chat: “Probably much much later Vichai … and more likely Yingluck will not only complete her term but get reelected.”
I’m inclined to agree – much as that reality plainly causes such acute dyspepsia for some. I do wonder why they seem quite so surprised and/or imagine Thaksin’s influence is such a revelation. After all, as Thomas Fuller’s piece usefully reminds us:
While Mr. Thaksin’s role in making appointments and setting policy is unusual by the standards of other democracies, voters knew what they were getting. His Pheu Thai Party’s widely publicized slogan during the 2011 election campaign was: “Thaksin thinks; Pheu Thai does.”
Worth noting (as Vichai N predictably doesn’t) Thitinan’s wry but also realistic observation in the piece about “a kind of uneasy accommodation”. Very Thai, IMO…..
The Western sanctions on Burma pale in comparison to the economic blockade on Cuba and North Korea, even that of Apartheid South Africa. The withdrawal of Global Fund was actually caused by govt constraints and restrictions to its work inside the country.
Perhaps we should have prostituted the country from the start when the white man first made his appearance and helped develop the economy under their ‘altruistic guidance’. Here you might be thinking alike with Hla Oo, the folly and futility of resistance to foreign rule and the violent struggle for national liberation.
Makes you wonder if the West would still be guilty of useless careless policies. Still the support for every brutal dictatorship around the world that is staunchly anti-communist including the tacit approval of Ne Win hardly counts for a useless careless stance.
It took the British several years in their war of pacification after the fall of Mandalay in 1885 before they could concentrate on infrastructure development geared to extractive industries including rice cultivation as a cash crop for global markets turning Burma into the Rice Bowl of Asia. The older generation of Burmese talked about the good old days because improvement in infrastructure, along with law and order, peace in the land, now enabled trade and commerce to flourish. This essentially colonial function of pacifying the natives is now left to the native rulers as far as possible in the New World Order, and that’s exactly what’s going on in Kachin State just to return to topic.
In appreciation and explanation (if I get it right) of Srithanonchai’s irony (15), “Democratic Royal” is an oxymoron, and “Absolutist Royal” is a tautology. Continuing this logic, “Constitutional Monarchy” is also an oxymoron. It is especially interesting to compare how this fraud of “Constitutional Monarchy” is perpetrated in Europe and in Thailand. European “Constitutional Monarchies” are democracies disguised as a monarchies in order to keep a minority of snobs/crawlers happy. Thai “Constitutional Monarchy” is absolutism disguised as democracy in order to defraud the people. The overthrow of absolutism in Thailand is unfinished business.
Probably much much later Vichai … and more likely Yingluck will not only complete her term but get reelected.
Thaksin did say that Peau Thai Party could put an ‘electric pole’ as candidate and still win against the Democrats in any election. We will definitely see Democrats lose in the coming Bangkok governor seat election.
The Democrats are so impotent at elections, I would expect them to lose against Thaksin’s ‘electric poles’ candidates anytime. And Yingluck is Thaksin’s No. 1 high-voltage truly electrifying manificent pole!
Without the Western colonial legacy this war wouldn’t be taking place since the Kachins weren’t part of the Burmese kingdoms, so Plan B if you really want to get rid of legacy let the Kachin have independence. I’m sure you’re in favor to that.
In this context, it might be interesting to know that the King Prajadhipok Institute (KPI) will hold its 15th congress this year under the highly inspiring title, “Royal Good Governance: from Absolutist Royal Good Governance to Democratic Royal Good Governance.” Obviously, one of the key questions at such a conference must be whether lese majeste in general, and the various verdicts (Surachai, Somyot) in particular, should be considered examples of “Democratic Royal Good Governance” or not. I am sure KPI will address these issues frankly, critically, and constructively.
Thailand is what Myanmar might have been if not for the West.
1) Colonial legacy
2) Useless careless policy.
Lest the seriousness of above 2 shall go Ya-da Ya-da to most westerners with your mind set:
The colonial era lasted 120 years (1824-1948), with all the untoward historical accouterments 2nd only to longest formative era of Myanmar in history of 250 years the 1st dynasty “Pagan era”~ (1050-1300)that has made Myanmar Buddhist as well as the dominant group.
A 2nd longest and most transforming era, still continuing, that has almost never mentioned less implicated when conflicts like this present one Kachin/Bamar are discussed.
As for the useless careless policy era of negligence/punishment by the West 1962/1988-2013(?) the comparison in severity of ‘2nd only to N Korea’ should suffice how serious the effect to Myanmar has been. Especially knowing Myanmar is NOTHING like N Korea.
