Another Arrest in Thailand for Lese Majeste. Bangkok: At around 5PM today Thai police raided and arrested a 38-year-old Thai man, alleged to help spreading information demeaning to the King of Thailand and his family. This adds to an increasing number of such case in a country believed to be in love of its King with true heart and not by the fear of law. Tantawut Taweewarodomkul or Noom, alias Red Eagle, was arrested at the Assagan condominium in Pathum Thani, a Bangkok suburb province. He was accused of affiliating with a website program called “Thailand’s Way out” or “Tang-ok Pratetthai”, said to be aired on the websites “www.norporchorusa.com” and “www.norporchorusa2.com”, as well as the People Channel.
Thanks for the best advocacy I ever heard for Thaksin. Eloquently tabled, explained and in detail especially the intricacies of running the taxi service in BKK. A rich philanthropist, not even a socialist, and such acrimonious attacks on the man by the establishment. Redshirts will soon be labelled communist, everyone tarred with the same brush, the universal excuse for a crackdown on any progressive elements that challenge authority effectively the world over.
Khaosan you are obviously a malicious pro-PAD poster, posting a totally unfounded accusation like this against a respected academic.
Shame on you – you barbarian.
Well your lot have a real problem now – a ThanPuying has taken the stage at a Red Shirt rally.
This obviously indicates, at very least, that at least some people at Court don’t think the Red Shirts are all bad.
And remember what rough justice was dished out to Sondhi Lim.
‘The water level in the Xiaowan hydropower station, the only one with a reservoir, had fallen by 7.12 meters from the pre-dry-season level with the release of 560 million cubic meters of water to the lower reaches, he said.
This could only help adjust river water flows in border areas because the Chinese section accounted for only a small amount of water flow on the whole Mekong River, Zhang stated.’
So they argue that the low level of the Mekong in Lao is not caused by the filling of the Xiaowan reservoir, but because of the drought. The strange thing is that slow boat service on the Nam Ou, a Mekong tributary which springs at the Chinese border, is still possible (which can get difficult in the middle of the dry season) but boat travel on the Mekong is difficult now already. Very strange.
Thanks for your positive take on people. Just want to inform you that King Bhumibol does not have a nephew. He has a niece, (Than Puying) Thatsanawalai Sornsongkram, daughter of the late princess Kanlayani. She has a son named Chithat Sornsongkram. As they’re descendants from the female Mahidol, they no longer carry the royal title.
Mom Ratchawong (M. R.) and Mom Luang (M. L.) are (quasi) aristocrat. They’re not royal (Chao р╣Ар╕Ир╣Йр╕▓). There’s no need to view them as being part of the Royal Family. Let’s give them the freedom to choose their politics just like the rest of 64 million Thais.
Dear Suzie, there was no misinformation in my post, it’s just that you didn’t read it carefully. I never mentioned Sae Daeng, I mentioned the VoiceTV interview with Sae Dan.
I never said anything about who owns VoiceTV or who works there. It’s funny that your “correction on my misinformation” is wrong on that point. VoiceTV was founded in 2009 by Panthongtae Shinawatra, Thakin’s son (I’m just mentioning it to protect his and her sister’s reputation from any political manipulation.)
Andrew, congratulations for your new title: “the most pro-Thaksin commentator in the western world” which makes you an instant celebrity in this troubled land. However, I believe this title will not go unchallenged if one looks at what other commentator/academics like Giles Ungpakorn have been writing and doing.
There are also people from other fields whose actions can be perceived as being pro-Thaksin. Very soon, anti-Thaksin people will also create other titles such as the “most pro-Thaksin blogger, bureaucrat, businessman, and even khunying.”
Suzie:
Comment #4 was referring to Surachai Danwatananusorn (р╕кр╕╕р╕гр╕Кр╕▒р╕в р╕Фр╣Ир╕▓р╕Щр╕зр╕▒р╕Тр╕Щр╕▓р╕Щр╕╕р╕кр╕гр╕У), or “Sae Dan”, who is indeed a communist sympathizer and core leader of Daeng Siam. He is not to be confused with Maj. Gen. Khattiya, or “Seh Daeng”. One might suggest that you be sure of what you’re saying yourself before you go about correcting others.
Besides her busy duties protecting women in Thailand according to Wikipedia she also likes to “reach out to Thai women in carceration” and “enhance the lives of female inmates”.
Well the liberal use of the lese majeste law these days ought to be keeping her busy.
(btw, re. the award she recently received, one wonders how the United Nations could actually know if this woman has done a good job “protecting” women in Thailand when criticism of her work would be forbidden under lese majeste).
