The whole reason why we even had the 2006 election was because you PAD rejected the 2005 one, and then when we are going to have the 2006 election the Dem/PAD decided not to run for it so is that Thaksin fault??
Maybe a turd is a turd, but you should be aware who produce that turd.
I think I’ve seen all pro-Thaksin/UDD arguments already and many times over, reading through another seventy five pages of them, however coherently they are put together, won’t make any difference.
Do you think I reject them because no one has wrapped hem into a “crisp” paper yet?
It’s not a matter of presentation.
A turd is a turd is a turd is a turd.
In his very first paragraph RA says that military overthrew popularly elected Prime Minister whose party won elections in 2006.
NO, Thaksin wasn’t elected at the time of the coup, NO, his party didn’t win 2006 elections, elections were not even completed, and they were annulled months before the coup happened.
I can’t go through this crap sentence by sentence. There’s no gold in there waiting to be discovered.
I did not attend because of the two-tier system of charging for entrance. This is normal in Laos and in Thailand but has no place in an academic exchange. Why pay more because skin is white?
“the thought of Tunku and other Asian leaders of his generation does remind you that once politics was defined by passion, belief, vocation, integrity – good old stuffs politicians of today seriously lack.”
In addition – among the mentioned qualities, integrity is the most important. The lack of it is a long term political suicide (I don’t need to cite an example for this fact.)
This comment is for the people who “understand” my language.
I think the Thai middle classes view of the Esarn people as sub human is fed every night on their TV screens. The dark skinned Thai only appears on the TV screen as an object of fun something to be laughed, very rarely are any characters in the soaps of obviously north eastern origin. Also all the aspirational advertising contains exclusively light skinned Thais, their seems to be a racism at work in Thailand which feeds the middle classes inability to take any rural opinion seriously.
#35 “The explosive formula we’ve witnessed in action is when the masses become politically conscious, once they’ve had a taste of what is possible instead of the status quo, and begin to mobilise. It won’t be too long before we hear the death knell of the ancien regime.”
At which point we will almost certainly begin to feel that we have swopped one tyrrhany for another.
There is nothing about either side of this successionist struggle that inspires confidence, since it has largely been manipulated into place, top down, by those who feel thay have something large to gain in personal terms. I would even say that about the more ‘umble’ redshirt leaders. One constantly senses that they have lost their former ideals for the sake of enjoying a relatively comfortable old age. Which is presumably why they are now incapable of even uttering the word ‘socialism’.
#6 “The letter in the following post from Queen Sirikit to Napas Na Pombejra suggests this lack of ability etc permeates the whole of the upper class.”
How many thousands of posts in this forum did it take to arrive at that little gem? This is precisely why many long-term expats refuse to show any real support for the leadership/financiers of either of the successionist faction.
In a society in which the highest institution can never been seen to do any wrong, one is forced to make very bland positive (non-committal) statements of support for that institution in response to those locals who sadistically delight in making us squirm – in order to fend off the ‘lynch mob’. It is always a chore to meet local political activists, intellectuals and other hisos. Apart from the indignity of having to grovel to them, one usually tends to find that they live on a completely different planet from the rest of us. To avoid an angry and perhaps violent incident, they are best avoided at all costs.
“Andrew Marshall has not written knowledgeably about the tax treatment of the SHIN sale.”
Maybe this is because to write knowledgeably about the sale of shin corp, you have to mention the CPB, SCB and therefore leave yourself open to LM prosecution. I’m sure you’ve read the old asia sentinel article but I’ll reference it anyway.
“It turns out that Kularb Kaew, one of the companies in the Temasek-led consortium, was acting as a nominee for Temasek. Shareholders of Kularb Kaew included Pong Sarasin, the brother of Arsa Sarasin, King Bhumibol’s principle private secretary. Kularb Kaew owns part of Cedar Holdings. The other owners of Cedar are Temasek and Siam Commercial Bank, in which the Crown Property Bureau has a controlling stake. SCB also played a crucial role advising and providing financial support for the deal.”
If you are on facebook you can ask Andrew Marshall directly about these things, he is always ready and willing to debate and there is some very good discussions on his facebook page.
Ex-Banker says “Yet among well-educated Thais in the middle and upper classes, who regard themselves as the guardians of democracy in Thailand, there appears to be little ability or willingness to think critically about the situation.” The letter in the following post from Queen Sirikit to Napas Na Pombejra suggests this lack of ability etc permeates the whole of the upper class.
