Meeng, please stop. You’re making Thais look bad. Blaming the west for their ‘ignorant views’ shows how small minded you are. Your reason for ‘Free media’ is rendered nil by the Thai gov’s massive blockage on the net. And that’s the most obvious part of it.
So stop, before you confirm more of their views to be correct.
However, if using smart phone and a wi-fi connection to the same CAT ISP no problem. This is probably because using either Opera Mini or Skyfire on the phone and they use their own proxy servers to speed things up.
Along this same line, as recently as a few days ago, able to use proxybrowsing.com to access sites blocked in Thailand but that has not been working for the past day or so.
@Simon, either you are blind, dumb or a Yellow supporter.
Government censorship in Thailand is now at record levels. Hundreds of thousands of web sites are blocked.
Pro-Red TV and media is closed down, while pro-Yellow ASTV, Manager, Nation are allowed to continue spewing their lies and propaganda.
Notice how the remaining pro-government media (that is all that is left now) is not reporting anything much on those civilians killed . These same channels run 5 days of nurses crying about being upset, but now run nothing about the dead, how snipers shot their heads, which army units did it……
All the pro government media concentrates on is the burnt buildings, and cares nothing at all for those who died by the army/governments hand.
It is a disgrace.
And if you read the actual reports from journalists (like Richard Barrow) and not the “rumours” by government propaganda, all some reds did was insist photo’s were deleted of the riots, as obviously they did not want to be photo’d. Richard clearly said they were friendly and nice, but insisted on the photo’s being deleted.
So what does the pro-government propaganda machine pump out along with the Yellow shirt supporters ? They pump it out all reporters are targets and take off your arm band – more lies.
The only reporter shot dead was the Italian, and he was shot with a bullet coming from the army side.
The only reporter shot dead on April 10th was a Japanese, again with the bullet coming from the army side.
How many times in the last month has the pro-government yellow propaganda machine pumped out the “Thaksin is dead” rumour. 100 times or more ?
They are disgusting people the Yellow media propaganda agents, shameless people.
Suzie Wong, thank you for your input concerning the Thai military and the Palace, particularly the Queen. I, for one, encourage you to continue exploring and explaining the behind-the-scenes linkages which too often tend to be either ignored or avoided by many of us New Mandala posters. I also appreciate the questions you have posed and look forward to reading the comments of our peers regarding the realm of the shadows. In my humble opinion there has been too much focus on the obvious (King Bhumipol, Abhisit, Suthep, Anupong, Prayuth, Thaksin, etc.) and not enough on the unseen (sounds like a marketing slogan, doesn’t it?). If we truly seek to comprehend fully Thailand’s ongoing political crisis then we must pay closer attention to the inner workings of the military establishment, the Privy Council and the Palace (Queen Sirikit especially). I no longer subscribe to the concocted and royally-sponsored PAD accusations that Thaksin is the root of all evil in the Land of Smiles mainly because I have been a willing and PAID disseminator of anti-Thaksin propaganda. The Thai State is without a doubt a kleptocracy. But we need to turn our attention and point our fingers in the right direction, anonymously of course.
I would like to declare that the Thai armed forces are undergoing a major stress test at the moment. The Royal Thai Army is showing signs of strain and it is fissuring to such an extent that the loyalty of certain officers is “suspect” and deemed a “threat”; this is especially evident within the 2nd and the 3rd regional commands. A reshuffle could happen earlier than anticipated. Palace interference in the promotion of “favourites” has led to some officers openly to question the “fairness” of the system or have not carried out their orders to the full. Instead, excuses are given such as Red Shirt protesters blocking the railroad, not enough trucks to transport the troops, too many soldiers on furlough, do not have the right equipment, etc. Anupong and Prayuth have their work cut out for them. Also keep in mind that the military units that were involved in and responsible for the recent crackdown on the Red Shirts in Bangkok have conducted covert “sweeps” of mid-ranking Red Shirt community leaders and activists across the city. However, neither the Thai nor the foreign media will touch this story for the simple reason that there are “no” witnesses, “evidence” is lacking, and who cares about the fate of “terrorists” to begin with.
