Thailand Voice

Democracy Monument, Bangkok Today, December 10th is Constitution Day in Thailand. It commemorates the signing of the constitution in 1932 that made the Kingdom into a Constitutional Monarchy. This is the centre of the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue. It is a representation of the 1932 Constitution on top of two … Read full story >>>

People are already planning their holidays in Thailand for 2010 and so we thought we would help out by letting you know the dates of the main events and holidays. I know so many people keep asking “When is Loy Krathong…

It has been understood that Chuan and Banyat were aligned and didn’t support amending the constitution. Banyat was quite clear and had been vocal in his opposition, but Chuan now seems to be taking a different tack as Matichon quotes Chuan… Read full story >>>

With the end of the calendar year fast approaching, Thailand’s studios are in a rush to get their completed films into this year’s books. And with Halloween coming up, what better time than to release two blood-soaked thrillers — Slice from Five Star Production and Maha’lai Sayong Kwan (… Read full story >>>

The Nation : Senator Direk Thuengfung, chairman of the now-defunct reconciliation panel, said Monday that he was puzzled by a call by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra for reinstatement of the 1997 charter. Direk said only a coup could bring back the 1997 [charter]… Read full story >>>

On Sunday night, the Democrats and their coalition partners agreed to amend 6 provisions of the constitution – at the meeting was Newin, Banharn, Suwat Liptapanlop of Ruam Jai Thai, Pinij Jarusombat of Puea Pandin Party, and Suwit Khunkitti of Social Action (all … Read full story >>>

Songyos Sugmakan’s award-winning romantic comedy, Hormones ( Pid Term Yai Huajai Wawun , ปิดเทอมใหญ่ หัวใจว้าวุ่น ) has been released on DVD in Singapore. And yes, unlike a previous release elsewhere , it has English subtitles. MovieXclusive has it. Here’s the synopsis: This summer break, the love stories of four distinctive … Read full story >>>

Thongbai Thongpao in an op-ed in the Bangkok Post on Section 190 of the Constitution: The charter stipulates that entering into a contract with another country which could result in changes to Thailand’s territorial area must be approved by Parliament first. Yet some politicians violated this clause. When they were … Read full story >>>

Chavalit, who has staged more comebacks than Britney Spears, is officially re-entering politics again. This time he has joined Puea Thai as The Nation reports : “I have decided to resume my political activities because I can no longer allow the unprecedented … Read full story >>>

I have always hated PayPal. They are scam artists that charge high fees and are always involved in slightly shady business practices. The latest thing though takes the cake. If you follow CNN's Hero of the Year, you'll have seen the Top 10 Heroes … Read full story >>>

Last year, amid the death and debris in the wake of Cyclone Nargis, Burma got a new Constitution. Now people inside and outside the country are readying themselves for a general election of some sort, followed by the opening of a new Parliament, which is when the charter will take… Read full story >>>

The Nation ’s resident “legal expert” Pornpimol Kanchanalak in an op-ed today: Thailand was then an absolute monarchy, as much as it is now a constitutional monarchy. As such, there are provisions in the constitution that stipulate the legal boundaries of His Majesty’s authority. This petition or appeal of… Read full story >>>

Royal Institute Fellow Prof Dr Likhit Dhiravegin in the Bangkok Post on the reds petition who after stating that the petition is not in accordance with the law states: First, to warrant a pardon in a criminal case, a convict who is serving … Read full story >>>

[Bangkok Post] The Thai economy in the current crisis [The key to solving an economic crisis is the same as the key to economic prosperity. It can be summarised in one word: Productivity.] BP. Interesting opinion piece. tags : economy [Thailand Crisis] International arrivals at Suvarnabhumi Airport, chart : -22,9 % … Read full story >>>

Interviewing Successful Thai Language Learners… Name: Tom Parker Nationality: British Location: Bangkok Profession: Recent MA graduate. I have previously worked as a Research Manager for a multi-national in Chiang Mai. I have a BA (Hons) in Southeast Asian Studies … Read full story >>>

The lack of answers to the death of Jill and Julie is frustrating and disturbing at the same time. Please contact the embassy and let them know people are still following this tragedy. We would like some sort of action/answer/proof that something is being done to… Read full story >>>

My brother came out to see us in Thailand with his gf recently, on their last night we stayed at the Riverside Hotel so we could take advantage of the evening dinner cruise down the Chao Phraya. The dinner cruise offers two dinner services, buffet … Read full story >>>

Abhisit has appointed Pol Gen Wichien as the acting police chief while the current one (Pol Gen Patcharawat) is in China for 10 days (see The Nation and the Bangkok Post ). He will oversee and ensure there are no obstacles for the Sondhi L investigation. The Pos t has this… Read full story >>>

There are 6 parts of the constitution which a parliamentary committee has recommended be amended (at outlined here ) and a new Bangkok University poll surveys views of Bangkokians on these proposed amendments. Survey Data Methodology : 1,119 people surveyed and large oversampling of younger people (only 23% are over 45) and more educated (45% have a… Read full story >>>

The last time I checked (at 9.20 am today), Abhisit Vejjajiva and Thaksin Shinnawatr were still fighting for new followers on their Twitter accounts. Thaksin was ahead with 6,511 with Abhisit trailing with 4,923. Interestingly enough, Abhisit seems to be following other people much more than Thaksin. Abhisit was following 1,801 other people while… Read full story >>>

A message from Ji Ungpakorn: Why is trade union bureaucrat David Cockroft of the International Transport Federation supporting the fascist PAD – who want to reduce the number of elected MPs in the Thai parliament to 30%, backed the army coup of… Read full story >>>

How do I explain how gaping a hole Malaysian filmmaker Yasmin Ahmad’s sudden demise has left behind in the Malaysian heart, soul and consciousness? Where to even begin to explain the phenomenon and personality of her work and Yasmin? Yasmin Ahmad… Read full story >>>

The Nation on the government’s PR campaign: A performance report will be released on August 3 along with the launch of a month-long publicity campaign. One of the highlights of this campaign will be the free 15-year compulsory education that the government has implemented nationwide. … Read full story >>>

Mum Jokmok’s comedy Wongkamlao held the top spot at the Thai box office for two weeks before surrendering to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince for the weekend of July 16-19, according to the latest Box Office Mojo chart. Even then, Mum’s … Read full story >>>

The Nation Just a Boy Leaders of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) condemned Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday for “lack of decisiveness” and failing to remove “human obstacles” allegedly hindering the police probe into the assassination attempt on PAD core leader Sondhi Limthongkul. Sondhi said … Read full story >>>

[Bangkok Post] Q2 GDP likely to fall 5-6% [The economy in the second quarter of this year is expected to contract five to six per cent but the fourth quarter should turn out positive, according to the Finance Ministry’s latest forecast…. Read full story >>>

The following is from someone who wishes to be known as “a reader”. As a help to others, BP is uploaded most of the constitutions mentioned below here – the English translation of the 1997 Constitution and 2007 Constitution are also available. Should note that in some instances there are multiple versions… Read full story >>>

Recently, Thanong has argued that: What kind of lese majeste taboo is The Economist talking about? It is all in the perception rather than reality Later, Thanong in an op-ed entitled “Lese majeste allows criticism but not abuse” criticized the campaign by a number of… Read full story >>>

GDP shrunk 7.1% in the Q1, Thai Crisis has all the details and some interesting commentary as always. Read full story >>>

Political Prisoners in Thailand has the details and some commentary. Read full story >>>