I think she should have invited the guy to leave the class.
Often a minority of students, among the random collection of young people who are apparently compelled to show up for classes, are interested in learning and guys like this are just saboteurs trying to make sure that no one derives anything of value from the proceeding.
No need to smash the guy’s phone though… “There’s the door, good-bye” would have been sufficient.
I asked AI Thailand for an explanation as to why they remain silent on LM cases on my facebook account(several times).No answer.But they did eventually communicate with me by sending me an application form to join AI Thailand.Trouble was the age limit was 25.(Do you really have the worldly exp and drive at 25 ?) I’d jolly well take them up on their offer if I wasn’t double the age. I do realise of course this reply might have been a bit of leg pulling by them or some of AIT “junior”staff to keep me quiet.Very unsatisfactory state of affairs all round if you ask me.
Am not sure whether or not Ralph Kramden understands or ‘reads’ his own poster (#43) . . .
All four countries Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Burma were blessed with abundant natural resources and nearly the same population (Indonesia had twice the number of people). If I recall right, Philippines and Burma were the two countries thought to possess the most potential after WWII to grew economically the fastest in the region.
All these countries were facing nearly the same development challenges and handicaps. But I maintain that Thailand had the advantage of their HMK Bhumibhol providing the ‘guiding light’ that tempered runaway corruption/authoritarian abuses by both elected or military leaders.
Take my word for it. Thailand is a blessed country. And HMK Bhumibhol is a blessing to Thailand period.
There was another local beer available, last time I visited : called Lan Xang, about 500 kip cheaper – slightley different taste but
as good as dear old Beer Lao, from what I remember.
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Vietnam Committee on Human Rights (VCHR) regret to inform you that our organisations have decided to cancel the press conference planned for September 13th, 2010 at the FCCT to launch our report, “From “vision” to facts: human rights in Vietnam under its chairmanship of ASEAN,” due to the fact that both of our speakers have been denied entry into Thailand by the Thai authorities. Please inform your members and others accordingly.
I would say that the vast majority of Lao speaking people (if I may call their native language ‘Lao’) in Isaan see themselves as being Thai and not Lao. I know my relatives, who are pretty typical Isaan farmers, feel that way. Don’t underestimate the power of the education system in Isaan since the 1930s or 1940s to indoctrinate the average person about being ‘Thai’. However, it is also certainly true that there is a small and potentially growing number of people in Isaan who feel disenfranchised with the central government in Thailand. Will this make them feel more ‘Lao’, or just not connected to central Thailand? Or both? I think this is an open question, one that only time will tell. I have heard some say that they would like to separate from central Thailand, but those people have not suggested that they would like to become integrated into Laos.
One has to wonder if the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ reaction is related to the blow-up that occurred after Sam Rainsy of the Sam Rainsy Party in Cambodia (the opposition to the Cambodia People’s Party of Hun Sen) spoke at the FCCT. It would appear that Sam Rainsy’s appearance at the FCCT upset Hun Sen a great deal, and was at least part of the reason for him deciding to make Thaksin his special economic advisor.
My children were at school in Thailand in an English program Thai curriculum school. They were often beaten by the Thai teachers, but never by the Farang English teachers. A year and a half a ago we came back to England and started state school in the UK. Not only is it free….it is excellent. My older son, who was kept behind one year in Thailand, has lots of one on one time with special needs teachers and is with children of the same age. My second son had emmotional problems (relating to police corruption in Thailand), which he has almost completely recovered from. They put him in an anger-management playtime activity, where he had to write down and discuss all of his frustrations with other children. All of my children are now very well balanced, popular, happy and very motivated about learning and exploring the world of knowledge. They have all been awarded learning certificates throughout the year.
I cannot begin to describe how this alone has changed my mind about living in Thailand.
MattB says: “Had Indonesia and the Philippines been blessed with a King like Thailand’s, these countries would have prospered immensely more definitely . . . you can take my word for it.”
There seems no reason to take such a value judgment as fact.
He goes on: “But if not, just compare how Thailand had zoomed up in prosperity, past Philippines, Indonesia, Burma which are countries possessing same potentials as Thailand at the end of WWII . . . but had lagged terribly behind.”
