One recalls that the local crew of the “Big Trouble in Thailand” series have been charged with what amounts to bringing the Kingdom into disrepute. This being the case, perhaps the MICT would consider adding a new category and expanding the blocklist to include the seemingly innumerable puerile, locally-authored sex-tourism websites.
Chris: First, what post are you referring to? Second, NM usually suggests : “idle abuse will not be entertained.” If you can point out something that is able to be debated, I’d be happy to do that.
David – thanks for reminding : yes – Sarit WAS from Isaarn.
God bless him. Moreover, his mother was Lao !!!
Bring back Sarit – that’s what I say !!
No wonder Thailand has gone wrong ever since !
Realistically the Thai monarchy only has – at best three models to choose from :
1) is the Islamic model – eg. Sultan of Brunei.
But Brunei is a special case – tiny population, huge oil wealth, isolated location.
Variations on this are Saudi Arabia, Gulf states, etc.
But of course, Thailand is mostly not Islamic.
2) European-style strictly constitutional monarchy, like Britain, Scandinavia, Holland, Japan, and Cambodia.
I.e. like Thaksin was moving towards.
This seems ruled out by Da Torpedo’s extremely harsh sentence, since this is what she was calling for.
3) Thailand’s own version – somewhere between both above, but now SO unpopular, half of “Thailand” consistently votes against
it.
I.e. the crux is that the Palace will not accept the people’s will, nor will half the people accept the will of the Palace.
The ONLY way out of this dilemma is to split “Thailand” in two.
Malaysia is going to be too pre-occupied with mounting anti-Thai hatred, resulting from the ongoing insurgency in Pattani, to worry much about Oz this time.
Of course, it would not be hard for just about anyone – with the few requisite skills – to bring down all Thai government sites, with Denial Of Service Attacks.
Well – the Bangkok Post is exactly that : a postcard from Bangkok. It no longer represents “Thailand”, not least because “Thailand” no longer exists. There is simply Lanna-Lao Isaarn, against the “Thailands” in the Central Plains, Bangkok, and the South, north of Pattani.
The Nation newspaper is also now not an accurate reflection – because there is no longer a “Thai” nation !
Well said Volk. You’ve captured exactly why a civil war would be hugely horiffic : family member fighting family member.
Like what happened in England during the Civil War, like what happened in America during their Civil War, like what happened in France during the “Revolution”, etc. Thailand is better if it can avoid this almost inevitable course of history. Much better off if Thais – and Isaarn Lao – settle their differences through
voting not violence. But will the Palace accept a government they do not like ? And if not, will Isaarn accept that Palace?
FEER was indeed a gem. Among the most prized possessions in my home collection of ageing newspapers, my FEER collection stands out. Oz journo Hamish McDonald was among their many
great writers. The new, “quality” quarterly is too much of a reality removed academic tome to interest me.
Anybody have any ideas on why it is Chulabhorn doing the talking on the king’s health? She seems the only one in the family speaking and she’s been doing it from Thailand, Italy and Germany.
A very good article. I used to be an avid fan of the Bangkok Post and Nation – but they’ve wilted over the many years of heavy intimidation. I still respect the brave, very professional jounralists – not least the Thai ones, who take enormous risks at times – trying to get the truth out.
But Thai media is not as free and reliable as it was becoming under Chatichai, during the May’92 uprising, and Anand’s subesquent reforms. One of the cleverest strategies has been constant intimidation, and closing down of community media – especially regional community media – where the real uprising is taking place. But much of this crackdown smells like panic.
Despite this, whenever asked, the rural uprising continues – in elections, etc. But reporting of it is watered down for foreign and domestic consumption.
I’d make a complaint against Ralph Kamdren – especially re. his grossly insulting remarks against HRH Princess Chulabhorn.
But I believe in free speach – no matter how obnoxious – so will let it go. Let’s just call Ralph The Rat.
Nich, I believe this is essentially a tool of the GOV/political machinery of the state related to “internal security” (above anything else they may claim) ; my own experience has be to witness the consistent blocking of Red websites…Has anyone else experienced this?
