since when is going to a presentation a question of manhood?!
Well, considering nowadays that if you say something at a confrence that a certain religious group doesn’t like , you risk getting bum rushed and assaulted by a group of thugs.
Perhaps, if he decides to attend, Prof. Walker should wear a helmet. (Just make sure it’s not an Israeli Aramid style one, though.)
Great and inspiring interview!
As a student of ‘sustainability’, I take a different view on Sufficiency Economy (SE). Along with other ‘allied’ concepts such as Bhutan’s ‘Gross National Happiness’, I see them as attempts to mitigate the excesses of globalization. At the finest scale, it provides subsistent immunity against socio-economic uncertainties. This, ofcouse, can easily be interpreted as putting the poor in their place – but if SE evolves into a more coherent framework for practice and is sincerely adopted upscale, by bureaucrats and businesses (as it is expected to being ‘imposed’ from the monarchy), it could potentially make a lot of difference. It may face the same barriers with ‘sustainability’ , where everyone pays lip service, but no one really practices it. It must be noted that ‘sustainability’ also originated from Western intellectual elites and ‘imposed’ worldwide – and has been accused, for a time, as a conspiracy by rich countries to put poor countries in their place. It has since evolved into a much more robust and inclusive framework. Maybe the ICTS should also address SE – de-construct, re-construct and develop the idea and its practice. It is understandable that Western observers distrust the monarchy and military as influential institutions in society, but it should not mean that potentially good ideas originating from them should be discredited. In that context, NGOs are arguable being practical in adopting SE especially if people listens to what the King says (but not necessary ‘practice’ – the same applies to Buddhist sermons “good stuff, got the merit for listening – but not for me”!).
More than anything else, maybe the ‘yes’ vote is a pragmatic Thai vote – less a support for the junta or a no against Thaksin. It’s a ‘let’s get on with life’, apolitical vote. Contrary to how many commentators view this refendum that there is ‘no choice’ – the choice may be obvious for most Thais a (hopeful) return to normalcy Vs. extended political uncertainties.
Students of Thailand and Thai society would know better that idealism isn’t part of mainstream Thai cultural practice, ruled by pragmatism and compromise. This naturally disappoints many Western observers and Western-trained Thais. Ofcourse, there are aspirations to become ‘modernized’ and truly ‘democratic’ but there seem to be no hurry to get there (for most see it as impractical?). The 1997 ‘People’s Constitution’ was an ideal blueprint for both – but Mr.Thaksin organized an ‘oligarchs coup’ that focused on modernization but neglected democracy/rule of law/human rights…
In this context, maybe the ‘no’ vote is simpler to explain especially its predominance in North and Northeastern provinces. Again, I will argue even that is a practical vote, not necessarily merely an affirmation for Thaksin’s patronage, but for formal policies that are directly responsive to their needs. Practical politicians, of any party, will know what to do for the upcoming election – and what to do when they are government…
I am painting a rosy picture towards ‘normalcy’ – it is what I am speculating is in the mind of Thai voters on Sunday. This, ofcourse, can easily disrupted by ambitious generals and Mr.Thaksin protecting his every baht of wealth…
John,
I was in Luang Prabang attending the cremation of Phra Khamchanh at the end of July. Everyone was very jumpy as we had heard that Hmongs had killed and been killed in Bokeo an there were rumours of a revenge attack on the cremation. So that when the Govt let off fireworks a lot of people jumped out of their sinhs. mind you ther are times when I think the world Hmong is synonynmous in usage here with the use of terrorist in Australia..
I work with a Lao writer editing and teaching rwiting to Lao. Story telling is a great medium. We have a great collection of stories recording the aftermath (which by the writing, is a contemporaneous aftermath ) of the Nam Ngum dam.. We hope to get funding to collect, edit other stories to do with the chnages you mention, but funding is hard to come by. Dev agencies focus on the pragamatic and not the cultural.
Other Jon…I can give you photos of Gamuda Berhad’s destructive forays into the Nam Kading protected Area . this before STEA had given the go ahead for the dam they will build that will effectively stop fish migration up the Kading.
Jeruchai, I’d like to know what universities are on your world map? Maybe when it comes time to do a masters your advice will help me know where to go!
Grasshopper: OK, I concede it might have been the wrong choice of words – how about:
– Show some fortitude (intestinal, not necessarily testicular)……..
But seriously, I still think it is a storm in a teacup – I’m sure the vast majority of attendees will know exactly what is going on, and if anything, opponents of the junta would probably be more comfortable asking strong questions at the ANU rather than at the embassy.
