2Bangkok is daily Thai news you won't find anywhere else. Since 1999, 2Bangkok has featured background and perspective on local news with summaries of the Thai-language press. These stories are often quite different than ones that appear in English. 2B also has the latest on politics, mass transit, infrastructure, Thai history (such as the Bangkok trams), and updates on gem scam store locations. More...

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Politics:The 2006 coup - Black May 1992

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Looking back: 1991 coup headlines - Black May 1992 headlines
Capturing Thaksin Shinawatra
Lese majeste news 2008-2009
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The best of 2Bangkok in 2008

Red Shirt protests - March-April, 2009

 

Wanted: old photographs and visual materials
A publisher specialising in books on Asia is seeking old photographs and visual materials (old postcards, adverts, magazines etc) of Thailand from the period 1946-1966. They are particularly interested in any pictures that are associated with major news events, Thai social or cultural history or Bangkok. The publisher will pay for any images used. If you have a personal collection of pictures that might be of interest, contact nicholas@edmbooks.com.sg.

 
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
 
Cambodian officials said Cambodia will request Thai Prime Minister to close his website - Khmerization, July 13, 2009
 
Lifes's liquids - Bangkok Post, July 11, 2009
[This strangely titled articles is actually about traditional Thai flavored drinks.]
Beverages have had a long and colourful history in Thailand...
 
National Assembly in Thailand foiling demining efforts: officials - Phnom Penh PostJuly 11, 2009
Cambodian government says it needs Thai approval to demine border...
 
Thai probe shows tiger parts came from Malaysia - The Star, July 10, 2009
Investigations by Thai wildlife authorities have confirmed that some of the tiger parts confiscated in Thailand last year belonged to the Malayan tiger, a specie found only in Peninsula Malaysia...
 

Revealing the ‘Taksin 2’ plan – Fugitive Thaksin aims to run a war to hunt ‘Mark’, privy councilors - translated and summarized from Manager Online; June 24, 2009
[The concept of a "Taksin" plan draws parallels between deposed PM Thaksin and King Taksin. King Taksin was deposed by a coup in 1782. His reign was followed by the founding of the present Chakri Dynasty.]
On June 24, it is reported that a security unit has reported about the Taksin 2 plan to the government. The five-page plan comes with a more violent strategy and more aggressive than the Taksin 1 [the term applied by the first attempt of Thaksin to return in April].
The Taksin 2 has seven strategies and six methods, aiming to destroy the 2007 Constitution and promote a new one. More violent measures will be applied to bring down the government.
A source said that red-shirt people are responding to the strategy. They create conflicts among Thai people. They are urging the change of national day from December 5 to June 24, in order to reduce the importance of the royal institute.
All media will be used to spread negative rumours about the Prime Minister and other ministers. Government’s information units will also be interfered with.
From June 27, which is a big meeting day of the red-shirt people, people will be mobilized to fight against the government’s power. All violent measures will be applied through well-trained forces. Teams will be set up to hunt down aristocrats like privy councilors, and government members. The first target in the government is Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, followed by deputy security minister Suthep Thaugsuban.
Security units have already sent a report about the Taksin 2 plan to deputy security minister Suthep Thaugsuban. All authorities are working hard to prevent all problems.

 
Bangkok, 1968

Left: Bangkok Post, November 5, 1968

Earlier: Bangkok, 1968
 
 

Thais are divided over royal pardon for Thaksin : Abac poll - The Nation, July 13, 2009
...Senator Prasarn Maruekhapitak said it was erroneous to make a comparison between the signature campaign carried out on Thaksin's behalf and the tradition of sounding a bell to petition the King in the Sukhothai era.
"In the past like the Sukhothai era, the petition would not have happened because a convict who showed no remorse and was involved in the Songkran mayhem, would have been beheaded along with family members up to seven generations," he said.

 

Road show to explore new land link - The Nation, July 12, 2009
The Foreign Trade Department will lead local businesses on a roadshow to Cambodia and Vietnam next week in a bid to explore trade and investment opportunities along the new land link between the three countries...

 
 
BioThai website hacked - The Nation, July 13, 2009
 

Bangkok's tourism ranking replaced by Udaipur - The Nation, July 13, 2009

 
Weekend edition, July 11-12, 2009
 
Bangkok, 1968

Left: Bangkok Post, November 5, 1968

Yes, this is the Suvarnabhumi Airport...