What does it show? No per capita GDP for 1945, but we do have it for 1950. Thailand and Indonesia are about the same then. Burma already lags by 1950 (political instability, ethnic separatism perhaps contributing) and that would seem to have little to do with Thailand having a particular monarch. Malaysia and Singapore are already ahead. Thailand does not surpass Philippines until 1977 but had passed Indonesia in 1960. Thailand really doesn’t begin to pull away from the Philippines until the early 1980s, as the Philippines struggles to recover from the Marcos plunder. Singapore streaks ahead and Malaysia stays in front of Thailand, although the gap is closed somewhat in the early 1990s.
Not sure there is any evidence at all in this to suggest that having a particular king makes any difference. Population matters, plunder matters – kleptocracies vs. “good corruption”. World Bank economists argue that policies matter (but that ends up making a case for East Asian developmentalist states, not monarchs). And so on….
“While the Royal Thai Government attaches great importance to the principles of freedom of expression and diversity of views, it also has a long-standing position of not allowing organizations and/or persons to use Thailand as a place to conduct activities detrimental to other countries”.
Well the first half of this sentence is debatable for a number of reasons that have been canvassed extensively on this site and elsewhere.
But what of the second part? Why does the Thai government assume that criticism and exposure of human rights abuses will be detrimental to Vietnam. It may be detrimental to the Government but it could be beneficial for the country as a whole and beneficial for its inhabitants who may have suffered human rights abuses. The spotlight shone on the government might lead them to improve the human rights situation.
Governments are not countries and their activities need to be constantly monitored. For the country’s sake.
Since the editors blocked my response to #13, I reckon it will remain unchallenged. Your business dealings with the Burmese Military Intelligence were explicit in The Scourge of Burma, part 6.
Moe Aung is not a pseudonym. Hla Oo is according to comment #4 in The Scourge of Burma, part 2.
Doing something like this would not be acceptable in an institution like the one I teach at (a public university), and rightly so. Students do need to respect teachers, but teachers also need to respect students.
Commanding indeed, Grant. Since this post is about Lao celebrations and histriography, it is indeed time we got round to the very essence of life in Laos, sitting around having a drink. Here of course the New Laos made its greatest leap forward by introducing Beer Lao as the replacement of 333, an tired-old French-Viet concoction which was like lamvong itself — 3 steps ahead, 3 sideways, and 3 back and wow, what a surprise, we’ve made a circle and are where we started from, apart from the free gift of a UXO-hangover. Never mind. Cheers.
As a fellow university instructor let me say to you that if you respect this teacher for doing what you dream of doing then you may need a break from work or, perhaps, you are in the wrong profession.
Teaching is about respecting the students as much as demanding respect. It is about earning your own respect instead of thinking that it will simply be given to you.
Teaching should be about finding a connection with students and inspiring them to be something more than they are today.
The teacher in the video was faced with an opportunity to help her student develop; perhaps to teach him how to be more respectful. She was faced wide array of choices about how to do that and made what was probably the worst choice available short of physically harming the student.
Students may, indeed, be rude and disrespectful. Insofar as they are young they may have some excuse.
What excuse did this teacher have? Is she too young or inexperienced? Does she lack emotional stability? Was she having a really bad day?
Whatever the reason, the shame in this video belongs not to the student but to the teacher.
You may “dream” about this sort of behaviour, but, in spite of getting mad in a similar situation, you don’t engage in it. That is to your credit, and a sign of your maturity.
Your support for this teacher, however is not to your credit, in my opinion. I suggest you reconsider your public support of her childish behaviour and hold your own maturity up as the more laudable model.
It’s a very interesting question, MattB (39). Why did Thailand get ahead of the Philippines, Indonesia, and Burma? There are undoubtedly many reasons. One is help from the US (but the Philippines had that too). Another is that Thailand has got on top of its population problem earlier. Fewer children, with greater investment per head from their parents and from the State, has meant that Thais are now a more productive people. The reasons why this has happened seem to be mainly connected with religion. Buddhism is not so obsessed with out-populating its rivals as are Islam and Rome-based Christianity. Why then is Burma so poor? Here I would answer, partly a combination of militarism, and hindrance from the US. Thailand is also severely afflicted with militarism. Why its advantage? Kings, laws of succession, and all the associated ceremonial mumbo-jumbo tend to ameliorate the misery of a militaristic state. They do so by providing a focus of loyalty and stability that lessens the probability of leadership being decided by civil war. There is no greater tyranny than that of a general in fear of imminent death at the hands of his own people.
