I recall one of the incident when Thaksin was in power. One of his policies was to get rid of the mafia, both in moto-taxi and the van.
The incident was, there was a bomb on a taxi van at Nonthaburi Province (north of Bangkok). The investigator, led by Thaksin’s in law, Gen.Pol. Priewbhan Damapong, found out there’s some connection to close aide of Gen. Anupong, (at that time, he was commander of the 1st Region Army). Gen. Anupong denied the connection.
This implies the mafia involves some military personnel, even in Don Muang Airport where the Air Force controlling.
Thaksin changed policies of military reshuffle, many went to see Gen. Prem. The coup happened afterward.
[…] military stepped in, the two win closed down about a week ago, and everything is back to normal. Interview with Claudio Sopranzetti: The politics of motorcycle taxis "Sam…. It's true…. We're Cylons…. We have been from the start." Chief Tyrol […]
Oh man – you use The Nation as a reliable source????
Will you also be using one of Thanong’s pieces about the lining up of the planets during the crackdown?
You should.
It’s reliable evidence.
Of something.
Not sure what though.
Strength in numbers equals fascism? Is that the entire basis of your argument that the Reds are fascist? Really? Or that they had a cause? A cause they were single-minded about? You seriously believe that’s a thought through cogent argument, based on well-researched evidence and a thorough political analysis? Or is it just the ramblings of some ex-pat bloke who has too much time on his hands and an axe to grind? Given your propensity to make extraordinary leaps in your political analysis should we apply the same modus operandi to interpret your comments?
How many one on one interviews have you conducted with the Red Shirts? What research methodologies have you been using? Were you guided by any code of ethics while conducting your research? Did you speak to any of the Red Shirts you accuse of cheering the deaths at Silom about that incident? Is Prawit or The Nation your only source of evidence?
Or do you come to New Mandala, a blog read by academics, journalists and the like, many of whom are highly experienced in putting together arguments using these things called “facts” and expect anything other than derision?
Freedom of expression in Thailand has been on the down since the heady days of the mid-90s.
Notice the Singapore restriction on free speech has garnered all the headlines except on this site though. Restricitng the speech of locals just aint as important as restricting the speech of westerners to the western media. Such is reality.
Paul Ramos #10: ” Hundreds of innocent people were killed and portrayed as terrorists. ” Really? Where is your evidence? Currently, the ‘official’ figure is somewhere between 80 & 90. Please stick to the facts.
I think I can find a quote from Nation’s Prawit about this cheering and you go tell the world he is “extreme right wing”.
That is actually a sign how reds relate to anything that doesn’t fall in line with their view of the world – extreme right wing foolish stooges.
If there’s anything truly fascistic in their movement, it’s this intolerance and refusal to share and coexist with the opposition. All these enemies of “pure” democracy simply have no place in the red future. There’s only one message for them – cease and desist.
Tarrin, the first days of the protest they tried to show their popularity and numerical strength – one million people, hundred thousand pickups, warm welcome from Bangkok population and so on. Ask any red, they’d tell you that 90% of people support them.
Strength in numbers, everybody must obey their demands, fascism in literal sense.
The hosting of a Lao studies conference inside Laos is certainly a delicate matter. However, one should be optimistic as the second half of this year is going to be a broad campaign to promote Lao culture and history in the wake of the 60th anniversary of the Neo Lao Hak Xat (nowadays referred to as the Neo Lao Sang Xat) and the 450th anniversary of Vientiane Capital. So the Lao authorities should be looking for an opportunity to showcase and discuss their vision of a 21st century Laos. With regards to academics and researchers best acquainted with Laos, the best skilled/informed are flat out doing reports and projects for the National Assembly, the Front and the GoL.
I think the key factor is if these Chinese investors come from Yunnan and are ethnic Tai Lue or Haw. This is because they have a common language and broad patronage links through the Sipsongpanna. In contrast, ethnic Han Chinese lack the cultural empathy which is enjoyed by the Lao with their northern cousins from Jinghong, Meng La and Xiang Hung. The challenge for Laos is to make sure special economic zones don’t just become Chinese enclaves with few commercial opportunities for Lao locals. The Golden Triangle is a case example where it seems local traders have been bypassed (a new concrete highway helps to cement this image) for the benefit of outsiders who come to gamble in Thai baht at the newly constructed casino.