1 – I think Inaki was talking about Surachai Sae Darn, the prominent leader of the TCP. I think its also not correct to called him a communist, but rather, the leftist political leader. You see, there are many differences in other leftist ideology and communism.
It is so good that domino No 4 was saved from communist rule via supporting dictators because it has led to a loca savage tyranny far worse than civilized French colonial rule
I would like to make a correction on the misinformation given by comment #4
1. Sae Daeng is the nickname of Major General Khattiya Sawaddhipol, р╕Юр╕е.р╕Х. р╕Вр╕▒р╕Хр╕Хр╕┤р╕вр╕░ р╕кр╕зр╕▒р╕кр╕Фр╕┤р╕Ьр╕е, a Specialist in the Intelligence Unit of the Thai Army. He was one of the key commanders of the counterinsurgency division against the communists during the Cold War era. Comment #4 is completely wrong in saying that Sae Daeng is a communist.
2. Voice TV Co Th, an Internet TV for New Generation, is owned by former Prime Minister Thaksin’s eldest daughter. The aristrocrat M.L. Nattakorn Thevakul, р╕б. р╕е. р╕Ур╕▒р╕│р╕Ор╕Рр╕Бр╕гр╕Ур╣М р╣Ар╕Чр╕зр╕Бр╕╕р╕е, King Phumipon’s nephew, is the anchor of the daily political news called, “The Daily Dose,” for the Voice TV. He is known for supporting PM Thaksin and the Red Shirts.
3. Prachatai Webbord is owned by Jonathan Ungphakorn, р╕Ир╕нр╕лр╣Мр╕Щ р╕нр╕╢р╣Йр╕Зр╕ар╕▓р╕Бр╕гр╕Ур╣М, Dr. Puey Ungphakorn’s eldest son. Prachatai is probably the most popular and well respected news website among academics in Thailand.
Major General Khattiya Sawaddhipol, M.L. Nattakorn Thevakul, Jonathan Ungphakorn, these persons are national leaders in their own field of expertise whom I highly respected. Hence, I would like to protect their reputations from any political manipulation.
It makes one think that the elite’s campaign to overthrow the Thaksin government that started in 2006 has been the best thing that could happen to this country. This week, Sae Dan, the communist leader of “Red Siam” was interviewed on VoiceTV for an hour and he expressed his views on reform, revolution, lese majeste, republicanism and class struggle in Thailand. VoiceTV is a satellite and internet TV station, but a growing number of Thais get their information from alternative media because the blatant manipulation and distortion by the media organizations owned or controlled by the elites has opened their eyes. A “Red Cyber-Warrior” declared in an interview with Prachathai that he hasn’t been reading mainstream media since Abhisit came to power, and that is probably typical.
Many Thais have moved in the past four years from political indifference and ignorance to a high level of awareness of social and political issues and a healthy mistrust of the power and mainstream media, and quite a few taboos that seemed deeply ingrained in the Thai psyche have been challenged.
It is a measure of how far things have progressed over the past year, that even other writers on the New York Times are now producing quality like this on Thailand’s rural / provincial situation.
Before this, it was ONLY the superb Seth Mydans writing this in full (though Sydney Morning Herald journalist Lyndsay Murdoch did make an attempt, with a brief, superficial report from Khon Kaen over the Songkran riot period).
I was shouting from the rooftops for journalists to build on Seth Mydans’ uniquely excellent coverage of what was happening in the provinces, especially Isaan. It’s finally happened.
My only criticism, is this article states :
“The Thailand of today is not quite the France of 1789 – there is no history of major tensions between rich and poor”.
Oh yeah – what about Thailand post Thammasat’76 ?
Chris Baker, in his current A History of Thailand, second edition, correctly calls this “civil war”.
Given that it was led, on one-side, by the Thai Communist Party, it certainly was a “history of major tensions between rich and poor”. Sloppy historical research by the NY Times.
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Sufficiency economy gurus
Granny is now crippled gets but still only gets 500Bht a month pension.How does the “sufficiency economy” help Granny?
Chiranuch behind bars
Recieved via email:
Another Arrest in Thailand for Lese Majeste. Bangkok: At around 5PM today Thai police raided and arrested a 38-year-old Thai man, alleged to help spreading information demeaning to the King of Thailand and his family. This adds to an increasing number of such case in a country believed to be in love of its King with true heart and not by the fear of law. Tantawut Taweewarodomkul or Noom, alias Red Eagle, was arrested at the Assagan condominium in Pathum Thani, a Bangkok suburb province. He was accused of affiliating with a website program called “Thailand’s Way out” or “Tang-ok Pratetthai”, said to be aired on the websites “www.norporchorusa.com” and “www.norporchorusa2.com”, as well as the People Channel.