The following story, which I call ‘mysterious lady at Infantry 11’ is unrelated to this post, but somehow it poped up in my mind when I first saw the three photos that are the subject of this post. You NM readers must forgive me, for I have quite a confused and messed up mind sometimes; and things, images, stories tend to pop up in it with no apparent reason. (I apologize too if this had already been told here, I haven’t followed this blog closely as I once did.)
Anyhow, during the tensed atmosphere of April and May, a photo had been circulated on the internet, showing Aphisit and two of his ministers (Kasit, the foreign minster and Sathit, the minister for PM office) sitting in sofa talking in relaxed manner (with foods, drinks on coffee table). The setting is probably a room in the “Raeb 11” or the army’s Infantry 11 Division compounds, where the government set up temporary HQ to fight the Reds. (Aphisit himself hardly set foot outside Raeb 11 in those days.) What’s most interesting for anybody who sees the photo, is of course, a lady whose back was turned toward the camera so we didn’t see her face. But there were speculations as to her identity, and what she’s doing there in the army compounds in such tensed, life-and-dead-struggle situations. I won’t repeat any of the speculations. But for anyone who hasn’t seen the photo yet, I uploaded it for you here:
michael #12, I mean being careful to protect informants and using pseudonyms for documentation, selecting safe places to talk, and the like. As far as i know no one has yet tried to understand the movement behind the rhetoric and media distortions. Many readers may not know what the atmosphere is like right now in Thailand: there is a state of fear, intimidation and hostility…there will clearly be no peace without justice
Portman #8 The whole thing is clearly a spoof, as Ms Napas would obviously not wear such a short skirt for an audience with HMQ.
No one would dare stage such a spoof; especially loyal subject like Khun Napas who herself is in the photo. Khun Napas was not having an audience with HMQ. The letter was carried to her personally by than phu ying Charungchit Thikhara (she is the lady sitting on the far left of the photo), HMQ’s deputy private secretary (р╕гр╕нр╕Зр╕гр╕▓р╕Кр╣Ар╕ер╕Вр╕▓р╕Щр╕╕р╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╣Гр╕Щр╕Юр╕гр╕░р╕нр╕Зр╕Др╣М), presumeably at Khun Napas’s own home, or it could have been Charungchit’s home or office.
The original report on Thai E-News websites wasn’t clear on details (location, date and so on), but there could not be any doubt on the authencity of the whole thing. This is too much of, as Thais say, a very ‘High Up Thing’ (р╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╕кр╕╣р╕З) to be a hoax. Can you not imagine, how much manpower and effort would be spent (unlimited, in fact) by Thai police, in hunting down whoever responsible if it is a hoax?
Here’s the original, very short report on Thai E-News (sorry no translation):
A Freudian slip more like, that’s probably what they want to do.
“I suspect many Thais still lack a proper understanding of democracy. The people have to understand their rights and their duties. Some have yet to learn about discipline.”
Swap Thais with Burmese, and it could have been Than Shwe who uttered these words of wisdom.
Still, Thailand holds the unenviable world record for military coups. Its people are virtually desensitised by now. It does not bode well since even if its military has not proved as tenacious in clinging on to power as their Burmese counterparts, it certainly is a habitual offender.
If ignorance is bliss, bliss (being the comfortable classes) can also be ignorance. It is easy to endure other people’s suffering, as Schumacher once famously said. Because ‘I’m allright, Jack’, they don’t have to bother contemplating what’s really wrong with the world and why.
Typically the ruling class the world over, democracy, constitutional monarchy, whatever, identifies its own class interests as the national interest. Their main concern is simply how to stay on top. That’s their kind of political conciousness.
The explosive formula we’ve witnessed in action is when the masses become politically conscious, once they’ve had a taste of what is possible instead of the status quo, and begin to mobilise. It won’t be too long before we hear the death knell of the ancien regime.
I agree with Ko Htay. Dead men tell no tales and are in no position to defend themselves. Memoirs and diaries may be taken as a primary source though they are still someone’s version of events unless you can glean from others corroborative evidence.
Hla Oo’s tales will definitely make good movies. I have already acknowledged that in the past and wished him book and film success. A fictionalised account of facts still has good propaganda value as Hollywood has proved so often. Of course propaganda is what the other camp does and never us, although it used to be an honest respected term until after WWII. Now even PR has become more neutral ‘communications’ in a world ruled by what the adman has to say.
Burma will know no peace until the powerful undergoes a Damascene conversion to seek a genuine political solution for national reconciliation which must include both the majority Burman and all ethnic minorities, instead of consistently demanding an unconditional surrender and unquestioning acceptance of ‘what’s good for them’ in the name of the union.
