” . . . . Thaksin’s more or less disinterested kids.” – is true only because of the reality that both Thaksin and Potjaman kept an iron grip on the Shinawatra finances micro-managing and massaging the Shin enterprise share price while Thaksin Shinawatra was Prime Minister of Thailand.
Thaksin’s more or less disinterested kids have really no clue about AmpleRich and WinMark and any other offshore vehicles that father Thaksin or mother Potjaman may have cooked up to hide Thaksin’s assets while PM, or, to manipulate (insider trading) Shin stock price. When Thaksin is brought to judicial trial for the AmpleRich-WinMark affair, we will all be entertained by how ‘disinterested’ those multi-billionaire Thaksin kids truly were.
But the CP notoriety, even on money matters, have been the staple of hi-so rumors quickly circulated. How true is it that the CP’s mega-extravagance was encouraged and financed by then PM Thaksin himself while he was in power?
Let us hope for the sake of a free Burma, that some troops are beginning to fall away from those dictators so willing to ruthlessly destroy their own people. And let us hope for the sake of a free Burma, that people understand their lives can only be free if they act as one people and walk away as one people from the dictatorship. Even heartless, fat dictators cannot resist a statement made by all the people. Even fanatics with all the power fall when people decide to say, No more…
Fill the streets with humanity saying NO….
Burma is a wonderful country full of wonderful people who have suffered too long under the selfish yoke of slavery to miserable military thugs. Long live Aung San Suu Kyi who said to her fellow Burmese: “The quintessential revolution is that of the spirit” Fill the streets.
“In Thailand, something – the king perhaps? – has prevented the Mahidol children from being that rapacious, if they had it in them. Thaksin’s family was taking that path though.” I’m not quite sure what Mr Handley is getting at here. The monarchy in Thailand far outstrips the Suharto family for wealth, so perhaps he is simply referring to personal corruption? How do we know for Thailand? It is all secret. Rumours of the prince’s appetite for the good life are ever present. Stories of Chulabhorn’s fashion fetishes perhaps rival Imelda Marcos stories. And Ubolrat seems to anger jewellery store owners by not paying for her “purchases”. But these are all rumours because no one is allowed to investigate and publish.
Then, what about pouring billions of baht into dubious “scientific” projects? Rain-making, etc.? Rapaciousness, perhaps not? Corruption? Maybe?
And, I would have thought that these royal children were far more rapacious than Thaksin’s more or less disinterested kids.
Similar events at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill:
1) SE Asia Interest Association Announcement
Many of you have been following the news recently about the monk protests in Burma. In light of these recent demonstrations, SEAIA will host events next week to raise awareness about the current situation in Burma and help answer any questions surrounding these
political developments. We hope that you will join us:
*Screening of Do-Ayay: Our Cause
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2ND
PHILLIPS 328, 6-8PM
Do-Ayay: Our Cause is a documentary by the Freedom Campaign on the efforts toward peaceful reform and democratization in the largest country in mainland Southeast Asia. Listen to testimony from courageous native activists as well as world leaders on the necessity for change as well as paths to action in the face of the ruling military junta. Hear the uplifting words of Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, as she reflects the desires and aspirations of the Burmese people for a future of solidarity and peace. A student-led discussion facilitated by former SEAIA International Outreach co-chairs will follow the screening of this film.
2) A Public Talk
Dr. Susanne Prager Nyein
Dr. Tun Kyaw Nyein
Burma’s Political Crisis
Over the past few weeks, Burma’s military regime of more than four decades has faced a level of opposition that has not been seen since 1988. With Buddhist monks at the forefront of recent demonstrations, the protesters are now calling for democracy and political reform. Is this a turning point or will the military crackdown on the democracy activists? The speakers will assess the current situation and the likely outcomes.
Dr. Susanne Prager Nyein received her Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Heidelberg. Her dissertation was a study on the prevalent ideas and concepts in Burma’s nationalist movement, explored through the prism of its leader Aung San. Dr Prager Nyein’s research interests include the relationship between politics and millenarian Buddhism and concepts of state and power in Burma. She is a Visiting Scholar with the Carolina Asia Center.
Dr. Tun Kyaw Nyein is Interim Dean, University College, North Carolina Central University. As a leader of the 1974 pro-democracy uprising in Burma, he was imprisoned for nearly 5 years, and left Burma in 1983. He received his medical degree from Rangoon Medical College and his Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Wednesday, October 3, 2005, 5:30 – 7:00 PM
FedEx Global Education Center 1005
Carolina Asia Center Seminar Series/Co-sponsored with the Southeast Asia Interest Association
Good comment from Sonthi.
At last, why did he say only China and Korea that want resources from burma.
Why didn’t he say how much they have been squeezing the neck of Burma.
anyway, it’s impressive that he still knows that burma is its neighbor.
At last, he still cares for Relationship.
This is probably the best photo collection of the protests I’ve seen so far.
One interesting thing related to how the outside views Southeast Asia comes from this.
Burmese and non-Burmese colleagues of mine have been commenting on the ubiquity of references to a “saffron revolution.” They point out, quite simply, that most Burmese monks wear red robes.
So should it be “paprika revolution” instead?
I’m not sure, but I wonder, is using the word “saffron” to describe monk’s robes a reflex on the part of a West that knows Thailand (and to a lesser extent, Laos and Cambodia) better than its troubled neighbor? After all, Thai monks do wear orange robes which share the brilliant hue of that most expensive of spices (which, to my knowledge, rarely figures in Southeast Asian cuisines despite the Indian influence).
I remember the New York Times ran an article in 2000 which gushed about “Thai lemongrass.” I thought at the time that perhaps people don’t want to know about Burmese or even Indonesian lemongrass–too much poverty political turmoil in those places! Not to mention that Thailand has been much more adept at marketing itself overall.
