The plans to erect a statue of Chao Anouvong date back to 1996 when the Lao government decided to construct commemorative sites for several national ‘ancestors’ (Lao: banphabulut), both kings and revolutionaries. Among these were Fa Ngum, Anouvong, Soulinyavongsa, Kaysone Phomvihane, Souphanouvong, former politburo members such as Phoumi Vongvichit, Phoun Sipaseut, Sisomphone Lovanxay, and the ethnic minority leaders Sithone Kommadam, Faydang Lobliayao, and Thao Touya. Most of them will be commemorated with statues in their respective home provinces. Although only statues for Fa Ngum, Kaysone and Souphanouvong have been realized yet, the government recently announced further projects such as statues for leaders of millenarian uprisings during the French colonial period (Ong Keo, Ong Kommadam, Pho Kaduat, and Chao Pachai).
Obviously the construction of a statue for Anouvong has not been priority for some years and did not enjoy the degree of Vietnamese or Chinese funding as in the case of the commemorative sites for the revolutionary leaders. Now with the advent of the alleged 450th anniversary of the capital this project is most suitable to illustrate the official historical narrative of the centuries-long struggle of the Lao people for independence and unity. Along with the monuments of Setthathilat (1957) and Fa Ngum (2003) the one for Anouvong will be a nationalist icon similar to the statues of historical kings in Thailand. Moreover, the construction of a statue which embodies Chao Anouvong will be a delayed reaction to the statue of his legendary adversary in Korat, Thao Suranari. It would be interesting to know how Lao in Isan discuss the historical role of Anouvong and which reactions his statue will evoke among the increasing number of visitors from Thailand.
Simon’s citation in #30 – not a particularly insightful one, especially ripped from context as it is – is pretty ironic considering he is a defender of Abhisit’s government. Zimmermann of course is a free speech advocate — what would he think of Thailand’s Computer Crime Act and its enthusiastic enforcement by Abhisit’s regime? FYI for less geeky NM readers, Zimmermann created PGP encryption software.
Please, I am very excited to lear no this encyclopedia. I have been living in the south now for eight years, and have informally been learning about and experiencing this rich and varied culture.
Where can I find or purchase this encyclopedia. I am truly facinated about all the aspects of both the ancient and the recent history this area. My only regret is that my local Thai wife is too afraid to venture as far as Patani city to allow me to look for artifacts, museums, and just experience the local market – Thank you for any information on where to buy this encyclopedia.
Ajarn Mark Haren
Benjamarachuit School
Nakhon Sri Thammarat.
If among the 91 death are armed then sure there is nothing wrong with what you said, but people that got killed are unarmed. Yes its there are armed element in the protestors but how do you know which side they are on? Like the guy in white t-shirt in this clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuVFqkXMh3Q
Simon: “It would be interesting to compare Thailand’s military expenditure with that of other countries in the region”
Andrew has already done that in the second graph (and he has given instructions on how you can also do it)
If anyone has started a regional upswing in military spending, it looks to be Thailand, and surprise surprise, it looks to have started with the installlation of a military government.
The shortlived PPP led goverenment had no chance to rein it in, and the current military installed & backed government certainly knows which side it’s bread is buttered on.
“it is very clear that UMNO is forcing Muslims to make a choice based on religion (following UMNO’s interpretation).”
On this score, UMNO is losing the battle to PAS. Even though BN controls all the official religious bodies in Malaysia, on account that they pay the bills (with tax payer’s money), the average Malays, including UMNO supporters still view Nik Aziz as the epitome of Islam
On the ground, if one ask, even the kampong malay in an “UMNO” area, Nik Aziz is well respected as a spiritual leader – Not any of UMNO’s mullahs etc
Here’s the formula for writing a classic New Mandala piece:
1. Begin by making wildly inaccurate assertions like ‘unarmed civilians’ and ‘massacre’. You need to get this off the ground quickly before the reader’s coffee kicks in.
2. Assign these assertions a factual status in order to gain a platform with which to grind your political axe. Don’t worry if they aren’t true, people who weren’t there won’t be able to tell, and let’s face it that’s most of them. The only constraint is your imagination!