U Aung San is among other accusation racist because he executed an Indian collaborator and numerous Japanese.
Ko Hla Oo
Need to seriously look inside himself and stop self denigration through past atrocities of a Martyr.
1) No where in this long recounting is British racist treatment of Myanmar citizenry then and now mentioned. or even suggested.
2) The Japanese government “moving forward” policy towards its behavior during brief occupation is conveniently omitted.
These are just 2 points indicating this author sentiment.
Blaming one side only, in a complex multiple parties as participants that result in unspeakable atrocities and tragedies, at best diminish their contributions at worst exonerate their sins that continue to affect to this day in Myanmar.
Self examining to correct mistake is good.
Unwarranted Self denigration in times such as the present, when USA and EU policies reflect a Banana Republic approach to Myanmar, is unacceptable.
What U Aung San did is not uncommon during “Sit Oo Balue” situation in any conflicts.
By denigrating a Hero Ko Hla Oo has allowed other to continue policies without regards to the plight of the citizenry.
The Authors wrote in the 6th paragraph: “Interestingly, unlike the previous two Lao Studies conferences held in the US in 2005 and 2007, which contained a number of presentations on ethnic minority issues in Lao PDR and abroad, the most recent conference contained only two presentations focused on ethnic minority issues: one on Khmou legends in Lao PDR and one on Phou Thai health issues in Isan. ”
This is not the case. There were more than just two presentations on ethnic minorities. These were listed in the conference program booklet. Did the authors attended the same conference as I did? All of the abstracts could be viewed at: http://laostudies.org/vinya/Conference%20Abstract.final1.pdf
Language Vitality and the Ethnic Tourism Development of
the Lao Ethnic Groups in the Western Region of Thailand by
Somsonge Burusphat, Sujaritlak Deepadung, Sumittra Suraratdecha, Patama Patpong,Narong Ardsamiti, and Pichet Setaphong*
*This presentation covered different ethnic Lao minorities in the Central part of Thailand.
Healing Music, the Multiethnic Lao Khap Lam Folk Music in Southern Laos by Akiko Hirata**
**This presentation covered the Molam of the So, Phu Tai and Lao.
The Role of Livestock in Changing Upland Livelihoods in Northern Lao PDR by Joanne Millar, Boualy Sengdala, and Charles Sturt University***
***This presentation covered the Hmong, Khmu, Tai Deng,Tai Dam, Lao Phuan and Lao Loum ethnic Lao groups.
Factors Influencing Capacity Building for Livestock Development in Lao PDR: Strategies to improve Outcomes for Upland Rural Development by Viengxay Photakoun and Joanne Millar****
****This presentation covered women and ethnic minorities of Laos.
Perceptions of Tourism Impacts among Rural Communities in Luang Namtha, Luang Prabang, Khammouane and Champasak, Lao PDR
by Steven Schipani*****
Ethno-history of Phongsaly Province: a Margin Integration Process by Grégoire Schlemmer
Linking Food Security and Conservation. Capacity and Sustainability of Enclave Villages Within Nakai Nam Theun National Protected Area (Lao PDR) by Michelle Louise Smith******
******This presentation solely covered the Brou village (Korbong village) within the author’s research area.
Southern Laos in the Regional Economy: The Effects of Commercial Agriculture on Ethnic Groups Livelihood by Watcharee Srikham
Ksingmun: Ethnic and Language by Khamsone Thongmysay
Presentation of the Research Project “Development and Socio-cultural Change among the Khmu of Vieng Phouka (Luang Namtha Province)” by Andrea Schopohl
The Kmhmu’ Cheuang by Suksavang Simana
A Study of Mo Yao Healers: Traditional Health Care of Ethnic Phutai
in NE-Thailand by Thanyalux Chayasook Mollerup
Gender Relations in Cultural Tourism of Phutai Ethnic Group from Laos in Northeast of Thailand by Rukchanok Chumnanmak
The Role of Traditional Ritual in Cultural Maintenance and Tourism
in Phutai Village by Somjai Damrongsakul
The Ethnic Consciousness in Cultural Practices of the Phu Tai by Ninwadee Prompakping
Excellent, Mr. Marshell can describe Thailand’s middle class very accurately. Criticism to Mr. Marshell is that it took him too long to come up with this sort of article, this article should have been written 5 years ago.
