buddha taught – before that is the superstitions and ignorance of the Indian masses and the deceptions of opportunistic religious elites obscured such surprisingly modern wisdom. Such claims are typically unpersuasive when closely examined.
I do hope Puea Thai will publicize this widely. Khunying Puangthong provided a perfect example of double-standards and a vivid illustration of their grievances.
Unfortunately, Puea Thai leaders have their khunyings as well, and are eager to protect their privileges. Despite the populist rhetoric, they’d instinctively side with their privileged amart peers rather than the phrai (latter are just peons in the power struggle).
If you want to witness the rather unlikely spectacle of a Thai politician actually “telling it like it is” (well – pretty close), I recommend watching the hugely entertaining (and English-language) interview with Chuwit at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFwulaladmI
There should be room in every legislature for mavericks like Chuwit – even if he is self-serving.
Everyone should be aware that Amnesty International’s International Secretariat is a private commercial company entirely independent of Amnesty International the NGO/charity.
This isn’t actually true according to Wikipedia where I thought I had better look to check what Andrew Spooner was saying. Working through the organization from the top we find the following.
The International Secretariat (IS) is responsible for the conduct and daily affairs of Amnesty International under direction from the IEC and IC.
So under direction from the IEC and IC. Who are they we should of course ask? Well the IC is as follows.
The organisations outlined above are represented by the International Council (IC) which is led by the IC Chairperson. Members of sections and structures have the right to appoint one or more representatives to the Council according to the size of their membership.
And the IEC?
The International Executive Committee (IEC), led by the IEC Chairperson, consists of eight members and the IEC Treasurer. It is elected by, and represents, the IC and meets biannually.
So either Wikipedia or Andrew Spooner has it wrong. That’s not to say that having a democratic system makes an organization incorruptible. We only have to look at FIFA to see that’s necessarily true.
Anyway I guess the lesson is, ‘Everyone should be aware that’ not everything that is written is true.
It’s wrong to slap another person, and if the extent of the law involved paying 500B to the police, not even the victim, that’s another example of the law failing to provide for justice. But this kind of violence with impunity takes place all the time in a hierarchical society. It’s not a question of rich or poor, dark or light, red or yellow. In hierarchical culture, it’s the relative status of the parties which dictates power relations and sense of immunity. In this example the huge social gulf between the two magnifies the apparent severity of the act. But it could have easily been a fishmonger in the market, not a khunying, and the slap would hurt just as much.
Greg, the simple observation I have tried to highlight is that the thoughts and beliefs of the great free thinkers are viewed through the imperfect lens of history and interpretation. Which is the basic point of Eisel Mazards article I think.
This will continue to be so in future – I hope.
I find myself frustrated by the all too human tendency to abandon critical thought for blind faith simply because it makes such people victims of those who would manipulate their otherworldly beliefs for all too worldly benefits.
Full marks to the Buddha’s teachings on selflessness, impermanance, non-attachment, introspection and self-examination. I accept and admire this greatly. I get lost in alternate theories of afterlife though. (and suspect, in the case of buddhism that these are supplanted polytheistic leftovers from older religion beliefs).
As a product of “the age of enlightenment” I await more evidence before making an informed decision. So yes, modernist if you will and I hope, all the healthier for it. If there is internet in the afterlife I’ll get back to you and eat my hat.
Chris seems to be complaining because his thoughts on ‘style’ have been completely disregarded by those who want to talk about the substance (or complete lack of it) of any likely incoming kleptocracy. I wouldn’t for one minute quibble with his thoughts on presentation. But …. However much they try to dress things up, the various parties have nothing left to offer this country other than more of the same old lies and false promises. There was a time when this sort of duplicity had no real effect on the Thai economy. But in more competitive times, they are gradually turning Thailand into a failed state.
Facebook 
Twitter 
Soundcloud 
Youtube 
Rss
Scorecard on Abhisit and Yingluck
The chances of electoral fraud and ballot stuffing by the ruling elite regime are inevitable – given the stakes (see Amsterdam and Peroff, “Down by the Law: Thailand 2011 General Election Report Series, No.2: http://robertamsterdam.com/thailand/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/ERS-DOWNBYLAW.pdf) In Australia, 18 & 19 June will be the days in Canberra and Sydney for formal voting, but in the past few months the Thai Embassy has sent out notification forms for postal voting requesting all personal information and IDs. The cheating will not take place in Australia, but all votes from various countries will be sent in sealed boxes to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok to sit there for a few weeks mixed together & unattended (guess the rest!) Rules of the game are also changing by the minute to marginalise pro-democracy “red” voters: there is a video shown in Thailand by the Election Commission (р╕Бр╕Бр╕Х) which shows voters what to do and what not to do. Red shirt voters are shown voting wrongly while yellow shirts come along and show the correct method! (see the “two [Red] Ajaan’s” Dr Suda Rangkupan and Dr Jaruporn Kundilok: http://thaienews.blogspot.com/2011/05/2_29.html). Pre-voting is another easy method of fraud and has already started as companies and government agencies coerce their employees to vote in advance so that their votes can be manipulated. The DP’s amaat Governor of Bangkok [M.R.] Sukhumbhand Paribatra has asked the army to be in the capital during the elections. This is very dubious and smacks of a hidden motive. This is the first time the military has been deployed in this way for keeping an eye on a general election. NLA Meechai Ruchupan came out to say that he is not happy with the provincial electoral commission (actually elected by the people!) and agrees with the corrupt judiciary that these positions should be selected by them. Then there is the veteran peace and human rights advocate [seen sitting on the fence, but leaning towards the centre] Gotham Arya, posing as a neutral actor, who may even take ASEAN observers to see the regime’s staged “good” balloting, and ensure observers avoid the corrupted balloting elsewhere around the country! We can anticipate lots of likely dodgy activities from a range of pro-amaat actors in the coming weeks until the election. So what can we do? A red election watchdog is being formed within Thailand and outside Thailand by pro-democracy Thais. We cannot guarantee that the election outcome will not be fraudulent but we can and will at least monitor and document every activity undertaken by the despotic regime and its friends.
Thai monarchy and Wikileaks
UPDATE: I expect to run the story in one week. I will be able to give more details in a few days. Updates will be posted on my new Twitter account @zenjournalist
Best regards
Andrew
Amnesty International and Robert Amsterdam
“Didn’t the day start with a section of red shirts laying siege to the barracks?”
#132
Andrew Spooner // May 12, 2011 at 8:31 am
“Didn’t the entire thing start with an illegal military coup in 2006?”
Seems to me it all started with Thaksin’s acquittal of asset concealment shortly after the 2001 election.
Yingluck on the streets
Pinoykio #49
I’m sure Yingluk is a very fine and upstanding lady. She, however, remains as much a part of the ruling elite as her brother. As you say, she will receive “proper practice and guidance from men around her”. And what a wonderful track record those men have.
I wouldn’t be pinning your hopes on her qualifications in political science degree. I have one of those…and look how popular my views are.
Scorecard on Abhisit and Yingluck
Yes, but Abhisit has lousy business skills. It has been proven already. and 2/5 is still too much. The economy isn’t doing so hot, either. Palm oils anyone? 3/5? With that score, we’d think that Suthep was doing the grading.
Agen DominoQQ Online Paling Populer
[…] su reakcije na Yingluckinu kandidaturu? Pi┼бu─Зi za New Mandala, Andrew Walker prepoznaje njenu snagu: Yingluck je mnogo bolji Thaksinov zastupnik od Samaka, mnogo bolje […]
Scorecard on Abhisit and Yingluck
A simple but good analysis.
Yingluck on the streets
Stuart, # 39
Nathawut mentioned Aungsan Suu Kyi, Corazon Aquino, and Benazir Bhutto and compared them with Yingluck in his speech at Lumbini Park last Saturday. The three ladies from three different countries were not prepared for political role but when situation required, they could stand up to the occasion. With proper practice and guidance from men around her, I believe Yingluck can do the same. Don’t forget Yingluck studied political science in the US.
I personally noticed Corazon could be very tough after she became president and that is what Yingluck should do if and when she is elected PM. Right now, she should maintain her softie image.
Yingluck on the streets
Chris Baker 42
I was quite stunned by the overnight appearance, volume and street impact of those posters in BKK 2 weeks ago. It certainly spelled out that election time is here and how. The stakes are high and the thinking and spending behind the image demonstrates a quantum leap from the old photoshopped geezers in their whites. Do you know who the “Mad Men” were in this instance?
I think it possible when we look back in years to come that this poster may indicate a pivotal moment in thai political history. For better or worse. . .
It’s a big gamble to put up a woman for competition in this society and it’s going to be fascinating to watch. Image IS everything, culturally as we know.
n.b. I think you were a little harsh on Samak. Evidently a lot of thai men found his image very attractive 🙂
Thai Studies conference in Melbourne
Thomas Fuller piece in the New York Times about the U.S. citizen arrested in Thailand last week and denied bail on LM and Computer Crimes charges. This article seems to say that the charges are the ones from the U.S. citizen posting a link to the Yale University Press book as well as translating parts of the book about 3 years ago while resident in Colorado:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/28/world/asia/28thai.html?_r=1
Unpopular facts about one of Buddhist philosophy’s most popular doctrines
Billy Budd,
As far as we can discern, since we ultimately have only a hazy idea of what the historical Buddha actually taught, his teachings about practice, meditation, and virtue are all aimed at moksa, or liberation, also know as nirvana. But all the evidence indicates that this is quite clearly and specifically conceived as liberation from the cycle of samsara, from the ultimately unsatisfying cycle of birth, death, rebirth within the multiple planes of existence, whether heavenly, wordly or hellish. Quite simply, Indian Buddhist teachings, thought and practices make no sense without reference to the cosmology of multiple realms of existence and birth/rebirth that was seemingly presumed by him as the frame of his instruction, the foundation upon which it developed and to which it responded.
