It does not take anything away from Giles to say that he was a “leading socialist activist” (whatever this might mean in the Thai socio-political context), but certainly not a “leading academic.” I guess that people at Chula are more than happy having him removed from their institution. “In general, Ajarn Ungpakorn’s views seem too far leftist for my tastes, but I totally disagree with the attempts to silence him” > exactly.
What a sad day for Thailand and where does Chulalongkom, Thailand’s version of Harvard, stand on the issue of one of it’s leading academics being treated in such a manner, much less in light of the circumstance that one of Chulalongkom’s own employees, the Manager of the university bookstore, instigated the charges and arrest.
Is this the path that the creative, highly intelligent and traditionally free-spirited Thais really want to follow, towards darkness, repression and finally a silent, self-imposed ignorance………………..
It is a shame, I have a pdf copy of Coup for the rich, intersting take on the situation. In the long run, Thailand will be harmed by eliminating thoughtful political dialogue. Ajarn Ungpakorn’s flight from Thailand is justified, hopefully he will continue to press for the the truth ans someday will be welcomed back to Thailand.
In general, Ajarn Ungpakorn’s views seems too far leftist for my tastes, but I totally disagree with the attempts to silence him.
The “Democrats” in Thailand are showing their true colors by persecuting all who do not tow the political line.
I have not posted in a long time, but this is important. There have been some changes in government here in thailand and with that some of the visa policies have changed as well. Right now you can only get a 2 month tourist visa unless you have a job here that has been checked out and verified by the thai immagration office. However that visa can be renewed in 14 day 30 day or 60 day increments by jumping through a few small loopholes thereby allowing you to actually stay indeffinately if you have the funds to do so. If you cross the border into a neighboring country and pay the right price you can extend for 2 months at a time. I had a three month visa before enering thailand but when I arrived the rules had changed and only got two months so I had to make a border run to the immagration office to extend for a month. This doesn’t involve crossing any bridge/boarder but, does cost 1900 baht. I don’t know how much a two month visa cost but I would guess twice as much as a one month visa. I hope this helps and good luck in all of you endevours.
Scott,
Without someone waiting in Mae Sot to meet you, you should , for the moment start making some preparations to get in contact with someone prior to arriving. This would save you some possible time/trouble along the way.
Max stay in Thailand is three months on a tourist visa by the way. You can get a 90 day visa by applying at any Thai embassy.
I’m coming to Mae Sot in Late March, early April. I’m coming there for various reasons, but one of them isn’t to be an overweight fantasy merc wilting under the sun. However, I’m convinced that I can help in other ways.
I plan on at least a six month stay and in the two months before I leave I will be working on some rudimentary Thai language skills.
I have no connections there and it’s hard to tell what’s legitimate regarding the NGO scene. Anybody who wants to take me under their wing prior to and upon arrival would be appreciated as I don’t want to get myself in trouble due to my ignorance.
I can finance myself while I’m there and not depending on a paying job when I get there.
The crackdown started on January 23, 2009 around 5:00 in the morning when everyone was sleeping still. Then it was followed by 3 more successive crackdowns on the same day. Men and women, children, babies, nursing mothers, pregnant women, were chased by police. They ran around the garbage area and heed off to the nearest jungle adjacent to the dumpsite leaving their few and only belongings. Their houses were ransacked and destroyed by the police. http://democracyforburma.wordpress.com/2009/02/08/urgent-help-needed-crackdown-at-the-rubbish-dump-of-mae-sot-ashin-sopaka/
Discovered that Harry’s book is freely available as PDF for download on the net. It is awful that any ex-pat in Thailand can apparently be banged up in jail without committing anything that would be regarded as a crime anywhere else. The book looks totally innocent of any scurrilous content.
Is there any truth to the rumour that a group of well-known names in Thailand are preparing a petition for lese majeste to be scrapped? Would they dare? Anyone heard about this?
I’d hate to be the one advocating boycotts of Thailand, but the country has worked for decades to incite boycotts for human rights violations, unjust disproportionate imprisonment like Harry’s, and flippant disregard for its own laws, much less international conventions that it should be abiding by.
One of the very first things people learn when they move to Thailand is to never talk about the royal family in a manner that may cast them in a negative light. Certainly Harry would have discovered this very quickly. Unfortunately, many western nationals believe that because they come from “free” countries that they are somehow above this standard set by the kingdom. When in Thailand, I am very careful of how I speak about the Monarchy, as I am aware of how sensitive of an issue that it is. Everyone knows this, including Harry. Hopefully, his predicament will wise people up who may think of daring to test this protocol, especially in print. In the meantime, Australians need to bring this chap home. Thailand has made its point, move on, send Harry home.
I’m sorry to say to you, Nicolaides, that there’s nothing I can do for you. If I had what I wished, sure, I would have stormed that prison with Special Forces and get you out of there. But for the moment, all I can console you is that I will make sure your name will go down even in schoolchildren’s Thai history textbooks to remind them what kind of unforgivable evil their grandfathers have collectively committed.
