He has indeed since been convicted by the NACC on what appears to be a relatively minor charge – and one that he was patently guilty of – unusual wealth, not corruption.
This make me think that he is an establishment crony, not at PT crony.
But could be both. Hard to tell. Again, they are pretty much identical.
I think you are referring to Transport permanent secretary Supoj Saplom, not any Puea Thai Minister, who was caught with the money and may or may not have been since convicted.
This article below make it appear that this deal was done by the other side. Bhum Jai Thai, the party of Aphisit buddy Newin and member of the last Democrat-led coalition seems to have backed him for the post.
#4 Niphon, the Siamese falangista are taking these mega-projects forward because they know these are socially and economically sound (one pro-poor, the other in terms of macro economic stimulus). Full marks to Yingluck Govt which was obstructed left, right and centre for the past couple of years. Blatant plagiarism by the fascists, (*who can of course gain benefits from deals with the Chinese and Korean contractors…)
Seems we are returning back to the days of Phibun and Luang Wichit. Tai and Thai are totally different terms – all good scholars of the region know this. Linguistically the Mon and Khmer are centuries ahead of the Lao and Siamese/Thai so don’t bother dragging that topic out for debate. As to which side of the Mekong is greener, well there’s a spectrum of opinions but most prefer to maintain the status quo. Laos and Isan were on the strategic periphery in the 19th century and remain as such despite all the hype about the AEC and GMS interconnectivity. There are still more ethnic Lao living in Thailand than in Laos, but most of them have been indoctrinated effectively by the Phak Klang-centric bureaucracy and state curriculum. As long as there are gaps between rich and poor and those with and without privilege the system of patronage which keeps Isan locked into the Bangkok elite will continue to function. People in Laos just want to maintain their current borders. Any aspirations for a greater Lao polity were quashed in the late 1970s when the CPT fragmented, the VCP realized it was overextended, China focused on providing a lifeline to the KR and the Green Stars found that retiring in Vientiane was better than raking out an existence in the dry forests of Isan. The reclaim the 16 provinces of Isan propaganda that was used in LPDR seminar camps has very much diminished from Lao conversation. Nowadays there is simple envy for consumer goods, social services and modern infrastructure rather than a desire to annex any Thai territory. The multiplicity of Mekong bridges currently sates these desires so no one is about to redraw political boundaries.
Please do not confuse “Thai” with “Tai.” Lao people consider themselves as Tai but definitely not Thai. Thai is originally referred to the Tai speaking people that center around the lower part of the Chao Phraya River. The majority of Tai speakers around the Mekong River in present day Laos have always called themselves as Lao.
The word “tai” in Lao language is generically used to refer to people. You hear Lao speakers answering like these when asking them where they are or someone is from;
“I am tai Vientiane (р╗Др║Чр║зр║╜р║Зр║Ир║▒р║Щ)”, a person from Vientiane.
“We are tai thay (р╗Др║Чр╗Гр║Хр╗Й)”, people from southern Laos
“She is tai Bangkok (р╗Др║Чр║Ър║▓р║Зр║Бр║нр║Б)”, a person from Bangkok, Thailand.
They are saying that they are native to these particular areas and are not identifying their ethnic identity.
The entire point of the junta claim of foreign influence is the Thainess peeping through – “We gotta blame somebody else because it couldn’t be us!”
Foreign influence in Thailand propels exports, built bridges between Thailand and Laos, maintain diplomatic relations with dozens of nations and help enrich cultural exchange. To cite it as the political problem is just a lame-duck excuse to dismiss inherent systemic flaws in Thai society and the body politik.
He travels a lot and probably was not informed of the coup. They probably also timed it for when he would be out of the country to remove that element of uncertainty.
I don’t think the prince will make a move unless his succession is directly threatened. It’s in nobody’s interest right now to escalate the situation. Thaksin won’t do anything either because he fears for the life of his family and fortune. Everybody has too much to lose. So it’s wait and see all around.
The Lao are Thai but not Siamese. The Lao would not use “Thai” generically to refer to “people.” They do not use “Thai” to refer to Hmong, Khmu, Farang, etc.
There is no denying ethnolinguistically that the Lao are a Thai subgroup.
But it doesn’t mean everybody would be better off it were one country.
Pretty damn sure that recent coup in Thailand has nothing to do with Muslim in the south, from Malaysia?
Please try to condemn the government for your personal visa gripe, with sympathy for the fate of 60 mil Citizenry without lumping them together as Myanmar.
Myanmar has a lousy government that the Citizenry do no deserve. Neither does their fate be made worst by someone inconvenience.
Engvall makes very good points. The military and MR Pridiyathorn Devakula are long proponents of Sufficiency Economy and royalist New Theory Agriculture. Funny how there is little talk of SE this time as in 2006, at least yet. Makes one wonder if they really believe in it or if they’ve known all along how futile it is in logic and practice. Perhaps they understand that all modern countries who are net agricultural exporters subsidize and protect their agricultural industries with more or less costly policies.
