In my opinion the US has a heavy moral responsibility to assist with UXO clearance in Laos. It would also be a practical use of some of international development assistance provided by other countries – far too much of which is wasted.
Would you care to give us a source for the ‘assassination’ assertions below? Pardon my scepticism, but this seems completely unfounded and somewhat difficult to believe to me.
“no one has mentioned that on 4 September 2010 yet another Red Shirt former unarmed guard, 21 year old Krisadaa Klaahaan died from injuries received after an assassination attempt by certain state apparatus on 20 September 2010 as he was walking home with his girlfriend in Chiangmai from the market. The orders came through Abhisit & CRES.”
@Nganadeeleg: I hardly think a comparison with *three* other countries can be considered a ‘regional’ comparison, particularly when it doesn’t even include *China*.
Nor do I think an increase of < 0.5% is significant when it has been declining for the last 20 years.
In fact the headline is, in true New Mandala style, rather misleading.
Bill, re- your NM contribution, just a quick note- it was found that many meuang, not just chiangmai, constitute a high percentage of yellow shirts because of their access to satellite ASTV, and because many traders and urban elites in provincial towns aspire to “privilege like the amaat” (as one person told me during fieldwork). The mass of red shirt support in the north, with exceptions of course, actually comes mainly from surrounding villages, small market centres and nearby district towns… This is the same in Isaan. Secondly, statistically, it would be found that the internal migration to Chiangmai from BKK has been significant among the middleclasses since the late 1980s seeking a better lifestyle and escaping the polluted & crowded metropolis. No doubt they bring their ideological and political values and aspirations with them.
Its pretty normal practice, after the 66/23 being issued and all the ex-communist members being assimilated back to society there were many report about mystery killing and abduction of those ex-communist members so what you said is totally possible, but then again, should sort of practice shouldn’t be encourage in fashion.
Moreover, I want to stress about your perception about red propaganda is that, there’s nothing wrong about reporting wrong or mislead news as long as the plaintiff can sue the offender and so on. If you accuse the red of using single sources indoctrinate then ASTV Manager is as guilty as such. However, banning them just because they say something opposite of you is unacceptable, no matter which side.
Will & others, I believe it is real fear out there; people need to be careful about exposing themselves to anyone because CRES has sent people, including according to one informant wives so as to talk to families, communities, to probe and find out where individuals stand in terms of (anti-fascist) resistance. People who were outspoken and active during the protests are traced one by one (their pictures were taken). Two are curently being watched at this time. Three core leaders have already been killed in Lumpoon, and one core leader in Chiangmai. People cannot keep moving/hiding because it is just not feasible and there is no forest these days. Surachai Saedang has just given a talk to tell people to stay low as there is no point in being a sitting target at this stage…
Tarrin C17. No it wasnt about reds setting it up. To be honest Im not sure I want to go into lots of detail here. Suffice to say, if a bit simplisticially, that certain people seeing the police inaction of April/May decided other methods were more appropriate – outside of CRES/military/government chain of command too.
By the way, there are and always have been plenty of killings in Thailand carried out by military/police not acting on commands of their military/police superiors.
WD C18. I would say that identifying the killing with Abhisit/CRES is wrong and missing what is happening. It is however, effective propaganda especially if used in the single source indoctrination centers that were precviously set up by the red movement. I dont know if they still continue or if they have seen funding dry up or been closed down by the authorities. Look to how red propagandists state anythign as fact without any evidence and even when something like the Abhisit tape is shown to be fake they still continue to state it is real. The weird thing here is why is it being spun in the wrong direction?
I really wonder if the Americans really want to donate more and are being held back by guilt or fear of being publicly shamed. Seems much more likely that it’s just not an issue for them.
The convention itself does not mandate that the users of cluster weapons clean them up it just suggests it would be a good idea. I don’t think de-mining is holding up US signing the treaty. They have a long history of not signing any treaties that limit their military power without some sort of military gain.
If I was Laos I’d be inviting in PLA de-mining teams and talking to US de-mining companies to create the push and the pull that would put it on Washington’s agenda.
The problem with the Thai lese majeste law is that anyone can lodge a complaint. If Thailand needs or wants such a law, lodging such a complaint should be restricted to the Royal Household Office (or whatever its official title is
One thing these underdeveloped countries love doing: to equip themselves with military paraphernalia so they will appear tough, while deep down they are completely unreliable. And the big powers that produce weapons can hardly hide their smiles at the foolishness of the poor but ambitious cousins.
