Indeed! Aside from being an engaging piece Hla Oo, this (and previous) accounts help contribute (at least for us foreigners) to a more nuanced understanding of the Burma Army and those who comprise it. I look forward to more.
I have been watching Burma intensely for only a short while, but despite what I felt was a deep understanding of the issues, Burma VJ really brought that understanding home. As Caryl notes, I actually found myself choked up by the images of monks passing ASSK’s home in Rangoon.
As someone who lives in Washington, DC, I can say first-hand that I struggled to find a showing of this movie last year. (There are more now as Oscar season winds down). I recommended the film to everyone I know, but it wasn’t available even to rent or buy. Hopefully the press generated from the nomination will expand access for many more to this important film and put Burma and ASSK more firmly back on the map of American consciousness.
Shwethway is really good for anyone wanting to start learning to read and write Burmese, with the dual language text and simple, conversational dialogue.
In case any of you are interested in knowing more about the position that I am taking up, the University of Wisconsin has just released a press statement regarding my appointment. The link is: http://www.news.wisc.edu/17761
WLH – I have not read much of what Giles U. had written . . because those he wrote that I read were absolutely bores. But I cannot help notice how Giles U. repeatedly complained how the Thai elites had ganged up on the poor pitiful honest-mistaker Thaksin.
At least we agree that there are no such animals as ‘perfect democracy’ nor ‘perfect harmony’ and we should both be suspicious of left leaning liberals (New Mandala!) and right-leaning conservatives (The Nation!).
Michael :
1) If you find my comments so “silly”, what do you think of Giles Ungkaporn on seize the Palaces, etc. ?
2) What were you doing in Thailand in 1975 ?
3) Chinese protectorate – well it should be obvious even to an intellectual dilletante, that China would never let the Lao PDR be defeated, if the situation deteriorated to such an extent that the PDR was dragged into fighting in Isaarn between Bangkok troops and Isaarn soldiers.
4) I hope you are correct – I hope what I’ve been suggesting does indeed turn out to be “silly”.
But a break-up of the fascist-construct “Thailand” into even a more federal, more democratic Siam, appears increasingly to look more like going the way of former Yugoslavia, than the peaceful separation of Czechoslovakia.
5) I indeed hope I’m being too pessimistic, “silly” even.
It does seem that Her Majesty The Queen may be exercising a mild, tempering influence.
Certainly cooler, wiser heads seem to have prevented a disasterous coup-attempt while General Anupong was in the US.
HMQ has over recent years brokered some excellent compromises – eg. Bangkok’s Chuwit Park episode – which also raised the country’s moral tone.
Thanks all – Patiwat especially – for clarifying things for me.
I’m simply a farang trying to understand what the heck is happening.
I would have thought even “personal” military conversations could obviously be of great security concern, not least in a country like Thailand, with so many coups, etc.
Anyhow the Court’s judgment does seem to be playing havoc with Thailand’s telecoms sector.
The suggestion for a Unity Government (Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional) although far – fetched – represents Malaysia’s only hope – as it is most likely that Malay capitalists and their counterparts are prepared to use Malay and Muslim extremist (which is not the majority but most influential) to see Malaysia destroyed rather than lose their privileges’.
I’m merely stating that Najib has an option to head off vested interests should he choose to do so.
hclau , was this set of Supreme Court Political Division judges the same set of judges as the junta-appointed Constitutional Tribunal that banned the TRT Party?
Or were these judges appointed through parliamentary vote or a purely bureaucratic process?
Thailand’s Law is by military dictate – end of story. With that as a premise, then anyone can be found guilty by the courts / judges appointed by the military.
Even though, what we discuss here is strictly academic, I think we should at least apply some logic, which is sadly lacking in some posting.
The charge of benefiting abnormally ( or unusually) from his policies? One must at least show that Thaksin has gain a little more than his competitors or other business or Thaland’s economy in general. As a matter of fact, he did not, so where is the extra gain?
It’s like charging your neighbour for being extra loud – playing his stereo at 120 decibels, when you yourself is playing your stereo at 125 decibels and every other persons in the neighbourhood is at 120 decibels or more – where is the logic?
“However, a Unity Government with the “Rakyat” to eventually decide who they want as Government would actually be in the best interest of Malaysia and Najib, together with Anwar will go down in history as returning Malaysia to a democratic trajectory.”
And yesterday, I saw a pink elephant flew in bearing a message of peace and love. –
The chances of both the above events being true is about the same. Actually, the second one has a slightly better chance. With respect of the law by the BN govt at an all time low, I believe UMNO is preparing for the possibility of Plan “B” emergency rule!
Yes Sri, I do appreciate Michael’s verbosity rather than your pithy, humorous, eccentric and cheeky input with its short and sweetness trumping the long and involved.
