When this episode is over, Giles ought to present a gift basket to poor Mrs Uraiwan. After all, she unwittingly gave this hard-nosed political agitator an excellent opportunity for public relations and for presenting himself as a suppressed freedom fighter. So, be a gentleman.
Readers who would like to base their normative ideas on a realistic theory of modern society (or who want to get rid of unrealistic normative ideas) might for an accessible text turn to Niklas Luhmann. 1989. Ecological Communication. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. This book was written when ecological concerns and respective normative prescriptions were very strong in Europe. Luhmann thus wanted to infuse some realism into that debate. Thus the original German-language sub-title of his book, “Can modern society adapt to ecological dangers?” In short, any attempt to deal with modern function systems–the components of modern society–that operate on binary codes by moral prescriptions, that is third values, will not succeed.
Well, a good example of the grip that the “ultraroyalists” have on Thailand’s media under the current dictatorship. Why do they receive such international support from people like Alfredo at al? Feudal nostalgia? Similar paternalistic attitude to the poor? Common interest?
But I can’t really see the point of making a fuss about what’s written in The Nation. It long ago lost any attempt at maintaining journalistic standards. This opinion piece is a typical example: it could have been written by a palace lady-in-waiting. Let’s face it: the only reason people read The Nation is because it’s written in English. It has zero effect on political discourse in Thailand. The press articles that ARE worth debating and criticizing, because of their actual impact on the Thai public, are those that come out in Phujatkan, Matichon, Thai Rat, Krungthep Thurakij, etc.
I was also intrigued by the lack of Jinghpo on the plaque. Unfortunately, I have no extra insight to offer on the matter.
What I will soon offer is more about this cultural park. As for the murals in the background – you will have to wait and see. I have pictures of a selection of them and will devote a post to them in coming days.
[…] This is not quite the “Yunnan Fringe” that Nicholas has been writing about (and lots more to come). In fact it is very much Yunnan central, but with strong links to the rural periphery. ANU PhD student Jinghong Zhang snapped this shot of an upmarket puer tea shop in Kunming. For an outline of Jinghong’s puer tea research go here. […]
I recall that Maoist China physically compelled aristocrats to the countyside to plough the fields – it didn’t actually contribute tosufficiency, but many progressively minded people felt a distinct emotional satisfaction with the whole business.
Here are responses to CU Books from two of the other academic’s who signed the letter.
Dear Ms. Uraiwan
it is unusual that petitioners hear back, so I thank you for taking the time to respond.
I am a yearly visitor to the Chulalongkorn bookshop, both on campus and at Siam Square and, like many, I appreciate the range of books you stock. It is an excellent bookshop.
However, I am concerned that Chula does not stock Ji Ungphakorn’s book on the recent coup and the journal, Faa Diaw Kan ( I have certainly purchased previous issues of the latter at the bookshop). If I am wrong about this, I apologise. Deciding not to stock a book or a journal is a political decision and reflects an attempt to shape the reading of the reading public. If I were to do this as a teacher, I would be failing in my duty to offer students a range of views.
I am a teacher, it is my job to teach. My students have a range of opinions and it is my responsibility to respect them all, even if I do not agree with them. This means I must invite them to read things that I totally disagree with. I do this often. When I assess their work I do not consider their political opinions, but rather I examine their research and the logic of their argument. Even if I disagree with their argument, it is my responsibility as a teacher to point out how they could make their argument stronger. It is the making of the argument (evidence, argument, expression etc.) thatt I assess, not whether they agree with me. I can not dictate to my students the opinions they should hold. I believe this general principle should also apply to libraries and bookshops. It is not our (mine or yours) responsibility to arbitrate on the merits of a book – rather as teachers and booksellers we give students access to a range of ideas and trust that they are mature enough to judge according to their own views the veracity or otherwise of what they read.
I should say this letter is my opinion only, and may not necessarily reflect the opinion of the other petitioners.
regards
Michael Connors.
Dear Khun Uraiwan,
Like Michael Connors and Kevin Hewison, who have previously replied to you, I would like to sincerely thank your for taking the time to respond directly to our petition. Although, like them, I only speak for myself and not for the other signatories, I would like to say that I concur with all the points Professors Connors and Hewison make, and I would only like to add one additional point.
