I would be greatly interested in an assessment from Taipan as to why the various military ventures failed in one form or another.
I have been told that the KNLA readily accepted the assistance, while the KNU leadership looked upon it with deep suspicion.
It is my understanding that the French led contingent was the only one properly formed. The remainder of the volunteers were just people who drifted into the area, stayed a while, then left.
There is no real supply train for the KNLA. Most of what they have is obtained locally in Mae Sot or Chiang Mae. Occasionally foreigners will bring in specialized equipment to donate, but that’s pretty much hit or miss.
I just read today that most aid groups in the area spend up to 90 percent of their finances on overhead. So, for every dollar that is donated, ninety cents of it goes to upkeep for fancy offices, computer equipment, etc. This is one of the reasons cited by a group I contacted as to why they won’t participate.
When Bo Mya was alive and running the show, things were lean and mean from what I’ve been told by knowledgeable people.
Now, the KNLA commanders and the troops live in the field under austere conditions, while the KNU live the life of Riley in Mae Sot and Chiang Mae. Small wonder that a rift has developed between the KNLA and KNU.
One individual I know who offered assistance was taken to KNU headquarters, where he was repeatedly insulted by the leadership, then told that his offer of assistance wasn’t needed or wanted.
He then approached the KNLA and was welcomed with open arms and many blessings.
What is needed at this point in time is a well thought out, well organized ( and financed ) effort by certain individuals to sidestep the KNU and offer military assistance directly to the KNLA.
There are alot of people who would jump at the chance to go toe to toe with the detested SPDC – they only lack the resources and finances to get over there.
in reply to to what Sidh S. said “On the other hand, I agree with Bystander and many sponsors honestly believe that they are guaranteed a place in heaven” on the back of one of the leaflets i was given at the dhammakaya temple about what happens to those who donate money it says:
“the benefits of your generosity are as follow:
1. A rebirth in places of good living conditions suitable for self-development.
2. They will obtain wealth both spiritual and material alike.
3.They will be among the communities of noble friends
4. They will gain respect from all
5. They will possess wisdom enabling the making of right livelihood.
6. Their cultivation to pursue perfection and attaining the truth of life through the dhamma of the lord Buddha will become easier”
Think number two is interesting. Give us money and you will get rich. sounds just like jatukams to me.
Hi
As french former operative in Kawthoolei i have sent by different channels most of the french military advisers. Some have done good job other fail to succeed in fight or training. Some people come in Kawthoolei just as tourist or journalist. Very few was involved in operations. As Berthold said we lost some of our people in the field. At the time my successor Guillaume Oillic was a Saint Cyr officer promotion General de Montsabert and we lost a great officer. He will stay always in our mind.
I remenber some “former “green berets working with some of our former karen officers as Walter. They was here for training, not easy for them to go in operations.
Medic peoples and Non governmental organisations was very far from our work, but as they was living, for some of them, near our place some personal links was effective.
Our people never have been led by some belgium guy….only in some Bangkok bar..
I will be very happy to have some news from our american partners working at the time around the HQ…..
souvenirs of Kadangti and hello to all our karen brothers from the HQ commando. After 23 years so many left us from all side.
1. “…his least likely of all allies–the REPUBLIC OF THAILAND people (funny these same people don’t try living in countries with these systems in place).”
Are you suggesting that those who think Thailand should be republic do not deserve to have a normal life in Thailand? In Thailand, this opinion is common without ever been criticised that it is a disgusting (and dangerous) view.
2. A concrete example of what the DJ said on the Manager Radio:
He urged his listeners to physically attack Chotisak (the person who didn’t stand for the royal anthem); “having a battery in your fist”, and hit Chotisak would get only 500 baht fine, the DJ said.
There are many more that “dehumanized” Chotisak, including plenty of curses such as Chotisak should go away from Thailand; he should not live in Thailand, Is he a Thai?, or calling him all kinds of beasts and lowly animals.
The Manager also published the address and phone number of Chotisak on its page.
This is not to deny that Thaksin’s supporters were also rude and low, such as showing the real (middle finger) in public.Both should be condemned. But no way to deny The Manager’s responsibility.
The Manager argues that the violence instigation is not The Manager’s policy. Well, I don’t think there is any political party has a policy to violate the election law either. Yet, the Manager keeps calling for the dissolution of the whole party because of one person’s mistake.
Unexplained ‘Difficulties’ Force Postponement of Scholarly Conference in China
By DAVID GLENN
One day after warning its members that a postponement was likely, the International Union of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences made the bad news official on Thursday: Its July conference in Kunming, China, will not take place.
More than 6,000 scholars had registered to attend the meeting, and the abrupt and unexplained cancellation has left many anthropologists speculating about possible interference by the Chinese government.
The association’s international executive board received two messages this week from its Chinese affiliate that referred to “complex difficulties” in carrying out the conference, but the messages did not specify what those difficulties are.