I apologise for over-simplifying, but I’m not as guilty of this as MattB. Putting Thailand’s comparative good fortune down to the efforts of one man is less a flash of historical brilliance than a sign of devotion to a cult of personality.
I think the issue here is violent behavior. Regardless to who’s right and who’s wrong, it should never have to involve violent action. There are many other better disciplinary measures than resorting to violence. We should never allow violence as an accepted norm.
You choose to ignore the billions of dollars of American aid, expenditures and protection during the worst periods of mismanagement and dictatorship in Thailand’s history. Had there been no US involvement, we would be comparing Thailand to Cambodia, not Philippines.
But I slightly agree with you that comparing the King to Suharto is off the mark. Suharto was directly and intimately involved in the kleptocratic system. In Thailand, it is the widening circles AROUND the monarchy as per McCargo’s analysis.
Thaksin should have stuck w/ Thai hi-tech (Shin/Advance Info) investments and spared himself and his family and his party pain (that won’t heal) . . . by that most grievous of investing error: SELLING MUCH TOO EARLY.
Was Thaksin macho and brave . . . to hide at Montenegro?
Was Thaksin a brilliant investor by divesting too early his Thai holdings (the man was in a hurry, wasn’t he)?
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Abhisit and Thailand’s bad men
Well done MattB, stick with ideological nonsense.
Teaching tips – how to keep students engaged
I think she should have invited the guy to leave the class.
Often a minority of students, among the random collection of young people who are apparently compelled to show up for classes, are interested in learning and guys like this are just saboteurs trying to make sure that no one derives anything of value from the proceeding.
No need to smash the guy’s phone though… “There’s the door, good-bye” would have been sufficient.
Amnesty’s silence on lese majeste
I asked AI Thailand for an explanation as to why they remain silent on LM cases on my facebook account(several times).No answer.But they did eventually communicate with me by sending me an application form to join AI Thailand.Trouble was the age limit was 25.(Do you really have the worldly exp and drive at 25 ?) I’d jolly well take them up on their offer if I wasn’t double the age. I do realise of course this reply might have been a bit of leg pulling by them or some of AIT “junior”staff to keep me quiet.Very unsatisfactory state of affairs all round if you ask me.
Abhisit and Thailand’s bad men
Am not sure whether or not Ralph Kramden understands or ‘reads’ his own poster (#43) . . .
All four countries Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Burma were blessed with abundant natural resources and nearly the same population (Indonesia had twice the number of people). If I recall right, Philippines and Burma were the two countries thought to possess the most potential after WWII to grew economically the fastest in the region.
All these countries were facing nearly the same development challenges and handicaps. But I maintain that Thailand had the advantage of their HMK Bhumibhol providing the ‘guiding light’ that tempered runaway corruption/authoritarian abuses by both elected or military leaders.
Take my word for it. Thailand is a blessed country. And HMK Bhumibhol is a blessing to Thailand period.
National celebrations and historiography in Laos
There was another local beer available, last time I visited : called Lan Xang, about 500 kip cheaper – slightley different taste but
as good as dear old Beer Lao, from what I remember.
FCCT under pressure to cancel press conference
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Vietnam Committee on Human Rights (VCHR) regret to inform you that our organisations have decided to cancel the press conference planned for September 13th, 2010 at the FCCT to launch our report, “From “vision” to facts: human rights in Vietnam under its chairmanship of ASEAN,” due to the fact that both of our speakers have been denied entry into Thailand by the Thai authorities. Please inform your members and others accordingly.
National celebrations and historiography in Laos
I would say that the vast majority of Lao speaking people (if I may call their native language ‘Lao’) in Isaan see themselves as being Thai and not Lao. I know my relatives, who are pretty typical Isaan farmers, feel that way. Don’t underestimate the power of the education system in Isaan since the 1930s or 1940s to indoctrinate the average person about being ‘Thai’. However, it is also certainly true that there is a small and potentially growing number of people in Isaan who feel disenfranchised with the central government in Thailand. Will this make them feel more ‘Lao’, or just not connected to central Thailand? Or both? I think this is an open question, one that only time will tell. I have heard some say that they would like to separate from central Thailand, but those people have not suggested that they would like to become integrated into Laos.