One final note: Awzar Thi is dead on when he makes a comparison between so-called “pro-government” militias in Burma and the organized paramilitaries operating in Thailand in the 1970s. I wonder if these people in Burma are initiated in a similar way to the Village Scouts in 1970s Thailand as described in Katherine Bowie’s scary book on the subject.
Dear thaiboy: It is nice that you love your country and your king. But the idea that every Thai shares your view is just silly. I have lived in Thailand for years and have known Thailand for 4 decades, and I can affirm that there are plenty of Thais who do not accept the nationalist ideology you subscribe to. There are also many who do not accept the infallibility of the current king.
In Thailand, something – the king perhaps? – has prevented the Mahidol children from being that rapacious, if they had it in them.
Actually, that “something” is defenitely NOT the king, but a small event call the ‘Change of Government’ (i.e. revolution) on 24 June 1932 which henceforth deprived the royal family of any direct administrative role in government or the economy. Considered this formal prohibition, the ‘Mahidol children’ haven’t done so bad, don’t you think?
About your treatment of Anan death, here’s my brief comment, excerped from an article on the case :
р╕ер╣Ир╕▓р╕кр╕╕р╕Ф р╕Ьр╕бр╕нр╕Фр╣Бр╕Ыр╕ер╕Бр╣Гр╕Ир╣Бр╕ер╕░р╕Ьр╕┤р╕Фр╕лр╕зр╕▒р╕Зр╣Ар╕ер╣Зр╕Бр╕Щр╣Йр╕нр╕вр╣Др╕бр╣Ир╣Др╕Фр╣Й р╣Ар╕бр╕╖р╣Ир╕нр╕нр╣Ир╕▓р╕Щ The King Never Smiles (р╕лр╕Щр╣Йр╕▓ 76-79) р╣Бр╕ер╕░р╕Юр╕Ър╕зр╣Ир╕▓ р╣Ар╕бр╕╖р╣Ир╕нр╕Ър╕гр╕гр╕вр╕▓р╕вр╕Цр╕╢р╕Зр╕Бр╕гр╕Ур╕╡р╕кр╕зр╕гр╕гр╕Др╕Х р╕Ьр╕╣р╣Йр╣Ар╕Вр╕╡р╕вр╕Щ (Paul M Handley) р╣Бр╕Чр╕Ър╣Др╕бр╣Ир╕бр╕╡р╕нр╕░р╣Др╕гр╣Гр╕лр╕бр╣Ир╣Ар╕ер╕в р╕Щр╕╡р╣Ир╣Др╕бр╣Ир╣Гр╕Кр╣Ир╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╕зр╕┤р╕Ир╕▓р╕гр╕Ур╣Мр╣Ар╕кр╕╡р╕вр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ар╕Фр╕╡р╕вр╕з р╣Ар╕Юр╕гр╕▓р╕░р╕Ьр╕╣р╣Йр╣Ар╕Вр╕╡р╕вр╕Щр╣Ар╕нр╕Зр╕гр╕╣р╣Йр╕Хр╕▒р╕зр╣Бр╕ер╕░р╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╣Ар╕Вр╕╡р╕вр╕Щр╕вр╕нр╕бр╕гр╕▒р╕Ър╣Др╕зр╣Йр╣Ар╕нр╕З (р╕Фр╕╣р╕Ир╕Фр╕лр╕бр╕▓р╕вр╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╣Ар╕Вр╕▓р╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╣Вр╕Хр╣Йр╕Хр╕нр╕Ър╕Др╕│р╕зр╕┤р╕Ир╕▓р╕гр╕Ур╣Мр╕Вр╕нр╕З Grant Evans р╣Гр╕Щ Far Eastern Economic Review, November 2006: “I have said little new from what has been in print for years. . . . I have no idea whether Ananda shot himself or was killed. . .”) р╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╕Ир╕гр╕┤р╕Зр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕зр╣Ир╕▓ р╣Бр╕ор╕Щр╕ер╕╡р╣Ир╕вр╣Мр╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╕Юр╕╣р╕Фр╕Цр╕╢р╕Зр╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╣Др╕Ыр╣Др╕Фр╣Й 2 р╕Чр╕▓р╕Зр╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╕кр╕зр╕гр╕гр╕Др╕Хр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╕гр╕▒р╕Ър╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╕вр╕нр╕бр╕гр╕▒р╕Ър╕бр╕▓р╕Бр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕кр╕╕р╕Ф р╣Бр╕Хр╣Ир╣Ар╕Вр╕▓р╣Ар╕Юр╕╡р╕вр╕Зр╣Бр╕Хр╣Ир╕кр╕гр╕╕р╕Ыр╕кр╕┤р╣Ир╕Зр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕бр╕╡р╕Ьр╕╣р╣Йр╣Ар╕кр╕Щр╕нр╣Др╕зр╣Йр╣Бр╕ер╣Йр╕з р╣Ар╕Вр╕▓р╣Др╕бр╣Ир╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╕зр╕┤р╣Ар╕Др╕гр╕▓р╕░р╕лр╣Мр╕лр╕гр╕╖р╕нр╕нр╕Шр╕┤р╕Ър╕▓р╕вр╣Гр╕лр╣Йр╣Ар╕лр╣Зр╕Щр╕зр╣Ир╕▓р╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╣Др╕Ыр╣Др╕Фр╣Й 2 р╕Чр╕▓р╕Зр╕Щр╕╡р╣Йр╕бр╕╡р╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕бр╕▓р╕нр╕вр╣Ир╕▓р╕Зр╣Др╕г р╕Чр╕│р╣Др╕бр╕Ир╕╢р╕Зр╕кр╕гр╕╕р╕Ыр╕зр╣Ир╕▓р╕бр╕╡р╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╣Др╕Ыр╣Др╕Фр╣Й 2 р╕Чр╕▓р╕Зр╕Щр╕╡р╣Й р╣Бр╕Хр╣Ир╕ер╕░р╕Чр╕▓р╕Зр╕бр╕╡р╕Ир╕╕р╕Фр╕нр╣Ир╕нр╕Щр╕Ир╕╕р╕Фр╣Бр╕Вр╣Зр╕Зр╕нр╕вр╣Ир╕▓р╕Зр╣Др╕г
Jon, I agree that someone making it to c-in-c and pulling off a successful coup can’t be entirely stupid, but he probably should have been even smarter, such as planning his own graceful exit and following through with strengthening democracy and civil society instead of disenfranchising (through martial law and intimidation) much of the population for fear of the “old powers”. As I don’t see the coup as a solution I can’t have sympathy for a coup maker so I’m certainly biased. But in my view Sonthi has failed to belie my first negative impression of him through word or action, acting instead on what looks like fear of reprisals and stumbling through a situation that’s over his head. The Nation and The Bangkok Post have reversed their opinion as today’s editorials show and the general looks more and more isolated. Sonthi is not Saprang but he might still be dangerous when cornered.
