I still think the way to break the cycle is to keep practising democracy…
it really isnt that important who the leaders are… except to the opposition who try to get everyone to focus on personalities…
imagine if the PAD wasnt there, would we take much notice who the PM is… we would be interest in interest and exchange rates, the prices of goods and services, whats happening with the farmers, etc… when are they going to buld that damn freeway, BTS, whaever…
well, lets just act as though the PAD is not there… they soon will fade and we can concentrate on important things!
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
This Declaration, to which Thailand is a signatory, clearly says “regardless of frontiers.” Harry’s human rights don’t stop at the Australian border.
There is no easy way out of this for Thailand with so many vested and corrupt interest trying to maintain status quo. New people trying to get a bit of the tuff (so to speak). To me one thing is quite clear. Whatever and however, the democractic process must be accepted and violent disruption to get your own way should not be seen as acceptable behaviour. Until people in general accept that, Thailand will go thru coup after coup.
As a side story (true)
“recently (8 months ago), my cousin brother ran and lost in a city councillor election in a southern town in Thailand (sorry, will not name place) he was bitching and moaning about the tactics, possible vote buying etc of the guy who won. I advised him to just shutup and work on a better service centre – previously he had a desk at his shop front – to provide assistance to the general public. After endless bottles of beers, he finally agreed and has now opened a proper service centre. he is now much better known in the place”
I hope he will be able to do better in the next election. For that we will have to wait and see. Whatever happens next, it is still better than for him to bitch, moan and protest endlessly
Ralph Kramden: “jonfernquest should go to the Rodrik original which states: “So here is what I hope the final communiqué will say: We, the leaders of the G20 nations,…”.”
Ralph Kramden (sic) should read the Dani Rodrik blog posting made after the original which states:
“Everyone knows that the final communiqués of summits held by political leaders are written way in advance by their “sherpas.” Through my contacts in the Bush administration I have managed to get my hand on the communiqué that will be issued at the conclusion of the G-20 summit being held on November 15th in Washington, DC. Here is how it reads:…”
This may be a joke or not. Anyway, there is still clearly anxiety from both sides. That the US under Obama may react with protectionism or that emerging markets may reast this way (Google: “doomsday scenario of protectionism dani rodrik economist’s view”)
You are right , Sidh some key players on both sides had chosen the violent way (coup) to end this power play game. It’s just a matter of time (when they can successfully create generalized upheaval) for the militants to stage a coup .
It’s the same age-old (vicious cycle) plaque of this country.
A worrying anti-democratic development if Thairath’s political news team’s sources are accurate. They seem to imply what a truly cornered PMThaksin may be capable off and that both sides (PMThaksin & PAD) now desire the same thing – a coup:
(“It is certainly not ordinary for a normally quiet and calm person such as PMSomchai to come out and say that highly destructive weapons is being bought into Bangkok for a decisive struggle after November 29th”)
(“Recently, Chaiwat Sinsuwong, a leader of PAD, has issued a plea to MajGenSuraphan Poungpetch, First Army Advisor, calling for the First Army to use the emergency degree to monitor and control people of threat to security, adding that members of the parliamentary majority and the government have behaviour mutinous to the constitutional monarchy)
(and it is PMHubert Alexander Ingram of The Bahamas saying that he is ready to let PMThaksin use the Bahamas as base for the Thai Government in Exile to call for justice on the global stage as the government that won the majority of the people’s vote)
(Clearing the way as if knowing what will happen in Bangkok)
Sounds very sensationalization (which Thairath is a known master)- yet, in the current climate, very plausible. Personally I hope the First Army are ready to handle this without having to conduct a coup. Being an optimist, I am reading that PMSomchai’s ‘good side’ has issued warning of the wrath of his very angry and humiliated brother-in-law…
The same charge was used to impose the bulk of the draconian prison terms imposed on the fourteen 88 Generation activists on Tuesday, Nilar Thein, Ko Jimmy etc.