In your heading, you ask if booksellers have human rights. This seems to me to slightly confuse the issue. As individuals working at CU Books of course you have human rights, and should it be the case that Khun Ji has in any way violated these I would not wish to defend him. That, however, is not the substance of the petition or the issue at hand, as I see it. A bookstore, as an institution, does not have human rights in exactly the same sense as an individual working for the bookstore. Certainly, the bookstore as an institution has legal rights, including over decisions regarding what materials it will sell, and it also has legal obligations, including obligations not to sell materials that have been banned. As Professor Hewison notes, there does not seem to have been any governmental decision banning either Khun Ji’s book or the special issue of Fa Dieo Kan, so the bookstore’s decision not to stock either of these is not a matter of legal obligation, so far as we can tell (and certainly this is the view of other bookstores in Thailand that are currently stocking and selling these materials). It is of course within CU Books rights to decide not to sell a particular book, but in this case the question would be why it would chose to do so, given that the books in question are about important and timely issues, and are by well-known authors (and therefore have some commercial potential as well). Unfortunately, your reply does not convince me there is a good countervailing reason for CU Books’ decision. That the material may be controversial, or that Khun Ji may (or may not) have been poorly behaved towards bookstore staff does not mean that CU Books as an institution should not be willing to sell the books in question, and indeed in refusing to do so it sends a message that it will participate in academic self-censorship on the basis of the personal distaste of staff towards particular authors or their arguments.
Professors Connors and Hewison rightly praise your bookstore for in the past being a valuable source for a range of opinions on political issues. I believe bookstores have a crucial role to play in this regard. It is impossible for everyone in society to act as their own bookseller or media outlet (Khun Ji’s personal efforts in this regard notwithstanding), so if a wide range of opinions are to be accessible to a general public–a precondition for a democratic society–the institutions that are able to distribute such information must agree to do so, even if their staff dislike the opinions expressed or the behavior of those expressing the opinions. In this light, I hope that you will reconsider your decision.
I don’t see any problem in having a forum for discussion on these issues.
However even if the forum produced a perfect model, it cannot be simply imposed on people because that would never work.
People are all at different levels on the learning path of life, some people will never learn in this lifetime, and no one can change their ways until they recognise there is even a problem with the way they currently do things.
I realize a bo tree wouldn’t mean as much as it would to Dai, Thai, Burmese and even Chinese, but why isn’t there a Jinghpaw version on the plaque in a Dai-Jinghpo cultural park?
I’m also curious about the murals in the background. What do they depict?
According to my friend at Chula, Chula Book stocks the anti-coup Fah Diew Kan but not Ji’s Coup for the Rich. Academic freedom.. what form of freedom are we speaking of? The whole of Thai educational state have long been pivotal in shaping and sustaining a particular type of value, and institutions of ‘higher education’ are not the exception.
CUBook did stock Fa Diew Gun’s Coup books. However, the location of the book were quite obscure. They did place the books at the exit counter, place usually reserved for charity books – books that proceeds go to charity. Ironically, this category includes books about the royal family.
At my last visit about 2-3 weeks ago though, the books were no longer where they originally were. This could be that (1) the books were sold out (2) They changed to location to the regular shelf or (3) The did take the book out of their
On a related issue, there are three new books published by OPENBOOKS by three youngish academics namely (1) Pitch Pongsawat “Karn Muang Ruang Kong Prai” (2) Sirote Klampaiboon “Prachatippatai Mai Chai Kong Rao” (3) Piyabutr Saengkanokkul “Praratchaamnaj Ongkamontri Lae Poo Mee Baramee Nok Rattathammanoon”
The first two books were now stocked by both CUBook and Se-ed book center (the largest book retailer in Thailand with more than 200 shops around the country). The third book, the one with the most provocative title were suspiciously missing from the bookstands.
Ji spoke at FCC Thai today. He told the audience his book are sold at his own office 15-20 copies everyday.
Just in case Tosakan does not see your question, CPB stands for Crown Property Bureau. One more terminological point: The King’s concept is called “sufficiency economy,” not “self-sufficiency economy.” That is, “sufficiency economy” is not supposed to be about subsistence economy and economic autarky. However, what it positively is about, this has not been made clear so far.
CU Books said that they did not took the Fa Dieo Kan off the shelf as originally reported. The fact is, according to them, they did not take it from the distributor in the first place. In other words, FDK was never on the shelf at CU Books.
