“I am the symbol of Thai democracy” Thaksin did say that. Is Thaksin as the symbolism of Red Shirts democracy an ‘honest’ or ‘dishonest’ mistake?
Why should we now fault the Thai White Mask group for using the V-mask as their symbolism? These people are fed up with the corruption and divisive Thaksin-style democracy. Their anger could perhaps be likened to the finale of that movie “V for Vendetta” in which a whole movement of discontents wearing Guy Fawkes costumes watch the fascistic Houses of Parliament burn.
New Mandala readers may also be interested with two other articles to provide context to this analysis, by Ed Aspinall (identity politics and the strength of the UMNO machinery in rural areas) and Amrita Malhi (identity politics), over at Inside Story.
The Difference between Malaysia and Thailand,
The Short Answer, Extended, is :
Malayisa Has Umno, a ”Corruption” Institution …
…that Institutionalises Corruption, a Hijacked NEP,…a Twisted Delivery System..that Largely Contributed to the Disparity in Income/Poverty between the Urban and Rural Communities,
Notably and Most Undeservedly, the Eastern States of Sabah and Sawarak.
Appropriately, if the Comparision be made between Malaysia and Singapore from which they Splited in 1965.
The Difference is :
Now,Singapore Income per capita US$ 52,000.00 to Malaysia’s US$ 8,500.00.
I do talk a little bit about it in the book. It appears that Narin was influenced by an earlier movement in Japan, which he considered in many ways (especially in terms of Buddhism) more advanced than Siam.
Peter
When symbol lost their symbolism.
Guy Fawkes mask use to support monarchy and for appoint dictator.
Red shirt call for election and democracy, instead of communism.
And communist in uniform support monarchy.
What’s next? A picture of Che and Mao on a capitalist, mass produce T-shirt?
So sad for Thailand. Right now it is the battle between two evils, in which supporter of each evil believes their ‘preferred evil’ is less evil than their opponent’s “preferred evil”.
True, Thaksin is not a god. In fact, there are many ‘not so noble’ qualities about him…which are not difficult at all to find out, if one really wants to find out. But is he “more evil” than the Thai elites (ie. the military, the Privy Council, and the Royal Family)?
Perhaps he might be, if he has equally as much opportunities to commit such atrocities that the elites currently have. But that is just pure speculation.
The truth is, as of current, the elites are way more evil than him. The atrocities they have committed so far render their actions unforgivable for many people who have realised of their atrocities (which they have tried so hard to hide).
But I am too busy to care about the fight between two evils. Thaksin is not someone I would be fighting for. Nor would I care about the Thai elites. Whatever would happen in the future would be interesting to predict. I just hope that my prediction would be right.
Khun Vichai, I doubt if international movement can do anything about the slavery at sea in Thailand. Normally countries do not interfere with other countries’ internal matters. They can condemn it, but I don’t think they would do anything about it. There are many more extreme things which Thailand had done, in which the international community still remains silent with its atrocities.
Peter, I’m interested in what else might have been going on the 1920s and 1930s with respect to female monks. Where did Narin’s interest in this come from? Do you deal with that in the book?
I find it quite interesting that even though their attempt of giving themselves a more international image, still patriotic songs such as the infamous “Nak Paendin” ( http://www.newmandala.org/2007/09/11/scum-of-the-earth/ ) are a regular feature of the White Mask protests. The same song has also been a regular feature at the “multicolored” protests.
A Clean Slate Means Alignment of Dignified Governnance Values, Free from the Culture* of the Umno Brands .
Anwar has Re-aligmment in the Cleveage . Ku Li has Dignity but Need to Leave Umno and do more to Convince Other Like-Minds to do the same and Join the New Coaliation… Reinvent Cleanly.
Both are Experienced Statemen and Administrators …Grooming Competent, Capable and Younger Successors Whose Values are Embeded in the Layers of the Metamorphosed Shale,Turns Slate with Clean Orderly Clevages, Well Disciplined and Watchful of what Transpired on its(Slate) Surface where Anwar and Ku Li Thread and Act along Guided Line to Meet the Needs of People by Creating More Opportunities /Jobs and Encourage them to Work Hard for What they Want.
On these, and only briefly, they Can be Trusted to Do Job and Retired Honorably .
The Pair are meant to Smoothen the Bumpy Transistions and Reduce Uncertainties.