Puea Thai’s greatest sin in agricultural policy was in trying to horde rice in order to manipulate global prices, not in moving toward greater subsidization generally. They were overconfident and they overcommitted. But subsidization will be part of Thailand’s agricultural future if the country is to stay globally competitive. In other countries it’s called agricultural policy not Thaksinomics.
In many respects, Sufficiency Economy is a failed rice pledging scheme of its own. It demands farmers pledge the rice they grow to “self-sufficiency” and to produce without subsidy, debt financing, commercial contracts, or modern technologies that control weeds and pests. The concept of an entrepreneurial farmer is an anathema in SE logic. It assumes farmers should rediscover ‘Thainess’ and have no interest in profit or material gain from their labors beyond food and shelter. It views “chaonaa” as cultural form and homogenous rural class. Outside of the royal centers and patronage networks that promote New Theory Agriculture, it’s difficult to find any farmers who have ever bought into it, let alone anyone with business sense who understands basic economics, incentive structures, and supply and demand ( that includes the now round-filed 2007 UNDP Thailand Report).
SE propaganda centers in the country are managed by the military. The same military that now believes providing free ice cream, free haircuts, and uniformed brass bands will help win hearts and minds among Pathum Thani’s red shirts. It was also reported that the military brought in royal project propaganda displays alongside the ice cream to win over Ko Thi’s stronghold. Can we assume they haven’t hired a world class PR firm yet?
We should follow the model that was used in my country, the United States of America, when the “founding fathers” walked the earth: Only white boys who own property.
A two way bus trip from Vientienne to Bangkok is easily over 1000 baht. Then there are hotel and food costs. Even if the Lao sleeps on the road and brings Mama noodles to eat, I can’t see how 300 baht is even remotely a financial incentive.
I wonder what makes you thing the Pheu Thai government did and would not enrich itself with infrastructure projects, tablets for schools and rice?
Remember the transport minister who had a stash of money stolen during his daughters wedding… Was it not kickback money from Red Line project?!
So either Yingluck is the honest one but not in control of her cabinet or they are all the same scum regardless of colour
Seems to me everyone is looking at the white rabbit and not the magicians! does anyone seriously think the army is making policy here? They are a blunt instrument of force engaged to manage the population. State policy is set higher up the food chain. It seems evident to me that people have been stage managing the unrest for the last 9 months and planning for it since 2010 when they realised Abhisit couldn’t harvest rice and the Peua Thai landslide was a foregone conclusion. A look at the appointed interim government is instructive but but by no inclusive. “Big fleas have little fleas upon their backs to bite ’em and little fleas have smaller fleas and so ad infinitem.” …Much more network than monarchy in my opinion. But pretty much the norm from Panmunjom to Singapore.
In the Lao language, the word “tai” does not mean a person of Thai ethnicity. Its direct translation is “a person or people.” When a Lao says that he is tai Vientaine, he is simply saying that he is a person from Vientiane. Likewise, his compatriot from Luang Phabang would simply call himself tai Mueang Luang.
Samsentai could have just meant 300 000 people. During this king reign, a census counted 300 000 men whom Lanxang Kingdom could call upon in time of war.
Your second paragraph makes perfect sense if you really do believe that rice farmers are a bunch of idiots who can be fooled and manipulated with ease.
But if you think they are actually thinking for themselves, it completely unravels. Rice farmers are well aware that the Yinglak government created this and other programs to help them; that the establishment would not have done it on their own; that YL wanted to and tried to pay the farmers; that she was blocked every step by the same establishment; that she didn’t want to resign dissolve parliament but was forced to by guess who, etc, etc.
The YL wasn’t ever going to pay the farmers and the nice military saved the day for them story is extremely attractive as a piece of propaganda, but as a reflection of reality, no.
Facebook 
Twitter 
Soundcloud 
Youtube 
Rss
Thaksin Thinks, Prayuth Acts
He has indeed since been convicted by the NACC on what appears to be a relatively minor charge – and one that he was patently guilty of – unusual wealth, not corruption.
This make me think that he is an establishment crony, not at PT crony.
But could be both. Hard to tell. Again, they are pretty much identical.
Thaksin Thinks, Prayuth Acts
I think you are referring to Transport permanent secretary Supoj Saplom, not any Puea Thai Minister, who was caught with the money and may or may not have been since convicted.
This article below make it appear that this deal was done by the other side. Bhum Jai Thai, the party of Aphisit buddy Newin and member of the last Democrat-led coalition seems to have backed him for the post.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Bhum-Jai-Thai-bolstering-Transport-Ministry-perman-30121619.html
Puea Thai may be disgustingly corrupt, but not uniquely so!
