Thanks for this really insightful piece Dr. Thame. A few additional details that might be of further use in contextualizing this struggle over migrants’ mobility:
The National Verification registration scheme (introduced in 2008) was the first such scheme to grant registered migrants legal freedom of movement throughout Thailand. This aimed at addressing the demand for cheap, migrant labour in central Thailand. In Mae Sot, this scheme didn’t really pick up until mid/late-2011 when there was a large increase in the number of private passport companies. By early/mid-2012, Mae Sot-based employers began complaining about a local labour shortage on the border, and began lobbying various levels of the Thai government to curb the outward flow of registered migrants (see here). In response, in June 2012, the governor of Tak Province decreed a new movement restriction prohibiting migrants registered holding migrant passports with work permits registered with Mae Sot employers, or passports lacking work permits from leaving Mae Sot. This led to significant impediments to migrants wishing to go to Bangkok better wages. I wrote an op-ed about this at the time for Mizzima, which might be of interest (here).
Matt and Andrew. Enough. It is now well established that there is no love lost between Matt Owen Rees and Andrew MacGregor Marshall. You have both made your reservations about each other very clear. No more comments referring to each other will be posted. AW
[…] [If you want to read the Foreign Affairs essay but don't want to access Foreign Affairs it through their free sign-up, here's an html version. There's an interesting analysis and helpful translation of Prabowo's Medan campaign speech by Liam Gammon here.] […]
[…] Jokowi did better than expected in the first debate, by many accounts (see for example ANU’s Greg Fealy), though as Unspun points out, he was much helped by his wily old Buginese running mate, Jusuf […]
The concerntration of Coco people in Malaysia is in the East Coast of Sabah-Tawau, Kunak & Lahad Datu
not from Peninsula Malaysia. They were to originate from Borneo just like Malays in Madagasacar but not Malaya. I’d like to participate in any forum on this suject.. as writer & former academician. Thanks
You don’t even live in Thailand and your reputation from the Reuter days is that you don’t use reliable sources. You recently quoted McCargo out of context putting a spin on what he said which was the opposite of what he was saying. That is unprofessional and dishonest. You attack me and many others. Most academics have little time for you. You are actually banned on many facebook and twitter pages. You claim you are banned in Thailand. You are not. You would not be welcome and you could face libel cahrges but you are not on any banned list. Marshall and Truth aren’t good bedfellows are they. comments are
[…] In a recent analysis, University of British Columbia historian, John Roosa, has compellingly argued that “in Prabowo’s mind, everything about a country – the quality of its economic system, […]
[…] people who steal the people’s money, commit fraud, engage in slander and so on. As Liam Gammon argues, “it says something about his frame of mind that the only time he gets so worked up as to lose […]
Randy thanks for a fine intriguing article. This is a complex matter. I think we all overestimate changes and repercussions from within which are not publicly stated. The cakes metaphor is a good one but we should be aware of the inside of the cake too…even more. NPAs and civil society will develop in their own ways and in Laos most of social interactions take place locally…quietly. Sometimes the best course is to let matters run a natural course from within. Silence runs deep often. Lacking huge amounts of funds or influence for many of us on the outside our best roles may be more to encourage and offer advice when asked and stand aside but be available. Nature takes a course and fate and circumstance play big roles. Keep on baking probably a number of cupcakes and not one cake?
good articles spoilt by unthought out comments from posters with bad attitudes.
Thank you Matt, you took the words right out of my mouth. Only it was about your comments. If you look at the rating you received, no question plenty of readers agreed with me.
I wish your have your own website, so you can express yourself fully the way you wanted. But I also understand you had one before and closed down, since no one go there to read them.
Instead, you chose the easier way, to hitch a ride on excellent article like this one and “spoilt good articles with posters”. its sad.
By the evident that Ms Nancy Hudson absolutely one sided materiel from pro Rohingyas or rather anti Bamar/Buddhism source are glaring from these facts:
1) NO mentioning what-so-ever of the reality of the other sides facing.
