Very well researched, well written piece! It is in fact a new dawn in Malaysia, and populist racism and exclusionary politics no longer have a place in our future. Those who cling to that for their survival, do so at their own peril.
Thank you for an entirely lucid and insightful essay, Charis. I sincerely hope you will find a way to return to Malaysia where brilliant young minds and empathetic souls are urgently required to assist with the Herculean task of completely rehabilitating and healing a collective psyche hideously mauled by a predator species disguised as the Umno elite.
Re. Nick’s comment below: P-move was asked by the police to clear out from the government house on May 11 so they would not disrupt the Ploughing Ceremony processions that needed to pass in front of the Government House where they were camped out. They then moved to the nearby Office of Education- not to protest against the Ministry of Education, but because it was nearby and the police OK’ed the new site. They have remained there as it seems to be a more comfortable set-up for now.
(a) Thaksin’s Peau Thai Party is generally perceived as the more representative and responsive political party to the ‘poor’ (and needy Red Shirts) of Thailand.
(b) Thus in that sense the Thai poor indeed had already learned to keep the ‘right’ company.
Now could somebody explain to Vichai N how the trillions baht Yingluck project of mainly the very high-cost high-speed trains are going to benefit the Thai poor? Or is the Yingluck trillions baht high-speed trains project reflective of ‘pure politics’, or, impure (unclean) Thaksin/Yingluck motivations?
One really wonders whether you need to be “poor” to be “pure,” and belong to the “people.” But since there are not that many poor people in Thailand (alright, it depends on the poverty line one employes), few inhabitants of this country can ever be “pure” or “true,” and thus the great majority of citizens in Thailand are, so to speak, “non-people.” And if only the “people” can have “true” and “pure” politics, all the rest is supposed to migrate elsewhere to purify the Thai political system?
[…] and their execution in in Sawang Daendin district of Sakon Nakhonin the article Khrong Chandawong Remembered in New Mandela. So while Larry and I were in town chasing Seri Thai […]
I thought it was far from crystal-clear that Rama VIII was –in fact– “assassinated”, in that Ananda’s body was found in his own bed in his chambers within the palace, with a revolver in his hand?
[…] was released, she criticized Suu Kyi as well as the democracy movement as a whole. She responded in an interview in 2008: “I know I am not a traitor or a turncoat. I came into the political movement because I […]
James Chin analyses the options for Barisan Nasional to reform.
BN’s structure was conceived by Mr Najib’s father, Tun Abdul Razak, in 1973. In the aftermath of the 1969 racial riots, Tun Razak sought to restructure Malaysian politics. He invited all political parties to join a coalition, the Barisan Nasional, a government of national unity of sorts.
Dear sir, You are right saying Vietnam is impatient. Yes it is since 38 years went by and Vietnam hasn’t change. When then ?
Vietnam is impatient that the government admit had sent millions of South Vietnamese to reeducation camp and to die in sea as boat people. After that, we can talk about change. Please consult Vietnam, Red Hell My Love and hoikytraicaitao on Internet “lucien trong”. Regards
The Palace Succession Law is one tool which the Privy Council can use to get rid of the Crown Prince though. It states that if the King passes away, the King’s power shall pass to the Privy Council. And there is one section in the Palace Succession Law which the “King” can remove the Crown Prince from the next in line, if his behaviour is proved to be ‘unrespectable to the extent it would cause distrust and disrespect among the Thai citizens’.
And according to the law, when a heir is removed from being the next in line, all of his children shall also become ineligible to reign as well.
So if the Privy Council wishes, they can (legally) remove the Crown Prince from being the heir to the throne when the King dies, citing his unrespectable behaviour. Then the Crown Prince’s children (Dipangkorn who is #2 in line, Princess Bajrakitiyabha who is #3 in line, Princess Siriwanwaree who is #4 in line) shall also lose the right to reign. Then the Crown can pass to the #5 in line, which is Princess Sirindhorn.
