“I doubt Abhisit has the brains to keep up with my moves”
That’s it! Abhisit vs Thaksin in a Dance Dance Revolution dance off!
A console game saves the day again.
also…
“Plus he is putting down his turbulent experiences on paper, and will share his life lessons with fellow citizens in due course”
Can we expect to see a Anthony Robbins styled Thaksin self help book? Im already sure it will make my ‘top reads’ list. Admittedly the only other thing I’ve read is the ABC’s moustache growing guidelines handbook for 1975.
But it’s clear what’s going on here is 6000 vs 152. Everyone is muted. Letting the numbers speak for themselves! Nobody willing to commit themselves as Da Torpedo 2.
You can ignore the whole damn lot of them if you so wish. They are just a mark of how the mainstream have tried to dumb things down because they’re too lazy to deal with a bit of complexity. And Thaksin is a prime example of such crass politics.
Wasnt there another a birthday a couple of days later? A lot of people I know are comparing these. Now there is a surprise that is not making it into print.
Personality cult is the big thing in democratic poltics these days around the world.
Obama, Berlusconi, Sarkozy. Like em or hate em, you cant ignore them. The people are bigger than the policies. I doubt Thailand will buck that trend.
Reality check here. Taronga Zoo probably needs to act with some caution if it wishes for its supply of exotic animals from SEA not to dry up. That said, it wouldn’t exactly be a disaster. There are plenty of interesting animals in Australia and New Zealand which would not involve prostituting oneselves to the Burmese Junta and Thai ultra-nationalists.
The biggest loudmouth in a country where one is practically tied down and forced to listen to boring obnoxious cretins. It’s a form of torture really. Indeed, it is probably one’s kharma for having been similarly obnoxious in a previous lifetime.
I happened upon the celebration in Sob Ruak in the Golden Triangle, slightly less glamorous – food but no beer/whisky or pretty girls – a serious event with speeches and too much unaccompanied solo singing from the stage (embarrasing for singer and listener alike akin to the Tory party conference some years back in the UK) and not just from the man himself.
About 250 people but seats for many more – I would think they were dissappointed with the turn out, it was the only such celebration between Mae Sai, Mae Chan and Chiang Khong, would have thought a true grass roots organisation could have attracted more, honest of them not to offer whisky which would have attracted many more (less devout) supporters but made a bigger splash.
Everyone was very nice, despite my neutral shirt, fed me lamyai and talked about the good old days.
Scratchy signal during the phone in but message recieved, thought the magazine a little much but all very much appreciated by those in red.
Still slightly perturbed by the lack of concept (from both sides) that there may be some middle ground and that anyone but themselves might have a point.
Garlic is a basic ingredient for most dishes in Thailand. In fact, like rice and chillies it can be taken as basic food. This limits the elasticity of consumption. We can therefore assume that the consumption of garlic in Thailand will not show large differences. So, how can the gap in production of garlic available for consumption in 2006 be explained, especially after a steady increase? Did people suddenly stop using garlic or do most grow their own garlic, i.e. subsistence production that does not enter the statistics? Are the statistics simply wrong? Or, does garlic enter the market outside of statistical measurement, or outside of official import data?
I remember that a friend told me in 1980, when I asked about many lorries fully packed with garlic and onions in Northern Thailand that much of it was probably smuggled. I was a bit amused about smuggling garlic in the golden triangle!
During a visit of the Salween I saw several boats coming from Burma packed with dried chillies, another basic food. I doubt that these were going through the official customs channels.
Looking at the data, about 40 to 50 thousands tons might not be accounted for in 2006, a year in which the prices were quite high (especially during the second half). In other words, the shifts in prices might be related to garlic entering the market that is not accounted for in the official statistics.
A further, additional reason might be a degree of cartelization of the garlic market. Such a rather stabile market is always attractive for cartels that generate high incomes from shifts in prices, especially if they can draw on smuggled supplies.
Jana, also worth mentioning here would be the USA formally signing up to the Oslo Treaty (Dec.3rd 2008), The Convention on Cluster Munitions, which seeks to ban cluster bombs and assist the victims. But they haven’t – although 94 countries did. Until they do, & generally clean up their HR act, which will also involve cleaning up the ‘carpet’ they left in this region after the Vietnamese war & the ‘War that Never Happened,’ they may find that their ideas are indeed “of little consequence…”
“An estimated 76 million cluster bombs (bombies) remain from the ‘carpet bombing’ (260 million bombs, equivalent to one C130 planeload every 8 minutes for 9 years) of supply lines during the Vietnamese war, mostly in Laos but also in Vietnam and Cambodia, scattered like seeds, ready to explode. And they do. Every week. Handicap International estimates that 98% of the victims have been civilians, 27% children. Kids are attracted to them because they are often brightly coloured. Many look rather like toy pineapples ….. more numerous and insidious than landmines. On average, 10 children have died every month during the last 33 years. ” http://www.geocities.com/project.pineapple/
RK, while not wanting to over-personalise and appear to be attacking the messenger rather than the message (if only one could actually FIND the message), I have to agree with you about Maverick263’s “input”. While others at least try to actually communicate a point of view and give reasons for holding that view, some seem intent on merely appearing to “know better”…….. except that it seems really too much effort – a waste of their great intellectual prowess and wisdom – to do more than sprinkle their consciously “enigmatic” musings with a few “na’s” and actually make (rather than score) a point.
