Thailand Voice

At this tense time, Not The Nation provides an amusing diversion with its most recent analysis of Shinawatra clan assets. It should remind us all of this strange episode, which still comes, thankfully, with a lesson in finding the most brazen photo opportunity imaginable.  That was back in 2004 when Thaksin still encouraged his kids… Read full story >>>

Here’s an amusing item making the rounds. It is a letter that hails from Sri Prachan District, Suphanburi Province, a few hours northwest of Bangkok. An unfortunate employee of the local revenue office there who suffers from back pain was told she cannot use her own chair at work, because it makes… Read full story >>>

After a visit to Baan Tong Luang, a Hill Tribe cultural preservation village near Chiang Mai, advertised as an Eco-Agriculture project, we had mixed feelings. Baan Tong Luang was opened in 2005 to “preserve the old traditional ways of Hill Tribe … Read full story >>>

Atiya on Thaksin the Bangkok Post: “Never thought of it. Never had a need to do so. And no need to be greedy either. I put on one wrist watch at a time, not several. Why should I be greedy? All charges of corruption were and are politically motivated… My wife is a good teacher… Read full story >>>

Thai policemen inspect identity cards at a checkpoint in outskirts of Bangkok. The Thai government has invoked a tough security law, the Internal Security Act, giving the armed forces broad powers to control an upcoming rally by supporters of former …

I just wrote a post on the Director blog about Thaksin’s social media presence. Thaksin is famous for his Twitter account but this is just the tip of the iceberg that he his team uses. Check out the full piece, conclusion is below. Conclusion Thaksin’s strong social… Read full story >>>

I support the goal of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (popularly called red shirts) of “ending the age of the Thai military dictatorship and restoring freedom, democracy and justice to our beautiful nation.” To that end, the UDD is mobilizing a major protest demonstration in Bangkok this coming weekend… Read full story >>>

A few days ago, a user called “musicxpresso” put up for sale on ebay a wanted poster for Thaksin and his wife for a mere 99 cents. The photo showed the massive banner used as the backdrop for one of the yellow shirts stages while they occupied the Government House area. However, if you read…

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 >>>

A woman holds up figurines in the shape of former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra at her shop in Bangkok February 24, 2010. Each figurine sells for 100 baht ($3.02). (Reuters) More Thailand pictures can be found at www.ThaiPhotoBlogs.com .

Deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is shown on a large screen during a teleconference to his supporters at the Pheu Thai Party building in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, Feb. 26. 2010. Thailand’s highest court prepared Friday to rule on whether Thaksin should lose part of his…

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 >>>

Erythrina crista-galli is a small deciduous tree known as the Cockspur Coral Tree. Erythrina crista-galli is called Thong laang hong kong in Thailand. Yet another common name for this tree is the Cry Baby Tree, so called because of the Read full story >>>

Is this the future? The River Mekong running dry for much of the year, putting at risk the lives and livelihoods of the 50 million people who rely upon the river downstream –there are some fairly grim photos of this available now. One immediate effect of this has been the … Read full story >>>

Two more stories I wanted to point out as we approach tomorrow’s verdict on ousted ex-Prime Minister Thaksin’s frozen assets. First, the New York Times has this piece: “ Thailand Bracing for Ruling on Thaksin’s Assets “: It begins: Friday is “judgment day” in Thailand, with … 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 >>>

Raging Phoenix , the sophomore star turn by “Jija” Yanin Wismistananda, is out on DVD in Singapore. MovieXclusive has it Jija portrays a dour young loner socialite who is rescued from kidnappers on bladed-pogo-stilts by a group of guys led by Kazu Patrick Tang, who mix hip-hop dance moves, Muay Thai… 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 >>>

(The crime scene of almost every Farang ‘murder’ in Pattaya – the infamous Pattaya hotel balcony) As a Farang in Thailand we have all heard some of the most laughable quack-wack Thailand myths: ladyboys who have coaxed clients back to their rooms only to drug ‘em and cut out …

The main reason why the aristocracy-establishment so hates Thaksin and his government cannot be mentioned – by the establishment because they refuse to admit that it exists.* Instead, refuge was taken in the Treason of the Intellectuals. In Thai Democracy in Crisis: 27 Truths, Chaturon Chaisang cites Kaewsan Atibodhi’s… 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 Panelists: Professor Suchit Boonbongkarn, Professor Duncan McCargo, Professor Peter Leyland ,and Professor Borwornsak Uwanno Moderator: H… Read full story >>>

Earlier this month, Federico Ferrara, better known as Khi Kwai, put on his website a 150-page book about Thai politics entitled “Thailand Unhinged” (as blogged about here). Federico has found a publisher so the book is no longer available for a free download. The book has already been published now and you see details … Read full story >>>

Banharn Silpa-archa, the “owner” of Chat Thai Pattana Party, has been in the news lately for engineering the charter amendment to make for a single-constituencies system. But when he appeared on TV this morning, Banharn wanted to make sure that he didn’t draw too much attention of the Election Commission because he … Read full story >>>

The Nation: He [Fourth Army Area chief Lt-General Pichet Wisaijorn] said he wanted academics to look at the big picture and pay attention to the opinions of the officers on the ground. The device gave them confidence to do their jobs in the area, he said. The … Read full story >>>

Given my recent posts on the subject, I wanted to point out a story that Reuters ran yesterday. It’s called “ Are cracks appearing in Thailand’s military? ” Here are the first few graphs. A grenade attack on the office of Thailand’s … Read full story >>>

For connoisseurs of criminal justice PhDs, Bangkok Pundit provides a full scan of deposed former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s dissertation.  Thaksin’s wife, Potjaman, his parents, and his father-in-law, Police General Sameur Damapong, are all given appropriate acknowledgment on p.vi. One superficial observation is that it… Read full story >>>

The Bangkok Post:  Amid almost daily violence in the southernmost provinces, the emergence of a 600 million baht business and retail park in Pattani will create much-needed jobs and boost confidence among residents an… Read full story >>>

Zebras and tigers and chickens with questions… Agree or disagree, but I believe that I live in one of the most interesting cities in the world – Bangkok – in one of the most curious of countries in the world – Thailand. Living here is just like… Read full story >>>

On Saturday blogged about a limited UK export ban of dowsing rod devices. You can view the Newsnight investigation into the A … Read full story >>>

The highland, minority cultures of southern China and southeast Asia have sustained a rural, agrarian, and traditional way of life for centuries. Groups such as the Miao (Meo), Hmong (Mong), and Dong are well-known for their highly developed sewing skills.  Their clothing is frequently embellished… Read full story >>>