Earlier: Bangkok, 1968
 

Issue of "The Economist" censored due to article on lese majeste - IFEX, July 10, 2009
...The Thai police admitted that they had asked the distributors to withhold copies of the said issue from the local market.

Earlier: Journalists fear speech under threat - Bangkok Post, July 7, 2009
...Meanwhile, the Special Branch Police Division yesterday denied a report it had banned sales of the British-based Economist magazine. Its latest edition carries an article which allegedly insults the royal family.
The division head, Pol Lt Gen Teeradej Rodphothong, said his agency was not authorised to prohibit sellers from ordering the magazine for sale in Thailand, and it had still not examined whether the content offends the monarchy.
But if anyone complains to the police about the issue and the article breaks the lese majeste law, the officers would act against the sellers, he said...


Also: Lese majeste news 2008-2009

 

"Illustrated Prophecies" from Asiaweek - July 11, 2009
Anyone recall the "Illustrated Prophecies" cartoons from the defunct Asiaweek magazine? Are they available anywhere? Who was the artist?

 

More flexibility for tourists in Cambodia and Vietnam - eTN, July 9, 2009
...The economic crisis seems to make things now possible...

 

Wanted backpacker flies to Thailand - ABC Online, July, 2009

 

More press release-type articles about Thailand

Thailand woos foreign golfers with sun, sand traps - Reuters, July 9, 2009
Glittering temples, bargain-filled markets, stunning beaches and verdant golf courses: for an increasing number of visitors, Thailand is the ideal recession-friendly holiday destination, down to a tee...

Great bargains at made in Thailand 2009 - Bangkok Post, July 9, 2009
You have until this Sunday (July 12) to shop for great bargains at Made in Thailand 2009, the country's mega shopping fair now running daily from 10am-9pm at the Impact Muang Thong Thani...

 

Local force teamed up to fight militants in the South - The Army on alert - translated and summarized from Naewna; Column: political news; June 21, 2009
The Region 4 Internal Security Operations Command Public Relation Head Colonel Parinya Chaidilok reveals that the Narathiwat task force along with police and military will closely perform security operations in every district in the province, especially in the Chorairong district, following many tense violent attacks operation in the area recently. The army strategy is aimed at controlling militants operating in the area and regaining public confidence. The hunting operations are launched in the suspected militant hideouts. Helicopters are used in the air force operation against militants in mountainous areas and checkpoints are set up in communities. He adds that the local force is to be teamed up by village security force, village guard defense volunteer team, and popular training units in the local areas.
Meanwhile, four Islamic Khmers were seized at the border area in the Aranyaprated district in Sakaew province. The authorities found that the four have items such as radio transmitters, Kratom leaves used to produce hard drugs, electric volt transformer machine, and mobile devices in possession. The four claimed to travel to the Southern border province and to visit cousins in Malaysia. Police are investigating the case.


(Photo: Naewna)

Islamic Khmers: Deputy task force commander of the Burapa force Lieutenant Ekkarat Methawattananan seized four Islamic Khmer people while they were entering the Aranyaprated border in Sakhaew province with many items used in forest and Kratom leaves. The four are suspected militant supporters.

 

Half a decade of southern unrest – fighting for the masses or fighting for the budget? - translated and summarized from Matichon; June 21, 2009
The unrest in Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and some districts in Songkhla has been going on for half a decade, from January 4, 2004. The situation is not stable, depending on chances of both sides.
Commander of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Command (SBPAC) Pol. Lt. Gen. Peera Poompichet says that so far, administrative officers cannot thoroughly stop them. He adds that we are now fighting with criminals who have high capacity and resources to carry out their plans.
According to the Royal Thai Police, from 2004 to May 2009, a total of 3,513 people were killed. 3,078 out of them were ordinary people, 223 were policemen and 222 were soldiers. A total of 6,220 people were injured. 92 teachers were killed, while 96 were injured. Five monks were killed and 15 were injured. Officials were able to seize 316 gun from insurgents.  The police have been working hard for five years to get the statistics.
However, there are several units trying to intervene with the operations to get this work and the budget that goes with it.
On June 8, 2009, a tragedy happened again when insurgents attacked the Alfrugon at Ban Ai Payae, Tambon Chuab, Amphoe Joh I Rong, Narathiwat province. Eleven Muslim people praying in the mosque were killed and lots were injured.
It is still doubtful who killed those people. Is it insurgency movement, or another group with a secret goal?
The incident intensifies the unrest. Teachers, monks, old people, soldiers and policemen are victims.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva insists that he will let the politics lead the military to end the southern unrest. He also mentions about a plan to form the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Office.
Several parties wonder if those billions baht spent in the South for the past five years were worthwhile. The budget does not include the secret budget and another 20 billion baht which has just been approved.  People wonder if the government is able unveil the information on budget allocation during the past five years?
It is also doubtful if it is a fight against insurgents in the South, or a fight for budget allocated to ease the southern unrest.

