“…sales of dog food have increased substantially in recent years.”
Real Thai dogs, like my Shih-tzus, eat rice and Laap Mu.
I refuse to let my eight Shih-tzus mix with the soi dogs though who
have a little mafia like gathering at the garbage can at the end of the soi every evening.
The patriarch of our Shih-tzu clan, Ai Book Bik, used to run with the Mae Sai soi dogs, deeply revered and respected by them because of his abundant hair, until he got run over by a truck.
I apologize to Nick and Andrew for my post, and I will no longer post about my reply to Snarly whatever he replies back.
1st. http://bkkeats.blogspot.com has a combination of restaurants, I can’t imagine a ‘farang’ ever going into Jae Nui in Samut Sakorn; they don’t even have an english menu there. Add ‘My Choice’ on Sukhumvit 36 to that, in the times I’ve been there, I’ve never seen even 1 farang there.
2nd. Yes, some of the restaurants are expensive as hell. In reference to your comment about small amounts of food, you’ll see that the restaurant was completely badgered and the comment was even made that the Bkkeater will never return. But the idea is to cover both expensive and cheap eats.
3rd. Coming soon will be about the best Phad Thai in Bkk, “Thip Samai” which is near Wat Phukhawthong “the Golden Mountain Temple”, Sorn Thong a seafood on Rama IV just past the Esso gas station between Sukhumvit 24 and 26, and “Sri Fah” in Thonglor. None of these eats are for Farang, and their price ranges are a lot more moderate.
Now, to be *slightly* topical, I’ll close by continuing my advice to Michael in reference to Republican’s post 63. There is a rule on some American political blogs: “DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS”
Reply to #56: It gets better and better: a Thai Studies academic calling for censorship of an academic blog in which he is criticized. Given the closeness of your political views to those of the CNS and the royalists as demonstrated above (# 45 and #52) it’s not surprising to me that you have the same reaction to criticism – try to censor it (by appealing to NM to ban posts you do not like) or refuse to respond (to the great majority of people on this blog and on Thai webboards who use pennames). You have no qualms about calling a government elected by the Thai people a “monstrosity”, but when you get called pretentious or hypocritical you start talking about what statements NM should deem “permissible” or not.
I’ve got to say, your constant whining about “abuse” and “insults” annoys the hell out of me. There has been no “insulting personal criticism” on this thread, only criticism of your argument. If you can’t distinguish the two then you have a sad understanding of academic debate. There has also been no “abuse” or “insults”, unless you call criticism of an argument “abuse” or an “insult”. As for “name-calling”, well you’ve indulged in it yourself, so complaining about it here is like the pot calling the kettle black.
So I take these false accusations to be a disingenuous attempt to close down the argument, as you tried to do twice before (#1 and #38), because you are incapable of defending what you write.
What really surprises me is that you insist that your work is inspired by political objectives (“…in the real world of politics…” etc.) but you seemed shocked when someone actually wants to debate you. Isn’t this what politics is all about? If you can’t put up with vigorous debate then perhaps you ought to change your field from politics to ornithology or crochet. Again, your position in regard to debate is all too similar to the CNS and the royalists: their disdain for the free, messy, cut-and-thrust nature of debate that is characteristic of democratic politics.
Lastly, in response:
1. “…Republican may also be surprised to learn that people take on very difficult issues in Thailand using their own name, and bravely address questions of injustice while using the symbolism of the monarchy to advance their cause. …”
Really? I had absolutely no idea. Thank you for enlightening me about the unknown deeds of these brave souls, among whose number no doubt you count yourself. The poor Thai people have so much to be grateful to you for.
2. “…The idea that human rights activists are hypocrites unless they also attack the monarchy sums up the sterile-abstract radicalism of the position…”
How is it “radical” to ask that the same standards for human rights be applied to all? If two sides violate human rights and you only attack the one, then this is by definition hypocritical. I can’t see how you can argue otherwise.