FCCT under pressure to cancel press conference
One has to wonder if the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ reaction is related to the blow-up that occurred after Sam Rainsy of the Sam Rainsy Party in Cambodia (the opposition to the Cambodia People’s Party of Hun Sen) spoke at the FCCT. It would appear that Sam Rainsy’s appearance at the FCCT upset Hun Sen a great deal, and was at least part of the reason for him deciding to make Thaksin his special economic advisor.
Teaching tips – how to keep students engaged
My children were at school in Thailand in an English program Thai curriculum school. They were often beaten by the Thai teachers, but never by the Farang English teachers. A year and a half a ago we came back to England and started state school in the UK. Not only is it free….it is excellent. My older son, who was kept behind one year in Thailand, has lots of one on one time with special needs teachers and is with children of the same age. My second son had emmotional problems (relating to police corruption in Thailand), which he has almost completely recovered from. They put him in an anger-management playtime activity, where he had to write down and discuss all of his frustrations with other children. All of my children are now very well balanced, popular, happy and very motivated about learning and exploring the world of knowledge. They have all been awarded learning certificates throughout the year.
I cannot begin to describe how this alone has changed my mind about living in Thailand.
Abhisit and Thailand’s bad men
MattB says: “Had Indonesia and the Philippines been blessed with a King like Thailand’s, these countries would have prospered immensely more definitely . . . you can take my word for it.”
There seems no reason to take such a value judgment as fact.
He goes on: “But if not, just compare how Thailand had zoomed up in prosperity, past Philippines, Indonesia, Burma which are countries possessing same potentials as Thailand at the end of WWII . . . but had lagged terribly behind.”
So let’s look at available data…. That’s a challenge, as the data is a bit difficult to read in the earlier periods. But try this as the recognized standard: http://www.ggdc.net/maddison/Historical…/horizontal-file_03-2007.xls
What does it show? No per capita GDP for 1945, but we do have it for 1950. Thailand and Indonesia are about the same then. Burma already lags by 1950 (political instability, ethnic separatism perhaps contributing) and that would seem to have little to do with Thailand having a particular monarch. Malaysia and Singapore are already ahead. Thailand does not surpass Philippines until 1977 but had passed Indonesia in 1960. Thailand really doesn’t begin to pull away from the Philippines until the early 1980s, as the Philippines struggles to recover from the Marcos plunder. Singapore streaks ahead and Malaysia stays in front of Thailand, although the gap is closed somewhat in the early 1990s.
Not sure there is any evidence at all in this to suggest that having a particular king makes any difference. Population matters, plunder matters – kleptocracies vs. “good corruption”. World Bank economists argue that policies matter (but that ends up making a case for East Asian developmentalist states, not monarchs). And so on….
FCCT under pressure to cancel press conference
“While the Royal Thai Government attaches great importance to the principles of freedom of expression and diversity of views, it also has a long-standing position of not allowing organizations and/or persons to use Thailand as a place to conduct activities detrimental to other countries”.
Well the first half of this sentence is debatable for a number of reasons that have been canvassed extensively on this site and elsewhere.
But what of the second part? Why does the Thai government assume that criticism and exposure of human rights abuses will be detrimental to Vietnam. It may be detrimental to the Government but it could be beneficial for the country as a whole and beneficial for its inhabitants who may have suffered human rights abuses. The spotlight shone on the government might lead them to improve the human rights situation.
Governments are not countries and their activities need to be constantly monitored. For the country’s sake.
Burma in Limbo, Part 2
Hla Oo
Since the editors blocked my response to #13, I reckon it will remain unchallenged. Your business dealings with the Burmese Military Intelligence were explicit in The Scourge of Burma, part 6.
Moe Aung is not a pseudonym. Hla Oo is according to comment #4 in The Scourge of Burma, part 2.
Teaching tips – how to keep students engaged
Doing something like this would not be acceptable in an institution like the one I teach at (a public university), and rightly so. Students do need to respect teachers, but teachers also need to respect students.
