The EU may have improved movement and trade but it came at the cost of a socialist utopia for useless overpaid bureaucrats sucking up overburdening taxes and pumping out the usual plethora of business strangling regulations.
Asia is a different scenario, admittedly they talk for decades before doing anything, however these infrastructure connections would be in all their interests, with plenty of scope for nice kickbacks for multiple governments to boot.
As such t will eventually happen. Plus Australia will have a pivotal role, no not designing the system. and certainly not building it, no not helping its political passage, we will provide the iron ore for the Chinese steel., talk about being fully integrated into our own backyard.
I was told that the targeting of schools was a fairly recent phenonmenon – ie started like the last decade or so. Also while the conflict there is historically Malay/Muslim – but recent targeted (some gruesome -likened to serial killing) attacks on Buddhists and returned attacks by Buddhists have added new dimensions to the conflict down south even as many still try to think of it as the same old conflict. Is that true?
Hi, Thanks for the list of books – not sure if I would agree that those books are more “in-depth” in terms of analysis as it seems like most of the titles/writers are already self-proclaimed to be on one side or the other or writing with intend of persuading readers towards a certain ideal. Plus, certain “truths” and “issues” remain untouchable. I do find that a couple of books does help to clarify certain aspects of the chronology of events.
This is probably not the place to post – but, I was wondering if you (or anyone) known any good books or peer reviewed articles on Singapore pertaining to the approx 5 year period just before Singapore broke off from Malaysia?
As it happens, I’m also in Chiang Mai and using 3BB (8Mb). Accessing NM was notably slow/creaky for most of last week, but eventually it always got through. Seems to be back to about normal now.
We’re getting a little ‘off-topic’, but the item The Nation is such a perfect illustration of how a Thai regime (with tame media accessories) manages to side-track embarrassing issues: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/10/20/politics/Probe-launched-on-courts-video-clips-scandal-30140473.html
The vitally important issue is, of course, the validity of the video clips – were they or were they not an accurate reflection of what happened?
An investigation into who took recorded the videos is totally beside the most important point.
This is par for the course in Thailand. Everyone’s attention will go on the culprit who took the videos, there will be no published outcome to the investigation ( there never is), even if Pasit is the man, and everyone will be expected to believe the matter is solved (in Thailand ‘being solved’ = “solved”).
Joesph Goebbels would be very pleased.
‘Paintbox’ might be a very apt title. How would we know if anyone actually read any of these books? They all do seem to make a flashy display on the bookshelf. Works the same way on your coffee table at home, I’d imagine, if you’re the sort who entertains ‘friends from work’ at home..
But the worst injuries came on Oct. 5 when four people were killed in an explosion in an apartment block. Police say one of the four was a suspected bombmaker who was awaiting trial for involvement in the May Red Shirt insurrection.
Some blame an ultramilitant breakaway group from the UFDAD called Red Siam for the bombings.
But most assume that the bombings are the work of the military themselves. He does mention that ‘some think so’ further on… but puts it in the realm of ‘conspiracy theories’ in the same breath.
That there is a degree of normalcy in the current uncertainty and unresolved political tension may be why there is no evidence that the Thai economy is suffering.
The currency, the baht, has risen 11 per cent in recent months and is at a 13-year high against the U.S. dollar.
Neo-liberals don’t bat an eye at authoritarian governments. They like ’em. Every currency is up against the dollar, US printing presses are running full-speed, Free Money! Borrow it here and lend it there and live on the difference. The US Fed is going to inflate away the exploding US debt, apparently.
I guess you published this as a sort of “and here’s what the people in Vancouver are reading about Thailand” piece?
Vichai N: This isn’t a trick to get you in trouble or a way to underline the taboo on talking about the monarchy, but what do you mean by “(d) The Thai Prince continue to be more ‘invisible’ to the Thai public.”? I see him many nights on the Royal news, so I assume it is some sort of elliptical reference, but I just don’t get it. Anyone else?
Sorry not really related to this article but didn’t know where to post.
Anyone else having problems accessing NM in Thailand.
I have not been able to access for a couple of weeks now (except on proxy server). Page comes up as “connection reset”
I’m on 3BB in Chiang Mai. My internet works OK and no problems with other sites.
“Constitution Court president Chat Chonlaworn has appointed a fact-finding panel to investigate into the video clips scandal which leaked the debate in the judges’ private chambers related to the Democrat Party dissolution trial……” (The Nation)
Even with the video clip scandal, now can easily be found in youtube, this general’s hand is getting itchy to launch a coup.
Malaysian users with their internet services provided by TMnet (a quasi state-owned entity) are being blocked from accessing themarchtoputrajaya.com. TMnet users who wish to read Kim Quek’s banned book can go to themarchtoputrajaya.wordpress.com instead.