Under the Present ”Twin Hanging”Circumstances,they are the Most Suitable Choice in Paving for the Succeeding Clean Slate, Teaming with Young Passionate, Sincere, Hardworking People Oriented Leaders from Pakatan …Nurul, LGE ,Nizar….list cont.. and with ”I am a Malaysian First ” Mission.
My Suggested Commentary Ideas (someone should expand and improve on it )should be Read and Interpretated as a Whole under Prevailing Circumstances of the ”Hang Umno” and the ”Hang Parliament” which are the Source of Never Ending Uncertainties
…Very Deterimental and Agonising to the Country and its People.
The Ideas Drawn are from the Observations :
Given Many Many Years of Chances, particularly 308 and now 505 ,(Largely,the Top )Umnoputera Leaders, Even if They Would Have Wanted,Can Never or Learn to Change from Within Because of the Deeply Entrenched Culture of Corruptions , the Heavy Baggage they are Carrying , and the Excessive Misconduct ,Greed and Abuse of Powers/Postions…..
…and which are the source of the Grievances and Mass Discontents of the Rakyat who Really Wanted Change for Better, Regardless.,..But the UmnoBnputeras Cannot Deliver.
They Need to be in the Oppositions for at Least a Term or 2 to Learn Term to Learn and Reform Themselves First, Before it can Transform the Twisted Delivery Systems.
There is Lack of Leadership and Sincerity and with Mostly Deadwoods in Umno, . ..Thanks to Dr M’s Lengthy Brand of Manipultive, Confusing and Devissive Politicking,… in which Money Plays a the Greater Part….
* ”ABC”=” Amanah Bersih dan Cekap”,..”Bangsa Malaysia”,.. ”BTU’,..”NEP ”,..RCIs,..
the ” 1 Malaysia ” Transformation Programms, and many were meant to benefit the Rakyat
but Never Got Delivered and Instead Had Largely Favours the Elite UmnoBnputeras.
It is because of the Deeply Entrenched Culure of Corruptions, Misconduct,Greed, Abuse of Power and Positions for Personal Gains, Instead, They Had Hijacked/Misused and Abused the Programs as Covers to Deceive and Divide the People and the Nation for Staying in Power, While Enriching Themselves(Largely, the Top Umno/Bnputera Leaders)……..and the List Continue….
…… to the Extent, the English Iconic UMNO Logo was Not Spared to Cover Up the Malay Authencity for its True representions in ”PKMB”=”Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Bersatu.” …and through UMNO,it has Falsely Claim like it is Malay and for their Mis/representations of Malays.
Umno is Notoriously Incorrigible .
Diminish Umno and its Leaderships with Integrity and Sincerity .
Diminish the Culture of Corruption in the Delivery Systems…or Let it Rot Away from within….
It is A Deal the Rakyat are Prepared to Do.
That Arjun judged Narin’s efforts at business as bourgeois, and he failed to appreciate the author’s drawing a parallel to the life of the Buddha, despite Narin’s devout buddhism, and interpreted Narin’s principled life as one dedicated to being a pain in the ass to anyone in authority…. etc. leads me to think he really did not ‘get’ most importantly what Narin’s principles stood for: integrity, honesty, and a rejection of the feudal system. One could add his efforts to point out the corruption of Buddhism in Thailand and Thai society.. and go on from there.
Plus the book was a good read. It had a sense of humor. How much academic material attempts to achieve this? Should it? I don’t know if it should or not. I just know Koret pulled it off. It works.
Some good news CT … because ‘Thailand’s Slavery at Sea’ could draw a very punitive UN Sanction. I did not realize that Thailand is ranked among the worst (after North Korea and Sudan) for ‘Trafficking in Persons’. That shames me deeply as a Thai that so blatantly practises inhumane trafficking and slavery at sea … abusing typically destitute and desperate men from Myanmar, Cambodia …
Here is the full article from Global Post that that should shame every Thai:
—————————
Patrick WinnJune 23, 2013 10:08
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Add Patrick Winn to your circles
Slavery at sea has Thailand teetering toward US sanctions
Obama administration urges crackdown on forced labor that supplies seafood to Americans.
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A laborer sorts fish at Pattani port in Thailand’s Pattani province. (Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Images)
BANGKOK, Thailand – Their condition recalls dark tales from the 18th century: underfed men lorded over by seafaring captains who pay them nothing and maim the disobedient.
Yet these forced labor abuses play out on Thai-owned fishing trawlers each day. And the victims – typically destitute men from Myanmar or Cambodia lured by coyotes full of false promises – continue to wash ashore with accounts of torture and casual homicide.