3. “…While the exchange may have been ‘tiresome’ for Republican, I think it has been useful….”
No, no; I said it was your sarcasm I found tiresome, not the exchanges (your reading comprehension is poor in places). I agree they have been useful, in revealing your true position. What a pity you are cutting them short. I was waiting to hear you explain on what evidence you base your claim that “…[the king] would be happy to be subject to equal treatment in matters of law…”
Given that there are numerous Jinghpaw dialect, like Gauri for example, and that other Kachin tribes like the Maru, Lashi, Atsi, and Rawang have dialects (especially the Rawang, who I think have something like 75-100 dialects), there as both of you, Nicholas and Jon, note there’s a lot of ethnonyms out there. The Lisu also are interesting since not all of them consider themselves Kachin. However, I think the Kachins are in competition for linguistic diversity with the Chins and Nagas; they’ve all got plenty of diversity.
While there was quite a bit of migration among the Kachins during the 19th and continuing through to the 20th century (if I’m not mistaken the Jinghpaw in the Kengtung area migrated in the 20th century), there were migrations before that date. There was an important migration of Jinghpaws from the Putao region to the Northern Shan States 7 generations ago, and assuming that the Jinghpaw “generation” is roughly equivalent to the biblical “generation” of about 40 years, that would place the migration around 280 years ago. It is interesting that it is claimed the Singpho were there before the Ahom, since I have heard Kachins say the Tai, and Khmer for that matter, proceeded them in some locations. Maybe the Flat Mountain was closer to NE India.
As for the Naga claiming the Singpho in thIR family, that isn’t going too far compared to some of the claims I’ve heard. Several years ago, a Kachin and Wa told me a migration story that claims the Kachin, Wa, and Chin are brothers. Just last Fall, a Chin told me the identical story, without the Wa aspect. I’ve also heard, and read, of Kachin claims of kinship with the Gurhkas. While the Tai people aren’t exactly in the brotherhood, Shan from the Shan-majority areas of the Kachin State were in the KIA/KIO, as is noted in Bertil Lintner’s book “Land of Jade”.
A few years ago I was out visiting some of my friends at one of the Yuchi aka Euchee ceremonial grounds. We got into a discussion about the fact that although the Yuchis are a distinct tribe, politically they are part of the Muscogee Creek Nation. The reason for this is that several centuries ago, the Yuchis joined the then Muscogee Confederacy. As one of the Yuchis noted, it wasn’t a confederacy of mutual interests, it was a confederacy of mutual enemies. Maybe the Nagas define “family” in a similar way.
As Dickie Simpkins says, social reality conflicts with purity — so my idea is that Somsak and Republican’s social reality here seems to be both determined to be the alpha, or silverback and promote their purity unto us all! Andrew and Nicholas don’t seem to get involved with these ‘I’m not wrong’ opinionated debates because from my perspective, as seen here, they become savage — especially when both arguing are right… and that maybe Michael with his well thought out responses might want to consider this. The irony is simply that I can see I am a barbarous peon on here, so I thought you could relate to this if you saw it too.
Grasshopper #60:
“I take it you do not like being a barbaric peon without irony?” I don’t get it. Please expand & elucidate. I hope it’s sanook…
re. yr comments on Somsak & Republican: I can agree with you on Republican, whose terminally boring & obsessively repetitive posts, in which he seems absolutely dedicated to demolishing (as if he could!) people like Thongchai & Michael , who write extremely well-reasoned & informative stuff, & valuable too, whether one agrees with everything they say or not, take up so much space.
As far as Ajarn Somsak is concerned, I don’t see him as having a “condescending & know it all tone.” I think all his hyperactive postings in that recent period were triggered off by a reaction to Samak’s comments on CNN & Al jazeera, & the consequent discussion. As he said, he was amazed at the interest – he didn’t think anyone cared. His demand that farang academics, & Michael in particular, should condemn the royals was unrealistic and impractical, & Michael dealt with it in a reasonable manner, even though Somsak was unwilling to see that. He was somewhat ‘off the rails.’ Well, I can understand that, given the circumstances, although I don’t agree with his targeting of Michael. And I don’t think it would be a good idea for him to target anyone here, in the way he has been doing it. I think the whole episode is rather sad.