Thaksin Thinks, Prayuth Acts
#4 Niphon, the Siamese falangista are taking these mega-projects forward because they know these are socially and economically sound (one pro-poor, the other in terms of macro economic stimulus). Full marks to Yingluck Govt which was obstructed left, right and centre for the past couple of years. Blatant plagiarism by the fascists, (*who can of course gain benefits from deals with the Chinese and Korean contractors…)
“Foreign influence” in Red Shirt demonstrations
Seems we are returning back to the days of Phibun and Luang Wichit. Tai and Thai are totally different terms – all good scholars of the region know this. Linguistically the Mon and Khmer are centuries ahead of the Lao and Siamese/Thai so don’t bother dragging that topic out for debate. As to which side of the Mekong is greener, well there’s a spectrum of opinions but most prefer to maintain the status quo. Laos and Isan were on the strategic periphery in the 19th century and remain as such despite all the hype about the AEC and GMS interconnectivity. There are still more ethnic Lao living in Thailand than in Laos, but most of them have been indoctrinated effectively by the Phak Klang-centric bureaucracy and state curriculum. As long as there are gaps between rich and poor and those with and without privilege the system of patronage which keeps Isan locked into the Bangkok elite will continue to function. People in Laos just want to maintain their current borders. Any aspirations for a greater Lao polity were quashed in the late 1970s when the CPT fragmented, the VCP realized it was overextended, China focused on providing a lifeline to the KR and the Green Stars found that retiring in Vientiane was better than raking out an existence in the dry forests of Isan. The reclaim the 16 provinces of Isan propaganda that was used in LPDR seminar camps has very much diminished from Lao conversation. Nowadays there is simple envy for consumer goods, social services and modern infrastructure rather than a desire to annex any Thai territory. The multiplicity of Mekong bridges currently sates these desires so no one is about to redraw political boundaries.
“Foreign influence” in Red Shirt demonstrations
Please do not confuse “Thai” with “Tai.” Lao people consider themselves as Tai but definitely not Thai. Thai is originally referred to the Tai speaking people that center around the lower part of the Chao Phraya River. The majority of Tai speakers around the Mekong River in present day Laos have always called themselves as Lao.
The word “tai” in Lao language is generically used to refer to people. You hear Lao speakers answering like these when asking them where they are or someone is from;
“I am tai Vientiane (р╗Др║Чр║зр║╜р║Зр║Ир║▒р║Щ)”, a person from Vientiane.
“We are tai thay (р╗Др║Чр╗Гр║Хр╗Й)”, people from southern Laos
“She is tai Bangkok (р╗Др║Чр║Ър║▓р║Зр║Бр║нр║Б)”, a person from Bangkok, Thailand.
They are saying that they are native to these particular areas and are not identifying their ethnic identity.
“Foreign influence” in Red Shirt demonstrations
The entire point of the junta claim of foreign influence is the Thainess peeping through – “We gotta blame somebody else because it couldn’t be us!”
Foreign influence in Thailand propels exports, built bridges between Thailand and Laos, maintain diplomatic relations with dozens of nations and help enrich cultural exchange. To cite it as the political problem is just a lame-duck excuse to dismiss inherent systemic flaws in Thai society and the body politik.
Thaksin Thinks, Prayuth Acts
Korn? You mean the former JP Morgan banker?
Ah, yes, we should all take lessons in probity and financial acumen from a JP Morgan man…
Or maybe not.
I guess that’s why Korn is so uncomfortable with democratic oversight and so at home with a military junta.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JPMorgan_Chase#Controversies
Thailand, what next?
He travels a lot and probably was not informed of the coup. They probably also timed it for when he would be out of the country to remove that element of uncertainty.
I don’t think the prince will make a move unless his succession is directly threatened. It’s in nobody’s interest right now to escalate the situation. Thaksin won’t do anything either because he fears for the life of his family and fortune. Everybody has too much to lose. So it’s wait and see all around.
We are far from the endgame.
“Foreign influence” in Red Shirt demonstrations
The Lao are Thai but not Siamese. The Lao would not use “Thai” generically to refer to “people.” They do not use “Thai” to refer to Hmong, Khmu, Farang, etc.
There is no denying ethnolinguistically that the Lao are a Thai subgroup.
But it doesn’t mean everybody would be better off it were one country.
Return to the fold
Pretty damn sure that recent coup in Thailand has nothing to do with Muslim in the south, from Malaysia?
Please try to condemn the government for your personal visa gripe, with sympathy for the fate of 60 mil Citizenry without lumping them together as Myanmar.
Myanmar has a lousy government that the Citizenry do no deserve. Neither does their fate be made worst by someone inconvenience.
