Thailand Voice

A traffic policeman walks past a group of Bangladeshi Jumma Buddhist student monks and novices during a rally outside the United Nations building in Bangkok March 5, 2010. The monks urged the Bangladesh military and Bengali Muslim settlers to stop attacks on the Jumma indigenous people…

Supharp Prakna (2rd L), a Thai national, is escorted by military personal after his trial at a military court in Phnom Penh February 12, 2010. The Cambodian military court convicted and sentenced Prakna to 20 years in prison for terrorism charges. 39 year-old Prakna was…

A U.S. Marine eats a scorpion during a jungle survival exercise with the Thai Navy, as part of the “Cobra Gold 2010″ (CG10) joint military exercise, at a military base in Chon Buri Province February 9, 2010. About 14,073 soldiers from six countries, …

Myanmar’s ethnic Karens move out from their refugee camp in Tha Son Yang district, Tak province near the Thai-Myanmar border February 5, 2010. Thailand suspended on Friday the forced repatriation of ethnic Karen refugees from military-ruled Myanmar, heeding calls from U.S. lawmakers and rights…

A South Korean Marine rides on an amphibious assault vehicle before it touches the ground during a joint military exercise codenamed Cobra Gold at Hat Yao beach in Rayong province, eastern Thailand Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010. Besides Thailand and the United States, this year’s annual exercise, in its 29th year, also…

Middle ranked soldiers led by Col. Apirat Kongsompong, third left, talks during a gathering with other soldiers at a military barrack in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010. The soldiers gather to show their support to Army Commander in Chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda and express opposition…

A Thai military personnel secures the gates of the office of Thailand’s army chief in central Bangkok. (Reuters) A Thai soldier checks the weapon of a fellow soldier as he stands guard outside the Bangkok army base, housing the office of army commander-in-…

In this March 13, 2009, file photo a Cambodian soldier looks at the Thai border through binoculars from an entrance of Cambodia’s Preah Vihear temple near the Cambodian-Thai border, about 245 kilometers (152 miles) north of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Cambodia’s military says its troops have clashed briefly with Thai soldiers along a disputed border area. Lt. Gen…

More evidence of the clear, rational and forward-thinking of our beloved military: exorcisms of evil spirits are to be held at two locations to rid the Kingdom of bad luck: “[Fortune teller] Mr Niphon [Rohitsathian] said when the prison was removed to make way for a… Read full story >>>

” … the professional soldiers, members of that curious esoteric world which has so little contact with the civilian world, and works in such different ways. The non-professional soldier, the conscript or temporary officer, or in most cases the policeman, however heavily armed, tends to react much more like the civilians to whom … Read full story >>>

Related Posts The Family Farm The Port of Nakhon Phanom Songkran 2009 Revisited The Illuminated Boat Procession 2009 Thailand Mystery to Me Copyright © 2007-2009 This feed is for personal, non-commercial use only. The use of this feed on other websites without express permission by Thailand, Land of Smiles… Read full story >>>

It is fairly well-established that one of the major factors inhibiting the social and economic development of Thailand is the huge proportion of the budget devoted to the military. The most recent example of this is the attempt to … Read full story >>>

Farang an f-word? The first time you were in Thailand and kids called you “farang!” you were smiling. How sweet they are! After a while you wondered why every foreigner is a farang. Or do you call all Asians back … Read full story >>>

A staple of Pattaya nightlife are the many GoGo Bars that dot the city.  Here you will find scantily clad Thai Girls dancing to the latest music.  If your looking for the best place to find go go bars in Pattaya, head to … Read full story >>>

I wanted to point out, quickly, this intriguing AP story from Monday about a plan to revamp Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi International airport: Baggage handlers at Thailand’s main airport now wear uniforms with pockets sewn shut to prevent pilfering. Police are hauling away illegal taxi touts. And cushions are being added to metal … Read full story >>>

Even though the Democrats have their men as the Acting Police Chief, the are still imposing the Internal Security Act which gives the military more power , but are putting the police at the forefront as AFP reports : Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said that ” police will be the core force with the military acting… Read full story >>>

