IMHO, Most interesting is that the article brings his four sons by Sucharini back into the fold with full titles — which I don’t think were ever officially removed, but didn’t ever seem to be used since he threw her out in 1996. These kids haven’t even been talked about since then. Mom Usnisa is a semi-official palace interpreter/promoter, and wouldn’t be writing this if it didn’t mean the four were not back in the fold to a certain extent. Still, Sucharini is still just “Mom” and their first son is HSH. Little Prince Dipangkorn is HRH.
One question about the article: if he has been doing “more and more” of the king’s ceremonial duties, how did he have the time to get 3,000 hours of “commercial” flight time in on the 737-400? If averaged over 4 years, that’s the level of a full time pilot I think.
Chris Beale: you really say some weird things. Even Usnisa doesn’t go so far. But I guess someone has to say it.
The only gossip and problems I’ve heard from Lao authorities lately via the grapevine is that they’ve stepped up fining people trying to smuggle fruits and meats from Laos to the states (about $300 in fines for smuggling buffalo skin!!).
The new district is now officially established. On December 25th the act on its creation was published in the Royal Gazette, taking effect the following day.
[…] connected to the March 2004 disappearance of Somchai Neelaphaichit, as well as recent analysis of the effects of the national security detentions on families of detainees. The crisis in southern Thailand has heightened, not resolved, during the regime of PM […]
Where is the ‘ample evidence’? Unless there is any evidence then the only thing to discuss is the desperation of an obviously failing anti-government movement which increasingly looks like a Cold War relic. Even Vang Pao has begun to talk of reconciliation and returning to Laos, although his own people think he is either scheming something or has gone mad.
I stumbled on your website, relating to ‘The Famous Stilwell Road’, a place, very close to my heart and which cost a life for every mile of its length….I have trundled through and read the reams of questions and answers to you, from the many, would be, expeditionists who ‘s aspirations are to traverse through that forgotten road, to, or from, Singapore, where very few expeditions have ventured before….. I can fully understand all their fears and frustration of whether those Burmese visas would ever be forthcoming, or were they just banging their heads against the wall….In 1957, I travelled overland to Singapore, driving a Land Rover. The sheer frustration of being refused, time after time again, a Burmese visa, to enter the BURMA Road at Ledo, made me decide to go without one and sort it all out when I reached Calcutta….. In Calcutta, I was again refused permission, so, taking a big risk, I hoodwinked the Indian and Burmese authorities and went straight through ,via Thailand and Malaya to Singapore…….After a visit to Australia and a 4,5oo mile drive across the Australian desert, I returned to Singapore for the return journey back to the u/k….. Again, in Singapore .I was refused permission to travel back through Burma, and for an unbelievable second time, I hoodwinked the Burmese, by reconstituting my documents, giving myself permission to drive a second time through the Stilwell/Ledo Road…..Although some might say that I was foolhardy, I would have to agree with them, but if you want something badly enough, some are prepared to go that extra mile to succeed….. I would not, in this day and age, believe that it would ever be possible, for this to be repeated……..To my knowledge I believe that I am the only person to have traversed the Burma/Stilwell/Ledo Road in both directions…..I wrote a book a few months ago about this 40,ooo mile journey, the title is; ‘The Impossible Takes a Little Longer’… Thought you may be interested.
I don’t know why Chris Beale thinks US intelligence agencies would have especially detailed and credible evidence regarding the wealth of Thai royalty. If they do, it would be nice to see it; but if past performance is any indication US intelligence often lacks credible data even on the issues they’re most devoted to studying–e.g., Soviet military capacity, which they usefully overestimated for years before the Soviet collapse, with assistance from the bogus and self-serving estimates provided by former Nazi intelligence chief Reinhard Gehlen. (See Chris Simpson, Blowback, for this story and some general chastening on the matter of US intelligence capabilities.)
In any event, as Ralph Kramden rightly notes, we don’t have to wait on intelligence data since Porphant Ouyyanont’s study provides a very usable, well-done, and conservative estimate of royal wealth. And yes, Pasuk and Chris Baker published this in their 2008 edited collection, Thai Capital after the 1997 Crisis. Kudos to them for doing so. Keeping in mind that Porphant wrote this, not Pasuk, my point is that Pasuk doesn’t really highlight or make use of this kind of material when she discusses income distribution (at least as reported here at New Mandala and in other pieces by her that I’ve read). I would never deny the real challenges and dangers to someone in her position of trying to write about this issue from inside of Thailand, but this means that (1) if she can’t or won’t take those risks then we necessarily have to question how useful her analysis of income distribution will be; and (2) we should be all the more thankful for brave soles like Porphant, Somsak, various red shirts, and others, who are willing to take on topics like royal wealth, institutional power, military connections, and so on.