 
Earthquake preparedness in Bangkok - July 12, 2009

Interesting earthquake safety sign in the elevators in the SCB headquarters build at Ratchayothin. It explains earthquake procedures for people in high-rise buildings.
 
Friday, July 10, 2009
 
Bangkok airport scam condemned in Europe - Phuket Wan, July 9, 2009
Britain's Foreign Office is reported to be reviewing its travel advice for Thailand amid fresh media coverage of a Bangkok airport scam and the ''harrowing ordeal'' of an Irish traveller...

Local woman home from Thai jail after being targeted by scam - Kilkenny People, July 10, 2009
..."What is happening here is outrageous and needs to be exposed. It's a national scandal," said her husband, Ronan Loftus, who flew over to Thailand to help his wife escape the ordeal...

Irish scientist escapes Thai airport shoplifting charge in flight to freedom - Andrew-Drummound.com, July 4, 2009

£10,000 for eye shadow at King Power?- The Bangkok airport scam - Andrew-Drummound.com, July 4, 2009
Police volunteer admitted that 160 tourists were scammed including six Britons...
“No I don't want a laptop I’ve got too many of those. Jewellery will do...”

Earlier: Airport extortion: King Power's side of the story - July 8, 2009

Earlier: British couple fights Bangkok airport extortionists - Two tourists were held by an airport gang until they paid up £8,000 - The Sunday Times, June 28, 2009
...The bribes were paid to an intermediary named Sunil “Tony” Rathnayaka, a Sri Lankan national in his fifties who works as a “volunteer” interpreter for Thailand’s tourist police (motto: “To serve and to protect”).
...Last week Rathnayaka admitted in a telephone interview that he had received cash and money transfers amounting to more than £7,000 from the Britons. He said the money was for police bail and for a payment to a figure he called “Little Big Man” who could withdraw the case against them.
“In Thailand everyone knows it’s like that,” he said. “They can go to jail or they can just pay a fine and go home. It is corruption, you know?...”

Also: The descent of Suvarnabhumi
- June 9, 2009
 
Deposed Thai PM eyeing Fiji, Tonga - Pina.com, July 8, 2009
Earlier: Capturing Thaksin Shinawatra
 

Thai censors blocking certain Google searches - July 10, 2009

 


(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)

Giant shirt - July 10, 2009
It reads: This coming 14 July, the best Breeze’s detergent powder will change your life - [the name of the new product] OCSI Max

 
Thursday, July 9, 2009
 
Michael Jackson's death in the Thai-language press
 

PM: Not necessary to seal country - The Nation, July 8, 2009

 

U.S. settles with family of Southeast Asia scholar - Los Angeles Times, July 8, 2009
Roxanna Brown was both informant and target in a probe into donations of allegedly looted Thai antiquities to museums. Days after her arrest, she died in custody. The government will pay $880,000...


 

Unclear and untrustworthy - translated and summarized from Matichon; Column: Editorial; June 19, 2009
It is now nearly two weeks after people praying in a mosque in Amphoe Joh I Rong, Narathiwat, have been killed and injured. However, no progress is seen in the investigations. Several parties come out to unveil their opinions. They question whether Abhisit’s new strategy to let the politics lead the military works.
High-ranking officials and politicians in the cabinet all believe that the mosque attack was committed by southern insurgents. But local politicians in three southern border provinces do not believe so. They see that the attack could also be done by local officials. Lots of Thai Muslim people see that it is not possible that Thai Muslim people will kill people in the same religion in a mosque. They think that it was the government.
To end the rumors and recover the government’s image, the government should form a central committee, consisting of local people and experienced ones, to investigate the matter, instead of letting the police do so. If the mosque attack still cannot be solved, insurgents could successfully coax the mass into siding with them.

