Followers of Foucault will, I suppose, be happy to learn that the Enlightenment has made no headway among Thai movers and shakers. But in reading this fascinating and astonishing review, I find myself wondering whether it matters to what actually happens in Thai politics that so much energy is devoted to these “improbable” and “fantastic” but at the same time widely accepted phenomena. Do they make up a sideshow, a distraction, a drain on everyone’s time, a serious obstacle to rational planning–or just one more idiom with which to compete, which I take it is the heart of the game? Well, no doubt there’s no single answer. But it’s great to have this short account of Craig’s of what matters so much in a lot of Southeast Asian political jockeying, and in everyone’s conversations (whether said full voice or whispered) about such affairs.
I’ll echoe Chris Bakers’ comments – but with the addition that decline of the rural economy has meant far more empowerment in other areas for Isaarn :
in every sense – not least the now far more welathy, mobile Isaarn worker attitude that he’s/ she’s a force to be reckoned with – if not a separate national LAO identity.
Isaarn is now almost a nation in itself, for itself, self confident in its’ self. Almost ready to break-away from “Tai” land.
This elite obsession with “Thailand’s” Crown Prince is a distraction from the main question : whether the country can hold together ?
Just one example – given below – an opinion poll showing Abhisits’ popularity apparently soaring, because he “stood up
to Hun Sen” over Cambodia’s appointment of Isaarn’s hero Thaksin. Only problem with this poll ? = NO Isaarn opinion !Abhisit’s popularity soars three times for downgrading ties with Cambodia :
From The Nation, 7/11/09
“The popularity rating of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has tripled after his decisive action to downgrade the diplomatic ties with Cambodia, Abac Poll said in a survey released on Friday.
In comparison to 23.3 per cent in the survey in September, Abhisit’s popularity leaped to 68.6 per cent.
The prime minister was most popular in the South (88.2 per cent), followed by the Central Region (68.9 per cent), Bangkok (68.8 per cent) and the North (64.6 per cent).”
[…] Hat tip to PPT, and read their About page. This is a good blog for those interested in Southeast Asia politics, especially with increasing political repression in Thailand in face of the impending succession. […]
There is a general misconception about Myanmar that those from the west who has never even visited will assume with their western views of the world.
Taking Turnell Viacary accusation of SPDC hoarding of the GAS wealth for example.
1) Not counting $ spent on building Naypyidaw conveniently dismiss that as megalomaniac, astrological motivated act.
2) Admitting Myanmar spent 35% of the GNP but not recognizing where the $ come from.
3) Dismissing outright the infrastructure cost of Myanmar under SPDC as not part of capital expenditure because these are deemed self serving.
These are but common tactic that Turnell and Vicary used and believed by most who zeal to vilify SPDC self serving interest over shadow common sense.
Visit the country and proof to yourself.
Yes SPDC is hoarding $ from one sided deal with Thailand and China for it own future.
no SPDC is not the Turnell Vicary portrayal of sich evil entity ;
“The ruling regime has little understanding of the dynamics of a market economy, and mistakes the building of roads, bridges, dams and other physical infrastructure as constituting ‘economic development’ in themselves. Burma’s state is almost wholly predatory, and is not so much parasitic of its host as all- consuming. If in other countries ruling regimes behave occasionally as racketeers in skimming a ‘cut’ from prosperous business, then Burma’s is more like a looter – destroying what it can neither create nor understand.”
when does an economist dismiss so readily an infrastructure spending as irrelevant?
The academic arrogance is so glaring.
These are the same lies that is repeatedly used as truth.
Visit the country and make up your own mind.
As for the 3 points listed explain the west contributed to the Paranoia and Xenophobia that the SPDC is exhibiting ?
Litner is no more expert than Turnell and Vicary until proven otherwise.
Thank you so much, Craig Reynolds, for this illuminating review. I suppose it’s too much to hope that the book will be translated, although it points to extremely important considerations which, despite the light they shed on motives & the way decisions are made in every sphere of life here, are usually overlooked or at least only mentioned as exotic trivia in analyses by academia & the media.
Sanctions debates (over a country now awash in fossil fuels and with opaque finances not saying where those billions go), engagement theatrics (very possibly again a “triumph of hope over experience”) and emotional ad hominem attacks on Mr. Lintner, probably the best-informed and most objective observer in the region…
By all means talk to the SPDC and look for ways out of the morass, but seriously try to account for what most of the players’ non-altruistic agendas are. And if your only end result is–slightly kinder sergeants conducting borderland search and destroy sweeps; more competitive comparison shopping possibilities for armaments and luxury items (for the Tatmadaw and associated business cronies) plus shifting of the textile sweat factories back from Thailand (where Burma’s rich history of labor protection will work miracles) then what is the point?