For years, US officials have urged Thailand, one of America’s closest Asian allies, to rid its $7.3 billion fisheries export industry of these abuses. Though carried out on lawless seas, these crimes risk entangling supermarkets in America, where one in six pounds of seafood is imported from Thailand.
So far, these persistent abuses have hurt Thailand’s reputation but little else. That may change: if one more year passes without major strikes against Thai trafficking syndicates, the US State Department will be forced, by law, to hit Thailand with sanctions.
For four years running, a US State Department annual “Trafficking in Persons” report has labeled Thailand with its next-to-worst ranking. This year’s report, released this week, painted a similarly bleak portrait of Thailand’s efforts to fix what the report called “pervasive trafficking-related corruption.”
Thanks to a pardon from Secretary of State John Kerry, Thailand narrowly dodged the worst ranking, a low rung occupied by Sudan and North Korea, among others. Getting dropped to the lowest rank comes with mandated “targeted sanctions” that cut “non-humanitarian, non-trade-related foreign assistance.”
But after this year’s reprieve, according to US law, Thailand is out of pardons. This means that, to stave off US sanctions, it must finally execute enough raids and arrests in the next 12 months to prove its sincerity in attacking traffickers. (Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reached by GlobalPost, declined to respond to the latest report.)
Thailand’s efforts so far amount to “an engine that doesn’t catch,” said Ambassador-at-Large Luis CdeBaca, who heads a special US anti-trafficking office. “The notion of the Thai fishing fleet has been something that we’ve been raising more and more as we’ve come to realize that there is just so much abuse out on those boats.”
In the 2012 GlobalPost investigation “Seafood Slavery,” former captives who’d escaped Thai trawlers described 18-hour days for zero pay on unregistered “ghost boats.” Most had witnessed fellow fishermen stabbed, crippled or tossed into the sea. Traffickers confided that captives – or boys as young as 16 – can be purchased for roughly $600. They are forced to toil for years without payment.
Said one Thai crewman: “Years ago, I saw an entire foreign crew shot dead … The boss didn’t want to pay up, so he lined them up on the side of the boat and shot them one by one.”
Such cruelty persists because it takes place in an oceanic abyss, often in international waters. Slave-caught seafood is typically transferred to what Thai captains call a “Mae Rua” – mothership – where sardines, mackerel and varied catch from scores of different boats are absorbed into expansive ice rooms.
The supply chain is further muddled through a system of onshore brokers, which purchase fish from motherships before selling tubs of seafood to processing plants that prepare packages for export.
Dealing a serious blow to networks of human smugglers and criminal fishing syndicates within the next year could prove to be a massive undertaking. In recent years, the Thai government has taken minor steps: increasing police training, upping potential sentences for trafficking crimes and constructing more shelters for escapees.
But anti-trafficking workers on the front lines contend that this has had little impact.
“It feels pretty much the same. We’re still fighting the same battles,” said a United Nations source who is not authorized to speak to the press. “So far, there just hasn’t been much of an impact on these brokers or the exploitative businesses that are benefiting from that labor.”
Thanks John – one of Australia’s more significant bilateral relationships, but one which is often overlooked and not well understood. In 06-07 we ran a Parliamentary Inquiry into Australia-Malaysia relations, the report for which provides a comprehensive overview of the numerous different elements. The individual submissions are also interesting reading – and give a suggestion of some of the interest groups and themes involved. http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_Representatives_Committees?url=jfadt/malaysia/report.htm
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A sign of progress?
“I am the symbol of Thai democracy” Thaksin did say that. Is Thaksin as the symbolism of Red Shirts democracy an ‘honest’ or ‘dishonest’ mistake?
Why should we now fault the Thai White Mask group for using the V-mask as their symbolism? These people are fed up with the corruption and divisive Thaksin-style democracy. Their anger could perhaps be likened to the finale of that movie “V for Vendetta” in which a whole movement of discontents wearing Guy Fawkes costumes watch the fascistic Houses of Parliament burn.
Rural votes in Malaysia
New Mandala readers may also be interested with two other articles to provide context to this analysis, by Ed Aspinall (identity politics and the strength of the UMNO machinery in rural areas) and Amrita Malhi (identity politics), over at Inside Story.
http://inside.org.au/triumph-of-the-machine/
http://inside.org.au/can-the-malaysia-find-life-after-the-national-front/
Can there be a national unity government in Malaysia?
