Hi Patrick
Thanks a lot for your reviews,it seems to inform new facts for me,and h r u and ur family,I had retired for 3 years from WU.Love to read more from yours.
Wichien Choosamer,Nakhon Si Thammarat
(http://www.thaidhamma.net)(http://www.dhamma.org/) Ohh! this site may inform a bit more to you.
Just one more comment addressing the issue of ‘defending the monarchy’ – hypothetical of course as the day has long passed. One may consider the following: Had HM the King really been as far-sighted and sagacious as advertised why didn’t he consider installing the heir apparent to the throne around his 80th birthday, or even a little earlier, with the idea of providing some additional insurance for the future of the dynasty? Being fully cognizant of the rather mediocre nature of candidate in waiting, not to mention his singular lack of popular appeal had he been installed some time ago and ‘bedded in’ (no smirking please), as it were, the problematic nature of the succession would, perhaps, have been much reduced. Then again whether this would have been feasible or possible under the ‘monthian baan’ palace law is something I simply do not know.
I apologise for the outburst, and for the attack on the author.
It’s just I’ve seen Prof. Reuban’s material on this site before, where he says pretty much the same thing. Is this not a predictable position for a lawyer to take? The people don’t understand the legal system. Oh! How convenient.
What was this riverfront area like in the late seventies and eighties? Did people always congregate and socialise there? What other images are for sale at other sites in Vientiane?
What is your honest opinion about the fellow who will, in all likelihood, step into his father’s shoes some time in the not too distant future? Do you regard him as a paragon of virtue, do you ‘love’ him, would you die for him? Can he be compared favourably with God and Enstein as was the case with the present incumbent during the celebrations for his 60th year on the throne (I happened to see this extraordinary comparison – in English – when boarding a plane at Suwwanaphum airport in 2006)? And finally, have you ever met another Thai person who offered fulsome, unstinting praise for the heir? Be honest in your response sir. Of course people are worried about the succession. The incumbent’s shoes simply cannot be filled. It’s a bit like going to a concert to see a genuine superstar who is then followed on stage by the warm up act to wrap up the show. What a bummer!
I don’t read New Mandala to read plugs. Boring. Why is this on here? Who cares! You’re promoting a site that contains the same old, repeated ad-nauseum, questions as the content on Malaysia found here? If this Rueban Balasubramaniam wants to contribute to the debate for his name to be known, why doesn’t he contribute to the posts made on the same topics, here?
You’ve taken up the prime weekend position with this post. Why? Is this the same sort of patronage-seeking behaviour found in Malaysian politics, but occuring on New Mandala between academics of different ranks?
There is no need to dissolve the Monarchy here, it is a stupid idea, Thai people are not ready for the megalomaniac Thaksin’s Republic.
The King has already said he wishes to be rid of les majeste.
So why not,well Thaksin wants a controlled environment when he comes back, and the ability to piggy back lese majeste Thaksin Yingluck. That is National Security used as a weapon
What people are worried about here is the succession, not les majeste,the people are used to Monarchy, they trust it and they see utter corruption here in politic. Both sides.
The people have opinion but no say in the succession
European parliamentarians have accused the Lao government of deceiving and lying to the international community about the mysterious disappearance of respected local civil society leader Sombath Somphone….
Yeah, but it’s worth commenting that Pizza Company ripped off the Pizza Hut business model and logo, simply because they could get away with it with impunity in Thailand. In any Western country they would have been sued out of existence for traderight infringement.
I second everything you said! Ironically, I too am a fan of Somtow’s sci-fi, and have been since the 1970s. Some of the things he wrote and said in 2010, however, clearly label him as grossly out of touch with the common man and woman in Thailand. Too much Mahler, perhaps?
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Review of Modern Thai Buddhism and Buddhadasa
Hi Patrick
Thanks a lot for your reviews,it seems to inform new facts for me,and h r u and ur family,I had retired for 3 years from WU.Love to read more from yours.
Wichien Choosamer,Nakhon Si Thammarat
(http://www.thaidhamma.net)(http://www.dhamma.org/) Ohh! this site may inform a bit more to you.
Defending the monarchy
Just one more comment addressing the issue of ‘defending the monarchy’ – hypothetical of course as the day has long passed. One may consider the following: Had HM the King really been as far-sighted and sagacious as advertised why didn’t he consider installing the heir apparent to the throne around his 80th birthday, or even a little earlier, with the idea of providing some additional insurance for the future of the dynasty? Being fully cognizant of the rather mediocre nature of candidate in waiting, not to mention his singular lack of popular appeal had he been installed some time ago and ‘bedded in’ (no smirking please), as it were, the problematic nature of the succession would, perhaps, have been much reduced. Then again whether this would have been feasible or possible under the ‘monthian baan’ palace law is something I simply do not know.