For those who still want more indicative quotes, here is another one:
“Please help return Thailand to the land of smiles. I firmly believe that the protection of the nation’s important institution is an important task of every Thai, who must safeguard the institution of the monarchy, which is the emotional center of the people of the entire nation. Therefore, everybody, every work unit must help to investigate, help to protect, help to eradicate any media and persons whose behavior is dangerous for the nation’s principal institution.”
Interior Minister Chawarat Chanwirakun in a speech given to newly elected local government executives (Matichon, 30 October 2009)
I can only support Kevin’s thoughts – call me a Luddite – but i have no idea about all that twittering stuff, no time and very little inclination to learn about it right now. The old brain has only that much space, and is already bursting with red/yellow/bue/green, and a dozen studies on my desktop i should have read by now but haven’t…
I highly respect Jim Taylor’s deep thought, originality, and creativity in his analysis. Would I be wrong to say that instrumenting the demise of the past three elected prime ministers requires brain work, resources, and orchestration beyond domestic actors capability. I wonder if the triple alliance (the State, domestic actors and international actors) and historical structural approach be useful to add to the well foundation that has been laid out by Jim: the Democrat Party, the Nation, the Manager, ASTV, Thairath, Bangkok Post, Prem, Anand Panyarachun, Sonthi Limthongkul, Suthichai Yoon, Aphisit Vejjajiva. I think it is important that the “why”Jim asked in this article be analyzed and answered. I truly appreciate the contribution Jim has made to the scholarship in the studies of the country. It really reflects the passion.
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Inappropriate website
One recalls that the local crew of the “Big Trouble in Thailand” series have been charged with what amounts to bringing the Kingdom into disrepute. This being the case, perhaps the MICT would consider adding a new category and expanding the blocklist to include the seemingly innumerable puerile, locally-authored sex-tourism websites.
Thongchai on Thailand’s transition
Thak Chaloemtiarana described Sarit’s political system as “depotic paternalism.” He also said it was “harsh, repressive, despotic, and inflexible.”
Inappropriate website
Chris: First, what post are you referring to? Second, NM usually suggests : “idle abuse will not be entertained.” If you can point out something that is able to be debated, I’d be happy to do that.
Thongchai on Thailand’s transition
David – thanks for reminding : yes – Sarit WAS from Isaarn.
God bless him. Moreover, his mother was Lao !!!
Bring back Sarit – that’s what I say !!
No wonder Thailand has gone wrong ever since !
The Independent on Thailand’s taboo
Realistically the Thai monarchy only has – at best three models to choose from :
1) is the Islamic model – eg. Sultan of Brunei.
But Brunei is a special case – tiny population, huge oil wealth, isolated location.
Variations on this are Saudi Arabia, Gulf states, etc.
But of course, Thailand is mostly not Islamic.
2) European-style strictly constitutional monarchy, like Britain, Scandinavia, Holland, Japan, and Cambodia.
I.e. like Thaksin was moving towards.
This seems ruled out by Da Torpedo’s extremely harsh sentence, since this is what she was calling for.
3) Thailand’s own version – somewhere between both above, but now SO unpopular, half of “Thailand” consistently votes against
it.
I.e. the crux is that the Palace will not accept the people’s will, nor will half the people accept the will of the Palace.
The ONLY way out of this dilemma is to split “Thailand” in two.
Australia and the risks of ‘Mahathirism’
Malaysia is going to be too pre-occupied with mounting anti-Thai hatred, resulting from the ongoing insurgency in Pattani, to worry much about Oz this time.
Inappropriate website
Of course, it would not be hard for just about anyone – with the few requisite skills – to bring down all Thai government sites, with Denial Of Service Attacks.
Media and images in Thailand
Well – the Bangkok Post is exactly that : a postcard from Bangkok. It no longer represents “Thailand”, not least because “Thailand” no longer exists. There is simply Lanna-Lao Isaarn, against the “Thailands” in the Central Plains, Bangkok, and the South, north of Pattani.