3. Conclude that the government is evil.
Many articles I see on this site are constructions based on false premises. If you take away the shaky foundation they look at best ignorant and at worst like cheap political propaganda.
The false premise that annoys me the most is myth of the ‘unarmed civilian massacre’. Do a bit of research before repeating this utter rubbish, its offensive to people that had to live through it.
Hungry military or fear of ugly neighbours? It would be interesting to compare Thailand’s military expenditure with that of other countries in the region, I would be surprised if the recent uptick isn’t a regional trend.
Would also be interesting to look at regional distribution across the services. China starts building aircraft carriers, everyone else starts starts buying submarines…
…in a democracy, it is possible for bad people to occasionally get
elected– sometimes very bad people. Normally, a well-functioning democracy has ways to remove these people from power…
Thailand isn’t a well functioning democracy. It’s governance isn’t strong enough to cope with the bad people. Hence the mess.
The relationship between military expenditures and economic development is a matter of some importance because statistical evidence for less developed countries indicates that military expenditure has a substantial negative effect on capital formation and consequently reduces growth rates. Knowing that military expenditure has a negative effect on growth and retards development, what are the justifications the Thai military has in its exponential military expenditure increase?
Data from this chart show that the Thai military regime is spending about 2% of its gross output on defense, a staggering high amount in absolute terms considering the poverty level of Thailand. There are no relevant variables e.g. neighbors, potential enemies, and other security-influencing powers, in the post-Cold War context for such an increase in aggregate military spending.
Why does the current Thai military regime prepare for wars that may never occur are allowed to allot such a large share of national income? Why does Thailand apparently find it easier to built modern armies than to establish modern democratic institution?
It took 40 long years of unbelievable suffering and extreme deprivation to make that difficult about-turn from the extreme-left policies the legacy of our hero Aung San and his left-wing comrades from the days of Rangoon University’s All Burma Student Union.
Deliberate blurring of very different periods in Bumese history in aid of spinning your own line. The self isolation, suffering and deprivation were the principle features of Ne Win’s rule under his bogus socialism, nominally left wing, but in reality a state monopoly capitalist military dictatorship from 1962 to 1988. The parliamentary era prior to that was typified by an open market economy, nominally socialist, when Burma traded freely with both Eastern bloc countries and the West. What do you make of ‘communist’ China and Vietnam openly pursuing a capitalist economic system? Left wing, huh? Or do you just take their self-proclaimed labels without question?
A persistent smear campaign you’ve been waging on Burma’s dead national hero Aung San can only be in the service of your generals who wish they could erase the name from our history. Even their own father figure Ne Win is now fair game so they could seize the openly capitalist ‘moral’ high ground.
Would you care to explain the apparent paradox of a right wing military dictatorship which manages to be on the wrong side of the the likes of Sorros and NED and CIA.? Yes, they are pursuing an ‘open’ market economy albeit completely to the advantage of themselves and their cronies whilst practically closed to ordinary business people.
Still, they know full well the US and EU are itching to get their hands on the Burmese market and would jump in to invest before you can say SPDC (or USDP), if they would only ease up a bit on the relentless repression, say by releasing the political prisoners for instance. You’d say that’s unfair and it must be unconditional, wouldn’t you?
So the unbelievable suffering and extreme deprivation first inflicted upon the people from Ne Win’s reign and which continue to increase under his protégé must be down to the original crime commited by Aung San and now his meddlesome daughter. And the generals? They are generals, aren’t they? Can’t make them do what they are not willing to do. The only language they understand is force. But no, violence is not on, since only our generals have the licence to kill. Flawless logic.
“Burmese women’s legs in the media”
vs
“Burmese women’s fate in the media”
Kudos to New Mandala
Anywhere else these 2 heading separated by the difference of 1 word will not have been presented.
Ko Hla Oo
I am looking forward to your part 3, that surely will contain:
BSPP/Ne Win dictatorship and the US/west extreme laissez fairism as well as periodic covert military assistance to keep that equally atrocious regime afloat until 1988.