So what else is new? This is the same old story about the noble military coming to the rescue of the Thai Kingdom which otherwise cannot be saved byany other hands deemed disloyal somehow. In short, no one but the military can save this holy kingdom. And so, common Thai citizens, it’s your lot to suffer to no end. At best, your country is pseudo-democratic, and they use you as some kind of excuse.
“What would happen if we had the perfect storm of a returned Thaksin and a royal succession at the same time?” (Les #38)
A perfect storm to you Les, but to the Reds it will be just perfect, thank you!
Answers:
(a) Bangkok bombings stops. (This answers Leah Hoyt #35)
(b) Thailand’s SET index drops like an anchor (time to buy Siam Cement???)
(c) All the Thai fugitives in exile (all pals of Thaksin BTW) including Kamnan Poh return to Thailand . . . happy days are back!
(d) The Thai Prince continue to be more ‘invisible’ to the Thai public.
(e) An indefinitely very long mourning in Thailand prevail, and, while politicians of all colors jockey for power, a General grabs power by coup of course . . . TO RESTORE ORDER!
To Suriyon Raiwa: Susan Morgan is one of a small number of scholars (including the reviewer, Susan Kepner, and myself) who are intrigued by the life and legacy of Anna Leonowens. I have also explored the understanding of “romance” pertaining to Anna’s work in a chapter in my 2008 scholarly book, Imagining Siam: A Travellers’ Literary Guide to Thailand (Monash Asia Institute). You might be interested to know that Alfred Habegger, a retired US academic who is now an independent scholar, is also writing a biography of Anna. Habegger co-wrote a very interesting recent paper on her years in Australia in the 1850s. Here is a link: http://bit.ly/ae2Mlu
I think the following could make a good discussion.
What sort of Thailand would we have if Thaksin returns next year?
Myself, I suspect the odds favour that happening, especially with the Democrats in trouble and their main coalition partner showing the usual face of corrupt political parties in Thailand.
If he were to return, how would the balance of government and military work out? Would Thaksin need to make the army his own or would he be able to work with the new army commander?
What would happen if we had the perfect storm of a returned Thaksin and a royal succession at the same time?
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The ghosts of September 2006
Still can’t access NM, but fine on proxy server.
Get a blank page or connection interrupted. Tried multiple times today but always end up on proxy.
Grand plans for Southeast Asia
The EU may have improved movement and trade but it came at the cost of a socialist utopia for useless overpaid bureaucrats sucking up overburdening taxes and pumping out the usual plethora of business strangling regulations.
Asia is a different scenario, admittedly they talk for decades before doing anything, however these infrastructure connections would be in all their interests, with plenty of scope for nice kickbacks for multiple governments to boot.
As such t will eventually happen. Plus Australia will have a pivotal role, no not designing the system. and certainly not building it, no not helping its political passage, we will provide the iron ore for the Chinese steel., talk about being fully integrated into our own backyard.
Discussion on “resurgent Thailand”
I was told that the targeting of schools was a fairly recent phenonmenon – ie started like the last decade or so. Also while the conflict there is historically Malay/Muslim – but recent targeted (some gruesome -likened to serial killing) attacks on Buddhists and returned attacks by Buddhists have added new dimensions to the conflict down south even as many still try to think of it as the same old conflict. Is that true?
Paintbox of contemporary Thai political discourse
Hi, Thanks for the list of books – not sure if I would agree that those books are more “in-depth” in terms of analysis as it seems like most of the titles/writers are already self-proclaimed to be on one side or the other or writing with intend of persuading readers towards a certain ideal. Plus, certain “truths” and “issues” remain untouchable. I do find that a couple of books does help to clarify certain aspects of the chronology of events.
This is probably not the place to post – but, I was wondering if you (or anyone) known any good books or peer reviewed articles on Singapore pertaining to the approx 5 year period just before Singapore broke off from Malaysia?
Cheers,
Review of Bombay Anna
Ralph Kramden: if the link doesn’t work, just google – Habegger Leonowens Foley – and the paper should come up and you can download it as a pdf.
The ghosts of September 2006
More comment on the Vancouver Sun article at
http://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpress.com/2010/10/18/soldiers-palace-and-politics/
The ghosts of September 2006
@ UKreader (#2)
As it happens, I’m also in Chiang Mai and using 3BB (8Mb). Accessing NM was notably slow/creaky for most of last week, but eventually it always got through. Seems to be back to about normal now.
Review of Bombay Anna
That link doesn’t seem to work.
Topics for future discussion on New Mandala
We’re getting a little ‘off-topic’, but the item The Nation is such a perfect illustration of how a Thai regime (with tame media accessories) manages to side-track embarrassing issues:
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/10/20/politics/Probe-launched-on-courts-video-clips-scandal-30140473.html
The vitally important issue is, of course, the validity of the video clips – were they or were they not an accurate reflection of what happened?
An investigation into who took recorded the videos is totally beside the most important point.
