Thank you for this link. The analogy with the military situation in Pakistan is not one that one immediately thinks of. Too bad Steinberg’s most recent book is apparently nowhere to be found in Thai university libraries which by extension would probably make it unavailable to most people in mainland Southeast Asia:
I really don’t understand why scholars don’t donate at least one strategic copy of their book to some important library like Chulalongkorn University or the Siam Society, so it has a chance of being read by people in Southeast Asia and, to their own benefit, maximiizing future citations of their work.
May I use this pic in a powerpoint for upper secondary students on the topic of globalisation and its effect on malnutrition, and loss of traditional staple food items?
Apparently Anon the Constitutional Tribunal failed to reckon that the big void they created in the Thaksin backside by cutting off the noses of some 110 TRT executives would so quickly be filled by Anon and his kind enamored to that distinctive Thaksin aroma.
Is anyone aware of any research that provides an estimate of how much of the Thai military’s annual budget is siphoned off into corrupt pockets each year? At a conservative guesstimate of 5%, this equates to 7.15billion (US$230m), and that’s just this year alone!
According to Prime Minister Surayud, “added that a draft referendum bill is being deliberated by the National Legislative Assembly. When enacted, any attempt to persuade the public to oppose the draft constitution at the referendum would be deemed illegal” (Bangkok Post, 3 July 2007).
Hear, hear — so only propaganda to pursuade people to approve the constitution will be allowed? Wouldn’t this make a joke of the referendum? Clumsy statement, or inaccurate reporting?
[…] of the more intriguing features of Thaksin’s post-coup career has been his, now successful, bid for ownership of Manchester City football club. New Mandala is pleased to provide this detailed analysis of the […]
Srithanonchai: It was a reference to the stereotype, and I’m sure you know that the stereotype rarely matches the reality.
Taxi Driver: Yes, I will change my mind if the elections are not held before the end of January 2008 at the >b>very latest.
To me this is just an interim government with one purpose, being to prepare the country for the next election (without Thaksin).
I really think they have tried to do too much instead of concentrating on the main game. IMO the change of tack on the south, especially the apology, was the right thing to do, and should be backed up with justice & security, however the government lacks the legitimacy to take things any further.
I also think this interim government should really only fix obvious wrongdoings but otherwise keep things in a holding pattern, and a lot of the other reforms they are attempting should really be left to the new government.
As you are aware, Thai politics is very complex, and there are a lot of competing interests – Surayud and Sonthi have a difficult job, and the longer they stay there the more they will end up like the the old politicians I already despise.
Jeru I can appreciate how from your perspective after years of servility, fawning and the usual licking of the military’s boots you’d think others similarly vocationally inclined. If you can understand this point then you would cease to wonder why your tongue had thicken to coarse and why it is very difficult for you to believe there are honest men.
Anon I get easily claustrophobic particularly when my Beloved Generals can restrict my freedom of speech and assembly (should I have anything negative to say about the corruption and treasonous rebellion of the military), siphon my hard-earned tax money to his and their cronies pockets (and claim that the secret military budgets and slush funds are for my own good!), incite my urban neighbors against me, and commit grand scale larceny with their gang of military crooks that mocks my efforts to earn an honest living, and then claim that it is all done in the name of the King.
Those very rich elite and aristocrats would have been for a big disappointment because the military was merely using them to line up their own pockets. But Jeru because your nose was stuck perennially in the military’s boot soles, you have been nose-washed to the military aroma that easily repel anyone within orbit.
Read the following story, and you will know why the military’s happiness index has jumped considerably, all with little inspirational or even spiritual forces, but rather based on the power of sufficient guns:
“Most attention has rightly focused on military spending. That is to rise to 143 billion baht. The most astounding fact about this figure is that two years ago the armed forces were working with a budget of 86 billion baht. Last year it rose to 115 billion. Thus, in less than two years, the military has increased spending by 66%, raising the question of what happened to the idea of a sufficiency economy.”
Anon I can appreciate how from your perspective after years of servility, fawning and the usual licking of Thaksin’s backside you’d think others similarly vocationally inclined. If you can understand this point then you would cease to wonder why your tongue had thicken to coarse and why it is very difficult for you to believe there are honest men.
