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News and Views - October 2008
Matsicko Travelogue - October 18, 2008
(Source: matsicko.com)
From Mat's homepage
(Source: matsicko.com)Rangers in spotlight for kidnapping - The Nation, October 31, 2008
A leading human rights legal group is looking to pursue other legal actions against a paramilitary ranger unit in southern Thailand for the disappearance of a school caretaker, Mayateh Marano, who was forcibly taken in for questioning last year and has not been seen since.
Mayateh was last seen on June 24, 2007 when a group of paramilitary from the Paramilitary Unit 41, stationed in Bannang Sata Intacharat School in Yala, came over his house and forcibly detained him. Col. Tim Ruantoh is the commander of the unit...New US RFID passports manufactured offshore at a huge profit, transported by unsecured couriers - BoingBoing, October 23, 2008
...After the computer chips are inserted into the back cover of the passports in Europe, the blank covers are shipped to a factory in Ayutthaya, Thailand, north of Bangkok, to be fitted with a wire Radio Frequency Identification, or RFID, antenna. The blank passports eventually are transported to Washington for final binding, according to the documents and interviews.
The stop in Thailand raises its own security concerns. The Southeast Asian country has battled social instability and terror threats. Anti-government groups backed by Islamists, including al Qaeda, have carried out attacks in southern Thailand and the Thai military took over in a coup in September 2006.
The Netherlands-based company that assembles the U.S. e-passport covers in Thailand, Smartrac Technology Ltd., warned in its latest annual report that, in a worst-case scenario, social unrest in Thailand could lead to a halt in production.
Smartrac divulged in an October 2007 court filing in The Hague that China had stolen its patented technology for e-passport chips, raising additional questions about the security of America's e-passports...
[Thanks to Stephane for pointing this out.]Cambodia recruiting militias on border with Thailand - People's Daily, October 22, 2008
Cambodian provincial and military officials said they are recruiting militias along the border with Thailand to protect frontier villages if hostilities erupt again amid a territory dispute between the two countries, national media reported Thursday. Some 2,400 Cambodians have already volunteered to serve in the paramilitary units in Oddar Meanchey province alone...Golf diplomacy to ease Thai-Camobdia border dispute - Hürriyet, October 23, 2008
Cambodia’s defense minister teed off with Thai military officials Thursday in a spot of golf diplomacy ahead of talks aimed at resolving a fierce border...Ambassador: Anything can happen in Thailand - ScandAsia, October, 2008
..."Everything looks just normal. But so much is happening beneath the surface. So watch out.
And avoid Government buildings”...King-Father ridicules a band of Thai oddballs - KI, October 21, 2008
Asian horror movie "The Coffin" based on real Thai ritual - Channel News Asia, October, 2008
A Thai ritual that involves lying in a coffin while alive was the inspiration behind the latest Asian horror flick "The Coffin"...Pojaman's land purchase - The Nation, October, 2008
The Nation online presents readers with list of news relating to controversial land purchase of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife, Pojaman...
"Wat Phra-Keo Bangkok" - October 20, 2008
Circa 1930 - Note the gas station (?) to the left.Wisarut comments: ...it is Sam Taharn Gas Station (now PTT PCL) designed by Ajarn Nart Phothiprasart, the first dean of the Department of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University. This gas station was opened in 24 June 1940 near the city Pillar. This gas station was demolished around 1987 for the improvement of the surrounding near City Pillar. More about AJarn Nart Phithiprasart (14 November 1901 – 18 June 1954)
THAILAND: Film censorship leaves viewers in the dark - Asia Media Forum, October 21, 2008
It's film festival time in the Thai capital, but many movie enthusiasts still feel, well, left in the dark by the recent banning of the Japanese-Thai film 'Children of the Dark', which was deemed too sensitive by the authorities...Burglars not Mexican - Bangkok Post, October 24, 2008
CIB to wrap up 32 lese majesty cases - The Nation, October 29, 2008
Thai princess opens Russia Fashion Week with line - Reuters, October 28, 2008
Thai Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana sashayed along a red carpet on Tuesday before launching her new clothes collection and kick-starting Russian Fashion Week with the snip of a ribbon...Buddhist temple made of beer bottles - TreeHugger, October, 2008
The Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew temple is constructed of a combination of green Heineken bottles and the brown bottles of a local beer... Also here and here
[Thanks to Curtis for pointing this out.]Thai crocs feel bite as financial woes dull taste for luxury goods - AFP, October 29, 2008
At the Elite Thai Leather factory in Bangkok, craftsman contort tough Thai crocodile hides into any style of luxury handbag a fashion designer wants...Thailand cited as anti-smoking model - The Nation, October 29, 2008
The Global Smoke Free Partnership Steering Group has cited Thailand as an outstanding country for its accomplishment in controlling tobacco consumption, the Public Health Ministry's permanent secretary, Dr Prat Boonyawongvirot said Wednesday...Thai tensions form apt backdrop for Asean meeting - The Irrawaddy, October 28, 2008
...However, political tension does not plague Thailand alone. Malaysia, to its south, is gripped with its own turmoil. The government that has ruled for decades, led by the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), is in a spin due to an internal tussle for power and pressure from the opposition led by the charismatic Anwar Ibrahim.