Is there any truth to the rumor that some groups in Australia are planning to mount a tourist boycott of Thailand on behalf of Harry? I wonder if that would really be plausible, are there enough Australians willing to holiday elsewhere and what would the overall effect be on Thailand’s tourist industry?
Although the LM laws undoubtedly confer all sorts of benefits on the royals, the reason why the legislation persists is because they are a powerful weapon which certain ‘groups/figures can use to pursue their own agendas. I doubt the sincerity of those who say the monarchy must be protected: what they are really after is preserving draconian laws which they personally find politically useful.
I think it’s clear though that Thailand is ‘waking up.’ The populace is just less and less prepared to bow and scrape to their supposed ‘elders and betters.’ The idea that certain social groups have a God given right to govern is dying -it just happens to be a rather long and drawn out death process. I think change is in the air, and there’s no going back now.
My heart goes out to Harry and his family. I hope he receives the amnesty he deserves soon. This sort of thing can’t be good for Thailand or the monarchy.
Are you one of those famous sons of late U Kyaw Nyein? What I remember is two of them were from RIT and jailed for a long time for their leading involvement in 1975 U Thant Uprising. If you are one I would like to know more about you as I had met both of them during the uprising.
Interesting to see there is now a ‘protecttheking.net’ site, the purpose of which is to allow us to report those who may be committing LM (had this awful image of a list of names and addresses of alleged offenders -a sort of’ lynch roll’).
Apparently a great many websites have already been blocked, in part due to the diligence of the contributors.
I can’t help wondering though, what effect (if any) this all has on on the editorial decisions of New mandala management on what to publish and what not to publish: any effect at all? No effect whatsoever? Is it a time for sensitive editing to keep the site open? Any representations from Thai authorities hinting at future closure?
Of course the more Thai websites that are shut down the more people who will be logging in here.
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Giles leaves Thailand
It does not take anything away from Giles to say that he was a “leading socialist activist” (whatever this might mean in the Thai socio-political context), but certainly not a “leading academic.” I guess that people at Chula are more than happy having him removed from their institution. “In general, Ajarn Ungpakorn’s views seem too far leftist for my tastes, but I totally disagree with the attempts to silence him” > exactly.
Giles leaves Thailand
What a sad day for Thailand and where does Chulalongkom, Thailand’s version of Harvard, stand on the issue of one of it’s leading academics being treated in such a manner, much less in light of the circumstance that one of Chulalongkom’s own employees, the Manager of the university bookstore, instigated the charges and arrest.
Is this the path that the creative, highly intelligent and traditionally free-spirited Thais really want to follow, towards darkness, repression and finally a silent, self-imposed ignorance………………..
Giles leaves Thailand
It is a shame, I have a pdf copy of Coup for the rich, intersting take on the situation. In the long run, Thailand will be harmed by eliminating thoughtful political dialogue. Ajarn Ungpakorn’s flight from Thailand is justified, hopefully he will continue to press for the the truth ans someday will be welcomed back to Thailand.
In general, Ajarn Ungpakorn’s views seems too far leftist for my tastes, but I totally disagree with the attempts to silence him.
The “Democrats” in Thailand are showing their true colors by persecuting all who do not tow the political line.
Sad.
Volunteering to fight in Burma
I have not posted in a long time, but this is important. There have been some changes in government here in thailand and with that some of the visa policies have changed as well. Right now you can only get a 2 month tourist visa unless you have a job here that has been checked out and verified by the thai immagration office. However that visa can be renewed in 14 day 30 day or 60 day increments by jumping through a few small loopholes thereby allowing you to actually stay indeffinately if you have the funds to do so. If you cross the border into a neighboring country and pay the right price you can extend for 2 months at a time. I had a three month visa before enering thailand but when I arrived the rules had changed and only got two months so I had to make a border run to the immagration office to extend for a month. This doesn’t involve crossing any bridge/boarder but, does cost 1900 baht. I don’t know how much a two month visa cost but I would guess twice as much as a one month visa. I hope this helps and good luck in all of you endevours.
The Devil’s Discus – in Thai
Thank you to the reader who posted р╕Бр╕Зр╕Ир╕▒р╕Бр╕гр╕Ыр╕╡р╕ир╕▓р╕Ир╕лр╕ер╕▒р╕З for free download. They look like my scans!
However, the comment above calls this Thai version “full” and the email I received called it “complete”.
This is not the case. The mystery of the missing first 16 pages remains!
Putting snails to good use
Do the French know about this?
Volunteering to fight in Burma
Scott,
Without someone waiting in Mae Sot to meet you, you should , for the moment start making some preparations to get in contact with someone prior to arriving. This would save you some possible time/trouble along the way.
Max stay in Thailand is three months on a tourist visa by the way. You can get a 90 day visa by applying at any Thai embassy.
Volunteering to fight in Burma
I’m coming to Mae Sot in Late March, early April. I’m coming there for various reasons, but one of them isn’t to be an overweight fantasy merc wilting under the sun. However, I’m convinced that I can help in other ways.
