Mr Trevor Wilson do not deserve such indignity. Any search here at New Mandala will indicate your insolence.
This article is a very difficult synopsis that cover a lot of ground.
Please do not fault the author for his effort.
Add some useful fact about China if you must.
Thanks very much, especially to all the people who have made the effort to make another piece of work of Pattana accessible.
And I agree completely with Peter Vail’s idea in the introduction: “This approach makes his anthropological work genuinely humanistic, since we never lose sight of the real people in his research, even as he characterizes their lives in terms of abstracted anthropological theory”
Like always in order to arrive at an unknown better future one MUST know the TRUE starting point. A Corollary to G Satayana.
With all due respects, Mr Tevor Wilson as well as the like of Mr Derek Tonkin have proven to be the quintessential persons who truly care for the future of the Myanmar Citizenry.
1) As Thailand is today what Myanmar could have been:
The Konbaung dynasty was the strongest and most stable by all well documented account. Was well matched by then the neighboring Chakri Dynasty in existence now since the 18 century.
The reign of Bodawpaya was truncated only by the British Colonial Invasion/ 1st Anglo Burmese War over Assam and Manipur deputes. Thus forever ending the hope of a Thailand like Myanmar.
2) Colonial hold on Myanmar was the 2nd longest, the 1st being Pagan Dynasty, within Myanmar.
One might argue there were few positive contributions by the colonial British rule by the fact that some remnant of “British systems” are still in use.
This argument will certainly fall flat in the face if one will just visit both Thailand and Myanmar today. Noting Thailand never being colonized and have better heritages that are Western inspired.
The most significant contributions were all negatives.
From the start, willful denigration of the proud Burmese culture, and actve discrimination agaist the Bamar designating Myanmar as a sate of British India, effecting Hindustani as the lingua franca within Yangon!
It is thus not only false to claim that existing Indian populations in Myanmar has been here legally generation back but rather because of Colonial policy of promoting Loyal Servants the Indians.
One can now easily discern why the ongoing Muslim Buddhist corresponding atrocities are the SOLE direct result of Colonial British policy.
The ongoing conflicts b/t the Kachin vs Bamar and Karen vs Bamar are all the sole policy and direct instigation of British rule that promoted especially during WWII.
The legacy of British ‘left Myanmar as a country with plenty of assets are outright lies’. Myanmar endure multiple bombing raid during the retreats and advance of Japanese and British Allies plus the scotch earth approach especially by the British through out its retreats that left almost all ‘colonial development’ in ruins.
British left a legacy that only the one willing to use the guns, use of force, will rule repeated through out the 2nd longest period of domination in the history of Myanmar.
Hope these 2 historical realities contribute to the reasons to ongoing quagmires without good solutions. Make Myanmar future less likely to be Thailand but more like Vietnam.
This is a very interesting article, a well thought out piece that without generalizing too much covers a very broad topic across the region.
“one of the most tragic aspects is the high incidence of HIV/AIDS of this group”
Yes the rates are still high among some groups and we hear so little of their stories, but there is little data to support this among tourist related sex workers, such as in Thailand. Perhaps the data is not there but it has not been an issue in many areas and unfortunately this may be leading to much lower condom use which could see a resurgence.
“very soon the reality of this unglamorous life soon sets in where a woman lucky enough to have an income sufficient to rent a room for her own solitude and rest is the only luxury she has”
Good point but for many in tourist-related work you may be underestimating the motivation that comes from good earnings, and there are significant numbers of women earning very well. The glamour will wear thin over time and this may be part of the reason for drugs and alcohol seeming to be on the increase.
“Tourism development is more important than a few peoples’ personal wellbeing – a convenient sacrifice for development”.
This speaks volumes for the model of economics that guides development – growth at all costs
“… there is only a limited history of unified country inside current geographical borders …” This sounds a bit like what happened to Yugoslavia after the dictatorial grip of the military and communist party were gone. Although the Irrawaddy Delta story suggests they are a bit more open to solidarity there. A Croat would never have helped a Serb or vice versa in Yugoslavia and they still are on uneasy terms.