I was quoting from the article above in the third paragraph. It’s not my own assessment. I totally agree with you and wonder if the authors of this article really know that even the older Lao in the Lao PDR were educated in pre-revolution writing system, which is not that much different from the current one. It’s almost like comparing Australian English and American English.
Facebook 
Twitter 
Soundcloud 
Youtube 
Rss
“The Bangkok Massacres: A call for accountability”
StanG – 97
The whole reason why we even had the 2006 election was because you PAD rejected the 2005 one, and then when we are going to have the 2006 election the Dem/PAD decided not to run for it so is that Thaksin fault??
Maybe a turd is a turd, but you should be aware who produce that turd.
“The Bangkok Massacres: A call for accountability”
Sceptic #94,
I think I’ve seen all pro-Thaksin/UDD arguments already and many times over, reading through another seventy five pages of them, however coherently they are put together, won’t make any difference.
Do you think I reject them because no one has wrapped hem into a “crisp” paper yet?
It’s not a matter of presentation.
A turd is a turd is a turd is a turd.
In his very first paragraph RA says that military overthrew popularly elected Prime Minister whose party won elections in 2006.
NO, Thaksin wasn’t elected at the time of the coup, NO, his party didn’t win 2006 elections, elections were not even completed, and they were annulled months before the coup happened.
I can’t go through this crap sentence by sentence. There’s no gold in there waiting to be discovered.
It’s been all discussed to death already.
Lao studies conference 2010: the fascination of the marginal
I did not attend because of the two-tier system of charging for entrance. This is normal in Laos and in Thailand but has no place in an academic exchange. Why pay more because skin is white?
We were once ‘Malaysians’
“the thought of Tunku and other Asian leaders of his generation does remind you that once politics was defined by passion, belief, vocation, integrity – good old stuffs politicians of today seriously lack.”
In addition – among the mentioned qualities, integrity is the most important. The lack of it is a long term political suicide (I don’t need to cite an example for this fact.)
This comment is for the people who “understand” my language.
Andrew Marshall on politics and education
I think the Thai middle classes view of the Esarn people as sub human is fed every night on their TV screens. The dark skinned Thai only appears on the TV screen as an object of fun something to be laughed, very rarely are any characters in the soaps of obviously north eastern origin. Also all the aspirational advertising contains exclusively light skinned Thais, their seems to be a racism at work in Thailand which feeds the middle classes inability to take any rural opinion seriously.
Andrew Marshall on politics and education
#35 “The explosive formula we’ve witnessed in action is when the masses become politically conscious, once they’ve had a taste of what is possible instead of the status quo, and begin to mobilise. It won’t be too long before we hear the death knell of the ancien regime.”
At which point we will almost certainly begin to feel that we have swopped one tyrrhany for another.
There is nothing about either side of this successionist struggle that inspires confidence, since it has largely been manipulated into place, top down, by those who feel thay have something large to gain in personal terms. I would even say that about the more ‘umble’ redshirt leaders. One constantly senses that they have lost their former ideals for the sake of enjoying a relatively comfortable old age. Which is presumably why they are now incapable of even uttering the word ‘socialism’.
Andrew Marshall on politics and education
#6 “The letter in the following post from Queen Sirikit to Napas Na Pombejra suggests this lack of ability etc permeates the whole of the upper class.”
How many thousands of posts in this forum did it take to arrive at that little gem? This is precisely why many long-term expats refuse to show any real support for the leadership/financiers of either of the successionist faction.
In a society in which the highest institution can never been seen to do any wrong, one is forced to make very bland positive (non-committal) statements of support for that institution in response to those locals who sadistically delight in making us squirm – in order to fend off the ‘lynch mob’. It is always a chore to meet local political activists, intellectuals and other hisos. Apart from the indignity of having to grovel to them, one usually tends to find that they live on a completely different planet from the rest of us. To avoid an angry and perhaps violent incident, they are best avoided at all costs.
“The Bangkok Massacres: A call for accountability”
“Andrew Marshall has not written knowledgeably about the tax treatment of the SHIN sale.”
Maybe this is because to write knowledgeably about the sale of shin corp, you have to mention the CPB, SCB and therefore leave yourself open to LM prosecution. I’m sure you’ve read the old asia sentinel article but I’ll reference it anyway.
http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=402&Itemid=32
“It turns out that Kularb Kaew, one of the companies in the Temasek-led consortium, was acting as a nominee for Temasek. Shareholders of Kularb Kaew included Pong Sarasin, the brother of Arsa Sarasin, King Bhumibol’s principle private secretary. Kularb Kaew owns part of Cedar Holdings. The other owners of Cedar are Temasek and Siam Commercial Bank, in which the Crown Property Bureau has a controlling stake. SCB also played a crucial role advising and providing financial support for the deal.”