On blogs and e-mail lists on Thursday, anthropologists interpreted those vague phrases to mean that Chinese authorities have forced a postponement because they were nervous about a conference that would touch on sensitive topics of ethnic diversity only months after an uprising in Tibet and weeks before the Summer Olympics, in Beijing.
“We’ve been working on this meeting for five full years,” said Faye V. Harrison, a professor of anthropology and African American studies at the University of Florida, in an interview on Thursday. “This has been a shock–demoralizing, disheartening.”
Ms. Harrison, who is a member of the association’s international executive board, said that the conference might be postponed for a full year. She said it was possible that the conference would be moved outside of China, but she hopes to avoid that outcome.
The Chronicle attempted to contact four Chinese scholars who have been involved in the conference’s planning, but none immediately replied on Thursday.
Search for a Reason
Emily E. Wilcox, a graduate student at the University of California at Berkeley who is conducting research in Beijing and who had been scheduled to speak at the conference, wrote in an e-mail message to The Chronicle that she had spoken with Du Fachun, a professor at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences who is a member of the conference’s organizing committee. When she asked about the reason for the postponement, Mr. Du replied that, if she thought about it, she could surely guess why. He then assured her it had nothing to do with the quality of the organizing committee’s work thus far, she said.
Ms. Wilcox said she took that to mean that “the Chinese government is taking every precaution to avoid problems leading up to the Olympics, and this is just one among a long list of compromises that have been made to this end.”
The conference’s program included papers on such potentially sensitive topics as “Marxist Theory About Ethno-National Issues and Practice” and “Bilateral Exchanges Between Tibetan and Chinese Culture.”
Ms. Wilcox added, however, that the Chinese government generally tolerates scholarly discussions of ethnic diversity and social justice. She recently attended a small conference in Beijing that dealt with ethnic tensions in China and Canada, and her perception was that opinions were freely expressed. Only the large scale and prominence of the planned Kunming conference, she speculated, led to the official pressures that forced its postponement.
Gregory Guldin, a professor of anthropology at Pacific Lutheran University who has written a history of anthropology in China, said in an interview that social scientists there have far more liberty than they did two decades ago. He said that the conference’s postponement is unfortunate, but he hoped that Chinese anthropologists themselves would not “come under opprobrium from people who are willing to be supercritical of China or unfairly critical of China.”
Ms. Harrison was more bluntly critical of the Chinese government’s apparent action, but she, too, emphasized that scholars there were not at fault.
“It’s important not to conflate them with the government,” she said. “They have in earnest worked very hard. We want to promote cooperation, and we want them to be part of the international community of anthropologists.”
The international association was formed at a meeting in Brussels in 1948, and holds its major conferences every five years. Ms. Harrison described it as the single most important international association in anthropology.
“It’s been a very important part of my life and professional identity for the last 15 years,” she said. “I’ve established relationships with colleagues in Kenya, India, and South Africa. … The IUAES has been a space where I can break down some of the usual hierarchies and establish collaboration with colleagues in an egalitarian and inclusive way.”
Teth The fact that their radio station has been taken off the air, coupled with a public apology from the Manager website should be enough. Stop denying what has actually happened.
Teth, why don’t you try something new like reading my post carefully? (^_^)
I was the one who gave info that Metrolife was removed—however I suggested that Prof. Ungpakorn provide some evidence (paraphrasing) to readers and idea.
I didn’t deny that it happened—obviously something went wrong (I didn’t listen to that specific episode). The point of my post was to ask if the issue was with replies all over the website posted by people who are not employed by manager and I offered my own experience as well. Obviously you missed the point.
Jonfernquest I’m sure a fairly rigorous proof could be given that Sonti Limtongkul is an **extreme political opportunist**,
Dead on.
If you are involved in politics or political movements—you better be an opportunist. Sort of like Chotsak whose “timing” is very suspect. Sondhi may very well lose this war because he’s just not as good as jumping on political opportunities like Thaksin or his least likely of all allies—the REPUBLIC OF THAILAND people (funny these same people don’t try living in countries with these systems in place).
Chotsak/prachatai/sameskybks are much better opportunists—Sondhi should get a few lessons from these guys. They’re so clever they have trolls all over manager posting links to their site (and YES THEY GET POSTED).
As for the comment about mods picking and choosing.
Even my comments don’t get through.
siding with Thaksin then jumping sides for personal reasons, then waging what amounts to a personal war on Thaksin but couched in very general terms like accusing him of lese majeste
Jonfernquest thinks this is about les majeste. Have you missed oh…2-3 years of news my friend?
BOTH THAKSIN AND SONDHI have used les majeste against one another.
Pantamit can keep going because Thaksin and or his cronies do much more than purported “les majeste” in Thailand. I’ll not list all the cases here because other sites (not just Manager) report these issues.
Thank goodness most people do not succumb to his orgy of violent speech and thought.
I’ll be sure to note when Sondhi tells me to take to the streets with rocks and incendiary devices! So far this hasn’t happened.
Furthermore, “Pantamit”, includes people from many backgrounds (just like the Pro-Thaksin folks). If one bad apple decides to be violent—it is not necessarily at the behest of Pantamit leaders.