The author has the weird and uncanny talent of writing such a long-winded article about politics in Burma (for whom really?) without mentioning China even once! What a diplomatic achievement. Only in Australia!
While Haris Ibrahim’s visa had been denied for reasons not known, the suspect behind the murder of the founder of Arab-Malaysian Bank is believed to have made his way to Australia.
Police are now hunting for the suspect who hired a hitman to kill Arab-Malaysian (AmBank) founder Hussain Ahmad Najadi.
City CID chief Datuk Ku Chin Wah urged the 53-year-old man to turn himself in.
“So far no new arrests have been made. The suspect is believed to have left for Australia after the murder and we believe he is still abroad…”
Prime Minister Najib Razak was interviewed by Fareed Zakaria. It was interesting to see the author of “The rise of illiberal democracy” interview Malaysia’s reforming Prime Minister.
Platt is right on the mark. The neglect of Thai literature is a terrible shame. And we have to credit Boccuzzi for her energy and imagination in highlighting the centrality of the theme of migration in Thai fiction. One has to look forward to the imminent appearances of Platt’s and Kepner’s books, too . . . Who said that post-modernism, nonsensical “cultural studies” and numbskull royalism were destroying the study of Thailand?
One only needs to look at who Najib’s organisation, UMNO, sponsors in Malaysia – Utusan Malaysia, PERKASA, PEKIDA, and a whole lot of other extremist NGOs.
Yes, Najib can certainly fool the UN General Assembly with his wonderful eloquence but he fools no-one in Malaysia.
Islmaic extremism in Malaysia did not occur overnight. It was very slowly ratchetted up bit by bit over the years.
Methods used include the introduction of legal instruments, the sponsporship of hardline fundamentalist NGOs, collusion between the legislative, judiciary and executive, racial profiling, and outright displays of religious double standards.
Islam, like all other religions, faces the huge challenge of making itself relevant in the 21st century.
Extremisms in Islam or any Religion, at the Far Ends are Harmless, When they are Non-Violent and Non Imposing.
When the Power-that-be Double Talks and Acts in Bad Faith ,Played and Danced on the Strings of Extremism, Deliberately With Twists and Turns, Violent Threats and Intimidations and has False Agendas Calculated with Dubious Intentions in Grapping Power for Selfish Gain and Profits, Corruptly, at the Rakyat’s Expense,
…That is , Really, the Great Divide.
PM Najib and UmnoBaru Puteras Leaders are All Characteristics of Such Ventures.
Najib did not make an interesting speech… APCO, his PR firm wrote an interesting speech. At no time in the past year did Najib actions show that he believe nor even understand his own speeches.
Please check the recent Malaysian news where he “requested” GLCs (Govt linked Corporations) to take out advertisements in Utusan Melayu (an out and out racist newspaper) to support it. Is that the action of a moderate?
Question to ask really is with a 30% minimum (but hyperinflated) Shinawatra rate on the multi-trillion Yingluck projects, is Thailand still a democracy? Or is an honest Prem-style junta-style Thai government any worse or any better than a whopping 30% plus corruption-inseverable-democracy?
Facebook 
Twitter 
Soundcloud 
Youtube 
Rss
Reviews of Bangkok Bound
Are there any copies of this book available in the Canberra area?
Adjusting to Myanmar’s reform mood
Mr Trevor Wilson do not deserve such indignity. Any search here at New Mandala will indicate your insolence.
This article is a very difficult synopsis that cover a lot of ground.
Please do not fault the author for his effort.
Add some useful fact about China if you must.
Pattana Kitiarsa on Thai boxing
Thanks very much, especially to all the people who have made the effort to make another piece of work of Pattana accessible.
And I agree completely with Peter Vail’s idea in the introduction: “This approach makes his anthropological work genuinely humanistic, since we never lose sight of the real people in his research, even as he characterizes their lives in terms of abstracted anthropological theory”
Adjusting to Myanmar’s reform mood
Like always in order to arrive at an unknown better future one MUST know the TRUE starting point. A Corollary to G Satayana.