What’s with it with it with Australia? I blogged about the police reaction during APEC; I linked to shocking videos of police brutality there. The images have stuck in my mind. What you saw at APEC was systematic and gratuitous thuggery. Yet as far as I know, there were no investigations.
When are Australian going to start holding their goverment accountable? Aussie cops are good, decent men and women. They the among the best police in the world. It’s absolutely the goverment that is out of control. It’s the instructions it gives them.
At my blog, if you scoll way down past the Burma posts, you’ll see Jotman’s perspective on Australia. It ain’t pretty.
Krid: “It will be a cold day in hell before we see any investigation into the drug war, Tak Bai, Krue Sae, southern disappearances with any uniformed perpetrator being brought to justice.”
Along with “police reform” which they tabled two times for a couple of days and then promptly disappeared. Still waiting for one of those valiant academics to do a PhD dissertation on this topic, which far outranks all the postmodernist discourse stuff you see nowadays in importance. It’s amazing how many city dwellers are completely unaware of what happening in the countryside of their country.
“…he’s of very limited intelligence…”
Even though I don’t like him and certainly hope that he stays out of politics, the fact that he pulled off a bloodless coup and transition period compared to 1992, indicates that he is neither: 1. mad, nor 2. stupid.
It will be interesting to see if he manages to wriggle himself into the cabinet. I’d still like to see good demographic studies on opinions and attitudes before attributing things to massive analytical categories like the “Bangkok middle class.”
I have lived in Luang Prabang and worked in tourism here for several years now. The whole Vang Pao incident has scared the bejeezus out of the Lao government. Just after news of this broke in June, all of us heads of tourism bodies (I was the only westerner present as the meeting was conducted in Lao) were corralled into the Provincial Tourism Office, where Vang Pao’s crimes against humanity were read by a visibly shaken/enraged/terrified military officer. These ranged from stealing soldiers paychecks back in 1960 to defaulting on personal loans in California to armed resistance against the government. I did my best not to snicker at the whole affair as everyone else was dead serious. After several hours, the whole Vang Pao denunciation was finally finished, but then the military commander made one final chilling statement: “Be careful if you take westerners trekking. An order has been made by Vang Pao to his associates (presumably Hmong) to kidnap western hikers in the woods.”
After that the town was placed on curfew, as many towns in the north were. One wasn’t to be out after 10 pm and there were police and military out each night. I didn’t really understand how the curfew was to keep Vang Pao’s people from doing any harm, as they would have been quite able to move about freely in the daytime!
Anyway, since then, the curfew has been lifted, no one kidnapped near Luang Prabang and everything else is still calm and languid as ever.
I was not able to attend the gathering on Thursday. Is anything planned for thi9s weekend in the way of a peaceful protest? I am Buddhist also of the Theravada practice. I have sent emails to friends around the world and would like to know of any peaceful (perhaps Buddhist) protests.
Please let me know
cheers
Brian
Wow, this topic surely brings out people’s emotions. As those of us in country can not run down to the local bookstore and pick up a copy of the book, I can not comment on the books contents.
But the topic does raise some questions about how those of us from the outside living in the country deal with this topic. On the one hand, coming from a “democratic tradition” one feels entitled to express one’s feelings and opinions on any topic; on the other hand, local sensibilities need to be considered if one intends to live in this country. I have had to bite my tongue at times while working and living here on several occasions. To any scholar or objective individual, the concept of any person actually be infallible is not aligned with reality. On the other hand, the “image” of the monarchy is obviously a source of pride and solidarity for the Thai people. But, how does a monarchy fit into a democratic country? “All men are created equal?” How does a country move forward while clinging to institutions that are more aligned with conditions in the 18th century than the 21st?
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Unconfirmed report from Burma
I am in the habit of hoping falsely; hopefully this time it will not be in vain! It would be fantastic if confirmed!
Paul Handley replies to comments
” . . . . Thaksin’s more or less disinterested kids.” – is true only because of the reality that both Thaksin and Potjaman kept an iron grip on the Shinawatra finances micro-managing and massaging the Shin enterprise share price while Thaksin Shinawatra was Prime Minister of Thailand.
Thaksin’s more or less disinterested kids have really no clue about AmpleRich and WinMark and any other offshore vehicles that father Thaksin or mother Potjaman may have cooked up to hide Thaksin’s assets while PM, or, to manipulate (insider trading) Shin stock price. When Thaksin is brought to judicial trial for the AmpleRich-WinMark affair, we will all be entertained by how ‘disinterested’ those multi-billionaire Thaksin kids truly were.
