Sidh S. Neither Thaksin nor Samak, nor anybody in his or her right mind wants to abolish the Thai monarchy. They want to reform it so it is no longer a focus for anti-democratic interests. But if things continue to get worse, the monarchy could be a casualty of the madness of civil war.
Nick: As you are a photo-journalist, may I suggest that you stand back and consider whether you are truly impartial in this matter.
Continuing my quest for constructive proposals, what’s so hard about doing this:
1. Samak/PPP acknowledge that the constitutional amendment will be put to a new round of consultation to create a new ‘peoples’ constitution.
2. PAD then can either go home (hopefully), or if they choose to stubbornly stay, they can be forced home.
That way there are no clear ‘winner take all’ victors, and ultimately the Thai people will be the winners.
Having learned from the past, all sides can put up their views on the constitution problem areas, argue robustly, try to reach consensus, and if that is not achievable, the remaining contentious issues can be decided by the people.
Leave the courts to deal with the PAD leaders, Samak, Thaksin & Co (or if that is just too hard ‘politically’ give them all a one off blanket amnesty in the name of reconciliation, and a 10 year political ban to go with it!)
I’m sorry it has taken me a day to get to your question. As I indicated in the original post, I’m not sure if this is the version that was put to the referendum in May 2008. I have never seen a version that I can confirm was the subject of the national vote, mostly because I don’t have a hard copy to cross-reference.
The relationship between the “principles” and the “constitution” could, I expect, be clarififed by a couple of scanned pages from the version circulated, in hard copy, in Yangon earlier in the year.
The inconsistent way that the text was circulated ensured that there was never any certainty about any particular version.
If there is anything else I can help with, please feel free to get in touch more directly.
Yeyint, there aren’t simply two choices – sanctions vs military action. Aside from economic engagement, which could potentially raise the standard of living in Burma to the point where survival can be taken for granted and more grassroots political action would thereby be possible, there are many diplomatic options open that have barely been explored. It’s not so black and white.
I agree with Mr Tonkin, Dr Win Aung and Ma Thanegi — it’s obvious that sanctions have done more harm than good.
Incidentally I have met Ma Thanegi as well, John. Her preferred spelling of her last name is ‘Thanegi’ but if you were to transliterate it using the system you’re using it would be ‘Theingi,’ (as mayburma wrote) not Theingyi.
Nicholas and all, It now appears to me that the draft you have was the 2007 Fundamental Principles, that were used as the basis for the 2008 Constitution. Do you have a translation of the final Constitution?
Thanks,
Ken
i am from malaysian and liveing in malaysia most 5 years and i have two cars in malaysia, so i am planing to have a advature trip to malaysia to bangladesh …. call my elder brother and together we are gonna travel and check out how is the road link with bangladesh. i request maynmer govt. to help us when we travel…
Dear Sir/Madam,
I have the pleasure to inform you that I am a Mass media personality from Bangladesh,Having MBA degree from the Royal University of Dhaka,Bangladesh-Have been working as a managing Director of a Private Television Channel based in Bangladesh.Before holding this position,I have worked so many national and international organisations in key positions.I have vast knowledge in defferent legal issues.Currently,I need a Honorary doctorate degree(doctor of law) from your side.Pls advice me further for my details ,if needed.I am looking forwards from you very soon on this regards.
Thanks & regards
Md.Haider Ali.
Dhaka/Bangladesh.
I accuse PAD as being the aggressor because it has committed unconstitutional and illegal actions in order to stage an insurrection and a revolution, with the aim of overthrowing the democratic system embedded in the constitution, and to replace it with their “new politics”.
With their backers subversion of the legal system at every single step of PAD protests, they have set the stage for this and future anarchic incidents here in Thailand.
Police has tried to deal with PAD – they were stopped by 30 Senators and Abhisit’s appearance at the scene at a crucial moment of an ongoing court ordered operation.
The courts have issued warrants against the leaders, yet they hide behind their mob, and police is not allowed to do a thing against this outrage.
The government is obviously not able anymore to do what every other country would do – declare a state of emergency, disperse the protesters with whatever means necessary, charge the leaders with treason, and get back to business of governing the country.
Encircle them, what police has tried, starve them, let protesters come out, arrest any Naclop Srivichai and the military personal in the compound, and everybody known in a leading position.