Thank you for your detailed explanation Kllau.
Review of The Institutional Imperative
Institutional Imperative ?
The Difference between Malaysia and Thailand,
The Short Answer, Extended, is :
Malayisa Has Umno, a ”Corruption” Institution …
…that Institutionalises Corruption, a Hijacked NEP,…a Twisted Delivery System..that Largely Contributed to the Disparity in Income/Poverty between the Urban and Rural Communities,
Notably and Most Undeservedly, the Eastern States of Sabah and Sawarak.
Appropriately, if the Comparision be made between Malaysia and Singapore from which they Splited in 1965.
The Difference is :
Now,Singapore Income per capita US$ 52,000.00 to Malaysia’s US$ 8,500.00.
Review of Man who accused king
I do talk a little bit about it in the book. It appears that Narin was influenced by an earlier movement in Japan, which he considered in many ways (especially in terms of Buddhism) more advanced than Siam.
Peter
A sign of progress?
When symbol lost their symbolism.
Guy Fawkes mask use to support monarchy and for appoint dictator.
Red shirt call for election and democracy, instead of communism.
And communist in uniform support monarchy.
What’s next? A picture of Che and Mao on a capitalist, mass produce T-shirt?
A sign of progress?
So sad for Thailand. Right now it is the battle between two evils, in which supporter of each evil believes their ‘preferred evil’ is less evil than their opponent’s “preferred evil”.
True, Thaksin is not a god. In fact, there are many ‘not so noble’ qualities about him…which are not difficult at all to find out, if one really wants to find out. But is he “more evil” than the Thai elites (ie. the military, the Privy Council, and the Royal Family)?
Perhaps he might be, if he has equally as much opportunities to commit such atrocities that the elites currently have. But that is just pure speculation.
The truth is, as of current, the elites are way more evil than him. The atrocities they have committed so far render their actions unforgivable for many people who have realised of their atrocities (which they have tried so hard to hide).
But I am too busy to care about the fight between two evils. Thaksin is not someone I would be fighting for. Nor would I care about the Thai elites. Whatever would happen in the future would be interesting to predict. I just hope that my prediction would be right.
Review of Thailand’s Hidden Workforce
Khun Vichai, I doubt if international movement can do anything about the slavery at sea in Thailand. Normally countries do not interfere with other countries’ internal matters. They can condemn it, but I don’t think they would do anything about it. There are many more extreme things which Thailand had done, in which the international community still remains silent with its atrocities.
Review of Man who accused king
Peter, I’m interested in what else might have been going on the 1920s and 1930s with respect to female monks. Where did Narin’s interest in this come from? Do you deal with that in the book?
A sign of progress?
I find it quite interesting that even though their attempt of giving themselves a more international image, still patriotic songs such as the infamous “Nak Paendin” ( http://www.newmandala.org/2007/09/11/scum-of-the-earth/ ) are a regular feature of the White Mask protests. The same song has also been a regular feature at the “multicolored” protests.
A sign of progress?
Mirror site here:
http://politicalprisonersofthailand.wordpress.com/
Can there be a national unity government in Malaysia?
Dear Mr G. Lopez,
A Clean Slate Means Alignment of Dignified Governnance Values, Free from the Culture* of the Umno Brands .
Anwar has Re-aligmment in the Cleveage . Ku Li has Dignity but Need to Leave Umno and do more to Convince Other Like-Minds to do the same and Join the New Coaliation… Reinvent Cleanly.
Both are Experienced Statemen and Administrators …Grooming Competent, Capable and Younger Successors Whose Values are Embeded in the Layers of the Metamorphosed Shale,Turns Slate with Clean Orderly Clevages, Well Disciplined and Watchful of what Transpired on its(Slate) Surface where Anwar and Ku Li Thread and Act along Guided Line to Meet the Needs of People by Creating More Opportunities /Jobs and Encourage them to Work Hard for What they Want.
On these, and only briefly, they Can be Trusted to Do Job and Retired Honorably .
The Pair are meant to Smoothen the Bumpy Transistions and Reduce Uncertainties.
Under the Present ”Twin Hanging”Circumstances,they are the Most Suitable Choice in Paving for the Succeeding Clean Slate, Teaming with Young Passionate, Sincere, Hardworking People Oriented Leaders from Pakatan …Nurul, LGE ,Nizar….list cont.. and with ”I am a Malaysian First ” Mission.