By the way, back in 2007 there was an intriguing article entitled “How Thailand’s Royals Manage to Own All the Good Stuff” that caused quite a stir amongst the military government of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont. I argue that it needs to be reread and revised.
And before I forget, the reason why the Palace does not shell out its share of taxes is because the Bureau of Crown Property is exempt from contributing a portion of its well-deserved largesse to the national treasury. Thaksin was a fool who believed that he could enjoy the same courtesy and look what happened to him. Still, let’s not ignore the “facts” that he WAS an abuser of State power, a violator of human rights, a corrupt politician, a manipulator of the rural and urban poor, and a closet republican. Dio mio, our propaganda campaign really worked, didn’t it?
Do not forget – one chapter has concluded, another one has just begun.
Do you watch too much American movies? Westerners do not need to get undergraduate degree to be successful. They can drop out of school and go back whenever they are ready. They start working and earn money when they are 15 years old. They can go back to school when they are 40. If they want to learn something, they can just simply go to the public library to study on their own.
How can you judge them by watching Hollywood movie? Their education system teaches their student to think, discuss, analyze and find your own conclusion. Their teacher didn’t tell them what to think, but give them the facts and information. Their tests are not about finding the most difficult thing on that subject out of the book. They test on what they teach. I don’t pretend to know everything. It might be only from my experience from both side of the world.
I respect your opinion, but I’m worry about the way you think. If a high educated person like you thinks this way, Thailand will not go anywhere. Your education will not help the country. Be a leader, who has to look at the big picture, not just for your own benefit. Trust in people and their potential.
No one is perfect. Learning is a process. You do not live alone. If you don’t want to help, then try not to be on their way. Thanks!
Chalie # 29 :
it must have been the thought of an LM charge which brought the
blockers into line.
And all thanks to the good CP and his brave Captain Fufu.
The captain deserves a further promotion !
And the Prince deserves his Crown !
I would appreciate any other efforts to clarify what might be going on. In the past we have received sporadic reports of blocking but I have never seen it with my own eyes, or received solid evidence that NM has been targeted in any consistent fashion.
MangoBoy #13 :
it is obvious from the accurate information Suzie Wong has placed on this post over a very long period that she is not a Soi Cowboy lady.
She is definitely somebody with very good, very highly placed sources of information.
Chris Beale, interesting that you see Suzie Wong’s comments as ‘confirming’ these ‘open secrets’. By what authorty do you feel that someone who names themself after a brothel in Soi Cowboy has to justify those claims. Was s/he in the Dusit Thani with Seh Daeng’s assasin, is s/he part of HM’s retinue to know that HM is the key player?
I’m not saying what Suzie Wong is neccessarily wrong, just that someone voicing an opinion does not alway constitute ‘confirmation’.
That Matthew Hunter in the comments part who thinks Bangkok people think western are bias.
And I think, Andrew, your artical is bias.
You know why we complain about western bias? Because you do not know the whole truth. You’re not local and you only listen to someone (western media) who only know tiny part of the truth. And because of that it painted the picture and made one side looks good and the other side looks bad. Just like what you did in the article. You think you knew all but you didn’t even know half of it. We do not mind if you want to say anything coz we like freedom, free media too, but make sure what you said is the truth and that you really know the truth. We do not think that the poor’s people vote shouldn’t count because they’re stupid. That is just wrong. This is why we’re frustrated with people like Matthew Hunter who thinks he knows everything but he doesn’t. If it’s a democratic vote, they are more than entitled to it. But their vote was bought by money. Do you know how this works in Thailand? Of course you wouldn’t because you’re not a local. Do you know how the red shirt protesters were paid 500 baht a day each to be there thinking that they’re there for democratic? Of course, you wouldn’t know all these, again because you’re not local. It’s just like we think, all Australians are bloody lazy and spoiled. No wonder you’re scared of any immigrants coz they will take away your job coz they’re more hard-working than you people. Is it true? I think only you local would know the answer, but that’s what we heard and saw too, just like you heard and saw from the media then made the assumption yourself. I suggest you interview the locals on both sides and at least more than 10 of them.