Ko Moe Aung
“What do you actually expect from the West?”
“Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it”
Recognizing the history will be a good start to know what is expected and any deviation will surely have untoward outcomes.
Your sense of superior knowledge is incredible. You seem so sure that:
a)there’s been no violence in Thailand,
b)no Western interference in that country,
c)and it’s the sanctions that strengthened the dead hand of the regime even as the forthcoming investment and aid will give it a new lease of life.
What do you actually expect from the West? They don’t have permanent friends or foes, only permanent interests.
And why turn a blind eye to the popular struggle and put all your eggs in the elitist basket? It’s none other than self centered power and wealth in wedded bliss that keep us down stunting our nation’s growth in health and education stopping us all from fulfilling our genetic physical and intellectual/creative potential.
It is official because The New York Times reported what every Red village in Thailand had been chanting very day: “Fugitive felon Thaksin Shinawatra is running the Thai government since day one, and Yingluck Shinawatra is a … puppet.”
” … For the past year and a half, by the party’s own admission, the most important political decisions in this country of 65 million people have been made from abroad, by a former prime minister who has been in self-imposed exile since 2008 to escape corruption charges…”
“… It might be described as rule by Skype. Or governance by instant messenger, a way for Mr. Thaksin to help run the country without having to face the warrant for his arrest in a case that many believe is politically motivated…”
” … “We can contact him at all hours,” said Charupong Ruangsuwan, the interior minister and secretary general of Mr. Thaksin’s Pheu Thai Party. “The world has changed. It’s a boundless world. It’s not like a hundred years ago when you had to use a telegraph.”
To illustrate the point during an interview, Mr. Charupong took out his iPhone and scrolled through a list of phone numbers for Mr. Thaksin. (Mr. Thaksin gives different numbers to different people, often depending on seniority, party officials say.)
“If we’ve got any problem, we give him a call,” Mr. Charupong said.
“ … He’s the one who formulates the Pheu Thai policies,” said Noppadon Pattama, a senior official in Mr. Thaksin’s party who also serves as his personal lawyer. “Almost all the policies put forward during the last election came from him… ”
Oh well. Thailand’s current running Yingluck ‘democracy’ is puppetry? We know ‘puppet governments’ are embarrassing, usually shady and sooner/later come to a very ugly end.
“Meaningless platitudes of brothers against brothers”
Ko Moe Aung
Obviously you and your ilk
1)do not know or related to anyone in the Tamadaw, KIA or any none Communist org that is suing for peace and cessation in killing of Brothers against Brothers in the street of Yangon and else where within Myanmar.
2)do not understand the worth of 5000 and counting Bamar Brothers’ lives and similar # of Kachin Brothers lives.
3)do not know the history of Myanmar and do not care to recognize the ongoing similar nature of conflicts b/t Brothers against Brothers.
Bemoaning a successful regime with all its atrocious attributes have allowed a blind eye to the most important villain=”The West” contribution to present quagmire.
Surrounding countries interfere through their surrogates, so as the West through empty call for “Democracy” while all strengthening this present regime holds.
Notice the lack of West interferences with unbridled economic activities in Thailand since the “First Anglo Burman War”?
A historic rival to Myanmar with similarities in every respects, Thailand has Brothers with exact corresponding DNA as in Myanmar, NEVER have to kill each other, illuminate well the iniquities of the West, a cursed gift that keeps on giving.
No I was not watching “Lincoln” from a DVD. I got my “Lincoln” from a flash drive lent by a friend… spanking fresh and the movie was so sharp it’s probably BlueRay version ( … based on the repeating streaming labels, I was probably watching the same copy as the Oscars reviewers!)
Like that movie Lincoln, any parliamentary move to amend or abolish the Thai lese laws must be seen multi-partisan …
At this point, the first step is to get the Thai parliament to openly debate Thai LM laws. At least bearded Thai PM Yingluck could accomplish this first step, please?
Vichai N #11
“Lincoln” has not been released on DVD yet so how come it was on your LCD TV? I’m shocked!
I don’t believe said movie has had a cinema release in Thailand. I wonder why?
I guess after “Abe Lincoln-Vampire Hunter” (popular in Thailand) it wasn’t deemed marketable.