So we can get to the business of moaning about the government without more people getting killed in the now resulting anarchy.
The longer the legal system is disabled by high ranking PAD backers, the more of such anarchic attacks will result. Until we find ourselves in a situation that has completely gone out of anybody’s control – and that seems exactly what PAD leaders want.
There simply was no need to do all this by the PAD. The courts were working even in their favour as the Pojaman conviction has shown. The Samak government is a weak coalition government that nobody would have expected to survive this legislative period.
If you support the PAD – then you do support a ultra-conservative, ultra-nationalist movement that wants to overthrow democracy by unconstitutional means.
I am a bit surprised at your categorisation of the PAD-government clash as between two bangkok/urban elites…
of course the government MPs are all educated (Bachelor degree required) and at least middle class, many would not have too close links into business per se.
Rather i think they believe Taksin had a great broad policy agenda, encompassing major infrastructure, education, health through to regional and village strategies.
While taksin was a major business figure the current PM Samak lives moderately, has moderate assets and his main claim to fame is his term as governor of Bangkok where he engaged in some significant developments and improvements.
I think the government represents a continuation of the grand experiment (for Thailand) of fully representative democracy, including even the previously controlled and sunservient rural poor that actually provide the rice bowl and other agricultural productivity that is the backbone of Thailand’s internal and external economy.
just a comment about the courts and justice… many of the personalities and some of the structures now in play in that arena (and the EC) were put there by the military junta, explicitly to ensure that “taksin would not escape justice”. So, agreed they are operating and hopefully have not been too distorted from their objective role.
it seems the courts (admin and civil) have been willing to issue the obvious arrest warrants for nine of the PAD leaders for insurrection plus a string of lesser charges and an order for the PAD to vacate the government compound. the police and the (civil) court have also had the strength to arrest, charge and hold without bail 82 of the PAD “guards” who invaded and damaged the NBT government TV station.
in response to an appeal from PAD the admin court has (weakly) amended its order to vacate the premise immediately to await the result of hearing of the appeal.
Very lively debates here!
Nick#48:
“I wish that there would be a possibility of a forum where people of your background could meet and discuss on an equal level with these people without all the huge barriers of Thai classism.”
I have called for that forum since our discussion on the Udon incident – and hence I always pointed the finger at the TRT/PPP government for NOT PROVIDING THAT FORUM in their past 6-7 years IN POWER (and going as far as suppressing press freedom)… I am glad that we now agree on this.
I also agree with Kusons and nganadeeleg that the PAD phenomenon arose from PMThaksin/TRT extreme excesses. To put it bluntly in Thai terms its “NaDan” to deal with “NaDan” (Thick face Vs Thick face)…
While I don’t agree with PAD’s attack on NBT or occupation of the Government House, it baffles me that on the night of the 1st, you probably heard the speech first hand from the UDD leadership inciting violence at Sanam Luang and the order to march 2-3KMS to ATTACK PAD at Government House; you probably marched with this crowd, armed and hungry for blood; you were in right in the middle of the melee – yet you ACCUSE the PAD of being the aggressor!!!???
From my point of view, it is NON OF THE UDD’s business here and let the government, police/military, law courts deal with the PAD. If they want to protest, stay put at Sanam Luang…
thanks for you insights….. I think I have some idea where you are coming from.
I have to say that Australia has woken up that the past decade or two has led to people looking for uni qualifications leaving the country dangerously short of trade qualified people… perhaps worse than that we have a lot of people that would have learned trades that are now more or less confused about what they are doing… so this disease is not only here…
but meanwhile back onto the main topic….
I think if country people can vote for governments that foster education, health and decentralisation of public and private businesses this can only be a good thing for the people and should begin as early as possible
I think its the old traditional bangkok elite that are intentional slow learners, the rural/regional people when faced with decisions involving their self interest will and I believe did and are learning fast
Do you believe the rural and poor that you are in contact with (in general, maybe not in particular cases) have learnt anything from the past four election processes… did they learn something was different about the central government under taksin from those before and also recently the junta?