They were given 65 years each – of that, 5 years was for forming an illegal organisation, but 60 years was for four counts of illegal use of electronic media, each count getting the maximum 15 years.
It looks as though the generals are sending a message about their sensitivity to the power of the electronic media, after its effective use in last year’s uprising.
jonfernquest should go to the Rodrik original which states: “So here is what I hope the final communiqué will say:
┬СWe, the leaders of the G20 nations,…”.
Actually I think Harry himself made the mistake of quoting the offending paragraphs on several blog-style sites which he operated / contributed to, under the guise of book reviews. I found those relatively easily when the story first arose. I don’t know if they are still there and I am not going to contribute to his troubles by posting them here. I too tried to find the book literally everywhere. For all intents and purposes, it does not exist. A very strange story indeed.
Based on the paper that Thongchai writes here and the excellent papers he has published in all kinds of places, and comparing them with the considerable comment jonfernquest places on NM, I believe that most impartial readers would consider that Ajarn Thongchai’s ideas carry considerably more weight for they display a remarkable and deep knowledge of Thai history, politics and society.
Hey, defacing Than Shwe got 20 years. But Thai lese majeste got only 15 years!
This is surely lese majeste! How could Than Shwe dealt out more punishment, does it mean he is more important! Let’s file a case against him!
[…] in jail under section 33(a), and a couple of other laws to boot. (His photo has already been put on New Mandala and he has made it onto the BBC.) Apparently, after the police opened up his account they found a […]
During Marcos time in the Philippines, articles and writings critical of the government are printed in “cook books/magazines”
The cover, photos and other articles published there, which was widely circulated, has somehow given an impression it was not politically charged publication; however, it was otherwise.
It escapes and slips through without notice from Marcos’ censor machinery.
Freedom Against Censorship Thailand (FACT) has offered consistent support to those charged with lese majeste and has published on the Nicolaides case.
Of course, the Australian government should be doing more to help one of their own. But if one looks at Australia’s history and how it treats its modern prisoners, we can’t expect too much…nor can Harry.
This case raises some interesting questions. Reporters Without Borders has reported that Harry Nicolaides has never been charged and thus is being held illegally. If this is not true, we would like to know the date he was charged and under which sections of the law.
Normal practice is simply seizure of all copies, and the “printing plates” (though this is sounding a bit archaic in the digital age) under the Printing Act 2007. The Act was amended so that no charges would be laid on authors or publishers.
However, Harry’s book is more problematic. We’ve been trying to get hold of a copy, PDF scan or even a photocopy of Versimilitude for several months without success, from Harry’s friends, parents, lawyer.
(If any readers can get us a copy, please get in touch. facthaiATgmailDOTcom)
So how did this obscure work reach the attention of Thai authorities? The only theory we’ve heard so far is that someone lodged a copy with the National Library for the protection of Thai copyright. That may be true but no one is reading these submissions with a fine-toothed comb. If this were the case, it so unusual for a book in English to be submitted that it may have excited some librarian who then discovered the offensive passage. (Why Victorians read pornography!)
HC Lau, please go into every point I raise if you can…
Thanks Jonfernquest and Nganadeeleg for providing those details and exposing our Malaysian colleague to PMThaksin’s dark side.
Just to open up the discussion a bit, I will guess that KhunHC Lau is a fan of PMMahathir, who PMThaksin has also tried to model his leadership after. But wait, maybe he is a fan of Anwar Ibrahim – who was accused (most probably politically motivated) of sodomy and faced years in jail (apart from the beating up and torture he endured) and now making a political fightback?
The reason I pose the question is that it may be unfair of me to ask KhunHCLau about Thai politics. We can learn his thoughts through the discussion of Malaysian politics, currently experiencing a very interesting phase – which he definitely know more than us…
To my point of view , the most serious and unacceptable deed of Thaksin was his genius in orchestrate the independent authorities eg: the constitution court, the election committee etc the way benefit him most , tore down the check and balance mechanism completely. That’s the reason why those desparated people gave the 2006 coup a strangest warm welcome, and suffered the consequence of the coup later.
