I’ll take you inside Mary.
The SPDC just burned down fish holding tanks that Karen soldiers had caught to feed their families.
The SPDC just burned down a clinic treating more than 800 people from surrounding villages for predominantly malaria and dysentry.
The SPDC just burned down a massive yet incomplete granary to store the hundreds of hectares of corn they stole from poor farmers.
Much of this was made available thanks to two organisations, one an Italian NGO, Popoli, the other headed by a very determined young woman who knows right rom wrong.
I’ll introduce you to her as well, she’s got photos of the granary she helped build smouldering.
Teach the Karen how to fish??!!
For all you religious and non-religious fanatics who are attempting to force your so-called education and beliefs on the natives of that area could possibly stand to educate yourselves of their basic cultural beliefs first. Perhaps you could gain something precious that is non-material. Knowledge and understanding. Shoot first, ask questions later approaches only succeed in creating confusion and distrust, and in a worst case scenario, fosters hatred. Remember, their lives lie in the balance, yours only if you choose. Respect of their ways should be a priority. Domestic unrest throughout world history has seldom had a happy ending for all involved. Your bullets and brains contributions will not balance the odds. More killings, how impressive. But then,perhaps it is too complicated to battle your own ignorance.
I read this book before the PAD became so militant and aggressive and at that time, I didn’t pay much attention to it bec. other books (which are somewhat more academic)also touch on similar issue and launch more or less similar critique of ‘the institution’ and its close realtionship with authoritarianism.. I guess among these works are Thak Chaloemtiaratana(spelling?)’s thesis .. But now after so much political injustice, unfairness and all that < i think this book(The King Never SM) deserves greater attention than I have previously accorded it.
Proud to be Thai? I’m not proud. There are too many social , political , moral wrongs in Thailand for me to be proud. Feel free to repect whoever u want, but do not try to shut up other people from criticizing those whom u respect. They are not a baby that needs protection.Let them speak for themselves. Is it something to be proud of when one’s country has a set of medieval laws that is often used as a tool for oppression and maintaining cultural hegemony and status quo?????????????????(Not to mention the violence and babarism of 14 and 6 October 1973, 1976)
The thing I’m proud of is that great monk and thinker, Buddhadasa, is a Thai, but his wisdom and insights are hardly incoporated into Thai life. Thailand lags behind other countries because there are only few people who truly study Buddhadasa’s thoughts and apply them to their life.
I’m Thai.
That seems pretty naive Mary. Why are the Karen malnourished, without tools, without housing? Is it because they are a quaint and simple folk with no knowledge of farming and construction? If that’s your belief I’d say read more before posting. They are without food, shelter, etc because SPDC likes to raid, demolish, and burn their villages and towns. How can you create an infrastructure without security? You can do this over and over again, but be prepared to lose it over and over again at the cost of resources. I know of one medical clinic built recently, which very recently was torched by SPDC. I don’t know that foreign volunteer fighters are helping win the battle, but they do lift morale.
I’m willing to bet you are one of those safe, sheltered, well educated (not that I have anything against education) people who is thoroughly disgusted with violence to the point of pacifism. I would agree with you, when possible, nonviolence is the best strategy to resolve issues, as after conflict is resolved stability is more likely. However, nonviolent strategy requires media coverage, and international cooperation. The junta’s stranglehold on media and media transmitting sources make it very difficult to effectively bring observable proof of human rights transgressions to the outside world. Beyond that, they are protected by China and Russia on the UN security council. Because of that, they have nothing to fear from international nonviolent activism. Even the pro democratic US maintains diplomatic relations with the junta. The junta is able to afford DC lobbying firms to maintain its relations with US representatives, which is more than the exile government can claim.