RN England, thanks for your insightful discussion of the “broad” Thai monarchy and especially the Privy Council
very helpful… it explains the seeming aura surrounding Prem and even more recently the remarks about Tej the recent foreign minister…
it raises the question whether another hidden side to this may be the succession and whether the possible successors may be already securing their position.
perhaps they see that they will have less scope under a government that has the direct authority of the Thai citizens and more scope with a government that is secured by their influence on the Thai people
I understood that Santi Asoke is a breakaway sect. I presume they have followers who respect them and you have confirmed that they are not respected by other Thai Buddhists.
The question here is whether the police and military would feel in danger of being hated if they had to manhandle one of these people who do wear a robe that looks Buddhist.
Do you think most Thais would accept if there was video broadcast of such an action… how much would Sondhi be able to beat this up as an issue, especially around the world where the distinction between sects would not be understood….
btw… I agree that the monks and of course the leaders of the PAD are all behaving badly… for example, I saw a monk walking along the road shouting at other PAD protesters and the lies and innuendo of the group are obscene.
An aside, do you think the Santi Asoke are gaining many supporters from amongst the paid for protesters?
More importantly I am curious about the middle class and rich that are apparently supporting (paying) and attending the protests. Do you agree these would be even more gullible and foolish and maybe prime targets for Chamlong and Santi Asoke?
An interesting analysis, intellectual exercise from RN England – but I suspect it is probably very wrong or he is just way ahead of his time. Unless PMThaksin, PMSamak, the UDD openly calls for the abolishment of the monarchy NOW, then there are no evidences to support this analysis. The future of the Thai monarchy will be decided by actions taken by future kings and queens – not by present events.
I agree with GenAnupong’s analyis of the event – this is a “political conflict” between two group of Bangkok/urban-based elites – one advocating ‘business’ as usual while another wanting radical, even if undemocratic, clean politics. I began to focus on MajGenChamlong because of this moralistic overtones of PAD’s protest – against the worse excesses of Thai electoral democracy. Another similarly wild speculation (comparable to RN England’s) from me is that if there is any deep conflict in Thai society (apart from those concerning one man, PMThaksin), maybe it is a fundamental conflict in Thai Buddhism. I am seeing mainstream Mahanikai capitalist Buddhism (Dhammakaya as an example of its worse manifestation) Vs Santi Asoke (militant and ascetic), of which Chamlong represents (or is the civilian head).
Contrary to what many in NM claim (and I urge you to follow Thai developments more closely), HMK has publicly spoken in support of PMSamak on many occasions reported by most Thai dailies. Tej Bunnag, known to be close to the palace, joining the Samak cabinet is also another clear evidence of DIRECT support. FMTej only quit after UDD’s attack on PAD. If there’s any signal, it is that the palace does not approve of violent means (which was already formally conveyed to PMSamak – again widely reported in Thai dailies). GenAnupong actions are consistent with that signal and he has limited the army’s role to keep the UDD and PAD protests separated.
There are still many other mechanisms to be utilized. Recently, the Senate president has volunteered to be the intermediary between the two sides. Or maybe it has to go to the referendum favored by the PPP government – and even the general election, favored by the Democrats…
The judiciary are already doing their job (another very positive development) – and on that note I personally feel that PAD should take that step back from the brink. I don’t really see PMSamak softening (esp backed by Newin Chidchob, another underestimated figure in NM, not following Thai developments closely – but Thai political analyst know he is a very prominent player) – unless someone finds him a graceful exit…
[…] following review of Forest Guardians, Forest Destroyers: The Politics of Environmental Knowledge in Northern Thailand by Tim Forsyth and Andrew Walker appeared in the Bangkok Post on Monday 1 September […]
#45 “Again, sorry if I offended any Westerner on the abovementioned regard.” >> There is no reason to frame your comment in the farang/Thai mode. In fact, you have offended the many Thais who have been trying to argue against this sort of panhaoon-ness by supposedly educated members of the Thai public that you have expressed so nicely here.
“buying votes – I dont believe made a significant difference to the
election results”
I believe you’re right. Abhisit (the Dems leader) has admitted several times that TRT/PPP still would have won all the previous elections even without vote-buying.
I do not spit on poor people.
I have lived with poor people for over a decade.
I have continually helped poor people. Have you?
I am intimately aware of their problems and their inability to overcome them.
I am intimately aware of how they look down on an educational system that admittedly does not serve them very well.
