It is important to remember that no political party has lasted for more than 71 years. In fact no empires have lasted forever. Even the revered Thai monarchy is now under attack.
Information (and the analysis of this information) plays an important role in leveling the playing field between the powerful and the not so powerful. Wikileaks is proof.
Barisan Nasional is an authoritarian regime but even the most brutal regimes do not last forever.
So, have faith in Malaysians and the power of democratizing information.
Bringing together two elements from the cables (royal motorcades and the negative comments about the Crown Prince), I start to wonder if HRH has already had his people contact the US Secret Service to pick up a few pointers on how to achieve something approaching their level of security for the President.
If, as reported, he already insists on 2nd floor windows being cleared along his route while his father is still on the throne – what more security measures will he decide he needs when that’s no longer the case?
A. Wales: I doubt the media outside of Thailand, especially in Indiana, are much interested in what she says. That’s not to say they shouldn’t be. It is just that the palace’s honorary degree hunt is a local affair and for Thai purposes.
More broadly, it seems that this leak of information will suit some of those who plot about succession. The prince probably already know that these old men are his opponents and longs for the day when he can re-do the privy council. Will succession look like an Ayutthayan version of a family fight for the throne? Or was that also the case last time?
Princess Sirindhorn is about to receive an honorary degree from Indiana University tomorrow. She had left for the US some days ago. I wonder if the press would ask her about this since the cable mentioned her name more than once. When she was in the US during the PAD demonstrations, the press asked her about it and she did respond to their questions, prompting some bloggers to write that Sirindhorn has “entered the fray”.
Dear Ko Hla Oo, Thank you. You are out of touch with reality in Burma. No mails reach us if the address contains old English spelling of the British colonial era like Rangoon, Burma, Fraser Street, Commissioner Street etc. I guess you are a new Anglophile. I pity your father.
I am an Asian male pursuing PhD in Australia
for almost a year. I have seen some racists but
they are everywhere: Japan, Singapore, China,
India, UK and so shouting is a culture at others
seem to be a culture here and they are just doing
it for fun. From a surface, it seems Aussies are
thick skinned politically incorrect people but if
you talk with them, most of them are nice and
friendly people. So it will be unfair to label Ozi
as a land of bigot. We should look at the mirror
ourselves and Asians are racists too.
…that they didn’t expose themselves as particularly blinkered, duplicitous or dishonorable.
They do across as rather well meaning men which must worry Thaksin. If they seem reasonable men while Thaksin seems to be Machiavellian in these US Embassy cables it will start to erode some of the international and local support among those on the left who were favouring him.
Superduperanonymous(#15) – Your point is well taken, of course. The three are now in an awkward situation vis-a-vis the CP . I was thinking of “embarrassed” in a broader sense: that they didn’t expose themselves as particularly blinkered, duplicitous or dishonorable. Regardless, your comments set up a scenario worth watching.
The government and the military will be obliged to protect the monarchy and give the matter serious investigation, possibly even calling the former US Ambassador back to Thailand for questioning. After all, if a former PM can be charged of trying to overthrow the monarchy (Thaksin), then why can’t another former PM (Anand) be charged with the same?
It would be a scandal of biblical proportions… I can’t wait!
It seems I am still wrong on the powers of the Privy Council and therefore withdraw my earlier suggestion. Unless there was a change in the King’s wishes they would not have the power. But then again many things are possible.
Yes that’s the official document declaring Vajiralongkorn the Crown Prince, heir to the throne; and unless His Majesty himself changes his mind and appoint somebody else, Prince Vajiralongkorn will be the next king.
I think I discussed this issue together with Khun Bangkok Pundit some times ago somewhere in his blog.
(There’s also another official document declaring Prince Sirinthorn, Princes Maha Chakri. But it’s clear from the text of that document that her title does not imply that she’s an heir.)
WHEN does the pure betterment of Myanmar citizenry plight need any validation ?
Ko Moe Aung
Tell us all here @ NM how do you come to the conclusion that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi enjoy the support of most of the Yangonites let alone stating falsely again enjoying the support of even the majority?
Please read this on the walls of NM b/f incriminate yourself again.
My point is to remind the likes of you our extremely violent history which is the main reason our Burma is being ruled by the army for last 50 years. And also the main reason you and me and millions of other Burmese are now living in foreign countries.