Imagine Gandhi’s various exploits without newspaper coverage. How effective would it have been if the world had not been able to pay attention to the British slayings of Indian civilians? If there had been no international outrage, no ability to mobilize Indians, no repercussions for the Brits, would India be free? At the very least, one can agree it would have happened much later. Beyond that, you need major news organizations providing repeated coverage of atrocities to be effective, not just small academic isolated news orgs. The difference between martyrdom and suicide is press coverage, and Burma warrants none.
No, leverage is necessary for the junta to fall apart. Security is needed for the infrastructure to be built. Do not look down on soldiers because you have distaste for their skillset. They will be able to solve problems that skinny college students cannot. You are right about one thing, the Karen do need supplies and resources to fight. It will be necessary to create some sort of trade under the SPDC and Thai radar, or for surrounding countries to change their positions. It looks like it could be possible for Thailand to change their position with the new PM coming in. Let’s all hope for that.
Either way, my point is that your disdain for soldiers shows your naivete, and you should consider how many attempts at humanitarian aid have already come to pass in Karen territory. You should furthermore consider how many of these attempts have failed due to SPDC interference. Violence and nonviolence must be used together in one cohesive strategy for progress to be made. Simply because you are of one persuasion does not mean you should look down upon the other.
Mary,
People do come in and try to assist the Karen in growing crops, etc. And then the SPDC/DKBA come along and steal the crops, murder the farmers, and then plant landmines so that no more crops can be planted in that particular place.
Aid groups bring in building supplies, then assist the Karen people in erecting homes. The SPDC/DKBA then come along and burn the homes, kill the people, then plant landmines so that no one can return there.
Aid groups come into the area and build clinics to treat the sick and injured, as well as teach the people how to tend to their ill.
Then the SPDC/DKBA come al0ng and burn down the clinics, kill the people, then plant landmines so that people can’t return.
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the raping of women and children, looting anything of value, and drug smuggling.
Did I mention landmines?
I have a question for you: what planet are you from?
Hi Mary,
great idea, get rid of the BS. Also, let’s turn weapons into plow shears as well. The only problem is that when you do all that you have suggested the Burmese military comes aong, confiscated their food (fish included), burns down their houses, schools and places of worhsip. Then they rape the women and girls, butcher and torture the menfolk (probably as they are learning how to fish). You see Mary, the Karen and other ethnic minorities know how to do all that you have suggested, they simply want to stay alive and in most cases, they are having to fight to preserve their right to self determination and democratic freedoms. I wish the solution you suggest is possible, but you have to deal with the reality on the ground. I suggest you take a trip to the border region and see for yourself why your suggestions are nobel, but some why off the mark. I suggest you read a copy of “The Irrawaddy” newspaper (google it) and you will have some idea as to what the real sitiuation is in Burma. The Karen and other ethnic groups are fighting for their survival, not to overthrow a military dictatorship.
Here’s a novel idea: take an internet site with a public thread and turn it in to a domain to fight a presonal, private war so that the people who actually want to learn something about, and perhaps assist those poverty stricken, seemingly peaceful people at heart cannot do so without filtering through the BS.
I suggest some of you take a look at Mr. Blemings’ photos that he mentioned and realize those people need nourishment, tools, housing, etc., before they can ever effectively do battle? Start with the basics.
Why don’t you warriors give up the assistance of armed struggle, and help those people grow their own food and market their wares? Give a man a fish, and he could feed himself for a day. TEACH him how to fish, and he can feed himself for a lifetime.
14 January 2009
ABFSU member sentenced to 104 years in jail
A member of the Upper Burma (Mandalay) branch of the All Burma Federation of Students Unions has been sentenced to a total of 104 years in jail, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) can confirm. Bo Min Yu Ko aka Phyo Gyi, in his early 20s, was arrested on 18 September 2008. He was handed his final sentence on 3 January by Obo Prison Court in Mandalay Division. He was charged under many different sections of law, including 6 counts under Section 13/1 of the Immigration Act alone. Bo Min Yu Ko was not allowed to have a defense lawyer and his family were not allowed to attend his court hearing.