2) Let alone recognizing the original etiology/sins conveniently uses criteria nefariously qualifying ongoing tragedies as “Genocidal”
3) Absolutely offering no solution other than raking the mug for another dangerous and useless round of anti Bamar/ pro Rohingyas gripes here at New Mandala.
True, too much has occurred that defile ‘a’as bad and ‘b” as good.
As long as the west do not understand:
a) Kala, which Rohihgyas will be classified as. and
b) If history is not taken in toto as far back as 1st Anglo Burman war
Then the prospect of unity where Kala, Tayoke, Bamar/recognized ethnic groups and any classifiable variations live together as harmoniously as can be where these kind of knee jerk accusations do no favor to the Citizenry at all.
My guess would be that he felt that it was necessary to do so at the moment.
In a corrupt society like Thailand, a foreigner does not reach Heinecke’s levels of business success without knowing very well where the political winds blow, and when it is necessary to suck up to certain people in power (vs when it’s preferable to remain silent).
Given that he’s making obviously contradictory statements, all he says should be taken as being primarily in the function of increasing his wealth/position, plain and simple.
And Suthep, will he be punished or Abhisit for the temple murders of protestors seeking refuge?
You only see the surface, and refuse to acknowledge the real problem. You cannot help it though as you are brainwashed and to question your programming is a crime.
Kuhn Vichai N tells not so much as half a story, but a simplified version that only touches on the cosmetic aspects of a cancerous tumor deep within the body electorate.
On the contrary, Matt, the quality of comments and the intelligence of readers of New Mandala tends to be fairly high relative to other online discussion forums on Thailland, and voting on comments tends to be a good guide to whether it is worth reading.. The probable reason why your comments tend to receive a very large number of negative votes is that you only share simplistic homilies and ridiculous generalisations about what Thais think,.Clearly there is a wide diversity of opinion in Thailand as in all countries, and it is absurd for you to claim that you have some special insight into the minds of “most Thais”. I have never read a single genuine insight in any of your many comments, your querulous and hectoring tone is grating, and your obsessive complaints about the negative voting you receive from the New Mandala community were initially comical but have become tedious.
I am starting to understand why you are so sympathetic towards the extraordinary censorship imposed by the junta. Like them, you are utterly convinced you are right despite overwhelming evidence to the contarary, and you think anyone who disagrees with you should be silenced. And like them, you are making yourself look rather ridiculous.
Do you mean to say that 21 years in Thailand (more than i spent in Germany), being married to a Thai, a son in a Thai school, living in a Thai neighborhood, and the past 9 years rather occupied with the political conflict, is now suddenly meaningless as a benchmark to judge?
How enlightening.
Should i now better use as a benchmark the educational background and personal experience of, lets say… a billionaire who spent 50 years in Thailand but does only speak “a bit of Thai” (as he stated in a recent interview)?
Both articles made good points. This is however a time to show understanding and not criticism. Using your own educational background and personal experience as a benchmark to judge the current situation is meaningless. Adapt to the current situation and plan for a better future. That will make the country move forward.
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Ominous signs for migrant workers in Thailand
Thanks for this really insightful piece Dr. Thame. A few additional details that might be of further use in contextualizing this struggle over migrants’ mobility:
The National Verification registration scheme (introduced in 2008) was the first such scheme to grant registered migrants legal freedom of movement throughout Thailand. This aimed at addressing the demand for cheap, migrant labour in central Thailand. In Mae Sot, this scheme didn’t really pick up until mid/late-2011 when there was a large increase in the number of private passport companies. By early/mid-2012, Mae Sot-based employers began complaining about a local labour shortage on the border, and began lobbying various levels of the Thai government to curb the outward flow of registered migrants (see here). In response, in June 2012, the governor of Tak Province decreed a new movement restriction prohibiting migrants registered holding migrant passports with work permits registered with Mae Sot employers, or passports lacking work permits from leaving Mae Sot. This led to significant impediments to migrants wishing to go to Bangkok better wages. I wrote an op-ed about this at the time for Mizzima, which might be of interest (here).