As for being worried about how things are reported back in the Thai press, I cannot see it making any difference one way or the other.
(unless Andrew is somehow worried that there is large pool of politically naive people somewhere in Thailand ?)
To be truthful, I was never aware there was an ANU until Thaksin Shinawatra’s name alongside ANU popped up somewhere long ago in my search engine.
Andrew Walker if you want recognition for your small town ANU school, bring the Thailand democracy debate right at your school hall.
Andrew Walker you can also invite your patron Thaksin Shinawatra at the same time and that should put ANU in the academic world map, I think.
A clearer explanation of the meaning of backwards in this context would be helpful in understanding the breakdown of the voting, and quite possibily the bias of the author.
Save free speech by preventing it? It seems almost as if an extension of Thai sovereignty has invaded the ANU. Hm, what about asking blunt cheery questions with a sinister undertone? If you attend it would be good to read a report.
I fail to see what’s wrong with hosting any, and all, sides of the argument (it doesn’t have to be at the one event)
So if Paul Handley, Jakrapob, or even Thaksin went on tour, would they be able to speak at the NTSC (ANU), even though they also would be presenting a one sided view ?
Be a man Andrew, front up, ask your best questions first if you are worried about time constraints, and afterwards you can always put your own spin on things in your report on New Mandala (which probably has more readers than there will be attendees at the NTSC anyway).
[…] the National Thai Studies Centre (NTSC) at the ANU decided to host an official delegation despatched by the military junta’s public relations “war room” (not my […]
But of course Republican is disgusted. Only the deeply revered monarchy stood in the way of corrupt Thaksin’s (or Chaturon’s) ambitions for a Chavez-like (or Mugabe-like take your pick) one-party Republican political system for Thailand.
The Thai Isans and the rural poor are easy game to manipulative politicians with Chavez-Mugabe size ambitions.
Why am I pleased every time Republican is disgusted . . .
The thing that disgusts me about the ANU’s National Thai Studies Centre’s hosting of the seminar by the “War Room” and those who support it on this blog is the insensitivity to the political situation in Thailand. Over the last year a democratically-elected government has been overthrown, a royalist dictatorship set up, both with the endorsement of the King, martial law imposed on the country (which is still in place in half the country) the powers of the military greatly expanded, the media heavily censored, the Thai Rak Thai party destroyed by a tribunal set up by the junta and given public support by the King, and now a deeply undemocratic Constitution drafted by a junta-appointed committee and passed under conditions which were profoundly unfree and unfair. After everything that has happened, now the ANU’s NTSC wants to give its support to a propaganda team sent by the junta with the explicit task of building PR for the regime. What is that?
Military Admirer pines for yesteryears of past Thaksin glories (and honest mistakes?) but yesterday’s votes convincingly thumbed down as Thaksin infamies.
Did I miss a point? But I guess Military Admirer do not know how to count. By anybody’s counting fingers and toes, it was a LANDSLIDE defeat for Thaksin, and, for the TRT reds.
The result in the south isn’t so difficult to understand: the stronghold of the royalist Democrats party, Prem, and the 4th Army Region, and with martial law in operation in the border provinces, in a country controlled by a royalist-military dictatorship. When the opposition party has been destroyed by a royally-endorsed kangaroo court set up by the junta it is a little difficult to campaign.
By the way, note that the population of the “three southern provinces” is a small portion of the total population of the 14 provinces which officially make up “the south”. Interesting that the southern provinces with majority or sizeable Muslim populations appear to have given less support to the draft Constitution than the Buddhist provinces.
As usual Jeru misses the point/s. Let’s see if the military exit; highly doubtful. That this vote counts and earlier votes with larger turnouts somehow didn’t is and amazing contortion.
In my opinion, the South massive approval on this constitution is linked to the “no = support Thaksin” issue… Junta’s communication campaigns seems to be most efficient in this area as Southern people seems to resent Thaksin policy toward them…
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Surayud’s “war room” comes to Canberra
Re: Grasshopper>
since when is going to a presentation a question of manhood?!
Well, considering nowadays that if you say something at a confrence that a certain religious group doesn’t like , you risk getting bum rushed and assaulted by a group of thugs.
Perhaps, if he decides to attend, Prof. Walker should wear a helmet. (Just make sure it’s not an Israeli Aramid style one, though.)
Interview with Professor Kevin Hewison – Part Two
Great and inspiring interview!