It reminds me very much of Kasit’s style – and, as so often with an excess of style/form, it’s the substance that suffers. I have no time for foreigners who present themselves as innately superior in their insights – and the same applies to indigenous populations.
To attempt to portray New Mandala (I could add Bangkok Pundit and others) as just a club for like-minded westerners to agree with each other rings patently hollow. A glance at the comments section of most topics (including this one) demonstrates just the opposite. Speaking for myself (and, I suspect, most other readers), I would not bother to read them let alone post if the accusation were remotely accurate. To put it plainly, the accusation is just insulting – and appears to spring from needing a substitute for having anything of any substance to express as a counter to what others have said. I notice that a common trait with such input is that the author changes the subject or just disappears when tackled directly on what they have posted. I would welcome being proved wrong about this – or, at least, seeing an exception to that trait………..
.. also worth mentioning here is the USA formally signing up to the TAC. What sort of influence will the USA have with ASEAN states once signed up regarding human rights? Could this be an accelerant, an inhibition or of little consequence to overall human rights acceptance in Southeast Asia?
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Comparative politics
“I doubt Abhisit has the brains to keep up with my moves”
That’s it! Abhisit vs Thaksin in a Dance Dance Revolution dance off!
A console game saves the day again.
also…
“Plus he is putting down his turbulent experiences on paper, and will share his life lessons with fellow citizens in due course”
Can we expect to see a Anthony Robbins styled Thaksin self help book? Im already sure it will make my ‘top reads’ list. Admittedly the only other thing I’ve read is the ABC’s moustache growing guidelines handbook for 1975.
But it’s clear what’s going on here is 6000 vs 152. Everyone is muted. Letting the numbers speak for themselves! Nobody willing to commit themselves as Da Torpedo 2.
Till next time…
Thaksin’s birthday party
Nobody,
Are you referring to a birthday that falls today?
Best wishes to all,
Nich
Thaksin’s birthday party
You can ignore the whole damn lot of them if you so wish. They are just a mark of how the mainstream have tried to dumb things down because they’re too lazy to deal with a bit of complexity. And Thaksin is a prime example of such crass politics.
Thaksin’s birthday party
Wasnt there another a birthday a couple of days later? A lot of people I know are comparing these. Now there is a surprise that is not making it into print.
Prasert Nasakul: RIP
What actually occurred on August 3, 2001 is one of the many “secrets taken to graves” of modern Thai political history.
Thaksin’s birthday party
Personality cult is the big thing in democratic poltics these days around the world.
Obama, Berlusconi, Sarkozy. Like em or hate em, you cant ignore them. The people are bigger than the policies. I doubt Thailand will buck that trend.
Son of an elephant: Suwicha misses out
Reality check here. Taronga Zoo probably needs to act with some caution if it wishes for its supply of exotic animals from SEA not to dry up. That said, it wouldn’t exactly be a disaster. There are plenty of interesting animals in Australia and New Zealand which would not involve prostituting oneselves to the Burmese Junta and Thai ultra-nationalists.
Thaksin’s birthday party
The biggest loudmouth in a country where one is practically tied down and forced to listen to boring obnoxious cretins. It’s a form of torture really. Indeed, it is probably one’s kharma for having been similarly obnoxious in a previous lifetime.
Thaksin’s birthday party
I happened upon the celebration in Sob Ruak in the Golden Triangle, slightly less glamorous – food but no beer/whisky or pretty girls – a serious event with speeches and too much unaccompanied solo singing from the stage (embarrasing for singer and listener alike akin to the Tory party conference some years back in the UK) and not just from the man himself.
About 250 people but seats for many more – I would think they were dissappointed with the turn out, it was the only such celebration between Mae Sai, Mae Chan and Chiang Khong, would have thought a true grass roots organisation could have attracted more, honest of them not to offer whisky which would have attracted many more (less devout) supporters but made a bigger splash.
Everyone was very nice, despite my neutral shirt, fed me lamyai and talked about the good old days.
Scratchy signal during the phone in but message recieved, thought the magazine a little much but all very much appreciated by those in red.
Still slightly perturbed by the lack of concept (from both sides) that there may be some middle ground and that anyone but themselves might have a point.
Nice cake, interesting venue.
Thaksin’s birthday party
Great photos & report Nick. My ovaries yearn for Thaksin. Does anyone know what he said during the video link?