Chris Beale 82
Because maybe the boys with the matches weren’t aware which stores were on the red list or the black list and just like playing with matches?
There is not always a grand plan or even a conspiracy. Were the 500 deaths in Songkran planned this year? Were they prevented? If so which government is responsible?
p.s. I believe it’s safe to shop at Esplanade…..
I guess hoping to open minds to opposing views was a bit of a long shot. Funny you teaching at Chula as you never struck me as an educated man reading through your comments. Is that purposely talking rougher as in the “mokney” accents in London? Are you a Trotskyist like Giles by the way just so I know where you are coming from?
What school did Cunningham go to? I have no idea as I only heard his name today. What school did you go to Jim? Why we are at it, I’m interested in what school Giles went to. His biography seems to start with university. Makes me wonder if he is a public school boy. Surely not Eton like Abhisit. Do you know Jim?
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New Mandala “temporarily curtailed”?
Blocked on TOT service in Chiang Mai.
London discussion of Thailand’s political turmoil
[…] 21, 2010 The New Mandala has put out an announcement of a panel discussion on Thailand to be held next Thursday in UCL. […]
Commentary on roots of the Thai crisis
Meeng, please stop. You’re making Thais look bad. Blaming the west for their ‘ignorant views’ shows how small minded you are. Your reason for ‘Free media’ is rendered nil by the Thai gov’s massive blockage on the net. And that’s the most obvious part of it.
So stop, before you confirm more of their views to be correct.
Former Australian Foreign Minister calls for new election in Thailand
Nich,
Using CAT as ISP in Thailand. When click on the mentioned link above, sent to this URL:
http://58.97.5.29/www.capothai.org/
However, if using smart phone and a wi-fi connection to the same CAT ISP no problem. This is probably because using either Opera Mini or Skyfire on the phone and they use their own proxy servers to speed things up.
Along this same line, as recently as a few days ago, able to use proxybrowsing.com to access sites blocked in Thailand but that has not been working for the past day or so.
Chaos, curfew and confusion
@Simon, either you are blind, dumb or a Yellow supporter.
Government censorship in Thailand is now at record levels. Hundreds of thousands of web sites are blocked.
Pro-Red TV and media is closed down, while pro-Yellow ASTV, Manager, Nation are allowed to continue spewing their lies and propaganda.
Notice how the remaining pro-government media (that is all that is left now) is not reporting anything much on those civilians killed . These same channels run 5 days of nurses crying about being upset, but now run nothing about the dead, how snipers shot their heads, which army units did it……
All the pro government media concentrates on is the burnt buildings, and cares nothing at all for those who died by the army/governments hand.
It is a disgrace.
And if you read the actual reports from journalists (like Richard Barrow) and not the “rumours” by government propaganda, all some reds did was insist photo’s were deleted of the riots, as obviously they did not want to be photo’d. Richard clearly said they were friendly and nice, but insisted on the photo’s being deleted.
So what does the pro-government propaganda machine pump out along with the Yellow shirt supporters ? They pump it out all reporters are targets and take off your arm band – more lies.
The only reporter shot dead was the Italian, and he was shot with a bullet coming from the army side.
The only reporter shot dead on April 10th was a Japanese, again with the bullet coming from the army side.
How many times in the last month has the pro-government yellow propaganda machine pumped out the “Thaksin is dead” rumour. 100 times or more ?
They are disgusting people the Yellow media propaganda agents, shameless people.
London discussion of Thailand’s political turmoil
Suzie Wong, thank you for your input concerning the Thai military and the Palace, particularly the Queen. I, for one, encourage you to continue exploring and explaining the behind-the-scenes linkages which too often tend to be either ignored or avoided by many of us New Mandala posters. I also appreciate the questions you have posed and look forward to reading the comments of our peers regarding the realm of the shadows. In my humble opinion there has been too much focus on the obvious (King Bhumipol, Abhisit, Suthep, Anupong, Prayuth, Thaksin, etc.) and not enough on the unseen (sounds like a marketing slogan, doesn’t it?). If we truly seek to comprehend fully Thailand’s ongoing political crisis then we must pay closer attention to the inner workings of the military establishment, the Privy Council and the Palace (Queen Sirikit especially). I no longer subscribe to the concocted and royally-sponsored PAD accusations that Thaksin is the root of all evil in the Land of Smiles mainly because I have been a willing and PAID disseminator of anti-Thaksin propaganda. The Thai State is without a doubt a kleptocracy. But we need to turn our attention and point our fingers in the right direction, anonymously of course.