Najib wants to be seen and known as the PM for all Malaysian, esp to the West but all his actions point to another direction. He is seen as the hand behind the fall of Perak state govt, Anwar’s Sodomy II trial, Tan Beng Hock’s death, Altantuya’s murder, Bala’s dissapearance, and many more (the jet that does not fly and the submariane that does not dive). He can’t be seen with Perkasa or MPM, but who knows what happens behind closed door, after all the UMNO ministers are good at negotiating everything ‘off-the-record’!? The attempts to bring down the state of Selangor points to a readiness to declare emergency and bring Selangor back to the arms of UMNO. It is after all the richest state in Malaysia. Of course, we, the people, hope that it doesn’t come to that. And hopefully the current state govt treads carefully for the next 2 years so that we can survive long enough for the next election! In the meantime, Najib will have his hands full with another faction rising in UMNO to usurp power from him, like he did in Perak. They will have to strike this year when things are still going weak for Najib (poor economy, capital flight, rising cost of goods, bad implementation of ‘new’ govt policy eg the GST).
Thaksin is seen as broke since the 26 Feb verdict but how come he is still accused of financing the reds. Well, I suspect his buddy Hun Sen is now paying the UDD.
Giles has repeatedly spoken against Thaksin as his preferred leadership of Thailand. Thaksin, if in power, would censor socialists like Giles just as hard as the current admin.
Anyway, I remain suspicious of right-leaning conservatives who espouse ‘perfect harmony’ for Thailand.
Now, Benny should surely appreciate the degree of verbosity (sounds like verbal abuse) of your comment. The use of “pompously” truly made me feel noijai! And, please, I am still “mademoiselle.”
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The scourge of Burma, Part 1
Indeed! Aside from being an engaging piece Hla Oo, this (and previous) accounts help contribute (at least for us foreigners) to a more nuanced understanding of the Burma Army and those who comprise it. I look forward to more.
The scourge of Burma, Part 1
I agree. Brilliant writing. Looking forward to the next instalment.
Burma VJ and “docudrama”
I have been watching Burma intensely for only a short while, but despite what I felt was a deep understanding of the issues, Burma VJ really brought that understanding home. As Caryl notes, I actually found myself choked up by the images of monks passing ASSK’s home in Rangoon.
As someone who lives in Washington, DC, I can say first-hand that I struggled to find a showing of this movie last year. (There are more now as Oscar season winds down). I recommended the film to everyone I know, but it wasn’t available even to rent or buy. Hopefully the press generated from the nomination will expand access for many more to this important film and put Burma and ASSK more firmly back on the map of American consciousness.
More on Burmese serials at NLA
Shwethway is really good for anyone wanting to start learning to read and write Burmese, with the dual language text and simple, conversational dialogue.
Hmong studies professor for University of Wisconsin – Madison
In case any of you are interested in knowing more about the position that I am taking up, the University of Wisconsin has just released a press statement regarding my appointment. The link is:
http://www.news.wisc.edu/17761
The scourge of Burma, Part 1
Thanks Dylan,
You praise alone is worth spending 5 weeks writing this New Mandala series.
The moral economy of corruption
The title of this thread is an oxymoron: “The moral economy of corruption”. Jeez, these left-leaning liberals never cease to amaze!
Any type of corruption is immoral. I thought that is what they thought at grade school.
Giles Ungpakorn on asset seizures, etc
WLH – I have not read much of what Giles U. had written . . because those he wrote that I read were absolutely bores. But I cannot help notice how Giles U. repeatedly complained how the Thai elites had ganged up on the poor pitiful honest-mistaker Thaksin.
At least we agree that there are no such animals as ‘perfect democracy’ nor ‘perfect harmony’ and we should both be suspicious of left leaning liberals (New Mandala!) and right-leaning conservatives (The Nation!).
Are you kidding me?
Michael :
1) If you find my comments so “silly”, what do you think of Giles Ungkaporn on seize the Palaces, etc. ?
2) What were you doing in Thailand in 1975 ?
3) Chinese protectorate – well it should be obvious even to an intellectual dilletante, that China would never let the Lao PDR be defeated, if the situation deteriorated to such an extent that the PDR was dragged into fighting in Isaarn between Bangkok troops and Isaarn soldiers.
4) I hope you are correct – I hope what I’ve been suggesting does indeed turn out to be “silly”.
But a break-up of the fascist-construct “Thailand” into even a more federal, more democratic Siam, appears increasingly to look more like going the way of former Yugoslavia, than the peaceful separation of Czechoslovakia.
5) I indeed hope I’m being too pessimistic, “silly” even.
It does seem that Her Majesty The Queen may be exercising a mild, tempering influence.