Think of it this way.
One will never be able to pin the “blame” on Thaksin for all the low level drug dealers (some of whom may very well be innocent), the radical Muslims (some of whom were labelled as drug addicts by Thaksin) who were killed under his regime simply because he didn’t pull the trigger.
All in all, I don’t think there is nothing much to worry about. After all, we’ll all have our freedom of speech back with Jakrapop/Chakrapop Penkair/Penkhair in control.
The letter calls on people to boycott The Manager media group
Yeah, right. Better chance of Kim Jong Ill announce repentance and join up into one Korea. Or Microsoft to announce a bugless Window with refund for every hang.
Comments associated with any media website in Thailand have to be edited and the media website can be held responsible for comments
As far as I recall, Pantip is mostly a webboard. And right after coup, it was close down. And what is a blog, if not a site with a bunch of personal comment and picture (lese majeste case, ring a bell?). So IMO, yes, comments on website can be held responsible. Especially, those website that have moderator.
Generally, Pantamit advocates ahimsa and non-violent protest
Aside from vulgar language, ritualistic cursing, and beating ITV reporter only once, the PAD meeting went quite non-violence for a mob their size. Not exactly a Ghandi ahimsa, but generally non-violence nonetheless (or may be for lack of provocation).
But the recent pro-Thaksin mob was, well… we all saw the pictures.
If you are saying the DJs encouraged violence–can you provide a sample quote of their words?
The fact that their radio station has been taken off the air, coupled with a public apology from the Manager website should be enough. Stop denying what has actually happened.
Manager also gets tons of posts from Pro-Thaksin fanatics and a handful of your average agents provocateurs who try to post links to sameskybks–prachatai and other sites.
It seems to get your comment posted you have to be an extremist. The people who filter comments at Manager have their own agenda. That they allowed those comments in (because they are not allowed in by default) shows what they believe. And those ultra royalists are sure savage. In fact, I remember when Sondhi L. was having a public fight with ML Nattakorn (‘The Columnist’ at the Post) plenty of Manager’s commentators were calling Nattakorn a “cunt” and much worse. That was all allowed by whoever it is that screens comments. On the other hand, my reasonable comments NEVER get through. But maybe that’s because they’re “subversive” or the Manager cannot handle actual facts or people pointing out their hypocrisy.
Generally, Pantamit advocates ahimsa and non-violent protest
The key word is “generally”. Listen to Manager’s and Pantamit’s rhetoric. True, they not usually as uncouth as the Pro-Thaksin mob, but they are still a mob.
“That’s a bit like saying New Mandala is responsible for every single post (keep in mind Manager gets HUNDREDS of posts a day).”
They are in fact. Comments associated with any media website in Thailand have to be edited and the media website can be held responsible for comments, such as lese majeste comments. That’s why some media websites are very cautious in adding forums.
I’m sure a fairly rigorous proof could be given that Sonti Limtongkul is an **extreme political opportunist**, siding with Thaksin then jumping sides for personal reasons, then waging what amounts to a personal war on Thaksin but couched in very general terms like accusing him of lese majeste (“tie him to the firing squad post…”), and all the crazy Hitler sounding stuff that comes flying out of his mouth during speeches that he’s been found guilty of criminal defamation for. Thank goodness most people do not succumb to his orgy of violent speech and thought.
[…] Leo? How about student massacres? how about student massacres in the 90s? or the media encouraging violence against a student for wearing a t-shirt? how about a really effective war on drugs? what about no […]
I remember during PAD protests against PMThaksin’s government in 2006, there were ‘rumours’ that the huge piazzas of Dhammakaya was used as rallying points for pro-TRT groups from around the country. Does anyone know if this is true? (I can’t remember where I read it in the first place)
To be fair, it may be only ‘smear campaigns’ against either TRT or Dhammakaya (or both at the same time) – respectively the most successful political and religious phenomenon in recent Thai history. These are mega-scale, capital and image intense movements (anyone in Australia who subscribe to Thai TV Global Network can also get the 24 hour Dhammakaya channel) and they think in millions and billions (both people and money).
As Andrew implied, that money can easily be used to fund education for children of the rural and urban poor – and transform them into the new urban middle-class. Sounds patronizing? Making ‘them’ like ‘us’? But that is only a natural end-product of higher education. What I suspect is that those ‘fools’ Andrew refer to don’t really want ‘them’ to be like ‘us’ and the monuments stand as oppressive symbols of economic power in the poor countryside (and here I am also admiring some of their beautiful proportions and amazing craftsmanship)… On the other hand, I agree with Bystander and many sponsors honestly believe that they are guaranteed a place in heaven (as beautiful as the structures they built).
If those who wrote the letter actually kept up with the news—they’d know that Metro Life has been removed from the air.
(using the English because the pdf of the Thai article does not allow for copy/paste)
“Both Manager group websites and its radio station, Metro Life, have encouraged Ultra-Rightwing Royalists to attack Mr Chotisak. Ms Jitra Kotchadej, Chairwoman of the Triumph workers union has also been made a target for violence by The Manager media.”
