I am not even going into his completely insane ramblings on 2010, and his conspiracy theories linking New Mandala, Prachatai and me to some warped world domination conspiracy theories.
Perception is not Reality. The real truth about this “Rohingya disaster” might never be told. People (not just in Burma and Thailand) are easily brain-washed by fake propaganda, which nowadays is effectively done through social media (Facebook is a big deal in Burma). In my opinion, there is a lot of racial profiling and social pecking-order based on skin-colour in many Asian countries. Skin whitening creams are very popular. Just look at the entertainment industry and the advertisements in countries like Burma and Thailand. The Chinese/Korean lighter-skinned look is the preferred “norm” in Southeast Asia (of course, “whites” are also “admired”). It is ironic to see how Asians so blatantly discriminate against each other and at the same time like to complain about how “white people” are racist against Asians. Isn’t that rather hypocritical?
(disclosure: I was born in Burma and I can read Burmese)
I don’t think Nick Nostiz is right to describe the person sometimes known as Tony Cartalucci as a nutcase and an idiot, however tempting that may be. Cunning and deceitful might be more accurate terms.
As others will no doubt be aware, Tony Cartalucci is a regular contributor to the online journal NEO put out by The Russian Academy of Science’s Institute of Oriental Studies, which may well explain his relentlessly anti Western and anti US stance.
This connection needs to be kept in mind when casting an eye over his attempts at political journalism.
And why do Western Nations suck up to this jerk, ripping off his Nation’s constitution, selects himself as “PM, grants himself absolute immunity, is just as corrupt as any other “Power” in Thailand, is boss of all Thai mafia gangs, (also referred to as Royal Army and Royal Police), why do Western Nations still continue diplomatic relationships with this arrogant piece of unwanted junk, calling itself Thai Government? Close all Thai Embassies and Consulates and send all this hypocrites home, where they should be.
And why do still so many stupid Farangs travel to this sick-ruled kingdom, where every day more foreigners are being killed than in any other country?
Want to pass your “smart” comment? Then you need to live for a few years on such turf.
Look at the history of this kingdom, and on what “conditions” it was built and rules, then any functioning brain in any head would condemn Thailand’s entire leadership. China is a 100 times better. At least one knows who they are dealing with. Unlike Thailand, where you are being greeted with a sick slime, sorry, smile, and sent home with a knife in your stomach.
One can only feel sorry for the people living there (as long as they are Thai. If a foreigner, they well deserve to be shut up. They all suck up for, obvious reasons).
Thailand, under it’s current dictator’s claws, is a disgrace to human society.
Hand Thailand back to its people before they rip it out of your hands, Mr Prayuth. (you still got a slight chance to get off the hook, relatively unchallenged.
You probably won’t see this comment because New Mandala censors all my comments that support your views. Why do you post on an Australian website that censors its readers? Don’t you think it’s ironic?
Australia is an old prison colony. The people that run this website are the children of criminals, debtors, and lo-so people. Think about it – what great things have ever come out of Australia? What great invention or medical advancement? The answer is a resounding “NONE”!
Stop wasting your time on a bunch of useless people that have given nothing to the world – except censorship.
Sarawut unfortunately there are some things that simply can’t be compromised. Sir Anthony Eden tried it with Hitler and we all know what happened there.as I said before,change will come to Thailand when its people learn from their own history. As long as the military are a force unto themselves it will continue to protect its own position.World history teaches us that rule by suppression has a limited lifespan. Eventually people decide enough is enough.it’s only a matter of time but when it happens it will not be pleasant.Sorry to be so pessimistic but there are 2 catalysts for change one of which is economic dislocation. Both catalysts are coming sooner rather than later.
Arthurson, I’d like to add something. Early in the PDRC riot, Prayuth Chah-O-Cha issued a stern warning to Yingluck’s government not to take any strong measure against PDRC demonstrators. This was reported in Thai newspapers.