I want to ask the Australians to find out if he really graduated from Duntroon in the fullest meaning of that term. He briefly trained with the SAS following the end of his studies at Duntroon, but was called back in haste in time to play his notorious role in the 6 October events.
Charles F
2)Sabotage the economy:
WHat do you think the past US policy has been?
Is there evidence historical or otherwise that make your point a credible solution beyond “I can do it so what”?
Cuba, N. Korea as an example or future for Myanmar doesn’t sound right. Especially “NEVER” challenge thw west militarily. Do you know Myanmar is the most sanction Asian country next only to N KOrea?
Do you know that restraint of commerce=declaration of war against a country in almost all western constitutions?
“Injury to the populace would be short lived, as the SPDC would collapse.”
SPDC presently an absolutely wanting entity for governing is acting under the sincere believe, that they are “the patriots” and is willing to go to “the bitter end”.
Even Mr Litner here make a similar point albeit with facts, detail left out in his favor.
You risk being accused of trivializing the “more suffering” that the citizenry has to endure.
“Ten years ago the U.S. could have made the difference. But now, not so much.”
A kind of negate your own all 3 points doesn’t it?
SPDC may be a garden variety dictator but Myanmar is unique and need to be recognized and treated a such.
Frank A. is right. I have done some work on the lese majesty business under King Wilhelm II, but I had not been aware of an “Edward Breck” as the author of the many NYT articles on the issue until seeing this story, which I have seen no reference to.
I did take the liberty of contacting Dr. Heiner Gillmeister, who wrote back to me the following:
“Many thanks for your message re Dr Edward Breck and the intriguing instances of Majestaetsbeleidigung he apparently communicated from Berlin to the New York Press. It seems to be a fortunate coincidence that in his essay he referred to himself as Mijnheer van de Water, a pseudonym he also used in one of the poems I quoted in my article. There are quite a few books by a certain Frederic Franklin van de Water and to judge from their titles they may well have been written by Edward Breck. Before writing my article I acquired some antiquarian books written by him under his real name, but I did not at the time go as far as looking after these. Perhaps this could be done later.”
“Lèse majesté …must have occurred quite frequently in Imperial Germany under William II, who. of course, lent himself to ridicule and caricature in journals such as Simplicissimus and Kladderadatsch (which van de Water quoted). The Spotted Dog, in German, would not be Der beschmutzte Hund, but rather Der Gefleckte (or, perhaps, Gescheckte) Hund. A periodical of this name, however, does not seem to have ever existed.”
It’s possible then that Breck invented the name of the periodical?
Whatever the case, the rough similarity is rather frightening. And look what happend to Germany…
Just a small point. I’d suggest that a more accurate English translation of the book’s sub-title should perhaps be : A Special Episode or, even closer to the Thai one, A Fantastic Episode. (I wouldn’t go for “an improbable episode”, ‘improbable” is a bit too strong for rendering “phitsadan” in this context, I think).
It’s a reference to the fact that earlier Wassana published a best-selling book with the same title Lap luang phrangand this one is supposed to be a kind of ‘sequel’ to that book (phak or thon means “episode” or “chapter”), dealing with the same military intrigue/ involvement in politics (the earlier one is specifically about the September coup). Of course it’s probably for commercial reason that the publisher or the author chose to have the same title.
Frank: Excellent point about Abhisit. A friend of mine has made the following point: most Thais might be excused for lacking a deep understanding of the rights of free thought and expression, the right and freedom to criticize authority, what democracy means, etc., but Abhisit was born and educated and spent a substantial amount of time in the UK and he surely has a deep understanding of these concepts, and — my friend emphasizes — he KNOWS that his lack of support (or worse) for these things is wrong.
Last night’s dinner discussion brought up yet another rumor (with enough details to make it believable at least at the urban legend level) that “he who must not be named” has yet another wife. When the question is asked, “how many wives does he have?” the answer comes back, “hundreds.” This kind of gossip and rumor mongering goes on on a regular basis. People outside of Thailand ought to know this. The view that “he’s no saint” is a big factor why, although Thais certainly accept him as heir apparent, many don’t respect him because of these alleged aspects of his character.
The big big flaw in the lack of open debate or transparency in talking about the Thai royal family is, that given the internet age we live in, such laws as LM actually damage the institution rather than preserve it.
First of all rumour becomes as powerful as fact.
Secondly no rumour can be openly discussed and therefore disproved in the court of public opinion.
