Thanks to all of our commentators on Nick’s fascinating photo-essay. I know that Part 2 is already in the works…
Some time overnight New Mandala‘s ClustrMap, first installed in August 2006, ticked over with its millionth reader. A part of me half expects that Duangjai (above) was the auspicious millionth reader of the site. I do hope so.
Best wishes to all, thanks for all of your comments over the years, and please do excuse the occasional coarse language,
“A young foreign female asked whether she would be arrested if she was in Thailand and was to write an article saying the monarchy are a feudal monarchy. Abhisit said that it depends on whether she also make allegations against the monarchy, and said that he also wants to work on the clarification of what the lese majeste law covers. The same young female then asked what would happen if there is no clarification. Abhisit said that if he made fair criticism, then he can defend that in the court. “The freedom of expression should be given as long as you protect the key institution. There is such kind of law in every country”, he said.”
There is actually not such a law in every country. The deep, deep issue may be whether the institution that needs protecting is actually the monarchy, or whether it is, in fact, democracy itself.
Circular logic doth find its home in Thailand. The entire point of the question, avoided as usual, was not whether anyone is deemed to criticize the monarchy but that they can in reality be put in prison for at least 84 days should someone induce the police to believe that speech was so objectionable. Being in jail and being in court is not justice. Prevention of unjust charges and prevention of unjust imprisonment and prevention of unjust trials is essential in democracy.
“So just about all the media have got it wrong except him?”
Well, let’s confine the comparison to the two national English-language papers in Thailand. Feel free to point to any of their news reporting of the current protest that doesn’t fit into the “red rage”, “rural hordes”, “March Madness” bracket.
Like Tarrin and Enrico, I look forward to you identifying at least some of what presumably must be many examples of what you see as “bias” in Nick’s reporting of this UDD protest. While you’re at it, you might also remind us of his obvious “slant in covering the Yellows”.
THIS IS SOOO STUPID, WHEN DID THAI PEOPLE ALL OF THE SUDDEN BECAME STUPID AND BLIND. THEY FORGOT HOW SIAM BECAME THAILAND IN THE 1ST. PLACE. THEY FORGOT THE MEANING OF OUR OWN COUNTRY, AND THEY FORGOT HOW WE BECAME A INDEPENDENT AND THE KING IS OUR LEADER. “AND RED T-SHIRT PEOPLE ALL OF YOU GUYS WILL GO STRAIGHT TO HELL. GIVING THE REST OF OUR ‘THAI’ PEOPLE A BAD NAMES AROUND THE WORLD. KILLING EACH OTHER FOR NOTHING, AND KARMA IS ALWAYS A BEST. SO RED T-SHIRT PEOPLE YOU GUYS COULD SUCK MY BIG FAT COCK. {YELLOW} IS BETTER AND IF YOU FORGOT THE MEANING AND FRIENDLY OUR COUNTRY IS THEN I DON’T THINK ANYONE’S DESERVE TO LIVE IN THAILAND. MOVE TO DIFFERENT COUNTRY THEN YOU’RE TOO BLIND AND TOO STUPID. YOU WANT “THAKSIN” TO RULE OUR COUNTRY BUT WHAT HAVE HE DONE TO OUR COUNTRY TO MAKE IT BETTER?? ALL I HAVE SEEN IS THAT HE WORRIED ABOUT HIM-SELF AND HIS FAMILY AND NOT HIS COUNTRY. WAKE-UP “THAI-PEOPLE” WAKE-UP. HE’S A MONSTER AND HE FORGOT THE VALUE OF HIS OWN PRIDE AND HIS COUNTRY AND THE PEOPLE THAT LIVED THERE.
Nobody should be getting terribly excited about Jit Phumisak books being on sale during the Red Shirt rallies.
There’s been a lone bookseller or two selling his stuff at Tula 14 Monument now, ever since that monument was constructed.
As far as I could see – on severeal visits – they never sold a single copy !
Sufficiency Economy “profoundly studied and adopted nation-wide” :
Little doubt now many Thais are studying how Thailand’s monarchy rose from being one of the world’s poorest, on King Ananda’s death, to now – by far – the world’s richest !
The use of English signs and other languages in the protesting by Red people is not to only to internationally communicate with the world(since the media in Thailand is controlled) , but also want to proof that E-Sarn people ( the people from he northeastern part of Thailand) are not stupid as claimed and believed by the elites and metro people. Abhisit may listen to them, but not follow, cause he still have stereo type of E-sarn people, that stupid and being used by former prim Taksin.