Sarawut, I’m not sure that your choice of metaphor is correct. “Thailand is in a typically switched off mode”. I think lock-down is more accurate. Also, you point out that compromise is preferable to confrontation. In a democratic society, the major mechanism of compromise is an election. This was refused and trashed by the PDRC and the army has essentially endorsed their rejection of compromise by firstly, not protecting the elections in january 2014 and secondly by taking over the PDRC’s “reform before elections” program. Your vision of a technocratic elite running the country by decree for the next five years will not ensure democracy. It will be a nightmare. The job of technocrats is to implement the policy of whatever government they serve which they may do well or badly in any country. They are not inherently neutral. As private citizens, they have their own interests, just as non-technocrats – factory workers, farmers, teachers, clerks – have their own interests. Ideally, if their job is to advise and present options to a government, they will do that. But the idea that they have some special genius for making policy that reflects the aspirations of the population as a whole or even a majority is ludicrous. One of the technocrats who served in both coup administrations is the “economic czar” M.R Pridyathorn. A conspicuous failure in both, I would suggest.
Robert, article doesn’t ask for this regime to stay for next five years. It asks for dismantling of existing organs like NLA, CDC, NRC etc. In fact it clearly says that this condition is simply untenable and risks Thailand becoming a failed state for her people. Many people are expecting a revolution but nothing seems to be coming. Solution offered is not utopian but practical one. Present condition is not acceptable to masses and an immediate election is not acceptable to significant minority. How about a compromise?
On another note – it’s shocking and disappointing that there is not more conversation in the media about the harm the Bakrie family has brought upon the Indonesian people and government. Having received what amounts to three bailouts in the last 20-odd years, it is astonishing that any Bakrie is allowed to do business anywhere.
Casual readers should be aware that Mr. Cohen’s above comment betrays zero knowledge of either the Lapindo situation or political ecology. To celebrate technical expertise at the end of an article about Lapindo is amusing (and embarrassing to Mr. Cohen), as technical experts neither were able to prevent the disaster, establish a consensus about its cause, nor handle the various social and environmental impacts with any success.
There is an irony that Mr. Cohen mocks victims’ spiritual faith (a classy move – mocking disaster victims), but then shows an analogous faith in technical institutions. This modernist faith (famously critiqued and discredited by scholars in the social sciences – i.e., James Scott, Alan Pickering, Bruno Latour) derives from a dated and crude understanding of science that views scientific pursuit as pure, objective inquiry. Of course, any practicing scientist knows that social and cultural concerns always bleed into inquiry, from securing funding and accessing technological tools to framing inquiries and disseminating findings.
If Cohen’s faith requires his consultation with experts to understand the causes and effects of disasters, perhaps he would benefit from taking seriously the work of scholars in political ecology that are firmly entrenched in social science departments in most (if not all) the top universities in the world. It should also be noted that scholars/experts have long explored the intersections between social and environmental phenomena since before the term “political ecology” took hold. Figures like Adam Smith, David Ricardo, and Karl Marx may very well be considered political ecologists today, as classical understandings of economics included ecological considerations like disasters, soil fertility, access to natural resources, motive forces, and labor power.
First, the PDRC/PCAD had a large contingent of hired thugs working for them, and they committed numerous acts of violence–including beatings, murder and disappearances. Second, the Yingluck government bent over backwards to control the violent demonstrations and their attempts to take over Government House. They did this in a vain attempt to prevent the military from having any excuse to intervene and impose martial law.
If I had been in her position I would have ordered mass arrests of the PDRC/PCAD demonstrators for the insurrection they were clearly engaged in. But we now know that the military and Suthep’s forces were in collusion from months, probably years, to overthrow the elected government by either a judicial coup or a military dictatorship.
Leaving this regime in place for 5 years will result in the complete destruction of Democracy and the Thai economy. Unfortunately there seems to be little alternative to eventual confrontation.The elites that back this regime have no interest in a democracy that threatens their interests and privilege. They can only have their way while the so called educated middle class in Bangkok support them. It will take a heavy dose of economic turmoil for this to change
Nick, I must say the thought crossed my mind that Not Disappointed may well indeed be Tony Cartalucci.The stuff posted is just as inane and the references to Pratachai and the US State Department is very land destroyer.
Jonfernquest – why then do the vast majority of your contributions at New Mandala consist of moaning about how bad it is, how unfair that you usually get hardly any thumbs up, yet without anything even closely resembling original thought or research?