 

Southern unrest - The new “war” - translated and summarized from Naewna; Column: Kuanjai Hai Sa-ard; Author: Tapo Paopee; June 19, 2009
The government has to renew its thoughts and concept on tackling the unrest problem. The government’s declared politics leading army policy needs some clear visions on the matter before it starts. The politics-led war refers to a “no bloodshed” war, but the Army war refers to blood in the war. The “politics leads army” policy for the unrest needs the right approach in operation as well as the right understanding on the characters of the “new war” in the unrest. I comment that 3 important issues to be reviewed clearly are
1) The fight of the militants ; the strategy, events and aims
2) the understanding of masses; the winning over masses in the unrest (this is important at this moment as the government still face problem on local masses supporting government )
3) the understanding of the power in hand of authority or militants ; including the new concept of war
The government has to understand the points clearly to move on the right track for the ongoing violence in the unrest south.

 

Pictured: The Google Earth alphabet found in Britain's hedgerows, roads and buildings - Daily Mail, July 7, 2009
[Nothing to do with Thailand, but interesting. Thanks to Pieter for pointing this out.]

 

Thai Festival comes to Chicago - Examiner, July 6, 2009

Performance schedule for Chicago Thai Festival - Examiner, July 6, 2009

 
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
 

Unexpected conspiracy theory - translated and summarized from Matichon; Author: Thavi Meengern; June 18, 2009
The unrest in the three boundary provinces of southern Thailand has lasted for many years, but the violence in the area has continued unabated.
Criticizing about the issue, people in the area remarked there might be other groups that obtain advantages from the upheaval apart from those insurgents. This could be an unexpected conspiracy and a source of the violence.
Local and national politicians who are familiar to the area analyzed that the insurgents commit crimes and terrorism in a bid to raise the violence and put Thailand in the spotlight. As a result, the United Nations would interfere the issue, and separatists would have more bargaining power. Demonstrating their power shows their potential to foreign supporters who provide them financial assistance.
Meanwhile, some mentioned that civil servants in security departments is another group gaining advantages from the violence. It cannot be denied that the more severe the situation, the more budget is earmarked for the south. However, it seemed the huge budget did not actually resolve the violence and it is deemed a “gold mine” for those opportunistic officials.
The last group is general criminals such as smugglers, human traffickers, and so on. These other  crimes are outweighed by the separatist issue and state officials usually overlook these crimes.

 

JI members arrested in the South – DSI says they are involved in 9/11 attack - translated and summarized from Naew Na; June 18, 2009
High-ranking authorities jointly announced that following collaboration among four agencies, the Security Centre, the National Intelligence Agency, the Royal Thai Police and the Department of Special Investigations, a Rohinya suspect named Mahamad Ali Husen, arrested on June 15 in Kaset Sombun district, Chaiyaphum province.
On 5:00 pm of the same day, officials from four agencies jointly arrested Mr. Mahamad Madbameh, a 39-year-old Rohinya, and Mr. Chubri Awae, aged 20 years old, with several document-making devices, in Hat Yai, Songkhla province. They were arrested for official document forgery.
The agencies confirm that all suspects have a relationship. Mr. Mahammad Ali Husen is a step brother of Mr. Mahamad Madbameh, who is capable of forging official documents for Rohinya people.
Evidence also shows that they have something to do with an international criminal network, which is involved in the southern unrest.
It is disclosed that the human trafficking movement is related to influential people in the South. It is found out that Mr. Mahamad Ali Husen is a leader of an international terrorist group. He is involved in human trafficking, document forgery as well as weapon trading.
It is also found out that Mr. Mahamad Ali Husen was the one who provide the Al-Queda with fake documents, allowing the movement’s members to undergo the 9/11 sabotage. Later, he hid in Malaysia and then Thailand. Here, he contacts influential people in the South, including people involved in the unrest.
Former Fourth Army Region Commander Gen. Watanachai Chaimuenwong said that southern insurgents have revised all strategies. New commandos are formed, using members from Al-Queda or JI. He added that following the new strategy, the attack will be more severe. Government officials are not likely to overcome them.

 

Ten steps to close down an open society - Costal Post, July, 2009
[You may have missed last year's coup... Not sure what the author is referring to. They seem to be mistaking the 2006 coup with the Red Shirt version of events of April 2009.]
Last autumn, there was a military coup in Thailand. The leaders of the coup took a number of steps, rather systematically, as if they had a shopping list. In a sense, they did. Within a matter of days, democracy had been closed down: the coup leaders declared martial law, sent armed soldiers into residential areas, took over radio and TV stations, issued restrictions on the press, tightened some limits on travel, and took certain activists into custody...