If you are on facebook you can ask Andrew Marshall directly about these things, he is always ready and willing to debate and there is some very good discussions on his facebook page.
Letter from Sirikit to Napas Na Pombejra about CNN?
what an amazing silly performance by all concerned
CNN staff must be very surprised and amused at all the carry on
suppose all the reporters will just keep doing their job, reporting what they see and hear
Letter from Sirikit to Napas Na Pombejra about CNN?
Oh dear! Now CNN must go out of business.
Andrew Marshall on politics and education
Ex-Banker says “Yet among well-educated Thais in the middle and upper classes, who regard themselves as the guardians of democracy in Thailand, there appears to be little ability or willingness to think critically about the situation.” The letter in the following post from Queen Sirikit to Napas Na Pombejra suggests this lack of ability etc permeates the whole of the upper class.
Letter from Sirikit to Napas Na Pombejra about CNN?
The following story, which I call ‘mysterious lady at Infantry 11’ is unrelated to this post, but somehow it poped up in my mind when I first saw the three photos that are the subject of this post. You NM readers must forgive me, for I have quite a confused and messed up mind sometimes; and things, images, stories tend to pop up in it with no apparent reason. (I apologize too if this had already been told here, I haven’t followed this blog closely as I once did.)
Anyhow, during the tensed atmosphere of April and May, a photo had been circulated on the internet, showing Aphisit and two of his ministers (Kasit, the foreign minster and Sathit, the minister for PM office) sitting in sofa talking in relaxed manner (with foods, drinks on coffee table). The setting is probably a room in the “Raeb 11” or the army’s Infantry 11 Division compounds, where the government set up temporary HQ to fight the Reds. (Aphisit himself hardly set foot outside Raeb 11 in those days.) What’s most interesting for anybody who sees the photo, is of course, a lady whose back was turned toward the camera so we didn’t see her face. But there were speculations as to her identity, and what she’s doing there in the army compounds in such tensed, life-and-dead-struggle situations. I won’t repeat any of the speculations. But for anyone who hasn’t seen the photo yet, I uploaded it for you here:
ABC Interview with Jakrapob
michael #12, I mean being careful to protect informants and using pseudonyms for documentation, selecting safe places to talk, and the like. As far as i know no one has yet tried to understand the movement behind the rhetoric and media distortions. Many readers may not know what the atmosphere is like right now in Thailand: there is a state of fear, intimidation and hostility…there will clearly be no peace without justice
Letter from Sirikit to Napas Na Pombejra about CNN?
Portman #8
The whole thing is clearly a spoof, as Ms Napas would obviously not wear such a short skirt for an audience with HMQ.
No one would dare stage such a spoof; especially loyal subject like Khun Napas who herself is in the photo. Khun Napas was not having an audience with HMQ. The letter was carried to her personally by than phu ying Charungchit Thikhara (she is the lady sitting on the far left of the photo), HMQ’s deputy private secretary (р╕гр╕нр╕Зр╕гр╕▓р╕Кр╣Ар╕ер╕Вр╕▓р╕Щр╕╕р╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╣Гр╕Щр╕Юр╕гр╕░р╕нр╕Зр╕Др╣М), presumeably at Khun Napas’s own home, or it could have been Charungchit’s home or office.
The original report on Thai E-News websites wasn’t clear on details (location, date and so on), but there could not be any doubt on the authencity of the whole thing. This is too much of, as Thais say, a very ‘High Up Thing’ (р╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╕кр╕╣р╕З) to be a hoax. Can you not imagine, how much manpower and effort would be spent (unlimited, in fact) by Thai police, in hunting down whoever responsible if it is a hoax?