The bottom line of that particular issue is that, in a situation where hardly anyone in a population of about 65million seems to genuinely give a damn about Tula 6 & 14 ( not to mention all the other massacres), and those who do are commonly regarded as dangerously subversive, perhaps there is other more important work to be done. Governments, rulers, & laws (& their application!) change as a result of societal change, IMHO. They change because they become unacceptable.
BTW, I’m wearing black for 100 days. HMK is connected with an institution I work for. (I won’t get into my frustrations with it, which have nothing to do with the royal connexion.) I also work for 2 projects (1 for 4 yrs) which were under the patronage of Phra Pinang, as a volunteer. Both are really well-run & socially constructive, not least because about 50 Thai people are donating time & ‘hands-on’ skills to them, and sincerely & passionately espousing their aims. The ‘black’ thing hasn’t been discussed – a waste of time, really. So, my view is ‘when in Rome…’
I must say I like Dickie Simpkins’ remarks on purity & hopeless purists, and his affirmation of the value of Michael’s work – but, as for his advice to go to Bkk Eats, I dunno about that. Maybe he was joking. I took a look at the site – awful! All the restaurants are very expensive, the food is either farang or farang versions of Thai, and the photos show hideously stingey servings. I think I’ll have to start my own Snarlyfood.com site!
I have been meaning to blog on this simply as this author has written previous articles just quoting FTAWatch talking points of FTAs kill farmers mantra
If Thai garlic is so good – “Thai garlic is better in taste and medicinal properties, such as preventing cancer. Consumers want to buy Thai garlic” – why can’t it command a premium price?
And if it is so good, why is it “difficult for consumers to tell the difference” between imported garlic and Thai garlic?
It would get a premium price if consumers thought it was so much better. Second, if Thai garlic makes up to two-thirds of the market exactly, how difficult can it be to find? How exactly do consumers have less choices when they now can not only buy Thai garlic, but also Chinese garlic?
At a time when there are concerns about higher food prices, it is interesting for FTAWatch to be so concerned about cheaper food options.
re 59, both write here with a condescending, know it all tone, which brow beats to the conclusion where I discover the original intent — and secondly, yes. I take it you do not like being a barbaric peon without irony?
Also, I used ‘unto’ in that last sentence in a slightly biblical way without realising. Perhaps I have been influenced too much by Somsak and Republican. Next thing they will have me rolling sticks and preaching my perspective unto all who I can corner!!!
Certainly there are many different ethnonyms in use among the various “Kachin”.
All of the categories in contemporary use have now been influenced by the schemes of ethnic demarcation introduced in China (mostly after 1949), in India (since well before independence) and in Burma (in messy and sometimes inconsistent ways). Today, as you know, the official categorisation of the “Kachin” in Burma covers 6 major “sub-groups”, sometimes called “tribes”. These include the Rawang and Lisu. All of these categorisations seem to be open to continued contestation. For example, there are reportedly some Naga nationalists on the Indian side of the border who see all “Singpho” as a part of the “Naga” family. Is this going too far?
The various uses of “Jinghpaw Wunpawng” (which has become an umbrella term within the Kachin state) is something that Mandy Sadan has written a great deal about. This is the term for the mass of different groups that has been widely used in the Kachin state (and I have even seen it used in areas of south-western China) in recent times.
As for the longer-term evolution of the terminology, I’m not really sure. But these are all good questions. I have heard it claimed that the Singpho (under that name?) have been in northeast India since before the Ahom kings arrived. This takes it back a whole other step.
I seem to vaguely remember mass migrations into the “Kachin” states during the 19th century. Maybe that was in Leach’s book. I’ll check. And Mandy Sadan’s work. Thanks for the reference.