I got the info from Thairath, I think that’s why CRES send people to Thairath to “warn” them about how they report their news, then later on Suthep came out and deny that they are going to close down Thairath.
Regarding the above comment (which I enjoyed): while I was conducting research in Vientiane in 2003 (pre-dissertation research for a dissertation that didn’t happen!), I observed an animated card game between my wife’s cousin and his employees in his air conditioning business. One player pointed his hand in the air and commanded the other players to stop (“yut kawn!”) because he had a good hand. Another player commented on the gesture by joking, “Ahh, you’re being like Fa Ngum!” (“kheu Fa Ngum, noh!”). I realized it was a comparison to the newly-built statue’s commanding pose. The brief moment seemed to say so much…
[…] While Western nations have long turned a blind eye to events like the recent Bangkok Massacres, one of the world’s major arms exporters appears to have finally stood up to the Thai military. Today, without a hint of embarrassment, government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn explained to the Bangkok Post that Germany declined to sell to Thailand a batch of Deutz BF 6m015 engines, in accordance with a European Union policy that prohibits the sale of weaponry to governments that systematically use violence to suppress or deny the rights of their citizens. The engines were meant to complement the purchase of ninety-six armored personnel carriers from Ukraine. The Thai government will have no trouble buying the military equipment it wants. The Royal Thai Army, after all, was just rewarded for the zeal with which it shielded the Abhisit administration from the terrifying prospect of an election with a vastly increased military budget – when measured as a percentage of GDP, now almost twice as large as it was during Thaksin Shinawatra’s tenure in office. […]
Tarrin (no. 3) mentioned a 21 year old killed recently – is this the same person you are referring to or have there been two killings that you know of?
I have been down to Wat Prasing where the funeral for the deceased is being held and actually managed to meet his father. All are of course devestated. Reports given to me however differ from some of the details mentioned above. No one is aware of witnesses and there is no talk that the killer was in uniform (which may be a little contradictory! I guess the point being made is that noone was seen in uniform). The suspicion is that the killer was from a regiment in Lopburi, and yes, an M16 was the weapon.
Jim, I certainly think there are people who care about these things, not least those who come and pay respects to the young man nightly (the funeral is still a few days off).
I for one, for whatever reason, actually find your ‘wild speculations’ as someone else put it, very interesting. Can you offer any substantiation however for what you’ve said here about CRES / AV?
Jim, the funny thing is, and this is coming from multiple sources, that the Reds dont convey overwhleming fear as you suggest. The sense is of defiance and anger. Of course, this is just anecdotal, but its from more than just one casual acquaintance if you get my drift. It could of course just be bravado, but regardless, the sense is – at least from the ‘hardcore’ Reds – that they wont be intimidated into submission.
Tarrin, no set up here. Real dead body, real M16 bullets etc. No need to paint the military as bad guys.
Nganadeeleg (#33 and #35) is getting tediously coy with indirect allusions to invisible ‘constant powers’ . . . and now CIA (#35) too?
CIA responsible for the rise and fall of rogue leaders in the globe?
Rogue leaders rise because of their deviousness and disregard for democratic rules-of-conduct. Rogue leaders fall because of their deviousness and disregard for democratic rules-of-conduct . . . with or without the so called invisible unnamed ‘constant powers’.
Roy #12 – an excellent post.
This has been my experience also, of traveling fairly extensively throughout Lao PDR.
Lao don’t consider themselves “Thai” at all.
The current question is : do Lao Isaarn think of themselves as “Thai” ?
I would argue “Thai” state efforts to indoctrinate “Thai” nationalism into the minds of Lao Isaarn have not been as successful as efforts by the Lao PDR Government to promote Lao nationalism. Perhaps because of Lao PDR one-party statism, but arguably because of a more fundamental trans-Mekong nationalism.
Ricefield Radio #12 &15, JT#14, Nobody#16 :
several factors at work here need (further) mentioning –
1) the current peace efforts between Peua Thai and at least some elements within the governing parties.
2) linked to this is the fact that it is not simply repression which is keeping the lid on things right now – though JT is to be congratulated for being one of the few highlighting this (Bangkok Post to its’ great credit has given guarded coverage, ditto The Nation).