As a student of ‘sustainability’, I take a different view on Sufficiency Economy (SE). Along with other ‘allied’ concepts such as Bhutan’s ‘Gross National Happiness’, I see them as attempts to mitigate the excesses of globalization. At the finest scale, it provides subsistent immunity against socio-economic uncertainties. This, ofcouse, can easily be interpreted as putting the poor in their place – but if SE evolves into a more coherent framework for practice and is sincerely adopted upscale, by bureaucrats and businesses (as it is expected to being ‘imposed’ from the monarchy), it could potentially make a lot of difference. It may face the same barriers with ‘sustainability’ , where everyone pays lip service, but no one really practices it. It must be noted that ‘sustainability’ also originated from Western intellectual elites and ‘imposed’ worldwide – and has been accused, for a time, as a conspiracy by rich countries to put poor countries in their place. It has since evolved into a much more robust and inclusive framework. Maybe the ICTS should also address SE – de-construct, re-construct and develop the idea and its practice. It is understandable that Western observers distrust the monarchy and military as influential institutions in society, but it should not mean that potentially good ideas originating from them should be discredited. In that context, NGOs are arguable being practical in adopting SE especially if people listens to what the King says (but not necessary ‘practice’ – the same applies to Buddhist sermons “good stuff, got the merit for listening – but not for me”!).
14.7 out of 45. An endorsement for the junta?
More than anything else, maybe the ‘yes’ vote is a pragmatic Thai vote – less a support for the junta or a no against Thaksin. It’s a ‘let’s get on with life’, apolitical vote. Contrary to how many commentators view this refendum that there is ‘no choice’ – the choice may be obvious for most Thais a (hopeful) return to normalcy Vs. extended political uncertainties.
Students of Thailand and Thai society would know better that idealism isn’t part of mainstream Thai cultural practice, ruled by pragmatism and compromise. This naturally disappoints many Western observers and Western-trained Thais. Ofcourse, there are aspirations to become ‘modernized’ and truly ‘democratic’ but there seem to be no hurry to get there (for most see it as impractical?). The 1997 ‘People’s Constitution’ was an ideal blueprint for both – but Mr.Thaksin organized an ‘oligarchs coup’ that focused on modernization but neglected democracy/rule of law/human rights…
In this context, maybe the ‘no’ vote is simpler to explain especially its predominance in North and Northeastern provinces. Again, I will argue even that is a practical vote, not necessarily merely an affirmation for Thaksin’s patronage, but for formal policies that are directly responsive to their needs. Practical politicians, of any party, will know what to do for the upcoming election – and what to do when they are government…
I am painting a rosy picture towards ‘normalcy’ – it is what I am speculating is in the mind of Thai voters on Sunday. This, ofcourse, can easily disrupted by ambitious generals and Mr.Thaksin protecting his every baht of wealth…
A conduit of vulnerability or prosperity?
John,
I was in Luang Prabang attending the cremation of Phra Khamchanh at the end of July. Everyone was very jumpy as we had heard that Hmongs had killed and been killed in Bokeo an there were rumours of a revenge attack on the cremation. So that when the Govt let off fireworks a lot of people jumped out of their sinhs. mind you ther are times when I think the world Hmong is synonynmous in usage here with the use of terrorist in Australia..
I work with a Lao writer editing and teaching rwiting to Lao. Story telling is a great medium. We have a great collection of stories recording the aftermath (which by the writing, is a contemporaneous aftermath ) of the Nam Ngum dam.. We hope to get funding to collect, edit other stories to do with the chnages you mention, but funding is hard to come by. Dev agencies focus on the pragamatic and not the cultural.
Other Jon…I can give you photos of Gamuda Berhad’s destructive forays into the Nam Kading protected Area . this before STEA had given the go ahead for the dam they will build that will effectively stop fish migration up the Kading.
Melody
Surayud’s “war room” comes to Canberra
Jeruchai, I’d like to know what universities are on your world map? Maybe when it comes time to do a masters your advice will help me know where to go!
Surayud’s “war room” comes to Canberra
Grasshopper: OK, I concede it might have been the wrong choice of words – how about:
– Show some fortitude (intestinal, not necessarily testicular)……..
But seriously, I still think it is a storm in a teacup – I’m sure the vast majority of attendees will know exactly what is going on, and if anything, opponents of the junta would probably be more comfortable asking strong questions at the ANU rather than at the embassy.
As for being worried about how things are reported back in the Thai press, I cannot see it making any difference one way or the other.
(unless Andrew is somehow worried that there is large pool of politically naive people somewhere in Thailand ?)