With all due respects, Mr Tevor Wilson as well as the like of Mr Derek Tonkin have proven to be the quintessential persons who truly care for the future of the Myanmar Citizenry.
1) As Thailand is today what Myanmar could have been:
The Konbaung dynasty was the strongest and most stable by all well documented account. Was well matched by then the neighboring Chakri Dynasty in existence now since the 18 century.
The reign of Bodawpaya was truncated only by the British Colonial Invasion/ 1st Anglo Burmese War over Assam and Manipur deputes. Thus forever ending the hope of a Thailand like Myanmar.
2) Colonial hold on Myanmar was the 2nd longest, the 1st being Pagan Dynasty, within Myanmar.
One might argue there were few positive contributions by the colonial British rule by the fact that some remnant of “British systems” are still in use.
This argument will certainly fall flat in the face if one will just visit both Thailand and Myanmar today. Noting Thailand never being colonized and have better heritages that are Western inspired.
The most significant contributions were all negatives.
From the start, willful denigration of the proud Burmese culture, and actve discrimination agaist the Bamar designating Myanmar as a sate of British India, effecting Hindustani as the lingua franca within Yangon!
It is thus not only false to claim that existing Indian populations in Myanmar has been here legally generation back but rather because of Colonial policy of promoting Loyal Servants the Indians.
One can now easily discern why the ongoing Muslim Buddhist corresponding atrocities are the SOLE direct result of Colonial British policy.
The ongoing conflicts b/t the Kachin vs Bamar and Karen vs Bamar are all the sole policy and direct instigation of British rule that promoted especially during WWII.
The legacy of British ‘left Myanmar as a country with plenty of assets are outright lies’. Myanmar endure multiple bombing raid during the retreats and advance of Japanese and British Allies plus the scotch earth approach especially by the British through out its retreats that left almost all ‘colonial development’ in ruins.
British left a legacy that only the one willing to use the guns, use of force, will rule repeated through out the 2nd longest period of domination in the history of Myanmar.
Hope these 2 historical realities contribute to the reasons to ongoing quagmires without good solutions. Make Myanmar future less likely to be Thailand but more like Vietnam.
Pattana Kitiarsa on Thai boxing
Hats off to Peter Vail for his thoughtful and sensitive introduction to this paper. It contextualises perfectly work that was near to Ou’s heart.
Kareoke and opportunity?
This is a very interesting article, a well thought out piece that without generalizing too much covers a very broad topic across the region.
“one of the most tragic aspects is the high incidence of HIV/AIDS of this group”
Yes the rates are still high among some groups and we hear so little of their stories, but there is little data to support this among tourist related sex workers, such as in Thailand. Perhaps the data is not there but it has not been an issue in many areas and unfortunately this may be leading to much lower condom use which could see a resurgence.
“very soon the reality of this unglamorous life soon sets in where a woman lucky enough to have an income sufficient to rent a room for her own solitude and rest is the only luxury she has”
Good point but for many in tourist-related work you may be underestimating the motivation that comes from good earnings, and there are significant numbers of women earning very well. The glamour will wear thin over time and this may be part of the reason for drugs and alcohol seeming to be on the increase.
“Tourism development is more important than a few peoples’ personal wellbeing – a convenient sacrifice for development”.
This speaks volumes for the model of economics that guides development – growth at all costs
Adjusting to Myanmar’s reform mood
“… there is only a limited history of unified country inside current geographical borders …” This sounds a bit like what happened to Yugoslavia after the dictatorial grip of the military and communist party were gone. Although the Irrawaddy Delta story suggests they are a bit more open to solidarity there. A Croat would never have helped a Serb or vice versa in Yugoslavia and they still are on uneasy terms.
Adjusting to Myanmar’s reform mood
The author has the weird and uncanny talent of writing such a long-winded article about politics in Burma (for whom really?) without mentioning China even once! What a diplomatic achievement. Only in Australia!
Haris Ibrahim denied visa by Australia
If this is not irony, I am not sure what is.
