I don’t get it yet, are the students allowed to get involved in politic? WRT the myoverseasvote, don’t you think the voters details are under the scrutiny of the EC as to ensure they vote for BN, and if the voters do vote for the opposition, there’ll 2 things that can happen, either their names will be black-listed or that their votes will be considered null and void. It is just toooooo hard and almost impossible to trust the EC anymore.
The ink. what’s wrong trying using it for this coming GE ?Just this one time only. Why scared ?
I am only concerned that the High Commissions will “doctored” the votes in favour of the ruling parties. There has to be some monitoring that needs to be done. Also does it mean that all students have to make the journey to Canberra to vote? Perth students might as well go home to vote – at least they get to see their families.
What we should do is organise charter flights so that many Malaysians can go back on a cheap flight. The flights should be from the major cities. Even if we could not fill a whole aircraft, bulk buying of tickets should get some decent discounts.
There is no democracy in Thailand, nor “rule of law”, nor “transparency”, nor any “justice system” or “reliable & trustworthy investigation system with any integrity”, it is all just “pretend”……something the Thai elite is highly skilled at, something which they love to do, something they have used and continue to use to seduce and profit from their multiple interactions with other peoples and countries.
Some good news for Malaysian students and their spouses overseas.
The Election Commission (EC) has instructed the Foreign Ministry to allow all full-time students abroad to vote at overseas missions, said its deputy chairman Datuk Wira Wan Ahmad Wan Omar today.
Yet to be resolved is the 1 million over Malaysians residing overseas.
The quoted comments of the VP were undoubteldy a misguided marketing blunder, bordering on xenophobic. Chula’s many talented and dedicated ajarns and students from overseas, who contribute to the university’s work and international standing, deserve more respect.
The comments are all the more extraordinary coming from a linguist, from whom one might reasonably expect a more enlightened perspective than more closeted academics without her own considerable linkages to the international academic community.
Perhaps what explains Chula’s downward spiral in the global rankings is how Chula walks the talk in terms of upholding academic standards. For example, its “zero tolerance to plagiarism”…. Ahem, s’cuse me!!?
Last year a plagiarism scandal erupted when an ex-Chula student – who happened to be an official at the Ministry of Science and Technology- was found by an internal investigation to have plagiarized his PhD thesis in large measure. A year later, his degree and job still remain intact. Message: “Plagiarize with impunity”. Caveat: “If you have influence”.
Witness the recent “Dr Googleberg” scandal in Germany, in which the charismatic Defence Minister, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg was found to have plagiarized his PhD thesis. His university revoked his degree within weeks, forcing his resignation.
Chula’s failure to do likewise is a slap in the face to all honest students who slave away to earn their degree. It is a slap in the face to all honest academics who work hard to contribute to the university’s intellectual output and international standing. And it is a slap in the face to Thailand, eroding as it does the credibility of any kind of degree from any institute of higher learning in the Kingdom.
When will Chula wake up and realize that if it aspires to global standards, it must embrace them, abide by them and be prepared to be judged by them?
re: Johpa(52): Those gold transfer rumors are at least a year old, and apparently relate to the controversial activities of the so-called Government of Free Vietnam anti-communist exile group. Suffice to say, if you look into their financial dealings, I think you will quickly come to your own conclusions. There is a long and colorful history to this kind of story in Southeast Asia – think Yamashita’s Gold for a major example – though I’m not sure anyone has written up a definitive version.
A number of points need to be discussed openly, and without rancour or fear of prosecution. Has the King’s policy inhibited the development of the rule of law in Thailand, and concentrated arbitrary power in the hands of a military/monarchist cabal? In other words, has his policy brought about the return of absolutism? To what extent are the democratic and legal institutions of Thailand a fraud designed to encourage the West to feel better about doing business with Thailand and provide military support for the régime?
Things don’t look good for Anwar at his trial. It looks very likely that the Judge will order Anwar to give a blood sample for DNA testing. The prosecution already seem to have Anwar’s DNA profile from Sodomy 1.
In Malaysia, especially with the police , AG and the courts…..anything can happen.
Apart from Anwar, the other people capable of being PM’s are Zaid and of course RPK
Dear Moe Aung,
Thank you. Yes, the very word “Maha Bamar” is a humor. I always remember Saya Zaw Gyi’s play ” Maha San Chin Thu ( One who likes to be a royal)”. I understand you now. Thanks.
Just like to commend the administrators of NM for their incredible tolerance (incidentally a great quality of many ORDINARY Thai people!) of the appalling racism of Tossaporn Sirak.