“This is yet another harsh and cruel sentence handed down by the regime’s kangaroo courts. The courts are not independent and simply follow orders from the regime. Criminals sentenced on drug charges are often given relatively light sentences, but political activists are given very long terms of imprisonment,” said Bo Kyi, Joint-Secretary of AAPP.
Since the recent spate of sentencing began in October 2008, at least 280 political activists have been sentenced. Bo Min Yu Ko’s 104-year sentence is the harshest punishment handed out so far.
“Political activists are systematically denied their legal and human rights. Bo Min Yu Ko had no chance to prepare a defence. Until now, he has not been allowed to meet with his family,” said Bo Kyi. “ASEAN leaders mustn’t bury their heads in the sand. The forthcoming ASEAN summit is the perfect opportunity for them to discuss this issue frankly with the military leaders. They must call on them to immediately release all political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and start an open dialogue for national reconciliation.” http://www.aappb.org/
As I suspected Somsak J. was among the first to use the term “song mai ow” in print (cyberspace). He used the phrase, critically, in early April 2006 much earlier than I would have thought.
My own piece was actually a response to Somsak’s comments on the position. I inserted the Thai phrase next to my terminology ““no to the two camps”.
In the link provided above, Somsak comments
“Since, during the past two and a half years, I’ve spent quite ‘large amount’ of my time and energy on these political writtings on line without getting any pay, I sometimes entertain the idea of ‘patent’ the phrase!”
Again, I repeat various people came to the “no to two camps position” (in 2006-2007) by different routes. Again, I do not know who used the term “song mai ow” in this context first – in doing so they characterised a position that was in existence. It became a convenient label. My suspicision is that Somsak J. originated the term, in his effort to explore (expose?) the implications of the position, but I don’t know. My explanation of the position is mine, informed by my own politics and in conversation with people. If the origin of the term is located I would be more than happy to acknowledge who coined the term. The term reminds me of my teenage shouting years “Neither Washington Nor Moscow”.
Who are these Dai people? They look exactly like the Burmese in the old photos from the old days. The way they dressed and their faces! Amazingly Burmese?
I am aware of the difference between tax ‘evasion’ and ‘avoidance’, however the dividing line is not exactly clear cut especially when nominees and tax havens are introduced into the picture.
In relation to the Shin sale, I am getting tired of saying that I agree the ultimate sale looks to be legitimately tax free, but the transaction that should have been taxed was the Ample Rich deal – When he was in power, the Thaksin family appears to have received favorable treatment on this matter from the revenue department.
That aside, it is my ethnocentric opinion that most tax revenue authorities and law makers are trying to stop or reduce the impact of various schemes that the wealthy use to avoid tax. It’s a never ending battle as new loopholes are found & exploited and then closed by the authorities.
Politicians should be setting a positive example, and I retain my opinion that their use of tax havens, nominees and other such manipulations is unethical.
It’s too late (or too early if you believe in total collapse) for Plato’s philosopher kings system to be introduced, so I don’t intend wasting much time on it, other than to say I like the idea as a concept, and don’t think it would have turned out any worse than the other systems of government that have been tried.
Your question about who does the appointing reminds me of the republican debate here in Australia – I much prefer for the the head of state to be appointed by the parliament (elected politicians), than directly by the people, otherwise it just becomes another election.
I cannot read the assumption of western ideas of prostitution and paid sex being “the worst” thing that can happen to a teenager in the article you cited.
He does condemn, and rightly so, forced prostitution. And that is maybe one of the worst forms of forced labor possible, especially when it does concern under aged girls as well, and involves tortures as cited by Kristof. And what he points out is no exaggeration – anyone who has researched this topic in Cambodia and similar countries can verify that easily.
But he also points out that poverty eradication and education is a way out, while he also shows that issues are not that simple, on the example of the one girl that he bought and and who returned to the brothels to feed her addiction.