Maybe I should put it this way: Pasuk and Baker conclude the revised version of their book on Thaksin by saying “Thaksin’s project was built around a fatal confusion–between business and politics, country and company, Shin Corp and Thailand” (Thaksin, 2009 edition, p. 356). I agree entirely–but if they aren’t willing to repeat the sentence and substitute “the monarchy” for “Thaksin” and “CPB” for “Shin Corp”–while noting the CPB’s US$30-40 billion in assets, as compared to Thaksin’s US$2-5 billion–can someone else please do this so we’ll have a clearer idea of the real depth of the income distribution-political power problem? (And yes, Ralph, I agree there’s always lots of scope for discussing different conceptual approaches to making sense of these disparities but for now I have to go back to earning an income.) Enjoy the holidays you all.
‘Who “owns” and/or controls cultural heritage, and through what mechanisms?….’
well, it seems this can’t be freely discussed in Thailand as questioning one ‘supposed’ central pillar of thai culture and its implication/use in defining cultural structures will send you to prison for 15 years…
this call for research raises a lot of questions, especially in this dark period of which hunt in Thailand.
Nick > Earlier this year Al Jazeera had an interesting report on the South interviewing BRN-C and Abhisit, give it a look as there are demands. (http://bit.ly/5v6NTL / http://bit.ly/77khkZ) Plus I would be careful interpreting flyers and leaflets as they are of “dubious” origin. (http://bit.ly/8Y7Otw * / http://bit.ly/4YIlnN)
Stan > Generally, I share your definition that standards of justice need to be deduced from the weakest ones that are concerned but I have my doubs about your point about an all-over radical Islam in the South and that the moderate Muslim movement died out. (http://bit.ly/72i4dH / http://bit.ly/4YIlnN) I agree that it is tempting to see Krue Ze throught the Islamist lense only but bot, McCargo (http://bit.ly/8Y7Otw *) and Walker (http://bit.ly/4x4MUm), hint at drug abuse to motivate the machete attacks.
* Sorry, didnt find a direct link to that article.
Greetings all.
I have been lurking on New Mandala for some months and have
enjoyed the contributions of so many. In particular I would like to thank Susie Wong for offering a special idiosyncratic viewpoint that I personally have found quite valuable.
Happy New Year
laoguy
I can’t speak to the use of child soldiers by the KNLA, but while I was with the Karenni Army I saw none. Not one.
Additionally, the KA has repeatedly invited the U.N. to visit any KA camp they care to, to see for themselves that there are no child soldiers.
The U.N. has never taken them up on the offer, but has twice accused the KA in reports of using child soldiers.
The use of child soldiers by the SPDC and DKBA is well documented and not even worth arguing about.
I would point out that any male can join the U.S. military at the age of seventeen. In some countries, anyone under the age of eighteen is considered to be a child.
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Bangkok Post on the crown prince
IMHO, Most interesting is that the article brings his four sons by Sucharini back into the fold with full titles — which I don’t think were ever officially removed, but didn’t ever seem to be used since he threw her out in 1996. These kids haven’t even been talked about since then. Mom Usnisa is a semi-official palace interpreter/promoter, and wouldn’t be writing this if it didn’t mean the four were not back in the fold to a certain extent. Still, Sucharini is still just “Mom” and their first son is HSH. Little Prince Dipangkorn is HRH.
One question about the article: if he has been doing “more and more” of the king’s ceremonial duties, how did he have the time to get 3,000 hours of “commercial” flight time in on the 737-400? If averaged over 4 years, that’s the level of a full time pilot I think.
Chris Beale: you really say some weird things. Even Usnisa doesn’t go so far. But I guess someone has to say it.
Arrests in Laos?
The only gossip and problems I’ve heard from Lao authorities lately via the grapevine is that they’ve stepped up fining people trying to smuggle fruits and meats from Laos to the states (about $300 in fines for smuggling buffalo skin!!).
Ampoe Galyani Vadhana
The new district is now officially established. On December 25th the act on its creation was published in the Royal Gazette, taking effect the following day.