I’ve met so many “Kachins” who refer to themselves by a more specific ethnonym and I know that Jingphaw and Kachin is one of the most linguistically diverse groups of the world. This archaeologist told me about it on the train back to Yangon from Pagan one time. I forgot his name. (His mother was Scottish and taught at Mandalay University?) Anyway there are probably just as good Chinese sources from the Qing dynasty that can be used to get a better picture of the changing ethno-political landscape of the Kachin states between 1644 and 1885 during the third Anglo-Burmese War when the “Kachins” are very visible in the accounts. Maybe Mandy Sadan has already looked at the Qing sources?
The way some comments decribe Lee is somewhat the language used on true dictors in the world we live in such as Fidel Castro, Kim jong il and propably the late Marcos of Phillipines. Please…. some of the most commonly argued topics in Singapore is the obesity of our children and the stress they get from their over emphasised education.
As for the middle class Singaporeans, taxi drivers n such, $$ will never be enough, no matter which society that adopts capitalism. Look at the UK, governement welfare schemes proved to be unsustainable even with the rich wealth inherited through to the great Victorian age, and needed the iron lady Margret Thatcher to save them. Wait… but while saving them she created a huge gap in the economy of the UK. I see Rolls Royce zooming pass the streets of London, with beggars (British citizens) staring blankly as it goes by. Gladly we dont have that in Singapore and why? Thanks to Lee and his old guards.
Well, not awarding him an honory award is creditable if the Dons and directors of ANU feel that he doesnt deserve it, Margret and Tony Blair were refused honory from their own University Oxford. Oh wait… Cambridge did not reject LEe…. ANU is better in human rights research and Asian political science than Cambridge???
Thank you for the interview with the good professor. I would very much like to share with her the findings of my own research for the Rockefeller Foundation in upland areas of the GMS. She may find it useful as background to her work.
In addition, I would be pleased to facilitate any additional research that she may wish to pursue in Akha villages located at the Doi Tung Development Project in Chiangrai Province, Northern Thailand, that she can visit very easily to do some comparative research.
Jon,
You may have already looked there, and it probably won’t have what you’re looking for, but Leach’s book “Political Systems of Highland Burma” does mention historical references for the Singhpo/Jinghpaw etc if I remember correctly.
I shall tread with caution here because I don’t detect sarcasm in your post, but do suspect it… In any case, in my time of trawling the internet, so many things are said tongue-in-cheek that are not meant to be tongue-in-cheek…
[…] New Mandala readers may know that I have a keen interest in garlic. I have previously blogged about the overstated impacts of the agricultural trade […]
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Sorry sir, we are not willing to cover Thong Daeng
“…sales of dog food have increased substantially in recent years.”
Real Thai dogs, like my Shih-tzus, eat rice and Laap Mu.
I refuse to let my eight Shih-tzus mix with the soi dogs though who
have a little mafia like gathering at the garbage can at the end of the soi every evening.
The patriarch of our Shih-tzu clan, Ai Book Bik, used to run with the Mae Sai soi dogs, deeply revered and respected by them because of his abundant hair, until he got run over by a truck.
Live in the soi, die on the soi.
The electorate and the “acute state of Thai politics”
First:
I apologize to Nick and Andrew for my post, and I will no longer post about my reply to Snarly whatever he replies back.
1st. http://bkkeats.blogspot.com has a combination of restaurants, I can’t imagine a ‘farang’ ever going into Jae Nui in Samut Sakorn; they don’t even have an english menu there. Add ‘My Choice’ on Sukhumvit 36 to that, in the times I’ve been there, I’ve never seen even 1 farang there.
2nd. Yes, some of the restaurants are expensive as hell. In reference to your comment about small amounts of food, you’ll see that the restaurant was completely badgered and the comment was even made that the Bkkeater will never return. But the idea is to cover both expensive and cheap eats.
