As ever you deliberately misrepresent the valid points people make about your flippant & ignorant approach to ‘history’. You called Thailand a ‘semi colony’ what nonsense is that,from the mid 19th century till post WW2 Thailand was surrounded by competing powers but remained independent. Got it?
Your assumption is wrong. I do not know what happens to your posts on NM. Clearly, not all of your comments are banned on NM. Perhaps others are, or are being changed in some way. If this is the case, perhaps you could tell us about the changes that have been made or the posts that have not been posted.
WHAT history is that Matt ? My original post above was over-all in praise of Dr. Blaxland. Nor have I “often supported” Andrew MacGregor Marshall’s “venom”. Please cite me some examples of your gripes, before you fall off your bar-stool – as you seem to be slurring even your own name. Meanwhile, here is my tribute to King Bumiphol – a famous lover of music, with a much better sense of humour than you Matt. Hope you’re not going to accuse Sek loso of lese majeste. Ladies and Gentlemen – Sek Loso – courtesy of THE CURE ! : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEb8JQ1A1js
You folks won’t take advice, you’re following like sheep. But when you are in a hole stop digging.
“THIS is it, folks. This is it.” Given the context and the history of your posts on NM, there is only one interpretation. I assume you realise not all my replies are being posted and some are being changed. You’re being led by people who are not in Thailand and who won’t be held to account. You really are sheep.
Matt Owen Rees – re : “it has been seen as disrespectful by all Thais who have seen it.” How do you know this ? Do you know “ALL Thais who have seen it” ? If so – HOW ? And as you seem to be accussing me of lese majeste – and New Mandala also – are you also accusing the writer of that article of lese majeste ?
I would suggest to listen to your own advice regarding “no place on a civilised forum for the vitriol and flaming”.
While you have contributed nothing to the debate other than moaning about the voting system and accused people who you disagree with of “bias”, or now of being “anti-Thai” (whatever that may mean…), instead of reasonably arguing your points.
And now you have even sunk to the pits and threatened a commentator here (“I have taken a screen shot of your reply and this post.”).
This is shameful, a true low point in the history of New Mandala discussions and debates.
This is a good combination of blames and criticisms against the Thai police, although I think it is not comprehensive and rational enough to put the blames only to Thaksin and the junta when asking for Thai police reform. The writer may ignore the relationship among, to name only significant issues, Thai politics, governance, bureaucracy, and the Thai police.
The history of Thai police since its origin is clear that Thai police have associated closely to all the supreme political entity as much as the entity co-opts the police to maximize their power. Other state agencies always do the same. It was true before Thaksin came to power and has been as it is now. Thai laws and bureaucratic system also justify these kind of Thai governance and bureaucracy. The police act 2004 and Thai governance allows the PM to use Thai police apparatus to serve their political purposes, namely state purposes. As there is no specific law to police demonstration and the demonstrators, the weak leadership of Democrat party at the time of Redshirt protest 2010 made the use of police seemingly ineffective and its political affiliation with the military resulted in even more brutal crack downs.
There is a fun fact for the writer to know. A research by King Prachatipok Institution in 2010 shows that under Thaksin’s prime ministership from 2003 – 2006, public trust to the Thai police had increased year by year from 57.2% to the highest at 69.2%. After the coup 2006 – 2010, public trust to the Thai police declined continually since. Sadly, it is fair to say that police popularity at the time was perhaps because of the brutal war on drugs and Thaksin’s popular policies. At least, this shows how public trust conflicts with Thai establishment and why Thai police enjoy their reputation under Thaksin term.
News(http://www2.manager.co.th/Around/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9530000181132) Search for full research from (р╕бр╕нр╕Зр╕нр╕Фр╕╡р╕Х р╣Бр╕ер╕нр╕Щр╕▓р╕Др╕Х р╕зр╕▒р╕Фр╕гр╕░р╕Фр╕▒р╕Ър╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╣Ар╕Кр╕╖р╣Ир╕нр╕бр╕▒р╣Ир╕Щр╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╕Кр╕▓р╕Кр╕Щр╕Хр╣Ир╕нр╕кр╕Цр╕▓р╕Ър╕▒р╕Щр╕Хр╣Ир╕▓р╕Зр╣Ж р╣Бр╕ер╕░р╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╕Юр╕╢р╕Зр╕Юр╕нр╣Гр╕Ир╕Хр╣Ир╕нр╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╕Ър╕гр╕┤р╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╕гр╕▒р╕Р р╕Ю.р╕и.2546- 2553)
“The history of police is the history of state power.” How can we have an accountable and professional police in a country which is obsessed with Thai establishment, state-centrism and authoritarianism? Are there any other state agencies in Thailand outstandingly trustworthy in accountability and professionalism? They are just comparatively less blamed than the police but still far from accountable and professionalism. There are many state agencies supervising the police and no other agencies less circumscribed than the police. In the past few years, Many state agencies have been looked dirtier because of their involvement in politics and state power; judicialisation, doctor and nurse protests, and military coups result in less public trust afterwards. More unfortunately, the Royal Thai Police has been a centralised organisation with a wide range of state power. Thai police institution has been designed to appease state power but not the public especially in case of law enforcement and public participation.