Some may think the answer was a clever sarcasm. I think it is honest but naive. The above response “Does the book-seller have human right?” looks honest but naive as well. Apart from the relationship between Ji and the Bookstore and part from what one might think about Ji’s book, the responses from CU Books manager raise the question about the culture of freedom, academic freedom, censorship in Thailand. The Manager implies that academic freedom is a “farang” thing; Thais have their own way dealing with freedom (of what to read and think?).
To be honest, I am deeply torn between modernisation of Thailands agriculture for the sake of productivity increase on one hand and the eco-friendly preservation of traditional ways on the other.
On one hand we want Thailand to develop economically with an agriculture requiring less labour, on the other hand there is the self-sufficiency approach of HMK. I wonder how Thailand can remain the top exporter of rice by using buffaloes and planting rice with bare hands?
On the other hand I would definitely support the movement to protect the water buffalo as a farming animal and not just to see them in museum villages.
I have come across a Thai soap where the “self-sufficiency”-agriculture is playing a major theme. Looking at it is an amusing nostalgia and I wonder whether the directors have lost a bit of their sense for reality. They just help building up the idealised imagery of the happy Thai farmer.
The loss of agricultural land for construction is a serious issue and I wish it is more widely address than it is now.
Tosakan, could you enlighten my what CPB stands for? Sorry for my backwardedness…
Perhaps the king would invent a more efficient buffalo-pulled plough to compete with tractors. But then, didn’t the king himself “invent” a fuel-driven tractor to replace the buffalo, produced by Siam Cement?
I wonder if they are going to use buffalos instead of tractors to dig up all the land that is being prepared for massive condos and shopping mall projects that are being financed by the CPB.
Facebook 
Twitter 
Soundcloud 
Youtube 
Rss
The Chula bookshop saga
When this episode is over, Giles ought to present a gift basket to poor Mrs Uraiwan. After all, she unwittingly gave this hard-nosed political agitator an excellent opportunity for public relations and for presenting himself as a suppressed freedom fighter. So, be a gentleman.
Morality and sufficiency postponed?
Readers who would like to base their normative ideas on a realistic theory of modern society (or who want to get rid of unrealistic normative ideas) might for an accessible text turn to Niklas Luhmann. 1989. Ecological Communication. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. This book was written when ecological concerns and respective normative prescriptions were very strong in Europe. Luhmann thus wanted to infuse some realism into that debate. Thus the original German-language sub-title of his book, “Can modern society adapt to ecological dangers?” In short, any attempt to deal with modern function systems–the components of modern society–that operate on binary codes by moral prescriptions, that is third values, will not succeed.
Oliver Jufer, royal graffiti and global news
[…] Original post by Nicholas Farrelly […]
Morality and sufficiency postponed?
Well, a good example of the grip that the “ultraroyalists” have on Thailand’s media under the current dictatorship. Why do they receive such international support from people like Alfredo at al? Feudal nostalgia? Similar paternalistic attitude to the poor? Common interest?
But I can’t really see the point of making a fuss about what’s written in The Nation. It long ago lost any attempt at maintaining journalistic standards. This opinion piece is a typical example: it could have been written by a palace lady-in-waiting. Let’s face it: the only reason people read The Nation is because it’s written in English. It has zero effect on political discourse in Thailand. The press articles that ARE worth debating and criticizing, because of their actual impact on the Thai public, are those that come out in Phujatkan, Matichon, Thai Rat, Krungthep Thurakij, etc.
Sino-Thai “tree of friendship” at the border
Thanks Aiontay,
I was also intrigued by the lack of Jinghpo on the plaque. Unfortunately, I have no extra insight to offer on the matter.
What I will soon offer is more about this cultural park. As for the murals in the background – you will have to wait and see. I have pictures of a selection of them and will devote a post to them in coming days.
Standby for more to come.
Nich
tutorial Judi card Bandarq utk mendapatkan Kemenangan
[…] This is not quite the “Yunnan Fringe” that Nicholas has been writing about (and lots more to come). In fact it is very much Yunnan central, but with strong links to the rural periphery. ANU PhD student Jinghong Zhang snapped this shot of an upmarket puer tea shop in Kunming. For an outline of Jinghong’s puer tea research go here. […]
Bring back the buffalo!
I recall that Maoist China physically compelled aristocrats to the countyside to plough the fields – it didn’t actually contribute tosufficiency, but many progressively minded people felt a distinct emotional satisfaction with the whole business.
The Chula bookshop saga
Here are responses to CU Books from two of the other academic’s who signed the letter.