National celebrations and historiography in Laos
Commanding indeed, Grant. Since this post is about Lao celebrations and histriography, it is indeed time we got round to the very essence of life in Laos, sitting around having a drink. Here of course the New Laos made its greatest leap forward by introducing Beer Lao as the replacement of 333, an tired-old French-Viet concoction which was like lamvong itself — 3 steps ahead, 3 sideways, and 3 back and wow, what a surprise, we’ve made a circle and are where we started from, apart from the free gift of a UXO-hangover. Never mind. Cheers.
Teaching tips – how to keep students engaged
Alex,
As a fellow university instructor let me say to you that if you respect this teacher for doing what you dream of doing then you may need a break from work or, perhaps, you are in the wrong profession.
Teaching is about respecting the students as much as demanding respect. It is about earning your own respect instead of thinking that it will simply be given to you.
Teaching should be about finding a connection with students and inspiring them to be something more than they are today.
The teacher in the video was faced with an opportunity to help her student develop; perhaps to teach him how to be more respectful. She was faced wide array of choices about how to do that and made what was probably the worst choice available short of physically harming the student.
Students may, indeed, be rude and disrespectful. Insofar as they are young they may have some excuse.
What excuse did this teacher have? Is she too young or inexperienced? Does she lack emotional stability? Was she having a really bad day?
Whatever the reason, the shame in this video belongs not to the student but to the teacher.
You may “dream” about this sort of behaviour, but, in spite of getting mad in a similar situation, you don’t engage in it. That is to your credit, and a sign of your maturity.
Your support for this teacher, however is not to your credit, in my opinion. I suggest you reconsider your public support of her childish behaviour and hold your own maturity up as the more laudable model.
Bill
Abhisit and Thailand’s bad men
It’s a very interesting question, MattB (39). Why did Thailand get ahead of the Philippines, Indonesia, and Burma? There are undoubtedly many reasons. One is help from the US (but the Philippines had that too). Another is that Thailand has got on top of its population problem earlier. Fewer children, with greater investment per head from their parents and from the State, has meant that Thais are now a more productive people. The reasons why this has happened seem to be mainly connected with religion. Buddhism is not so obsessed with out-populating its rivals as are Islam and Rome-based Christianity. Why then is Burma so poor? Here I would answer, partly a combination of militarism, and hindrance from the US. Thailand is also severely afflicted with militarism. Why its advantage? Kings, laws of succession, and all the associated ceremonial mumbo-jumbo tend to ameliorate the misery of a militaristic state. They do so by providing a focus of loyalty and stability that lessens the probability of leadership being decided by civil war. There is no greater tyranny than that of a general in fear of imminent death at the hands of his own people.
I apologise for over-simplifying, but I’m not as guilty of this as MattB. Putting Thailand’s comparative good fortune down to the efforts of one man is less a flash of historical brilliance than a sign of devotion to a cult of personality.
Teaching tips – how to keep students engaged
In most western countries the teacher would quite rightly be subject to disciplinary proceedings.
Teaching tips – how to keep students engaged
I think the issue here is violent behavior. Regardless to who’s right and who’s wrong, it should never have to involve violent action. There are many other better disciplinary measures than resorting to violence. We should never allow violence as an accepted norm.
Abhisit and Thailand’s bad men
Mattb @39:
You choose to ignore the billions of dollars of American aid, expenditures and protection during the worst periods of mismanagement and dictatorship in Thailand’s history. Had there been no US involvement, we would be comparing Thailand to Cambodia, not Philippines.
But I slightly agree with you that comparing the King to Suharto is off the mark. Suharto was directly and intimately involved in the kleptocratic system. In Thailand, it is the widening circles AROUND the monarchy as per McCargo’s analysis.
Thailand’s hungry military
But Thaksin is rapidly diversifying . . . to blood diamonds maybe . . . based on recent news.
http://thailandjumpedtheshark.blogspot.com/2009/11/thaksins-blood-gold.html
http://asiancorrespondent.com/breakingnews/thaksin-meets-nelson-mandela.htm
Thaksin should have stuck w/ Thai hi-tech (Shin/Advance Info) investments and spared himself and his family and his party pain (that won’t heal) . . . by that most grievous of investing error: SELLING MUCH TOO EARLY.
Was Thaksin macho and brave . . . to hide at Montenegro?
Was Thaksin a brilliant investor by divesting too early his Thai holdings (the man was in a hurry, wasn’t he)?