Thailand Voice

The Three Pagoda Pass in the north of Kanchanaburi Province is historically important for several reasons. It was this route that Buddhism is believed to have taken when it first came to Thailand. The pass was also used by the Burmese when they …

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…

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 >>>

One of the most beautiful and also important temples in Lamphun Province in Northern Thailand is Wat Phrathat Hariphunchai. According to legend, the Lord Buddha himself once came to this area to collect alms. A local Lua tribesman offered him some “samor”, a kind of…

This is no ordinary government. If you know how to get rid of them, tell me. But we have been fighting for a long time now and the country has been bruised as a result. We need to end it … Read full story >>>

Bloomberg reports a better 2009 for Thai Airways: Thai Airways International Pcl, the nation’s state-controlled carrier, returned to profit in 2009 after cutting costs and recording a foreign exchange gain.Net income was 7.34 billion baht ($222 million), or 4.32 baht a share, from 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 >>>

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 >>>

posted Shop-house Fire yesterday. Read full story >>>

The Nation: Although the Bhum Jai Thai Party has highly value its coalition alliance, the Democrats appear unappreciative of its loyalty, House Speaker Chai Chidchob on Wednesday.Chai reminded the Democrats that his son and faction leader Newin Chidchob might go back to the Thaksin camp just as the same way as when he… Read full story >>>

Erawan Erawan National Park Often more resembling a bank holiday weekend at the public swimming pool than a tranquil beauty spot, Erawan is still one of most stunning places in Thailand. Each of the seven tiers of the waterfall are quite swimmable, complete with carnivorous fish, cooling turquoise colour waters and thronging masses of local… Read full story >>>

AP: Thailand's economy bounced back in the fourth quarter, posting year-on-year growth after 12 months of contraction amid a recovery in exports, private investment and household spending.Southeast Asia's second-largest economy expanded by 5.8 percent in the October-December period from a year earlier, the National Economic & Read full story >>>

One of my favourite festivals in Thailand is the Lotus Throwing Festival in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan. A revered Buddha image is placed on a boat and as it is taken up and down Samrong Canal local people throw lotus flowers onto the boat. Original post blogged on www.mythaiphotos.com .

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 >>>

In Thai society, the head is considered both clean and sacred. In contrast, the feet are considered dirty. It is considered an insult to wave your feet at someone while sitting down or use to your feet to push something to one side. In this picture, devout Buddhists feel honoured to…

On 28 January 2010 Colonel Apirat Kongsompong and the leaders of several Army Regiments and Battalions came out in support of Army Chief, General Anupong Paochinda, and denounced Major General Khattiya “Sae Daeng” Sawasdipol for violating the code of conduct and military regulations. The following day, during the Red Shirt Rally at the Army headquarters… Read full story >>>

Have mentioned the BBC report where they looked at the GT200 device, but want to focus in particular on the detection cards. Key excerpt: Explosives expert Sidney Alford took apart the “black box” of the GT200, which is supposed to receive signals from the detection cards.He was surprised at what he found… Read full story >>>

Thailand to Ask U.S. to Take it Off Piracy Watch List This week the powers that be in Bangkok suggested that they would once again ask to be taken off the piracy watch list by the United States, fat chance. All you have … Read full story >>>

Have already blogged (here and here) about the scandal which led to the Minister of Public Health and his Deputy to resign after an investigative committee found irregularities in the tendering process, but one of the problems was that the committee found that some hospital projects were unnecessary, in particular Read full story >>>

I think one of the first phrases I learned when I arrived in Thailand was “gin khao reu yung?” This is a phrase that asks if you have eaten yet but is really more of a greeting than an inquiry. They are…

TOUR2 : Bang Nampheung Floating Market, The Erawan Museum, Reclining Buddha at Bang Phli and finishing with a meal at sunset at the Bang Pu Seaside Resort. Samut Prakan Province is sandwiched between Bangkok and the Gulf of Thailand. As it is so close to the …

A Thai Buddhist Monk makes his rounds along Bangkok Noi Klong on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010. While Bangkok to most is a bustling, modern city of more than 10 million people there still remain areas where traditional culture …

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 >>>

People launch floating paper lanterns into the sky over the Andaman Sea in remembrance of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami victims, in Khao Lak, in Thailand’s Phang Nga province, about 110 km (68 miles) north of the resort island of Phuket, December 26, 2009. (Reuters) Buddhist monks receive alms during the anniversary of…

Sriwittayapaknam School in Samut Prakan put on Christmas activities for their students on the morning of 25th December 2009. As the students arrived at school, they were greeted by Santa Claus and a couple dozen fairies. The young fairies handed out candies to the students…

Thai school children at Jirasariwithaya School in Ayuttaya, Thailand, react to an elephant, dressed as Santa Claus, as it passes out toys. The tradition has been held for at least five years at the Thai school where almost all students are Buddhists. (AP) Thai students at Jirasariwithaya School…

On 30 November 2009 Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, accompanied by Satit Wongnongtoey, made his appearance at Samak’s funeral, and attended the rites. The security presence was heavy, police was afraid that a similar incident might occur as happened when Nevin Chidchob came at the first day of … Read full story >>>