Thailand Voice

Until now the monarchy, along with Buddhism, has been the country’s main unifying factor. But, first of all, King Bhumibol at 82 is only a year younger than our own Queen, and his family hasn’t quite the same record of longevity. No-one … Read full story >>>

Hannah Arendt observed in On Revolution that it is when revolutionaries focus on one goal (freedom from oppression or freedom from poverty) that a revolution is likely to be successful. So, she argues that the American Revolution was successful because it was able to focus on the political aspect since the country itself was … Read full story >>>

Seth Mydans in the NYT on this weekend’s red shirt protests: While pledging nonviolence, protest leaders say they will gather hundreds of thousands of mostly rural supporters for mass rallies and blockades of government offices, starting on Friday and building over the following days.Thousands of buses, trucks and … Read full story >>>

Today saw DTAC offically launched the Apple iPhone for its network in Thailand ( as blogged last month ) rivalling True, the operator that previously enjoyed iPhone exclusivity. Sadly I wasn’t there ( invite in the post? ) and there no press release on the… Read full story >>>

Quick note — this NYT story does a good job of surveying the scene ahead of the upcoming red shirt protests, which are due to start tomorrow (Fri. the 12th) here in Bangkok. I will, as ever, be blogging here and posting snippets on Twitter . If you … Read full story >>>

Again… the good old tactic of hot and cold… The premier ensured the public that his government will by all means do nothing to intensify the situation, saying he never rules out his resignation or the House dissolution, but the decision will be made upon national interest. “I will… Read full story >>>

At moments of particular tension in Thai politics New Mandala often consolidates the perspectives of academic commentators on the issues of the day (for previous examples see this one and this one ).  With Thaksin’s billions at stake in today’s judgment I have taken the… Read full story >>>

Thailand is dreading the Supreme Court’s verdict on former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s frozen $2.3 billion in assets, scheduled for tomorrow. No matter how his wealth is disposed, given Thailand’s political polarization the only certainty is that no one will be satisfied. In fact, the conflict will likely intensify as pro… Read full story >>>

Below is the text of my remarks at the FCCT on 18 February 2010 , reconstructed from my notes and my memory. Because I wasn’t reading from the notes (and haven’t reviewed the audio yet), please note that this is not *exactly* what I … Read full story >>>

Free Download: Thai Reader Project… If your Thai learning adventure has come to a halt due to the lack of intermediate to advanced materials, the University of Wisconsin’s Thai Reader Project could be a fine fit: The authors have attempted to create effective lessons in the reading of Thai that will help learners progress … Read full story >>>

Angkhana Neelapaijit, whose husband has “disappeared” mysteriously for years while defending southern activists as a lawyer, says the bomb-detecting GT200 incident shows that the military hasn’t followed the “politics-leads-military” policy. She tells Thai Post in an inteview published today: “After the … Read full story >>>

Considered weird food by some, ant eggs are a delicacy in Northern and N.Eastern Thailand especially. Red Ant Eggs ( Kai Mot Daeng) are available in local markets but many Thai people will collect the ant eggs by themselves. This can be a hazardous exercise as the red ants do not take kindly … Read full story >>>

The Sunee Grand Hotel is the newsest and by far nicest hotel currently in Ubon. Apart from it being the nicest it is also part of the biggest shopping complex in town which includes an adventure swimming pool and ten pin bowling. When I was driving back from Laos a few weeks ago (yes that… Read full story >>>

For the past few years the work of Bangkok-based photo-journalist Nick Nostitz has been regularly featured here on New Mandala . Long-time readers will be aware that Nick has often provided the only documentary reports of major events in … Read full story >>>

This doesn't specifically relate to a current event, but BP wants to refer to the criticism that the foreign media is paid by Thaksin or is somehow under the spell of Thaksin to print negative things about Thailand, monarchy, etc  in another post and thought… Read full story >>>

Tomorrow is the 82nd Birthday for H.M. The King. In past years, most Thai people would wear yellow in honour of His Majesty. In Bangkok there would be a sea of yellow. However, after the PAD hijacked the colour yellow and forever took it away from representing His Majesty…