I am sure the dodgy copy you have has been marketed as Abe Lincoln-Vampire Hunter 2 🙂
Leadership abilities are plainly manifest in the Iron Ladies of Burma who may never have heard of the term empowerment. Their protest at Letpadaung takes on not just China but the military itself. ASSK with her elitist approach undeniably remains a high profile leader but her position is now being justifiably undermined by grassroots women activists. Time and tide wait for no woman.
No one seems to mention Sufficiency Economy these days since the photo of its top advocate Khun Sumeth with a Ferrari car is circulating in the social media.
“Surachai may be a thinker but he is not an intellectual” Shan Comment 9.
I am not quite sure what the difference is between an intellectual and a thinker. Smiley face. Does it matter? And i don’t know which of those categories Surachai fits in to. Or Darunee. Or Somyot? Or any other prisoner?
prisons put bodies in prisons. The LM laws put people in prison who are no harm to society.
I had a recent very vivid dream of Prime Minister Yingluck with a beard! And in that dream, bearded PM Yingluck was cajoling, bribing and intimidating her reluctant PT party members and an even more animose opposition Democrats to support her resolve to amend Thailand’s Lese Majeste laws.
Attaboy ‘Abe Yingluck! … and then I woke up with my LED monitor still playing that ‘Lincoln’ movie.
If the Yingluck government could not and would not … then maybe let us all just forget it, ok?
If the law has to be this strong to protect a Monarch who ‘universally loved’ how much stronger will it have to be in the future?
If he can get back in Thaksin will be the one to enforce the law.
Have you seen the Red Shirts in their ‘I love the Prince’ tee shirts.
Many of the outspoken amaart will be in danger. That’s why Thaksin must be kept out at all costs.
Speak for yourself, not other people in generalities, what you are saying may be true about some people, but I can say exactly the opposite and be equally true of the Farangs I know, but The Thais would be a little more vocal in in their reply, and the opposite of your acquaintances.
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Bhumibol, Obama, Yingluck
chat: “Probably much much later Vichai … and more likely Yingluck will not only complete her term but get reelected.”
I’m inclined to agree – much as that reality plainly causes such acute dyspepsia for some. I do wonder why they seem quite so surprised and/or imagine Thaksin’s influence is such a revelation. After all, as Thomas Fuller’s piece usefully reminds us:
While Mr. Thaksin’s role in making appointments and setting policy is unusual by the standards of other democracies, voters knew what they were getting. His Pheu Thai Party’s widely publicized slogan during the 2011 election campaign was: “Thaksin thinks; Pheu Thai does.”
Worth noting (as Vichai N predictably doesn’t) Thitinan’s wry but also realistic observation in the piece about “a kind of uneasy accommodation”. Very Thai, IMO…..
The Kachin and war
The Western sanctions on Burma pale in comparison to the economic blockade on Cuba and North Korea, even that of Apartheid South Africa. The withdrawal of Global Fund was actually caused by govt constraints and restrictions to its work inside the country.
Perhaps we should have prostituted the country from the start when the white man first made his appearance and helped develop the economy under their ‘altruistic guidance’. Here you might be thinking alike with Hla Oo, the folly and futility of resistance to foreign rule and the violent struggle for national liberation.
Makes you wonder if the West would still be guilty of useless careless policies. Still the support for every brutal dictatorship around the world that is staunchly anti-communist including the tacit approval of Ne Win hardly counts for a useless careless stance.
It took the British several years in their war of pacification after the fall of Mandalay in 1885 before they could concentrate on infrastructure development geared to extractive industries including rice cultivation as a cash crop for global markets turning Burma into the Rice Bowl of Asia. The older generation of Burmese talked about the good old days because improvement in infrastructure, along with law and order, peace in the land, now enabled trade and commerce to flourish. This essentially colonial function of pacifying the natives is now left to the native rulers as far as possible in the New World Order, and that’s exactly what’s going on in Kachin State just to return to topic.
Interview with Surachai Danwattananusorn
In appreciation and explanation (if I get it right) of Srithanonchai’s irony (15), “Democratic Royal” is an oxymoron, and “Absolutist Royal” is a tautology. Continuing this logic, “Constitutional Monarchy” is also an oxymoron. It is especially interesting to compare how this fraud of “Constitutional Monarchy” is perpetrated in Europe and in Thailand. European “Constitutional Monarchies” are democracies disguised as a monarchies in order to keep a minority of snobs/crawlers happy. Thai “Constitutional Monarchy” is absolutism disguised as democracy in order to defraud the people. The overthrow of absolutism in Thailand is unfinished business.
Bhumibol, Obama, Yingluck
Probably much much later Vichai … and more likely Yingluck will not only complete her term but get reelected.