But the CP notoriety, even on money matters, have been the staple of hi-so rumors quickly circulated. How true is it that the CP’s mega-extravagance was encouraged and financed by then PM Thaksin himself while he was in power?
Unconfirmed report from Burma
Let us hope for the sake of a free Burma, that some troops are beginning to fall away from those dictators so willing to ruthlessly destroy their own people. And let us hope for the sake of a free Burma, that people understand their lives can only be free if they act as one people and walk away as one people from the dictatorship. Even heartless, fat dictators cannot resist a statement made by all the people. Even fanatics with all the power fall when people decide to say, No more…
Fill the streets with humanity saying NO….
Burma is a wonderful country full of wonderful people who have suffered too long under the selfish yoke of slavery to miserable military thugs. Long live Aung San Suu Kyi who said to her fellow Burmese: “The quintessential revolution is that of the spirit” Fill the streets.
Paul Handley replies to comments
“In Thailand, something – the king perhaps? – has prevented the Mahidol children from being that rapacious, if they had it in them. Thaksin’s family was taking that path though.” I’m not quite sure what Mr Handley is getting at here. The monarchy in Thailand far outstrips the Suharto family for wealth, so perhaps he is simply referring to personal corruption? How do we know for Thailand? It is all secret. Rumours of the prince’s appetite for the good life are ever present. Stories of Chulabhorn’s fashion fetishes perhaps rival Imelda Marcos stories. And Ubolrat seems to anger jewellery store owners by not paying for her “purchases”. But these are all rumours because no one is allowed to investigate and publish.
Then, what about pouring billions of baht into dubious “scientific” projects? Rain-making, etc.? Rapaciousness, perhaps not? Corruption? Maybe?
And, I would have thought that these royal children were far more rapacious than Thaksin’s more or less disinterested kids.
Roundtable discussion at the University of Michigan
Similar events at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill:
1) SE Asia Interest Association Announcement
Many of you have been following the news recently about the monk protests in Burma. In light of these recent demonstrations, SEAIA will host events next week to raise awareness about the current situation in Burma and help answer any questions surrounding these
political developments. We hope that you will join us:
*Screening of Do-Ayay: Our Cause
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2ND
PHILLIPS 328, 6-8PM
Do-Ayay: Our Cause is a documentary by the Freedom Campaign on the efforts toward peaceful reform and democratization in the largest country in mainland Southeast Asia. Listen to testimony from courageous native activists as well as world leaders on the necessity for change as well as paths to action in the face of the ruling military junta. Hear the uplifting words of Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, as she reflects the desires and aspirations of the Burmese people for a future of solidarity and peace. A student-led discussion facilitated by former SEAIA International Outreach co-chairs will follow the screening of this film.
2) A Public Talk
Dr. Susanne Prager Nyein
Dr. Tun Kyaw Nyein
Burma’s Political Crisis
Over the past few weeks, Burma’s military regime of more than four decades has faced a level of opposition that has not been seen since 1988. With Buddhist monks at the forefront of recent demonstrations, the protesters are now calling for democracy and political reform. Is this a turning point or will the military crackdown on the democracy activists? The speakers will assess the current situation and the likely outcomes.
Dr. Susanne Prager Nyein received her Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Heidelberg. Her dissertation was a study on the prevalent ideas and concepts in Burma’s nationalist movement, explored through the prism of its leader Aung San. Dr Prager Nyein’s research interests include the relationship between politics and millenarian Buddhism and concepts of state and power in Burma. She is a Visiting Scholar with the Carolina Asia Center.
Dr. Tun Kyaw Nyein is Interim Dean, University College, North Carolina Central University. As a leader of the 1974 pro-democracy uprising in Burma, he was imprisoned for nearly 5 years, and left Burma in 1983. He received his medical degree from Rangoon Medical College and his Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Wednesday, October 3, 2005, 5:30 – 7:00 PM
FedEx Global Education Center 1005
Carolina Asia Center Seminar Series/Co-sponsored with the Southeast Asia Interest Association
Thailand’s mad junta
Good comment from Sonthi.
At last, why did he say only China and Korea that want resources from burma.
Why didn’t he say how much they have been squeezing the neck of Burma.
anyway, it’s impressive that he still knows that burma is its neighbor.
At last, he still cares for Relationship.
Vang Pao aftermath on the upper Mekong
re: Khili> I don’t see what Laos is so upset about. After all, the U.S. played ball and imprisoned the fellow.
Saffron Revolution photos
This is probably the best photo collection of the protests I’ve seen so far.
One interesting thing related to how the outside views Southeast Asia comes from this.
Burmese and non-Burmese colleagues of mine have been commenting on the ubiquity of references to a “saffron revolution.” They point out, quite simply, that most Burmese monks wear red robes.
So should it be “paprika revolution” instead?
I’m not sure, but I wonder, is using the word “saffron” to describe monk’s robes a reflex on the part of a West that knows Thailand (and to a lesser extent, Laos and Cambodia) better than its troubled neighbor? After all, Thai monks do wear orange robes which share the brilliant hue of that most expensive of spices (which, to my knowledge, rarely figures in Southeast Asian cuisines despite the Indian influence).
I remember the New York Times ran an article in 2000 which gushed about “Thai lemongrass.” I thought at the time that perhaps people don’t want to know about Burmese or even Indonesian lemongrass–too much poverty political turmoil in those places! Not to mention that Thailand has been much more adept at marketing itself overall.