Both sides do dog-fight for their own interest , care for none of the collateral damage they created.
Reconciliation also mean nothing to the interest of the majority of this country, as long as the check and balance mechanism is not restored (fair and effective). And who is going to do this ? Another new hero for Thailand ? When will they learnt.
GovernorApirak resigns after NCCC decides that he is guilty in the alleged irregularities in the fire truck case. The case hasn’t even gone to court yet. Whether Governor Apirak is found guilty or not, that is truly setting new political accountability standard that is to be highly commended (Thairath’s ‘politcal team’ seemed to imply that the standard is way too high). And here, the NCCC, as with the courts, seem to be functioning without fear or favour (we have to remember that they also let PMSomchai off the hook last month for a case in 1999 when PMSomchai was permanent secretary of the justice ministry).
The international community, in this case the British government, seem to have come to senses to help aid in Thailand’s democratic growth. “You have been convicted by your courts. Go home to serve your jail term, PMThaksin” they seem to say. This is possibly the only way he can truly redeem himself, heal the societal divide, contribute to the Thai rule of law and political accountability. He might even become a “hero of Thai Democracy” coming out of his 2-3 years term. At least history will judge him in a slightly better light.
Instead he wants “his people” to vote for his innocence by planning a travelling ‘Reds’ rally nationwide (even possibly causing a division in the Buddhist clergy by wanting to stage the next rally at WatSuanKaew, a famous Nonthaburi temple). It is this PMThaksin’s and TRT/PPP extreme narrow definition of democracy that fires the anti-democratic demons in the PAD’s middle-class supporters’ distrust of the rural electorate…
Meanwhile let’s cast an eye for how other young democracies in the region are faring. Taiwan’s ex-president Chen Shui-bian is now in custody for corruption:
“Mr Chen, who stepped down in May, denies all the graft charges and claims they are politically motivated.” (of course, to be fair to PresidentChen, we’ll have to let the case speak for itself)
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Nicolaides: Australia should do more
Only trouble with the above is that human rights stop at the Thai border.
Anti-democracy in Thailand
I still think the way to break the cycle is to keep practising democracy…
it really isnt that important who the leaders are… except to the opposition who try to get everyone to focus on personalities…
imagine if the PAD wasnt there, would we take much notice who the PM is… we would be interest in interest and exchange rates, the prices of goods and services, whats happening with the farmers, etc… when are they going to buld that damn freeway, BTS, whaever…
well, lets just act as though the PAD is not there… they soon will fade and we can concentrate on important things!
Nicolaides: Australia should do more
Harry’s freedom of expression is his human right according to international law and, therefore, the law of Thailand.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 19
http://www.unhchr.ch/udhr/lang/eng.htm
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
This Declaration, to which Thailand is a signatory, clearly says “regardless of frontiers.” Harry’s human rights don’t stop at the Australian border.
Anti-democracy in Thailand
There is no easy way out of this for Thailand with so many vested and corrupt interest trying to maintain status quo. New people trying to get a bit of the tuff (so to speak). To me one thing is quite clear. Whatever and however, the democractic process must be accepted and violent disruption to get your own way should not be seen as acceptable behaviour. Until people in general accept that, Thailand will go thru coup after coup.
As a side story (true)
“recently (8 months ago), my cousin brother ran and lost in a city councillor election in a southern town in Thailand (sorry, will not name place) he was bitching and moaning about the tactics, possible vote buying etc of the guy who won. I advised him to just shutup and work on a better service centre – previously he had a desk at his shop front – to provide assistance to the general public. After endless bottles of beers, he finally agreed and has now opened a proper service centre. he is now much better known in the place”
I hope he will be able to do better in the next election. For that we will have to wait and see. Whatever happens next, it is still better than for him to bitch, moan and protest endlessly
20 years in prison for blogging
If Nay Phone Latt had shown up at a KNLA encampment, he would have received a loaded weapon, unlike Colonel Blimp, uh Bleming.