Anon I get easily claustrophobic particularly when my Beloved Leader can at anytime extrajudicially kill me (should my name end up in some police hick’s blacklist), siphon my hard-earned tax money to his and his cronies pockets (and not pay their taxes too!), incite my rural neighbors against me, and commit grand scale larceny with his gang of crooks that mocks my efforts to earn an honest living.
Those poor, those very poor and uneducated masses would have been for a big disappointment because Thaksin was merely using them to line up his pockets. But Anon because your nose was stuck perennially at Thaksin’s backside, you have been nose-washed to the Thaksin aroma that easily repel anyone within orbit.
[…] Washington Post carries a letter from David I. Steinberg that is relevant to the recent New Mandala conversation about “engagement” with Burma. Readers who maintain interests in United States […]
“…grassroot initiatives all over the world exploring similar pathways to overcome suffering; the aims of the conference will be: To provide a creative platform for **inspirational exchanges** on transformation, revitalization of ancient culture and simplicity in the context of modernity. As well as for cross-cultural communication on transformational world views through **story-telling**.”
Story-telling sounds good because it will keep people from getting too abstract about very “concrete” problems and solutions. Poetry might even be better! Like I would tell the story of how a big SUV nearly ran me over in the crosswalk in front of Klong Toey market Saturday. I literally felt the iron on my bones. And contrast that with zooming through the cool, clear Chiang Rai air on my Honda Dream with my favorite dog Nong Fah, a Shih-tzu, in the basket up front. IMHO Gross Aggregated Happiness should be a storybook.
Ngarn, let me categorically assure you that I am not a supporter of Thaksin. I am not calling for Thaksin’s return as PM, as much as I am not calling for the CNS generals to be prosecuted for staging the coup.
If the referendum outcome is a ‘no’, it means the people are awake.
Ngarn, I recall you posting here some months ago that you’ll change your mind about the coup & coup makers if they broke their promise to hold elections before the end of 2007. Now that this seems likely, will you now change your mind about these people?
Don’t look down on taxi drivers too much. I talked to some whose level of information and sophistication of reflecion equals or surpasses what we have been hearing from Thai political scientists.
The game is a true masterpiece indeed(also my favourite). And some of the quote border on serious philosophical dilemma.
It just seem that current situation we got people who claim Thaksin oppressed them more than junta. If that is truely the public sentiment(middle class concent, rural dont seem to give a damn), then on what ground does anti-coup claim junta leveled on dictatorship oppression.
Just a thought. If state propaganda is accept by public as truth, would it be equivalent to the truth? It worked in China. If people have been bombard and taught to adore the king and punish when voice otherwise. Does that count as tyrany?
Grasshopper, slow response to # 13. The definition of self determination is an evolving one. Though it was originally given in a ICJ ruling, the UN have allowed countires like Bangladesh, then the states of Yugoslavia to get self determination when they didn’t really fit the criteria. Economic self determination is highly debated but a definite no-no in human rights (though there are special rapportuers for structural adjustment programs).
And sure, states can have their own definition of certain rights (like what is immoral in freedom of speech), but they can’t really choose is something is or isn’t a human right
“I’m voting no to help force the issue. Let the junta bring out another piece of paper.”
Taxi Driver, it’s your choice how you vote, but I’m wondering are you also in favor of the elections being delayed and CNS staying in power longer?
I think they could save time if they announced what the amendments to the 1997 constitution will be, and then the yes/no vote becomes a clear choice between the two.
– That’s assuming they stick to their word and it is the 1997 constitution they use as the backup (with amendments).
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Steinberg letter on Burma in context
Thank you for this link. The analogy with the military situation in Pakistan is not one that one immediately thinks of. Too bad Steinberg’s most recent book is apparently nowhere to be found in Thai university libraries which by extension would probably make it unavailable to most people in mainland Southeast Asia:
Turmoil in Burma: Contested Legitimacies in Myanmar (Eastbridge, 2006)
http://explore.georgetown.edu/news/?ID=19498
I really don’t understand why scholars don’t donate at least one strategic copy of their book to some important library like Chulalongkorn University or the Siam Society, so it has a chance of being read by people in Southeast Asia and, to their own benefit, maximiizing future citations of their work.
On the front line of globalisation
May I use this pic in a powerpoint for upper secondary students on the topic of globalisation and its effect on malnutrition, and loss of traditional staple food items?