However, I kind of think this tolerance is well rewarded as it gives us all an insight – or perhaps confirmation – of the level of critical thinking and almost quite sinister nationalism/facism of many of those in Thailand who stridently defend the Chakri monarchy, and come out swinging at any even mild attempts (like in this discussion) to subject it to some critical appraisal…
Speaking of the Thai Royal wealth, anyone else hearing rumors that large amounts of Royal gold, and I am talking tonnage here, are being sold to various institutions and sovereign trusts, such as 8 tons to the government of Vietnam? Well at least that is one story coming out of one well connected source of mine in Beijing.
And I’m prepared to say that your point is entirely misleading.
Because in the context of what you’re saying, whether you’re Farang or Thai makes the whole difference between courtesy and malicious xenophobia.
I think stuart (if he’s Thai) and Tossaporn need to learn to reason beyond the realm of divisive group-belongingness.
True, some Farangs may hold undeserved contemptuous opinion of ‘our Asian values’, but your point does not support this claim, and I think you should give them the benefit of the doubt here.
Maha Bamar was tongue in cheek, my dear Maung Maung.
The Kalay Declaration as well as the change in stance of the armed groups, both cease-fire and non cease-fire, now aspiring to a federal union, is a historical product after the protracted civil war in Burma as was the rebellions that broke out around the time of independence and later.
Expectations and aspirations may have been less than realistic, but the grievances in terms of how we the majority treated them, the perception of lack of fairness and justice, were all real. This hasn’t gone away, and military rule has only compounded the problem.
Fact is these groups have learnt from history, but have we? The ordinary folk in Burmese towns and cities may now empathise with the minorities since they have also been on the receiving end themselves for decades, but it’s nothing like in the free fire zones that the ethnic homelands have become.
We’d all better wise up and stop blaming one another as a race beyond the pale. Yes, towards a free and fair federal union.
Tossaporn: How can you say that everyone reading and commenting on this New Mandala post is anti-Thai monarchy when there are 19 favorable votes to no unfavorable votes on the extremely pro-Thai monarchy comment Number 29 by Zebra?
(…”our divine King, light & inspiration of the Thai Nation”…)
It indeed is my aspiration to have an as good as possible account of what is going on in those street protests as i possibly can manage to. Nobody is perfect. There will always be mistakes, or omissions. But i try to minimize those by, in addition to being on the ground as much as i can, speaking with people i trust from all sides involved, and corroborate as much as i possibly can. This is one of the reasons why it takes such a long time to come out with a book. As much as i need money, but i am not out for a quick buck. When i come out with one of my books i am aware that this is still going to be read in 30 years time, and therefore i will need as much time as it needs to still be worthwhile in the future.
Nobody is free of opinions, sympathies and antipathies. Nobody who spends so much time on a subject matter can possibly be “neutral”. I think it is better that i am open with my views, than hiding them and pretending to be something i am not.
What i try to be is to be factual and fair. I have the impression that this is also respected now by many yellow shirts, who know that i have not too much sympathies towards their ideology, but who speak with me about events, give me their view and version, knowing that i will not disregard this information.
It is indeed somewhat encouraging that a Thai of such immensely high status and integrity as Tej Bunnag seems to be acknowledging, perhaps even supporting – the need for reform of the LM laws.
He has a strong point, in that defamation of the Head of State needs to be avoided, and penalised.
But the trouble with Thailand’s LM laws is that they have become a thoroughly arbitrary political football.
The First reform should be removal of the right of any Tom, Dick and Harry to make a complaint : this is an open invitation for spurious, but serious settling of personal scores.
At very least, the law could be reformed so that only certain Thai officials can make the complaint.
AND ABOVE ALL : A STRICT, LIMITED DEFINITION OF LM. Currently almost any journalist, academic, etc. can be hauled up on LM, simply because the definition is so loose.
Second – as regards foreigners : why does n’t Thailand simply expel them, within 24-48 hours ?
This is what many countries do – which have similar, but somewhat less draconian laws. It saves them one hell of a lot less embarassment and diplomatic difficulty than Thailand currently puts itself through.
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Overseas Malaysians denied voting rights
Very good and legitimate questions John.
You could direct them to the:
(1) Malaysian High Commission (in the country that you are in);
(2) Election Commission;
(3) MyOverseasVote; and
(4) BERSIH
Do let us know of the outcomes.
Towards electoral reform in Malaysia
The Election Commission exists to help UMNO remain in power. This is an undeniable fact. The Chairman is a stooge and slave to UMNO.
If he says :
ii) Many can’t be bothered to vote and their rights must be respected;
Then by extension those who refuse pay income tax should have their rights respected.
Wonder why the EC makes idiotic statements. Just say that it wants UMNO to stay in power till eternity. Don’t be ashamed to admit it.