3rd. Coming soon will be about the best Phad Thai in Bkk, “Thip Samai” which is near Wat Phukhawthong “the Golden Mountain Temple”, Sorn Thong a seafood on Rama IV just past the Esso gas station between Sukhumvit 24 and 26, and “Sri Fah” in Thonglor. None of these eats are for Farang, and their price ranges are a lot more moderate.
Now, to be *slightly* topical, I’ll close by continuing my advice to Michael in reference to Republican’s post 63. There is a rule on some American political blogs: “DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS”
Thai studies conference underway
Teth,
No tongue-in-cheek, although literally speaking the tongue can never be on the cheek…
I was not being sarcastic in my post, I totally was being sincere in my wrong call made about your wrong call.
The electorate and the “acute state of Thai politics”
Reply to #56: It gets better and better: a Thai Studies academic calling for censorship of an academic blog in which he is criticized. Given the closeness of your political views to those of the CNS and the royalists as demonstrated above (# 45 and #52) it’s not surprising to me that you have the same reaction to criticism – try to censor it (by appealing to NM to ban posts you do not like) or refuse to respond (to the great majority of people on this blog and on Thai webboards who use pennames). You have no qualms about calling a government elected by the Thai people a “monstrosity”, but when you get called pretentious or hypocritical you start talking about what statements NM should deem “permissible” or not.
I’ve got to say, your constant whining about “abuse” and “insults” annoys the hell out of me. There has been no “insulting personal criticism” on this thread, only criticism of your argument. If you can’t distinguish the two then you have a sad understanding of academic debate. There has also been no “abuse” or “insults”, unless you call criticism of an argument “abuse” or an “insult”. As for “name-calling”, well you’ve indulged in it yourself, so complaining about it here is like the pot calling the kettle black.
So I take these false accusations to be a disingenuous attempt to close down the argument, as you tried to do twice before (#1 and #38), because you are incapable of defending what you write.
What really surprises me is that you insist that your work is inspired by political objectives (“…in the real world of politics…” etc.) but you seemed shocked when someone actually wants to debate you. Isn’t this what politics is all about? If you can’t put up with vigorous debate then perhaps you ought to change your field from politics to ornithology or crochet. Again, your position in regard to debate is all too similar to the CNS and the royalists: their disdain for the free, messy, cut-and-thrust nature of debate that is characteristic of democratic politics.
Lastly, in response:
1. “…Republican may also be surprised to learn that people take on very difficult issues in Thailand using their own name, and bravely address questions of injustice while using the symbolism of the monarchy to advance their cause. …”
Really? I had absolutely no idea. Thank you for enlightening me about the unknown deeds of these brave souls, among whose number no doubt you count yourself. The poor Thai people have so much to be grateful to you for.
2. “…The idea that human rights activists are hypocrites unless they also attack the monarchy sums up the sterile-abstract radicalism of the position…”
How is it “radical” to ask that the same standards for human rights be applied to all? If two sides violate human rights and you only attack the one, then this is by definition hypocritical. I can’t see how you can argue otherwise.
3. “…While the exchange may have been ‘tiresome’ for Republican, I think it has been useful….”
No, no; I said it was your sarcasm I found tiresome, not the exchanges (your reading comprehension is poor in places). I agree they have been useful, in revealing your true position. What a pity you are cutting them short. I was waiting to hear you explain on what evidence you base your claim that “…[the king] would be happy to be subject to equal treatment in matters of law…”
The King Never Smiles?