If you are saying the DJs encouraged violence—can you provide a sample quote of their words? Are you saying Manager employees or the Manager leadership? That’s a bit like saying New Mandala is responsible for every single post (keep in mind Manager gets HUNDREDS of posts a day).
“Ms Jitra was singled out because she wore a T-shirt supporting the right to different views in society, including not standing up at the cinema. Both Mr Chotisak and Ms Jitra’s photographs and home addresses were published alongside urges to attack them.”
To give the letter a bit of a punch, it is necessary to give a screencap of the article on Manager where personal information was divulged and the exact words (or atleast a paraphrase) of the media urging people to attack Mr. Chotisak and Ms. Jitra Kotchadej. Generally, Pantamit advocates ahimsa and non-violent protest—sort of the opposite of Chakrapop Penkair’s violent siege tactics at Prem’s house.
It’s a bit confusing because this is what I’ve seen on the site:
Hundreds of posts and a handful containing personal information on Mr. Chotisak—posted not by Manager writers but by visitors of the site.
Manager also gets tons of posts from Pro-Thaksin fanatics and a handful of your average agents provocateurs who try to post links to sameskybks—prachatai and other sites.
During the war in Southeast Asia, the C.I.A. used to drop rice to isolated villages in Laos. I have a good friend who participated in these flights.
Some of the rice sacks had weapons and ammunition hidden in them, and they were called “hard rice drops”. It was a “twofer”, filling their bellies with rice, and putting weapons in their hands.
Just a thought.
I received this email from a reliable research contact in Yangon. I can’t comment on this organization directly, but the recommendation comes from a contact who has many years experience of researching environment and development issues in Burma.
Some of you have asked how you can donate money to Burma disaster relief aid.
I said wait, as it wasn’t sure yet the best way to do it
My friends and i are now going through a local ngo to help deliver rice and drinking water to outlying townships. we have several trucks going out this weekend. We decided to just do it, and stop waiting for international NGOs to get things going.
The best news is that you can donate online through their website, which they can then access inside Myanmar (that is the real difficult part and why this method is best). Remember, there are no banks here!
Google them to find their website: “Foundation for the People of Burma.”
100% of what you donate online will go to rice and renting jeeps and petrol to get there. no overhead costs. local burmese ngo. Everyone volunteering. Doesn’t get more direct then that. Pass the word around.
Thanks so much. You have no idea how far a little money goes here. 1 large sack of rice is 10 us dollars (we get it half-price from company who wants to help too).
Prof. Ungpakorn must have his eyes and ears closed.
Those people who acted violently and obscenely against a peaceful Pantamit gathering at Thammasat…were supporters of Thaksin.
Pantamit still advocates peaceful demonstrations within legal guidelines.
For someone who can read Thai, Prof. Ungpakorn failed to point out some “minor” details to the western audience here: Manager was in no way the first media outlet to cover the Chotsak issue.
Although I agree that les majeste needs to be removed from the constitution I find it suspect that this is happening right now in the middle of the Thaksin’s attempt to return to power.
My greatest fear is that sooner or later respected academics like Prof. Ungpakorn who would like to see “free debate” may end up backing people like Chakrapop Penkair who would LOVE to see the end of Prem’s rule and the monarchy.
Believe me if these academics side with Thaksin and Chakrapop—they’ll soon deal with a sakdina more powerful, more absolute and more manipulative than ever.
Good luck to Chotsak’s efforts—but most Thais will not side with him. That’s the reality.
The monarchy manipulates, just as the people, if clever enough can manipulate the monarchy—a majority will choose to be pro-royalist to defeat what they feel is a great evil : Thaksin.
Since Dhammakaya has already been mentioned, I’ll not repeat what has been clearly stated in regards to MATERIALISM IN THAI BUDDHISM.
Instead I’d like to say this issue stems from lack of education into Buddhist doctrines by lay people. Lay people in Thailand have for too long relied on monks to interpret religion and in the process allowed these saffron robed criminals to preach ONE THING: “Please make merit by making me the richest monk”.
It’s up to lay people to study religion on their own and truly grasp the middle path on their own. Today, business like Dhammakaya are nothing more than temples for the rich to network and attempt to clean themselves from their corrupt daily lives.
[…] While locals have been doing what they can, as people always do, it will not be enough. Others have begun praying to Phra Upagut (Pali: Upagupta) for protection and aid. Finally, a few Burma […]
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Protection from all kinds of danger
The Asia Times calls for military intervention in Burma:
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/JE10Ae01.html
Anthropological talk-fest in Kunming postponed?
Further detail is available here: http://www.leidenuniv.nl/fsw/iuaes/10-04-kunmingcongress.htm
Volunteering to fight in Burma
I would be greatly interested in an assessment from Taipan as to why the various military ventures failed in one form or another.
I have been told that the KNLA readily accepted the assistance, while the KNU leadership looked upon it with deep suspicion.
It is my understanding that the French led contingent was the only one properly formed. The remainder of the volunteers were just people who drifted into the area, stayed a while, then left.