The Nation newspaper is also now not an accurate reflection – because there is no longer a “Thai” nation !
Thailand’s ailing monarch
Well said Volk. You’ve captured exactly why a civil war would be hugely horiffic : family member fighting family member.
Like what happened in England during the Civil War, like what happened in America during their Civil War, like what happened in France during the “Revolution”, etc. Thailand is better if it can avoid this almost inevitable course of history. Much better off if Thais – and Isaarn Lao – settle their differences through
voting not violence. But will the Palace accept a government they do not like ? And if not, will Isaarn accept that Palace?
No FEER
FEER was indeed a gem. Among the most prized possessions in my home collection of ageing newspapers, my FEER collection stands out. Oz journo Hamish McDonald was among their many
great writers. The new, “quality” quarterly is too much of a reality removed academic tome to interest me.
More on King Bhumibol’s health
Anybody have any ideas on why it is Chulabhorn doing the talking on the king’s health? She seems the only one in the family speaking and she’s been doing it from Thailand, Italy and Germany.
Media and images in Thailand
A very good article. I used to be an avid fan of the Bangkok Post and Nation – but they’ve wilted over the many years of heavy intimidation. I still respect the brave, very professional jounralists – not least the Thai ones, who take enormous risks at times – trying to get the truth out.
But Thai media is not as free and reliable as it was becoming under Chatichai, during the May’92 uprising, and Anand’s subesquent reforms. One of the cleverest strategies has been constant intimidation, and closing down of community media – especially regional community media – where the real uprising is taking place. But much of this crackdown smells like panic.
Despite this, whenever asked, the rural uprising continues – in elections, etc. But reporting of it is watered down for foreign and domestic consumption.
Inappropriate website
I’d make a complaint against Ralph Kamdren – especially re. his grossly insulting remarks against HRH Princess Chulabhorn.
But I believe in free speach – no matter how obnoxious – so will let it go. Let’s just call Ralph The Rat.
Inappropriate website
Nich, I believe this is essentially a tool of the GOV/political machinery of the state related to “internal security” (above anything else they may claim) ; my own experience has be to witness the consistent blocking of Red websites…Has anyone else experienced this?
No FEER
Great find Nich.
More on King Bhumibol’s health
For those who still want more indicative quotes, here is another one:
“Please help return Thailand to the land of smiles. I firmly believe that the protection of the nation’s important institution is an important task of every Thai, who must safeguard the institution of the monarchy, which is the emotional center of the people of the entire nation. Therefore, everybody, every work unit must help to investigate, help to protect, help to eradicate any media and persons whose behavior is dangerous for the nation’s principal institution.”
Interior Minister Chawarat Chanwirakun in a speech given to newly elected local government executives (Matichon, 30 October 2009)
Media and images in Thailand
Suzie Wong:
Nicely crafted piece of sarcasm…
More on King Bhumibol’s health
What has mindless respect and crawling before just another common human brought about and made possible in Thailand? …
New Mandala’s coverage of the 2009 Thai Update
I can only support Kevin’s thoughts – call me a Luddite – but i have no idea about all that twittering stuff, no time and very little inclination to learn about it right now. The old brain has only that much space, and is already bursting with red/yellow/bue/green, and a dozen studies on my desktop i should have read by now but haven’t…
Papers posted would be appreciated very much.
Media and images in Thailand
I highly respect Jim Taylor’s deep thought, originality, and creativity in his analysis. Would I be wrong to say that instrumenting the demise of the past three elected prime ministers requires brain work, resources, and orchestration beyond domestic actors capability. I wonder if the triple alliance (the State, domestic actors and international actors) and historical structural approach be useful to add to the well foundation that has been laid out by Jim: the Democrat Party, the Nation, the Manager, ASTV, Thairath, Bangkok Post, Prem, Anand Panyarachun, Sonthi Limthongkul, Suthichai Yoon, Aphisit Vejjajiva. I think it is important that the “why”Jim asked in this article be analyzed and answered. I truly appreciate the contribution Jim has made to the scholarship in the studies of the country. It really reflects the passion.