While Haris Ibrahim’s visa had been denied for reasons not known, the suspect behind the murder of the founder of Arab-Malaysian Bank is believed to have made his way to Australia.
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v7/ge/newsgeneral.php?id=982083
Extremism in the name of Islam and Malaysian Muslims
Prime Minister Najib Razak was interviewed by Fareed Zakaria. It was interesting to see the author of “The rise of illiberal democracy” interview Malaysia’s reforming Prime Minister.
http://www.cfr.org/malaysia/moderation-new-modernity/p31489
12th Sakyadhita International Conference in Bangkok
Ajahn Brahm is still officially excommunicated.
There are two more ordinations at Dhammasara Bhikkhunis’ monastery in Perth.
Reviews of Bangkok Bound
Platt is right on the mark. The neglect of Thai literature is a terrible shame. And we have to credit Boccuzzi for her energy and imagination in highlighting the centrality of the theme of migration in Thai fiction. One has to look forward to the imminent appearances of Platt’s and Kepner’s books, too . . . Who said that post-modernism, nonsensical “cultural studies” and numbskull royalism were destroying the study of Thailand?
Extremism in the name of Islam and Malaysian Muslims
Greg Lopez,
The speech by Najib is replete with motherhood statements.
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/motherhood_statement
One only needs to look at who Najib’s organisation, UMNO, sponsors in Malaysia – Utusan Malaysia, PERKASA, PEKIDA, and a whole lot of other extremist NGOs.
Yes, Najib can certainly fool the UN General Assembly with his wonderful eloquence but he fools no-one in Malaysia.
Islmaic extremism in Malaysia did not occur overnight. It was very slowly ratchetted up bit by bit over the years.
Methods used include the introduction of legal instruments, the sponsporship of hardline fundamentalist NGOs, collusion between the legislative, judiciary and executive, racial profiling, and outright displays of religious double standards.
Islam, like all other religions, faces the huge challenge of making itself relevant in the 21st century.
Extremism in the name of Islam and Malaysian Muslims
neptunian,
“…Najib did not make an interesting speech…”
I strongly dispute that statement. 🙂
Najib is very good at reading off the autocue, ensuring a sincere look, and pouting.
Writing speeches, though, is not his forte.
Kareoke and opportunity?
For a thoughtful and sympathetic study of sex workers in Vietnam see Ian Walters recent study, Sex Work In Vietnam, available as an ebook on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Sex-Work-in-Vietnam-ebook/dp/B00DG6D3RW
Extremism in the name of Islam and Malaysian Muslims
Extremisms in Islam or any Religion, at the Far Ends are Harmless, When they are Non-Violent and Non Imposing.
When the Power-that-be Double Talks and Acts in Bad Faith ,Played and Danced on the Strings of Extremism, Deliberately With Twists and Turns, Violent Threats and Intimidations and has False Agendas Calculated with Dubious Intentions in Grapping Power for Selfish Gain and Profits, Corruptly, at the Rakyat’s Expense,
…That is , Really, the Great Divide.
PM Najib and UmnoBaru Puteras Leaders are All Characteristics of Such Ventures.
Extremism in the name of Islam and Malaysian Muslims
Najib did not make an interesting speech… APCO, his PR firm wrote an interesting speech. At no time in the past year did Najib actions show that he believe nor even understand his own speeches.
Please check the recent Malaysian news where he “requested” GLCs (Govt linked Corporations) to take out advertisements in Utusan Melayu (an out and out racist newspaper) to support it. Is that the action of a moderate?
New Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge across the Mekong
Forgot to add that I uploaded them to Wikiloc. Look for Auke (2 tracks) with a start at Maypoukha on Highway 3 in Laos
New Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge across the Mekong
Have uploaded the tracks and 3 waypoints for the 4th Friendship Bridge south of Chiangkong and Houayxay
Thailand’s corruption record
Question to ask really is with a 30% minimum (but hyperinflated) Shinawatra rate on the multi-trillion Yingluck projects, is Thailand still a democracy? Or is an honest Prem-style junta-style Thai government any worse or any better than a whopping 30% plus corruption-inseverable-democracy?