Here’s the original, very short report on Thai E-News (sorry no translation):
р╕Юр╕гр╕░р╕гр╕▓р╕Кр╕┤р╕Щр╕╡р╕Кр╕╖р╣Ир╕Щр╕Кр╕бр╕Щр╕ар╕▒р╕к р╕У р╕Ыр╣Йр╕нр╕бр╣Ар╕Юр╣Зр╕Кр╕гр╣М р╕Хр╕нр╕Ър╣Вр╕Хр╣ЙCNNр╕нр╕вр╣Ир╕▓р╕Зр╕нр╕Зр╕нр╕▓р╕И р╕Кр╣Ир╕зр╕вр╕Яр╕╖р╣Йр╕Щр╕Яр╕╣р╕ар╕▓р╕Юр╕ер╕▒р╕Бр╕йр╕Ур╣Мр╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╣Ар╕Чр╕ир╕Кр╕▓р╕Хр╕┤
р╣Вр╕Фр╕в р╕Чр╕╡р╕бр╕Вр╣Ир╕▓р╕зр╣Др╕Чр╕вр╕нр╕╡р╕Щр╕┤р╕зр╕кр╣М
1 р╕кр╕┤р╕Зр╕лр╕▓р╕Др╕б 2553
р╕Чр╣Ир╕▓р╕Щр╕Ьр╕╣р╣Йр╕лр╕Нр╕┤р╕Зр╕Ир╕гр╕╕р╕Зр╕Ир╕┤р╕Хр╕Хр╣М р╕Чр╕╡р╕Вр╕░р╕гр╕░ р╕Щр╕▓р╕Зр╕кр╕Щр╕нр╕Зр╕Юр╕гр╕░р╣Вр╕нр╕йр╕Рр╣М р╣Бр╕ер╕░ р╕гр╕нр╕Зр╕гр╕▓р╕Кр╣Ар╕ер╕Вр╕▓р╕Щр╕╕р╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╣Гр╕Щр╕Юр╕гр╕░р╕нр╕Зр╕Др╣М р╕кр╕бр╣Ар╕Фр╣Зр╕Ир╕Юр╕гр╕░р╕Щр╕▓р╕Зр╣Ар╕Ир╣Йр╕▓р╕п р╕Юр╕гр╕░р╕Ър╕гр╕бр╕гр╕▓р╕Кр╕┤р╕Щр╕╡р╕Щр╕▓р╕Ц р╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╕нр╕▒р╕Нр╣Ар╕Кр╕┤р╕Нр╕Юр╕гр╕░р╕гр╕▓р╕Кр╕лр╕▒р╕Хр╕Цр╣Ар╕ер╕Вр╕▓ р╣Гр╕Щр╕кр╕бр╣Ар╕Фр╣Зр╕Ир╕Юр╕гр╕░р╕Щр╕▓р╕Зр╣Ар╕Ир╣Йр╕▓р╕п р╕Юр╕гр╕░р╕гр╕▓р╕Кр╕Чр╕▓р╕Щр╣Гр╕лр╣Йр╕Бр╕▒р╕Ър╕Др╕╕р╕Ур╕Щр╕ар╕▒р╕к р╕У р╕Ыр╣Йр╕нр╕бр╣Ар╕Юр╕Кр╕г
р╕Юр╕гр╕░р╕гр╕▓р╕Кр╕лр╕▒р╕Хр╕Цр╣Ар╕ер╕Вр╕▓ р╕ер╕Зр╕зр╕▒р╕Щр╕Чр╕╡р╣И 24 р╕Бр╕гр╕Бр╕Ор╕▓р╕Др╕б 2553 р╕бр╕╡р╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╕гр╕▓р╕вр╕ер╕░р╣Ар╕нр╕╡р╕вр╕Фр╕зр╣Ир╕▓
р╕Цр╕╢р╕З р╕Др╕╕р╕Ур╕Щр╕ар╕▒р╕к р╕У р╕Ыр╣Йр╕нр╕бр╣Ар╕Юр╣Зр╕Кр╕гр╣М
р╕Йр╕▒р╕Щр╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╕нр╣Ир╕▓р╕Щр╕Ир╕Фр╕лр╕бр╕▓р╕вр╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╕Др╕╕р╕Ур╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╣Ар╕Вр╕╡р╕вр╕Щр╕Цр╕╢р╕Зр╕кр╕│р╕Щр╕▒р╕Бр╕Вр╣Ир╕▓р╕з CNN р╣Бр╕ер╣Йр╕з р╕гр╕╣р╣Йр╕кр╕╢р╕Бр╕ар╕╣р╕бр╕┤р╣Гр╕Ир╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Др╕╕р╕Ур╕вр╕╖р╕Щр╕Вр╕╢р╣Йр╕Щр╕Чр╕│р╕лр╕Щр╣Йр╕▓р╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╕Др╕Щр╣Др╕Чр╕вр╕Хр╕нр╕Ър╣Вр╕Хр╣Йр╕Щр╕▒р╕Бр╕Вр╣Ир╕▓р╕зр╕Хр╣Ир╕▓р╕Зр╕Кр╕▓р╕Хр╕┤р╕нр╕вр╣Ир╕▓р╕Зр╕нр╕Зр╕нр╕▓р╕И р╕Хр╕гр╕Зр╣Др╕Ыр╕Хр╕гр╕Зр╕бр╕▓ р╣Бр╕Хр╣Ир╕Бр╣Зр╕Фр╣Йр╕зр╕вр╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╕кр╕╕р╕ар╕▓р╕Юр╣Бр╕ер╕░р╕бр╕╡р╣Ар╕лр╕Хр╕╕р╕Ьр╕ер╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Кр╕▒р╕Фр╣Ар╕Ир╕Щ р╕Юр╕нр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Ир╕░р╕Чр╕│р╣Гр╕лр╣Йр╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╕Кр╕▓р╕Др╕бр╣Вр╕ер╕Бр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╕нр╣Ир╕▓р╕Щр╕Ир╕Фр╕лр╕бр╕▓р╕вр╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╕Др╕╕р╕Ур╕Хр╣Йр╕нр╕Зр╕Чр╕Ър╕Чр╕зр╕Щр╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╣Ар╕Кр╕╖р╣Ир╕нр╕Цр╕╖р╕нр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕бр╕╡р╕Хр╣Ир╕н CNN
р╕Кр╕╖р╣Ир╕Щр╕Кр╕бр╕вр╕┤р╣Ир╕Зр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Др╕╕р╕Ур╕Кр╣Ир╕зр╕вр╕Яр╕╖р╣Йр╕Щр╕Яр╕╣р╕ар╕▓р╕Юр╕ер╕▒р╕Бр╕йр╕Ур╣Мр╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╣Ар╕Чр╕ир╕Кр╕▓р╕Хр╕┤
( р╕ер╕▓р╕вр╕Юр╕гр╕░р╕гр╕▓р╕Кр╕лр╕▒р╕Хр╕Цр╣Ар╕ер╕Вр╕▓р╣Гр╕Щр╕кр╕бр╣Ар╕Фр╣Зр╕Ир╕Юр╕гр╕░р╕Щр╕▓р╕Зр╣Ар╕Ир╣Йр╕▓р╕п )