For a journalistic article that is well done, and does not live on simplistic outrage.
They are constantly running and hiding from the Burmese army. One 62-year-old Karen man said he believed he had fled in fear more than 100 times in his life. They build makeshift shelters in the jungle wherever they can and plant fields that might never see a harvest. With only the clothes on their backs and a few tools in their hands, they build schoolhouses from bamboo and try to give their children an education. More than anything, the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) of Eastern Burma try desperately to keep a candle of hope burning in their hearts. http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=14900
While his cases may be true, the general western (christian) assumption about prostitution in Asia – or anywhere for that matter – that paid sex is the worst thing that can happen to a teenager or adult is often disingenuous. Anyone who has more than a passing familiarity with this trade knows that it is not as simple as it is usually presented. Outrage may sooth one’s conscience, but if there was as much outrage about starvation, forced labour, and preventable disease then lives might actually be improved on a large scale.
nga, I’ve really been interested in reading your viewpoint. I just have a couple of my own ethnocentric points to make.
1. In the U.S. all business administration students learn about the difference between “tax evasion” (evil) and “tax avoidance” (good). There was a case that reached the Supreme Court back in the 1930’s, when the income tax was still fairly new. The Internal Revenue Service sued a taxpayer, because he had arranged his investments in such a way that he (legally) had to pay only a very small tax. The supreme court ruled that a taxpayer is not required to arrange his affairs so that he pays more than the smallest tax he can while still following the law (which includes the IRS regulations). As I understand it, the Chuan government (the cockroach party) was the one that created the law that transactions carried out through the Thai stock market would be exempt from tax. You can’t blame Thaksin for that, like you can blame him for manipulating the Foreign Business Act to allow a larger foreign investment in a telecommunication company. I agree his failure to pay tax on such a huge profit was a terrible public relations disaster, but it wasn’t illegal or even unethical! What should he have done, taken 20% of his profit and donated it to the government? Or maybe to charity?
2. I hope that someday you find one or more philosopher king to rule, but as I recall Plato expected they would be especially bred for the role and raised in isolation so they wouldn’t be contaminated by human emotions or feelings. How are you going to recognize one when he comes along? It’s kind of like having an appointed parliament — who’s going to do the appointing?
ProudToBeThai: let me engage in the same kind of silly thinking displayed in your post: are you one of the military people who has been ordered by Anupong to counter negative stories about the monarchy? If you are, then surely your leaders and paymasters would expect more from you? You are writing about issues which are current and have been raised in recent political debates, and trying to link them with Handley’s book from more than two years ago. This is intellectually corrupt. More, to suggest that this book is somehow linked to Thaksin is merely repeating some of the concocted stories (read “lies”) that Sondhi Lim made when the book came out. So you are late, lacking in originality, spreading bankrupt ideas and engaging in idle abuse. At the same time, there is no evidence from your post that you have even read the book or the hundreds of posts that went before you at this blog. So your efforts at creating untruths are insulting to the people who have written before you.
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Volunteering to fight in Burma
I’ll take you inside Mary.
The SPDC just burned down fish holding tanks that Karen soldiers had caught to feed their families.
The SPDC just burned down a clinic treating more than 800 people from surrounding villages for predominantly malaria and dysentry.
The SPDC just burned down a massive yet incomplete granary to store the hundreds of hectares of corn they stole from poor farmers.
Much of this was made available thanks to two organisations, one an Italian NGO, Popoli, the other headed by a very determined young woman who knows right rom wrong.
I’ll introduce you to her as well, she’s got photos of the granary she helped build smouldering.
Teach the Karen how to fish??!!