So question 41 can never be answered. It will just be imposed. And anyone who dares to publicly digress could face a 15year prison term.
All this against a backdrop of Western media and so called human rights organisations in Bangkok (stand up Ben “we can see why Da Torpedo got 15years” Zawacki) who are pathetically acquiescent largely because they don’t want to lose their visas and they think Abhisit is ok cos he utters posh-Brit speak.
I would be the first to say that the U.S. sanctions against Burma were poorly thought out and executed.
The correct approach would have been three pronged:
1) Sanction the junta
2) sabotage the economy
3) Arm, equip and train the various ethnic groups.
Injury to the populace would be short lived, as the SPDC would collapse.
The U.S. was afraid of “Balkanizing” Burma, so #2 and 3 were never seriously implemented.
It’s much too late for #3. Even if the various ethnic groups put aside their many differences, there aren’t enough of them under arms to make the slightest difference.
Case in point is the KNLA – pushed up against the border, running low on arms and munitions with no place to buy more, harassed by the corrupt Thai govt and military.
Ten years ago the U.S. could have made the difference. But now, not so much.
Charles F.
So it is Ok for US to sanction some dictator for years carelessly, causing more harm to the citizenry with a N Korea like future in the making.
But Not OK to possibly inject economic activity even at trickle down level will benefit the most vulnerable.
ARe you concerned about US profit or SPDC ongoing abuses or the businesses making profit presently.
These are not all mutual exclusive.
AT the end of the day what will count right now is getting the benefit to lessen the sufferings of the most vulnerable 2┬║ to failed approach.
Even sucking to the General to effect these result is better at present than status quo.
Facebook 
Twitter 
Soundcloud 
Youtube 
Rss
Review of Wassana
Followers of Foucault will, I suppose, be happy to learn that the Enlightenment has made no headway among Thai movers and shakers. But in reading this fascinating and astonishing review, I find myself wondering whether it matters to what actually happens in Thai politics that so much energy is devoted to these “improbable” and “fantastic” but at the same time widely accepted phenomena. Do they make up a sideshow, a distraction, a drain on everyone’s time, a serious obstacle to rational planning–or just one more idiom with which to compete, which I take it is the heart of the game? Well, no doubt there’s no single answer. But it’s great to have this short account of Craig’s of what matters so much in a lot of Southeast Asian political jockeying, and in everyone’s conversations (whether said full voice or whispered) about such affairs.
Thailand’s new rural economy
I’ll echoe Chris Bakers’ comments – but with the addition that decline of the rural economy has meant far more empowerment in other areas for Isaarn :
in every sense – not least the now far more welathy, mobile Isaarn worker attitude that he’s/ she’s a force to be reckoned with – if not a separate national LAO identity.
Isaarn is now almost a nation in itself, for itself, self confident in its’ self. Almost ready to break-away from “Tai” land.
Commentary on Thailand’s Crown Prince
This elite obsession with “Thailand’s” Crown Prince is a distraction from the main question : whether the country can hold together ?
Just one example – given below – an opinion poll showing Abhisits’ popularity apparently soaring, because he “stood up
to Hun Sen” over Cambodia’s appointment of Isaarn’s hero Thaksin. Only problem with this poll ? = NO Isaarn opinion !Abhisit’s popularity soars three times for downgrading ties with Cambodia :
From The Nation, 7/11/09
“The popularity rating of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has tripled after his decisive action to downgrade the diplomatic ties with Cambodia, Abac Poll said in a survey released on Friday.
In comparison to 23.3 per cent in the survey in September, Abhisit’s popularity leaped to 68.6 per cent.
The prime minister was most popular in the South (88.2 per cent), followed by the Central Region (68.9 per cent), Bangkok (68.8 per cent) and the North (64.6 per cent).”
The Nation
Commentary on Thailand’s Crown Prince
[…] Hat tip to PPT, and read their About page. This is a good blog for those interested in Southeast Asia politics, especially with increasing political repression in Thailand in face of the impending succession. […]
Review of Wassana
michael :
I suppose it’s too much to hope that the book will be translated..
I definitely hope not. Wassana’s Thai prose is atrociously bad. Believe me, it’s far better to read the review!
Review of Wassana
It’s a very debatable point whether Anand was the “quick fix” the military needed. But yes – otherwise : an excellent review, much appreciated.
Commentary on Thailand’s Crown Prince
Ralph – I’d be surprised if any member of the general public or academic/ activist found anything more on this than is already in Handley’s book.
Lintner on Burma’s army officers
There is a general misconception about Myanmar that those from the west who has never even visited will assume with their western views of the world.