My Suggested Commentary Ideas (someone should expand and improve on it )should be Read and Interpretated as a Whole under Prevailing Circumstances of the ”Hang Umno” and the ”Hang Parliament” which are the Source of Never Ending Uncertainties
…Very Deterimental and Agonising to the Country and its People.
The Ideas Drawn are from the Observations :
Given Many Many Years of Chances, particularly 308 and now 505 ,(Largely,the Top )Umnoputera Leaders, Even if They Would Have Wanted,Can Never or Learn to Change from Within Because of the Deeply Entrenched Culture of Corruptions , the Heavy Baggage they are Carrying , and the Excessive Misconduct ,Greed and Abuse of Powers/Postions…..
…and which are the source of the Grievances and Mass Discontents of the Rakyat who Really Wanted Change for Better, Regardless.,..But the UmnoBnputeras Cannot Deliver.
They Need to be in the Oppositions for at Least a Term or 2 to Learn Term to Learn and Reform Themselves First, Before it can Transform the Twisted Delivery Systems.
There is Lack of Leadership and Sincerity and with Mostly Deadwoods in Umno, . ..Thanks to Dr M’s Lengthy Brand of Manipultive, Confusing and Devissive Politicking,… in which Money Plays a the Greater Part….
* ”ABC”=” Amanah Bersih dan Cekap”,..”Bangsa Malaysia”,.. ”BTU’,..”NEP ”,..RCIs,..
the ” 1 Malaysia ” Transformation Programms, and many were meant to benefit the Rakyat
but Never Got Delivered and Instead Had Largely Favours the Elite UmnoBnputeras.
It is because of the Deeply Entrenched Culure of Corruptions, Misconduct,Greed, Abuse of Power and Positions for Personal Gains, Instead, They Had Hijacked/Misused and Abused the Programs as Covers to Deceive and Divide the People and the Nation for Staying in Power, While Enriching Themselves(Largely, the Top Umno/Bnputera Leaders)……..and the List Continue….
…… to the Extent, the English Iconic UMNO Logo was Not Spared to Cover Up the Malay Authencity for its True representions in ”PKMB”=”Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Bersatu.” …and through UMNO,it has Falsely Claim like it is Malay and for their Mis/representations of Malays.
Umno is Notoriously Incorrigible .
Diminish Umno and its Leaderships with Integrity and Sincerity .
Diminish the Culture of Corruption in the Delivery Systems…or Let it Rot Away from within….
It is A Deal the Rakyat are Prepared to Do.
Review of Man who accused king
That Arjun judged Narin’s efforts at business as bourgeois, and he failed to appreciate the author’s drawing a parallel to the life of the Buddha, despite Narin’s devout buddhism, and interpreted Narin’s principled life as one dedicated to being a pain in the ass to anyone in authority…. etc. leads me to think he really did not ‘get’ most importantly what Narin’s principles stood for: integrity, honesty, and a rejection of the feudal system. One could add his efforts to point out the corruption of Buddhism in Thailand and Thai society.. and go on from there.
Plus the book was a good read. It had a sense of humor. How much academic material attempts to achieve this? Should it? I don’t know if it should or not. I just know Koret pulled it off. It works.
A sign of progress?
Perhaps the symbol (V mask) is wrong, but the objective: to oppose/eliminate the lingering growing Thaksin corrupt/corruptive system, is noble.
Could a rice sack riddled with holes be a more apt symbol?
A sign of progress?
Both the Thai political prisoners links appear to be blocked by that shitty URL w3.mict et. al. Thanks xxxxxxxx.
A sign of progress?
Thanks for this post and also for Nick’s earlier post. In relation to white masks, I also found the two related posts at PPT of interest: http://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpress.com/2013/06/25/white-lies/ and http://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpress.com/2013/06/26/who-is-sonthiyan/
Malaysia-Singapore Update 2013
Hi Yi Jian, it will not be live online, but the proceedings will be recorded and uploaded — in a similar manner as last year.
Malaysia-Singapore Update 2013
Will the event be available online as well?
Review of Thailand’s Hidden Workforce
Some good news CT … because ‘Thailand’s Slavery at Sea’ could draw a very punitive UN Sanction. I did not realize that Thailand is ranked among the worst (after North Korea and Sudan) for ‘Trafficking in Persons’. That shames me deeply as a Thai that so blatantly practises inhumane trafficking and slavery at sea … abusing typically destitute and desperate men from Myanmar, Cambodia …
Here is the full article from Global Post that that should shame every Thai:
—————————
Patrick WinnJune 23, 2013 10:08
Subscribe to Patrick Winn on Facebook
Add Patrick Winn to your circles
Slavery at sea has Thailand teetering toward US sanctions
Obama administration urges crackdown on forced labor that supplies seafood to Americans.