Volunteering to fight in Burma
For all you religious and non-religious fanatics who are attempting to force your so-called education and beliefs on the natives of that area could possibly stand to educate yourselves of their basic cultural beliefs first. Perhaps you could gain something precious that is non-material. Knowledge and understanding. Shoot first, ask questions later approaches only succeed in creating confusion and distrust, and in a worst case scenario, fosters hatred. Remember, their lives lie in the balance, yours only if you choose. Respect of their ways should be a priority. Domestic unrest throughout world history has seldom had a happy ending for all involved. Your bullets and brains contributions will not balance the odds. More killings, how impressive. But then,perhaps it is too complicated to battle your own ignorance.
The King Never Smiles?
I read this book before the PAD became so militant and aggressive and at that time, I didn’t pay much attention to it bec. other books (which are somewhat more academic)also touch on similar issue and launch more or less similar critique of ‘the institution’ and its close realtionship with authoritarianism.. I guess among these works are Thak Chaloemtiaratana(spelling?)’s thesis .. But now after so much political injustice, unfairness and all that < i think this book(The King Never SM) deserves greater attention than I have previously accorded it.
The King Never Smiles?
Proud to be Thai? I’m not proud. There are too many social , political , moral wrongs in Thailand for me to be proud. Feel free to repect whoever u want, but do not try to shut up other people from criticizing those whom u respect. They are not a baby that needs protection.Let them speak for themselves. Is it something to be proud of when one’s country has a set of medieval laws that is often used as a tool for oppression and maintaining cultural hegemony and status quo?????????????????(Not to mention the violence and babarism of 14 and 6 October 1973, 1976)
The thing I’m proud of is that great monk and thinker, Buddhadasa, is a Thai, but his wisdom and insights are hardly incoporated into Thai life. Thailand lags behind other countries because there are only few people who truly study Buddhadasa’s thoughts and apply them to their life.
I’m Thai.
Volunteering to fight in Burma
That seems pretty naive Mary. Why are the Karen malnourished, without tools, without housing? Is it because they are a quaint and simple folk with no knowledge of farming and construction? If that’s your belief I’d say read more before posting. They are without food, shelter, etc because SPDC likes to raid, demolish, and burn their villages and towns. How can you create an infrastructure without security? You can do this over and over again, but be prepared to lose it over and over again at the cost of resources. I know of one medical clinic built recently, which very recently was torched by SPDC. I don’t know that foreign volunteer fighters are helping win the battle, but they do lift morale.
I’m willing to bet you are one of those safe, sheltered, well educated (not that I have anything against education) people who is thoroughly disgusted with violence to the point of pacifism. I would agree with you, when possible, nonviolence is the best strategy to resolve issues, as after conflict is resolved stability is more likely. However, nonviolent strategy requires media coverage, and international cooperation. The junta’s stranglehold on media and media transmitting sources make it very difficult to effectively bring observable proof of human rights transgressions to the outside world. Beyond that, they are protected by China and Russia on the UN security council. Because of that, they have nothing to fear from international nonviolent activism. Even the pro democratic US maintains diplomatic relations with the junta. The junta is able to afford DC lobbying firms to maintain its relations with US representatives, which is more than the exile government can claim.
Imagine Gandhi’s various exploits without newspaper coverage. How effective would it have been if the world had not been able to pay attention to the British slayings of Indian civilians? If there had been no international outrage, no ability to mobilize Indians, no repercussions for the Brits, would India be free? At the very least, one can agree it would have happened much later. Beyond that, you need major news organizations providing repeated coverage of atrocities to be effective, not just small academic isolated news orgs. The difference between martyrdom and suicide is press coverage, and Burma warrants none.
No, leverage is necessary for the junta to fall apart. Security is needed for the infrastructure to be built. Do not look down on soldiers because you have distaste for their skillset. They will be able to solve problems that skinny college students cannot. You are right about one thing, the Karen do need supplies and resources to fight. It will be necessary to create some sort of trade under the SPDC and Thai radar, or for surrounding countries to change their positions. It looks like it could be possible for Thailand to change their position with the new PM coming in. Let’s all hope for that.