In Udon-Thanee, such a province in E-Sarn, the local culture is blending with western through wedding, many new generations are speaking more than 3 languages, the province is the home of countless Red Shirt.
More over, there are a lot of E-Sarn people graduated from other countries and major in South East Asia Study, they did research and revealed pure history of Thailand, which is so contrast to the history that appears in the text book ( which called fictional history). This group of former students are teaming up with Red Shirt, and getting supports from students in universities around the world including their professors to hunt down the elites who have been writing the history of Thailand in their ways.
The signs may have typo and error in grammar, since they were made to speak out their mind in rush. Some even don’t care whatever materials available.
Thanks for the excellent article, Brooke. It’s funny, I keep seeing references to MFAM mixing commerce and Buddhism but I have to say the commerce part is so low key that it was never an issue. The ‘fee’ for a month’s stay at Wat Sri Boen Ruang is so minimal, at least by Western standards, that it isn’t even a consideration when balanced against the opportunity it affords.
I was only there for one week but what I gained in that time will stay with me forever and I look forward to returning for a full month or more. I cheerfully gave more than was asked of me as I believe that this program and others supported by Blood Foundation are of great importance. A visit to the Daylight School alone shows how much impact a relatively small donation can have on people’s lives and makes giving very personal.
Thanks again for the balanced and thoughtful article,
Nicholas Farrelly@6 – “one of our great independent television stations is so conservative”.
Actually SBS is not really such an independent station – being mostly government funded, though less of a government mouthpiece than the ABC, due to the fact that unlike the ABC, it is able to overtly advertise, and thereby receive private funds.
Both SBS and the ABC, of course, operate under legislation
designed to enhance their independence but in practice what is true “independence” ?
I appreciate the difficulties Dateline’s producers faced here – if the program had been broadcast into Thailand, the Thai authorities would likely have viewed that as internal interference in their sovereign internal affairs, and hostile interference at that – due to Handley being interviewed. This could have made life very difficult for Australian journalist working in Thailand – as was the case when Suharto’s Indonesia reacted so in response to David Jenkins’ Sydney Morning Herald story on “Suharto’s Billions”.
What “military cooperation” would you be referring to then Suzy? Perhaps the excellent cooperation over sharing the oil spoils around the Spratly’s and Paracel Islands or is there some other cooperation going on between the Red Army in Beijing and the renegade, grenade-tossing Red militias in Bangkok you’d like to tell us about?
And what is the “major war” scenario you have in mind and how will scientifically “probing the problem” of unnatural water flows in the Mekong prevent it exactly? Your logic has stumped me.
I sincerely respect to Thai Rak Thai political party. However, Leader be able to help poor people and have a strong back ground. But political behaviors are believing Mr.Thasink as the God. Do you know how the corruption of Thasink is, how can he be a good leader that he runs away from country and support people to make violent against government. Do you think Thasink is a God of you? Anyway, the litter he support people the many he killed a lot of people in injustice way.
As my idea, I respect Thai Rak Thai Party but I don’t like the party pray him as a God for all Thai people.
I looked at the website http://www.monkforamonth.com/ and found some more information. It is good to see that women are welcomed even though they cannot ordain. This is still fairly progressive by Thai standards. I am curious to know more about how the program deals with gender issues and the experiences of women who have participated in the program.
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Bangkok or bust, Part 1
Thanks to all of our commentators on Nick’s fascinating photo-essay. I know that Part 2 is already in the works…
Some time overnight New Mandala‘s ClustrMap, first installed in August 2006, ticked over with its millionth reader. A part of me half expects that Duangjai (above) was the auspicious millionth reader of the site. I do hope so.
Best wishes to all, thanks for all of your comments over the years, and please do excuse the occasional coarse language,
Nich
“Thailand want р╕вр╕╕р╕Ър╕кр╕ар╕▓”: Red signs in English
Michael – 10
I noticed that sign too but I have no idea what’s it suppose to mean.
“Thailand want р╕вр╕╕р╕Ър╕кр╕ар╕▓”: Red signs in English
I came across this UDD sign on Ratchadamnoen Avenue last Sunday.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2757/4477393281_0b626f1a0e_o.jpg
“…due to the sensitive nature…”
Just checked and it is still blocked in the US.