**********
Andrew Marshall on politics and education
“uneducate people”
A Freudian slip more like, that’s probably what they want to do.
“I suspect many Thais still lack a proper understanding of democracy. The people have to understand their rights and their duties. Some have yet to learn about discipline.”
Swap Thais with Burmese, and it could have been Than Shwe who uttered these words of wisdom.
Still, Thailand holds the unenviable world record for military coups. Its people are virtually desensitised by now. It does not bode well since even if its military has not proved as tenacious in clinging on to power as their Burmese counterparts, it certainly is a habitual offender.
If ignorance is bliss, bliss (being the comfortable classes) can also be ignorance. It is easy to endure other people’s suffering, as Schumacher once famously said. Because ‘I’m allright, Jack’, they don’t have to bother contemplating what’s really wrong with the world and why.
Typically the ruling class the world over, democracy, constitutional monarchy, whatever, identifies its own class interests as the national interest. Their main concern is simply how to stay on top. That’s their kind of political conciousness.
The explosive formula we’ve witnessed in action is when the masses become politically conscious, once they’ve had a taste of what is possible instead of the status quo, and begin to mobilise. It won’t be too long before we hear the death knell of the ancien regime.
Burma in Limbo, Part 1
I agree with Ko Htay. Dead men tell no tales and are in no position to defend themselves. Memoirs and diaries may be taken as a primary source though they are still someone’s version of events unless you can glean from others corroborative evidence.
Hla Oo’s tales will definitely make good movies. I have already acknowledged that in the past and wished him book and film success. A fictionalised account of facts still has good propaganda value as Hollywood has proved so often. Of course propaganda is what the other camp does and never us, although it used to be an honest respected term until after WWII. Now even PR has become more neutral ‘communications’ in a world ruled by what the adman has to say.
Burma will know no peace until the powerful undergoes a Damascene conversion to seek a genuine political solution for national reconciliation which must include both the majority Burman and all ethnic minorities, instead of consistently demanding an unconditional surrender and unquestioning acceptance of ‘what’s good for them’ in the name of the union.
Burma in Limbo, Part 1
U Aung San is among other accusation racist because he executed an Indian collaborator and numerous Japanese.
Ko Hla Oo
Need to seriously look inside himself and stop self denigration through past atrocities of a Martyr.
1) No where in this long recounting is British racist treatment of Myanmar citizenry then and now mentioned. or even suggested.