Either way, my point is that your disdain for soldiers shows your naivete, and you should consider how many attempts at humanitarian aid have already come to pass in Karen territory. You should furthermore consider how many of these attempts have failed due to SPDC interference. Violence and nonviolence must be used together in one cohesive strategy for progress to be made. Simply because you are of one persuasion does not mean you should look down upon the other.
Volunteering to fight in Burma
Mary,
People do come in and try to assist the Karen in growing crops, etc. And then the SPDC/DKBA come along and steal the crops, murder the farmers, and then plant landmines so that no more crops can be planted in that particular place.
Aid groups bring in building supplies, then assist the Karen people in erecting homes. The SPDC/DKBA then come along and burn the homes, kill the people, then plant landmines so that no one can return there.
Aid groups come into the area and build clinics to treat the sick and injured, as well as teach the people how to tend to their ill.
Then the SPDC/DKBA come al0ng and burn down the clinics, kill the people, then plant landmines so that people can’t return.
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the raping of women and children, looting anything of value, and drug smuggling.
Did I mention landmines?
I have a question for you: what planet are you from?
Volunteering to fight in Burma
Hi Mary,
great idea, get rid of the BS. Also, let’s turn weapons into plow shears as well. The only problem is that when you do all that you have suggested the Burmese military comes aong, confiscated their food (fish included), burns down their houses, schools and places of worhsip. Then they rape the women and girls, butcher and torture the menfolk (probably as they are learning how to fish). You see Mary, the Karen and other ethnic minorities know how to do all that you have suggested, they simply want to stay alive and in most cases, they are having to fight to preserve their right to self determination and democratic freedoms. I wish the solution you suggest is possible, but you have to deal with the reality on the ground. I suggest you take a trip to the border region and see for yourself why your suggestions are nobel, but some why off the mark. I suggest you read a copy of “The Irrawaddy” newspaper (google it) and you will have some idea as to what the real sitiuation is in Burma. The Karen and other ethnic groups are fighting for their survival, not to overthrow a military dictatorship.
Volunteering to fight in Burma
Here’s a novel idea: take an internet site with a public thread and turn it in to a domain to fight a presonal, private war so that the people who actually want to learn something about, and perhaps assist those poverty stricken, seemingly peaceful people at heart cannot do so without filtering through the BS.
I suggest some of you take a look at Mr. Blemings’ photos that he mentioned and realize those people need nourishment, tools, housing, etc., before they can ever effectively do battle? Start with the basics.
Why don’t you warriors give up the assistance of armed struggle, and help those people grow their own food and market their wares? Give a man a fish, and he could feed himself for a day. TEACH him how to fish, and he can feed himself for a lifetime.
Mathieson on the Burmese gulag
104 Years!!!!!
Breaking News
For Immediate Release
14 January 2009
ABFSU member sentenced to 104 years in jail
A member of the Upper Burma (Mandalay) branch of the All Burma Federation of Students Unions has been sentenced to a total of 104 years in jail, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) can confirm. Bo Min Yu Ko aka Phyo Gyi, in his early 20s, was arrested on 18 September 2008. He was handed his final sentence on 3 January by Obo Prison Court in Mandalay Division. He was charged under many different sections of law, including 6 counts under Section 13/1 of the Immigration Act alone. Bo Min Yu Ko was not allowed to have a defense lawyer and his family were not allowed to attend his court hearing.
“This is yet another harsh and cruel sentence handed down by the regime’s kangaroo courts. The courts are not independent and simply follow orders from the regime. Criminals sentenced on drug charges are often given relatively light sentences, but political activists are given very long terms of imprisonment,” said Bo Kyi, Joint-Secretary of AAPP.
Since the recent spate of sentencing began in October 2008, at least 280 political activists have been sentenced. Bo Min Yu Ko’s 104-year sentence is the harshest punishment handed out so far.