Taking Turnell Viacary accusation of SPDC hoarding of the GAS wealth for example.
1) Not counting $ spent on building Naypyidaw conveniently dismiss that as megalomaniac, astrological motivated act.
2) Admitting Myanmar spent 35% of the GNP but not recognizing where the $ come from.
3) Dismissing outright the infrastructure cost of Myanmar under SPDC as not part of capital expenditure because these are deemed self serving.
These are but common tactic that Turnell and Vicary used and believed by most who zeal to vilify SPDC self serving interest over shadow common sense.
Visit the country and proof to yourself.
Yes SPDC is hoarding $ from one sided deal with Thailand and China for it own future.
no SPDC is not the Turnell Vicary portrayal of sich evil entity ;
“The ruling regime has little understanding of the dynamics of a market economy, and mistakes the building of roads, bridges, dams and other physical infrastructure as constituting ‘economic development’ in themselves. Burma’s state is almost wholly predatory, and is not so much parasitic of its host as all- consuming. If in other countries ruling regimes behave occasionally as racketeers in skimming a ‘cut’ from prosperous business, then Burma’s is more like a looter – destroying what it can neither create nor understand.”
when does an economist dismiss so readily an infrastructure spending as irrelevant?
The academic arrogance is so glaring.
These are the same lies that is repeatedly used as truth.
Visit the country and make up your own mind.
As for the 3 points listed explain the west contributed to the Paranoia and Xenophobia that the SPDC is exhibiting ?
Litner is no more expert than Turnell and Vicary until proven otherwise.
The Devil’s Discus – in Thai
Dragon’s Mouth Publications informs me that sometimes the ABE website fails to reset. The link above works and the price is $40 + shipping.
Review of Wassana
Thank you so much, Craig Reynolds, for this illuminating review. I suppose it’s too much to hope that the book will be translated, although it points to extremely important considerations which, despite the light they shed on motives & the way decisions are made in every sphere of life here, are usually overlooked or at least only mentioned as exotic trivia in analyses by academia & the media.
Lintner on Burma’s army officers
Sanctions debates (over a country now awash in fossil fuels and with opaque finances not saying where those billions go), engagement theatrics (very possibly again a “triumph of hope over experience”) and emotional ad hominem attacks on Mr. Lintner, probably the best-informed and most objective observer in the region…
By all means talk to the SPDC and look for ways out of the morass, but seriously try to account for what most of the players’ non-altruistic agendas are. And if your only end result is–slightly kinder sergeants conducting borderland search and destroy sweeps; more competitive comparison shopping possibilities for armaments and luxury items (for the Tatmadaw and associated business cronies) plus shifting of the textile sweat factories back from Thailand (where Burma’s rich history of labor protection will work miracles) then what is the point?
Commentary on Thailand’s Crown Prince
I want to ask the Australians to find out if he really graduated from Duntroon in the fullest meaning of that term. He briefly trained with the SAS following the end of his studies at Duntroon, but was called back in haste in time to play his notorious role in the 6 October events.
Lintner on Burma’s army officers
Charles F
2)Sabotage the economy:
WHat do you think the past US policy has been?
Is there evidence historical or otherwise that make your point a credible solution beyond “I can do it so what”?
Cuba, N. Korea as an example or future for Myanmar doesn’t sound right. Especially “NEVER” challenge thw west militarily. Do you know Myanmar is the most sanction Asian country next only to N KOrea?
Do you know that restraint of commerce=declaration of war against a country in almost all western constitutions?
“Injury to the populace would be short lived, as the SPDC would collapse.”
SPDC presently an absolutely wanting entity for governing is acting under the sincere believe, that they are “the patriots” and is willing to go to “the bitter end”.
Even Mr Litner here make a similar point albeit with facts, detail left out in his favor.
You risk being accused of trivializing the “more suffering” that the citizenry has to endure.
“Ten years ago the U.S. could have made the difference. But now, not so much.”
A kind of negate your own all 3 points doesn’t it?
SPDC may be a garden variety dictator but Myanmar is unique and need to be recognized and treated a such.
Crimes against the state: a long lost manuscript
Frank A. is right. I have done some work on the lese majesty business under King Wilhelm II, but I had not been aware of an “Edward Breck” as the author of the many NYT articles on the issue until seeing this story, which I have seen no reference to.