р╕Юр╕зр╕Бр╕Щр╕гр╕Б р╣Ар╕ер╕зр╕гр╕░р╕вр╕│ р╕Эр╕гр╕▒р╣Ир╕Зр╕Кр╕▒р╣Ир╕зр╕Бр╕ер╣Йр╕▓р╣Бр╕Хр╣Ир╕Зр╣Ар╕гр╕╖р╣Ир╕нр╕Зр╣Вр╕Бр╕лр╕Бр╕бр╕▓р╕Чр╕│р╕гр╣Йр╕▓р╕вр╣Гр╕Щр╕лр╕ер╕зр╕Зр╣Бр╕ер╕░р╕Юр╕гр╕░р╕гр╕▓р╕Кр╕зр╕Зр╕ир╣Мр╕Хр╣Ир╕│р╕Чр╕гр╕▓р╕бр╕Ир╕гр╕┤р╕З
р╕Чр╕гр╕Зр╕Юр╕гр╕░р╣Ар╕Ир╕гр╕┤р╕Н
Ministers at the Arunachal Pradesh Manau
Given that there are numerous Jinghpaw dialect, like Gauri for example, and that other Kachin tribes like the Maru, Lashi, Atsi, and Rawang have dialects (especially the Rawang, who I think have something like 75-100 dialects), there as both of you, Nicholas and Jon, note there’s a lot of ethnonyms out there. The Lisu also are interesting since not all of them consider themselves Kachin. However, I think the Kachins are in competition for linguistic diversity with the Chins and Nagas; they’ve all got plenty of diversity.
While there was quite a bit of migration among the Kachins during the 19th and continuing through to the 20th century (if I’m not mistaken the Jinghpaw in the Kengtung area migrated in the 20th century), there were migrations before that date. There was an important migration of Jinghpaws from the Putao region to the Northern Shan States 7 generations ago, and assuming that the Jinghpaw “generation” is roughly equivalent to the biblical “generation” of about 40 years, that would place the migration around 280 years ago. It is interesting that it is claimed the Singpho were there before the Ahom, since I have heard Kachins say the Tai, and Khmer for that matter, proceeded them in some locations. Maybe the Flat Mountain was closer to NE India.
As for the Naga claiming the Singpho in thIR family, that isn’t going too far compared to some of the claims I’ve heard. Several years ago, a Kachin and Wa told me a migration story that claims the Kachin, Wa, and Chin are brothers. Just last Fall, a Chin told me the identical story, without the Wa aspect. I’ve also heard, and read, of Kachin claims of kinship with the Gurhkas. While the Tai people aren’t exactly in the brotherhood, Shan from the Shan-majority areas of the Kachin State were in the KIA/KIO, as is noted in Bertil Lintner’s book “Land of Jade”.
A few years ago I was out visiting some of my friends at one of the Yuchi aka Euchee ceremonial grounds. We got into a discussion about the fact that although the Yuchis are a distinct tribe, politically they are part of the Muscogee Creek Nation. The reason for this is that several centuries ago, the Yuchis joined the then Muscogee Confederacy. As one of the Yuchis noted, it wasn’t a confederacy of mutual interests, it was a confederacy of mutual enemies. Maybe the Nagas define “family” in a similar way.
The electorate and the “acute state of Thai politics”
Land of Snarls,
As Dickie Simpkins says, social reality conflicts with purity — so my idea is that Somsak and Republican’s social reality here seems to be both determined to be the alpha, or silverback and promote their purity unto us all! Andrew and Nicholas don’t seem to get involved with these ‘I’m not wrong’ opinionated debates because from my perspective, as seen here, they become savage — especially when both arguing are right… and that maybe Michael with his well thought out responses might want to consider this. The irony is simply that I can see I am a barbarous peon on here, so I thought you could relate to this if you saw it too.
Sorry sir, we are not willing to cover Thong Daeng
……here is a link to a lovely set of expressionist style paintings of Thailand’s most famous canines, the Bangkok Soi Dogs…….
http://www.chriscolesgallery.com/soi_dogs_bangkok.htm
The electorate and the “acute state of Thai politics”
Grasshopper #60:
“I take it you do not like being a barbaric peon without irony?” I don’t get it. Please expand & elucidate. I hope it’s sanook…
re. yr comments on Somsak & Republican: I can agree with you on Republican, whose terminally boring & obsessively repetitive posts, in which he seems absolutely dedicated to demolishing (as if he could!) people like Thongchai & Michael , who write extremely well-reasoned & informative stuff, & valuable too, whether one agrees with everything they say or not, take up so much space.