Facebook
93
3
161
ENLARGE
A laborer sorts fish at Pattani port in Thailand’s Pattani province. (Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Images)
BANGKOK, Thailand – Their condition recalls dark tales from the 18th century: underfed men lorded over by seafaring captains who pay them nothing and maim the disobedient.
Yet these forced labor abuses play out on Thai-owned fishing trawlers each day. And the victims – typically destitute men from Myanmar or Cambodia lured by coyotes full of false promises – continue to wash ashore with accounts of torture and casual homicide.
For years, US officials have urged Thailand, one of America’s closest Asian allies, to rid its $7.3 billion fisheries export industry of these abuses. Though carried out on lawless seas, these crimes risk entangling supermarkets in America, where one in six pounds of seafood is imported from Thailand.
So far, these persistent abuses have hurt Thailand’s reputation but little else. That may change: if one more year passes without major strikes against Thai trafficking syndicates, the US State Department will be forced, by law, to hit Thailand with sanctions.
For four years running, a US State Department annual “Trafficking in Persons” report has labeled Thailand with its next-to-worst ranking. This year’s report, released this week, painted a similarly bleak portrait of Thailand’s efforts to fix what the report called “pervasive trafficking-related corruption.”
Thanks to a pardon from Secretary of State John Kerry, Thailand narrowly dodged the worst ranking, a low rung occupied by Sudan and North Korea, among others. Getting dropped to the lowest rank comes with mandated “targeted sanctions” that cut “non-humanitarian, non-trade-related foreign assistance.”
But after this year’s reprieve, according to US law, Thailand is out of pardons. This means that, to stave off US sanctions, it must finally execute enough raids and arrests in the next 12 months to prove its sincerity in attacking traffickers. (Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reached by GlobalPost, declined to respond to the latest report.)
Thailand’s efforts so far amount to “an engine that doesn’t catch,” said Ambassador-at-Large Luis CdeBaca, who heads a special US anti-trafficking office. “The notion of the Thai fishing fleet has been something that we’ve been raising more and more as we’ve come to realize that there is just so much abuse out on those boats.”
In the 2012 GlobalPost investigation “Seafood Slavery,” former captives who’d escaped Thai trawlers described 18-hour days for zero pay on unregistered “ghost boats.” Most had witnessed fellow fishermen stabbed, crippled or tossed into the sea. Traffickers confided that captives – or boys as young as 16 – can be purchased for roughly $600. They are forced to toil for years without payment.
Said one Thai crewman: “Years ago, I saw an entire foreign crew shot dead … The boss didn’t want to pay up, so he lined them up on the side of the boat and shot them one by one.”
Such cruelty persists because it takes place in an oceanic abyss, often in international waters. Slave-caught seafood is typically transferred to what Thai captains call a “Mae Rua” – mothership – where sardines, mackerel and varied catch from scores of different boats are absorbed into expansive ice rooms.
The supply chain is further muddled through a system of onshore brokers, which purchase fish from motherships before selling tubs of seafood to processing plants that prepare packages for export.
Dealing a serious blow to networks of human smugglers and criminal fishing syndicates within the next year could prove to be a massive undertaking. In recent years, the Thai government has taken minor steps: increasing police training, upping potential sentences for trafficking crimes and constructing more shelters for escapees.
But anti-trafficking workers on the front lines contend that this has had little impact.
“It feels pretty much the same. We’re still fighting the same battles,” said a United Nations source who is not authorized to speak to the press. “So far, there just hasn’t been much of an impact on these brokers or the exploitative businesses that are benefiting from that labor.”
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/thailand/130621/thailand-human-trafficking-us-state-department-sanctions-fish-export
Australia-Malaysia relations
Thanks John – one of Australia’s more significant bilateral relationships, but one which is often overlooked and not well understood. In 06-07 we ran a Parliamentary Inquiry into Australia-Malaysia relations, the report for which provides a comprehensive overview of the numerous different elements. The individual submissions are also interesting reading – and give a suggestion of some of the interest groups and themes involved.
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_Representatives_Committees?url=jfadt/malaysia/report.htm