One final note: Awzar Thi is dead on when he makes a comparison between so-called “pro-government” militias in Burma and the organized paramilitaries operating in Thailand in the 1970s. I wonder if these people in Burma are initiated in a similar way to the Village Scouts in 1970s Thailand as described in Katherine Bowie’s scary book on the subject.
The King Never Smiles?
Dear thaiboy: It is nice that you love your country and your king. But the idea that every Thai shares your view is just silly. I have lived in Thailand for years and have known Thailand for 4 decades, and I can affirm that there are plenty of Thais who do not accept the nationalist ideology you subscribe to. There are also many who do not accept the infallibility of the current king.
Paul Handley replies to comments
In Thailand, something – the king perhaps? – has prevented the Mahidol children from being that rapacious, if they had it in them.
Actually, that “something” is defenitely NOT the king, but a small event call the ‘Change of Government’ (i.e. revolution) on 24 June 1932 which henceforth deprived the royal family of any direct administrative role in government or the economy. Considered this formal prohibition, the ‘Mahidol children’ haven’t done so bad, don’t you think?
About your treatment of Anan death, here’s my brief comment, excerped from an article on the case :
р╕ер╣Ир╕▓р╕кр╕╕р╕Ф р╕Ьр╕бр╕нр╕Фр╣Бр╕Ыр╕ер╕Бр╣Гр╕Ир╣Бр╕ер╕░р╕Ьр╕┤р╕Фр╕лр╕зр╕▒р╕Зр╣Ар╕ер╣Зр╕Бр╕Щр╣Йр╕нр╕вр╣Др╕бр╣Ир╣Др╕Фр╣Й р╣Ар╕бр╕╖р╣Ир╕нр╕нр╣Ир╕▓р╕Щ The King Never Smiles (р╕лр╕Щр╣Йр╕▓ 76-79) р╣Бр╕ер╕░р╕Юр╕Ър╕зр╣Ир╕▓ р╣Ар╕бр╕╖р╣Ир╕нр╕Ър╕гр╕гр╕вр╕▓р╕вр╕Цр╕╢р╕Зр╕Бр╕гр╕Ур╕╡р╕кр╕зр╕гр╕гр╕Др╕Х р╕Ьр╕╣р╣Йр╣Ар╕Вр╕╡р╕вр╕Щ (Paul M Handley) р╣Бр╕Чр╕Ър╣Др╕бр╣Ир╕бр╕╡р╕нр╕░р╣Др╕гр╣Гр╕лр╕бр╣Ир╣Ар╕ер╕в р╕Щр╕╡р╣Ир╣Др╕бр╣Ир╣Гр╕Кр╣Ир╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╕зр╕┤р╕Ир╕▓р╕гр╕Ур╣Мр╣Ар╕кр╕╡р╕вр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ар╕Фр╕╡р╕вр╕з р╣Ар╕Юр╕гр╕▓р╕░р╕Ьр╕╣р╣Йр╣Ар╕Вр╕╡р╕вр╕Щр╣Ар╕нр╕Зр╕гр╕╣р╣Йр╕Хр╕▒р╕зр╣Бр╕ер╕░р╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╣Ар╕Вр╕╡р╕вр╕Щр╕вр╕нр╕бр╕гр╕▒р╕Ър╣Др╕зр╣Йр╣Ар╕нр╕З (р╕Фр╕╣р╕Ир╕Фр╕лр╕бр╕▓р╕вр╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╣Ар╕Вр╕▓р╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╣Вр╕Хр╣Йр╕Хр╕нр╕Ър╕Др╕│р╕зр╕┤р╕Ир╕▓р╕гр╕Ур╣Мр╕Вр╕нр╕З Grant Evans р╣Гр╕Щ Far Eastern Economic Review, November 2006: “I have said little new from what has been in print for years. . . . I have no idea whether Ananda shot himself or was killed. . .”) р╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╕Ир╕гр╕┤р╕Зр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕зр╣Ир╕▓ р╣Бр╕ор╕Щр╕ер╕╡р╣Ир╕вр╣Мр╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╕Юр╕╣р╕Фр╕Цр╕╢р╕Зр╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╣Др╕Ыр╣Др╕Фр╣Й 2 р╕Чр╕▓р╕Зр╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╕кр╕зр╕гр╕гр╕Др╕Хр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╕гр╕▒р╕Ър╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╕вр╕нр╕бр╕гр╕▒р╕Ър╕бр╕▓р╕Бр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕кр╕╕р╕Ф