Send a card to Da
р╕Вр╕нр╣Гр╕лр╣Йр╕Др╕╕р╕Ур╕Фр╕▓р╕лр╕▓р╕вр╕Ыр╣Ир╕зр╕вр╣Ар╕гр╣Зр╕зр╣Ж р╕бр╕╡р╕Юр╕ер╕▒р╕Зр╕Бр╕▓р╕в р╕Юр╕ер╕▒р╕Зр╣Гр╕Ир╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╣Ар╕Вр╣Йр╕бр╣Бр╕Вр╣Зр╕Зр╕Щр╕░р╕Др╕░
National security detainees and their families in Southern Thailand
[…] connected to the March 2004 disappearance of Somchai Neelaphaichit, as well as recent analysis of the effects of the national security detentions on families of detainees. The crisis in southern Thailand has heightened, not resolved, during the regime of PM […]
Arrests in Laos?
Where is the ‘ample evidence’? Unless there is any evidence then the only thing to discuss is the desperation of an obviously failing anti-government movement which increasingly looks like a Cold War relic. Even Vang Pao has begun to talk of reconciliation and returning to Laos, although his own people think he is either scheming something or has gone mad.
The Stilwell Road
I stumbled on your website, relating to ‘The Famous Stilwell Road’, a place, very close to my heart and which cost a life for every mile of its length….I have trundled through and read the reams of questions and answers to you, from the many, would be, expeditionists who ‘s aspirations are to traverse through that forgotten road, to, or from, Singapore, where very few expeditions have ventured before….. I can fully understand all their fears and frustration of whether those Burmese visas would ever be forthcoming, or were they just banging their heads against the wall….In 1957, I travelled overland to Singapore, driving a Land Rover. The sheer frustration of being refused, time after time again, a Burmese visa, to enter the BURMA Road at Ledo, made me decide to go without one and sort it all out when I reached Calcutta….. In Calcutta, I was again refused permission, so, taking a big risk, I hoodwinked the Indian and Burmese authorities and went straight through ,via Thailand and Malaya to Singapore…….After a visit to Australia and a 4,5oo mile drive across the Australian desert, I returned to Singapore for the return journey back to the u/k….. Again, in Singapore .I was refused permission to travel back through Burma, and for an unbelievable second time, I hoodwinked the Burmese, by reconstituting my documents, giving myself permission to drive a second time through the Stilwell/Ledo Road…..Although some might say that I was foolhardy, I would have to agree with them, but if you want something badly enough, some are prepared to go that extra mile to succeed….. I would not, in this day and age, believe that it would ever be possible, for this to be repeated……..To my knowledge I believe that I am the only person to have traversed the Burma/Stilwell/Ledo Road in both directions…..I wrote a book a few months ago about this 40,ooo mile journey, the title is; ‘The Impossible Takes a Little Longer’… Thought you may be interested.
Eric Edis
Merry Christmas from New Mandala
I’m with Albert – the New Year would definitely start off with a bang if we could see Andrew and Nich dance.
Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2010 to everyone.
Tribute to Yasmin Ahmad, Malaysian filmmaker (1958-2009)
Another tribute to Yasmin’s movie Muallaf.
Utusan Malaysia – A Messenger of Hate?
It appears that Utusan Malaysia has upped the ante on its Malay supremacy argument by directly challenging Najib’s 1Malaysia policy.
Read the analysis on the op-ed in Mingguan Malaysia (the weekend edition) which argues that Malay Muslims has “more” rights than other Malaysians.
Fair’s fair – Pasuk on Thailand in transition
I don’t know why Chris Beale thinks US intelligence agencies would have especially detailed and credible evidence regarding the wealth of Thai royalty. If they do, it would be nice to see it; but if past performance is any indication US intelligence often lacks credible data even on the issues they’re most devoted to studying–e.g., Soviet military capacity, which they usefully overestimated for years before the Soviet collapse, with assistance from the bogus and self-serving estimates provided by former Nazi intelligence chief Reinhard Gehlen. (See Chris Simpson, Blowback, for this story and some general chastening on the matter of US intelligence capabilities.)
In any event, as Ralph Kramden rightly notes, we don’t have to wait on intelligence data since Porphant Ouyyanont’s study provides a very usable, well-done, and conservative estimate of royal wealth. And yes, Pasuk and Chris Baker published this in their 2008 edited collection, Thai Capital after the 1997 Crisis. Kudos to them for doing so. Keeping in mind that Porphant wrote this, not Pasuk, my point is that Pasuk doesn’t really highlight or make use of this kind of material when she discusses income distribution (at least as reported here at New Mandala and in other pieces by her that I’ve read). I would never deny the real challenges and dangers to someone in her position of trying to write about this issue from inside of Thailand, but this means that (1) if she can’t or won’t take those risks then we necessarily have to question how useful her analysis of income distribution will be; and (2) we should be all the more thankful for brave soles like Porphant, Somsak, various red shirts, and others, who are willing to take on topics like royal wealth, institutional power, military connections, and so on.
