Thailand Voice

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Peerasak Chaidaisuk, Chat sua wai lai [Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger] . Bangkok, Matichon, 2008. pp. xiii + 239. In Thai. This is the Year of the Tiger, but the tiger in the title of this book refers to bandits, robbers, cattle rustlers and ne’er-do-wells who plied their … Read full story >>>

The Sak Yant design, Phra Narai Song Khrut, is a complex Yant containing three figures from the ancient Indian epic, The Ramayana. The Ramayana was adopted by Thailand during the 18th Century, even though the Ramayana contains stories from Hindu … Read full story >>>

It is, right?  Forget politics. Feet in ice cubes. That's something.  From The Nation .   Read full story >>>

…and my mind took me to 1981, when I first visited this country of Siam. Back then, I was honored to meet the very young Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn. He was only 29. [30 years later] There I was, watching the strict seriousness in … Read full story >>>

The Bangkok Post: The government is investigating whether the theft of war weapons and ammunition from an arms depot in the South is politically motivated amid reports the weapons are already on their way to Bangkok.Army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd yesterday confirmed the Read full story >>>

At four and a half, Maung Htun Kyaing (pictured above) could recite Pali verse flawlessly, correct errors in written scripture and preach on the Abhidhamma. Ko Pan Shwe was forced by insurgents to eat two plates of pounded chilli and he survived. … Read full story >>>

The Nation with the headline “Shopping malls beef up security in face of red menace”. Last time, there was a red menace or red scare was as Wikipedia reports: The Second Red Scare occurred after World War II (1939–45)… Read full story >>>

But this [Red Shirt] movement has long outgrown its casus belli, Mr Thaksin’s downfall. It now sees injustice behind every door. Alarmingly for those still hoping for a quietly stitched-up compromise, it is infused with revolutionary bile. In recent months it … Read full story >>>

The kings and generals are not subject to such public scrutiny. So, lets get rid of all private business interests in society and tax the rich until they are no longer rich and lets have all public positions subject to election and instant recall. – Extracted from Giles … Read full story >>>

The two-minute documentary film depicts wide-ranging talents of the king such as art, music and inventions and will be screened to the public at all branches of Major Cineplex Group and SF Cinema City’s cinemas from February 14 to April 14. – Extracted from “ Commerce… Read full story >>>

It’s no secret what attracts many people to Thailand on their holidays is the idea of cheap getaway and Thailand does have the reputations of being a cheap destination. It’s also true to say many residents will tell you Thailand is anything but… Read full story >>>

Elephants in the room: the uses and meanings of English in Thai political discourse (Part 3) [This is the third of a three part article. Part 1 is available here . Part 2 is available here .] Speaking in Codes On the evening of 19 September… Read full story >>>

With the Thai government announcing a renewed effort to “protect the king” it is probably time to examine developments in their online campaigns to generate positive feelings about the monarchy. A long-time reader recently alerted me to a big… Read full story >>>

After the swedish jetfighters , the submarine , the fake bomb detectors … the thai Army is not afraid of ridicule. It’s even a marque de fabrique . And the latest proof is : the air balloon scandal . The Royal Thai Army yesterday came out in defence of … Read full story >>>

And question marks over the health of the country’s revered king, who is 82 and has been in hospital for four months, have amplified the sense of uncertainty. King Bhumibol Adulyadej has been on the throne for 64 years, and has been a vital point of stability as Thailand navigated the turbulence of the vast … Read full story >>>

THAI POLITICAL SITUATION: WHERE FROM AND WHERE TO? This report adds to the recent coverage of this event by Thorn Pitidol and Prach Panchakunathorn.  It includes details on the question and answer session. On the cold and windy evening of the 29 th January 2010 over 200 people turned… Read full story >>>

Have already blogged about the idea of autonomy for the Deep South when Chavalit raised the issue here, the idea of a referendum here, on a op-ed by Atiya here in the … Read full story >>>

A panel discussion on “Thai Political Situation: Wherefrom and Whereto?” Presented by the Royal Thai Embassy and the SOAS Thai Society Location: Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre, SOAS Date and time: Friday, 29 January 2010, 17.30-20.00 Panellists: Professor Suchit Boonbongkarn, Professor Duncan McCargo, Professor Peter Leyland ,and Professor Borwornsak Uwanno Moderator: H.E. Mr. David Fall Part … Read full story >>>

There was a seminar organized yesterday by the Faculty of Science at Chulalongkorn University on the GT200 device. Below is the news clip from the TV Thai news program on ThaiPBS. … Read full story >>>

When we talk about horse polo, we usually think of the colonials in places like India. I watched my first polo match in Gilgit in Pakistan about 15 years ago. It was a thrilling game played out on a dusty pitch surrounded on all four sides by enthusiastic locals. For me growing up…

5. REGARDING HIS MAJESTY, LET ME SUGGEST A SUBSTITUTE TEXT FOR THE PASSAGES IN COLUMN ONE, ON PAGE 129-1. “ANOTHER GOOD FRIEND IS THAILAND’ S KING BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ, RAMA IX. THE 46- YEAR- OLD SOVEREIGN IS A KEEN STUDENT OF U. S. AND WORLD AFFAIRS AND IS ALSO ONE OF THE MOST BELOVED … Read full story >>>

Thanks to two well made Japanese horror movies and the intricacies of the Thai superstitious mind I found out that everyone in Thailand could die this week, no, really. So, I get phone call the other night from a Thai number but it’s not my girls number, I … Read full story >>>

The Nation: Meanwhile, Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand, director of the Forensic Science Institute and who always uses the GT200, said the UK had only banned the ADE651.She said the detector was effective when searching for bombs and even nails under water. The Read full story >>>

Recently a New Mandala reader named Aladdin (welcome back!) made an important comment .  I have, in the interests of drawing it to the attention of a wider audience, quoted it here: In the July – September 2009 issue of Fa Dio Kan (Year 7, No. 3) the journal published the official judgment in … Read full story >>>

If ladyboy’s are your thing and you’re looking for a comprehensive list of the best ladyboy bar and gogo’s in and around Pattaya, you’ve come to the right place.  There are several ladyboy only bars and gogo’s, as well as several bars where they work alongside genetic girls.  We’ve put together a list … Read full story >>>

In late December 2009 the Thai-ASEAN News Network broadcast an interview with Thailand’s Privy Council Chairman, General Prem Tinsulanonda .  Those New Mandala readers who follow such matters closely will want to read the interview in full .  An indicative extract follows: Sarosha: Oh, in the evening. And you … Read full story >>>

There is an email going around that claims that this is a new year message written by Princess Sirinthorn. I have no idea if it is authentic or not, but the sentiments are lovely!  (Click for a larger image.) Read full story >>>

Wat Phrathat Sri Chom Tong is one of the most important Thai Temples in Northern Thailand. This Thai Wat is believed to contain a holy Buddha relic which is kept in a Golden Chedi. The Golden Chedi at Wat Phrathat Sri Chom Tong dates back to 1452 but the present Viharn was constructed during the 19th… Read full story >>>

Prudential is all ears in Bangkok… In your taxi treks around Bangkok, have you come across the Prudential ears marketing campaign? Ever? I have (obviously). And before this goes any further, I have a confession to make. Not knowing how to tackle the mystery, but… Read full story >>>