 

Broadband fees 'reasonable' - Bangkok Post, July 7, 2009
True Corporation says it can't cut high-speed internet access prices by 50 per cent as the government has requested because the current price is reasonable...

 

Istanbul and Bangkok become sister cities - Turk.Net, July 6, 2009

 

Tourists lift British inmates' spirits at Thai prison - Thailandnews.net, July 7, 2009
Julian Gilbey bounds along the corridor of the so-called "Bangkok Hilton" with a sweaty face and a wide grin, excited by the rare treat of contact with the outside world after seven years behind bars...

 
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
 

Al-Furqan incident – Abhisit-Suthep-Anupong’s reaction - translated and summarized from Matichon; June 17, 2009
From March to June this year, four teachers were killed and five were injured. 15 soldiers were also wounded. Moreover, another 11 bombing attacks led to the death of two civilians and injured 19.
The one deemed the most brutal was a massacre at the Al-Furqan mosque in Ai Payae village of Narathiwat’s Cho-airong district that left 10 Muslims dead. After the incident, the insurgents attempted to frame the government of the charge by means of word of mouth and leaflets.
The attempted frame-up made Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, as well as Army Commander-in-chief General Anupong Paojinda to defend the administration, saying state officials were not behind the attack.
The point is that the result of those incidents is worrying because, no matter how the case comes out, it is to the advantage of insurgents.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva did not refute that officials were not involved clearly, but explained that no policy legalizes the use of violence.
In the case of Al-Furqan mosque, it is relatively complicated as there are a number of likely motivations such as personal revenge, drug dealing, and smuggling. Therefore, the government should not rush to the conclusion and distort the truth.
During an interview on his Sunday television talk, Mr. Abhisit answered Vatsana Nanuam, a reporter, that every case should not be hastily concluded as long as the suspect is not tried.

 

More falling in Thailand - July 7, 2009

 
Wanted: volunteer detectives, only dogs need apply - Reuters, July 5, 2009
Jame and Richy help bust drug smugglers and guard royal events in Thailand. These law enforcement volunteers are also great at sitting and fetching...
 
Durian dilemma: Would I be bold enough to eat Thailand's exotic fruit? - Pioneer Press, July 4, 2009
...In all that time, I'm ashamed to admit, I couldn't bring myself to eat a single slice of durian — a fruit so entwined with Thai culture and cuisine that to refuse its embrace is tantamount to blasphemy...
 
Tensions put aside as new road opens - Bangkok Post, July 4, 2009
Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia could ease as friendly feelings were recalled yesterday in a joint ceremony opening a new road linking the two countries, said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva...
 
Foreign reporters targeted in Thailand - United Press International, July, 2009
 
Weekend edition, July 4-5, 2009
 


(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)

Safe-T-Cut workers protest - July 2, 2009
Safe-T-Cut works who were fired without pay or benefits demonstrate in front of the Labor Department in Bangkok. Most will know Safe-T-Cut from the ubiquitous breaker boxes in most older Thai buildings.
The words on the sign above reads "Lose the job - Help!" Another banner, out of frame, reads "Why not fire Dr. Nut?" This refers to Dr. Nuttapol Sotthiwanwong, a Safety-Cut executive being blamed by the protesters for their layoffs.
Normally in this situation, the government and police will use all means, legal and otherwise, to force executives to make good on severance pay. In the past this has included holding foreign company executives in jail without charge until they come up with the money. In cases where executives are able to successfully flee, the government quietly settles with the workers.

Also: Safe-T-Cut workers join plant closure protest - The Nation, July 3, 2009

 


(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)

A long name - July 4, 2009
A short url for a long name. This was on the side of a bus downtown.