Maybe I should put it this way: Pasuk and Baker conclude the revised version of their book on Thaksin by saying “Thaksin’s project was built around a fatal confusion–between business and politics, country and company, Shin Corp and Thailand” (Thaksin, 2009 edition, p. 356). I agree entirely–but if they aren’t willing to repeat the sentence and substitute “the monarchy” for “Thaksin” and “CPB” for “Shin Corp”–while noting the CPB’s US$30-40 billion in assets, as compared to Thaksin’s US$2-5 billion–can someone else please do this so we’ll have a clearer idea of the real depth of the income distribution-political power problem? (And yes, Ralph, I agree there’s always lots of scope for discussing different conceptual approaches to making sense of these disparities but for now I have to go back to earning an income.) Enjoy the holidays you all.
Arrests in Laos?
What’s really going on about the forced repatriation of 4000 Hmong refugees by the Thai government from Petchabun to Laos by the end of the year?
Fair’s fair – Pasuk on Thailand in transition
“Maybe only if you aren’t either” >> Precisely–there are so many who are neither!
Culture and rights in Thailand
‘Who “owns” and/or controls cultural heritage, and through what mechanisms?….’
well, it seems this can’t be freely discussed in Thailand as questioning one ‘supposed’ central pillar of thai culture and its implication/use in defining cultural structures will send you to prison for 15 years…
this call for research raises a lot of questions, especially in this dark period of which hunt in Thailand.
Reuters on Vajiralongkorn and succession
Don’t worry unduly. Que sera sera.
What happens in Yala…
Nick > Earlier this year Al Jazeera had an interesting report on the South interviewing BRN-C and Abhisit, give it a look as there are demands. (http://bit.ly/5v6NTL / http://bit.ly/77khkZ) Plus I would be careful interpreting flyers and leaflets as they are of “dubious” origin. (http://bit.ly/8Y7Otw * / http://bit.ly/4YIlnN)
Stan > Generally, I share your definition that standards of justice need to be deduced from the weakest ones that are concerned but I have my doubs about your point about an all-over radical Islam in the South and that the moderate Muslim movement died out. (http://bit.ly/72i4dH / http://bit.ly/4YIlnN) I agree that it is tempting to see Krue Ze throught the Islamist lense only but bot, McCargo (http://bit.ly/8Y7Otw *) and Walker (http://bit.ly/4x4MUm), hint at drug abuse to motivate the machete attacks.
* Sorry, didnt find a direct link to that article.
Merry Christmas from New Mandala
Greetings all.
I have been lurking on New Mandala for some months and have
enjoyed the contributions of so many. In particular I would like to thank Susie Wong for offering a special idiosyncratic viewpoint that I personally have found quite valuable.
Happy New Year
laoguy
Dave Everett and fighting for the KNLA
I can’t speak to the use of child soldiers by the KNLA, but while I was with the Karenni Army I saw none. Not one.
Additionally, the KA has repeatedly invited the U.N. to visit any KA camp they care to, to see for themselves that there are no child soldiers.
The U.N. has never taken them up on the offer, but has twice accused the KA in reports of using child soldiers.
The use of child soldiers by the SPDC and DKBA is well documented and not even worth arguing about.
I would point out that any male can join the U.S. military at the age of seventeen. In some countries, anyone under the age of eighteen is considered to be a child.
Send a card to Da
SEND YOUR POSTCARDS DIRECT TO DA TORPEDO IN KLONG PREM PRISON.
DARANEE CHARNCHOENGSILAPAKUL (prisoners name)
WOMANS DETENTION CENTER,
KLONG PREM CENTRAL PRISON,
LAD YAO,
BANGKOK 10900
THAILAND
NON POLITICAL CARDS PLEASE AND DONT USE YOUR OWN SURNAME.