Regional reaction to Obama
Ralph Kramden: “jonfernquest should go to the Rodrik original which states: “So here is what I hope the final communiqué will say: We, the leaders of the G20 nations,…”.”
Ralph Kramden (sic) should read the Dani Rodrik blog posting made after the original which states:
“Everyone knows that the final communiqués of summits held by political leaders are written way in advance by their “sherpas.” Through my contacts in the Bush administration I have managed to get my hand on the communiqué that will be issued at the conclusion of the G-20 summit being held on November 15th in Washington, DC. Here is how it reads:…”
This may be a joke or not. Anyway, there is still clearly anxiety from both sides. That the US under Obama may react with protectionism or that emerging markets may reast this way (Google: “doomsday scenario of protectionism dani rodrik economist’s view”)
Anti-democracy in Thailand
You are right , Sidh some key players on both sides had chosen the violent way (coup) to end this power play game. It’s just a matter of time (when they can successfully create generalized upheaval) for the militants to stage a coup .
It’s the same age-old (vicious cycle) plaque of this country.
Anybody knows how to break it ?
Anti-democracy in Thailand
A worrying anti-democratic development if Thairath’s political news team’s sources are accurate. They seem to imply what a truly cornered PMThaksin may be capable off and that both sides (PMThaksin & PAD) now desire the same thing – a coup:
р╕гр╕░р╕Чр╕╢р╕Бр╕Бр╕зр╣Ир╕▓р╕Др╕┤р╕з ‘р╕нр╕ар╕┤р╕гр╕▒р╕Бр╕йр╣М’
(“More Intriguing than Apirak’s Case”)
in
http://www.thairath.co.th/news.php?section=politics03&content=111361
I’ve cut and paste the last few paragraphs with my rough translation:
р╕бр╕▒р╕Щр╣Др╕бр╣Ир╣Гр╕Кр╣Ир╕кр╕Цр╕▓р╕Щр╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╕Ур╣Мр╕Ыр╕Бр╕Хр╕┤р╕Шр╕гр╕гр╕бр╕Фр╕▓р╣Бр╕Щр╣Ир╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Др╕Щр╕гр╕░р╕Фр╕▒р╕Ър╕Щр╕▓р╕вр╕кр╕бр╕Кр╕▓р╕в р╕зр╕Зр╕ир╣Мр╕кр╕зр╕▒р╕кр╕Фр╕┤р╣М р╕Щр╕▓р╕вр╕Бр╕гр╕▒р╕Рр╕бр╕Щр╕Хр╕гр╕╡ р╕Лр╕╢р╣Ир╕Зр╕Ыр╕Бр╕Хр╕┤р╕Ир╕░р╣Ар╕Зр╕╡р╕вр╕Ър╣Бр╕ер╕░р╕кр╕╕р╕Вр╕╕р╕б р╕нр╕вр╕╣р╣Ир╣Жр╕Бр╣Зр╕нр╕нр╕Бр╕бр╕▓р╕гр╕▒р╕Ър╕бр╕╕р╕Бр╕зр╣Ир╕▓