Thai style democracy just allows Thai people to speak out and blame the police emotionally a point after point but not many seriously care about a comprehensive and rational reform, which is much more to do with Thai politics, governance, bureaucracy, judicial systems and state power, not only pointing the finger just to the Thai police.
It seems to me that Thai police affiliation with Thaksin is just a blame put to hated politicians and police reform is just propaganda to gain power in a corrupt method. I agree that Thai police have a lot of issues to develop to achieve pubic trust. In my opinion, the real reform for Thai police can only be successful when Thailand is more democratized and Thai policing is more decentralized.
I can assure you that it has been seen as disrespectful by all Thais who have seen it. Why post it on a thread where the comments were against the present situation and by implication the monarchy and a government appointed by the King. You are pandering to anti-monarchist and anti-Thai sentiment that those living outside Thailand are encouraging the sheep to follow. They of course are safe, they don’t live here. They load the gun, you fire the bullets.
“THIS is it folks, This is it.” will be interpreted only one way as you well know. If you were concerned about the king’s health, your words don’t suggest that at all. Your words were mischieviously and badly chosen and are indefensible. Given your previous posts and the fact that you are posting on a site not known for its lack of bias and its encouragement of Macgregor Marshall type venom which you have often supported, your defence is pedestrian at the very least. As a matter of interest (not to me but obviously to others) who voted my comment down? I have taken a screen shot of your reply and this post.
All people are asking of NM is the right to allow posters to express their opinion whether it follows the Mandala line or not. There is no place on a civilised forum for the vitriol and flaming
Matt Owen Rees – my comment was not in the least “disrepectful”, or “pathetic”. The respect and love towards Bumiphol – as reported in the article I cited – is, indeed “it”.
Monique, Unfortunately you’re missing the point. A group known by their faith in a wider society claiming the said faith erroneously as ethnicity is wrongheaded. Burmese in general would say Burmese Buddhist but not when asked what ethnicity they are when they’d drop the religion.
A convert one way or the other retain their ethnic origins, and they’re not all that uncommon although I dare say B to M is mainly through marriage but there are Burmese women who wouldn’t convert to Islam even in such a union.
So Rohingya however concocted certainly can be considered an ethnicity, no need to add Muslim. Likewise Rakhine is ethnicity, be it Muslim or Buddhist.
What a pathetic and disrespectful comment in the present circumstances. Is this all New Mandala “folks” can say at this time. You presumably realise Thais are reading your comments and that they have been moderated. Shame on you.
Whilst so many of us are actually mongrels there comes a time when you have to say what ethnicity you are. So choose one, and you toch, can tick the Other Oriental/Asian box… LOL.
For the same reason “Why can’t they just say
“Rohingya” when they mean a Buddhist Rohingya ? And you have met how many Buddhist Rohingya, exactly ? As many as Muslim Bamar, then ? Fine with me, whatever you want to call them, but that’s not how they will be defined, rightly or WRONGLY.
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Thailand’s Prayuth: Not just another coup-maker
As ever you deliberately misrepresent the valid points people make about your flippant & ignorant approach to ‘history’. You called Thailand a ‘semi colony’ what nonsense is that,from the mid 19th century till post WW2 Thailand was surrounded by competing powers but remained independent. Got it?
Thailand’s Prayuth: Not just another coup-maker
Your assumption is wrong. I do not know what happens to your posts on NM. Clearly, not all of your comments are banned on NM. Perhaps others are, or are being changed in some way. If this is the case, perhaps you could tell us about the changes that have been made or the posts that have not been posted.
Rohingya and national identities in Burma
Ethnicity is not the same as race.
(By the way, in many civilised countries there is no box for ethnicity in census forms)
Why Indonesia banned ISIS
God with a capital G please. This is exactly why it’s more useful to have theists, rather than secular types, explain developments in theist thought.