There is no real supply train for the KNLA. Most of what they have is obtained locally in Mae Sot or Chiang Mae. Occasionally foreigners will bring in specialized equipment to donate, but that’s pretty much hit or miss.
I just read today that most aid groups in the area spend up to 90 percent of their finances on overhead. So, for every dollar that is donated, ninety cents of it goes to upkeep for fancy offices, computer equipment, etc. This is one of the reasons cited by a group I contacted as to why they won’t participate.
When Bo Mya was alive and running the show, things were lean and mean from what I’ve been told by knowledgeable people.
Now, the KNLA commanders and the troops live in the field under austere conditions, while the KNU live the life of Riley in Mae Sot and Chiang Mae. Small wonder that a rift has developed between the KNLA and KNU.
One individual I know who offered assistance was taken to KNU headquarters, where he was repeatedly insulted by the leadership, then told that his offer of assistance wasn’t needed or wanted.
He then approached the KNLA and was welcomed with open arms and many blessings.
What is needed at this point in time is a well thought out, well organized ( and financed ) effort by certain individuals to sidestep the KNU and offer military assistance directly to the KNLA.
There are alot of people who would jump at the chance to go toe to toe with the detested SPDC – they only lack the resources and finances to get over there.
Fools and their money
in reply to to what Sidh S. said “On the other hand, I agree with Bystander and many sponsors honestly believe that they are guaranteed a place in heaven” on the back of one of the leaflets i was given at the dhammakaya temple about what happens to those who donate money it says:
“the benefits of your generosity are as follow:
1. A rebirth in places of good living conditions suitable for self-development.
2. They will obtain wealth both spiritual and material alike.
3.They will be among the communities of noble friends
4. They will gain respect from all
5. They will possess wisdom enabling the making of right livelihood.
6. Their cultivation to pursue perfection and attaining the truth of life through the dhamma of the lord Buddha will become easier”
Think number two is interesting. Give us money and you will get rich. sounds just like jatukams to me.
Volunteering to fight in Burma
Hi
As french former operative in Kawthoolei i have sent by different channels most of the french military advisers. Some have done good job other fail to succeed in fight or training. Some people come in Kawthoolei just as tourist or journalist. Very few was involved in operations. As Berthold said we lost some of our people in the field. At the time my successor Guillaume Oillic was a Saint Cyr officer promotion General de Montsabert and we lost a great officer. He will stay always in our mind.
I remenber some “former “green berets working with some of our former karen officers as Walter. They was here for training, not easy for them to go in operations.
Medic peoples and Non governmental organisations was very far from our work, but as they was living, for some of them, near our place some personal links was effective.
Our people never have been led by some belgium guy….only in some Bangkok bar..
I will be very happy to have some news from our american partners working at the time around the HQ…..
souvenirs of Kadangti and hello to all our karen brothers from the HQ commando. After 23 years so many left us from all side.
The Manager media group condemned
Dear Khun Still water,
1. “…his least likely of all allies–the REPUBLIC OF THAILAND people (funny these same people don’t try living in countries with these systems in place).”
Are you suggesting that those who think Thailand should be republic do not deserve to have a normal life in Thailand? In Thailand, this opinion is common without ever been criticised that it is a disgusting (and dangerous) view.
2. A concrete example of what the DJ said on the Manager Radio:
He urged his listeners to physically attack Chotisak (the person who didn’t stand for the royal anthem); “having a battery in your fist”, and hit Chotisak would get only 500 baht fine, the DJ said.
There are many more that “dehumanized” Chotisak, including plenty of curses such as Chotisak should go away from Thailand; he should not live in Thailand, Is he a Thai?, or calling him all kinds of beasts and lowly animals.
The Manager also published the address and phone number of Chotisak on its page.
This is not to deny that Thaksin’s supporters were also rude and low, such as showing the real (middle finger) in public.Both should be condemned. But no way to deny The Manager’s responsibility.
The Manager argues that the violence instigation is not The Manager’s policy. Well, I don’t think there is any political party has a policy to violate the election law either. Yet, the Manager keeps calling for the dissolution of the whole party because of one person’s mistake.
Anthropological talk-fest in Kunming postponed?
From the Chronicle of Higher Education:
Unexplained ‘Difficulties’ Force Postponement of Scholarly Conference in China
By DAVID GLENN
One day after warning its members that a postponement was likely, the International Union of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences made the bad news official on Thursday: Its July conference in Kunming, China, will not take place.
More than 6,000 scholars had registered to attend the meeting, and the abrupt and unexplained cancellation has left many anthropologists speculating about possible interference by the Chinese government.
The association’s international executive board received two messages this week from its Chinese affiliate that referred to “complex difficulties” in carrying out the conference, but the messages did not specify what those difficulties are.
On blogs and e-mail lists on Thursday, anthropologists interpreted those vague phrases to mean that Chinese authorities have forced a postponement because they were nervous about a conference that would touch on sensitive topics of ethnic diversity only months after an uprising in Tibet and weeks before the Summer Olympics, in Beijing.