Mr. Heinecke cannot have his coup and eat it too
Matt and Andrew. Enough. It is now well established that there is no love lost between Matt Owen Rees and Andrew MacGregor Marshall. You have both made your reservations about each other very clear. No more comments referring to each other will be posted. AW
Prabowo’s dog-whistling
[…] [If you want to read the Foreign Affairs essay but don't want to access Foreign Affairs it through their free sign-up, here's an html version. There's an interesting analysis and helpful translation of Prabowo's Medan campaign speech by Liam Gammon here.] […]
Video: Jokowi v Prabowo
[…] Jokowi did better than expected in the first debate, by many accounts (see for example ANU’s Greg Fealy), though as Unspun points out, he was much helped by his wily old Buginese running mate, Jusuf […]
Australia’s Malay population
The concerntration of Coco people in Malaysia is in the East Coast of Sabah-Tawau, Kunak & Lahad Datu
not from Peninsula Malaysia. They were to originate from Borneo just like Malays in Madagasacar but not Malaya. I’d like to participate in any forum on this suject.. as writer & former academician. Thanks
Mr. Heinecke cannot have his coup and eat it too
You don’t even live in Thailand and your reputation from the Reuter days is that you don’t use reliable sources. You recently quoted McCargo out of context putting a spin on what he said which was the opposite of what he was saying. That is unprofessional and dishonest. You attack me and many others. Most academics have little time for you. You are actually banned on many facebook and twitter pages. You claim you are banned in Thailand. You are not. You would not be welcome and you could face libel cahrges but you are not on any banned list. Marshall and Truth aren’t good bedfellows are they. comments are
Sukarno’s two bodies
[…] In a recent analysis, University of British Columbia historian, John Roosa, has compellingly argued that “in Prabowo’s mind, everything about a country – the quality of its economic system, […]
Prabowo’s dog-whistling
[…] people who steal the people’s money, commit fraud, engage in slander and so on. As Liam Gammon argues, “it says something about his frame of mind that the only time he gets so worked up as to lose […]
Ominous signs for migrant workers in Thailand
Wondering why Lao nationals were not mentioned in this article. Are they not being targeted? Is Prayuth fearful of inflaming the Northeast?
It’s a tricky situation there. Once you pass Khorat, wonder how the population feels about Chao Anou…
The decline of Lao civil society
Randy thanks for a fine intriguing article. This is a complex matter. I think we all overestimate changes and repercussions from within which are not publicly stated. The cakes metaphor is a good one but we should be aware of the inside of the cake too…even more. NPAs and civil society will develop in their own ways and in Laos most of social interactions take place locally…quietly. Sometimes the best course is to let matters run a natural course from within. Silence runs deep often. Lacking huge amounts of funds or influence for many of us on the outside our best roles may be more to encourage and offer advice when asked and stand aside but be available. Nature takes a course and fate and circumstance play big roles. Keep on baking probably a number of cupcakes and not one cake?
Indonesia’s Elections: The View From Next Door
[…] Read original article here: http://www.newmandala.org/2014/06/16/indonesias-elections-the-view-from-next-door/ […]
Ominous signs for migrant workers in Thailand
The contrast between this article and the previous one by Ms Hudson:
http://www.newmandala.org/2014/06/15/rohingya-denied-the-right-to-be-human/
is Thailand has a vibrant economy that can absorb even the hated neighbors Bamar (Mostly Karen by the way).
Where in poverty and destitute driven Yakine the Kala are getting the shortest ends.
Ironic to see the same academics refuse to recognized the etio of poverty.
Mr. Heinecke cannot have his coup and eat it too
good articles spoilt by unthought out comments from posters with bad attitudes.