Imagining a new mandala in mainland Southeast Asia
Interesting threat Khaosan. How very yellow (shirted) of you.
Bangkok or bust, Part 1
Tarrin,
Thanks for the best advocacy I ever heard for Thaksin. Eloquently tabled, explained and in detail especially the intricacies of running the taxi service in BKK. A rich philanthropist, not even a socialist, and such acrimonious attacks on the man by the establishment. Redshirts will soon be labelled communist, everyone tarred with the same brush, the universal excuse for a crackdown on any progressive elements that challenge authority effectively the world over.
Imagining a new mandala in mainland Southeast Asia
Khaosan you are obviously a malicious pro-PAD poster, posting a totally unfounded accusation like this against a respected academic.
Shame on you – you barbarian.
Well your lot have a real problem now – a ThanPuying has taken the stage at a Red Shirt rally.
This obviously indicates, at very least, that at least some people at Court don’t think the Red Shirts are all bad.
And remember what rough justice was dished out to Sondhi Lim.
Xiaowan filling and the Mekong
Here is some news from Xinhua, the chinese press agency:
‘ China denies dams have worsened drought in Mekong River basin ‘
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2010-03/31/c_13231344.htm
‘The water level in the Xiaowan hydropower station, the only one with a reservoir, had fallen by 7.12 meters from the pre-dry-season level with the release of 560 million cubic meters of water to the lower reaches, he said.
This could only help adjust river water flows in border areas because the Chinese section accounted for only a small amount of water flow on the whole Mekong River, Zhang stated.’
So they argue that the low level of the Mekong in Lao is not caused by the filling of the Xiaowan reservoir, but because of the drought. The strange thing is that slow boat service on the Nam Ou, a Mekong tributary which springs at the Chinese border, is still possible (which can get difficult in the middle of the dry season) but boat travel on the Mekong is difficult now already. Very strange.
“…due to the sensitive nature…”
It seems SBS has very quickly deleted this programme from its’ archives, also.
Anecdote on aristocracy
Suzie sunshine,
Thanks for your positive take on people. Just want to inform you that King Bhumibol does not have a nephew. He has a niece, (Than Puying) Thatsanawalai Sornsongkram, daughter of the late princess Kanlayani. She has a son named Chithat Sornsongkram. As they’re descendants from the female Mahidol, they no longer carry the royal title.
Mom Ratchawong (M. R.) and Mom Luang (M. L.) are (quasi) aristocrat. They’re not royal (Chao р╣Ар╕Ир╣Йр╕▓). There’s no need to view them as being part of the Royal Family. Let’s give them the freedom to choose their politics just like the rest of 64 million Thais.
“…due to the sensitive nature…”
It’s not blocked any more in Bangkok (True Internet)
Anecdote on aristocracy
Dear Suzie, there was no misinformation in my post, it’s just that you didn’t read it carefully. I never mentioned Sae Daeng, I mentioned the VoiceTV interview with Sae Dan.
I never said anything about who owns VoiceTV or who works there. It’s funny that your “correction on my misinformation” is wrong on that point. VoiceTV was founded in 2009 by Panthongtae Shinawatra, Thakin’s son (I’m just mentioning it to protect his and her sister’s reputation from any political manipulation.)
Imagining a new mandala in mainland Southeast Asia
Andrew, congratulations for your new title: “the most pro-Thaksin commentator in the western world” which makes you an instant celebrity in this troubled land. However, I believe this title will not go unchallenged if one looks at what other commentator/academics like Giles Ungpakorn have been writing and doing.
There are also people from other fields whose actions can be perceived as being pro-Thaksin. Very soon, anti-Thaksin people will also create other titles such as the “most pro-Thaksin blogger, bureaucrat, businessman, and even khunying.”
Anecdote on aristocracy
Suzie:
Comment #4 was referring to Surachai Danwatananusorn (р╕кр╕╕р╕гр╕Кр╕▒р╕в р╕Фр╣Ир╕▓р╕Щр╕зр╕▒р╕Тр╕Щр╕▓р╕Щр╕╕р╕кр╕гр╕У), or “Sae Dan”, who is indeed a communist sympathizer and core leader of Daeng Siam. He is not to be confused with Maj. Gen. Khattiya, or “Seh Daeng”. One might suggest that you be sure of what you’re saying yourself before you go about correcting others.
Chiranuch behind bars
Maybe NM could contact Thailand’s Goodwill Ambassador for UNIFEM (The United Nations Development Fund for Women) for a comment on Jiranuch’s case:
http://www.saynotoviolence.org/around-world/news/princess-bajrakitiyabha-mahidol-thailand-receives-unifem-award
Besides her busy duties protecting women in Thailand according to Wikipedia she also likes to “reach out to Thai women in carceration” and “enhance the lives of female inmates”.