I would like to declare that the Thai armed forces are undergoing a major stress test at the moment. The Royal Thai Army is showing signs of strain and it is fissuring to such an extent that the loyalty of certain officers is “suspect” and deemed a “threat”; this is especially evident within the 2nd and the 3rd regional commands. A reshuffle could happen earlier than anticipated. Palace interference in the promotion of “favourites” has led to some officers openly to question the “fairness” of the system or have not carried out their orders to the full. Instead, excuses are given such as Red Shirt protesters blocking the railroad, not enough trucks to transport the troops, too many soldiers on furlough, do not have the right equipment, etc. Anupong and Prayuth have their work cut out for them. Also keep in mind that the military units that were involved in and responsible for the recent crackdown on the Red Shirts in Bangkok have conducted covert “sweeps” of mid-ranking Red Shirt community leaders and activists across the city. However, neither the Thai nor the foreign media will touch this story for the simple reason that there are “no” witnesses, “evidence” is lacking, and who cares about the fate of “terrorists” to begin with.
By the way, back in 2007 there was an intriguing article entitled “How Thailand’s Royals Manage to Own All the Good Stuff” that caused quite a stir amongst the military government of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont. I argue that it needs to be reread and revised.
And before I forget, the reason why the Palace does not shell out its share of taxes is because the Bureau of Crown Property is exempt from contributing a portion of its well-deserved largesse to the national treasury. Thaksin was a fool who believed that he could enjoy the same courtesy and look what happened to him. Still, let’s not ignore the “facts” that he WAS an abuser of State power, a violator of human rights, a corrupt politician, a manipulator of the rural and urban poor, and a closet republican. Dio mio, our propaganda campaign really worked, didn’t it?
Do not forget – one chapter has concluded, another one has just begun.
London discussion of Thailand’s political turmoil
MangoBoy #13 :
Re:
“Was s/he in the Dusit Thani with Seh Daeng’s assasin, is s/he part of HM’s retinue to know that HM is the key player?
I’m not saying what Suzie Wong is neccessarily wrong”
Thanks for these clues – Jim Taylor, Andrew Walker take note.
London discussion of Thailand’s political turmoil
Suzie once quoted Notthenation and it took a dozen posts by NM regulars for someone never heard of before to eventually spot it.
God knows where “she” gets the rest of her info.
http://www.newmandala.org/2010/02/20/army-defiance/#comment-681069
20 May 1992
The CNN “reporter” got wind of the criticism of her essay on Thai politics and sent this on Twitter (@BrookebCNN):
“Wow. Meant no disrespect to your King. 64 years on the throne. SO highly revered. So impressive. Apologies if that didn’t come across.”
On behalf of America, I apologize for her.
London discussion of Thailand’s political turmoil
Just to repeat the earlier requests for a video if it’s at all possible. It would be enormously appreciated by many, I’m sure.
And re Suzie Wong: my first thought was the book and film. Strange that anyone would think (or, indeed, even know) of a bar on Soi Cowboy.
20 May 1992
@Dear Benja :
Do you watch too much American movies? Westerners do not need to get undergraduate degree to be successful. They can drop out of school and go back whenever they are ready. They start working and earn money when they are 15 years old. They can go back to school when they are 40. If they want to learn something, they can just simply go to the public library to study on their own.
How can you judge them by watching Hollywood movie? Their education system teaches their student to think, discuss, analyze and find your own conclusion. Their teacher didn’t tell them what to think, but give them the facts and information. Their tests are not about finding the most difficult thing on that subject out of the book. They test on what they teach. I don’t pretend to know everything. It might be only from my experience from both side of the world.