Never believe in the existence of ” Fairness” let alone justice.
That is why New Mandala exist.
That is why you, I and my ilk and anyone who seek true redemption can exist.
Facebook 
Twitter 
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National celebrations and historiography in Laos
The plans to erect a statue of Chao Anouvong date back to 1996 when the Lao government decided to construct commemorative sites for several national ‘ancestors’ (Lao: banphabulut), both kings and revolutionaries. Among these were Fa Ngum, Anouvong, Soulinyavongsa, Kaysone Phomvihane, Souphanouvong, former politburo members such as Phoumi Vongvichit, Phoun Sipaseut, Sisomphone Lovanxay, and the ethnic minority leaders Sithone Kommadam, Faydang Lobliayao, and Thao Touya. Most of them will be commemorated with statues in their respective home provinces. Although only statues for Fa Ngum, Kaysone and Souphanouvong have been realized yet, the government recently announced further projects such as statues for leaders of millenarian uprisings during the French colonial period (Ong Keo, Ong Kommadam, Pho Kaduat, and Chao Pachai).
Obviously the construction of a statue for Anouvong has not been priority for some years and did not enjoy the degree of Vietnamese or Chinese funding as in the case of the commemorative sites for the revolutionary leaders. Now with the advent of the alleged 450th anniversary of the capital this project is most suitable to illustrate the official historical narrative of the centuries-long struggle of the Lao people for independence and unity. Along with the monuments of Setthathilat (1957) and Fa Ngum (2003) the one for Anouvong will be a nationalist icon similar to the statues of historical kings in Thailand. Moreover, the construction of a statue which embodies Chao Anouvong will be a delayed reaction to the statue of his legendary adversary in Korat, Thao Suranari. It would be interesting to know how Lao in Isan discuss the historical role of Anouvong and which reactions his statue will evoke among the increasing number of visitors from Thailand.
Dave Everett and fighting for the KNLA
My name is Brian Linklater and I spent two years on the border at Htoo Wah Loo, hello to anyone who remembers me.
Abhisit and Thailand’s bad men
Simon’s citation in #30 – not a particularly insightful one, especially ripped from context as it is – is pretty ironic considering he is a defender of Abhisit’s government. Zimmermann of course is a free speech advocate — what would he think of Thailand’s Computer Crime Act and its enthusiastic enforcement by Abhisit’s regime? FYI for less geeky NM readers, Zimmermann created PGP encryption software.
Review of Southern Thai Encyclopedia
Please, I am very excited to lear no this encyclopedia. I have been living in the south now for eight years, and have informally been learning about and experiencing this rich and varied culture.
Where can I find or purchase this encyclopedia. I am truly facinated about all the aspects of both the ancient and the recent history this area. My only regret is that my local Thai wife is too afraid to venture as far as Patani city to allow me to look for artifacts, museums, and just experience the local market – Thank you for any information on where to buy this encyclopedia.
Ajarn Mark Haren
Benjamarachuit School
Nakhon Sri Thammarat.
On the front line of globalisation
anyone know what the title of the image is??
The red’s northern challenge
thanks for the detail… hadnt heard about the infantry at Mae Rim
just confirms the military are encouraged by the Abhisit government to be in charge everywhere… Burma here we come
Thai style reconciliation a recipe for further conflict
Simon – 25
If among the 91 death are armed then sure there is nothing wrong with what you said, but people that got killed are unarmed. Yes its there are armed element in the protestors but how do you know which side they are on? Like the guy in white t-shirt in this clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuVFqkXMh3Q
Thailand’s hungry military
Simon: “It would be interesting to compare Thailand’s military expenditure with that of other countries in the region”
Andrew has already done that in the second graph (and he has given instructions on how you can also do it)
If anyone has started a regional upswing in military spending, it looks to be Thailand, and surprise surprise, it looks to have started with the installlation of a military government.
The shortlived PPP led goverenment had no chance to rein it in, and the current military installed & backed government certainly knows which side it’s bread is buttered on.