р╕Ир╕░р╕бр╕╡р╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╕Вр╕Щр╕нр╕▓р╕зр╕╕р╕Шр╕гр╣Йр╕▓р╕вр╣Бр╕гр╕Зр╣Ар╕Вр╣Йр╕▓р╕бр╕▓р╕Цр╕ер╣Ир╕бр╕Бр╕▒р╕Щр╣Гр╕Щр╕Бр╕гр╕╕р╕Зр╣Ар╕Чр╕Юр╕п р╕Фр╕╡р╣Ар╕Фр╕вр╣М р╕лр╕▒р╕Бр╕Фр╕┤р╕Ър╕Бр╕▒р╕Щр╕лр╕ер╕▒р╕Зр╕зр╕▒р╕Щр╕Чр╕╡р╣И 29 р╕Юр╕др╕ир╕Ир╕┤р╕Бр╕▓р╕вр╕Щ
(“It is certainly not ordinary for a normally quiet and calm person such as PMSomchai to come out and say that highly destructive weapons is being bought into Bangkok for a decisive struggle after November 29th”)
р╕кр╕нр╕Фр╕гр╕▒р╕Ър╕Бр╕▒р╕Ър╕гр╕░р╣Ар╕Ър╕┤р╕Фр╕гр╕▓р╕вр╕зр╕▒р╕Щр╣Ар╕Хр╣Зр╕Щр╕Чр╣Мр╕Кр╕╕р╕бр╕Щр╕╕р╕бр╕бр╣Зр╕нр╕Ър╕Юр╕▒р╕Щр╕Шр╕бр╕┤р╕Хр╕гр╕пр╣Гр╕Щр╕Чр╕│р╣Ар╕Щр╕╡р╕вр╕Ър╕п
(“which coincides with the daily bombing at PAD’s base at Government House”)
р╕ер╣Ир╕▓р╕кр╕╕р╕Ф р╕Щр╕▓р╕вр╣Др╕Кр╕вр╕зр╕▒р╕Тр╕Щр╣М р╕кр╕┤р╕Щр╕кр╕╕р╕зр╕Зр╕ир╣М р╣Бр╕Бр╕Щр╕Щр╕│р╕бр╣Зр╕нр╕Ър╕Юр╕▒р╕Щр╕Шр╕бр╕┤р╕Хр╕гр╕п р╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╣Ар╕Вр╣Йр╕▓р╕вр╕╖р╣Ир╕Щр╕лр╕Щр╕▒р╕Зр╕кр╕╖р╕нр╕Ьр╣Ир╕▓р╕Щ р╕Юр╕е.р╕Х.р╕кр╕╕р╕гр╕Юр╕▒р╕Щр╕Шр╣М р╕Юр╕зр╕Зр╣Ар╕Юр╣Зр╕Кр╕гр╣М р╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Ыр╕гр╕╢р╕Бр╕йр╕▓р╕Бр╕нр╕Зр╕Чр╕▒р╕Юр╕ар╕▓р╕Др╕Чр╕╡р╣И 1
р╣Ар╕гр╕╡р╕вр╕Бр╕гр╣Йр╕нр╕Зр╣Гр╕лр╣Йр╕Бр╕нр╕Зр╕Чр╕▒р╕Юр╕ар╕▓р╕Др╕Чр╕╡р╣И 1 р╣Гр╕Щр╕Рр╕▓р╕Щр╕░р╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Фр╕╣р╣Бр╕ер╕Юр╕╖р╣Йр╕Щр╕Чр╕╡р╣И р╕Бр╕Чр╕б. р╣Гр╕Кр╣Йр╕Бр╕Ор╕нр╕▒р╕вр╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╕ир╕╢р╕Бр╣Гр╕Щр╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╕Др╕зр╕Ър╕Др╕╕р╕бр╕Хр╕▒р╕зр╕Ър╕╕р╕Др╕Др╕ер╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕бр╕╡р╕Юр╕др╕Хр╕┤р╕Бр╕гр╕гр╕бр╣Ар╕Вр╣Йр╕▓р╕Вр╣Ир╕▓р╕вр╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╕ар╕▒р╕вр╕Хр╣Ир╕нр╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╕бр╕▒р╣Ир╕Щр╕Др╕З
р╕нр╣Йр╕▓р╕Зр╕зр╣Ир╕▓ р╕Юр╕др╕Хр╕┤р╕Бр╕гр╕гр╕бр╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╕кр╕бр╕▓р╕Кр╕┤р╕Бр╣Ар╕кр╕╡р╕вр╕Зр╕Вр╣Йр╕▓р╕Зр╕бр╕▓р╕Бр╣Гр╕Щр╕кр╕ар╕▓р╕Ьр╕╣р╣Йр╣Бр╕Чр╕Щр╕гр╕▓р╕йр╕Ор╕гр╣Бр╕ер╕░р╕гр╕▒р╕Рр╕Ър╕▓р╕е р╕бр╕╡р╕Юр╕др╕Хр╕┤р╕Бр╕гр╕гр╕бр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╕Бр╕Ър╕Пр╕Хр╣Ир╕нр╕гр╕░р╕Ър╕нр╕Ър╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╕Кр╕▓р╕Шр╕┤р╕Ыр╣Др╕Хр╕в р╕нр╕▒р╕Щр╕бр╕╡р╕Юр╕гр╕░р╕бр╕лр╕▓р╕Бр╕йр╕▒р╕Хр╕гр╕┤р╕вр╣Мр╕Чр╕гр╕Зр╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╕бр╕╕р╕В