“We’ve been working on this meeting for five full years,” said Faye V. Harrison, a professor of anthropology and African American studies at the University of Florida, in an interview on Thursday. “This has been a shock–demoralizing, disheartening.”
Ms. Harrison, who is a member of the association’s international executive board, said that the conference might be postponed for a full year. She said it was possible that the conference would be moved outside of China, but she hopes to avoid that outcome.
The Chronicle attempted to contact four Chinese scholars who have been involved in the conference’s planning, but none immediately replied on Thursday.
Search for a Reason
Emily E. Wilcox, a graduate student at the University of California at Berkeley who is conducting research in Beijing and who had been scheduled to speak at the conference, wrote in an e-mail message to The Chronicle that she had spoken with Du Fachun, a professor at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences who is a member of the conference’s organizing committee. When she asked about the reason for the postponement, Mr. Du replied that, if she thought about it, she could surely guess why. He then assured her it had nothing to do with the quality of the organizing committee’s work thus far, she said.
Ms. Wilcox said she took that to mean that “the Chinese government is taking every precaution to avoid problems leading up to the Olympics, and this is just one among a long list of compromises that have been made to this end.”
The conference’s program included papers on such potentially sensitive topics as “Marxist Theory About Ethno-National Issues and Practice” and “Bilateral Exchanges Between Tibetan and Chinese Culture.”
Ms. Wilcox added, however, that the Chinese government generally tolerates scholarly discussions of ethnic diversity and social justice. She recently attended a small conference in Beijing that dealt with ethnic tensions in China and Canada, and her perception was that opinions were freely expressed. Only the large scale and prominence of the planned Kunming conference, she speculated, led to the official pressures that forced its postponement.
Gregory Guldin, a professor of anthropology at Pacific Lutheran University who has written a history of anthropology in China, said in an interview that social scientists there have far more liberty than they did two decades ago. He said that the conference’s postponement is unfortunate, but he hoped that Chinese anthropologists themselves would not “come under opprobrium from people who are willing to be supercritical of China or unfairly critical of China.”
Ms. Harrison was more bluntly critical of the Chinese government’s apparent action, but she, too, emphasized that scholars there were not at fault.
“It’s important not to conflate them with the government,” she said. “They have in earnest worked very hard. We want to promote cooperation, and we want them to be part of the international community of anthropologists.”
The international association was formed at a meeting in Brussels in 1948, and holds its major conferences every five years. Ms. Harrison described it as the single most important international association in anthropology.
“It’s been a very important part of my life and professional identity for the last 15 years,” she said. “I’ve established relationships with colleagues in Kenya, India, and South Africa. … The IUAES has been a space where I can break down some of the usual hierarchies and establish collaboration with colleagues in an egalitarian and inclusive way.”
The Manager media group condemned
Teth
The fact that their radio station has been taken off the air, coupled with a public apology from the Manager website should be enough. Stop denying what has actually happened.
Teth, why don’t you try something new like reading my post carefully? (^_^)
I was the one who gave info that Metrolife was removed—however I suggested that Prof. Ungpakorn provide some evidence (paraphrasing) to readers and idea.
I didn’t deny that it happened—obviously something went wrong (I didn’t listen to that specific episode). The point of my post was to ask if the issue was with replies all over the website posted by people who are not employed by manager and I offered my own experience as well. Obviously you missed the point.
Jonfernquest
I’m sure a fairly rigorous proof could be given that Sonti Limtongkul is an **extreme political opportunist**,
Dead on.
If you are involved in politics or political movements—you better be an opportunist. Sort of like Chotsak whose “timing” is very suspect. Sondhi may very well lose this war because he’s just not as good as jumping on political opportunities like Thaksin or his least likely of all allies—the REPUBLIC OF THAILAND people (funny these same people don’t try living in countries with these systems in place).
Chotsak/prachatai/sameskybks are much better opportunists—Sondhi should get a few lessons from these guys. They’re so clever they have trolls all over manager posting links to their site (and YES THEY GET POSTED).
As for the comment about mods picking and choosing.
Even my comments don’t get through.
siding with Thaksin then jumping sides for personal reasons, then waging what amounts to a personal war on Thaksin but couched in very general terms like accusing him of lese majeste
Jonfernquest thinks this is about les majeste. Have you missed oh…2-3 years of news my friend?
BOTH THAKSIN AND SONDHI have used les majeste against one another.
Pantamit can keep going because Thaksin and or his cronies do much more than purported “les majeste” in Thailand. I’ll not list all the cases here because other sites (not just Manager) report these issues.
Thank goodness most people do not succumb to his orgy of violent speech and thought.
I’ll be sure to note when Sondhi tells me to take to the streets with rocks and incendiary devices! So far this hasn’t happened.
Furthermore, “Pantamit”, includes people from many backgrounds (just like the Pro-Thaksin folks). If one bad apple decides to be violent—it is not necessarily at the behest of Pantamit leaders.
Think of it this way.