Well the liberal use of the lese majeste law these days ought to be keeping her busy.
(btw, re. the award she recently received, one wonders how the United Nations could actually know if this woman has done a good job “protecting” women in Thailand when criticism of her work would be forbidden under lese majeste).
Anecdote on aristocracy
I want to add on Susie Wong on that
1 – I think Inaki was talking about Surachai Sae Darn, the prominent leader of the TCP. I think its also not correct to called him a communist, but rather, the leftist political leader. You see, there are many differences in other leftist ideology and communism.
Chiranuch behind bars
It is so good that domino No 4 was saved from communist rule via supporting dictators because it has led to a loca savage tyranny far worse than civilized French colonial rule
“Thailand want р╕вр╕╕р╕Ър╕кр╕ар╕▓”: Red signs in English
They are sincere expressions. Big grins.
Anecdote on aristocracy
I would like to make a correction on the misinformation given by comment #4
1. Sae Daeng is the nickname of Major General Khattiya Sawaddhipol, р╕Юр╕е.р╕Х. р╕Вр╕▒р╕Хр╕Хр╕┤р╕вр╕░ р╕кр╕зр╕▒р╕кр╕Фр╕┤р╕Ьр╕е, a Specialist in the Intelligence Unit of the Thai Army. He was one of the key commanders of the counterinsurgency division against the communists during the Cold War era. Comment #4 is completely wrong in saying that Sae Daeng is a communist.
2. Voice TV Co Th, an Internet TV for New Generation, is owned by former Prime Minister Thaksin’s eldest daughter. The aristrocrat M.L. Nattakorn Thevakul, р╕б. р╕е. р╕Ур╕▒р╕│р╕Ор╕Рр╕Бр╕гр╕Ур╣М р╣Ар╕Чр╕зр╕Бр╕╕р╕е, King Phumipon’s nephew, is the anchor of the daily political news called, “The Daily Dose,” for the Voice TV. He is known for supporting PM Thaksin and the Red Shirts.
3. Prachatai Webbord is owned by Jonathan Ungphakorn, р╕Ир╕нр╕лр╣Мр╕Щ р╕нр╕╢р╣Йр╕Зр╕ар╕▓р╕Бр╕гр╕Ур╣М, Dr. Puey Ungphakorn’s eldest son. Prachatai is probably the most popular and well respected news website among academics in Thailand.
Major General Khattiya Sawaddhipol, M.L. Nattakorn Thevakul, Jonathan Ungphakorn, these persons are national leaders in their own field of expertise whom I highly respected. Hence, I would like to protect their reputations from any political manipulation.
Anecdote on aristocracy
It makes one think that the elite’s campaign to overthrow the Thaksin government that started in 2006 has been the best thing that could happen to this country. This week, Sae Dan, the communist leader of “Red Siam” was interviewed on VoiceTV for an hour and he expressed his views on reform, revolution, lese majeste, republicanism and class struggle in Thailand. VoiceTV is a satellite and internet TV station, but a growing number of Thais get their information from alternative media because the blatant manipulation and distortion by the media organizations owned or controlled by the elites has opened their eyes. A “Red Cyber-Warrior” declared in an interview with Prachathai that he hasn’t been reading mainstream media since Abhisit came to power, and that is probably typical.
Many Thais have moved in the past four years from political indifference and ignorance to a high level of awareness of social and political issues and a healthy mistrust of the power and mainstream media, and quite a few taboos that seemed deeply ingrained in the Thai psyche have been challenged.
Anecdote on aristocracy
It is a measure of how far things have progressed over the past year, that even other writers on the New York Times are now producing quality like this on Thailand’s rural / provincial situation.
Before this, it was ONLY the superb Seth Mydans writing this in full (though Sydney Morning Herald journalist Lyndsay Murdoch did make an attempt, with a brief, superficial report from Khon Kaen over the Songkran riot period).
I was shouting from the rooftops for journalists to build on Seth Mydans’ uniquely excellent coverage of what was happening in the provinces, especially Isaan. It’s finally happened.
My only criticism, is this article states :
“The Thailand of today is not quite the France of 1789 – there is no history of major tensions between rich and poor”.
Oh yeah – what about Thailand post Thammasat’76 ?
Chris Baker, in his current A History of Thailand, second edition, correctly calls this “civil war”.
Given that it was led, on one-side, by the Thai Communist Party, it certainly was a “history of major tensions between rich and poor”. Sloppy historical research by the NY Times.
Anecdote on aristocracy
The principle is there, but if the movement can take to another level, it could be really nice.