(“Recently, Chaiwat Sinsuwong, a leader of PAD, has issued a plea to MajGenSuraphan Poungpetch, First Army Advisor, calling for the First Army to use the emergency degree to monitor and control people of threat to security, adding that members of the parliamentary majority and the government have behaviour mutinous to the constitutional monarchy)
р╣Ар╕Вр╕╡р╣Ир╕вр╕ер╕╣р╕Бр╣Гр╕кр╣Ир╕Юр╕▓р╕Щр╣Гр╕лр╣Й
(sending the ball to the soldiers)
р╣Бр╕ер╕░р╕Бр╣Зр╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╕Щр╕▓р╕вр╕ор╕┤р╕зр╣Ар╕Ър╕┤р╕гр╣Мр╕Х р╕нр╣Ар╕ер╣Зр╕Бр╣Бр╕Лр╕Щр╣Ар╕Фр╕нр╕гр╣М р╕нр╕┤р╕Зр╣Бр╕Бр╕гр╕лр╣Мр╕б р╕Щр╕▓р╕вр╕Бр╕гр╕▒р╕Рр╕бр╕Щр╕Хр╕гр╕╡р╕Ър╕▓р╕ор╕▓р╕бр╕▓р╕к р╕нр╕нр╕Бр╕бр╕▓р╣Ар╕Ыр╕┤р╕Фр╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╣Ар╕Фр╣Зр╕Щр╕гр╣Йр╕нр╕Щр╕Вр╣Йр╕▓р╕бр╣Вр╕ер╕Б р╕Юр╕гр╣Йр╕нр╕бр╣Гр╕лр╣Й р╕Ю.р╕Х.р╕Ч.
р╕Чр╕▒р╕Бр╕йр╕┤р╕У р╕Кр╕┤р╕Щр╕зр╕▒р╕Хр╕г р╕нр╕Фр╕╡р╕Хр╕Щр╕▓р╕вр╕Бр╕гр╕▒р╕Рр╕бр╕Щр╕Хр╕гр╕╡р╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╣Др╕Чр╕в р╣Гр╕Кр╣Йр╕Фр╕┤р╕Щр╣Бр╕Фр╕Щр╕Ър╕▓р╕ор╕▓р╕бр╕▓р╕кр╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Хр╕▒р╣Йр╕Зр╕гр╕▒р╕Рр╕Ър╕▓р╕ер╣Др╕Чр╕вр╕Юр╕ер╕▒р╕Фр╕Цр╕┤р╣Ир╕Щ (Government in exile)
р╣Ар╕Юр╕╖р╣Ир╕нр╣Ар╕гр╕╡р╕вр╕Бр╕гр╣Йр╕нр╕Зр╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╕Шр╕гр╕гр╕бр╕Ир╕▓р╕Бр╣Ар╕зр╕Чр╕╡р╣Вр╕ер╕Бр╣Гр╕Щр╕Рр╕▓р╕Щр╕░р╕гр╕▒р╕Рр╕Ър╕▓р╕ер╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╕гр╕▒р╕Ър╣Ар╕кр╕╡р╕вр╕Зр╕Ир╕▓р╕Бр╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╕Кр╕▓р╕Кр╕Щр╣Др╕Чр╕вр╕кр╣Ир╕зр╕Щр╣Гр╕лр╕Нр╣И
(and it is PMHubert Alexander Ingram of The Bahamas saying that he is ready to let PMThaksin use the Bahamas as base for the Thai Government in Exile to call for justice on the global stage as the government that won the majority of the people’s vote)
р╣Ар╕Ыр╕┤р╕Фр╕Чр╕▓р╕Зр╣Гр╕лр╣Йр╕ер╣Ир╕зр╕Зр╕лр╕Щр╣Йр╕▓ р╣Ар╕лр╕бр╕╖р╕нр╕Щр╕гр╕╣р╣Йр╕зр╣Ир╕▓р╕Ир╕░р╣Ар╕Бр╕┤р╕Фр╕нр╕░р╣Др╕гр╕Вр╕╢р╣Йр╕Щр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Бр╕гр╕╕р╕Зр╣Ар╕Чр╕Юр╕п.