Thailand’s Prayuth: Not just another coup-maker
“There is no place on a civilised forum for the vitriol and flaming”
“You really are sheep.”
Good to see there is a place for irony – albeit unconscious.
Thailand’s Prayuth: Not just another coup-maker
WHAT history is that Matt ? My original post above was over-all in praise of Dr. Blaxland. Nor have I “often supported” Andrew MacGregor Marshall’s “venom”. Please cite me some examples of your gripes, before you fall off your bar-stool – as you seem to be slurring even your own name. Meanwhile, here is my tribute to King Bumiphol – a famous lover of music, with a much better sense of humour than you Matt. Hope you’re not going to accuse Sek loso of lese majeste. Ladies and Gentlemen – Sek Loso – courtesy of THE CURE ! : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEb8JQ1A1js
Thailand’s Prayuth: Not just another coup-maker
You folks won’t take advice, you’re following like sheep. But when you are in a hole stop digging.
“THIS is it, folks. This is it.” Given the context and the history of your posts on NM, there is only one interpretation. I assume you realise not all my replies are being posted and some are being changed. You’re being led by people who are not in Thailand and who won’t be held to account. You really are sheep.
Thailand’s Prayuth: Not just another coup-maker
“All people are asking of NM is the right to allow posters to express their opinion whether it follows the Mandala line or not.”
1] Just what is “the Mandala line”?
2] If there is one – what or who stops you from expressing any opinion that differs from it?
Thailand’s Prayuth: Not just another coup-maker
“I can assure you that it has been seen as disrespectful by all Thais who have seen it.”
You can assure me of nothing of the sort unless you have spoken to all Thais who have seen it. Have you done this?
Thailand’s Prayuth: Not just another coup-maker
Matt Owen Rees – re : “it has been seen as disrespectful by all Thais who have seen it.” How do you know this ? Do you know “ALL Thais who have seen it” ? If so – HOW ? And as you seem to be accussing me of lese majeste – and New Mandala also – are you also accusing the writer of that article of lese majeste ?
Thailand’s Prayuth: Not just another coup-maker
I would suggest to listen to your own advice regarding “no place on a civilised forum for the vitriol and flaming”.
While you have contributed nothing to the debate other than moaning about the voting system and accused people who you disagree with of “bias”, or now of being “anti-Thai” (whatever that may mean…), instead of reasonably arguing your points.
And now you have even sunk to the pits and threatened a commentator here (“I have taken a screen shot of your reply and this post.”).
This is shameful, a true low point in the history of New Mandala discussions and debates.
Thai Police: Intent to reform?
This is a good combination of blames and criticisms against the Thai police, although I think it is not comprehensive and rational enough to put the blames only to Thaksin and the junta when asking for Thai police reform. The writer may ignore the relationship among, to name only significant issues, Thai politics, governance, bureaucracy, and the Thai police.
The history of Thai police since its origin is clear that Thai police have associated closely to all the supreme political entity as much as the entity co-opts the police to maximize their power. Other state agencies always do the same. It was true before Thaksin came to power and has been as it is now. Thai laws and bureaucratic system also justify these kind of Thai governance and bureaucracy. The police act 2004 and Thai governance allows the PM to use Thai police apparatus to serve their political purposes, namely state purposes. As there is no specific law to police demonstration and the demonstrators, the weak leadership of Democrat party at the time of Redshirt protest 2010 made the use of police seemingly ineffective and its political affiliation with the military resulted in even more brutal crack downs.
There is a fun fact for the writer to know. A research by King Prachatipok Institution in 2010 shows that under Thaksin’s prime ministership from 2003 – 2006, public trust to the Thai police had increased year by year from 57.2% to the highest at 69.2%. After the coup 2006 – 2010, public trust to the Thai police declined continually since. Sadly, it is fair to say that police popularity at the time was perhaps because of the brutal war on drugs and Thaksin’s popular policies. At least, this shows how public trust conflicts with Thai establishment and why Thai police enjoy their reputation under Thaksin term.