Surayud’s “war room” comes to Canberra
To be truthful, I was never aware there was an ANU until Thaksin Shinawatra’s name alongside ANU popped up somewhere long ago in my search engine.
Andrew Walker if you want recognition for your small town ANU school, bring the Thailand democracy debate right at your school hall.
Andrew Walker you can also invite your patron Thaksin Shinawatra at the same time and that should put ANU in the academic world map, I think.
Brief note from Chachoengsao
A clearer explanation of the meaning of backwards in this context would be helpful in understanding the breakdown of the voting, and quite possibily the bias of the author.
Surayud’s “war room” comes to Canberra
hahaha nganadeeleg, since when is going to a presentation a question of manhood?!
Surayud’s “war room” comes to Canberra
Save free speech by preventing it? It seems almost as if an extension of Thai sovereignty has invaded the ANU. Hm, what about asking blunt cheery questions with a sinister undertone? If you attend it would be good to read a report.
Surayud’s “war room” comes to Canberra
Storm in a tea cup sounds right.
I fail to see what’s wrong with hosting any, and all, sides of the argument (it doesn’t have to be at the one event)
So if Paul Handley, Jakrapob, or even Thaksin went on tour, would they be able to speak at the NTSC (ANU), even though they also would be presenting a one sided view ?
Be a man Andrew, front up, ask your best questions first if you are worried about time constraints, and afterwards you can always put your own spin on things in your report on New Mandala (which probably has more readers than there will be attendees at the NTSC anyway).
ANU to host Thai junta PR machine
[…] the National Thai Studies Centre (NTSC) at the ANU decided to host an official delegation despatched by the military junta’s public relations “war room” (not my […]
The constitutional count
Jeru, you just don’t want to understand. I am not a Thaksin admirer. The point has to do with fairness and the role of the military.
ANU to host Thai junta PR machine
But of course Republican is disgusted. Only the deeply revered monarchy stood in the way of corrupt Thaksin’s (or Chaturon’s) ambitions for a Chavez-like (or Mugabe-like take your pick) one-party Republican political system for Thailand.
The Thai Isans and the rural poor are easy game to manipulative politicians with Chavez-Mugabe size ambitions.
Why am I pleased every time Republican is disgusted . . .
ANU to host Thai junta PR machine
The thing that disgusts me about the ANU’s National Thai Studies Centre’s hosting of the seminar by the “War Room” and those who support it on this blog is the insensitivity to the political situation in Thailand. Over the last year a democratically-elected government has been overthrown, a royalist dictatorship set up, both with the endorsement of the King, martial law imposed on the country (which is still in place in half the country) the powers of the military greatly expanded, the media heavily censored, the Thai Rak Thai party destroyed by a tribunal set up by the junta and given public support by the King, and now a deeply undemocratic Constitution drafted by a junta-appointed committee and passed under conditions which were profoundly unfree and unfair. After everything that has happened, now the ANU’s NTSC wants to give its support to a propaganda team sent by the junta with the explicit task of building PR for the regime. What is that?
The constitutional count
Military Admirer pines for yesteryears of past Thaksin glories (and honest mistakes?) but yesterday’s votes convincingly thumbed down as Thaksin infamies.
Did I miss a point? But I guess Military Admirer do not know how to count. By anybody’s counting fingers and toes, it was a LANDSLIDE defeat for Thaksin, and, for the TRT reds.
The pink zones
Thank you FKA, it dawned on me after a while…. Monday morning obviously…
The pink zones
The result in the south isn’t so difficult to understand: the stronghold of the royalist Democrats party, Prem, and the 4th Army Region, and with martial law in operation in the border provinces, in a country controlled by a royalist-military dictatorship. When the opposition party has been destroyed by a royally-endorsed kangaroo court set up by the junta it is a little difficult to campaign.
By the way, note that the population of the “three southern provinces” is a small portion of the total population of the 14 provinces which officially make up “the south”. Interesting that the southern provinces with majority or sizeable Muslim populations appear to have given less support to the draft Constitution than the Buddhist provinces.
The constitutional count
As usual Jeru misses the point/s. Let’s see if the military exit; highly doubtful. That this vote counts and earlier votes with larger turnouts somehow didn’t is and amazing contortion.
The pink zones
Hi,
In my opinion, the South massive approval on this constitution is linked to the “no = support Thaksin” issue… Junta’s communication campaigns seems to be most efficient in this area as Southern people seems to resent Thaksin policy toward them…
FKA