(Clearing the way as if knowing what will happen in Bangkok)
Sounds very sensationalization (which Thairath is a known master)- yet, in the current climate, very plausible. Personally I hope the First Army are ready to handle this without having to conduct a coup. Being an optimist, I am reading that PMSomchai’s ‘good side’ has issued warning of the wrath of his very angry and humiliated brother-in-law…
“Any act detrimental to the security of the state”
The same charge was used to impose the bulk of the draconian prison terms imposed on the fourteen 88 Generation activists on Tuesday, Nilar Thein, Ko Jimmy etc.
They were given 65 years each – of that, 5 years was for forming an illegal organisation, but 60 years was for four counts of illegal use of electronic media, each count getting the maximum 15 years.
It looks as though the generals are sending a message about their sensitivity to the power of the electronic media, after its effective use in last year’s uprising.
Regional reaction to Obama
jonfernquest should go to the Rodrik original which states: “So here is what I hope the final communiqué will say:
┬СWe, the leaders of the G20 nations,…”.
Nicolaides: Australia should do more
Actually I think Harry himself made the mistake of quoting the offending paragraphs on several blog-style sites which he operated / contributed to, under the guise of book reviews. I found those relatively easily when the story first arose. I don’t know if they are still there and I am not going to contribute to his troubles by posting them here. I too tried to find the book literally everywhere. For all intents and purposes, it does not exist. A very strange story indeed.
Anti-democracy in Thailand
Based on the paper that Thongchai writes here and the excellent papers he has published in all kinds of places, and comparing them with the considerable comment jonfernquest places on NM, I believe that most impartial readers would consider that Ajarn Thongchai’s ideas carry considerably more weight for they display a remarkable and deep knowledge of Thai history, politics and society.
20 years in prison for blogging
Hey, defacing Than Shwe got 20 years. But Thai lese majeste got only 15 years!
This is surely lese majeste! How could Than Shwe dealt out more punishment, does it mean he is more important! Let’s file a case against him!
20 years in prison for blogging
[…] in jail under section 33(a), and a couple of other laws to boot. (His photo has already been put on New Mandala and he has made it onto the BBC.) Apparently, after the police opened up his account they found a […]
Poetic injustice
During Marcos time in the Philippines, articles and writings critical of the government are printed in “cook books/magazines”
The cover, photos and other articles published there, which was widely circulated, has somehow given an impression it was not politically charged publication; however, it was otherwise.
It escapes and slips through without notice from Marcos’ censor machinery.
Nicolaides: Australia should do more
Freedom Against Censorship Thailand (FACT) has offered consistent support to those charged with lese majeste and has published on the Nicolaides case.
Of course, the Australian government should be doing more to help one of their own. But if one looks at Australia’s history and how it treats its modern prisoners, we can’t expect too much…nor can Harry.
This case raises some interesting questions. Reporters Without Borders has reported that Harry Nicolaides has never been charged and thus is being held illegally. If this is not true, we would like to know the date he was charged and under which sections of the law.