People in ivory towers who theorize about poor people? IMHO Get your rear end into the field and do some real work. Teach the poor people, for instance. Even if they do volunteer, it will be on some self-promotional project, like saving the AIDS children, derived to elicit maximum sympathy and overseas money. Humble teaching of poor people without academic self-promotion. That would be impressive!
A rudderless state from empowering the masses.
Just what Thailand needs.
“Thaksin has a PhD”
One of the biggest problems in Thai education right now
is that people do not want to acquire much needed manual
vocational skills.
They want to get a college degree and sit in an air-conditioned office and tell other people what to do.
Welders, skilled labourers, that is useful education, in my book.
“I don’t think the book exists, I think it’s a hoax perpetrated by Nicolaides as a publicity stunt.”
It definitely exists. He was bragging about it over lunch at the Thai TESOL conference two years ago. Even handed me a flyer. His buddy, nicknamed Shakespeare (because he thought Shakespeare is what beginning English language students need to learn) told me later, that he had been investigated and the books were discretely removed from the shelves.
Later, during one of those Paedophile English teacher incidents that Thailand had last year, he contributed an op-ed piece to the Bangkok Post lambasting all English teachers in Thailand as being crazy. Then he flew off to Saudi and worked at a university there for a short while. There was some Jihadi or anti-Jihadi drama at that university that got covered up in the NY Times. Harry contributed a Bangkok Post op-ed piece on his participation in that fandango. Then he tried to get a job in Kuwait, but he already had a reputation among ex-colleagues.
Harry is a walking, living, breathing PR stunt incarnate.
Facebook 
Twitter 
Soundcloud 
Youtube 
Rss
Thai crisis. Royal silence.
Sidh S. Neither Thaksin nor Samak, nor anybody in his or her right mind wants to abolish the Thai monarchy. They want to reform it so it is no longer a focus for anti-democratic interests. But if things continue to get worse, the monarchy could be a casualty of the madness of civil war.
Report on last night’s clash
Nick: As you are a photo-journalist, may I suggest that you stand back and consider whether you are truly impartial in this matter.
Continuing my quest for constructive proposals, what’s so hard about doing this:
1. Samak/PPP acknowledge that the constitutional amendment will be put to a new round of consultation to create a new ‘peoples’ constitution.
2. PAD then can either go home (hopefully), or if they choose to stubbornly stay, they can be forced home.
That way there are no clear ‘winner take all’ victors, and ultimately the Thai people will be the winners.
Having learned from the past, all sides can put up their views on the constitution problem areas, argue robustly, try to reach consensus, and if that is not achievable, the remaining contentious issues can be decided by the people.
Leave the courts to deal with the PAD leaders, Samak, Thaksin & Co (or if that is just too hard ‘politically’ give them all a one off blanket amnesty in the name of reconciliation, and a 10 year political ban to go with it!)
Burma’s draft 2008 constitution
Hi Ken,
Thanks for your messages.
I’m sorry it has taken me a day to get to your question. As I indicated in the original post, I’m not sure if this is the version that was put to the referendum in May 2008. I have never seen a version that I can confirm was the subject of the national vote, mostly because I don’t have a hard copy to cross-reference.
The relationship between the “principles” and the “constitution” could, I expect, be clarififed by a couple of scanned pages from the version circulated, in hard copy, in Yangon earlier in the year.
The inconsistent way that the text was circulated ensured that there was never any certainty about any particular version.
If there is anything else I can help with, please feel free to get in touch more directly.
Best wishes,
Nicholas
Interview with Burma’s Ma Thanegi
Yeyint, there aren’t simply two choices – sanctions vs military action. Aside from economic engagement, which could potentially raise the standard of living in Burma to the point where survival can be taken for granted and more grassroots political action would thereby be possible, there are many diplomatic options open that have barely been explored. It’s not so black and white.
I agree with Mr Tonkin, Dr Win Aung and Ma Thanegi — it’s obvious that sanctions have done more harm than good.
Incidentally I have met Ma Thanegi as well, John. Her preferred spelling of her last name is ‘Thanegi’ but if you were to transliterate it using the system you’re using it would be ‘Theingi,’ (as mayburma wrote) not Theingyi.
Burma’s draft 2008 constitution
Nicholas and all, It now appears to me that the draft you have was the 2007 Fundamental Principles, that were used as the basis for the 2008 Constitution. Do you have a translation of the final Constitution?