Tarrin, I have no gripe about the freedom of speech or communism per se. But, when an audio tape of AV ,our national leader, was played repeatedly by various Red Shirts leader to brand him as a murderer really got me angry. This same audio recording was played in the parliamentary sessions. It was scientifically-proven and court of law-ruled that the audio recording of AV telling soldiers to kill protesters during Songkran 2009 incident, was tampered 57 times. This lie will land many in jail and I don’t you like to live in a place where its people are affected by this lie. I pity my village neighbours who were duped by the recent event in Bkk. Culture of hate is what this is all about! Whatever it takes to make a political gain.
I could see the two steps that the Redshirts leaders employ to indoctrinate their followers. They will make you feel important and you are one in the group. Next, they will pick their target apart with evidence. Imagine this is done repeatedly. My maid in Chiangmai became a hardcore Redshirt. She watched lots of PTV. Had they not use lies in propagada, I will join the Redshirt movement myself. Many of the Redshirts leader are charismatic. Khun Nuttawut Saigua is simply a mesmerising orator. “Loot and burn Bkk!!! I will take responsibility!!!” I knew the Democrats lawyers would record that. They played after the fire. It was Khun Banharn Silapacha/CTPP de facto leader screaming to Khun Surayuth ,the news anchor of Ch 3 in a running commentary on May 19’s morning. “They gonna burn the city!” ‘pao baan; pao meung’
What about the rights of the listeners if they lied to? Lies. According to Joseph Conrad words can be ”great foes of reality” We are free to err.
Grant #2 re. :
“The staging of the event in Laos is very important, but when will the government be ready to host a spectrum of different opinions?”
Can you see this happening BEFORE the current very difficult situation in Thailand, especially Lao Isaarn, significantly changes ?
It’s a bit late now (my RSS feed hasn’t been working for NM for ages so I am catching up on old posts), but I must say I get a bit sick of seeing this same old line trotted out about ASEAN, Burma and non-interference. Without wanting to blatantly self-promote, my article, ‘ASEAN’s Albatross’ in Asian Security (2008) makes it clear that ASEAN has repeatedly violated non-interference in relation to Burma and has genuinely tried to promote reform and seek a role for itself in Burma’s ‘national reconciliation’. Every time ASEAN criticises Burma (as, for example, it has today, when it has demanded free elections and offered election observers), people react with a degree of shock that is totally inappropriate. It only reflects journalists’ ignorance of basic historical facts. Anyway, rant over!
No, the signs are not all there. They exist if your mind and …. errr… nowhere else.
“That explains nicely whey they cheered and celebrated when they knew there were casualties among Silom crowd after the grenade attacks.”
This cheering myth is a complete fabrication put out by extreme right wing sources that you are so fond of quoting. They cheered because a court decision had been perceived to go their way and it was announced from the stage.
StanG, if you’re going to take part in a serious debate please come prepared with at least the most basic debating skills otherwise you will continue to look a) foolish b) a stooge.
Yes I noticed that, I couldn’t find a proper one but if you go to http://www.nesdb.go.th/ they actually separate into 7 regions if I’m not mistaken but I didn’t have time to look for it now so that graph is the next best thing I got at the moment.
State crimes are not a specificity of Abhisit’s government, every Thai government has committed murder and oppression. Who was in power during the Thammasat massacre, Tak Bai massacre, who sent paramilitary groups to murder communists and labour activists, who organised the ‘war on drugs’, who sent death squads into schools and mosques in the south?
Has anybody ever been held accountable for these deaths?
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Interview with Claudio Sopranzetti: The politics of motorcycle taxis
beautiful, excellent study
thank you Claudio
Interview with Claudio Sopranzetti: The politics of motorcycle taxis
[…] http://www.newmandala.org/2010/07/21/interview-with-claudio-sopranzetti-the-politics-… […]
Interview with Claudio Sopranzetti: The politics of motorcycle taxis
I recall one of the incident when Thaksin was in power. One of his policies was to get rid of the mafia, both in moto-taxi and the van.
The incident was, there was a bomb on a taxi van at Nonthaburi Province (north of Bangkok). The investigator, led by Thaksin’s in law, Gen.Pol. Priewbhan Damapong, found out there’s some connection to close aide of Gen. Anupong, (at that time, he was commander of the 1st Region Army). Gen. Anupong denied the connection.