“…due to the sensitive nature…”
Thanks Louie,
Can anybody else confirm? The SBS website still says “[t]his story has been blocked for viewing outside Australia”. Is this no longer the case?
Best wishes to all,
Nich
Abhisit’s talk in Oxford: From the inside
“A young foreign female asked whether she would be arrested if she was in Thailand and was to write an article saying the monarchy are a feudal monarchy. Abhisit said that it depends on whether she also make allegations against the monarchy, and said that he also wants to work on the clarification of what the lese majeste law covers. The same young female then asked what would happen if there is no clarification. Abhisit said that if he made fair criticism, then he can defend that in the court. “The freedom of expression should be given as long as you protect the key institution. There is such kind of law in every country”, he said.”
There is actually not such a law in every country. The deep, deep issue may be whether the institution that needs protecting is actually the monarchy, or whether it is, in fact, democracy itself.
Circular logic doth find its home in Thailand. The entire point of the question, avoided as usual, was not whether anyone is deemed to criticize the monarchy but that they can in reality be put in prison for at least 84 days should someone induce the police to believe that speech was so objectionable. Being in jail and being in court is not justice. Prevention of unjust charges and prevention of unjust imprisonment and prevention of unjust trials is essential in democracy.
Bangkok or bust, Part 1
George Jetson – 48
“So just about all the media have got it wrong except him?”
Well, let’s confine the comparison to the two national English-language papers in Thailand. Feel free to point to any of their news reporting of the current protest that doesn’t fit into the “red rage”, “rural hordes”, “March Madness” bracket.
Like Tarrin and Enrico, I look forward to you identifying at least some of what presumably must be many examples of what you see as “bias” in Nick’s reporting of this UDD protest. While you’re at it, you might also remind us of his obvious “slant in covering the Yellows”.
Bangkok or bust, Part 1
THIS IS SOOO STUPID, WHEN DID THAI PEOPLE ALL OF THE SUDDEN BECAME STUPID AND BLIND. THEY FORGOT HOW SIAM BECAME THAILAND IN THE 1ST. PLACE. THEY FORGOT THE MEANING OF OUR OWN COUNTRY, AND THEY FORGOT HOW WE BECAME A INDEPENDENT AND THE KING IS OUR LEADER. “AND RED T-SHIRT PEOPLE ALL OF YOU GUYS WILL GO STRAIGHT TO HELL. GIVING THE REST OF OUR ‘THAI’ PEOPLE A BAD NAMES AROUND THE WORLD. KILLING EACH OTHER FOR NOTHING, AND KARMA IS ALWAYS A BEST. SO RED T-SHIRT PEOPLE YOU GUYS COULD SUCK MY BIG FAT COCK. {YELLOW} IS BETTER AND IF YOU FORGOT THE MEANING AND FRIENDLY OUR COUNTRY IS THEN I DON’T THINK ANYONE’S DESERVE TO LIVE IN THAILAND. MOVE TO DIFFERENT COUNTRY THEN YOU’RE TOO BLIND AND TOO STUPID. YOU WANT “THAKSIN” TO RULE OUR COUNTRY BUT WHAT HAVE HE DONE TO OUR COUNTRY TO MAKE IT BETTER?? ALL I HAVE SEEN IS THAT HE WORRIED ABOUT HIM-SELF AND HIS FAMILY AND NOT HIS COUNTRY. WAKE-UP “THAI-PEOPLE” WAKE-UP. HE’S A MONSTER AND HE FORGOT THE VALUE OF HIS OWN PRIDE AND HIS COUNTRY AND THE PEOPLE THAT LIVED THERE.
“History will not forgive us…”
Nobody should be getting terribly excited about Jit Phumisak books being on sale during the Red Shirt rallies.
There’s been a lone bookseller or two selling his stuff at Tula 14 Monument now, ever since that monument was constructed.
As far as I could see – on severeal visits – they never sold a single copy !
Oranuch on sufficiency economy
Sufficiency Economy “profoundly studied and adopted nation-wide” :
Little doubt now many Thais are studying how Thailand’s monarchy rose from being one of the world’s poorest, on King Ananda’s death, to now – by far – the world’s richest !
“Thailand want р╕вр╕╕р╕Ър╕кр╕ар╕▓”: Red signs in English
The use of English signs and other languages in the protesting by Red people is not to only to internationally communicate with the world(since the media in Thailand is controlled) , but also want to proof that E-Sarn people ( the people from he northeastern part of Thailand) are not stupid as claimed and believed by the elites and metro people. Abhisit may listen to them, but not follow, cause he still have stereo type of E-sarn people, that stupid and being used by former prim Taksin.