 
Grand jury hears from top C.I.A. officers on destruction of tapes - NYT, July 2, 2009
...She is said by former agency officers to have helped carry out Mr. Rodriguez’s order to destroy the tapes.
The tapes had been kept in a safe at the C.I.A. station in Thailand, the country where the interrogations took place...
Earlier: The Thai "secret prison"
 
BTS eyes green-line routes - The Nation, June 29, 2009
 

Government warned not to provide citizens with firearms - translated and summarized from Matichon; June 16, 2009
Nonviolence International South East Asia warns government not to provide citizens and volunteer units with firearms. According to the organization’s research report, arming the citizen and expanding the civil volunteer unit would fuel the situation, causing more conflicts in the restive south. The government’s intention would involve the issue concerning religious discrimination as only Thai Buddhists are allowed to carry firearms while Thai Muslims are not. If they do, they would be suspected of being insurgents.
Some of respondents who are officers admitted that security in the area is currently under responsibility of those volunteer and semi-military units which were screened and trained incompetently. Consequently, instead of reducing the violence, it may spark anger and dissatisfaction in the area.
The research report suggests improving police’s potential rather than supporting people with firearms. The problem should be solved by peaceful means and good governance. Moreover, strict law enforcement are also vital.

 

Two army members holding general rank and one colonel involved in militant attacks in the south - One more teacher shot dead - Blast attack killing police - translated and summarized from Matichon; Page: First page, June 17, 2009
Two militants on their motorcycles on June 16, 2009 staged attacks targeting female school teacher Rekha Issara from the Banpormeng School in Yala’s Raman district, killing her in Tambon Kayuborkoh in the district while the teacher was traveling to school. At the same time, the militants in Pattani lured police at the Saiburi district in Pattani to inspect an accident on the Maikhaen-Saiburi road in Tambon Taluban. The militants detonated a bomb that was hidden on the motorcycle killing 2 and injuring 1 police officer.
Meanwhile, an MP of the coalition parties reveals to a source that he believes that the mosque massacre in Narathiwat was a plotted scheme and claims that many MP in the unrest province and high-rank army officials and Army Commander-in-chief General Anupong Paojinda and Defense Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan have information about the group that was involved. According the coalition party MP, leaders of the group that staged violence for their own benefit consist of one army member holding General rank in the Narathiwat area, another army officer holding the same rank looking in Pattani and one colonel in the Yala area.

 
Friday, July 3, 2009
 

ILoveThailand.org - July 2, 2009
New nationalistic website launched by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as an "online community promoting national unity."
The site includes this video lamenting Thailand's "Lost Territory" (above) and a couple of tram photos (here and here) first featured on 2Bangkok.com.

 

Analyzing why the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Office plan has been shelved – obstructed by soldiers? - translated and summarized from Matichon; June 11, 2009
The Abhisit Vejjajiva government announced during its campaign for election on December 29, 2007, that it would launch a tool to ease the unrest in the southern border provinces. It believed that the tool would bring peace back to the provinces again. The tool is to set up a special organization called the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Office.
The new organization will be directly supervised by the Prime Minister. It is aimed at solving administrative problems in the area and create unity in operations. However, five months have passed and the plan has not been proposed yet.
The reason is that the government manager, Deputy Prime Minister for security Suthep Thaugsuban, fears that the proposal will offend the ‘Big Green’. We all know that the government is backed by the military.
The Internal Security Operations Command is now the lead actor in the three southern border provinces with around 60,000 military officers.
After the robbery of guns in Amphoe Joh I Rong, Narathiwat province, more and more budget has been allocated to the southern provinces – from 13.45 billion baht in 2004 to 27.547 billion baht in 2009. Over 50% of the budget is under the control of the Defense Ministry and the Internal Security Operations Command. The ISOC receives around 7.5 billion baht in advance. They will come up with projects later.
People wonder if the budget will be spent on the right stuff. It is said that high-ranking authorities get a lot of money for themselves per month. Meanwhile, the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Command got less than 10% of the 27 billion baht budget.
Are these the reasons the military oppose the plan to form the new Southern Border Provinces Administrative Office? The Abhisit administration should restructure military organizations and revamps strategies under the approaching and understanding concept.

 


(Photo: Ai)

Fallen billboard - July 3, 2009
Tony writes: (These photos) come from the western Outer Ring Road, the Bang Bua Thong exit area... my wife and I drove by after what must have been quite a squall, in early May, and saw these massive roadside billboards blown down.

 

New parliament in progress - Bangkok Post, June 30, 2009
...The spokesman said Yothin Burana School will be relocated to a 16-rai plot in Soi Wat Soi Thong with about 1,000 million baht while the relocation residents of two communities to a townhouse project in Soi Wat Kaifa will cost about 266 million baht.