Thank you Matt, you took the words right out of my mouth. Only it was about your comments. If you look at the rating you received, no question plenty of readers agreed with me.
I wish your have your own website, so you can express yourself fully the way you wanted. But I also understand you had one before and closed down, since no one go there to read them.
Instead, you chose the easier way, to hitch a ride on excellent article like this one and “spoilt good articles with posters”. its sad.
Rohingya: denied the right to be human
By the evident that Ms Nancy Hudson absolutely one sided materiel from pro Rohingyas or rather anti Bamar/Buddhism source are glaring from these facts:
1) NO mentioning what-so-ever of the reality of the other sides facing.
2) Let alone recognizing the original etiology/sins conveniently uses criteria nefariously qualifying ongoing tragedies as “Genocidal”
3) Absolutely offering no solution other than raking the mug for another dangerous and useless round of anti Bamar/ pro Rohingyas gripes here at New Mandala.
True, too much has occurred that defile ‘a’as bad and ‘b” as good.
As long as the west do not understand:
a) Kala, which Rohihgyas will be classified as. and
b) If history is not taken in toto as far back as 1st Anglo Burman war
Then the prospect of unity where Kala, Tayoke, Bamar/recognized ethnic groups and any classifiable variations live together as harmoniously as can be where these kind of knee jerk accusations do no favor to the Citizenry at all.
Mr. Heinecke cannot have his coup and eat it too
My guess would be that he felt that it was necessary to do so at the moment.
In a corrupt society like Thailand, a foreigner does not reach Heinecke’s levels of business success without knowing very well where the political winds blow, and when it is necessary to suck up to certain people in power (vs when it’s preferable to remain silent).
Given that he’s making obviously contradictory statements, all he says should be taken as being primarily in the function of increasing his wealth/position, plain and simple.
Seven questions for Thailand’s military
And Suthep, will he be punished or Abhisit for the temple murders of protestors seeking refuge?
You only see the surface, and refuse to acknowledge the real problem. You cannot help it though as you are brainwashed and to question your programming is a crime.
Seven questions for Thailand’s military
Kuhn Vichai N tells not so much as half a story, but a simplified version that only touches on the cosmetic aspects of a cancerous tumor deep within the body electorate.
Mr. Heinecke cannot have his coup and eat it too
On the contrary, Matt, the quality of comments and the intelligence of readers of New Mandala tends to be fairly high relative to other online discussion forums on Thailland, and voting on comments tends to be a good guide to whether it is worth reading.. The probable reason why your comments tend to receive a very large number of negative votes is that you only share simplistic homilies and ridiculous generalisations about what Thais think,.Clearly there is a wide diversity of opinion in Thailand as in all countries, and it is absurd for you to claim that you have some special insight into the minds of “most Thais”. I have never read a single genuine insight in any of your many comments, your querulous and hectoring tone is grating, and your obsessive complaints about the negative voting you receive from the New Mandala community were initially comical but have become tedious.
I am starting to understand why you are so sympathetic towards the extraordinary censorship imposed by the junta. Like them, you are utterly convinced you are right despite overwhelming evidence to the contarary, and you think anyone who disagrees with you should be silenced. And like them, you are making yourself look rather ridiculous.
Mr. Heinecke cannot have his coup and eat it too
Do you mean to say that 21 years in Thailand (more than i spent in Germany), being married to a Thai, a son in a Thai school, living in a Thai neighborhood, and the past 9 years rather occupied with the political conflict, is now suddenly meaningless as a benchmark to judge?
How enlightening.
Should i now better use as a benchmark the educational background and personal experience of, lets say… a billionaire who spent 50 years in Thailand but does only speak “a bit of Thai” (as he stated in a recent interview)?
Mr. Heinecke cannot have his coup and eat it too
Both articles made good points. This is however a time to show understanding and not criticism. Using your own educational background and personal experience as a benchmark to judge the current situation is meaningless. Adapt to the current situation and plan for a better future. That will make the country move forward.