I respect your opinion, but I’m worry about the way you think. If a high educated person like you thinks this way, Thailand will not go anywhere. Your education will not help the country. Be a leader, who has to look at the big picture, not just for your own benefit. Trust in people and their potential.
No one is perfect. Learning is a process. You do not live alone. If you don’t want to help, then try not to be on their way. Thanks!
Former Australian Foreign Minister calls for new election in Thailand
Chalie # 29 :
it must have been the thought of an LM charge which brought the
blockers into line.
And all thanks to the good CP and his brave Captain Fufu.
The captain deserves a further promotion !
And the Prince deserves his Crown !
Former Australian Foreign Minister calls for new election in Thailand
Thank Chalie,
I would appreciate any other efforts to clarify what might be going on. In the past we have received sporadic reports of blocking but I have never seen it with my own eyes, or received solid evidence that NM has been targeted in any consistent fashion.
Best wishes to all,
Nich
Former Australian Foreign Minister calls for new election in Thailand
Nicholas,
As of now, both are working.
London discussion of Thailand’s political turmoil
MangoBoy #13 :
it is obvious from the accurate information Suzie Wong has placed on this post over a very long period that she is not a Soi Cowboy lady.
She is definitely somebody with very good, very highly placed sources of information.
London discussion of Thailand’s political turmoil
Chris Beale, interesting that you see Suzie Wong’s comments as ‘confirming’ these ‘open secrets’. By what authorty do you feel that someone who names themself after a brothel in Soi Cowboy has to justify those claims. Was s/he in the Dusit Thani with Seh Daeng’s assasin, is s/he part of HM’s retinue to know that HM is the key player?
I’m not saying what Suzie Wong is neccessarily wrong, just that someone voicing an opinion does not alway constitute ‘confirmation’.
Chaos, curfew and confusion
does anyone know what army unit(s) are involved on Wednesday crackdown?
Commentary on roots of the Thai crisis
That Matthew Hunter in the comments part who thinks Bangkok people think western are bias.
And I think, Andrew, your artical is bias.
You know why we complain about western bias? Because you do not know the whole truth. You’re not local and you only listen to someone (western media) who only know tiny part of the truth. And because of that it painted the picture and made one side looks good and the other side looks bad. Just like what you did in the article. You think you knew all but you didn’t even know half of it. We do not mind if you want to say anything coz we like freedom, free media too, but make sure what you said is the truth and that you really know the truth. We do not think that the poor’s people vote shouldn’t count because they’re stupid. That is just wrong. This is why we’re frustrated with people like Matthew Hunter who thinks he knows everything but he doesn’t. If it’s a democratic vote, they are more than entitled to it. But their vote was bought by money. Do you know how this works in Thailand? Of course you wouldn’t because you’re not a local. Do you know how the red shirt protesters were paid 500 baht a day each to be there thinking that they’re there for democratic? Of course, you wouldn’t know all these, again because you’re not local. It’s just like we think, all Australians are bloody lazy and spoiled. No wonder you’re scared of any immigrants coz they will take away your job coz they’re more hard-working than you people. Is it true? I think only you local would know the answer, but that’s what we heard and saw too, just like you heard and saw from the media then made the assumption yourself. I suggest you interview the locals on both sides and at least more than 10 of them.
Burning, curfew
Chris Beale 82
Because maybe the boys with the matches weren’t aware which stores were on the red list or the black list and just like playing with matches?
There is not always a grand plan or even a conspiracy. Were the 500 deaths in Songkran planned this year? Were they prevented? If so which government is responsible?
p.s. I believe it’s safe to shop at Esplanade…..
London discussion of Thailand’s political turmoil
Jim Taylor – 9
I guess hoping to open minds to opposing views was a bit of a long shot. Funny you teaching at Chula as you never struck me as an educated man reading through your comments. Is that purposely talking rougher as in the “mokney” accents in London? Are you a Trotskyist like Giles by the way just so I know where you are coming from?
What school did Cunningham go to? I have no idea as I only heard his name today. What school did you go to Jim? Why we are at it, I’m interested in what school Giles went to. His biography seems to start with university. Makes me wonder if he is a public school boy. Surely not Eton like Abhisit. Do you know Jim?