Happy Independence Day, Malaysia!
“it is very clear that UMNO is forcing Muslims to make a choice based on religion (following UMNO’s interpretation).”
On this score, UMNO is losing the battle to PAS. Even though BN controls all the official religious bodies in Malaysia, on account that they pay the bills (with tax payer’s money), the average Malays, including UMNO supporters still view Nik Aziz as the epitome of Islam
On the ground, if one ask, even the kampong malay in an “UMNO” area, Nik Aziz is well respected as a spiritual leader – Not any of UMNO’s mullahs etc
Thai style reconciliation a recipe for further conflict
Here’s the formula for writing a classic New Mandala piece:
1. Begin by making wildly inaccurate assertions like ‘unarmed civilians’ and ‘massacre’. You need to get this off the ground quickly before the reader’s coffee kicks in.
2. Assign these assertions a factual status in order to gain a platform with which to grind your political axe. Don’t worry if they aren’t true, people who weren’t there won’t be able to tell, and let’s face it that’s most of them. The only constraint is your imagination!
3. Conclude that the government is evil.
Many articles I see on this site are constructions based on false premises. If you take away the shaky foundation they look at best ignorant and at worst like cheap political propaganda.
The false premise that annoys me the most is myth of the ‘unarmed civilian massacre’. Do a bit of research before repeating this utter rubbish, its offensive to people that had to live through it.
Thailand’s hungry military
Hungry military or fear of ugly neighbours? It would be interesting to compare Thailand’s military expenditure with that of other countries in the region, I would be surprised if the recent uptick isn’t a regional trend.
Would also be interesting to look at regional distribution across the services. China starts building aircraft carriers, everyone else starts starts buying submarines…
Abhisit and Thailand’s bad men
To quote Phil Zimmerman
…in a democracy, it is possible for bad people to occasionally get
elected– sometimes very bad people. Normally, a well-functioning democracy has ways to remove these people from power…
Thailand isn’t a well functioning democracy. It’s governance isn’t strong enough to cope with the bad people. Hence the mess.
Abhisit and Thailand’s bad men
Woolloomooloo – 27
р╣Ар╕Юр╕гр╕▓р╕░р╕бр╕╡р╕Др╕Щр╕нр╕вр╣Ир╕▓р╕Зр╕Юр╕зр╕Бр╕Др╕╕р╕У р╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╣Ар╕Чр╕ир╣Др╕Чр╕вр╕Цр╕╢р╕Зр╣Др╕бр╣Ир╣Ар╕Ир╕гр╕┤р╕Нр╕кр╕▒р╕Бр╕Чр╕╡ р╣Др╕бр╣Ир╣Ар╕Др╕вр╕вр╕нр╕бр╕гр╕▒р╕Ър╕Вр╣Йр╕нр╕Ьр╕┤р╕Фр╕Юр╕ер╕▓р╕Фр╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╕Хр╕▒р╕зр╣Ар╕нр╕З р╣Бр╕ер╣Йр╕зр╣Ар╕бр╕╖р╣Ир╕нр╣Др╕лр╕гр╣Ир╕Ир╕░р╕Ыр╕гр╕▒р╕Ър╕Ыр╕гр╕╕р╕Зр╣Бр╕Бр╣Йр╣Др╕Вр╣Гр╕лр╣Йр╕бр╕▒р╕Щр╕Фр╕╡р╕Вр╕╢р╣Йр╕Щ
р╕Бр╕░р╕нр╕╡р╣Бр╕Др╣Ир╕Др╕│р╕зр╕┤р╕Юр╕▓р╕Бр╕йр╣Мр╕зр╕┤р╕Ир╕▓р╕гр╕вр╣Мр╣Ар╕Кр╕┤р╕Зр╕кр╕гр╣Йр╕▓р╕Зр╕кр╕гр╕гр╕Др╣Мр╕вр╕▒р╕Зр╕гр╕▒р╕Ър╣Др╕бр╣Ир╣Др╕Фр╣Й р╕Бр╣Зр╣Ар╕Кр╕┤р╕Нр╕нр╕вр╕╣р╣Ир╣Гр╕Щр╕Бр╕░р╕ер╕▓р╕Хр╣Ир╕нр╣Др╕Ыр╣Ар╕Цр╕нр╕░ р╕Юр╕зр╕Бр╕Ър╕▒р╕зр╣Гр╕Хр╣Йр╕Щр╣Йр╕│
Thailand’s hungry military
The relationship between military expenditures and economic development is a matter of some importance because statistical evidence for less developed countries indicates that military expenditure has a substantial negative effect on capital formation and consequently reduces growth rates. Knowing that military expenditure has a negative effect on growth and retards development, what are the justifications the Thai military has in its exponential military expenditure increase?