One will never be able to pin the “blame” on Thaksin for all the low level drug dealers (some of whom may very well be innocent), the radical Muslims (some of whom were labelled as drug addicts by Thaksin) who were killed under his regime simply because he didn’t pull the trigger.
All in all, I don’t think there is nothing much to worry about. After all, we’ll all have our freedom of speech back with Jakrapop/Chakrapop Penkair/Penkhair in control.
Full control.
The Manager media group condemned
The letter calls on people to boycott The Manager media group
Yeah, right. Better chance of Kim Jong Ill announce repentance and join up into one Korea. Or Microsoft to announce a bugless Window with refund for every hang.
Comments associated with any media website in Thailand have to be edited and the media website can be held responsible for comments
As far as I recall, Pantip is mostly a webboard. And right after coup, it was close down. And what is a blog, if not a site with a bunch of personal comment and picture (lese majeste case, ring a bell?). So IMO, yes, comments on website can be held responsible. Especially, those website that have moderator.
Generally, Pantamit advocates ahimsa and non-violent protest
Aside from vulgar language, ritualistic cursing, and beating ITV reporter only once, the PAD meeting went quite non-violence for a mob their size. Not exactly a Ghandi ahimsa, but generally non-violence nonetheless (or may be for lack of provocation).
But the recent pro-Thaksin mob was, well… we all saw the pictures.
The Manager media group condemned
If you are saying the DJs encouraged violence–can you provide a sample quote of their words?
The fact that their radio station has been taken off the air, coupled with a public apology from the Manager website should be enough. Stop denying what has actually happened.
Manager also gets tons of posts from Pro-Thaksin fanatics and a handful of your average agents provocateurs who try to post links to sameskybks–prachatai and other sites.
It seems to get your comment posted you have to be an extremist. The people who filter comments at Manager have their own agenda. That they allowed those comments in (because they are not allowed in by default) shows what they believe. And those ultra royalists are sure savage. In fact, I remember when Sondhi L. was having a public fight with ML Nattakorn (‘The Columnist’ at the Post) plenty of Manager’s commentators were calling Nattakorn a “cunt” and much worse. That was all allowed by whoever it is that screens comments. On the other hand, my reasonable comments NEVER get through. But maybe that’s because they’re “subversive” or the Manager cannot handle actual facts or people pointing out their hypocrisy.
Generally, Pantamit advocates ahimsa and non-violent protest
The key word is “generally”. Listen to Manager’s and Pantamit’s rhetoric. True, they not usually as uncouth as the Pro-Thaksin mob, but they are still a mob.
The Manager media group condemned
Whoops. It’s not The Manager site that can be held responsible, not the New Mandala website, because The Manager site is in Thailand.
The Manager media group condemned
“That’s a bit like saying New Mandala is responsible for every single post (keep in mind Manager gets HUNDREDS of posts a day).”
They are in fact. Comments associated with any media website in Thailand have to be edited and the media website can be held responsible for comments, such as lese majeste comments. That’s why some media websites are very cautious in adding forums.
I’m sure a fairly rigorous proof could be given that Sonti Limtongkul is an **extreme political opportunist**, siding with Thaksin then jumping sides for personal reasons, then waging what amounts to a personal war on Thaksin but couched in very general terms like accusing him of lese majeste (“tie him to the firing squad post…”), and all the crazy Hitler sounding stuff that comes flying out of his mouth during speeches that he’s been found guilty of criminal defamation for. Thank goodness most people do not succumb to his orgy of violent speech and thought.
The Manager media group condemned
[…] Leo? How about student massacres? how about student massacres in the 90s? or the media encouraging violence against a student for wearing a t-shirt? how about a really effective war on drugs? what about no […]
Fools and their money
I remember during PAD protests against PMThaksin’s government in 2006, there were ‘rumours’ that the huge piazzas of Dhammakaya was used as rallying points for pro-TRT groups from around the country. Does anyone know if this is true? (I can’t remember where I read it in the first place)
To be fair, it may be only ‘smear campaigns’ against either TRT or Dhammakaya (or both at the same time) – respectively the most successful political and religious phenomenon in recent Thai history. These are mega-scale, capital and image intense movements (anyone in Australia who subscribe to Thai TV Global Network can also get the 24 hour Dhammakaya channel) and they think in millions and billions (both people and money).
As Andrew implied, that money can easily be used to fund education for children of the rural and urban poor – and transform them into the new urban middle-class. Sounds patronizing? Making ‘them’ like ‘us’? But that is only a natural end-product of higher education. What I suspect is that those ‘fools’ Andrew refer to don’t really want ‘them’ to be like ‘us’ and the monuments stand as oppressive symbols of economic power in the poor countryside (and here I am also admiring some of their beautiful proportions and amazing craftsmanship)… On the other hand, I agree with Bystander and many sponsors honestly believe that they are guaranteed a place in heaven (as beautiful as the structures they built).
The Manager media group condemned
If those who wrote the letter actually kept up with the news—they’d know that Metro Life has been removed from the air.