Democratic double standards?
Apparently Anon the Constitutional Tribunal failed to reckon that the big void they created in the Thaksin backside by cutting off the noses of some 110 TRT executives would so quickly be filled by Anon and his kind enamored to that distinctive Thaksin aroma.
3rd International Conference on Gross National Happiness
Is anyone aware of any research that provides an estimate of how much of the Thai military’s annual budget is siphoned off into corrupt pockets each year? At a conservative guesstimate of 5%, this equates to 7.15billion (US$230m), and that’s just this year alone!
Democratic double standards?
According to Prime Minister Surayud, “added that a draft referendum bill is being deliberated by the National Legislative Assembly. When enacted, any attempt to persuade the public to oppose the draft constitution at the referendum would be deemed illegal” (Bangkok Post, 3 July 2007).
Hear, hear — so only propaganda to pursuade people to approve the constitution will be allowed? Wouldn’t this make a joke of the referendum? Clumsy statement, or inaccurate reporting?
Football and the freeze
[…] of the more intriguing features of Thaksin’s post-coup career has been his, now successful, bid for ownership of Manchester City football club. New Mandala is pleased to provide this detailed analysis of the […]
Mapping the post-coup academic landscape
Srithanonchai: It was a reference to the stereotype, and I’m sure you know that the stereotype rarely matches the reality.
Taxi Driver: Yes, I will change my mind if the elections are not held before the end of January 2008 at the >b>very latest.
To me this is just an interim government with one purpose, being to prepare the country for the next election (without Thaksin).
I really think they have tried to do too much instead of concentrating on the main game. IMO the change of tack on the south, especially the apology, was the right thing to do, and should be backed up with justice & security, however the government lacks the legitimacy to take things any further.
I also think this interim government should really only fix obvious wrongdoings but otherwise keep things in a holding pattern, and a lot of the other reforms they are attempting should really be left to the new government.
As you are aware, Thai politics is very complex, and there are a lot of competing interests – Surayud and Sonthi have a difficult job, and the longer they stay there the more they will end up like the the old politicians I already despise.
Democratic double standards?
Jeru I can appreciate how from your perspective after years of servility, fawning and the usual licking of the military’s boots you’d think others similarly vocationally inclined. If you can understand this point then you would cease to wonder why your tongue had thicken to coarse and why it is very difficult for you to believe there are honest men.
Anon I get easily claustrophobic particularly when my Beloved Generals can restrict my freedom of speech and assembly (should I have anything negative to say about the corruption and treasonous rebellion of the military), siphon my hard-earned tax money to his and their cronies pockets (and claim that the secret military budgets and slush funds are for my own good!), incite my urban neighbors against me, and commit grand scale larceny with their gang of military crooks that mocks my efforts to earn an honest living, and then claim that it is all done in the name of the King.
Those very rich elite and aristocrats would have been for a big disappointment because the military was merely using them to line up their own pockets. But Jeru because your nose was stuck perennially in the military’s boot soles, you have been nose-washed to the military aroma that easily repel anyone within orbit.
3rd International Conference on Gross National Happiness
Read the following story, and you will know why the military’s happiness index has jumped considerably, all with little inspirational or even spiritual forces, but rather based on the power of sufficient guns:
“Most attention has rightly focused on military spending. That is to rise to 143 billion baht. The most astounding fact about this figure is that two years ago the armed forces were working with a budget of 86 billion baht. Last year it rose to 115 billion. Thus, in less than two years, the military has increased spending by 66%, raising the question of what happened to the idea of a sufficiency economy.”
Bangkok Post, 2 July 2007
Democratic double standards?
Has this now become a stinky discussion or what?
Democratic double standards?
Anon I can appreciate how from your perspective after years of servility, fawning and the usual licking of Thaksin’s backside you’d think others similarly vocationally inclined. If you can understand this point then you would cease to wonder why your tongue had thicken to coarse and why it is very difficult for you to believe there are honest men.
Anon I get easily claustrophobic particularly when my Beloved Leader can at anytime extrajudicially kill me (should my name end up in some police hick’s blacklist), siphon my hard-earned tax money to his and his cronies pockets (and not pay their taxes too!), incite my rural neighbors against me, and commit grand scale larceny with his gang of crooks that mocks my efforts to earn an honest living.