Certainly cooler, wiser heads seem to have prevented a disasterous coup-attempt while General Anupong was in the US.
HMQ has over recent years brokered some excellent compromises – eg. Bangkok’s Chuwit Park episode – which also raised the country’s moral tone.
Making sense of the verdict
Thanks all – Patiwat especially – for clarifying things for me.
I’m simply a farang trying to understand what the heck is happening.
I would have thought even “personal” military conversations could obviously be of great security concern, not least in a country like Thailand, with so many coups, etc.
Anyhow the Court’s judgment does seem to be playing havoc with Thailand’s telecoms sector.
A unity government for Najib?
Hi there HCLau,
The suggestion for a Unity Government (Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional) although far – fetched – represents Malaysia’s only hope – as it is most likely that Malay capitalists and their counterparts are prepared to use Malay and Muslim extremist (which is not the majority but most influential) to see Malaysia destroyed rather than lose their privileges’.
I’m merely stating that Najib has an option to head off vested interests should he choose to do so.
Regards
Greg
Making sense of the verdict
hclau , was this set of Supreme Court Political Division judges the same set of judges as the junta-appointed Constitutional Tribunal that banned the TRT Party?
Or were these judges appointed through parliamentary vote or a purely bureaucratic process?
Are you kidding me?
Dearest Mlle SriT@42: Pray, do not feel bad. Pomposity (&verbosity) can be fun – as if you didn’t know!
BTW, on the one occasion you identified your gender, I’m sure you wrote, “It’s Mrs.”
Making sense of the verdict
Thailand’s Law is by military dictate – end of story. With that as a premise, then anyone can be found guilty by the courts / judges appointed by the military.
Even though, what we discuss here is strictly academic, I think we should at least apply some logic, which is sadly lacking in some posting.
The charge of benefiting abnormally ( or unusually) from his policies? One must at least show that Thaksin has gain a little more than his competitors or other business or Thaland’s economy in general. As a matter of fact, he did not, so where is the extra gain?
It’s like charging your neighbour for being extra loud – playing his stereo at 120 decibels, when you yourself is playing your stereo at 125 decibels and every other persons in the neighbourhood is at 120 decibels or more – where is the logic?
A unity government for Najib?
“However, a Unity Government with the “Rakyat” to eventually decide who they want as Government would actually be in the best interest of Malaysia and Najib, together with Anwar will go down in history as returning Malaysia to a democratic trajectory.”
And yesterday, I saw a pink elephant flew in bearing a message of peace and love. –
The chances of both the above events being true is about the same. Actually, the second one has a slightly better chance. With respect of the law by the BN govt at an all time low, I believe UMNO is preparing for the possibility of Plan “B” emergency rule!
Are you kidding me?
Yes Sri, I do appreciate Michael’s verbosity rather than your pithy, humorous, eccentric and cheeky input with its short and sweetness trumping the long and involved.
A unity government for Najib?
Najib wants to be seen and known as the PM for all Malaysian, esp to the West but all his actions point to another direction. He is seen as the hand behind the fall of Perak state govt, Anwar’s Sodomy II trial, Tan Beng Hock’s death, Altantuya’s murder, Bala’s dissapearance, and many more (the jet that does not fly and the submariane that does not dive). He can’t be seen with Perkasa or MPM, but who knows what happens behind closed door, after all the UMNO ministers are good at negotiating everything ‘off-the-record’!? The attempts to bring down the state of Selangor points to a readiness to declare emergency and bring Selangor back to the arms of UMNO. It is after all the richest state in Malaysia. Of course, we, the people, hope that it doesn’t come to that. And hopefully the current state govt treads carefully for the next 2 years so that we can survive long enough for the next election! In the meantime, Najib will have his hands full with another faction rising in UMNO to usurp power from him, like he did in Perak. They will have to strike this year when things are still going weak for Najib (poor economy, capital flight, rising cost of goods, bad implementation of ‘new’ govt policy eg the GST).
Giles Ungpakorn on asset seizures, etc
Thaksin is seen as broke since the 26 Feb verdict but how come he is still accused of financing the reds. Well, I suspect his buddy Hun Sen is now paying the UDD.
Giles Ungpakorn on asset seizures, etc
Vichai@5:
Giles has repeatedly spoken against Thaksin as his preferred leadership of Thailand. Thaksin, if in power, would censor socialists like Giles just as hard as the current admin.
Anyway, I remain suspicious of right-leaning conservatives who espouse ‘perfect harmony’ for Thailand.
Are you kidding me?
Michael/Benny:
Now, Benny should surely appreciate the degree of verbosity (sounds like verbal abuse) of your comment. The use of “pompously” truly made me feel noijai! And, please, I am still “mademoiselle.”