Dear Ms. Uraiwan
it is unusual that petitioners hear back, so I thank you for taking the time to respond.
I am a yearly visitor to the Chulalongkorn bookshop, both on campus and at Siam Square and, like many, I appreciate the range of books you stock. It is an excellent bookshop.
However, I am concerned that Chula does not stock Ji Ungphakorn’s book on the recent coup and the journal, Faa Diaw Kan ( I have certainly purchased previous issues of the latter at the bookshop). If I am wrong about this, I apologise. Deciding not to stock a book or a journal is a political decision and reflects an attempt to shape the reading of the reading public. If I were to do this as a teacher, I would be failing in my duty to offer students a range of views.
I am a teacher, it is my job to teach. My students have a range of opinions and it is my responsibility to respect them all, even if I do not agree with them. This means I must invite them to read things that I totally disagree with. I do this often. When I assess their work I do not consider their political opinions, but rather I examine their research and the logic of their argument. Even if I disagree with their argument, it is my responsibility as a teacher to point out how they could make their argument stronger. It is the making of the argument (evidence, argument, expression etc.) thatt I assess, not whether they agree with me. I can not dictate to my students the opinions they should hold. I believe this general principle should also apply to libraries and bookshops. It is not our (mine or yours) responsibility to arbitrate on the merits of a book – rather as teachers and booksellers we give students access to a range of ideas and trust that they are mature enough to judge according to their own views the veracity or otherwise of what they read.
I should say this letter is my opinion only, and may not necessarily reflect the opinion of the other petitioners.
regards
Michael Connors.
Dear Khun Uraiwan,
Like Michael Connors and Kevin Hewison, who have previously replied to you, I would like to sincerely thank your for taking the time to respond directly to our petition. Although, like them, I only speak for myself and not for the other signatories, I would like to say that I concur with all the points Professors Connors and Hewison make, and I would only like to add one additional point.
In your heading, you ask if booksellers have human rights. This seems to me to slightly confuse the issue. As individuals working at CU Books of course you have human rights, and should it be the case that Khun Ji has in any way violated these I would not wish to defend him. That, however, is not the substance of the petition or the issue at hand, as I see it. A bookstore, as an institution, does not have human rights in exactly the same sense as an individual working for the bookstore. Certainly, the bookstore as an institution has legal rights, including over decisions regarding what materials it will sell, and it also has legal obligations, including obligations not to sell materials that have been banned. As Professor Hewison notes, there does not seem to have been any governmental decision banning either Khun Ji’s book or the special issue of Fa Dieo Kan, so the bookstore’s decision not to stock either of these is not a matter of legal obligation, so far as we can tell (and certainly this is the view of other bookstores in Thailand that are currently stocking and selling these materials). It is of course within CU Books rights to decide not to sell a particular book, but in this case the question would be why it would chose to do so, given that the books in question are about important and timely issues, and are by well-known authors (and therefore have some commercial potential as well). Unfortunately, your reply does not convince me there is a good countervailing reason for CU Books’ decision. That the material may be controversial, or that Khun Ji may (or may not) have been poorly behaved towards bookstore staff does not mean that CU Books as an institution should not be willing to sell the books in question, and indeed in refusing to do so it sends a message that it will participate in academic self-censorship on the basis of the personal distaste of staff towards particular authors or their arguments.
Professors Connors and Hewison rightly praise your bookstore for in the past being a valuable source for a range of opinions on political issues. I believe bookstores have a crucial role to play in this regard. It is impossible for everyone in society to act as their own bookseller or media outlet (Khun Ji’s personal efforts in this regard notwithstanding), so if a wide range of opinions are to be accessible to a general public–a precondition for a democratic society–the institutions that are able to distribute such information must agree to do so, even if their staff dislike the opinions expressed or the behavior of those expressing the opinions. In this light, I hope that you will reconsider your decision.
Regards,
Jim Glassman
Morality and sufficiency postponed?
I don’t see any problem in having a forum for discussion on these issues.
However even if the forum produced a perfect model, it cannot be simply imposed on people because that would never work.
People are all at different levels on the learning path of life, some people will never learn in this lifetime, and no one can change their ways until they recognise there is even a problem with the way they currently do things.
Sino-Thai “tree of friendship” at the border
I realize a bo tree wouldn’t mean as much as it would to Dai, Thai, Burmese and even Chinese, but why isn’t there a Jinghpaw version on the plaque in a Dai-Jinghpo cultural park?