(using the English because the pdf of the Thai article does not allow for copy/paste)
“Both Manager group websites and its radio station, Metro Life, have encouraged Ultra-Rightwing Royalists to attack Mr Chotisak. Ms Jitra Kotchadej, Chairwoman of the Triumph workers union has also been made a target for violence by The Manager media.”
If you are saying the DJs encouraged violence—can you provide a sample quote of their words? Are you saying Manager employees or the Manager leadership? That’s a bit like saying New Mandala is responsible for every single post (keep in mind Manager gets HUNDREDS of posts a day).
“Ms Jitra was singled out because she wore a T-shirt supporting the right to different views in society, including not standing up at the cinema. Both Mr Chotisak and Ms Jitra’s photographs and home addresses were published alongside urges to attack them.”
To give the letter a bit of a punch, it is necessary to give a screencap of the article on Manager where personal information was divulged and the exact words (or atleast a paraphrase) of the media urging people to attack Mr. Chotisak and Ms. Jitra Kotchadej. Generally, Pantamit advocates ahimsa and non-violent protest—sort of the opposite of Chakrapop Penkair’s violent siege tactics at Prem’s house.
It’s a bit confusing because this is what I’ve seen on the site:
Hundreds of posts and a handful containing personal information on Mr. Chotisak—posted not by Manager writers but by visitors of the site.
Manager also gets tons of posts from Pro-Thaksin fanatics and a handful of your average agents provocateurs who try to post links to sameskybks—prachatai and other sites.
Protection from all kinds of danger
During the war in Southeast Asia, the C.I.A. used to drop rice to isolated villages in Laos. I have a good friend who participated in these flights.
Some of the rice sacks had weapons and ammunition hidden in them, and they were called “hard rice drops”. It was a “twofer”, filling their bellies with rice, and putting weapons in their hands.
Just a thought.
Charles Foster
[email protected]
Protection from all kinds of danger
Dear New Mandala:
I received this email from a reliable research contact in Yangon. I can’t comment on this organization directly, but the recommendation comes from a contact who has many years experience of researching environment and development issues in Burma.
The website of the organization he recommends is:
http://www.foundationburma.org/
Sincerely,
Keith Barney
================================
Hello caring people.
Some of you have asked how you can donate money to Burma disaster relief aid.
I said wait, as it wasn’t sure yet the best way to do it
My friends and i are now going through a local ngo to help deliver rice and drinking water to outlying townships. we have several trucks going out this weekend. We decided to just do it, and stop waiting for international NGOs to get things going.
The best news is that you can donate online through their website, which they can then access inside Myanmar (that is the real difficult part and why this method is best). Remember, there are no banks here!
Google them to find their website: “Foundation for the People of Burma.”
100% of what you donate online will go to rice and renting jeeps and petrol to get there. no overhead costs. local burmese ngo. Everyone volunteering. Doesn’t get more direct then that. Pass the word around.
Thanks so much. You have no idea how far a little money goes here. 1 large sack of rice is 10 us dollars (we get it half-price from company who wants to help too).
Ji Ungpakorn on the abolition of lèse majesté
Prof. Ungpakorn must have his eyes and ears closed.
Those people who acted violently and obscenely against a peaceful Pantamit gathering at Thammasat…were supporters of Thaksin.
Pantamit still advocates peaceful demonstrations within legal guidelines.
For someone who can read Thai, Prof. Ungpakorn failed to point out some “minor” details to the western audience here: Manager was in no way the first media outlet to cover the Chotsak issue.
Although I agree that les majeste needs to be removed from the constitution I find it suspect that this is happening right now in the middle of the Thaksin’s attempt to return to power.
My greatest fear is that sooner or later respected academics like Prof. Ungpakorn who would like to see “free debate” may end up backing people like Chakrapop Penkair who would LOVE to see the end of Prem’s rule and the monarchy.
Believe me if these academics side with Thaksin and Chakrapop—they’ll soon deal with a sakdina more powerful, more absolute and more manipulative than ever.
Good luck to Chotsak’s efforts—but most Thais will not side with him. That’s the reality.
The monarchy manipulates, just as the people, if clever enough can manipulate the monarchy—a majority will choose to be pro-royalist to defeat what they feel is a great evil : Thaksin.
Fools and their money
Since Dhammakaya has already been mentioned, I’ll not repeat what has been clearly stated in regards to MATERIALISM IN THAI BUDDHISM.
Instead I’d like to say this issue stems from lack of education into Buddhist doctrines by lay people. Lay people in Thailand have for too long relied on monks to interpret religion and in the process allowed these saffron robed criminals to preach ONE THING: “Please make merit by making me the richest monk”.
It’s up to lay people to study religion on their own and truly grasp the middle path on their own. Today, business like Dhammakaya are nothing more than temples for the rich to network and attempt to clean themselves from their corrupt daily lives.
Protection from all kinds of danger
[…] While locals have been doing what they can, as people always do, it will not be enough. Others have begun praying to Phra Upagut (Pali: Upagupta) for protection and aid. Finally, a few Burma […]