2) The Japanese government “moving forward” policy towards its behavior during brief occupation is conveniently omitted.
These are just 2 points indicating this author sentiment.
Blaming one side only, in a complex multiple parties as participants that result in unspeakable atrocities and tragedies, at best diminish their contributions at worst exonerate their sins that continue to affect to this day in Myanmar.
Self examining to correct mistake is good.
Unwarranted Self denigration in times such as the present, when USA and EU policies reflect a Banana Republic approach to Myanmar, is unacceptable.
What U Aung San did is not uncommon during “Sit Oo Balue” situation in any conflicts.
By denigrating a Hero Ko Hla Oo has allowed other to continue policies without regards to the plight of the citizenry.
Lao studies conference 2010: the fascination of the marginal
The Authors wrote in the 6th paragraph: “Interestingly, unlike the previous two Lao Studies conferences held in the US in 2005 and 2007, which contained a number of presentations on ethnic minority issues in Lao PDR and abroad, the most recent conference contained only two presentations focused on ethnic minority issues: one on Khmou legends in Lao PDR and one on Phou Thai health issues in Isan. ”
This is not the case. There were more than just two presentations on ethnic minorities. These were listed in the conference program booklet. Did the authors attended the same conference as I did? All of the abstracts could be viewed at: http://laostudies.org/vinya/Conference%20Abstract.final1.pdf
Language Vitality and the Ethnic Tourism Development of
the Lao Ethnic Groups in the Western Region of Thailand by
Somsonge Burusphat, Sujaritlak Deepadung, Sumittra Suraratdecha, Patama Patpong,Narong Ardsamiti, and Pichet Setaphong*
*This presentation covered different ethnic Lao minorities in the Central part of Thailand.
Healing Music, the Multiethnic Lao Khap Lam Folk Music in Southern Laos by Akiko Hirata**
**This presentation covered the Molam of the So, Phu Tai and Lao.
The Role of Livestock in Changing Upland Livelihoods in Northern Lao PDR by Joanne Millar, Boualy Sengdala, and Charles Sturt University***
***This presentation covered the Hmong, Khmu, Tai Deng,Tai Dam, Lao Phuan and Lao Loum ethnic Lao groups.
Factors Influencing Capacity Building for Livestock Development in Lao PDR: Strategies to improve Outcomes for Upland Rural Development by Viengxay Photakoun and Joanne Millar****
****This presentation covered women and ethnic minorities of Laos.
Perceptions of Tourism Impacts among Rural Communities in Luang Namtha, Luang Prabang, Khammouane and Champasak, Lao PDR
by Steven Schipani*****
*****This presentation covered ethnic Lao, Khmu, Hmong and Lanten ethnic groups.
Ethno-history of Phongsaly Province: a Margin Integration Process by Grégoire Schlemmer
Linking Food Security and Conservation. Capacity and Sustainability of Enclave Villages Within Nakai Nam Theun National Protected Area (Lao PDR) by Michelle Louise Smith******
******This presentation solely covered the Brou village (Korbong village) within the author’s research area.
Southern Laos in the Regional Economy: The Effects of Commercial Agriculture on Ethnic Groups Livelihood by Watcharee Srikham
Ksingmun: Ethnic and Language by Khamsone Thongmysay
Presentation of the Research Project “Development and Socio-cultural Change among the Khmu of Vieng Phouka (Luang Namtha Province)” by Andrea Schopohl
The Kmhmu’ Cheuang by Suksavang Simana
A Study of Mo Yao Healers: Traditional Health Care of Ethnic Phutai
in NE-Thailand by Thanyalux Chayasook Mollerup
Gender Relations in Cultural Tourism of Phutai Ethnic Group from Laos in Northeast of Thailand by Rukchanok Chumnanmak
The Role of Traditional Ritual in Cultural Maintenance and Tourism
in Phutai Village by Somjai Damrongsakul
The Ethnic Consciousness in Cultural Practices of the Phu Tai by Ninwadee Prompakping
Andrew Marshall on politics and education
Excellent, Mr. Marshell can describe Thailand’s middle class very accurately. Criticism to Mr. Marshell is that it took him too long to come up with this sort of article, this article should have been written 5 years ago.
Lao studies conference 2010: the fascination of the marginal
Dear Saowapha,
I was quoting from the article above in the third paragraph. It’s not my own assessment. I totally agree with you and wonder if the authors of this article really know that even the older Lao in the Lao PDR were educated in pre-revolution writing system, which is not that much different from the current one. It’s almost like comparing Australian English and American English.