“Political activists are systematically denied their legal and human rights. Bo Min Yu Ko had no chance to prepare a defence. Until now, he has not been allowed to meet with his family,” said Bo Kyi. “ASEAN leaders mustn’t bury their heads in the sand. The forthcoming ASEAN summit is the perfect opportunity for them to discuss this issue frankly with the military leaders. They must call on them to immediately release all political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and start an open dialogue for national reconciliation.” http://www.aappb.org/
The red army at the gates of parliament
As I suspected Somsak J. was among the first to use the term “song mai ow” in print (cyberspace). He used the phrase, critically, in early April 2006 much earlier than I would have thought.
See:
See http://www.sameskybooks.org/board/index.php?act=Print&client=wordr&f=2&t=9139.
My own piece was actually a response to Somsak’s comments on the position. I inserted the Thai phrase next to my terminology ““no to the two camps”.
In the link provided above, Somsak comments
“Since, during the past two and a half years, I’ve spent quite ‘large amount’ of my time and energy on these political writtings on line without getting any pay, I sometimes entertain the idea of ‘patent’ the phrase!”
So it seems the phrase is patented afterall.
The red army at the gates of parliament
For the record:
Again, I repeat various people came to the “no to two camps position” (in 2006-2007) by different routes. Again, I do not know who used the term “song mai ow” in this context first – in doing so they characterised a position that was in existence. It became a convenient label. My suspicision is that Somsak J. originated the term, in his effort to explore (expose?) the implications of the position, but I don’t know. My explanation of the position is mine, informed by my own politics and in conversation with people. If the origin of the term is located I would be more than happy to acknowledge who coined the term. The term reminds me of my teenage shouting years “Neither Washington Nor Moscow”.
More images from the Jie Gao cultural park
Who are these Dai people? They look exactly like the Burmese in the old photos from the old days. The way they dressed and their faces! Amazingly Burmese?
The red army at the gates of parliament
Roger: Thanks for your interest.
I am aware of the difference between tax ‘evasion’ and ‘avoidance’, however the dividing line is not exactly clear cut especially when nominees and tax havens are introduced into the picture.
In relation to the Shin sale, I am getting tired of saying that I agree the ultimate sale looks to be legitimately tax free, but the transaction that should have been taxed was the Ample Rich deal – When he was in power, the Thaksin family appears to have received favorable treatment on this matter from the revenue department.
That aside, it is my ethnocentric opinion that most tax revenue authorities and law makers are trying to stop or reduce the impact of various schemes that the wealthy use to avoid tax. It’s a never ending battle as new loopholes are found & exploited and then closed by the authorities.
Politicians should be setting a positive example, and I retain my opinion that their use of tax havens, nominees and other such manipulations is unethical.
It’s too late (or too early if you believe in total collapse) for Plato’s philosopher kings system to be introduced, so I don’t intend wasting much time on it, other than to say I like the idea as a concept, and don’t think it would have turned out any worse than the other systems of government that have been tried.
Your question about who does the appointing reminds me of the republican debate here in Australia – I much prefer for the the head of state to be appointed by the parliament (elected politicians), than directly by the people, otherwise it just becomes another election.
Torture
“Steve”:
I cannot read the assumption of western ideas of prostitution and paid sex being “the worst” thing that can happen to a teenager in the article you cited.
He does condemn, and rightly so, forced prostitution. And that is maybe one of the worst forms of forced labor possible, especially when it does concern under aged girls as well, and involves tortures as cited by Kristof. And what he points out is no exaggeration – anyone who has researched this topic in Cambodia and similar countries can verify that easily.
But he also points out that poverty eradication and education is a way out, while he also shows that issues are not that simple, on the example of the one girl that he bought and and who returned to the brothels to feed her addiction.
For a journalistic article that is well done, and does not live on simplistic outrage.