It is also a widespread assessment am0ng the Red Shirts that though “our time is coming”, the time is not ripe just yet. General Prem – 90 years old – is still alive.
3) Certainly the widespread silence is making it much more difficult for journalists to cover what is really happening in Lanna and Isaarn – not that many, apart from Seth Mydans, did much (or anything) to cover what was building up in the rural heartland of those regions, until the Songkran riots and then this years’ burning of Bangkok.
4) Has anyone heard from Seth recently ??
Kaiser. I agree with you. Government and people are not the same thing and appeals, requests and threats to either had best be couched in appropriate terms. I doubt very must the American people can be expected voluntarily to clean up after their government/their military. Like most Lao, most Americans were not born when the last bomb dropped on Laos – “Not my problem”. The American people have already contributed through such organisations as the Quakers and the Mennonites – neither group mainstream-America any more than pastors in Florida threatening to burn books. My words are aimed more at the signatories to the Convention. Many of those countries – Norway, Denmark, France, Germany, UK – the ‘junior partners’ of the USA – picked up parts of the tab in programmes related to humanitarian issues related to SE Asia in the past, and such internationalisation in most cases greatly increased the US govt contribution. I am simply recommending that the November meeting in Vientiane try to get the USA on board with assistance to those injured by UXO and in the tremendous job of a clean up long overdue. I doubt the US will officially attend the meeting, but it will observe what happens there. Alienating the US at this point by pushing the US to sign the Convention or admit liability, could be counter-productive and produce the opposite effect to that intended.
You are right that the US might be worried a bit about China’s influence in Laos. That hopefully will be another prod towards helping resolve the UXO problem. But I think there is no need to mention China, just as there is no need to mention the war. The US knows where its interests lie. And if for a few billion (not million) Washington can gain points internationally and particularly within ASEAN+, it might just reach into the American people’s pocket and drop some small change into the alms bowl. Might.
What kind of information is that? As far as a report from Thairath said, the gunman was wearing military issued uniform (not the full combat gear thought but rather the one for day to day activity) and the gun is confirm by witness to be the M16. It might be a set up set my the red themselves to pain the military as a bad guys, but then again that beg the question why the government never attempt to arrest them or make any denouncement.
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Laos, please don’t mention the war
In my opinion the US has a heavy moral responsibility to assist with UXO clearance in Laos. It would also be a practical use of some of international development assistance provided by other countries – far too much of which is wasted.
The red’s northern challenge
Jim
Would you care to give us a source for the ‘assassination’ assertions below? Pardon my scepticism, but this seems completely unfounded and somewhat difficult to believe to me.
“no one has mentioned that on 4 September 2010 yet another Red Shirt former unarmed guard, 21 year old Krisadaa Klaahaan died from injuries received after an assassination attempt by certain state apparatus on 20 September 2010 as he was walking home with his girlfriend in Chiangmai from the market. The orders came through Abhisit & CRES.”
Thailand’s hungry military
@Nganadeeleg: I hardly think a comparison with *three* other countries can be considered a ‘regional’ comparison, particularly when it doesn’t even include *China*.
Nor do I think an increase of < 0.5% is significant when it has been declining for the last 20 years.
In fact the headline is, in true New Mandala style, rather misleading.
The red’s northern challenge
Bill, re- your NM contribution, just a quick note- it was found that many meuang, not just chiangmai, constitute a high percentage of yellow shirts because of their access to satellite ASTV, and because many traders and urban elites in provincial towns aspire to “privilege like the amaat” (as one person told me during fieldwork). The mass of red shirt support in the north, with exceptions of course, actually comes mainly from surrounding villages, small market centres and nearby district towns… This is the same in Isaan. Secondly, statistically, it would be found that the internal migration to Chiangmai from BKK has been significant among the middleclasses since the late 1980s seeking a better lifestyle and escaping the polluted & crowded metropolis. No doubt they bring their ideological and political values and aspirations with them.
The red’s northern challenge
Nobody – 20
Its pretty normal practice, after the 66/23 being issued and all the ex-communist members being assimilated back to society there were many report about mystery killing and abduction of those ex-communist members so what you said is totally possible, but then again, should sort of practice shouldn’t be encourage in fashion.