Towards electoral reform in Malaysia
I don’t get it yet, are the students allowed to get involved in politic? WRT the myoverseasvote, don’t you think the voters details are under the scrutiny of the EC as to ensure they vote for BN, and if the voters do vote for the opposition, there’ll 2 things that can happen, either their names will be black-listed or that their votes will be considered null and void. It is just toooooo hard and almost impossible to trust the EC anymore.
The ink. what’s wrong trying using it for this coming GE ?Just this one time only. Why scared ?
Overseas Malaysians denied voting rights
I am only concerned that the High Commissions will “doctored” the votes in favour of the ruling parties. There has to be some monitoring that needs to be done. Also does it mean that all students have to make the journey to Canberra to vote? Perth students might as well go home to vote – at least they get to see their families.
What we should do is organise charter flights so that many Malaysians can go back on a cheap flight. The flights should be from the major cities. Even if we could not fill a whole aircraft, bulk buying of tickets should get some decent discounts.
Tej Bunnag shows the way
There is no democracy in Thailand, nor “rule of law”, nor “transparency”, nor any “justice system” or “reliable & trustworthy investigation system with any integrity”, it is all just “pretend”……something the Thai elite is highly skilled at, something which they love to do, something they have used and continue to use to seduce and profit from their multiple interactions with other peoples and countries.
Overseas Malaysians denied voting rights
Some good news for Malaysian students and their spouses overseas.
Yet to be resolved is the 1 million over Malaysians residing overseas.
Tej Bunnag shows the way
Chris Beale said:
Why?
University rankings from Chula’s perspective
The quoted comments of the VP were undoubteldy a misguided marketing blunder, bordering on xenophobic. Chula’s many talented and dedicated ajarns and students from overseas, who contribute to the university’s work and international standing, deserve more respect.
The comments are all the more extraordinary coming from a linguist, from whom one might reasonably expect a more enlightened perspective than more closeted academics without her own considerable linkages to the international academic community.
Perhaps what explains Chula’s downward spiral in the global rankings is how Chula walks the talk in terms of upholding academic standards. For example, its “zero tolerance to plagiarism”…. Ahem, s’cuse me!!?
Last year a plagiarism scandal erupted when an ex-Chula student – who happened to be an official at the Ministry of Science and Technology- was found by an internal investigation to have plagiarized his PhD thesis in large measure. A year later, his degree and job still remain intact. Message: “Plagiarize with impunity”. Caveat: “If you have influence”.
Witness the recent “Dr Googleberg” scandal in Germany, in which the charismatic Defence Minister, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg was found to have plagiarized his PhD thesis. His university revoked his degree within weeks, forcing his resignation.
Chula’s failure to do likewise is a slap in the face to all honest students who slave away to earn their degree. It is a slap in the face to all honest academics who work hard to contribute to the university’s intellectual output and international standing. And it is a slap in the face to Thailand, eroding as it does the credibility of any kind of degree from any institute of higher learning in the Kingdom.
When will Chula wake up and realize that if it aspires to global standards, it must embrace them, abide by them and be prepared to be judged by them?
Thailand’s royal billions
re: Johpa(52): Those gold transfer rumors are at least a year old, and apparently relate to the controversial activities of the so-called Government of Free Vietnam anti-communist exile group. Suffice to say, if you look into their financial dealings, I think you will quickly come to your own conclusions. There is a long and colorful history to this kind of story in Southeast Asia – think Yamashita’s Gold for a major example – though I’m not sure anyone has written up a definitive version.
Tej Bunnag shows the way
A number of points need to be discussed openly, and without rancour or fear of prosecution. Has the King’s policy inhibited the development of the rule of law in Thailand, and concentrated arbitrary power in the hands of a military/monarchist cabal? In other words, has his policy brought about the return of absolutism? To what extent are the democratic and legal institutions of Thailand a fraud designed to encourage the West to feel better about doing business with Thailand and provide military support for the régime?
Najib to receive honorary degree from Monash
Greg Lopez,
Things don’t look good for Anwar at his trial. It looks very likely that the Judge will order Anwar to give a blood sample for DNA testing. The prosecution already seem to have Anwar’s DNA profile from Sodomy 1.
In Malaysia, especially with the police , AG and the courts…..anything can happen.
Apart from Anwar, the other people capable of being PM’s are Zaid and of course RPK
The rehabilitation of U Nu?
Dear Moe Aung,
Thank you. Yes, the very word “Maha Bamar” is a humor. I always remember Saya Zaw Gyi’s play ” Maha San Chin Thu ( One who likes to be a royal)”. I understand you now. Thanks.