As far as Ajarn Somsak is concerned, I don’t see him as having a “condescending & know it all tone.” I think all his hyperactive postings in that recent period were triggered off by a reaction to Samak’s comments on CNN & Al jazeera, & the consequent discussion. As he said, he was amazed at the interest – he didn’t think anyone cared. His demand that farang academics, & Michael in particular, should condemn the royals was unrealistic and impractical, & Michael dealt with it in a reasonable manner, even though Somsak was unwilling to see that. He was somewhat ‘off the rails.’ Well, I can understand that, given the circumstances, although I don’t agree with his targeting of Michael. And I don’t think it would be a good idea for him to target anyone here, in the way he has been doing it. I think the whole episode is rather sad.
The bottom line of that particular issue is that, in a situation where hardly anyone in a population of about 65million seems to genuinely give a damn about Tula 6 & 14 ( not to mention all the other massacres), and those who do are commonly regarded as dangerously subversive, perhaps there is other more important work to be done. Governments, rulers, & laws (& their application!) change as a result of societal change, IMHO. They change because they become unacceptable.
BTW, I’m wearing black for 100 days. HMK is connected with an institution I work for. (I won’t get into my frustrations with it, which have nothing to do with the royal connexion.) I also work for 2 projects (1 for 4 yrs) which were under the patronage of Phra Pinang, as a volunteer. Both are really well-run & socially constructive, not least because about 50 Thai people are donating time & ‘hands-on’ skills to them, and sincerely & passionately espousing their aims. The ‘black’ thing hasn’t been discussed – a waste of time, really. So, my view is ‘when in Rome…’
I must say I like Dickie Simpkins’ remarks on purity & hopeless purists, and his affirmation of the value of Michael’s work – but, as for his advice to go to Bkk Eats, I dunno about that. Maybe he was joking. I took a look at the site – awful! All the restaurants are very expensive, the food is either farang or farang versions of Thai, and the photos show hideously stingey servings. I think I’ll have to start my own Snarlyfood.com site!
The King Never Smiles?
Back to the subject. The King can smile:
http://absolutelybangkok.com/photos/index.php?showimage=56
Communist garlic threatens Thai culture
I have been meaning to blog on this simply as this author has written previous articles just quoting FTAWatch talking points of FTAs kill farmers mantra
If Thai garlic is so good – “Thai garlic is better in taste and medicinal properties, such as preventing cancer. Consumers want to buy Thai garlic” – why can’t it command a premium price?
And if it is so good, why is it “difficult for consumers to tell the difference” between imported garlic and Thai garlic?
It would get a premium price if consumers thought it was so much better. Second, if Thai garlic makes up to two-thirds of the market exactly, how difficult can it be to find? How exactly do consumers have less choices when they now can not only buy Thai garlic, but also Chinese garlic?
At a time when there are concerns about higher food prices, it is interesting for FTAWatch to be so concerned about cheaper food options.
The electorate and the “acute state of Thai politics”
re 59, both write here with a condescending, know it all tone, which brow beats to the conclusion where I discover the original intent — and secondly, yes. I take it you do not like being a barbaric peon without irony?
Also, I used ‘unto’ in that last sentence in a slightly biblical way without realising. Perhaps I have been influenced too much by Somsak and Republican. Next thing they will have me rolling sticks and preaching my perspective unto all who I can corner!!!
Communist garlic threatens Thai culture
Oh dear, is this a sign that a variation of nihonjinron is developing in Thai society?
What’s next, the Thai Ministry of Agriculture justifying a ban on U.S. beef imports by claiming that Thai intestines are longer than Westerners’ intestines?
Ministers at the Arunachal Pradesh Manau
Jon and Aiontay, and everyone,
Certainly there are many different ethnonyms in use among the various “Kachin”.