р╣Бр╕Хр╣Ир╣Ар╕Вр╕▓р╣Ар╕Юр╕╡р╕вр╕Зр╣Бр╕Хр╣Ир╕кр╕гр╕╕р╕Ыр╕кр╕┤р╣Ир╕Зр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕бр╕╡р╕Ьр╕╣р╣Йр╣Ар╕кр╕Щр╕нр╣Др╕зр╣Йр╣Бр╕ер╣Йр╕з р╣Ар╕Вр╕▓р╣Др╕бр╣Ир╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╕зр╕┤р╣Ар╕Др╕гр╕▓р╕░р╕лр╣Мр╕лр╕гр╕╖р╕нр╕нр╕Шр╕┤р╕Ър╕▓р╕вр╣Гр╕лр╣Йр╣Ар╕лр╣Зр╕Щр╕зр╣Ир╕▓р╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╣Др╕Ыр╣Др╕Фр╣Й 2 р╕Чр╕▓р╕Зр╕Щр╕╡р╣Йр╕бр╕╡р╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕бр╕▓р╕нр╕вр╣Ир╕▓р╕Зр╣Др╕г р╕Чр╕│р╣Др╕бр╕Ир╕╢р╕Зр╕кр╕гр╕╕р╕Ыр╕зр╣Ир╕▓р╕бр╕╡р╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╣Др╕Ыр╣Др╕Фр╣Й 2 р╕Чр╕▓р╕Зр╕Щр╕╡р╣Й р╣Бр╕Хр╣Ир╕ер╕░р╕Чр╕▓р╕Зр╕бр╕╡р╕Ир╕╕р╕Фр╕нр╣Ир╕нр╕Щр╕Ир╕╕р╕Фр╣Бр╕Вр╣Зр╕Зр╕нр╕вр╣Ир╕▓р╕Зр╣Др╕г
р╣Гр╕Щр╕Чр╕▒р╕ир╕Щр╕░р╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╕Ьр╕б р╕Ыр╕▒р╕Нр╕лр╕▓р╣Др╕бр╣Ир╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╕нр╕вр╕╣р╣Ир╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕зр╣Ир╕▓ р╣Бр╕ор╕Щр╕ер╕╡р╣Ир╕вр╣Мр╣Др╕бр╣Ир╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╕бр╕╡р╕нр╕░р╣Др╕гр╕Юр╕╣р╕Фр╕Цр╕╢р╕Зр╕бр╕▓р╕Бр╣Др╕Ыр╕Бр╕зр╣Ир╕▓р╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕бр╕╡р╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╕Юр╕╣р╕Фр╕Бр╕▒р╕Щр╣Др╕зр╣Йр╣Бр╕ер╣Йр╕з р╣Бр╕Хр╣Ир╕Др╕╖р╕н р╣Ар╕Вр╕▓р╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╕Юр╕╣р╕Фр╕Щр╣Йр╕нр╕вр╕Бр╕зр╣Ир╕▓р╕кр╕┤р╣Ир╕Зр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕бр╕╡р╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╣Ар╕Ьр╕вр╣Бр╕Юр╕гр╣Ир╣Др╕зр╣Йр╣Бр╕ер╣Йр╕зр╕Др╕зр╕гр╕Ир╕░р╕Чр╕│р╣Гр╕лр╣Йр╣Ар╕Вр╕▓р╕Юр╕╣р╕Фр╣Др╕Фр╣Й р╕Юр╕╣р╕Фр╕нр╕╡р╕Бр╕нр╕вр╣Ир╕▓р╕Зр╕лр╕Щр╕╢р╣Ир╕Зр╕Др╕╖р╕н р╕Ир╕▓р╕Бр╕Вр╣Йр╕нр╕бр╕╣р╕ер╣Бр╕ер╕░р╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╕зр╕┤р╣Ар╕Др╕гр╕▓р╕░р╕лр╣Мр╕нр╕▒р╕Щр╕бр╕▓р╕Бр╕бр╕▓р╕в р╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕бр╕╡р╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╣Ар╕Ьр╕вр╣Бр╕Юр╕гр╣Ир╣Бр╕ер╣Йр╕з р╣Вр╕Фр╕вр╣Ар╕Йр╕Юр╕▓р╕░р╣Гр╕Щр╕ар╕▓р╕йр╕▓р╣Др╕Чр╕в р╣Бр╕ор╕Щр╕ер╕╡р╣Ир╕вр╣Мр╕Др╕зр╕гр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Ир╕░р╕кр╕▓р╕бр╕▓р╕гр╕Цр╣Ар╕Вр╕╡р╕вр╕Щр╕Цр╕╢р╕Зр╕Бр╕гр╕Ур╕╡р╕Щр╕╡р╣Йр╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╕Фр╕╡р╕Бр╕зр╣Ир╕▓р╕Щр╕╡р╣Й (р╕Бр╕гр╕Ур╕╡ 6 р╕Хр╕╕р╕ер╕▓ р╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╕нр╕╡р╕Бр╕Бр╕гр╕Ур╕╡р╕лр╕Щр╕╢р╣Ир╕Зр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Ьр╕бр╕гр╕╣р╣Йр╕кр╕╢р╕Бр╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╕лр╕ер╕▓р╕Фр╣Гр╕Ир╣Бр╕ер╕░р╕Ьр╕┤р╕Фр╕лр╕зр╕▒р╕Зр╣Гр╕Щр╕Чр╕│р╕Щр╕нр╕Зр╣Ар╕Фр╕╡р╕вр╕зр╕Бр╕▒р╕Щ) р╕Бр╕гр╕Ур╕╡р╕Ьр╕╣р╣Йр╣Ар╕Вр╕╡р╕вр╕Щр╕нр╕╖р╣Ир╕Щр╣Гр╕Щр╕гр╕░р╕вр╕░р╣Гр╕Бр╕ер╣Йр╣Жр╕Бр╕▒р╕Щ р╣Ар╕Кр╣Ир╕Щ р╕Бр╕нр╕Ър╣Ар╕Бр╕╖р╣Йр╕н (Kings, Country, Constitutions р╕лр╕Щр╣Йр╕▓ 132-137 р╣Бр╕ер╕░ 246-247) р╕Бр╣Зр╕Др╕ер╣Йр╕▓р╕вр╕Бр╕▒р╕Щ р╣Бр╕Хр╣Ир╣Бр╕вр╣Ир╕Бр╕зр╣Ир╕▓р╕бр╕▓р╕Б