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.

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

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 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.

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

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

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.

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

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

(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.

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.

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.

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

At a Hmong camp - May 17, 2009

MosoThai billboards - June 13, 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

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

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