Data from this chart show that the Thai military regime is spending about 2% of its gross output on defense, a staggering high amount in absolute terms considering the poverty level of Thailand. There are no relevant variables e.g. neighbors, potential enemies, and other security-influencing powers, in the post-Cold War context for such an increase in aggregate military spending.
Why does the current Thai military regime prepare for wars that may never occur are allowed to allot such a large share of national income? Why does Thailand apparently find it easier to built modern armies than to establish modern democratic institution?
Thailand’s hungry military
Woolloomooloo: Pro-Thaksin because it provides graphs of military expenditure? Wow!
Burmese women’s legs in the media
Hla Oo #14
50 long years of self-isolation from 1948 to 1988
It took 40 long years of unbelievable suffering and extreme deprivation to make that difficult about-turn from the extreme-left policies the legacy of our hero Aung San and his left-wing comrades from the days of Rangoon University’s All Burma Student Union.
Deliberate blurring of very different periods in Bumese history in aid of spinning your own line. The self isolation, suffering and deprivation were the principle features of Ne Win’s rule under his bogus socialism, nominally left wing, but in reality a state monopoly capitalist military dictatorship from 1962 to 1988. The parliamentary era prior to that was typified by an open market economy, nominally socialist, when Burma traded freely with both Eastern bloc countries and the West. What do you make of ‘communist’ China and Vietnam openly pursuing a capitalist economic system? Left wing, huh? Or do you just take their self-proclaimed labels without question?
A persistent smear campaign you’ve been waging on Burma’s dead national hero Aung San can only be in the service of your generals who wish they could erase the name from our history. Even their own father figure Ne Win is now fair game so they could seize the openly capitalist ‘moral’ high ground.
Would you care to explain the apparent paradox of a right wing military dictatorship which manages to be on the wrong side of the the likes of Sorros and NED and CIA.? Yes, they are pursuing an ‘open’ market economy albeit completely to the advantage of themselves and their cronies whilst practically closed to ordinary business people.
Still, they know full well the US and EU are itching to get their hands on the Burmese market and would jump in to invest before you can say SPDC (or USDP), if they would only ease up a bit on the relentless repression, say by releasing the political prisoners for instance. You’d say that’s unfair and it must be unconditional, wouldn’t you?
So the unbelievable suffering and extreme deprivation first inflicted upon the people from Ne Win’s reign and which continue to increase under his protégé must be down to the original crime commited by Aung San and now his meddlesome daughter. And the generals? They are generals, aren’t they? Can’t make them do what they are not willing to do. The only language they understand is force. But no, violence is not on, since only our generals have the licence to kill. Flawless logic.