Jurist Malaya Initiative
I apologise for the outburst, and for the attack on the author.
It’s just I’ve seen Prof. Reuban’s material on this site before, where he says pretty much the same thing. Is this not a predictable position for a lawyer to take? The people don’t understand the legal system. Oh! How convenient.
http://www.newmandala.org/2013/08/19/the-role-of-public-interest-litigation-in-the-quest-for-democracy-in-malaysia/
http://www.newmandala.org/2012/10/23/hobbism-and-malaysia/
There is just so much Malaysia material here that takes the same line.
Why not a positive Malaysia post for a change?
What’s wrong with Malaysia?
Everyone has their solution to their Malaysia problem but none of it seems to involve a new perspective.
Jurist Malaya Initiative
Oucchhh! That hurts.
Jurist Malaya Initiative
This is a completely reasonable comment.
(Like the post above, see how hard it is to tell whether or not I’m being sarcastic or I’m actually that obnoxious?)
Size matters
The statue and its surrounds has become a popular and interesting site:
http://siameserose.wordpress.com/2013/09/01/triumph-of-the-titan-anuwong/#more-228
What was this riverfront area like in the late seventies and eighties? Did people always congregate and socialise there? What other images are for sale at other sites in Vientiane?
Defending the monarchy
Charles Kinbote
What is your honest opinion about the fellow who will, in all likelihood, step into his father’s shoes some time in the not too distant future? Do you regard him as a paragon of virtue, do you ‘love’ him, would you die for him? Can he be compared favourably with God and Enstein as was the case with the present incumbent during the celebrations for his 60th year on the throne (I happened to see this extraordinary comparison – in English – when boarding a plane at Suwwanaphum airport in 2006)? And finally, have you ever met another Thai person who offered fulsome, unstinting praise for the heir? Be honest in your response sir. Of course people are worried about the succession. The incumbent’s shoes simply cannot be filled. It’s a bit like going to a concert to see a genuine superstar who is then followed on stage by the warm up act to wrap up the show. What a bummer!
Jurist Malaya Initiative
I don’t read New Mandala to read plugs. Boring. Why is this on here? Who cares! You’re promoting a site that contains the same old, repeated ad-nauseum, questions as the content on Malaysia found here? If this Rueban Balasubramaniam wants to contribute to the debate for his name to be known, why doesn’t he contribute to the posts made on the same topics, here?
You’ve taken up the prime weekend position with this post. Why? Is this the same sort of patronage-seeking behaviour found in Malaysian politics, but occuring on New Mandala between academics of different ranks?
Defending the monarchy
There is no need to dissolve the Monarchy here, it is a stupid idea, Thai people are not ready for the megalomaniac Thaksin’s Republic.
The King has already said he wishes to be rid of les majeste.
So why not,well Thaksin wants a controlled environment when he comes back, and the ability to piggy back lese majeste Thaksin Yingluck. That is National Security used as a weapon
What people are worried about here is the succession, not les majeste,the people are used to Monarchy, they trust it and they see utter corruption here in politic. Both sides.
The people have opinion but no say in the succession
Pesky foreigners
It’s the place mat from a meal I had in Pizza Hut Chiang Mai about 10 years ago. AW
Open letter on Sombath Somphone
Press Briefing of the 3rd Parliamentary Delegation to the Laos on the enforced disappearance of Sombath Somphone
Foreign Correspondents Club Thailand
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ops9Uew5mXY
Open letter on Sombath Somphone
“European Parliamentarians Accuse Lao Government of Lying Over Sombath’s Case”
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/laos/sombath-08292013024733.html
European parliamentarians have accused the Lao government of deceiving and lying to the international community about the mysterious disappearance of respected local civil society leader Sombath Somphone….
Open letter on Sombath Somphone
“Laos accused of lying over Sombath Somphone abduction”
By Jonah Fisher
BBC News, Bangkok
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23862691
Pesky foreigners
Yeah, but it’s worth commenting that Pizza Company ripped off the Pizza Hut business model and logo, simply because they could get away with it with impunity in Thailand. In any Western country they would have been sued out of existence for traderight infringement.
Pesky foreigners
I second everything you said! Ironically, I too am a fan of Somtow’s sci-fi, and have been since the 1970s. Some of the things he wrote and said in 2010, however, clearly label him as grossly out of touch with the common man and woman in Thailand. Too much Mahler, perhaps?
Pesky foreigners
Yeah,love that picture.
Pesky foreigners
I’m sorry – I posted hastily and thought you were referring to The King Never Smiles. I have no idea if the King and I is still banned.
Pesky foreigners
Yes, it is still banned.
Is this comment related to my post specifically?
Pesky foreigners
On a smaller note, is there a credit for the picture?
Pesky foreigners
Is The King And I still banned?