Thailand’s royal billions
Just like to commend the administrators of NM for their incredible tolerance (incidentally a great quality of many ORDINARY Thai people!) of the appalling racism of Tossaporn Sirak.
However, I kind of think this tolerance is well rewarded as it gives us all an insight – or perhaps confirmation – of the level of critical thinking and almost quite sinister nationalism/facism of many of those in Thailand who stridently defend the Chakri monarchy, and come out swinging at any even mild attempts (like in this discussion) to subject it to some critical appraisal…
Thailand’s royal billions
Speaking of the Thai Royal wealth, anyone else hearing rumors that large amounts of Royal gold, and I am talking tonnage here, are being sold to various institutions and sovereign trusts, such as 8 tons to the government of Vietnam? Well at least that is one story coming out of one well connected source of mine in Beijing.
Thailand’s royal billions
47@ stuart
And I’m prepared to say that your point is entirely misleading.
Because in the context of what you’re saying, whether you’re Farang or Thai makes the whole difference between courtesy and malicious xenophobia.
I think stuart (if he’s Thai) and Tossaporn need to learn to reason beyond the realm of divisive group-belongingness.
True, some Farangs may hold undeserved contemptuous opinion of ‘our Asian values’, but your point does not support this claim, and I think you should give them the benefit of the doubt here.
The rehabilitation of U Nu?
Maha Bamar was tongue in cheek, my dear Maung Maung.
The Kalay Declaration as well as the change in stance of the armed groups, both cease-fire and non cease-fire, now aspiring to a federal union, is a historical product after the protracted civil war in Burma as was the rebellions that broke out around the time of independence and later.
Expectations and aspirations may have been less than realistic, but the grievances in terms of how we the majority treated them, the perception of lack of fairness and justice, were all real. This hasn’t gone away, and military rule has only compounded the problem.
Fact is these groups have learnt from history, but have we? The ordinary folk in Burmese towns and cities may now empathise with the minorities since they have also been on the receiving end themselves for decades, but it’s nothing like in the free fire zones that the ethnic homelands have become.
We’d all better wise up and stop blaming one another as a race beyond the pale. Yes, towards a free and fair federal union.
Thailand’s royal billions
Tossaporn: How can you say that everyone reading and commenting on this New Mandala post is anti-Thai monarchy when there are 19 favorable votes to no unfavorable votes on the extremely pro-Thai monarchy comment Number 29 by Zebra?
(…”our divine King, light & inspiration of the Thai Nation”…)
Nick Nostitz on Thailand’s political awakening
Nick – does this mean genuine surrender – or just another ploy?
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2011/03/12/national/DSI-to-grant-bail-to-all-those-who-surrender-30150698.html
Nick Nostitz on Thailand’s political awakening
“Dickie Simpkins”:
Thank you very much. 🙂
It indeed is my aspiration to have an as good as possible account of what is going on in those street protests as i possibly can manage to. Nobody is perfect. There will always be mistakes, or omissions. But i try to minimize those by, in addition to being on the ground as much as i can, speaking with people i trust from all sides involved, and corroborate as much as i possibly can. This is one of the reasons why it takes such a long time to come out with a book. As much as i need money, but i am not out for a quick buck. When i come out with one of my books i am aware that this is still going to be read in 30 years time, and therefore i will need as much time as it needs to still be worthwhile in the future.
Nobody is free of opinions, sympathies and antipathies. Nobody who spends so much time on a subject matter can possibly be “neutral”. I think it is better that i am open with my views, than hiding them and pretending to be something i am not.
What i try to be is to be factual and fair. I have the impression that this is also respected now by many yellow shirts, who know that i have not too much sympathies towards their ideology, but who speak with me about events, give me their view and version, knowing that i will not disregard this information.
Tej Bunnag shows the way
It is indeed somewhat encouraging that a Thai of such immensely high status and integrity as Tej Bunnag seems to be acknowledging, perhaps even supporting – the need for reform of the LM laws.
He has a strong point, in that defamation of the Head of State needs to be avoided, and penalised.
But the trouble with Thailand’s LM laws is that they have become a thoroughly arbitrary political football.
The First reform should be removal of the right of any Tom, Dick and Harry to make a complaint : this is an open invitation for spurious, but serious settling of personal scores.
At very least, the law could be reformed so that only certain Thai officials can make the complaint.
AND ABOVE ALL : A STRICT, LIMITED DEFINITION OF LM. Currently almost any journalist, academic, etc. can be hauled up on LM, simply because the definition is so loose.
Second – as regards foreigners : why does n’t Thailand simply expel them, within 24-48 hours ?
This is what many countries do – which have similar, but somewhat less draconian laws. It saves them one hell of a lot less embarassment and diplomatic difficulty than Thailand currently puts itself through.