THANK YOU
Send a card to Da
р╕бр╕▒р╕Щр╕Ьр╕╣р╣Йр╣Гр╕Фр╕Др╕┤р╕Фр╕гр╣Йр╕▓р╕вр╣Гр╕лр╣Йр╕гр╣Йр╕▓р╕вр╣Бр╕Бр╣Ир╕гр╕▓р╕Кр╕зр╕Зр╕ир╣Мр╕Ир╕▒р╕Бр╕гр╕╡ р╕бр╕▒р╕Щр╕Ьр╕╣р╣Йр╕Щр╕▒р╣Йр╕Щр╕Бр╣Зр╕Ир╕░р╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╕гр╕▒р╕Ър╕Бр╕гр╕гр╕бр╕кр╕Щр╕нр╕Зр╕нр╕вр╣Ир╕▓р╕Зр╕кр╕▓р╕кр╕б р╣Др╕бр╣Ир╕Кр╕▓р╕Хр╕┤р╕Щр╕╡р╣Й р╕Бр╣Зр╕Кр╕▓р╕Хр╕┤р╕лр╕Щр╣Йр╕▓ р╕Бр╕гр╕гр╕бр╕кр╕бр╕▒р╕вр╣Ар╕Фр╕╡р╣Лр╕вр╕зр╕Щр╕╡р╣Йр╕бр╕▒р╕Щр╕Хр╕┤р╕Фр╕Ир╕гр╕зр╕Ф р╕Др╕┤р╕Фр╕Фр╕╡р╕Бр╣Зр╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╕Фр╕╡ р╕Др╕┤р╕Фр╕гр╣Йр╕▓р╕вр╕бр╕▒р╕Щр╕Бр╣Зр╕Ир╕░р╕Др╕╖р╕Щр╕кр╕Щр╕нр╕Зр╕Хр╕▒р╕зр╣Ар╕нр╕З р╣Гр╕Др╕гр╕Чр╕│р╕нр╕░р╣Др╕гр╣Др╕зр╣Й р╕Бр╣Зр╕гр╕╣р╣Йр╣Бр╕Бр╣Ир╣Гр╕Ир╕нр╕вр╕╣р╣Ир╣Бр╕ер╣Йр╕з р╕вр╕▒р╕Зр╣Др╕Зр╕Бр╣Зр╕лр╕Щр╕╡р╣Др╕бр╣Ир╕Юр╣Йр╕Щр╕лр╕гр╕нр╕Б
р╣Гр╕Щр╕лр╕ер╕зр╕Зр╕Чр╣Ир╕▓р╕Щр╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╕Др╕Щр╕Фр╕╡р╕Вр╕Щр╕▓р╕Фр╕Щр╕╡р╣Й р╕вр╕▒р╕Зр╣Др╕Ыр╕зр╣Ир╕▓р╕гр╣Йр╕▓р╕вр╣Др╕Фр╣Й р╣Ар╕нр╕▓р╣Ар╕Цр╕нр╕░ р╕Вр╕нр╣Гр╕лр╣Йр╕Ьр╕ер╕Ър╕╕р╕Нр╕Бр╕гр╕гр╕бр╕бр╕▒р╕Щр╕Хр╕▓р╕бр╕кр╕Щр╕нр╕Зр╣Ар╕нр╕▓р╕ер╕░р╕Бр╕▒р╕Щ р╕кр╕▓р╕Шр╕╕
р╣Гр╕Др╕гр╕нр╕вр╕▓р╕Бр╕Ир╕░р╕Эр╕▓р╕Бр╣Др╕Ыр╕Ър╕нр╕Б р╕вр╕▒р╕вр╕Фр╕▓ р╕Хр╕нр╕гр╣Мр╕Ыр╕┤р╣Вр╕Ф р╕Бр╣Зр╣Ар╕Кр╕┤р╕Н р╕нр╕вр╕╣р╣Ир╣Гр╕Щр╕Др╕╕р╕Бр╕зр╣Ир╕▓р╕Зр╣Ж р╕Бр╣Зр╕лр╕▒р╕Фр╕Др╕┤р╕Фр╕Лр╕░р╕Ър╣Йр╕▓р╕З р╕Бр╕ер╕▒р╕Ър╕Хр╕▒р╕зр╕Бр╕ер╕▒р╕Ър╣Гр╕Ир╕Лр╕░р╣Гр╕лр╕бр╣И р╣Бр╕Хр╣Ир╕Цр╣Йр╕▓р╕вр╕▒р╕Зр╕Др╕┤р╕Фр╣Др╕бр╣Ир╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╕ер╕░р╕Бр╣З р╕Щр╕▒р╣Ир╕Зр╕Щр╕▒р╕Ър╕гр╕нр╕Бр╕гр╕гр╕бр╕бр╕▓р╕Хр╕▓р╕бр╕кр╕Щр╕нр╕Зр╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╣Ар╕ер╕в р╣Др╕бр╣Ир╕Щр╕▓р╕Щр╣Ар╕Бр╕┤р╕Щр╕гр╕н