Moreover, I want to stress about your perception about red propaganda is that, there’s nothing wrong about reporting wrong or mislead news as long as the plaintiff can sue the offender and so on. If you accuse the red of using single sources indoctrinate then ASTV Manager is as guilty as such. However, banning them just because they say something opposite of you is unacceptable, no matter which side.
The red’s northern challenge
Will & others, I believe it is real fear out there; people need to be careful about exposing themselves to anyone because CRES has sent people, including according to one informant wives so as to talk to families, communities, to probe and find out where individuals stand in terms of (anti-fascist) resistance. People who were outspoken and active during the protests are traced one by one (their pictures were taken). Two are curently being watched at this time. Three core leaders have already been killed in Lumpoon, and one core leader in Chiangmai. People cannot keep moving/hiding because it is just not feasible and there is no forest these days. Surachai Saedang has just given a talk to tell people to stay low as there is no point in being a sitting target at this stage…
The red’s northern challenge
Tarrin C17. No it wasnt about reds setting it up. To be honest Im not sure I want to go into lots of detail here. Suffice to say, if a bit simplisticially, that certain people seeing the police inaction of April/May decided other methods were more appropriate – outside of CRES/military/government chain of command too.
By the way, there are and always have been plenty of killings in Thailand carried out by military/police not acting on commands of their military/police superiors.
WD C18. I would say that identifying the killing with Abhisit/CRES is wrong and missing what is happening. It is however, effective propaganda especially if used in the single source indoctrination centers that were precviously set up by the red movement. I dont know if they still continue or if they have seen funding dry up or been closed down by the authorities. Look to how red propagandists state anythign as fact without any evidence and even when something like the Abhisit tape is shown to be fake they still continue to state it is real. The weird thing here is why is it being spun in the wrong direction?
Laos, please don’t mention the war
I really wonder if the Americans really want to donate more and are being held back by guilt or fear of being publicly shamed. Seems much more likely that it’s just not an issue for them.
The convention itself does not mandate that the users of cluster weapons clean them up it just suggests it would be a good idea. I don’t think de-mining is holding up US signing the treaty. They have a long history of not signing any treaties that limit their military power without some sort of military gain.
If I was Laos I’d be inviting in PLA de-mining teams and talking to US de-mining companies to create the push and the pull that would put it on Washington’s agenda.
Thailand’s royal disgrace
The problem with the Thai lese majeste law is that anyone can lodge a complaint. If Thailand needs or wants such a law, lodging such a complaint should be restricted to the Royal Household Office (or whatever its official title is
Thailand’s hungry military