Normal practice is simply seizure of all copies, and the “printing plates” (though this is sounding a bit archaic in the digital age) under the Printing Act 2007. The Act was amended so that no charges would be laid on authors or publishers.
However, Harry’s book is more problematic. We’ve been trying to get hold of a copy, PDF scan or even a photocopy of Versimilitude for several months without success, from Harry’s friends, parents, lawyer.
(If any readers can get us a copy, please get in touch. facthaiATgmailDOTcom)
So how did this obscure work reach the attention of Thai authorities? The only theory we’ve heard so far is that someone lodged a copy with the National Library for the protection of Thai copyright. That may be true but no one is reading these submissions with a fine-toothed comb. If this were the case, it so unusual for a book in English to be submitted that it may have excited some librarian who then discovered the offensive passage. (Why Victorians read pornography!)
Anti-democracy in Thailand
HC Lau, please go into every point I raise if you can…
Thanks Jonfernquest and Nganadeeleg for providing those details and exposing our Malaysian colleague to PMThaksin’s dark side.
Just to open up the discussion a bit, I will guess that KhunHC Lau is a fan of PMMahathir, who PMThaksin has also tried to model his leadership after. But wait, maybe he is a fan of Anwar Ibrahim – who was accused (most probably politically motivated) of sodomy and faced years in jail (apart from the beating up and torture he endured) and now making a political fightback?
The reason I pose the question is that it may be unfair of me to ask KhunHCLau about Thai politics. We can learn his thoughts through the discussion of Malaysian politics, currently experiencing a very interesting phase – which he definitely know more than us…
Anti-democracy in Thailand
I totally agree with Thongchai and Sidh .
To my point of view , the most serious and unacceptable deed of Thaksin was his genius in orchestrate the independent authorities eg: the constitution court, the election committee etc the way benefit him most , tore down the check and balance mechanism completely. That’s the reason why those desparated people gave the 2006 coup a strangest warm welcome, and suffered the consequence of the coup later.
Both sides do dog-fight for their own interest , care for none of the collateral damage they created.
Reconciliation also mean nothing to the interest of the majority of this country, as long as the check and balance mechanism is not restored (fair and effective). And who is going to do this ? Another new hero for Thailand ? When will they learnt.
“Speech by a special guest”
GovernorApirak resigns after NCCC decides that he is guilty in the alleged irregularities in the fire truck case. The case hasn’t even gone to court yet. Whether Governor Apirak is found guilty or not, that is truly setting new political accountability standard that is to be highly commended (Thairath’s ‘politcal team’ seemed to imply that the standard is way too high). And here, the NCCC, as with the courts, seem to be functioning without fear or favour (we have to remember that they also let PMSomchai off the hook last month for a case in 1999 when PMSomchai was permanent secretary of the justice ministry).
The international community, in this case the British government, seem to have come to senses to help aid in Thailand’s democratic growth. “You have been convicted by your courts. Go home to serve your jail term, PMThaksin” they seem to say. This is possibly the only way he can truly redeem himself, heal the societal divide, contribute to the Thai rule of law and political accountability. He might even become a “hero of Thai Democracy” coming out of his 2-3 years term. At least history will judge him in a slightly better light.
Instead he wants “his people” to vote for his innocence by planning a travelling ‘Reds’ rally nationwide (even possibly causing a division in the Buddhist clergy by wanting to stage the next rally at WatSuanKaew, a famous Nonthaburi temple). It is this PMThaksin’s and TRT/PPP extreme narrow definition of democracy that fires the anti-democratic demons in the PAD’s middle-class supporters’ distrust of the rural electorate…
Meanwhile let’s cast an eye for how other young democracies in the region are faring. Taiwan’s ex-president Chen Shui-bian is now in custody for corruption:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7723686.stm
What did Mr.Chen say?
“Mr Chen, who stepped down in May, denies all the graft charges and claims they are politically motivated.” (of course, to be fair to PresidentChen, we’ll have to let the case speak for itself)
20 years in prison for blogging
Nick, this may be of help:
http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2008/3000/