The Bangkok Post reports : Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon left for Singapore on a two-day official visit on Thursday to discuss cooperation between Thailand and the city state. Gen Prawit will introduce himself to the top brass in Singapore. They are expected to discuss security, economic and social cooperation. However, as… Read full story >>>

Martin Petty in Reuters has some analysis on what may transpire in the aftermath of submission of the red’s petition. It outlines 4 scenarios over the coming months. 1. ATTEMPT TO SUBMIT PETITION TRIGGERS UNREST (“Most commentators, however, believe this is unlikely to provide a flashpoint… Read full story >>>

Kurt Westergaard’s image of Mohammed wearing a bomb as a turban, the most controversial of the twelve Mohammed caricatures printed by the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten in 2005, will be included in an exhibition of Westergaard’s work this month. The cartoon … Read full story >>>

The Thai Fruit, Passiflora Edulis has the exotic name of Passion Fruit. In Thailand, this Thai Fruit is known as Saowarot. Passiflora Edulis has purple, yellow or brownish skin depending on the variety and is oval or round in shape. The unripe Passion Fruit has green skin. When fully ripe Read full story >>>

The Banner and Garden in our Village of Whang Pho to honour our Queen The picture of our King and Queen that hangs above our bedroom door My Wife Chamaiporn Jupia Burgess (Toon) and Mother of NU and TOM My Mother… Read full story >>>

I’ve been in recovery of sorts for the past week since seeing Lav Diaz’s Melancholia , a breathtaking 7.5-hour drama that examines identity, memories and grief, and offers plenty of commentary on society and culture. When I briefly met Diaz last year at the Bangkok International… Read full story >>>

Recently bookmarked Sean Turnell: How Myanmar’s Corrupt Junta Robbed Burma – WSJ.com – “Burma Isn’t Broke: The junta, not a lack of resources, is to blame for the people’s poverty.” The Longest Way 1.0 (video) – Time-lapse: walking around China for a year Hull seal loan … Read full story >>>

The Bangkok Post : The Sondhi case might put pressure on the defence minister as well. Police chief Patcharawat Wongsuwon, who was forced to take an overseas trip to give police a clear shot at the Sondhi investigation, is Gen Prawit’s younger brother. PAD leader… Read full story >>>

[Political Prisoners in Thailand] Newin is Lucky Again [Newspapers have reported that the Election Commission has rejected complaints against the government coalition partner the Bhum Jai Thai Party and its boss Newin Chidchob (The Nation, 6 August 2009: “EC rejects complaints against Bhum Jai Thai, Newin”).] BP: Newin’s … Read full story >>>

Well since the Post has a story on the silent coup rumors being denied, it has become a small political story. Recently, Thai Rath’ s political analysis reported that a Puea Thai MP from Nakhon Ratchasima (Pol. Lt. Col. Somchai) stated that he… Read full story >>>

Philip Golingai of The Star has an interesting article about Satun (one of the 4 provinces in the Deep South with a majority Muslim population). Key excerpt: “(The Pattani Malays) want to be separated from Thailand, while we want to live harmoniously with the other … Read full story >>>

Wasn’t going to post this weekend, but The Nation reports on Abhisit’s press conference that the Police Chief Patcharawat is taking leave for 30 days, but then didn’t bother to report Patcharawat’s denial that he initiated it or would even be taking leave. Yes, there are some timing issues (ie Patcharawat spoke… Read full story >>>

Fonzi critiques Thanong’s latest op-ed . BP still don’t get the argument that Suthep, Anupong, Prawit and Prayuth are secretly on Thaksin’s side. They instilled Abhisit as PM and Anupong was part of the coup to remove Thaksin from office so exactly what have they done for Thaksin? Read full story >>>

Political analysts and international journalists have criticized the visit of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to Burma last week. Various observers have described it as ill-advised and fruitless. Some have remarked that Ban risked his reputation to achieve nothing. What was striking about his visit was the level … Read full story >>>