Thaksin did say that Peau Thai Party could put an ‘electric pole’ as candidate and still win against the Democrats in any election. We will definitely see Democrats lose in the coming Bangkok governor seat election.
The Democrats are so impotent at elections, I would expect them to lose against Thaksin’s ‘electric poles’ candidates anytime. And Yingluck is Thaksin’s No. 1 high-voltage truly electrifying manificent pole!
The Kachin and war
Without the Western colonial legacy this war wouldn’t be taking place since the Kachins weren’t part of the Burmese kingdoms, so Plan B if you really want to get rid of legacy let the Kachin have independence. I’m sure you’re in favor to that.
Interview with Surachai Danwattananusorn
In this context, it might be interesting to know that the King Prajadhipok Institute (KPI) will hold its 15th congress this year under the highly inspiring title, “Royal Good Governance: from Absolutist Royal Good Governance to Democratic Royal Good Governance.” Obviously, one of the key questions at such a conference must be whether lese majeste in general, and the various verdicts (Surachai, Somyot) in particular, should be considered examples of “Democratic Royal Good Governance” or not. I am sure KPI will address these issues frankly, critically, and constructively.
The Kachin and war
Thailand is what Myanmar might have been if not for the West.
1) Colonial legacy
2) Useless careless policy.
Lest the seriousness of above 2 shall go Ya-da Ya-da to most westerners with your mind set:
The colonial era lasted 120 years (1824-1948), with all the untoward historical accouterments 2nd only to longest formative era of Myanmar in history of 250 years the 1st dynasty “Pagan era”~ (1050-1300)that has made Myanmar Buddhist as well as the dominant group.
A 2nd longest and most transforming era, still continuing, that has almost never mentioned less implicated when conflicts like this present one Kachin/Bamar are discussed.
As for the useless careless policy era of negligence/punishment by the West 1962/1988-2013(?) the comparison in severity of ‘2nd only to N Korea’ should suffice how serious the effect to Myanmar has been. Especially knowing Myanmar is NOTHING like N Korea.
Ko Moe Aung
“What do you actually expect from the West?”
“Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it”
Recognizing the history will be a good start to know what is expected and any deviation will surely have untoward outcomes.
The Kachin and war
Your sense of superior knowledge is incredible. You seem so sure that:
a)there’s been no violence in Thailand,
b)no Western interference in that country,
c)and it’s the sanctions that strengthened the dead hand of the regime even as the forthcoming investment and aid will give it a new lease of life.
What do you actually expect from the West? They don’t have permanent friends or foes, only permanent interests.
And why turn a blind eye to the popular struggle and put all your eggs in the elitist basket? It’s none other than self centered power and wealth in wedded bliss that keep us down stunting our nation’s growth in health and education stopping us all from fulfilling our genetic physical and intellectual/creative potential.
Bhumibol, Obama, Yingluck
It is official because The New York Times reported what every Red village in Thailand had been chanting very day: “Fugitive felon Thaksin Shinawatra is running the Thai government since day one, and Yingluck Shinawatra is a … puppet.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/30/world/asia/thaksin-shinawatra-of-thailand-wields-influence-from-afar.html?pagewanted=2&_r=0
” … For the past year and a half, by the party’s own admission, the most important political decisions in this country of 65 million people have been made from abroad, by a former prime minister who has been in self-imposed exile since 2008 to escape corruption charges…”
“… It might be described as rule by Skype. Or governance by instant messenger, a way for Mr. Thaksin to help run the country without having to face the warrant for his arrest in a case that many believe is politically motivated…”
” … “We can contact him at all hours,” said Charupong Ruangsuwan, the interior minister and secretary general of Mr. Thaksin’s Pheu Thai Party. “The world has changed. It’s a boundless world. It’s not like a hundred years ago when you had to use a telegraph.”
To illustrate the point during an interview, Mr. Charupong took out his iPhone and scrolled through a list of phone numbers for Mr. Thaksin. (Mr. Thaksin gives different numbers to different people, often depending on seniority, party officials say.)
“If we’ve got any problem, we give him a call,” Mr. Charupong said.
“ … He’s the one who formulates the Pheu Thai policies,” said Noppadon Pattama, a senior official in Mr. Thaksin’s party who also serves as his personal lawyer. “Almost all the policies put forward during the last election came from him… ”
Oh well. Thailand’s current running Yingluck ‘democracy’ is puppetry? We know ‘puppet governments’ are embarrassing, usually shady and sooner/later come to a very ugly end.