And these cosmological presumptions were clearly not “polytheistic leftovers from older religious beliefs”. In fact, the historical evidence indicates that this vision of samsara, rebirth and moksa (as broadly understood across the Indian religious landscape at that time) was a relatively new development in Indian religiosity, perhaps initially developed among the broad community of mendicants and renunciants among which the Buddha was just one example.
Unfortunately, Western Buddhists are typically quite uninformed about actual Indian religious history (vs. simplified and outdated Orientalist imaginings). I have no problem with Western Buddhists adapting and modifying Buddhist notions to fit their own cultural and historical moment and needs. I do object, however, to them claiming justification for their innovations by claiming that all they assert is in accordance with what the historical Buddha taught – before that is the superstitions and ignorance of the Indian masses and the deceptions of opportunistic religious elites obscured such surprisingly modern wisdom. Such claims are typically unpersuasive when closely examined.
Khunying face slapper
I do hope Puea Thai will publicize this widely. Khunying Puangthong provided a perfect example of double-standards and a vivid illustration of their grievances.
Unfortunately, Puea Thai leaders have their khunyings as well, and are eager to protect their privileges. Despite the populist rhetoric, they’d instinctively side with their privileged amart peers rather than the phrai (latter are just peons in the power struggle).
Yingluck on the streets
If you want to witness the rather unlikely spectacle of a Thai politician actually “telling it like it is” (well – pretty close), I recommend watching the hugely entertaining (and English-language) interview with Chuwit at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFwulaladmI
There should be room in every legislature for mavericks like Chuwit – even if he is self-serving.
Amnesty International and Robert Amsterdam
Andrew Spooner – 137
Everyone should be aware that Amnesty International’s International Secretariat is a private commercial company entirely independent of Amnesty International the NGO/charity.
This isn’t actually true according to Wikipedia where I thought I had better look to check what Andrew Spooner was saying. Working through the organization from the top we find the following.
The International Secretariat (IS) is responsible for the conduct and daily affairs of Amnesty International under direction from the IEC and IC.
So under direction from the IEC and IC. Who are they we should of course ask? Well the IC is as follows.
The organisations outlined above are represented by the International Council (IC) which is led by the IC Chairperson. Members of sections and structures have the right to appoint one or more representatives to the Council according to the size of their membership.
And the IEC?
The International Executive Committee (IEC), led by the IEC Chairperson, consists of eight members and the IEC Treasurer. It is elected by, and represents, the IC and meets biannually.
So either Wikipedia or Andrew Spooner has it wrong. That’s not to say that having a democratic system makes an organization incorruptible. We only have to look at FIFA to see that’s necessarily true.
Anyway I guess the lesson is, ‘Everyone should be aware that’ not everything that is written is true.
Khunying face slapper
Military (wife) proudly hurts and humiliates Muslim (girl) in public, receives barely a slap on the wrist…
And we wonder why people are dying in the South?
Khunying face slapper
It’s wrong to slap another person, and if the extent of the law involved paying 500B to the police, not even the victim, that’s another example of the law failing to provide for justice. But this kind of violence with impunity takes place all the time in a hierarchical society. It’s not a question of rich or poor, dark or light, red or yellow. In hierarchical culture, it’s the relative status of the parties which dictates power relations and sense of immunity. In this example the huge social gulf between the two magnifies the apparent severity of the act. But it could have easily been a fishmonger in the market, not a khunying, and the slap would hurt just as much.
Unpopular facts about one of Buddhist philosophy’s most popular doctrines
Greg, the simple observation I have tried to highlight is that the thoughts and beliefs of the great free thinkers are viewed through the imperfect lens of history and interpretation. Which is the basic point of Eisel Mazards article I think.
This will continue to be so in future – I hope.
I find myself frustrated by the all too human tendency to abandon critical thought for blind faith simply because it makes such people victims of those who would manipulate their otherworldly beliefs for all too worldly benefits.
Full marks to the Buddha’s teachings on selflessness, impermanance, non-attachment, introspection and self-examination. I accept and admire this greatly. I get lost in alternate theories of afterlife though. (and suspect, in the case of buddhism that these are supplanted polytheistic leftovers from older religion beliefs).
As a product of “the age of enlightenment” I await more evidence before making an informed decision. So yes, modernist if you will and I hope, all the healthier for it. If there is internet in the afterlife I’ll get back to you and eat my hat.
Yingluck on the streets
Chris seems to be complaining because his thoughts on ‘style’ have been completely disregarded by those who want to talk about the substance (or complete lack of it) of any likely incoming kleptocracy. I wouldn’t for one minute quibble with his thoughts on presentation. But …. However much they try to dress things up, the various parties have nothing left to offer this country other than more of the same old lies and false promises. There was a time when this sort of duplicity had no real effect on the Thai economy. But in more competitive times, they are gradually turning Thailand into a failed state.
Yingluck on the streets
And I don’t want to read the OkNation one, it’s almost a given that any article that came from that cesspool of a site is already doomed.
Yingluck on the streets
I read the translation on the Matichon website of this article, and I have to say that he must have it in for you. The context is seriously wrong.