This implies the mafia involves some military personnel, even in Don Muang Airport where the Air Force controlling.
Thaksin changed policies of military reshuffle, many went to see Gen. Prem. The coup happened afterward.
Interview with Claudio Sopranzetti: The politics of motorcycle taxis
[…] Mandala has a very interesting interview with Claudio Sopranzetti who is writing his Ph.D dissertation on the politics of motorcycle taxis […]
Interview with Claudio Sopranzetti: The politics of motorcycle taxis
[…] military stepped in, the two win closed down about a week ago, and everything is back to normal. Interview with Claudio Sopranzetti: The politics of motorcycle taxis "Sam…. It's true…. We're Cylons…. We have been from the start." Chief Tyrol […]
Big questions for Thailand
StanG
Oh man – you use The Nation as a reliable source????
Will you also be using one of Thanong’s pieces about the lining up of the planets during the crackdown?
You should.
It’s reliable evidence.
Of something.
Not sure what though.
Strength in numbers equals fascism? Is that the entire basis of your argument that the Reds are fascist? Really? Or that they had a cause? A cause they were single-minded about? You seriously believe that’s a thought through cogent argument, based on well-researched evidence and a thorough political analysis? Or is it just the ramblings of some ex-pat bloke who has too much time on his hands and an axe to grind? Given your propensity to make extraordinary leaps in your political analysis should we apply the same modus operandi to interpret your comments?
How many one on one interviews have you conducted with the Red Shirts? What research methodologies have you been using? Were you guided by any code of ethics while conducting your research? Did you speak to any of the Red Shirts you accuse of cheering the deaths at Silom about that incident? Is Prawit or The Nation your only source of evidence?
Or do you come to New Mandala, a blog read by academics, journalists and the like, many of whom are highly experienced in putting together arguments using these things called “facts” and expect anything other than derision?
Interview with Claudio Sopranzetti: The politics of motorcycle taxis
Is the study restrcited to motorcycle taxis in Bangkok?
Freedom of expression in Thailand
Freedom of expression in Thailand has been on the down since the heady days of the mid-90s.
Notice the Singapore restriction on free speech has garnered all the headlines except on this site though. Restricitng the speech of locals just aint as important as restricting the speech of westerners to the western media. Such is reality.
Freedom of expression in Thailand
Paul Ramos #10: ” Hundreds of innocent people were killed and portrayed as terrorists. ” Really? Where is your evidence? Currently, the ‘official’ figure is somewhere between 80 & 90. Please stick to the facts.
Big questions for Thailand
I think I can find a quote from Nation’s Prawit about this cheering and you go tell the world he is “extreme right wing”.
That is actually a sign how reds relate to anything that doesn’t fall in line with their view of the world – extreme right wing foolish stooges.
If there’s anything truly fascistic in their movement, it’s this intolerance and refusal to share and coexist with the opposition. All these enemies of “pure” democracy simply have no place in the red future. There’s only one message for them – cease and desist.
Tarrin, the first days of the protest they tried to show their popularity and numerical strength – one million people, hundred thousand pickups, warm welcome from Bangkok population and so on. Ask any red, they’d tell you that 90% of people support them.
Strength in numbers, everybody must obey their demands, fascism in literal sense.
Lao Studies on the move
The hosting of a Lao studies conference inside Laos is certainly a delicate matter. However, one should be optimistic as the second half of this year is going to be a broad campaign to promote Lao culture and history in the wake of the 60th anniversary of the Neo Lao Hak Xat (nowadays referred to as the Neo Lao Sang Xat) and the 450th anniversary of Vientiane Capital. So the Lao authorities should be looking for an opportunity to showcase and discuss their vision of a 21st century Laos. With regards to academics and researchers best acquainted with Laos, the best skilled/informed are flat out doing reports and projects for the National Assembly, the Front and the GoL.
China – the largest foreign investor in Laos
I think the key factor is if these Chinese investors come from Yunnan and are ethnic Tai Lue or Haw. This is because they have a common language and broad patronage links through the Sipsongpanna. In contrast, ethnic Han Chinese lack the cultural empathy which is enjoyed by the Lao with their northern cousins from Jinghong, Meng La and Xiang Hung. The challenge for Laos is to make sure special economic zones don’t just become Chinese enclaves with few commercial opportunities for Lao locals. The Golden Triangle is a case example where it seems local traders have been bypassed (a new concrete highway helps to cement this image) for the benefit of outsiders who come to gamble in Thai baht at the newly constructed casino.