News(http://www2.manager.co.th/Around/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9530000181132) Search for full research from (р╕бр╕нр╕Зр╕нр╕Фр╕╡р╕Х р╣Бр╕ер╕нр╕Щр╕▓р╕Др╕Х р╕зр╕▒р╕Фр╕гр╕░р╕Фр╕▒р╕Ър╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╣Ар╕Кр╕╖р╣Ир╕нр╕бр╕▒р╣Ир╕Щр╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╕Кр╕▓р╕Кр╕Щр╕Хр╣Ир╕нр╕кр╕Цр╕▓р╕Ър╕▒р╕Щр╕Хр╣Ир╕▓р╕Зр╣Ж р╣Бр╕ер╕░р╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╕Юр╕╢р╕Зр╕Юр╕нр╣Гр╕Ир╕Хр╣Ир╕нр╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╕Ър╕гр╕┤р╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╕гр╕▒р╕Р р╕Ю.р╕и.2546- 2553)
“The history of police is the history of state power.” How can we have an accountable and professional police in a country which is obsessed with Thai establishment, state-centrism and authoritarianism? Are there any other state agencies in Thailand outstandingly trustworthy in accountability and professionalism? They are just comparatively less blamed than the police but still far from accountable and professionalism. There are many state agencies supervising the police and no other agencies less circumscribed than the police. In the past few years, Many state agencies have been looked dirtier because of their involvement in politics and state power; judicialisation, doctor and nurse protests, and military coups result in less public trust afterwards. More unfortunately, the Royal Thai Police has been a centralised organisation with a wide range of state power. Thai police institution has been designed to appease state power but not the public especially in case of law enforcement and public participation.
Thai style democracy just allows Thai people to speak out and blame the police emotionally a point after point but not many seriously care about a comprehensive and rational reform, which is much more to do with Thai politics, governance, bureaucracy, judicial systems and state power, not only pointing the finger just to the Thai police.
It seems to me that Thai police affiliation with Thaksin is just a blame put to hated politicians and police reform is just propaganda to gain power in a corrupt method. I agree that Thai police have a lot of issues to develop to achieve pubic trust. In my opinion, the real reform for Thai police can only be successful when Thailand is more democratized and Thai policing is more decentralized.
Thailand’s Prayuth: Not just another coup-maker
I can assure you that it has been seen as disrespectful by all Thais who have seen it. Why post it on a thread where the comments were against the present situation and by implication the monarchy and a government appointed by the King. You are pandering to anti-monarchist and anti-Thai sentiment that those living outside Thailand are encouraging the sheep to follow. They of course are safe, they don’t live here. They load the gun, you fire the bullets.
“THIS is it folks, This is it.” will be interpreted only one way as you well know. If you were concerned about the king’s health, your words don’t suggest that at all. Your words were mischieviously and badly chosen and are indefensible. Given your previous posts and the fact that you are posting on a site not known for its lack of bias and its encouragement of Macgregor Marshall type venom which you have often supported, your defence is pedestrian at the very least. As a matter of interest (not to me but obviously to others) who voted my comment down? I have taken a screen shot of your reply and this post.
All people are asking of NM is the right to allow posters to express their opinion whether it follows the Mandala line or not. There is no place on a civilised forum for the vitriol and flaming
Thailand’s Prayuth: Not just another coup-maker
Matt Owen Rees – my comment was not in the least “disrepectful”, or “pathetic”. The respect and love towards Bumiphol – as reported in the article I cited – is, indeed “it”.
Rohingya and national identities in Burma
Monique, Unfortunately you’re missing the point. A group known by their faith in a wider society claiming the said faith erroneously as ethnicity is wrongheaded. Burmese in general would say Burmese Buddhist but not when asked what ethnicity they are when they’d drop the religion.
A convert one way or the other retain their ethnic origins, and they’re not all that uncommon although I dare say B to M is mainly through marriage but there are Burmese women who wouldn’t convert to Islam even in such a union.
So Rohingya however concocted certainly can be considered an ethnicity, no need to add Muslim. Likewise Rakhine is ethnicity, be it Muslim or Buddhist.
Thailand’s Prayuth: Not just another coup-maker
What a pathetic and disrespectful comment in the present circumstances. Is this all New Mandala “folks” can say at this time. You presumably realise Thais are reading your comments and that they have been moderated. Shame on you.
Rohingya and national identities in Burma
Whilst so many of us are actually mongrels there comes a time when you have to say what ethnicity you are. So choose one, and you toch, can tick the Other Oriental/Asian box… LOL.
Thailand’s Prayuth: Not just another coup-maker
Expect the generals praying to Buddha pictures in the press.
Thailand’s Prayuth: Not just another coup-maker
THIS is it folks – this is it : http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Thais-nationwide-pray-for-the-Kings-health-30244821.html
Rohingya and national identities in Burma
Moe Aung,
For the same reason “Why can’t they just say
“Rohingya” when they mean a Buddhist Rohingya ? And you have met how many Buddhist Rohingya, exactly ? As many as Muslim Bamar, then ? Fine with me, whatever you want to call them, but that’s not how they will be defined, rightly or WRONGLY.