Even if Than Shwe and his army peacefully transfer power right now to ASSK , your truly elected leader of Burma, and go back to their barracks I have a serious doubt that she and her leftie advisers will be able to hold the union for too long before the Communists take over Burma completely.
I don’t read Thai, but a Thai friend (while struggling with some of the ornate wording) tells me that it’s explicit about declaring Vajiralongkorn as heir to the throne. Perhaps a helpful NM Thai reader could confirm that?
Superanonymous said: Given their points of view, the privy councillors’ analyses seem pretty perceptive and straightforward to me. IMHO, there is little in there that could embarrass them – one could even imagine this leak helping their cause, by putting the contentious issues on the table.
Wrong.
When/if the Crown Prince ascends to power, I really don’t see what Anand and Siddhi can do other than remove themselves from the scene.
Seriously. If what they’re saying about the Crown Prince is true, do they really think – now that their disdain for the Prince has been exposed – that they will be allowed to remain? If they don’t remove themselves after the death of R9, they’ll be removed by R.10.
[I have modified some of the language in this comment. AW]
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Thai media coverage of Wikileaks
[…] reading here: Thai media coverage of Wikileaks Share and […]
Vital new documents on the formation of Malaysia
Danton & Neptunian,
It is important to remember that no political party has lasted for more than 71 years. In fact no empires have lasted forever. Even the revered Thai monarchy is now under attack.
Information (and the analysis of this information) plays an important role in leveling the playing field between the powerful and the not so powerful. Wikileaks is proof.
Barisan Nasional is an authoritarian regime but even the most brutal regimes do not last forever.
So, have faith in Malaysians and the power of democratizing information.
Wikileaks and Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn
Bringing together two elements from the cables (royal motorcades and the negative comments about the Crown Prince), I start to wonder if HRH has already had his people contact the US Secret Service to pick up a few pointers on how to achieve something approaching their level of security for the President.
If, as reported, he already insists on 2nd floor windows being cleared along his route while his father is still on the throne – what more security measures will he decide he needs when that’s no longer the case?
Thai media coverage of Wikileaks
[…] Lire la suite de la source originale: Thai media coverage of Wikileaks […]
Wikileaks and Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn
A. Wales: I doubt the media outside of Thailand, especially in Indiana, are much interested in what she says. That’s not to say they shouldn’t be. It is just that the palace’s honorary degree hunt is a local affair and for Thai purposes.
More broadly, it seems that this leak of information will suit some of those who plot about succession. The prince probably already know that these old men are his opponents and longs for the day when he can re-do the privy council. Will succession look like an Ayutthayan version of a family fight for the throne? Or was that also the case last time?
Wikileaks and Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn
Princess Sirindhorn is about to receive an honorary degree from Indiana University tomorrow. She had left for the US some days ago. I wonder if the press would ask her about this since the cable mentioned her name more than once. When she was in the US during the PAD demonstrations, the press asked her about it and she did respond to their questions, prompting some bloggers to write that Sirindhorn has “entered the fray”.
Gradual political change in Burma
Dear Ko Hla Oo, Thank you. You are out of touch with reality in Burma. No mails reach us if the address contains old English spelling of the British colonial era like Rangoon, Burma, Fraser Street, Commissioner Street etc. I guess you are a new Anglophile. I pity your father.
Problems in Australia’s overseas student program
I am an Asian male pursuing PhD in Australia
for almost a year. I have seen some racists but
they are everywhere: Japan, Singapore, China,
India, UK and so shouting is a culture at others
seem to be a culture here and they are just doing
it for fun. From a surface, it seems Aussies are
thick skinned politically incorrect people but if
you talk with them, most of them are nice and
friendly people. So it will be unfair to label Ozi
as a land of bigot. We should look at the mirror
ourselves and Asians are racists too.
Wikileaks and Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn
superanonymous – 21
…that they didn’t expose themselves as particularly blinkered, duplicitous or dishonorable.
They do across as rather well meaning men which must worry Thaksin. If they seem reasonable men while Thaksin seems to be Machiavellian in these US Embassy cables it will start to erode some of the international and local support among those on the left who were favouring him.