Abhisit and Thailand’s bad men
Woolloomooloo – 27
р╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╕зр╕┤р╕ар╕▓р╕Др╕зр╕┤р╕Ир╕▓р╕гр╕Ур╣Мр╕Др╕╖р╕нр╕Ир╕╕р╕Фр╣Ар╕гр╕╖р╣Ир╕нр╕бр╕Хр╣Йр╕Щр╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╕Ыр╕гр╕▒р╕Ър╕Ыр╕гр╕╕р╕Зр╣Ар╣Ар╕ер╕░р╕Юр╕▒р╕Тр╕Щр╕▓р╣Ар╕Юр╕╖р╣Ир╕нр╕кр╕┤р╣Ир╕Зр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Фр╕╡р╕Бр╕зр╣Ир╕▓р╣Ар╕гр╕╖р╣Ир╕нр╕Зр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Фр╕╡р╕Бр╣Зр╕Фр╕╡р╕нр╕вр╕╣р╣Ир╣Бр╕ер╣Йр╕з р╣Бр╕Хр╣Ир╣Ар╕гр╕╖р╣Ир╕нр╕Зр╣Др╕бр╣Ир╕Фр╕╡р╕Бр╣Зр╕Хр╣Йр╕нр╕Зр╕бр╕▓р╕Др╕╕р╕вр╕Бр╕▒р╕Щ р╕Ир╕гр╕┤р╕Зр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╣Др╕бр╣Ир╕бр╕╡р╣Др╕Др╕гр╕Фр╕╡р╣Др╕Ыр╕лр╕бр╕Ф р╣Ар╣Ар╕Хр╣Ир╕Цр╣Йр╕▓р╣Др╕бр╣Ир╣Ар╕нр╕▓р╣Ар╕гр╕╖р╣Ир╕нр╕Зр╣Др╕бр╣Ир╕Фр╕╡р╕бр╕▓р╕Ыр╕гр╕▒р╕Ър╕Ыр╕гр╕╕р╕Зр╣Ар╣Ар╕ер╣Йр╕зр╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╣Ар╕Чр╕ир╕Ир╕░р╕Юр╕▒р╕Чр╕Тр╕▓р╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╕вр╕▒р╕Зр╣Др╕Зр╕ер╕░р╕Др╕гр╕▒р╕Ъ?
Burmese women’s legs in the media
“Burmese women’s legs in the media”
vs
“Burmese women’s fate in the media”
Kudos to New Mandala
Anywhere else these 2 heading separated by the difference of 1 word will not have been presented.
Ko Hla Oo
I am looking forward to your part 3, that surely will contain:
BSPP/Ne Win dictatorship and the US/west extreme laissez fairism as well as periodic covert military assistance to keep that equally atrocious regime afloat until 1988.
Never believe in the existence of ” Fairness” let alone justice.
That is why New Mandala exist.
That is why you, I and my ilk and anyone who seek true redemption can exist.
Thailand’s hungry military
р╕кр╕Зр╕кр╕▒р╕вр╣Ар╕зр╣Зр╕Ър╕Щр╕╡р╣Йр╣Вр╕Ыр╕гр╕Чр╣Йр╕▓р╕Бр╕кр╕┤р╕Щр╣Бр╕Щр╣Ир╣Ж
Abhisit and Thailand’s bad men
р╣Ар╕зр╣Зр╕Ър╕Щр╕╡р╣Йр╣Др╕бр╣Ир╕гр╕╣р╣Йр╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╕нр╕░р╣Др╕г р╕Фр╣Ир╕▓р╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╣Ар╕Чр╕ир╣Др╕Чр╕вр╕Др╕Щр╣Др╕Чр╕вр╕Бр╕▒р╕Щр╕Ир╕бр╕лр╕╣р╣Ар╕ер╕в р╕Др╕Щр╣Ар╕гр╕▓р╕бр╕▒р╕Щр╕Фр╕╡р╣Др╕бр╣Ир╕лр╕бр╕Фр╕Чр╕╕р╕Фр╣Ар╕гр╕╖р╣Ир╕нр╕З р╣Бр╕ер╣Йр╕зр╕бр╕▒р╕Щр╕Бр╣Зр╣Др╕бр╣Ир╣Ар╕ер╕зр╣Ар╕кр╕╡р╕вр╕Чр╕╕р╕Бр╣Ар╕гр╕╖р╣Ир╕нр╕З р╣Гр╕Ир╕Бр╕зр╣Йр╕▓р╕Зр╕Бр╕▒р╕Щр╕лр╕Щр╣Ир╕нр╕вр╕Юр╕гр╕гр╕Др╕Юр╕зр╕Б