Thanks,
Ken
Bangladesh to Burma “friendship” road
i am from malaysian and liveing in malaysia most 5 years and i have two cars in malaysia, so i am planing to have a advature trip to malaysia to bangladesh …. call my elder brother and together we are gonna travel and check out how is the road link with bangladesh. i request maynmer govt. to help us when we travel…
+60166376773
ANU College of Law condemns Lee’s degree
Dear Sir/Madam,
I have the pleasure to inform you that I am a Mass media personality from Bangladesh,Having MBA degree from the Royal University of Dhaka,Bangladesh-Have been working as a managing Director of a Private Television Channel based in Bangladesh.Before holding this position,I have worked so many national and international organisations in key positions.I have vast knowledge in defferent legal issues.Currently,I need a Honorary doctorate degree(doctor of law) from your side.Pls advice me further for my details ,if needed.I am looking forwards from you very soon on this regards.
Thanks & regards
Md.Haider Ali.
Dhaka/Bangladesh.
Report on last night’s clash
“Sidh S.”:
I accuse PAD as being the aggressor because it has committed unconstitutional and illegal actions in order to stage an insurrection and a revolution, with the aim of overthrowing the democratic system embedded in the constitution, and to replace it with their “new politics”.
With their backers subversion of the legal system at every single step of PAD protests, they have set the stage for this and future anarchic incidents here in Thailand.
Police has tried to deal with PAD – they were stopped by 30 Senators and Abhisit’s appearance at the scene at a crucial moment of an ongoing court ordered operation.
The courts have issued warrants against the leaders, yet they hide behind their mob, and police is not allowed to do a thing against this outrage.
The government is obviously not able anymore to do what every other country would do – declare a state of emergency, disperse the protesters with whatever means necessary, charge the leaders with treason, and get back to business of governing the country.
Encircle them, what police has tried, starve them, let protesters come out, arrest any Naclop Srivichai and the military personal in the compound, and everybody known in a leading position.
So we can get to the business of moaning about the government without more people getting killed in the now resulting anarchy.
The longer the legal system is disabled by high ranking PAD backers, the more of such anarchic attacks will result. Until we find ourselves in a situation that has completely gone out of anybody’s control – and that seems exactly what PAD leaders want.
There simply was no need to do all this by the PAD. The courts were working even in their favour as the Pojaman conviction has shown. The Samak government is a weak coalition government that nobody would have expected to survive this legislative period.
If you support the PAD – then you do support a ultra-conservative, ultra-nationalist movement that wants to overthrow democracy by unconstitutional means.
Thai crisis. Royal silence.
Sidh….
I am a bit surprised at your categorisation of the PAD-government clash as between two bangkok/urban elites…
of course the government MPs are all educated (Bachelor degree required) and at least middle class, many would not have too close links into business per se.
Rather i think they believe Taksin had a great broad policy agenda, encompassing major infrastructure, education, health through to regional and village strategies.
While taksin was a major business figure the current PM Samak lives moderately, has moderate assets and his main claim to fame is his term as governor of Bangkok where he engaged in some significant developments and improvements.
I think the government represents a continuation of the grand experiment (for Thailand) of fully representative democracy, including even the previously controlled and sunservient rural poor that actually provide the rice bowl and other agricultural productivity that is the backbone of Thailand’s internal and external economy.
just a comment about the courts and justice… many of the personalities and some of the structures now in play in that arena (and the EC) were put there by the military junta, explicitly to ensure that “taksin would not escape justice”. So, agreed they are operating and hopefully have not been too distorted from their objective role.
it seems the courts (admin and civil) have been willing to issue the obvious arrest warrants for nine of the PAD leaders for insurrection plus a string of lesser charges and an order for the PAD to vacate the government compound. the police and the (civil) court have also had the strength to arrest, charge and hold without bail 82 of the PAD “guards” who invaded and damaged the NBT government TV station.
in response to an appeal from PAD the admin court has (weakly) amended its order to vacate the premise immediately to await the result of hearing of the appeal.
Report on last night’s clash
Very lively debates here!
Nick#48:
“I wish that there would be a possibility of a forum where people of your background could meet and discuss on an equal level with these people without all the huge barriers of Thai classism.”