Hi Dahlia, thanks for pointing me to this – in fact I feel partially responsible for not spotting that Ewon’s name was on the list. This too was a great discrepancy on my part and I think it is only ethical to admit my share of the responsibility.
To readers who spotted this mistake – I take shared responsibility in not verifying the facts as a simple Google search on all the constituents would have verified their gender.
For those who followed Dahlia’s intensive coverage during GE13 – in spite of the mistake, much of her analysis was sound and I hope that the mistake on my part will not negate that. While certain mistakes are inexcusable, there is still the need to apply a gender perspective to the political processes out there and I expressly support Dahlia’s efforts to continue this.
I sincerely apologise for the mistake on my part and will do my part in future to verify information more thoroughly.
Oh yes, Nick you are correct. I am sorry about that I am misunderstand that. The reds might look at P-move with great awareness, because many people have to sacrifice their life in order to have this democratic government.
I hate to agree with you because of Postbag, but you are making sense, except how can one possibly believe what PAD posters are saying based on past record of facts and non facts. Reds are somewhat more reliable, somewhat…
I agree with Nick, when I first heard about the new gathering, Assembly of the Poor immediately sprung to mind because they were saying much of the same things that were said before the Yellow led struggle to cause a coup and implement an overthrow of an elected government. They were “demanding” that the government “solve” their problems for them. It has always struck me as rather odd that in Thailand people demand the government “fix” things rather than doing for themselves, a sign of the still ongoing Patronage.
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Ways of seeing Malaysia – deconstructing demographic violence
Very well researched, well written piece! It is in fact a new dawn in Malaysia, and populist racism and exclusionary politics no longer have a place in our future. Those who cling to that for their survival, do so at their own peril.
Desiring a pure people’s politics
The only force in Thailand’s democratization drives are the red shirts.
– without them the country would remain stuck in the “entangled absolute monarchy” this association of king, mandarins and army (amart)-
and would have to suffer more and more
–now it is the first time that thai have the chance to get what the word “thai” means = “free !”
– they will turn it into a democratic country – and overcome their history of the last 70 years
– helpful here is that the clock of the current owner of the throne and his minions runs out
Ways of seeing Malaysia – deconstructing demographic violence
Thank you for an entirely lucid and insightful essay, Charis. I sincerely hope you will find a way to return to Malaysia where brilliant young minds and empathetic souls are urgently required to assist with the Herculean task of completely rehabilitating and healing a collective psyche hideously mauled by a predator species disguised as the Umno elite.
Ways of seeing Malaysia – deconstructing demographic violence
comparing this article to the ones written by local academicians – SHOCKING! In Malay: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/rencana/article/kaum-cina-perlu-bertanggungjawab-teo-kok-seong/)
The people rise again?
Re. Nick’s comment below: P-move was asked by the police to clear out from the government house on May 11 so they would not disrupt the Ploughing Ceremony processions that needed to pass in front of the Government House where they were camped out. They then moved to the nearby Office of Education- not to protest against the Ministry of Education, but because it was nearby and the police OK’ed the new site. They have remained there as it seems to be a more comfortable set-up for now.
Desiring a pure people’s politics
Let me see . . .:
(a) Thaksin’s Peau Thai Party is generally perceived as the more representative and responsive political party to the ‘poor’ (and needy Red Shirts) of Thailand.
(b) Thus in that sense the Thai poor indeed had already learned to keep the ‘right’ company.
Now could somebody explain to Vichai N how the trillions baht Yingluck project of mainly the very high-cost high-speed trains are going to benefit the Thai poor? Or is the Yingluck trillions baht high-speed trains project reflective of ‘pure politics’, or, impure (unclean) Thaksin/Yingluck motivations?
Desiring a pure people’s politics
One really wonders whether you need to be “poor” to be “pure,” and belong to the “people.” But since there are not that many poor people in Thailand (alright, it depends on the poverty line one employes), few inhabitants of this country can ever be “pure” or “true,” and thus the great majority of citizens in Thailand are, so to speak, “non-people.” And if only the “people” can have “true” and “pure” politics, all the rest is supposed to migrate elsewhere to purify the Thai political system?