Wikileaks and Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn
Superduperanonymous(#15) – Your point is well taken, of course. The three are now in an awkward situation vis-a-vis the CP . I was thinking of “embarrassed” in a broader sense: that they didn’t expose themselves as particularly blinkered, duplicitous or dishonorable. Regardless, your comments set up a scenario worth watching.
Wikileaks and Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn
Dan, just go to a police station and report it!
The government and the military will be obliged to protect the monarchy and give the matter serious investigation, possibly even calling the former US Ambassador back to Thailand for questioning. After all, if a former PM can be charged of trying to overthrow the monarchy (Thaksin), then why can’t another former PM (Anand) be charged with the same?
It would be a scandal of biblical proportions… I can’t wait!
Wikileaks and Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn
It seems I am still wrong on the powers of the Privy Council and therefore withdraw my earlier suggestion. Unless there was a change in the King’s wishes they would not have the power. But then again many things are possible.
How did Laos come to be Laos?
Nice to see you all. Thank you for made clear about our country.
Wikileaks and Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn
Doesn’t what was discussed by the Privy Council et al. in this article constitute Lese Majeste? How do I report this?
Gradual political change in Burma
“She is honest enough to say she will review the issue of the sanctions.”
Sanction notwithstanding in any degree of any kind:
1) Give the parties capable of meting out, such inhumane acts sans firing a shot, the undeserving semblance of moral superiority.
2) The weakest and the most vulnerable of the Recipients suffer the most.
Ko Moe Aung
What exactly do you mean “honest enough” and “the need to review” in your quote on behalf of your lady?
Is she truly Honest in not realizing how sanction effect the weakest with her oxford education?
Then tell us again why are we bothering with her need to be educated ?
Wikileaks and Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn
Steve #16
Yes that’s the official document declaring Vajiralongkorn the Crown Prince, heir to the throne; and unless His Majesty himself changes his mind and appoint somebody else, Prince Vajiralongkorn will be the next king.
I think I discussed this issue together with Khun Bangkok Pundit some times ago somewhere in his blog.
(There’s also another official document declaring Prince Sirinthorn, Princes Maha Chakri. But it’s clear from the text of that document that her title does not imply that she’s an heir.)
Gradual political change in Burma
WHEN does the pure betterment of Myanmar citizenry plight need any validation ?
Ko Moe Aung
Tell us all here @ NM how do you come to the conclusion that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi enjoy the support of most of the Yangonites let alone stating falsely again enjoying the support of even the majority?
Please read this on the walls of NM b/f incriminate yourself again.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/161881
10c–12c
Gradual political change in Burma
Dear Ko Maung Maung,
I reside in Yangon and a full-fledged citizen of Myanmar. What are you and where do you live now?
I grew up in Rangoon, not Yangon, and my country is Burma, not stupid Myanmar. Who seems to be writing on Junta side now?
I wrote a six part series The Scourge of Burma on this New Mandala. It will answer your question.
http://www.newmandala.org/category/burma/scourge-of-burma/
Moe Aung,
My point is to remind the likes of you our extremely violent history which is the main reason our Burma is being ruled by the army for last 50 years. And also the main reason you and me and millions of other Burmese are now living in foreign countries.
Even if Than Shwe and his army peacefully transfer power right now to ASSK , your truly elected leader of Burma, and go back to their barracks I have a serious doubt that she and her leftie advisers will be able to hold the union for too long before the Communists take over Burma completely.
Wikileaks and Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn
Readers of Thai might be interested to see the actual Royal Gazette entry for 28 December 1972 (referred to in c11):
http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2515/A/200/1.PDF
I don’t read Thai, but a Thai friend (while struggling with some of the ornate wording) tells me that it’s explicit about declaring Vajiralongkorn as heir to the throne. Perhaps a helpful NM Thai reader could confirm that?
Wikileaks and Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn
Superanonymous said: Given their points of view, the privy councillors’ analyses seem pretty perceptive and straightforward to me. IMHO, there is little in there that could embarrass them – one could even imagine this leak helping their cause, by putting the contentious issues on the table.
Wrong.
When/if the Crown Prince ascends to power, I really don’t see what Anand and Siddhi can do other than remove themselves from the scene.
Seriously. If what they’re saying about the Crown Prince is true, do they really think – now that their disdain for the Prince has been exposed – that they will be allowed to remain? If they don’t remove themselves after the death of R9, they’ll be removed by R.10.
[I have modified some of the language in this comment. AW]