ASEAN and Human Rights – Can they mix?
Michael, as Hillary human rights defender number one would say: “God bless the USA!!!”
Son of an elephant: Suwicha misses out
Luuk Chai?!? Weak sauce.
More on the garlic roller coaster
Garlic is a basic ingredient for most dishes in Thailand. In fact, like rice and chillies it can be taken as basic food. This limits the elasticity of consumption. We can therefore assume that the consumption of garlic in Thailand will not show large differences. So, how can the gap in production of garlic available for consumption in 2006 be explained, especially after a steady increase? Did people suddenly stop using garlic or do most grow their own garlic, i.e. subsistence production that does not enter the statistics? Are the statistics simply wrong? Or, does garlic enter the market outside of statistical measurement, or outside of official import data?
I remember that a friend told me in 1980, when I asked about many lorries fully packed with garlic and onions in Northern Thailand that much of it was probably smuggled. I was a bit amused about smuggling garlic in the golden triangle!
During a visit of the Salween I saw several boats coming from Burma packed with dried chillies, another basic food. I doubt that these were going through the official customs channels.
Looking at the data, about 40 to 50 thousands tons might not be accounted for in 2006, a year in which the prices were quite high (especially during the second half). In other words, the shifts in prices might be related to garlic entering the market that is not accounted for in the official statistics.
A further, additional reason might be a degree of cartelization of the garlic market. Such a rather stabile market is always attractive for cartels that generate high incomes from shifts in prices, especially if they can draw on smuggled supplies.
Fools and their money
In the old Don Muang days it relieved the boredom of flying to try and spot Wat Dhammakaya as the plane turned onto final approach.
ASEAN and Human Rights – Can they mix?
Jana, also worth mentioning here would be the USA formally signing up to the Oslo Treaty (Dec.3rd 2008), The Convention on Cluster Munitions, which seeks to ban cluster bombs and assist the victims. But they haven’t – although 94 countries did. Until they do, & generally clean up their HR act, which will also involve cleaning up the ‘carpet’ they left in this region after the Vietnamese war & the ‘War that Never Happened,’ they may find that their ideas are indeed “of little consequence…”
“An estimated 76 million cluster bombs (bombies) remain from the ‘carpet bombing’ (260 million bombs, equivalent to one C130 planeload every 8 minutes for 9 years) of supply lines during the Vietnamese war, mostly in Laos but also in Vietnam and Cambodia, scattered like seeds, ready to explode. And they do. Every week. Handicap International estimates that 98% of the victims have been civilians, 27% children. Kids are attracted to them because they are often brightly coloured. Many look rather like toy pineapples ….. more numerous and insidious than landmines. On average, 10 children have died every month during the last 33 years. ”
http://www.geocities.com/project.pineapple/
http://www.clusterconvention.org/
http://www.stopclustermunitions.org/tellthemtosign
Son of an elephant: Suwicha misses out
Agreed, absolute crap name. No imagination at all. And, the BBC can’t pronounce it.
Fools and their money
An old Thai proverb says:
The more criminals the more temples.
This is why Petchburi & Chonburi have been worth visiting for a long time.
George Orwells Burmese Days tells the same story.
“An attack on the rights of journalists”
RK, while not wanting to over-personalise and appear to be attacking the messenger rather than the message (if only one could actually FIND the message), I have to agree with you about Maverick263’s “input”. While others at least try to actually communicate a point of view and give reasons for holding that view, some seem intent on merely appearing to “know better”…….. except that it seems really too much effort – a waste of their great intellectual prowess and wisdom – to do more than sprinkle their consciously “enigmatic” musings with a few “na’s” and actually make (rather than score) a point.
It reminds me very much of Kasit’s style – and, as so often with an excess of style/form, it’s the substance that suffers. I have no time for foreigners who present themselves as innately superior in their insights – and the same applies to indigenous populations.
To attempt to portray New Mandala (I could add Bangkok Pundit and others) as just a club for like-minded westerners to agree with each other rings patently hollow. A glance at the comments section of most topics (including this one) demonstrates just the opposite. Speaking for myself (and, I suspect, most other readers), I would not bother to read them let alone post if the accusation were remotely accurate. To put it plainly, the accusation is just insulting – and appears to spring from needing a substitute for having anything of any substance to express as a counter to what others have said. I notice that a common trait with such input is that the author changes the subject or just disappears when tackled directly on what they have posted. I would welcome being proved wrong about this – or, at least, seeing an exception to that trait………..
ASEAN and Human Rights – Can they mix?
.. also worth mentioning here is the USA formally signing up to the TAC. What sort of influence will the USA have with ASEAN states once signed up regarding human rights? Could this be an accelerant, an inhibition or of little consequence to overall human rights acceptance in Southeast Asia?
ASEAN and Human Rights – Can they mix?
… and by universal value judgements. Of course I mean, ‘our’ universal value judgements.
Jana needs a coffee.