Khrong Chandawong remembered
[…] and their execution in in Sawang Daendin district of Sakon Nakhonin the article Khrong Chandawong Remembered in New Mandela. So while Larry and I were in town chasing Seri Thai […]
Royal power arrangement
I thought it was far from crystal-clear that Rama VIII was –in fact– “assassinated”, in that Ananda’s body was found in his own bed in his chambers within the palace, with a revolver in his hand?
Interview with Burma’s Ma Thanegi
[…] was released, she criticized Suu Kyi as well as the democracy movement as a whole. She responded in an interview in 2008: “I know I am not a traitor or a turncoat. I came into the political movement because I […]
Malaysian PM should resign, says expert
James Chin analyses the options for Barisan Nasional to reform.
Impatience in Viet Nam
Dear sir, You are right saying Vietnam is impatient. Yes it is since 38 years went by and Vietnam hasn’t change. When then ?
Vietnam is impatient that the government admit had sent millions of South Vietnamese to reeducation camp and to die in sea as boat people. After that, we can talk about change. Please consult Vietnam, Red Hell My Love and hoikytraicaitao on Internet “lucien trong”. Regards
Royal power arrangement
The Palace Succession Law is one tool which the Privy Council can use to get rid of the Crown Prince though. It states that if the King passes away, the King’s power shall pass to the Privy Council. And there is one section in the Palace Succession Law which the “King” can remove the Crown Prince from the next in line, if his behaviour is proved to be ‘unrespectable to the extent it would cause distrust and disrespect among the Thai citizens’.
And according to the law, when a heir is removed from being the next in line, all of his children shall also become ineligible to reign as well.
So if the Privy Council wishes, they can (legally) remove the Crown Prince from being the heir to the throne when the King dies, citing his unrespectable behaviour. Then the Crown Prince’s children (Dipangkorn who is #2 in line, Princess Bajrakitiyabha who is #3 in line, Princess Siriwanwaree who is #4 in line) shall also lose the right to reign. Then the Crown can pass to the #5 in line, which is Princess Sirindhorn.
The people rise again?
I made one mistake though – P-Move is not at government house anymore, it moved their protest to a ministry. I forgot though which one.
Malaysian women parliamentarians: why the different numbers?
Hi Dahlia, thanks for pointing me to this – in fact I feel partially responsible for not spotting that Ewon’s name was on the list. This too was a great discrepancy on my part and I think it is only ethical to admit my share of the responsibility.
To readers who spotted this mistake – I take shared responsibility in not verifying the facts as a simple Google search on all the constituents would have verified their gender.
For those who followed Dahlia’s intensive coverage during GE13 – in spite of the mistake, much of her analysis was sound and I hope that the mistake on my part will not negate that. While certain mistakes are inexcusable, there is still the need to apply a gender perspective to the political processes out there and I expressly support Dahlia’s efforts to continue this.
I sincerely apologise for the mistake on my part and will do my part in future to verify information more thoroughly.
The people rise again?
Oh yes, Nick you are correct. I am sorry about that I am misunderstand that. The reds might look at P-move with great awareness, because many people have to sacrifice their life in order to have this democratic government.
The people rise again?
I hate to agree with you because of Postbag, but you are making sense, except how can one possibly believe what PAD posters are saying based on past record of facts and non facts. Reds are somewhat more reliable, somewhat…
The people rise again?
My wife and most of her friends around here agree with you
The people rise again?
I agree with Nick, when I first heard about the new gathering, Assembly of the Poor immediately sprung to mind because they were saying much of the same things that were said before the Yellow led struggle to cause a coup and implement an overthrow of an elected government. They were “demanding” that the government “solve” their problems for them. It has always struck me as rather odd that in Thailand people demand the government “fix” things rather than doing for themselves, a sign of the still ongoing Patronage.
Royal power arrangement
Exactly what I was thinking when I first saw it