Freedom of expression in Thailand
Tarrin, I have no gripe about the freedom of speech or communism per se. But, when an audio tape of AV ,our national leader, was played repeatedly by various Red Shirts leader to brand him as a murderer really got me angry. This same audio recording was played in the parliamentary sessions. It was scientifically-proven and court of law-ruled that the audio recording of AV telling soldiers to kill protesters during Songkran 2009 incident, was tampered 57 times. This lie will land many in jail and I don’t you like to live in a place where its people are affected by this lie. I pity my village neighbours who were duped by the recent event in Bkk. Culture of hate is what this is all about! Whatever it takes to make a political gain.
I could see the two steps that the Redshirts leaders employ to indoctrinate their followers. They will make you feel important and you are one in the group. Next, they will pick their target apart with evidence. Imagine this is done repeatedly. My maid in Chiangmai became a hardcore Redshirt. She watched lots of PTV. Had they not use lies in propagada, I will join the Redshirt movement myself. Many of the Redshirts leader are charismatic. Khun Nuttawut Saigua is simply a mesmerising orator. “Loot and burn Bkk!!! I will take responsibility!!!” I knew the Democrats lawyers would record that. They played after the fire. It was Khun Banharn Silapacha/CTPP de facto leader screaming to Khun Surayuth ,the news anchor of Ch 3 in a running commentary on May 19’s morning. “They gonna burn the city!” ‘pao baan; pao meung’
What about the rights of the listeners if they lied to? Lies. According to Joseph Conrad words can be ”great foes of reality” We are free to err.
Lao Studies on the move
Grant #2 re. :
“The staging of the event in Laos is very important, but when will the government be ready to host a spectrum of different opinions?”
Can you see this happening BEFORE the current very difficult situation in Thailand, especially Lao Isaarn, significantly changes ?
Freedom of expression in Thailand
Interesting article at the times:
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/19/ad-apologizing-for-thai-protests-is-banned/?emc=eta1
China – the largest foreign investor in Laos
Hope this is going to be a two-way relationship with reasonable benefit sharing.
Good luck.
On ASEAN’s Burma policy
It’s a bit late now (my RSS feed hasn’t been working for NM for ages so I am catching up on old posts), but I must say I get a bit sick of seeing this same old line trotted out about ASEAN, Burma and non-interference. Without wanting to blatantly self-promote, my article, ‘ASEAN’s Albatross’ in Asian Security (2008) makes it clear that ASEAN has repeatedly violated non-interference in relation to Burma and has genuinely tried to promote reform and seek a role for itself in Burma’s ‘national reconciliation’. Every time ASEAN criticises Burma (as, for example, it has today, when it has demanded free elections and offered election observers), people react with a degree of shock that is totally inappropriate. It only reflects journalists’ ignorance of basic historical facts. Anyway, rant over!
Big questions for Thailand
StanG
“The signs are all there”
No, the signs are not all there. They exist if your mind and …. errr… nowhere else.
“That explains nicely whey they cheered and celebrated when they knew there were casualties among Silom crowd after the grenade attacks.”
This cheering myth is a complete fabrication put out by extreme right wing sources that you are so fond of quoting. They cheered because a court decision had been perceived to go their way and it was announced from the stage.
StanG, if you’re going to take part in a serious debate please come prepared with at least the most basic debating skills otherwise you will continue to look a) foolish b) a stooge.
Abhisit’s talk in Oxford: From the inside
р╣Нanonymous – 30
Yes I noticed that, I couldn’t find a proper one but if you go to http://www.nesdb.go.th/ they actually separate into 7 regions if I’m not mistaken but I didn’t have time to look for it now so that graph is the next best thing I got at the moment.
Freedom of expression in Thailand
to Paul #10
State crimes are not a specificity of Abhisit’s government, every Thai government has committed murder and oppression. Who was in power during the Thammasat massacre, Tak Bai massacre, who sent paramilitary groups to murder communists and labour activists, who organised the ‘war on drugs’, who sent death squads into schools and mosques in the south?
Has anybody ever been held accountable for these deaths?