And topping it off – you have now endorsed a poster named “notdisappointed”, whose low point of contributions was to quote from landestroyer/Tony Cartalucci/Michael Pirsch (or maybe “notdisappointed” is him?) – the biggest conspiracy nutcase in the cyber battleground of Thai politics. Is allying yourself with this idiot part of your expertise on all matters Thai? Does Tony Cartalucci’s rubbish belong to your large library of Thai research as well (god – i hope not… 😉 )?
…or are you just having a bit of fun at our expense?
Sorry mate but as impressive as your experiences teaching english and writing for the BKK post may be you haven’t dealt with my question. What qualitative research have you undertaken? What academic articles have you had published? Teaching business English and contributing to that icon of balanced reporting the BKK post hardly qualifies you as an expert on Thailand
Every single day for a decade, I have written or adapted at least two articles a day for the learning section of the Bangkok Post, online edition, the English newspaper of record for the country of Thailand. Articles that deal with every aspect of life in Thailand, especially business and economy.
For the last two to three years, I have written a daily business news summary but that includes social issue aspects of business. Before that I worked at MFLU university in Chiang Rai teaching thousands of students economics and business English. I also published in early modern Burmese history. I am familiar and have read a large amount of the work in Thai Studies.
I am fully qualified to assess the articles that this site churns out 🙂
You seem to regard yourself as being some sort of expert as to what Thais think and need. Could you enlighten us as to the qualitative research you have undertaken to support your assertions….and no…. anecdotal evidence from discussions with your wife or your experience in a Bangkok bar won’t cut it.
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Solidarity with imprisoned Thai students
I am sorry, but the guy is a mentally unstable idiot, just read these two somewhat amusing diatribes on me: http://altthainews.blogspot.com/2013/11/german-journalist-attacked-at-thai.html and http://altthainews.blogspot.com/2014/05/foreign-journalist-attacked-again-is.html
I am not even going into his completely insane ramblings on 2010, and his conspiracy theories linking New Mandala, Prachatai and me to some warped world domination conspiracy theories.
Social media, Rohingya and damn lies
Perception is not Reality. The real truth about this “Rohingya disaster” might never be told. People (not just in Burma and Thailand) are easily brain-washed by fake propaganda, which nowadays is effectively done through social media (Facebook is a big deal in Burma). In my opinion, there is a lot of racial profiling and social pecking-order based on skin-colour in many Asian countries. Skin whitening creams are very popular. Just look at the entertainment industry and the advertisements in countries like Burma and Thailand. The Chinese/Korean lighter-skinned look is the preferred “norm” in Southeast Asia (of course, “whites” are also “admired”). It is ironic to see how Asians so blatantly discriminate against each other and at the same time like to complain about how “white people” are racist against Asians. Isn’t that rather hypocritical?
(disclosure: I was born in Burma and I can read Burmese)
Thai Coup: A normal way of life
Penicillin, perhaps, Not Disappointed or NewMandalaCensors? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Florey
Solidarity with imprisoned Thai students
I don’t think Nick Nostiz is right to describe the person sometimes known as Tony Cartalucci as a nutcase and an idiot, however tempting that may be. Cunning and deceitful might be more accurate terms.
As others will no doubt be aware, Tony Cartalucci is a regular contributor to the online journal NEO put out by The Russian Academy of Science’s Institute of Oriental Studies, which may well explain his relentlessly anti Western and anti US stance.
This connection needs to be kept in mind when casting an eye over his attempts at political journalism.
Open Letter Condemning the Thai Constitution
And why do Western Nations suck up to this jerk, ripping off his Nation’s constitution, selects himself as “PM, grants himself absolute immunity, is just as corrupt as any other “Power” in Thailand, is boss of all Thai mafia gangs, (also referred to as Royal Army and Royal Police), why do Western Nations still continue diplomatic relationships with this arrogant piece of unwanted junk, calling itself Thai Government? Close all Thai Embassies and Consulates and send all this hypocrites home, where they should be.
And why do still so many stupid Farangs travel to this sick-ruled kingdom, where every day more foreigners are being killed than in any other country?
Want to pass your “smart” comment? Then you need to live for a few years on such turf.