р╕Др╕╖р╕нр╣Др╕бр╣Ир╕Бр╕ер╣Йр╕▓р╣Бр╕бр╣Йр╣Бр╕Хр╣Ир╕Ир╕░р╕гр╕░р╕Ър╕╕р╣Гр╕лр╣Йр╕лр╕бр╕Ф (р╕нр╕вр╣Ир╕▓р╕зр╣Ир╕▓р╣Бр╕Хр╣Ир╕Ир╕░р╕Юр╕вр╕▓р╕вр╕▓р╕бр╕зр╕┤р╣Ар╕Др╕гр╕▓р╕░р╕лр╣М) р╕зр╣Ир╕▓р╕бр╕╡р╕Чр╕др╕йр╕Ор╕╡р╕нр╕Шр╕┤р╕Ър╕▓р╕вр╕Бр╕гр╕Ур╕╡р╕кр╕зр╕гр╕гр╕Др╕Хр╣Др╕зр╣Йр╕нр╕░р╣Др╕гр╕Ър╣Йр╕▓р╕З (р╕Др╕╖р╕н р╕гр╕░р╕Ър╕╕р╣Ар╕Юр╕╡р╕вр╕Зр╕Чр╕др╕йр╕Ор╕╡ “murdered by unknown person[s], most probably Pridi’s supporters”, р╕нр╕╕р╕Ър╕▒р╕Хр╕┤р╣Ар╕лр╕Хр╕╕р╣Вр╕Фр╕вр╕Юр╕гр╕░р╕нр╕Зр╕Др╣Мр╣Ар╕нр╕З р╣Бр╕ер╕░р╕Жр╣Ир╕▓р╕Хр╕▒р╕зр╕Хр╕▓р╕в р╕Щр╕нр╕Бр╕Ир╕▓р╕Бр╕Щр╕╡р╣Й р╕Бр╕нр╕Ър╣Ар╕Бр╕╖р╣Йр╕нр╕вр╕▒р╕Зр╕Бр╕ер╣Ир╕▓р╕зр╕нр╕вр╣Ир╕▓р╕Зр╣Ар╕лр╕ер╕╖р╕нр╣Ар╕Кр╕╖р╣Ир╕нр╕зр╣Ир╕▓ р╕лр╕Щр╕▒р╕Зр╕кр╕╖р╕нр╕Бр╕гр╕Ур╕╡р╕кр╕зр╕гр╕гр╕Др╕Хр╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╕кр╕гр╕гр╕Кр╕▒р╕в р╣Бр╕кр╕Зр╕зр╕┤р╣Ар╕Кр╕╡р╕вр╕г р╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╣Вр╕Ыр╕гр╣Ар╕Ир╣Йр╕▓р╣Бр╕нр╕Щр╕Хр╕╡р╣Йр╕Ыр╕гр╕╡р╕Фр╕╡р╕нр╕вр╣Ир╕▓р╕Зр╕кр╕╕р╕Фр╣Ж р╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╕лр╕Щр╕▒р╕Зр╕кр╕╖р╕нр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╣Ар╕кр╕Щр╕нр╕Чр╕▒р╕ир╕Щр╕░р╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╕Бр╕ер╕▓р╕З [balanced view]) р╕Ьр╕бр╕Ир╕░р╣Др╕бр╣Ир╕Юр╕╣р╕Фр╕Цр╕╢р╕Зр╕Бр╕гр╕Ур╕╡ Revolutionary King р╕лр╕Щр╕▒р╕Зр╕кр╕╖р╕нр╣Ар╕ер╣Ир╕бр╕Щр╕╡р╣Й р╕Цр╣Йр╕▓р╣Др╕бр╣Ир╣Гр╕Кр╣Ир╣Ар╕Юр╕гр╕▓р╕░р╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╣Ар╕Вр╕╡р╕вр╕Щр╕нр╕вр╣Ир╕▓р╕Зр╕кр╕▒р╕Ыр╣Ар╕Юр╕ер╣Ир╕▓р╣Ар╕Хр╣Зр╕бр╣Др╕Ыр╕лр╕бр╕Фр╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╕Ьр╕╣р╣Йр╣Ар╕Вр╕╡р╕вр╕Щ р╕Ир╕Щр╕Бр╕ер╕▓р╕вр╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╕Зр╕▓р╕Щр╕Кр╕зр╕Щр╕лр╕▒р╕зр╣Вр╕Фр╕вр╣Др╕бр╣Ир╕Хр╕▒р╣Йр╕Зр╣Гр╕И р╕Хр╣Йр╕нр╕Зр╕Цр╕╖р╕нр╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╕Юр╕вр╕▓р╕вр╕▓р╕бр╕ер╣Ир╕▓р╕кр╕╕р╕Фр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Ир╕░р╕Ър╕┤р╕Фр╣Ар╕Ър╕╖р╕нр╕Щр╕Бр╕гр╕Ур╕╡р╕кр╕зр╕гр╕гр╕Др╕Х р╣Бр╕ер╕░р╣Бр╕Бр╣Йр╕Хр╣Ир╕▓р╕Зр╣Гр╕лр╣Йр╕Бр╕▒р╕Ър╕Ьр╕╣р╣Йр╕Чр╕│р╕Ьр╕┤р╕Фр╕Хр╕▒р╕зр╕Ир╕гр╕┤р╕З р╣Вр╕Фр╕вр╣Ар╕Йр╕Юр╕▓р╕░р╣Гр╕Щр╕Бр╕гр╕Ур╕╡р╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕лр╕Щр╕▒р╕Зр╕кр╕╖р╕нр╕Юр╕вр╕▓р╕вр╕▓р╕бр╕нр╕Шр╕┤р╕Ър╕▓р╕вр╕зр╣Ир╕▓р╕Чр╕│р╣Др╕бр╕Ир╕╢р╕Зр╣Др╕бр╣Ир╕бр╕╡р╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╕гр╕▒р╕Бр╕йр╕▓р╕Кр╕╡р╕зр╕┤р╕Хр╕Вр╕нр╕З 3 р╕Ир╕│р╣Ар╕ер╕вр╣Др╕зр╣Йр╣Гр╕Щр╕Щр╕▓р╕Чр╕╡р╕кр╕╕р╕Фр╕Чр╣Йр╕▓р╕в р╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Ьр╕бр╕Цр╕╖р╕нр╕зр╣Ир╕▓р╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╣Бр╕Бр╣Йр╕Хр╕▒р╕зр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Щр╣Ир╕▓р╕гр╕▒р╕Зр╣Ар╕Бр╕╡р╕вр╕Ир╕вр╕┤р╣Ир╕З (р╕Фр╕╣р╕Ър╕Чр╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╣Ар╕гр╕╖р╣Ир╕нр╕З “50 р╕Ыр╕╡р╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╕лр╕▓р╕гр╕Кр╕╡р╕зр╕┤р╕Х” р╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╕Ьр╕б)
http://www.sameskybooks.org/webboard/show.php?Category=sameskybooks&No=7779
Thailand’s mad junta
When I read what Sonthi said… makes me want to puke. And consider his position in Thailand!