I’m also curious about the murals in the background. What do they depict?
The Chula bookshop saga
According to my friend at Chula, Chula Book stocks the anti-coup Fah Diew Kan but not Ji’s Coup for the Rich. Academic freedom.. what form of freedom are we speaking of? The whole of Thai educational state have long been pivotal in shaping and sustaining a particular type of value, and institutions of ‘higher education’ are not the exception.
The Chula bookshop saga
CUBook did stock Fa Diew Gun’s Coup books. However, the location of the book were quite obscure. They did place the books at the exit counter, place usually reserved for charity books – books that proceeds go to charity. Ironically, this category includes books about the royal family.
At my last visit about 2-3 weeks ago though, the books were no longer where they originally were. This could be that (1) the books were sold out (2) They changed to location to the regular shelf or (3) The did take the book out of their
On a related issue, there are three new books published by OPENBOOKS by three youngish academics namely (1) Pitch Pongsawat “Karn Muang Ruang Kong Prai” (2) Sirote Klampaiboon “Prachatippatai Mai Chai Kong Rao” (3) Piyabutr Saengkanokkul “Praratchaamnaj Ongkamontri Lae Poo Mee Baramee Nok Rattathammanoon”
The first two books were now stocked by both CUBook and Se-ed book center (the largest book retailer in Thailand with more than 200 shops around the country). The third book, the one with the most provocative title were suspiciously missing from the bookstands.
Ji spoke at FCC Thai today. He told the audience his book are sold at his own office 15-20 copies everyday.
Bring back the buffalo!
Just in case Tosakan does not see your question, CPB stands for Crown Property Bureau. One more terminological point: The King’s concept is called “sufficiency economy,” not “self-sufficiency economy.” That is, “sufficiency economy” is not supposed to be about subsistence economy and economic autarky. However, what it positively is about, this has not been made clear so far.
The Chula bookshop saga
CU Books said that they did not took the Fa Dieo Kan off the shelf as originally reported. The fact is, according to them, they did not take it from the distributor in the first place. In other words, FDK was never on the shelf at CU Books.
Some may think the answer was a clever sarcasm. I think it is honest but naive. The above response “Does the book-seller have human right?” looks honest but naive as well. Apart from the relationship between Ji and the Bookstore and part from what one might think about Ji’s book, the responses from CU Books manager raise the question about the culture of freedom, academic freedom, censorship in Thailand. The Manager implies that academic freedom is a “farang” thing; Thais have their own way dealing with freedom (of what to read and think?).
Seminar: Thant Myint-U at SOAS, London
[…] http://rspas.anu.edu.au/rmap/newmandala/2007/03/06/seminar-thant-myint-u-at-soas-london/ Explore posts in the same categories: Akademisches, Artikelen […]
Bring back the buffalo!
To be honest, I am deeply torn between modernisation of Thailands agriculture for the sake of productivity increase on one hand and the eco-friendly preservation of traditional ways on the other.
On one hand we want Thailand to develop economically with an agriculture requiring less labour, on the other hand there is the self-sufficiency approach of HMK. I wonder how Thailand can remain the top exporter of rice by using buffaloes and planting rice with bare hands?
On the other hand I would definitely support the movement to protect the water buffalo as a farming animal and not just to see them in museum villages.
I have come across a Thai soap where the “self-sufficiency”-agriculture is playing a major theme. Looking at it is an amusing nostalgia and I wonder whether the directors have lost a bit of their sense for reality. They just help building up the idealised imagery of the happy Thai farmer.
The loss of agricultural land for construction is a serious issue and I wish it is more widely address than it is now.
Tosakan, could you enlighten my what CPB stands for? Sorry for my backwardedness…
Bring back the buffalo!
And imagine how they will do the piling, or the construction of the pillars and the floors! That will be sufficiency building fun jing jing.
Bring back the buffalo!
Perhaps the king would invent a more efficient buffalo-pulled plough to compete with tractors. But then, didn’t the king himself “invent” a fuel-driven tractor to replace the buffalo, produced by Siam Cement?
A Sino-Burmese border hop
A real nice one, thanks!
The border looks indeed artificial and arbritary here….
Bring back the buffalo!
I wonder if they are going to use buffalos instead of tractors to dig up all the land that is being prepared for massive condos and shopping mall projects that are being financed by the CPB.