The Kachin and war
“Meaningless platitudes of brothers against brothers”
Ko Moe Aung
Obviously you and your ilk
1)do not know or related to anyone in the Tamadaw, KIA or any none Communist org that is suing for peace and cessation in killing of Brothers against Brothers in the street of Yangon and else where within Myanmar.
2)do not understand the worth of 5000 and counting Bamar Brothers’ lives and similar # of Kachin Brothers lives.
3)do not know the history of Myanmar and do not care to recognize the ongoing similar nature of conflicts b/t Brothers against Brothers.
Bemoaning a successful regime with all its atrocious attributes have allowed a blind eye to the most important villain=”The West” contribution to present quagmire.
Surrounding countries interfere through their surrogates, so as the West through empty call for “Democracy” while all strengthening this present regime holds.
Notice the lack of West interferences with unbridled economic activities in Thailand since the “First Anglo Burman War”?
A historic rival to Myanmar with similarities in every respects, Thailand has Brothers with exact corresponding DNA as in Myanmar, NEVER have to kill each other, illuminate well the iniquities of the West, a cursed gift that keeps on giving.
Interview with Surachai Danwattananusorn
No I was not watching “Lincoln” from a DVD. I got my “Lincoln” from a flash drive lent by a friend… spanking fresh and the movie was so sharp it’s probably BlueRay version ( … based on the repeating streaming labels, I was probably watching the same copy as the Oscars reviewers!)
Like that movie Lincoln, any parliamentary move to amend or abolish the Thai lese laws must be seen multi-partisan …
At this point, the first step is to get the Thai parliament to openly debate Thai LM laws. At least bearded Thai PM Yingluck could accomplish this first step, please?
Interview with Surachai Danwattananusorn
Vichai N #11
“Lincoln” has not been released on DVD yet so how come it was on your LCD TV? I’m shocked!
I don’t believe said movie has had a cinema release in Thailand. I wonder why?
I guess after “Abe Lincoln-Vampire Hunter” (popular in Thailand) it wasn’t deemed marketable.
I am sure the dodgy copy you have has been marketed as Abe Lincoln-Vampire Hunter 2 🙂
Review of Authority of Influence
Leadership abilities are plainly manifest in the Iron Ladies of Burma who may never have heard of the term empowerment. Their protest at Letpadaung takes on not just China but the military itself. ASSK with her elitist approach undeniably remains a high profile leader but her position is now being justifiably undermined by grassroots women activists. Time and tide wait for no woman.
Can Thailand escape its middle-income trap?
No one seems to mention Sufficiency Economy these days since the photo of its top advocate Khun Sumeth with a Ferrari car is circulating in the social media.
Comprehensive electoral reforms in Malaysia
Malaysia certainly needs independent electoral observers. The electoral system should be reformed soon.
Interview with Surachai Danwattananusorn
Shan
I looked again at your comment and I had no idea what you meant.
Could you make it a little bit clearer?
Interview with Surachai Danwattananusorn
“Surachai may be a thinker but he is not an intellectual” Shan Comment 9.
I am not quite sure what the difference is between an intellectual and a thinker. Smiley face. Does it matter? And i don’t know which of those categories Surachai fits in to. Or Darunee. Or Somyot? Or any other prisoner?
prisons put bodies in prisons. The LM laws put people in prison who are no harm to society.
Interview with Surachai Danwattananusorn
I had a recent very vivid dream of Prime Minister Yingluck with a beard! And in that dream, bearded PM Yingluck was cajoling, bribing and intimidating her reluctant PT party members and an even more animose opposition Democrats to support her resolve to amend Thailand’s Lese Majeste laws.
Attaboy ‘Abe Yingluck! … and then I woke up with my LED monitor still playing that ‘Lincoln’ movie.
If the Yingluck government could not and would not … then maybe let us all just forget it, ok?
Somyot’s trial
If the law has to be this strong to protect a Monarch who ‘universally loved’ how much stronger will it have to be in the future?
If he can get back in Thaksin will be the one to enforce the law.
Have you seen the Red Shirts in their ‘I love the Prince’ tee shirts.
Many of the outspoken amaart will be in danger. That’s why Thaksin must be kept out at all costs.
Interview with Surachai Danwattananusorn
Speak for yourself, not other people in generalities, what you are saying may be true about some people, but I can say exactly the opposite and be equally true of the Farangs I know, but The Thais would be a little more vocal in in their reply, and the opposite of your acquaintances.