Thailand Voice

District office While googeling to check if there are any new districts in the planning currently, the search term “อำเภอใหม่” (new district) did return me one article at the nathoncity website talking about the opening ceremony of the new district … Read full story >>>

I’m not sure which of the famous Thai monks said it, but one of them claimed that you had to be at least 50% crazy to be able to dance – I think that this was Ajahn Buddhadassa but I can’t be sure. I thought of this comment today while Read full story >>>

We noticed yesterday for the first time that the iPhone 4 is being featured on the front page of Apple’s Thailand wesbite. If you visit http://www.apple.com/th which is Apple’s homepage for Thailand, you will see that there is now information in the Thai language about… Read full story >>>

The prosecution of the Democrat Party for corruption is reaching a crucial phase and officials will press for its dissolution. It would, of course, be illegal and dangerous to suggest that anything other than strictest adherence to the law will be the criteria for determining the case and I would never dream of… Read full story >>>

Last week I attended the 4th ICTL in Bangkok – successfully, I think. I presented my own paper on Robert Gordon and graduate students presented papers about cruse liners in Haiti and English language and computer programs (ictlconference.com). Later this … Read full story >>>

So who knows what might show on this website once I get back in the habit of writing. Some things are just too good not to share, like this funny video of a Japanese kid who lives in Northeastern Thailand and who makes a lot of promises… Read full story >>>

Apparantly, Thailand produces 25-26 million eggs a day . I don’t know if that is a lot or a little in comparison to other countries, but that means Thai’s don’t even eat half an egg by day – where I in generally always was under the impression that they are a… Read full story >>>

A new high-tech, interactive museum called Nitas Rattanakosin has opened in Bangkok, according to   CNNgo As the name implies, it explores the Rattanakosin period which lasted from 1782 to 1932. It looks like an interesting visit.  Location:  100 Ratchadamnoen Klang Read full story >>>

As the newspaper article on the creation of the provincial court Phra Pradaeng states that a second Royal act is necessary to actually open the new court, I have done a little bit of research in the Royal Gazette and found these acts now as well. They… Read full story >>>

There are many more provincial courts than provinces in Thailand – a complete list seems to be found at tambol.com , however with expired links – and now yet another one has been created. Published in the Royal Gazette on December 18 , a provincial court in Hot district was established, making… Read full story >>>

Kavi in The Nation: It was interesting to read several editorials and vernacular columnists in the past two weeks criticising the government’s handling of the arms seizure at Don Mueang Airport on December 11. They thought the impounding of illegal cargo was another Read full story >>>

Am a little busy so will be quick. The Nation has an editorial on the Map Ta Phut decision: The Central Administrative Court’s injunction last month that halted the construction of 76 projects in Map Ta Phut has helped guide the country toward striking a balance between the environment and economic growth. A few days after… Read full story >>>

With this recent New Mandala post in mind, a  report in today’s New York Times caught my attention. Read full story >>>

I went for coffee and dinner with my friend, Tua, last night. We both love Central World Plaza, so it's usually an easy choice for dinner.  They have tons of very good restaurants (much better than Siam Paragon) and it's not as busy… Read full story >>>

Asia-Pacific Week at the ANU will be held from 8-11 February 2010. Applications close 31 October. Tyrell Haberkorn and I will be convening the Southeast Asia group and we encourage PhD, Masters and advanced Undergraduate students to apply. It will be lots of fun! Here are the details from the … Read full story >>>

Though His Majesty’s lung infection is clearing up, complete recovery will still take a while , the 25th Royal Household Bureau statement said yesterday. The statement explained that older people usually take longer to recover , adding that royal physicians have asked His Majesty to remain at Siriraj… Read full story >>>

Our judicial guardians have always been sure to control what is said about them which is very worrying given their increased powers in the Constitution . They will go after anyone who criticizes their decisions. Their new found willingness to use contempt of court seems to have started… Read full story >>>

The Nation : The NACC accused the 44 politicians and state officials of malfeasance in office, abuse of authority and fraud. Besides Newin, four other defendants are important politicians, namely Somkid Jatusripitak, then the deputy prime minister who chaired a committee on policies and measures to help farmers; Varathep Ratanakorn, then deputy finance minister; Sora-… Read full story >>>

The verdict in the rubber sapling graft case is due today. All 44 need to turn up to court otherwise the verdict will be delayed by 30 days. BP : If all 44 are confident to turn up, shouldn’t we read something into that? Read full story >>>

Michael J. Montesano, from the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore, has written an analysis of the April 2009 political showdown in Thailand.  It was just published in Contemporary Southeast Asia and is available here .  Towards the end of the article, Montesano… Read full story >>>

From Thai Rath and Bangkok Post as summarized below: A Suan Dusit poll surveyed 1,104 people nationwide between July 6-9. The poll found that when referring to the justice system 61% think of the judiciary, 25% think of the Ministry of Justice, 7% think of the police, 5% think of public prosecutors, and 4% the Department of… Read full story >>>