In Udon-Thanee, such a province in E-Sarn, the local culture is blending with western through wedding, many new generations are speaking more than 3 languages, the province is the home of countless Red Shirt.
More over, there are a lot of E-Sarn people graduated from other countries and major in South East Asia Study, they did research and revealed pure history of Thailand, which is so contrast to the history that appears in the text book ( which called fictional history). This group of former students are teaming up with Red Shirt, and getting supports from students in universities around the world including their professors to hunt down the elites who have been writing the history of Thailand in their ways.
The signs may have typo and error in grammar, since they were made to speak out their mind in rush. Some even don’t care whatever materials available.
Mixing religion and commerce: The Monk for a Month Program in Fang, Chiang Mai
Thanks for the excellent article, Brooke. It’s funny, I keep seeing references to MFAM mixing commerce and Buddhism but I have to say the commerce part is so low key that it was never an issue. The ‘fee’ for a month’s stay at Wat Sri Boen Ruang is so minimal, at least by Western standards, that it isn’t even a consideration when balanced against the opportunity it affords.
I was only there for one week but what I gained in that time will stay with me forever and I look forward to returning for a full month or more. I cheerfully gave more than was asked of me as I believe that this program and others supported by Blood Foundation are of great importance. A visit to the Daylight School alone shows how much impact a relatively small donation can have on people’s lives and makes giving very personal.
Thanks again for the balanced and thoughtful article,
Pat Drnec (the guy on the left)
“…due to the sensitive nature…”
the video seems to be unblocked now
“…due to the sensitive nature…”
Nicholas Farrelly@6 – “one of our great independent television stations is so conservative”.
Actually SBS is not really such an independent station – being mostly government funded, though less of a government mouthpiece than the ABC, due to the fact that unlike the ABC, it is able to overtly advertise, and thereby receive private funds.
Both SBS and the ABC, of course, operate under legislation
designed to enhance their independence but in practice what is true “independence” ?
I appreciate the difficulties Dateline’s producers faced here – if the program had been broadcast into Thailand, the Thai authorities would likely have viewed that as internal interference in their sovereign internal affairs, and hostile interference at that – due to Handley being interviewed. This could have made life very difficult for Australian journalist working in Thailand – as was the case when Suharto’s Indonesia reacted so in response to David Jenkins’ Sydney Morning Herald story on “Suharto’s Billions”.
Xiaowan filling and the Mekong
What “military cooperation” would you be referring to then Suzy? Perhaps the excellent cooperation over sharing the oil spoils around the Spratly’s and Paracel Islands or is there some other cooperation going on between the Red Army in Beijing and the renegade, grenade-tossing Red militias in Bangkok you’d like to tell us about?
And what is the “major war” scenario you have in mind and how will scientifically “probing the problem” of unnatural water flows in the Mekong prevent it exactly? Your logic has stumped me.
“Thailand want р╕вр╕╕р╕Ър╕кр╕ар╕▓”: Red signs in English
image019.jpg probably means ‘against coup’, because that would be the exact translation from the Thai writing on the banner.
Thai Rak Thai’s social contract
I sincerely respect to Thai Rak Thai political party. However, Leader be able to help poor people and have a strong back ground. But political behaviors are believing Mr.Thasink as the God. Do you know how the corruption of Thasink is, how can he be a good leader that he runs away from country and support people to make violent against government. Do you think Thasink is a God of you? Anyway, the litter he support people the many he killed a lot of people in injustice way.
As my idea, I respect Thai Rak Thai Party but I don’t like the party pray him as a God for all Thai people.
Thank you.
Xiaowan filling and the Mekong
Well, I guess Lao is paying back in natura for all those low interest loans, grants and gifts from the PRC
Mixing religion and commerce: The Monk for a Month Program in Fang, Chiang Mai
I looked at the website http://www.monkforamonth.com/ and found some more information. It is good to see that women are welcomed even though they cannot ordain. This is still fairly progressive by Thai standards. I am curious to know more about how the program deals with gender issues and the experiences of women who have participated in the program.
Xiaowan filling and the Mekong
We can use the very scientific Occam’s Razor principle here, Suzy Wong: two grabbing hands are enough to explain problem; no need to suppose a third.