Now there is a post concerning this outrage up on my blog.
Thailand’s mad junta
Jon, I agree that someone making it to c-in-c and pulling off a successful coup can’t be entirely stupid, but he probably should have been even smarter, such as planning his own graceful exit and following through with strengthening democracy and civil society instead of disenfranchising (through martial law and intimidation) much of the population for fear of the “old powers”. As I don’t see the coup as a solution I can’t have sympathy for a coup maker so I’m certainly biased. But in my view Sonthi has failed to belie my first negative impression of him through word or action, acting instead on what looks like fear of reprisals and stumbling through a situation that’s over his head. The Nation and The Bangkok Post have reversed their opinion as today’s editorials show and the general looks more and more isolated. Sonthi is not Saprang but he might still be dangerous when cornered.
Thailand’s mad junta
Sidh S (15) Thanks for the link. Certainly singing a different tune for the international than the national audience, aren’t they?
Canberra’s finest?
What’s with it with it with Australia? I blogged about the police reaction during APEC; I linked to shocking videos of police brutality there. The images have stuck in my mind. What you saw at APEC was systematic and gratuitous thuggery. Yet as far as I know, there were no investigations.
When are Australian going to start holding their goverment accountable? Aussie cops are good, decent men and women. They the among the best police in the world. It’s absolutely the goverment that is out of control. It’s the instructions it gives them.
At my blog, if you scoll way down past the Burma posts, you’ll see Jotman’s perspective on Australia. It ain’t pretty.
Thailand’s mad junta
Krid: “It will be a cold day in hell before we see any investigation into the drug war, Tak Bai, Krue Sae, southern disappearances with any uniformed perpetrator being brought to justice.”
Along with “police reform” which they tabled two times for a couple of days and then promptly disappeared. Still waiting for one of those valiant academics to do a PhD dissertation on this topic, which far outranks all the postmodernist discourse stuff you see nowadays in importance. It’s amazing how many city dwellers are completely unaware of what happening in the countryside of their country.
“…he’s of very limited intelligence…”
Even though I don’t like him and certainly hope that he stays out of politics, the fact that he pulled off a bloodless coup and transition period compared to 1992, indicates that he is neither: 1. mad, nor 2. stupid.
It will be interesting to see if he manages to wriggle himself into the cabinet. I’d still like to see good demographic studies on opinions and attitudes before attributing things to massive analytical categories like the “Bangkok middle class.”
Vang Pao aftermath on the upper Mekong
I have lived in Luang Prabang and worked in tourism here for several years now. The whole Vang Pao incident has scared the bejeezus out of the Lao government. Just after news of this broke in June, all of us heads of tourism bodies (I was the only westerner present as the meeting was conducted in Lao) were corralled into the Provincial Tourism Office, where Vang Pao’s crimes against humanity were read by a visibly shaken/enraged/terrified military officer. These ranged from stealing soldiers paychecks back in 1960 to defaulting on personal loans in California to armed resistance against the government. I did my best not to snicker at the whole affair as everyone else was dead serious. After several hours, the whole Vang Pao denunciation was finally finished, but then the military commander made one final chilling statement: “Be careful if you take westerners trekking. An order has been made by Vang Pao to his associates (presumably Hmong) to kidnap western hikers in the woods.”
After that the town was placed on curfew, as many towns in the north were. One wasn’t to be out after 10 pm and there were police and military out each night. I didn’t really understand how the curfew was to keep Vang Pao’s people from doing any harm, as they would have been quite able to move about freely in the daytime!
Anyway, since then, the curfew has been lifted, no one kidnapped near Luang Prabang and everything else is still calm and languid as ever.
Burma protest in Sydney
I was not able to attend the gathering on Thursday. Is anything planned for thi9s weekend in the way of a peaceful protest? I am Buddhist also of the Theravada practice. I have sent emails to friends around the world and would like to know of any peaceful (perhaps Buddhist) protests.
Please let me know
cheers
Brian
The King Never Smiles?
Wow, this topic surely brings out people’s emotions. As those of us in country can not run down to the local bookstore and pick up a copy of the book, I can not comment on the books contents.
But the topic does raise some questions about how those of us from the outside living in the country deal with this topic. On the one hand, coming from a “democratic tradition” one feels entitled to express one’s feelings and opinions on any topic; on the other hand, local sensibilities need to be considered if one intends to live in this country. I have had to bite my tongue at times while working and living here on several occasions. To any scholar or objective individual, the concept of any person actually be infallible is not aligned with reality. On the other hand, the “image” of the monarchy is obviously a source of pride and solidarity for the Thai people. But, how does a monarchy fit into a democratic country? “All men are created equal?” How does a country move forward while clinging to institutions that are more aligned with conditions in the 18th century than the 21st?
Blog on HIV in Myanmar
If you are on Facebook and live in Sydney look at this
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New Burma blog
If you’re on Facebook check this out:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=6029757649