Look at the history of this kingdom, and on what “conditions” it was built and rules, then any functioning brain in any head would condemn Thailand’s entire leadership. China is a 100 times better. At least one knows who they are dealing with. Unlike Thailand, where you are being greeted with a sick slime, sorry, smile, and sent home with a knife in your stomach.
One can only feel sorry for the people living there (as long as they are Thai. If a foreigner, they well deserve to be shut up. They all suck up for, obvious reasons).
Thailand, under it’s current dictator’s claws, is a disgrace to human society.
Hand Thailand back to its people before they rip it out of your hands, Mr Prayuth. (you still got a slight chance to get off the hook, relatively unchallenged.
Thai Coup: A normal way of life
Dear Rose,
You probably won’t see this comment because New Mandala censors all my comments that support your views. Why do you post on an Australian website that censors its readers? Don’t you think it’s ironic?
Australia is an old prison colony. The people that run this website are the children of criminals, debtors, and lo-so people. Think about it – what great things have ever come out of Australia? What great invention or medical advancement? The answer is a resounding “NONE”!
Stop wasting your time on a bunch of useless people that have given nothing to the world – except censorship.
Thai democracy’s waiting game
Sarawut unfortunately there are some things that simply can’t be compromised. Sir Anthony Eden tried it with Hitler and we all know what happened there.as I said before,change will come to Thailand when its people learn from their own history. As long as the military are a force unto themselves it will continue to protect its own position.World history teaches us that rule by suppression has a limited lifespan. Eventually people decide enough is enough.it’s only a matter of time but when it happens it will not be pleasant.Sorry to be so pessimistic but there are 2 catalysts for change one of which is economic dislocation. Both catalysts are coming sooner rather than later.
Solidarity with imprisoned Thai students
Arthurson, I’d like to add something. Early in the PDRC riot, Prayuth Chah-O-Cha issued a stern warning to Yingluck’s government not to take any strong measure against PDRC demonstrators. This was reported in Thai newspapers.
Thai democracy’s waiting game
Sarawut, I’m not sure that your choice of metaphor is correct. “Thailand is in a typically switched off mode”. I think lock-down is more accurate. Also, you point out that compromise is preferable to confrontation. In a democratic society, the major mechanism of compromise is an election. This was refused and trashed by the PDRC and the army has essentially endorsed their rejection of compromise by firstly, not protecting the elections in january 2014 and secondly by taking over the PDRC’s “reform before elections” program. Your vision of a technocratic elite running the country by decree for the next five years will not ensure democracy. It will be a nightmare. The job of technocrats is to implement the policy of whatever government they serve which they may do well or badly in any country. They are not inherently neutral. As private citizens, they have their own interests, just as non-technocrats – factory workers, farmers, teachers, clerks – have their own interests. Ideally, if their job is to advise and present options to a government, they will do that. But the idea that they have some special genius for making policy that reflects the aspirations of the population as a whole or even a majority is ludicrous. One of the technocrats who served in both coup administrations is the “economic czar” M.R Pridyathorn. A conspicuous failure in both, I would suggest.
Thai democracy’s waiting game
Robert, article doesn’t ask for this regime to stay for next five years. It asks for dismantling of existing organs like NLA, CDC, NRC etc. In fact it clearly says that this condition is simply untenable and risks Thailand becoming a failed state for her people. Many people are expecting a revolution but nothing seems to be coming. Solution offered is not utopian but practical one. Present condition is not acceptable to masses and an immediate election is not acceptable to significant minority. How about a compromise?
Stuck in the mud in the shadow of Bakrie
On another note – it’s shocking and disappointing that there is not more conversation in the media about the harm the Bakrie family has brought upon the Indonesian people and government. Having received what amounts to three bailouts in the last 20-odd years, it is astonishing that any Bakrie is allowed to do business anywhere.
Stuck in the mud in the shadow of Bakrie
Casual readers should be aware that Mr. Cohen’s above comment betrays zero knowledge of either the Lapindo situation or political ecology. To celebrate technical expertise at the end of an article about Lapindo is amusing (and embarrassing to Mr. Cohen), as technical experts neither were able to prevent the disaster, establish a consensus about its cause, nor handle the various social and environmental impacts with any success.