[Soi Wat Kaifa is a 100-rai plot next to the Chao Phraya River. The location of a new parliament building has been one of the hottest issues over the years with each new government trying to push through their own plan over the calls of conflict of interest.
Other areas proposed over the years:
- a 311-rai golf course in Nonthaburi's Pak Kret district, owned by the Irrigation Department
- a site on Vibhavadi-Rangsit road
- the Thai Plywood factory owned by the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry
- a 400-rai privately-owned tract in Samut Prakan
- a plot in Lop Buri near Pasak Chonlasit dam
- the railway park behind the Chatuchak park area
- the shopping complex at Lak Si
- a plot in Muang Thong Thani
- the Treasury Department's plot in Chachoengsao's Bang Nam Prieo
- Don Muang airport]

 

Taste of the Thai life: Thailand's property market is still hot and spicy - Daily Mail, June 25, 2009
[There continue to be baffling articles coming out of the English press about the Thai property market. The local story is how authorities insist that foreigners cannot own land/property and accusations of a witch hunt to find foreigners who hold land through work around solutions. Also, the traditional method of holding property through a locally created company has been called into question in recent years. Against this backdrop, the English press continues to put out these press release-type articles touting what a great deal Thai property remains for foreigners.]


Earlier: No witch-hunt, says Lands Department - Foreign ownership debate intensifies - Bangkok Post, June 15, 2009

Earlier: Land purchase through Thai spouse forbidden: Land Dept - Phuket Gazette, May 27, 2009

Earlier: International Real Estate For Sale In... Thailand - New York Times, May 26, 2009

 

Thai Power Line group wins Bangkok rail bidding - Reuters, June, 2009

 
In Thailand, a new party tries to take back the swastika - Time, June 18, 2009
 

At a Hmong camp - May 17, 2009

 

MosoThai billboards - June 13, 2009

 
Sino-Thai wins second purple line Bangkok rail contract - Reuters, June 11, 2009
 

Story from an RKK member - translated and summarized from Issara News Centre; May 27, 2009

Part 3 - Statement from a member of the National Liberation Front of Patani - translated and summarized from Issara News Centre; April 24, 2009

 
SRT to be broken up into three organizations: PM - The Nation, June 6, 2009
 

Airport Link to open Dec 5 - Bangkok Post, June 3, 2009
Deputy permanent secretary of the Transport Ministry Thawalrat Ornsira reported to the cabinet on Wednesday that the trial of the Airport link will be postponed for about three and a half months...

 
2Bangkok.com is 10 years old - May 9, 2009
 

More on F.R. Engdahl - May 9, 2009
Earlier: Who was F.R. Engdahl?
Mike points out this additional mention of "Felix Russell Engdahl" in a speech by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

 

Airport drainage canal - May 5, 2009

Canal/road between the Gulf of Thailand and the International Airport

Irrigation canal to pump out water from the airport area to the Gulf of Thailand

 

Thai hairstyles - April 25, 2009

 

Jewel scam in Chiang Mai - Lonely Planet, February 12, 2009

 

"Go where the 'in crowd' goes" in 1967 - February 27, 2009
From Bangkok After Dark, Vol. 2, July 1967, No. 12

More old ads: 'Thailand's Coolest Store' - Groovy Bangkok 1969 - Bangkok Weekly 1953 - Bangkok Bulletin 1966 - Old newspapers

 
Looking for Bob (Robert) Morris - February 5, 2009
We are looking for Bob (Robert) Morris who contacted us in 2005 about his father who had moved to Bangkok. If anyone has any information on contacting Bob (Robert) Morris, please let us know.
 
Bangkok red-light camera locations - January 13, 2009
 

Latest scam: Quantum Pendant.....SCALAR ENERGY - December 3, 2008

 

Sombat Khong Phudee
Quality of well-mannered people
Experience the joyfulness of children who live cultural lives


Navin's Sala

Cartoons from Stephff

 


End of government/beginning of government

"Day-D" newspaper front pages
Nov. 29 - Nov. 27-28 -
Nov. 26-27 - Nov. 25-26

High tension in Thailand (2005-2008)

"Black October 2008" - PAD's "final war"

High tension in Thailand - November 2008


Thai Media Project for November


Thai Media Project main page




The 2006 coup - Black May 1992

Also: Obama election front pages in the Thai-language press

 
Mass transit index page
With various mass transit schemes being revived, the long moribund mass transit sections of 2Bangkok.com are coming to life again. We have made a new index page to start to organize the news that is slowly coming out.

2Bangkok.com Archives - 1999-2009

Questions from 2Bangkok.com

2B in Lonely Planet - September 8, 2007

 

 
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