Those poor, those very poor and uneducated masses would have been for a big disappointment because Thaksin was merely using them to line up his pockets. But Anon because your nose was stuck perennially at Thaksin’s backside, you have been nose-washed to the Thaksin aroma that easily repel anyone within orbit.
Raging argument about war in Burma
[…] Washington Post carries a letter from David I. Steinberg that is relevant to the recent New Mandala conversation about “engagement” with Burma. Readers who maintain interests in United States […]
3rd International Conference on Gross National Happiness
“…grassroot initiatives all over the world exploring similar pathways to overcome suffering; the aims of the conference will be: To provide a creative platform for **inspirational exchanges** on transformation, revitalization of ancient culture and simplicity in the context of modernity. As well as for cross-cultural communication on transformational world views through **story-telling**.”
Story-telling sounds good because it will keep people from getting too abstract about very “concrete” problems and solutions. Poetry might even be better! Like I would tell the story of how a big SUV nearly ran me over in the crosswalk in front of Klong Toey market Saturday. I literally felt the iron on my bones. And contrast that with zooming through the cool, clear Chiang Rai air on my Honda Dream with my favorite dog Nong Fah, a Shih-tzu, in the basket up front. IMHO Gross Aggregated Happiness should be a storybook.
Isan in the north
Any idea where I can get copies of these two documents:
Rice-Growing Society, ed. by Yoneo Ishii. Honolulu: The University Press of Hawaii, 1978, pp. 40 – 82
Johnston, David Bruce: Rural Society and the Rice Economy in Thailand, 1880 – 1930. Ph. D. Yale University, 1975 455 pp.
I live out at Klong 10 on the Rangsit-Ongkarak Road and am interested in the local history.
Mac
[email protected]
Mapping the post-coup academic landscape
Ngarn, let me categorically assure you that I am not a supporter of Thaksin. I am not calling for Thaksin’s return as PM, as much as I am not calling for the CNS generals to be prosecuted for staging the coup.
If the referendum outcome is a ‘no’, it means the people are awake.
Ngarn, I recall you posting here some months ago that you’ll change your mind about the coup & coup makers if they broke their promise to hold elections before the end of 2007. Now that this seems likely, will you now change your mind about these people?
Mapping the post-coup academic landscape
Don’t look down on taxi drivers too much. I talked to some whose level of information and sophistication of reflecion equals or surpasses what we have been hearing from Thai political scientists.
Democratic double standards?
Re Samuel>
The game is a true masterpiece indeed(also my favourite). And some of the quote border on serious philosophical dilemma.
It just seem that current situation we got people who claim Thaksin oppressed them more than junta. If that is truely the public sentiment(middle class concent, rural dont seem to give a damn), then on what ground does anti-coup claim junta leveled on dictatorship oppression.
Just a thought. If state propaganda is accept by public as truth, would it be equivalent to the truth? It worked in China. If people have been bombard and taught to adore the king and punish when voice otherwise. Does that count as tyrany?
Raging argument about war in Burma
Grasshopper, slow response to # 13. The definition of self determination is an evolving one. Though it was originally given in a ICJ ruling, the UN have allowed countires like Bangladesh, then the states of Yugoslavia to get self determination when they didn’t really fit the criteria. Economic self determination is highly debated but a definite no-no in human rights (though there are special rapportuers for structural adjustment programs).
And sure, states can have their own definition of certain rights (like what is immoral in freedom of speech), but they can’t really choose is something is or isn’t a human right
Mapping the post-coup academic landscape
Or, as a Taxi Driver, do you fit the stereotype and faithfully support Thaksin, no matter what?
Presumably then you will accept nothing less than the return of Thaksin as PM, and restoration of the 1997 constitution?
Mapping the post-coup academic landscape
“I’m voting no to help force the issue. Let the junta bring out another piece of paper.”
Taxi Driver, it’s your choice how you vote, but I’m wondering are you also in favor of the elections being delayed and CNS staying in power longer?
I think they could save time if they announced what the amendments to the 1997 constitution will be, and then the yes/no vote becomes a clear choice between the two.
– That’s assuming they stick to their word and it is the 1997 constitution they use as the backup (with amendments).