There is an irony that Mr. Cohen mocks victims’ spiritual faith (a classy move – mocking disaster victims), but then shows an analogous faith in technical institutions. This modernist faith (famously critiqued and discredited by scholars in the social sciences – i.e., James Scott, Alan Pickering, Bruno Latour) derives from a dated and crude understanding of science that views scientific pursuit as pure, objective inquiry. Of course, any practicing scientist knows that social and cultural concerns always bleed into inquiry, from securing funding and accessing technological tools to framing inquiries and disseminating findings.
If Cohen’s faith requires his consultation with experts to understand the causes and effects of disasters, perhaps he would benefit from taking seriously the work of scholars in political ecology that are firmly entrenched in social science departments in most (if not all) the top universities in the world. It should also be noted that scholars/experts have long explored the intersections between social and environmental phenomena since before the term “political ecology” took hold. Figures like Adam Smith, David Ricardo, and Karl Marx may very well be considered political ecologists today, as classical understandings of economics included ecological considerations like disasters, soil fertility, access to natural resources, motive forces, and labor power.
Solidarity with imprisoned Thai students
What a complete pack of lies!
First, the PDRC/PCAD had a large contingent of hired thugs working for them, and they committed numerous acts of violence–including beatings, murder and disappearances. Second, the Yingluck government bent over backwards to control the violent demonstrations and their attempts to take over Government House. They did this in a vain attempt to prevent the military from having any excuse to intervene and impose martial law.
If I had been in her position I would have ordered mass arrests of the PDRC/PCAD demonstrators for the insurrection they were clearly engaged in. But we now know that the military and Suthep’s forces were in collusion from months, probably years, to overthrow the elected government by either a judicial coup or a military dictatorship.
Thai democracy’s waiting game
Leaving this regime in place for 5 years will result in the complete destruction of Democracy and the Thai economy. Unfortunately there seems to be little alternative to eventual confrontation.The elites that back this regime have no interest in a democracy that threatens their interests and privilege. They can only have their way while the so called educated middle class in Bangkok support them. It will take a heavy dose of economic turmoil for this to change
Solidarity with imprisoned Thai students
Nick, I must say the thought crossed my mind that Not Disappointed may well indeed be Tony Cartalucci.The stuff posted is just as inane and the references to Pratachai and the US State Department is very land destroyer.
Solidarity with imprisoned Thai students
Jonfernquest – why then do the vast majority of your contributions at New Mandala consist of moaning about how bad it is, how unfair that you usually get hardly any thumbs up, yet without anything even closely resembling original thought or research?
And topping it off – you have now endorsed a poster named “notdisappointed”, whose low point of contributions was to quote from landestroyer/Tony Cartalucci/Michael Pirsch (or maybe “notdisappointed” is him?) – the biggest conspiracy nutcase in the cyber battleground of Thai politics. Is allying yourself with this idiot part of your expertise on all matters Thai? Does Tony Cartalucci’s rubbish belong to your large library of Thai research as well (god – i hope not… 😉 )?
…or are you just having a bit of fun at our expense?
Solidarity with imprisoned Thai students
Sorry mate but as impressive as your experiences teaching english and writing for the BKK post may be you haven’t dealt with my question. What qualitative research have you undertaken? What academic articles have you had published? Teaching business English and contributing to that icon of balanced reporting the BKK post hardly qualifies you as an expert on Thailand
Thailand’s thieves in uniform
Good on you Rose.
Solidarity with imprisoned Thai students
Every single day for a decade, I have written or adapted at least two articles a day for the learning section of the Bangkok Post, online edition, the English newspaper of record for the country of Thailand. Articles that deal with every aspect of life in Thailand, especially business and economy.
For the last two to three years, I have written a daily business news summary but that includes social issue aspects of business. Before that I worked at MFLU university in Chiang Rai teaching thousands of students economics and business English. I also published in early modern Burmese history. I am familiar and have read a large amount of the work in Thai Studies.
I am fully qualified to assess the articles that this site churns out 🙂
Solidarity with imprisoned Thai students
You seem to regard yourself as being some sort of expert as to what Thais think and need. Could you enlighten us as to the qualitative research you have undertaken to support your assertions….and no…. anecdotal evidence from discussions with your wife or your experience in a Bangkok bar won’t cut it.