All of the categories in contemporary use have now been influenced by the schemes of ethnic demarcation introduced in China (mostly after 1949), in India (since well before independence) and in Burma (in messy and sometimes inconsistent ways). Today, as you know, the official categorisation of the “Kachin” in Burma covers 6 major “sub-groups”, sometimes called “tribes”. These include the Rawang and Lisu. All of these categorisations seem to be open to continued contestation. For example, there are reportedly some Naga nationalists on the Indian side of the border who see all “Singpho” as a part of the “Naga” family. Is this going too far?
The various uses of “Jinghpaw Wunpawng” (which has become an umbrella term within the Kachin state) is something that Mandy Sadan has written a great deal about. This is the term for the mass of different groups that has been widely used in the Kachin state (and I have even seen it used in areas of south-western China) in recent times.
As for the longer-term evolution of the terminology, I’m not really sure. But these are all good questions. I have heard it claimed that the Singpho (under that name?) have been in northeast India since before the Ahom kings arrived. This takes it back a whole other step.
Very keen to continue this conversation.
Best wishes to all,
Nich
Ministers at the Arunachal Pradesh Manau
I seem to vaguely remember mass migrations into the “Kachin” states during the 19th century. Maybe that was in Leach’s book. I’ll check. And Mandy Sadan’s work. Thanks for the reference.
I’ve met so many “Kachins” who refer to themselves by a more specific ethnonym and I know that Jingphaw and Kachin is one of the most linguistically diverse groups of the world. This archaeologist told me about it on the train back to Yangon from Pagan one time. I forgot his name. (His mother was Scottish and taught at Mandalay University?) Anyway there are probably just as good Chinese sources from the Qing dynasty that can be used to get a better picture of the changing ethno-political landscape of the Kachin states between 1644 and 1885 during the third Anglo-Burmese War when the “Kachins” are very visible in the accounts. Maybe Mandy Sadan has already looked at the Qing sources?
“Lee Kuan Yew – ANU is not for you!”
The way some comments decribe Lee is somewhat the language used on true dictors in the world we live in such as Fidel Castro, Kim jong il and propably the late Marcos of Phillipines. Please…. some of the most commonly argued topics in Singapore is the obesity of our children and the stress they get from their over emphasised education.
As for the middle class Singaporeans, taxi drivers n such, $$ will never be enough, no matter which society that adopts capitalism. Look at the UK, governement welfare schemes proved to be unsustainable even with the rich wealth inherited through to the great Victorian age, and needed the iron lady Margret Thatcher to save them. Wait… but while saving them she created a huge gap in the economy of the UK. I see Rolls Royce zooming pass the streets of London, with beggars (British citizens) staring blankly as it goes by. Gladly we dont have that in Singapore and why? Thanks to Lee and his old guards.
Well, not awarding him an honory award is creditable if the Dons and directors of ANU feel that he doesnt deserve it, Margret and Tony Blair were refused honory from their own University Oxford. Oh wait… Cambridge did not reject LEe…. ANU is better in human rights research and Asian political science than Cambridge???
Interview with Professor Janet Sturgeon
Thank you for the interview with the good professor. I would very much like to share with her the findings of my own research for the Rockefeller Foundation in upland areas of the GMS. She may find it useful as background to her work.
In addition, I would be pleased to facilitate any additional research that she may wish to pursue in Akha villages located at the Doi Tung Development Project in Chiangrai Province, Northern Thailand, that she can visit very easily to do some comparative research.
I shall now look for her books.
Ministers at the Arunachal Pradesh Manau
Jon,
You may have already looked there, and it probably won’t have what you’re looking for, but Leach’s book “Political Systems of Highland Burma” does mention historical references for the Singhpo/Jinghpaw etc if I remember correctly.
Thai studies conference underway
Dickie,
I shall tread with caution here because I don’t detect sarcasm in your post, but do suspect it… In any case, in my time of trawling the internet, so many things are said tongue-in-cheek that are not meant to be tongue-in-cheek…
A flood of Chinese garlic?
[…] New Mandala readers may know that I have a keen interest in garlic. I have previously blogged about the overstated impacts of the agricultural trade […]