This is par for the course in Thailand. Everyone’s attention will go on the culprit who took the videos, there will be no published outcome to the investigation ( there never is), even if Pasit is the man, and everyone will be expected to believe the matter is solved (in Thailand ‘being solved’ = “solved”).
Joesph Goebbels would be very pleased.
The March to Putrajaya
Thanks very much Liberty for the link.
UMNO/BN still doing their best to control the new media – an effort in futility I believe.
Paintbox of contemporary Thai political discourse
‘Paintbox’ might be a very apt title. How would we know if anyone actually read any of these books? They all do seem to make a flashy display on the bookshelf. Works the same way on your coffee table at home, I’d imagine, if you’re the sort who entertains ‘friends from work’ at home..
The ghosts of September 2006
But most assume that the bombings are the work of the military themselves. He does mention that ‘some think so’ further on… but puts it in the realm of ‘conspiracy theories’ in the same breath.
Neo-liberals don’t bat an eye at authoritarian governments. They like ’em. Every currency is up against the dollar, US printing presses are running full-speed, Free Money! Borrow it here and lend it there and live on the difference. The US Fed is going to inflate away the exploding US debt, apparently.
I guess you published this as a sort of “and here’s what the people in Vancouver are reading about Thailand” piece?
Topics for future discussion on New Mandala
Vichai N: This isn’t a trick to get you in trouble or a way to underline the taboo on talking about the monarchy, but what do you mean by “(d) The Thai Prince continue to be more ‘invisible’ to the Thai public.”? I see him many nights on the Royal news, so I assume it is some sort of elliptical reference, but I just don’t get it. Anyone else?
The ghosts of September 2006
Sorry not really related to this article but didn’t know where to post.
Anyone else having problems accessing NM in Thailand.
I have not been able to access for a couple of weeks now (except on proxy server). Page comes up as “connection reset”
I’m on 3BB in Chiang Mai. My internet works OK and no problems with other sites.
Topics for future discussion on New Mandala
“Constitution Court president Chat Chonlaworn has appointed a fact-finding panel to investigate into the video clips scandal which leaked the debate in the judges’ private chambers related to the Democrat Party dissolution trial……” (The Nation)
Even with the video clip scandal, now can easily be found in youtube, this general’s hand is getting itchy to launch a coup.
The March to Putrajaya
Malaysian users with their internet services provided by TMnet (a quasi state-owned entity) are being blocked from accessing themarchtoputrajaya.com. TMnet users who wish to read Kim Quek’s banned book can go to themarchtoputrajaya.wordpress.com instead.
The ghosts of September 2006
So what else is new? This is the same old story about the noble military coming to the rescue of the Thai Kingdom which otherwise cannot be saved byany other hands deemed disloyal somehow. In short, no one but the military can save this holy kingdom. And so, common Thai citizens, it’s your lot to suffer to no end. At best, your country is pseudo-democratic, and they use you as some kind of excuse.
Topics for future discussion on New Mandala
“What would happen if we had the perfect storm of a returned Thaksin and a royal succession at the same time?” (Les #38)
A perfect storm to you Les, but to the Reds it will be just perfect, thank you!
Answers:
(a) Bangkok bombings stops. (This answers Leah Hoyt #35)
(b) Thailand’s SET index drops like an anchor (time to buy Siam Cement???)
(c) All the Thai fugitives in exile (all pals of Thaksin BTW) including Kamnan Poh return to Thailand . . . happy days are back!
(d) The Thai Prince continue to be more ‘invisible’ to the Thai public.
(e) An indefinitely very long mourning in Thailand prevail, and, while politicians of all colors jockey for power, a General grabs power by coup of course . . . TO RESTORE ORDER!
Review of Bombay Anna
To Suriyon Raiwa: Susan Morgan is one of a small number of scholars (including the reviewer, Susan Kepner, and myself) who are intrigued by the life and legacy of Anna Leonowens. I have also explored the understanding of “romance” pertaining to Anna’s work in a chapter in my 2008 scholarly book, Imagining Siam: A Travellers’ Literary Guide to Thailand (Monash Asia Institute). You might be interested to know that Alfred Habegger, a retired US academic who is now an independent scholar, is also writing a biography of Anna. Habegger co-wrote a very interesting recent paper on her years in Australia in the 1850s. Here is a link: http://bit.ly/ae2Mlu
Topics for future discussion on New Mandala
I think the following could make a good discussion.
What sort of Thailand would we have if Thaksin returns next year?
Myself, I suspect the odds favour that happening, especially with the Democrats in trouble and their main coalition partner showing the usual face of corrupt political parties in Thailand.
If he were to return, how would the balance of government and military work out? Would Thaksin need to make the army his own or would he be able to work with the new army commander?
What would happen if we had the perfect storm of a returned Thaksin and a royal succession at the same time?