One thing these underdeveloped countries love doing: to equip themselves with military paraphernalia so they will appear tough, while deep down they are completely unreliable. And the big powers that produce weapons can hardly hide their smiles at the foolishness of the poor but ambitious cousins.
The red’s northern challenge
william duckworth – 18
I got the info from Thairath, I think that’s why CRES send people to Thairath to “warn” them about how they report their news, then later on Suthep came out and deny that they are going to close down Thairath.
National celebrations and historiography in Laos
Regarding the above comment (which I enjoyed): while I was conducting research in Vientiane in 2003 (pre-dissertation research for a dissertation that didn’t happen!), I observed an animated card game between my wife’s cousin and his employees in his air conditioning business. One player pointed his hand in the air and commanded the other players to stop (“yut kawn!”) because he had a good hand. Another player commented on the gesture by joking, “Ahh, you’re being like Fa Ngum!” (“kheu Fa Ngum, noh!”). I realized it was a comparison to the newly-built statue’s commanding pose. The brief moment seemed to say so much…
Thailand’s hungry military
[…] р╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╣Ар╕гр╕╖р╣Ир╕нр╕Зр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Чр╕гр╕▓р╕Ър╕Бр╕▒р╕Щр╕Фр╕╡р╕зр╣Ир╕▓р╕нр╕▓р╕зр╕╕р╕Шр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Бр╕нр╕Зр╕Чр╕▒р╕Юр╣Др╕Чр╕вр╣Гр╕Кр╣Йр╕Бр╕│р╕Ир╕▒р╕Фр╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╕Кр╕▓р╕Кр╕Щр╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╕Хр╕Щр╣Гр╕Щр╣Ар╕Фр╕╖р╕нр╕Щр╣Ар╕бр╕йр╕▓р╕вр╕Щр╣Бр╕ер╕░р╕Юр╕др╕йр╕ар╕▓р╕Др╕б р╣Ар╕Юр╕╖р╣Ир╕нр╕Вр╕▒р╕Фр╕Вр╕зр╕▓р╕Зр╣Др╕бр╣Ир╣Гр╕лр╣Йр╕бр╕╡р╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╣Ар╕ер╕╖р╕нр╕Бр╕Хр╕▒р╣Йр╕Зр╣Бр╕Ър╕Ър╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╕Кр╕▓р╕Шр╕┤р╕Ыр╣Др╕Хр╕вр╕Щр╕▒р╣Йр╕Щ р╕бр╕╡р╣Бр╕лр╕ер╣Ир╕Зр╕Ьр╕ер╕┤р╕Хр╣Гр╕Щр╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╣Ар╕Чр╕ир╣Ар╕кр╕гр╕╡р╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╕Кр╕▓р╕Шр╕┤р╕Ыр╣Др╕Хр╕вр╣Гр╕Щр╕вр╕╕р╣Вр╕гр╕Ы р╕лр╕ер╕▓р╕вр╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╣Ар╕Чр╕ир╣Гр╕Щр╕вр╕╕р╣Вр╕гр╕Ыр╕бр╕╡р╕Щр╣Вр╕вр╕Ър╕▓р╕вр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Ир╕░р╣Др╕бр╣Ир╕Др╣Йр╕▓р╕нр╕▓р╕зр╕╕р╕Шр╕Бр╕▒р╕Ър╕гр╕▒р╕Рр╕Ър╕▓р╕ер╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕бр╕▒р╕Бр╕Ир╕░р╣Гр╕Кр╣Йр╕нр╕▓р╕зр╕╕р╕Шр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Ьр╕ер╕┤р╕Хр╕Вр╕╢р╣Йр╕Щр╣Гр╕Щр╕Хр╣Ир╕▓р╕Зр╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╣Ар╕Чр╕ир╕Фр╕▒р╕Зр╕Бр╕ер╣Ир╕▓р╕зр╕Бр╕Фр╕Вр╕╡р╣Ир╕Эр╣Ир╕▓р╕вр╕Хр╕гр╕Зр╕Вр╣Йр╕▓р╕бр╣Бр╕ер╕░р╕Кр╕Щр╕Бр╕ер╕╕р╣Ир╕бр╕Щр╣Йр╕нр╕вр╣Гр╕Щр╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╣Ар╕Чр╕и р╕нр╕вр╣Ир╕▓р╕Зр╣Др╕гр╕Бр╣Зр╕Хр╕▓р╕б 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р╕Бр╣Зр╣Др╕бр╣Ир╕Др╕зр╕гр╕Ир╕░р╕Чр╕│р╣Вр╕Фр╕вр╣Гр╕Кр╣Йр╕нр╕▓р╕зр╕╕р╕Шр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Ьр╕ер╕┤р╕Хр╣Гр╕Щр╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╣Ар╕Чр╕ир╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Ыр╕Пр╕┤р╕Нр╕▓р╕Ур╕Хр╕Щр╕зр╣Ир╕▓р╕Ир╕░р╕Ыр╕Бр╕Ыр╣Йр╕нр╕Зр╕кр╕┤р╕Чр╕Шр╕┤р╕бр╕Щр╕╕р╕вр╕Кр╕Щр╕Чр╕▒р╣Ир╕зр╣Вр╕ер╕Б р╣Др╕бр╣Ир╕Щр╣Ир╕▓р╕кр╕Зр╕кр╕▒р╕вр╣Ар╕ер╕вр╕зр╣Ир╕▓р╕Щр╕▓р╕вр╕Юр╕ер╣Ар╕лр╕ер╣Ир╕▓р╕Щр╕╡р╣Йр╕Ир╕░р╣Др╕Ыр╕Лр╕╖р╣Йр╕нр╕нр╕▓р╕зр╕╕р╕Шр╕Ир╕▓р╕Бр╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╣Ар╕Чр╕ир╕нр╕╖р╣Ир╕Щ р╣Бр╕Хр╣Ир╕нр╕вр╣Ир╕▓р╕Зр╣Др╕гр╕Бр╣Зр╕Хр╕▓р╕б р╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╣Ар╕Чр╕ир╕Хр╕░р╕зр╕▒р╕Щр╕Хр╕Бр╕Ыр╕Пр╕┤р╣Ар╕кр╕Шр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Ир╕░р╣Др╕бр╣Ир╕Др╣Йр╕▓р╕нр╕▓р╕зр╕╕р╕Шр╣Гр╕лр╣Йр╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╣Ар╕Чр╕ир╣Др╕Чр╕вр╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╕кр╣Ир╕Зр╕кр╕▓р╕кр╕Щр╣Мр╕Кр╕▒р╕Фр╣Ар╕Ир╕Щр╣Др╕Ыр╕вр╕▒р╕Зр╕гр╕▒р╕Рр╕Ър╕▓р╕ер╕нр╕ар╕┤р╕кр╕┤р╕Чр╕Шр╕┤р╣Мр╕зр╣Ир╕▓р╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╕гр╕╕р╕Щр╣Бр╕гр╕Зр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Бр╣Ир╕нр╕Вр╕╢р╣Йр╕Щр╣Гр╕Щр╣Ар╕Фр╕╖р╕нр╕Щр╣Ар╕бр╕йр╕▓р╕вр╕Щ/р╕Юр╕др╕йр╕ар╕▓р╕Др╕бр╣Вр╕Фр╕вр╕гр╕▒р╕Рр╕Ър╕▓р╕ер╕Щр╕▒р╣Йр╕Щр╕бр╕╡р╕гр╕▓р╕Др╕▓р╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Хр╣Йр╕нр╕Зр╕Ир╣Ир╕▓р╕в р╕нр╕вр╣Ир╕▓р╕Зр╕Щр╣Йр╕нр╕вр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕кр╕╕р╕Ф р╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╣Ар╕Чр╕ир╣Ар╕кр╕гр╕╡р╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╕Кр╕▓р╕Шр╕┤р╕Ыр╣Др╕Хр╕вр╣Гр╕Щр╕Хр╕░р╕зр╕▒р╕Щр╕Хр╕Бр╕Др╕зр╕гр╕Ир╕░р╕вр╕╢р╕Фр╕Цр╕╖р╕нр╕ир╕╡р╕ер╕Шр╕гр╕гр╕бр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕кр╕╣р╕Зр╕Бр╕зр╣Ир╕▓р╕Щр╕▓р╕вр╕Ър╕╣р╕Ч Read more from Uncategorized р╕Бр╕Фр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Щр╕╡р╣Ир╣Ар╕Юр╕╖р╣Ир╕нр╕вр╕Бр╣Ар╕ер╕┤р╕Бр╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╕Хр╕нр╕Ъ […]
Thailand’s hungry military
[…] While Western nations have long turned a blind eye to events like the recent Bangkok Massacres, one of the world’s major arms exporters appears to have finally stood up to the Thai military. Today, without a hint of embarrassment, government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn explained to the Bangkok Post that Germany declined to sell to Thailand a batch of Deutz BF 6m015 engines, in accordance with a European Union policy that prohibits the sale of weaponry to governments that systematically use violence to suppress or deny the rights of their citizens. The engines were meant to complement the purchase of ninety-six armored personnel carriers from Ukraine. The Thai government will have no trouble buying the military equipment it wants. The Royal Thai Army, after all, was just rewarded for the zeal with which it shielded the Abhisit administration from the terrifying prospect of an election with a vastly increased military budget – when measured as a percentage of GDP, now almost twice as large as it was during Thaksin Shinawatra’s tenure in office. […]
The red’s northern challenge
Jim,
Tarrin (no. 3) mentioned a 21 year old killed recently – is this the same person you are referring to or have there been two killings that you know of?
I have been down to Wat Prasing where the funeral for the deceased is being held and actually managed to meet his father. All are of course devestated. Reports given to me however differ from some of the details mentioned above. No one is aware of witnesses and there is no talk that the killer was in uniform (which may be a little contradictory! I guess the point being made is that noone was seen in uniform). The suspicion is that the killer was from a regiment in Lopburi, and yes, an M16 was the weapon.
Jim, I certainly think there are people who care about these things, not least those who come and pay respects to the young man nightly (the funeral is still a few days off).