Volunteering to fight in Burma
cartoon Tadmadaw
http://democracyforburma.wordpress.com/2009/01/10/tadmadaw-junta-army-by-hanlay/
Volunteering to fight in Burma
They are constantly running and hiding from the Burmese army. One 62-year-old Karen man said he believed he had fled in fear more than 100 times in his life. They build makeshift shelters in the jungle wherever they can and plant fields that might never see a harvest. With only the clothes on their backs and a few tools in their hands, they build schoolhouses from bamboo and try to give their children an education. More than anything, the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) of Eastern Burma try desperately to keep a candle of hope burning in their hearts.
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=14900
From Daniel Pedersen
http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/1529-karen-rebels-under-the-gun-along-thai-burma-border.html
http://democracyforburma.wordpress.com/2009/01/13/karen-human-rights-field-report-1312009-rural-development-and-displacement-spdc-abuses-in-toungoo-district/
Torture
Kristof is now in the Age:
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/how-to-strike-at-the-heart-of-sex-slavery-20090112-7f6l.html?page=-1
While his cases may be true, the general western (christian) assumption about prostitution in Asia – or anywhere for that matter – that paid sex is the worst thing that can happen to a teenager or adult is often disingenuous. Anyone who has more than a passing familiarity with this trade knows that it is not as simple as it is usually presented. Outrage may sooth one’s conscience, but if there was as much outrage about starvation, forced labour, and preventable disease then lives might actually be improved on a large scale.
The red army at the gates of parliament
nga, I’ve really been interested in reading your viewpoint. I just have a couple of my own ethnocentric points to make.
1. In the U.S. all business administration students learn about the difference between “tax evasion” (evil) and “tax avoidance” (good). There was a case that reached the Supreme Court back in the 1930’s, when the income tax was still fairly new. The Internal Revenue Service sued a taxpayer, because he had arranged his investments in such a way that he (legally) had to pay only a very small tax. The supreme court ruled that a taxpayer is not required to arrange his affairs so that he pays more than the smallest tax he can while still following the law (which includes the IRS regulations). As I understand it, the Chuan government (the cockroach party) was the one that created the law that transactions carried out through the Thai stock market would be exempt from tax. You can’t blame Thaksin for that, like you can blame him for manipulating the Foreign Business Act to allow a larger foreign investment in a telecommunication company. I agree his failure to pay tax on such a huge profit was a terrible public relations disaster, but it wasn’t illegal or even unethical! What should he have done, taken 20% of his profit and donated it to the government? Or maybe to charity?
2. I hope that someday you find one or more philosopher king to rule, but as I recall Plato expected they would be especially bred for the role and raised in isolation so they wouldn’t be contaminated by human emotions or feelings. How are you going to recognize one when he comes along? It’s kind of like having an appointed parliament — who’s going to do the appointing?
The King Never Smiles?
ProudToBeThai: let me engage in the same kind of silly thinking displayed in your post: are you one of the military people who has been ordered by Anupong to counter negative stories about the monarchy? If you are, then surely your leaders and paymasters would expect more from you? You are writing about issues which are current and have been raised in recent political debates, and trying to link them with Handley’s book from more than two years ago. This is intellectually corrupt. More, to suggest that this book is somehow linked to Thaksin is merely repeating some of the concocted stories (read “lies”) that Sondhi Lim made when the book came out. So you are late, lacking in originality, spreading bankrupt ideas and engaging in idle abuse. At the same time, there is no evidence from your post that you have even read the book or the hundreds of posts that went before you at this blog. So your efforts at creating untruths are insulting to the people who have written before you.
The King Never Smiles?
>Pround(sic)ToBeThai said: Who does Paul Handley think he is? He doesn’t know much what’s really going on in my country.
Sigh. Since the comment fails to address the content of the book at all, we seem to be dealing with yet another person who hasn’t bothered to read it.
The book, you should know, is about the king and not about Thaksin. Work on it began long before Thaksin became prime minister.
If my assumption that you did not read it is incorrect, could you please cite some particulars that make it “such an ungly (sic) distortion?”