I have called for that forum since our discussion on the Udon incident – and hence I always pointed the finger at the TRT/PPP government for NOT PROVIDING THAT FORUM in their past 6-7 years IN POWER (and going as far as suppressing press freedom)… I am glad that we now agree on this.
I also agree with Kusons and nganadeeleg that the PAD phenomenon arose from PMThaksin/TRT extreme excesses. To put it bluntly in Thai terms its “NaDan” to deal with “NaDan” (Thick face Vs Thick face)…
While I don’t agree with PAD’s attack on NBT or occupation of the Government House, it baffles me that on the night of the 1st, you probably heard the speech first hand from the UDD leadership inciting violence at Sanam Luang and the order to march 2-3KMS to ATTACK PAD at Government House; you probably marched with this crowd, armed and hungry for blood; you were in right in the middle of the melee – yet you ACCUSE the PAD of being the aggressor!!!???
From my point of view, it is NON OF THE UDD’s business here and let the government, police/military, law courts deal with the PAD. If they want to protest, stay put at Sanam Luang…
Samak brutally represses PAD by proposing that the people decide (again)!
jonfernquest….
thanks for you insights….. I think I have some idea where you are coming from.
I have to say that Australia has woken up that the past decade or two has led to people looking for uni qualifications leaving the country dangerously short of trade qualified people… perhaps worse than that we have a lot of people that would have learned trades that are now more or less confused about what they are doing… so this disease is not only here…
but meanwhile back onto the main topic….
I think if country people can vote for governments that foster education, health and decentralisation of public and private businesses this can only be a good thing for the people and should begin as early as possible
I think its the old traditional bangkok elite that are intentional slow learners, the rural/regional people when faced with decisions involving their self interest will and I believe did and are learning fast
Do you believe the rural and poor that you are in contact with (in general, maybe not in particular cases) have learnt anything from the past four election processes… did they learn something was different about the central government under taksin from those before and also recently the junta?
Thai crisis. Royal silence.
RN England, thanks for your insightful discussion of the “broad” Thai monarchy and especially the Privy Council
very helpful… it explains the seeming aura surrounding Prem and even more recently the remarks about Tej the recent foreign minister…
it raises the question whether another hidden side to this may be the succession and whether the possible successors may be already securing their position.
perhaps they see that they will have less scope under a government that has the direct authority of the Thai citizens and more scope with a government that is secured by their influence on the Thai people
“Has the Thai king had enough?”
ratisee… thank you for your comment
I understood that Santi Asoke is a breakaway sect. I presume they have followers who respect them and you have confirmed that they are not respected by other Thai Buddhists.
The question here is whether the police and military would feel in danger of being hated if they had to manhandle one of these people who do wear a robe that looks Buddhist.
Do you think most Thais would accept if there was video broadcast of such an action… how much would Sondhi be able to beat this up as an issue, especially around the world where the distinction between sects would not be understood….
btw… I agree that the monks and of course the leaders of the PAD are all behaving badly… for example, I saw a monk walking along the road shouting at other PAD protesters and the lies and innuendo of the group are obscene.
An aside, do you think the Santi Asoke are gaining many supporters from amongst the paid for protesters?
More importantly I am curious about the middle class and rich that are apparently supporting (paying) and attending the protests. Do you agree these would be even more gullible and foolish and maybe prime targets for Chamlong and Santi Asoke?
Thai crisis. Royal silence.
An interesting analysis, intellectual exercise from RN England – but I suspect it is probably very wrong or he is just way ahead of his time. Unless PMThaksin, PMSamak, the UDD openly calls for the abolishment of the monarchy NOW, then there are no evidences to support this analysis. The future of the Thai monarchy will be decided by actions taken by future kings and queens – not by present events.
I agree with GenAnupong’s analyis of the event – this is a “political conflict” between two group of Bangkok/urban-based elites – one advocating ‘business’ as usual while another wanting radical, even if undemocratic, clean politics. I began to focus on MajGenChamlong because of this moralistic overtones of PAD’s protest – against the worse excesses of Thai electoral democracy. Another similarly wild speculation (comparable to RN England’s) from me is that if there is any deep conflict in Thai society (apart from those concerning one man, PMThaksin), maybe it is a fundamental conflict in Thai Buddhism. I am seeing mainstream Mahanikai capitalist Buddhism (Dhammakaya as an example of its worse manifestation) Vs Santi Asoke (militant and ascetic), of which Chamlong represents (or is the civilian head).