I for one, for whatever reason, actually find your ‘wild speculations’ as someone else put it, very interesting. Can you offer any substantiation however for what you’ve said here about CRES / AV?
Jim, the funny thing is, and this is coming from multiple sources, that the Reds dont convey overwhleming fear as you suggest. The sense is of defiance and anger. Of course, this is just anecdotal, but its from more than just one casual acquaintance if you get my drift. It could of course just be bravado, but regardless, the sense is – at least from the ‘hardcore’ Reds – that they wont be intimidated into submission.
Tarrin, no set up here. Real dead body, real M16 bullets etc. No need to paint the military as bad guys.
Abhisit and Thailand’s bad men
Nganadeeleg (#33 and #35) is getting tediously coy with indirect allusions to invisible ‘constant powers’ . . . and now CIA (#35) too?
CIA responsible for the rise and fall of rogue leaders in the globe?
Rogue leaders rise because of their deviousness and disregard for democratic rules-of-conduct. Rogue leaders fall because of their deviousness and disregard for democratic rules-of-conduct . . . with or without the so called invisible unnamed ‘constant powers’.
National celebrations and historiography in Laos
Roy #12 – an excellent post.
This has been my experience also, of traveling fairly extensively throughout Lao PDR.
Lao don’t consider themselves “Thai” at all.
The current question is : do Lao Isaarn think of themselves as “Thai” ?
I would argue “Thai” state efforts to indoctrinate “Thai” nationalism into the minds of Lao Isaarn have not been as successful as efforts by the Lao PDR Government to promote Lao nationalism. Perhaps because of Lao PDR one-party statism, but arguably because of a more fundamental trans-Mekong nationalism.
The red’s northern challenge
Ricefield Radio #12 &15, JT#14, Nobody#16 :
several factors at work here need (further) mentioning –
1) the current peace efforts between Peua Thai and at least some elements within the governing parties.
2) linked to this is the fact that it is not simply repression which is keeping the lid on things right now – though JT is to be congratulated for being one of the few highlighting this (Bangkok Post to its’ great credit has given guarded coverage, ditto The Nation).
It is also a widespread assessment am0ng the Red Shirts that though “our time is coming”, the time is not ripe just yet. General Prem – 90 years old – is still alive.
3) Certainly the widespread silence is making it much more difficult for journalists to cover what is really happening in Lanna and Isaarn – not that many, apart from Seth Mydans, did much (or anything) to cover what was building up in the rural heartland of those regions, until the Songkran riots and then this years’ burning of Bangkok.
4) Has anyone heard from Seth recently ??
Laos, please don’t mention the war
Kaiser. I agree with you. Government and people are not the same thing and appeals, requests and threats to either had best be couched in appropriate terms. I doubt very must the American people can be expected voluntarily to clean up after their government/their military. Like most Lao, most Americans were not born when the last bomb dropped on Laos – “Not my problem”. The American people have already contributed through such organisations as the Quakers and the Mennonites – neither group mainstream-America any more than pastors in Florida threatening to burn books. My words are aimed more at the signatories to the Convention. Many of those countries – Norway, Denmark, France, Germany, UK – the ‘junior partners’ of the USA – picked up parts of the tab in programmes related to humanitarian issues related to SE Asia in the past, and such internationalisation in most cases greatly increased the US govt contribution. I am simply recommending that the November meeting in Vientiane try to get the USA on board with assistance to those injured by UXO and in the tremendous job of a clean up long overdue. I doubt the US will officially attend the meeting, but it will observe what happens there. Alienating the US at this point by pushing the US to sign the Convention or admit liability, could be counter-productive and produce the opposite effect to that intended.
You are right that the US might be worried a bit about China’s influence in Laos. That hopefully will be another prod towards helping resolve the UXO problem. But I think there is no need to mention China, just as there is no need to mention the war. The US knows where its interests lie. And if for a few billion (not million) Washington can gain points internationally and particularly within ASEAN+, it might just reach into the American people’s pocket and drop some small change into the alms bowl. Might.
The red’s northern challenge
Nobody – 16
What kind of information is that? As far as a report from Thairath said, the gunman was wearing military issued uniform (not the full combat gear thought but rather the one for day to day activity) and the gun is confirm by witness to be the M16. It might be a set up set my the red themselves to pain the military as a bad guys, but then again that beg the question why the government never attempt to arrest them or make any denouncement.