I did take the liberty of contacting Dr. Heiner Gillmeister, who wrote back to me the following:
“Many thanks for your message re Dr Edward Breck and the intriguing instances of Majestaetsbeleidigung he apparently communicated from Berlin to the New York Press. It seems to be a fortunate coincidence that in his essay he referred to himself as Mijnheer van de Water, a pseudonym he also used in one of the poems I quoted in my article. There are quite a few books by a certain Frederic Franklin van de Water and to judge from their titles they may well have been written by Edward Breck. Before writing my article I acquired some antiquarian books written by him under his real name, but I did not at the time go as far as looking after these. Perhaps this could be done later.”
“Lèse majesté …must have occurred quite frequently in Imperial Germany under William II, who. of course, lent himself to ridicule and caricature in journals such as Simplicissimus and Kladderadatsch (which van de Water quoted). The Spotted Dog, in German, would not be Der beschmutzte Hund, but rather Der Gefleckte (or, perhaps, Gescheckte) Hund. A periodical of this name, however, does not seem to have ever existed.”
It’s possible then that Breck invented the name of the periodical?
Whatever the case, the rough similarity is rather frightening. And look what happend to Germany…
Review of Wassana
Just a small point. I’d suggest that a more accurate English translation of the book’s sub-title should perhaps be : A Special Episode or, even closer to the Thai one, A Fantastic Episode. (I wouldn’t go for “an improbable episode”, ‘improbable” is a bit too strong for rendering “phitsadan” in this context, I think).
It’s a reference to the fact that earlier Wassana published a best-selling book with the same title Lap luang phrang and this one is supposed to be a kind of ‘sequel’ to that book (phak or thon means “episode” or “chapter”), dealing with the same military intrigue/ involvement in politics (the earlier one is specifically about the September coup). Of course it’s probably for commercial reason that the publisher or the author chose to have the same title.
Amnesty’s silence on lese majeste
Frank: Excellent point about Abhisit. A friend of mine has made the following point: most Thais might be excused for lacking a deep understanding of the rights of free thought and expression, the right and freedom to criticize authority, what democracy means, etc., but Abhisit was born and educated and spent a substantial amount of time in the UK and he surely has a deep understanding of these concepts, and — my friend emphasizes — he KNOWS that his lack of support (or worse) for these things is wrong.
Commentary on Thailand’s Crown Prince
Last night’s dinner discussion brought up yet another rumor (with enough details to make it believable at least at the urban legend level) that “he who must not be named” has yet another wife. When the question is asked, “how many wives does he have?” the answer comes back, “hundreds.” This kind of gossip and rumor mongering goes on on a regular basis. People outside of Thailand ought to know this. The view that “he’s no saint” is a big factor why, although Thais certainly accept him as heir apparent, many don’t respect him because of these alleged aspects of his character.
Commentary on Thailand’s Crown Prince
The big big flaw in the lack of open debate or transparency in talking about the Thai royal family is, that given the internet age we live in, such laws as LM actually damage the institution rather than preserve it.
First of all rumour becomes as powerful as fact.
Secondly no rumour can be openly discussed and therefore disproved in the court of public opinion.
So question 41 can never be answered. It will just be imposed. And anyone who dares to publicly digress could face a 15year prison term.
All this against a backdrop of Western media and so called human rights organisations in Bangkok (stand up Ben “we can see why Da Torpedo got 15years” Zawacki) who are pathetically acquiescent largely because they don’t want to lose their visas and they think Abhisit is ok cos he utters posh-Brit speak.
Lintner on Burma’s army officers
Plan B,
I would be the first to say that the U.S. sanctions against Burma were poorly thought out and executed.
The correct approach would have been three pronged:
1) Sanction the junta
2) sabotage the economy
3) Arm, equip and train the various ethnic groups.
Injury to the populace would be short lived, as the SPDC would collapse.
The U.S. was afraid of “Balkanizing” Burma, so #2 and 3 were never seriously implemented.
It’s much too late for #3. Even if the various ethnic groups put aside their many differences, there aren’t enough of them under arms to make the slightest difference.
Case in point is the KNLA – pushed up against the border, running low on arms and munitions with no place to buy more, harassed by the corrupt Thai govt and military.
Ten years ago the U.S. could have made the difference. But now, not so much.
Lintner on Burma’s army officers
Charles F.
So it is Ok for US to sanction some dictator for years carelessly, causing more harm to the citizenry with a N Korea like future in the making.
But Not OK to possibly inject economic activity even at trickle down level will benefit the most vulnerable.
ARe you concerned about US profit or SPDC ongoing abuses or the businesses making profit presently.
These are not all mutual exclusive.
AT the end of the day what will count right now is getting the benefit to lessen the sufferings of the most vulnerable 2┬║ to failed approach.
Even sucking to the General to effect these result is better at present than status quo.