Contrary to what many in NM claim (and I urge you to follow Thai developments more closely), HMK has publicly spoken in support of PMSamak on many occasions reported by most Thai dailies. Tej Bunnag, known to be close to the palace, joining the Samak cabinet is also another clear evidence of DIRECT support. FMTej only quit after UDD’s attack on PAD. If there’s any signal, it is that the palace does not approve of violent means (which was already formally conveyed to PMSamak – again widely reported in Thai dailies). GenAnupong actions are consistent with that signal and he has limited the army’s role to keep the UDD and PAD protests separated.
There are still many other mechanisms to be utilized. Recently, the Senate president has volunteered to be the intermediary between the two sides. Or maybe it has to go to the referendum favored by the PPP government – and even the general election, favored by the Democrats…
The judiciary are already doing their job (another very positive development) – and on that note I personally feel that PAD should take that step back from the brink. I don’t really see PMSamak softening (esp backed by Newin Chidchob, another underestimated figure in NM, not following Thai developments closely – but Thai political analyst know he is a very prominent player) – unless someone finds him a graceful exit…
Forest guardians, forest destroyers
[…] following review of Forest Guardians, Forest Destroyers: The Politics of Environmental Knowledge in Northern Thailand by Tim Forsyth and Andrew Walker appeared in the Bangkok Post on Monday 1 September […]
“Has the Thai king had enough?”
р╕лр╕бр╕Фр╕нр╕▓р╕ер╕▒р╕в … #13, see my post #3 on:
http://rspas.anu.edu.au/rmap/newmandala/2008/01/28/the-electorate-and-the-acute-state-of-thai-politics/
Report on last night’s clash
#45 “Again, sorry if I offended any Westerner on the abovementioned regard.” >> There is no reason to frame your comment in the farang/Thai mode. In fact, you have offended the many Thais who have been trying to argue against this sort of panhaoon-ness by supposedly educated members of the Thai public that you have expressed so nicely here.
Samak brutally represses PAD by proposing that the people decide (again)!
“buying votes – I dont believe made a significant difference to the
election results”
I believe you’re right. Abhisit (the Dems leader) has admitted several times that TRT/PPP still would have won all the previous elections even without vote-buying.
Samak brutally represses PAD by proposing that the people decide (again)!
“Why do you spit on poor people?”
I do not spit on poor people.
I have lived with poor people for over a decade.
I have continually helped poor people. Have you?
I am intimately aware of their problems and their inability to overcome them.
I am intimately aware of how they look down on an educational system that admittedly does not serve them very well.
People in ivory towers who theorize about poor people? IMHO Get your rear end into the field and do some real work. Teach the poor people, for instance. Even if they do volunteer, it will be on some self-promotional project, like saving the AIDS children, derived to elicit maximum sympathy and overseas money. Humble teaching of poor people without academic self-promotion. That would be impressive!
A rudderless state from empowering the masses.
Just what Thailand needs.
“Thaksin has a PhD”
One of the biggest problems in Thai education right now
is that people do not want to acquire much needed manual
vocational skills.
They want to get a college degree and sit in an air-conditioned office and tell other people what to do.
Welders, skilled labourers, that is useful education, in my book.
Australia and the current Thai crisis
“I don’t think the book exists, I think it’s a hoax perpetrated by Nicolaides as a publicity stunt.”
It definitely exists. He was bragging about it over lunch at the Thai TESOL conference two years ago. Even handed me a flyer. His buddy, nicknamed Shakespeare (because he thought Shakespeare is what beginning English language students need to learn) told me later, that he had been investigated and the books were discretely removed from the shelves.
Later, during one of those Paedophile English teacher incidents that Thailand had last year, he contributed an op-ed piece to the Bangkok Post lambasting all English teachers in Thailand as being crazy. Then he flew off to Saudi and worked at a university there for a short while. There was some Jihadi or anti-Jihadi drama at that university that got covered up in the NY Times. Harry contributed a Bangkok Post op-ed piece on his participation in that fandango. Then he tried to get a job in Kuwait, but he already had a reputation among ex-colleagues.
Harry is a walking, living, breathing PR stunt incarnate.