Thaksin Thinks, Prayuth Acts
Engvall makes very good points. The military and MR Pridiyathorn Devakula are long proponents of Sufficiency Economy and royalist New Theory Agriculture. Funny how there is little talk of SE this time as in 2006, at least yet. Makes one wonder if they really believe in it or if they’ve known all along how futile it is in logic and practice. Perhaps they understand that all modern countries who are net agricultural exporters subsidize and protect their agricultural industries with more or less costly policies.
Puea Thai’s greatest sin in agricultural policy was in trying to horde rice in order to manipulate global prices, not in moving toward greater subsidization generally. They were overconfident and they overcommitted. But subsidization will be part of Thailand’s agricultural future if the country is to stay globally competitive. In other countries it’s called agricultural policy not Thaksinomics.
In many respects, Sufficiency Economy is a failed rice pledging scheme of its own. It demands farmers pledge the rice they grow to “self-sufficiency” and to produce without subsidy, debt financing, commercial contracts, or modern technologies that control weeds and pests. The concept of an entrepreneurial farmer is an anathema in SE logic. It assumes farmers should rediscover ‘Thainess’ and have no interest in profit or material gain from their labors beyond food and shelter. It views “chaonaa” as cultural form and homogenous rural class. Outside of the royal centers and patronage networks that promote New Theory Agriculture, it’s difficult to find any farmers who have ever bought into it, let alone anyone with business sense who understands basic economics, incentive structures, and supply and demand ( that includes the now round-filed 2007 UNDP Thailand Report).
SE propaganda centers in the country are managed by the military. The same military that now believes providing free ice cream, free haircuts, and uniformed brass bands will help win hearts and minds among Pathum Thani’s red shirts. It was also reported that the military brought in royal project propaganda displays alongside the ice cream to win over Ko Thi’s stronghold. Can we assume they haven’t hired a world class PR firm yet?
After the coup
We should follow the model that was used in my country, the United States of America, when the “founding fathers” walked the earth: Only white boys who own property.
“Foreign influence” in Red Shirt demonstrations
A two way bus trip from Vientienne to Bangkok is easily over 1000 baht. Then there are hotel and food costs. Even if the Lao sleeps on the road and brings Mama noodles to eat, I can’t see how 300 baht is even remotely a financial incentive.
After the coup
LOL: The formal education system for 95% of Thais is what educators call ‘East Asian Brainwash Education’.
Thaksin Thinks, Prayuth Acts
I wonder what makes you thing the Pheu Thai government did and would not enrich itself with infrastructure projects, tablets for schools and rice?
Remember the transport minister who had a stash of money stolen during his daughters wedding… Was it not kickback money from Red Line project?!
So either Yingluck is the honest one but not in control of her cabinet or they are all the same scum regardless of colour
Thaksin Thinks, Prayuth Acts
Seems to me everyone is looking at the white rabbit and not the magicians! does anyone seriously think the army is making policy here? They are a blunt instrument of force engaged to manage the population. State policy is set higher up the food chain. It seems evident to me that people have been stage managing the unrest for the last 9 months and planning for it since 2010 when they realised Abhisit couldn’t harvest rice and the Peua Thai landslide was a foregone conclusion. A look at the appointed interim government is instructive but but by no inclusive. “Big fleas have little fleas upon their backs to bite ’em and little fleas have smaller fleas and so ad infinitem.” …Much more network than monarchy in my opinion. But pretty much the norm from Panmunjom to Singapore.
“Foreign influence” in Red Shirt demonstrations
Nothing like a good anecdote. You have to wonder how this methodology infects the author’s academic work.
Thaksin Thinks, Prayuth Acts
Perhaps you can tell us exactly why the farmers were awaiting these payments?
“Foreign influence” in Red Shirt demonstrations
In the Lao language, the word “tai” does not mean a person of Thai ethnicity. Its direct translation is “a person or people.” When a Lao says that he is tai Vientaine, he is simply saying that he is a person from Vientiane. Likewise, his compatriot from Luang Phabang would simply call himself tai Mueang Luang.
Samsentai could have just meant 300 000 people. During this king reign, a census counted 300 000 men whom Lanxang Kingdom could call upon in time of war.
Thaksin Thinks, Prayuth Acts
Your second paragraph makes perfect sense if you really do believe that rice farmers are a bunch of idiots who can be fooled and manipulated with ease.
But if you think they are actually thinking for themselves, it completely unravels. Rice farmers are well aware that the Yinglak government created this and other programs to help them; that the establishment would not have done it on their own; that YL wanted to and tried to pay the farmers; that she was blocked every step by the same establishment; that she didn’t want to resign dissolve parliament but was forced to by guess who, etc, etc.
The YL wasn’t ever going to pay the farmers and the nice military saved the day for them story is extremely attractive as a piece of propaganda, but as a reflection of reality, no.