2010 Koh Pha-ngan Full Moon Party Dates is a post from my: ThaiPulse.com/blog/ Thailand focused website. ©2009-2010 ThaiPulse. 2010 Koh Pha-ngan Full Moon Party Dates is a post from my: ThaiPulse.com/blog/ Thailand focused website. ©2009-2010 ThaiPulse. This just released, on a bottle of “Shark” cola here … Read full story >>>

That’s the title of this post at Prachatai , which describes the PAD rally that took place here in Bangkok on Sunday: The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) took to the stage at Sanam Luang with intense nationalism. Fiery nationalist rhetoric was … Read full story >>>

Pic above: Aiden with Nanna. We have a new little companion to join us in our adventures. Aiden was born on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month 2009 (the remembrance day story made quite an impression with all the Thai's … Read full story >>>

Three ! And counting. The first time, sorry “The First Time”, it was in London at the G20. Last april. Then we had the G20 Summit in Pittsburgh. September. Abhisit, Prime Minister (unelected but very happy and very self contented) had his picture with Obama (Change Yes We Can’t, … Read full story >>>

From the Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers : It has come to our attention that their is still continuing debate around the issue of the French Culture Minister, Frédéric Mitterrand, and his admission that he paid for sex with male sex workers in Thailand. We have seen attacks … Read full story >>>

Heralded by a truck of dancing teens singing about their love of Jesus, a few thousand people marched through Siam Square early this evening [Sunday 15 November]. Smiling for cameras, including the one held by this observer, they blocked one full lane of traffic headed towards Phloenchit Road. What made their… Read full story >>>

Big Tobacco Bigger Worries Chaiwat Subprasom/Reuters This week saw one of the largest Tobacco conventions in S.E.Asia kick off in Bangkok possibly to a little more notice than the Sponsors had hoped. South East Asia is the fastest growing tobacco market and the profits… Read full story >>>

Chang Noi looks at the symbolism of Sondhi L’s hat and his use of the term “jek” in their latest op-ed piece in The Nation . Key excerpt: But this phase ended when Thaksin began to fade away as a serious threat, and when the army withdrew to … Read full story >>>

On 6 October 2009, the latest attempt to create a “real” political party in Thailand took a further step with the first general meeting of the New Politics Party (NPP), the formal political arm of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), at the Thunderdome in Mueang Thong Thani. The main purpose of this… Read full story >>>

Sondhi L’s mouth can get himself into trouble and his recent interview with Thai Post is another example of this. ASTV Manager has the transcript and the key quote is: “วันนี้สู้มาคือสู้เพื่อให้เมืองไทยมีสถาบันพระมหากษัตริย์ ส่วนกษัตริย์จะเป็นพระองค์ใดผมยินดี ตราบเท่าที่องค์นั้นมีทศพิธราชธรรม เน้นตรงนี้นะ ตราบเท่าที่องค์นั้นมีทศพิธราชธรรม ผมยังเห็นว่าเมืองไทยต้องมีสถาบันพระมหากษัตริย์” [BP’s own translation: “Today, we fight… Read full story >>>

The Bangkok Post : Praphan Khoonmee, former spokesman of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), has resigned as a member of the Democrat Party and adviser to Science and Technology Minister Kalaya Sophonpanich. … Mr Praphan has joined the New Politics Party of the PAD as a member of … Read full story >>>

With the rain finally beginning to relent, a bright blue sky and a regular cool breeze, Thailand has finally begun to cool. The rain puddles have dried, and left everything in full bloom. October, November and December are surely the most comfortable months for non-natives of Thailand. (Pinky and Secret, who kindly … Read full story >>>

The 3rd anniversary of the coup was the day of His Majesty the King’s recent hospitalization. A telling day, with HM’s fragile health reflecting his kingdom’s health. So far daily updates by the palace did not allay fears about the… Read full story >>>

Over at Asia Sentinel , Pavin Chachavalpongpun provides some tips for royal endurance in Southeast Asia: [T]hese guides to longevity of the monarchies in Southeast Asia do not automatically offer a rosy picture for their future. New factors emerge periodically to challenge the integrity of their rule. Using illegitimate weapons, such as manipulating … Read full story >>>