I plan on at least a six month stay and in the two months before I leave I will be working on some rudimentary Thai language skills.
I have no connections there and it’s hard to tell what’s legitimate regarding the NGO scene. Anybody who wants to take me under their wing prior to and upon arrival would be appreciated as I don’t want to get myself in trouble due to my ignorance.
I can finance myself while I’m there and not depending on a paying job when I get there.
Thanks.
Scotty
The Devil’s Discus – in Thai
Here is the full Thai language version of Devil’s Discus (р╕Бр╕Зр╕Ир╕▒р╕Бр╕гр╕Ыр╕╡р╕ир╕▓р╕И) in a free 18meg download
http://tinyurl.com/Thai-Devils-Discus
Thailand, international human rights and ISOC
The crackdown started on January 23, 2009 around 5:00 in the morning when everyone was sleeping still. Then it was followed by 3 more successive crackdowns on the same day. Men and women, children, babies, nursing mothers, pregnant women, were chased by police. They ran around the garbage area and heed off to the nearest jungle adjacent to the dumpsite leaving their few and only belongings. Their houses were ransacked and destroyed by the police.
http://democracyforburma.wordpress.com/2009/02/08/urgent-help-needed-crackdown-at-the-rubbish-dump-of-mae-sot-ashin-sopaka/
Lèse majesté and Harry Nicolaides
Discovered that Harry’s book is freely available as PDF for download on the net. It is awful that any ex-pat in Thailand can apparently be banged up in jail without committing anything that would be regarded as a crime anywhere else. The book looks totally innocent of any scurrilous content.
The medieval price
Is there any truth to the rumour that a group of well-known names in Thailand are preparing a petition for lese majeste to be scrapped? Would they dare? Anyone heard about this?
The medieval price
I’d hate to be the one advocating boycotts of Thailand, but the country has worked for decades to incite boycotts for human rights violations, unjust disproportionate imprisonment like Harry’s, and flippant disregard for its own laws, much less international conventions that it should be abiding by.
The medieval price
One of the very first things people learn when they move to Thailand is to never talk about the royal family in a manner that may cast them in a negative light. Certainly Harry would have discovered this very quickly. Unfortunately, many western nationals believe that because they come from “free” countries that they are somehow above this standard set by the kingdom. When in Thailand, I am very careful of how I speak about the Monarchy, as I am aware of how sensitive of an issue that it is. Everyone knows this, including Harry. Hopefully, his predicament will wise people up who may think of daring to test this protocol, especially in print. In the meantime, Australians need to bring this chap home. Thailand has made its point, move on, send Harry home.
The medieval price
I’m sorry to say to you, Nicolaides, that there’s nothing I can do for you. If I had what I wished, sure, I would have stormed that prison with Special Forces and get you out of there. But for the moment, all I can console you is that I will make sure your name will go down even in schoolchildren’s Thai history textbooks to remind them what kind of unforgivable evil their grandfathers have collectively committed.
The medieval price
Is there any truth to the rumor that some groups in Australia are planning to mount a tourist boycott of Thailand on behalf of Harry? I wonder if that would really be plausible, are there enough Australians willing to holiday elsewhere and what would the overall effect be on Thailand’s tourist industry?
Bring Harry home!
Although the LM laws undoubtedly confer all sorts of benefits on the royals, the reason why the legislation persists is because they are a powerful weapon which certain ‘groups/figures can use to pursue their own agendas. I doubt the sincerity of those who say the monarchy must be protected: what they are really after is preserving draconian laws which they personally find politically useful.
I think it’s clear though that Thailand is ‘waking up.’ The populace is just less and less prepared to bow and scrape to their supposed ‘elders and betters.’ The idea that certain social groups have a God given right to govern is dying -it just happens to be a rather long and drawn out death process. I think change is in the air, and there’s no going back now.
The medieval price
My heart goes out to Harry and his family. I hope he receives the amnesty he deserves soon. This sort of thing can’t be good for Thailand or the monarchy.
Tej Bunnag shows the way
U Aung Kyaw-Nyein,
Are you one of those famous sons of late U Kyaw Nyein? What I remember is two of them were from RIT and jailed for a long time for their leading involvement in 1975 U Thant Uprising. If you are one I would like to know more about you as I had met both of them during the uprising.
Hla Oo
Defending the taboo – the royal response
Interesting to see there is now a ‘protecttheking.net’ site, the purpose of which is to allow us to report those who may be committing LM (had this awful image of a list of names and addresses of alleged offenders -a sort of’ lynch roll’).
Apparently a great many websites have already been blocked, in part due to the diligence of the contributors.
I can’t help wondering though, what effect (if any) this all has on on the editorial decisions of New mandala management on what to publish and what not to publish: any effect at all? No effect whatsoever? Is it a time for sensitive editing to keep the site open? Any representations from Thai authorities hinting at future closure?
Of course the more Thai websites that are shut down the more people who will be logging in here.