The power of the ruling Barisan Nasional (National Alliance) coalition was shattered during general elections in March, emboldening the opposition and the country’s minorities to mount challenges after the watershed poll. The opposition won five states and 82 seats in the 222-seat parliament, while the Barisan retained 140 seats...
What is happening in Thailand and Malaysia reflects a "shift in how people perceive democracy in this region," says Roshan Jason, executive director of the Asean Inter-parliamentary Myanmar (Burma) Caucus. "The public is demanding greater engagement in the process of government and decision making."
"The old order of letting Southeast Asian governments rule without any accountability to the people is unravelling," he added during a telephone interview from Kuala Lumpur. "Unfortunately, Asean still trails behind other regions in this area," Jason said.
Yet not all of Asean’s founding nations—Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand—are eager to create a political culture that keeps an elected government in check through opposition pressure and campaigns by anti-government activists. The affluent city-state of Singapore is still determined to remain a nominal democracy...Somali pirates get ransom, release Thai cargo ship - International Herald Tribune, October, 2008
A Somali minister says pirates have released a hijacked cargo ship believed to be owned by a Thai company after receiving a ransom...Sikh businessman killed in Bangkok - World Sikh News, October, 2008
70-year-old Sikh businessman Sawat Settee, who was undergoing bankruptcy proceedings, was shot at by unknown assailants while he was driving...'Bangkok sighting' of missing businessman - Asian Image, October, 2008
...He said: "At first I couldn't place the man in the picture, then I realised it was the man my cousin and I had seen in Bangkok last Christmas...
Identified - Miss Siam 1934 - October 25, 2008
Two old photographs of "Miss Siam, 1934"
Wisarut notes: For the case of Miss Siam 1934, it is a photograph of Khun Kanya Thian-Sawang, the first Miss Siam of BE 2477 on 12 December 1934 in the Annual Fair of Siamese Constitution when she was 20 year old.
The Biography of Khun Kanya Thian-Swang (30 August 1914-16 November 1960).
All the photos of the early Miss Siam are here.In Thailand, insulting the King can mean 15 years in jail - Wall Street Journal, October, 2008
...But politicians keep the 100-year-old law alive to score points against their enemies as they jostle for power in a period of political turmoil.
"It's the ultimate weapon in Thai society," says Jakrapob Penkair, a 40-year-old former government minister who is now trying to stay out of jail after rivals accused him of maligning the monarchy. "If you can accuse somebody of insulting the king, then you've gone a long way toward eliminating them..."
"A native house - Bangkok." - October 18, 2008
Postcard circa 1915Thai troops 'did not surrender' - Bangkok Post, October 17, 2008
...One of the 10 Thai soldiers reported to have surrendered to Cambodian troops during Wednesday's border skirmishes yesterday denied they had been detained. He said the team was a communications unit coordinating with a similar Cambodian unit, and they were still working freely in the disputed area.
''We are not being detained. We did not surrender,'' Apichart Pupuak told Reuters by telephone from the shrine on Preah Vihear...Thai trio's deals terminated - The Press Association, October 16, 2008
...Suree Sukha, Teerasil Dangda and Kiatprawut Saiwaew were signed by City last November in what was widely believed to be a political move by former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the then billionaire owner of the club, four weeks out from an election in his homeland...Calgary family happy at news suspect in slaying of son in Thailand in jail - CNews, October 15, 2008
A Calgary family is celebrating after finding out the man accused of killing their son in Thailand is going to jail until his trial...Court drops defamation case against Bangkok Post - Bangkok Post, October 16, 2008
...The case was officially dropped because the plaintiff, the state-owned Airports of Thailand (AOT), withdrew charges that the paper had defamed it.
...The dismissal of the case included both the newspaper and Mr Kowit, who was listed as editor of the Bangkok Post at the time. He had faced up to two years in jail if the court had found the newspaper guilty of defamation.
The defamation case filed during the premiership of Thaksin Shinawatra, who reportedly was personally angry about the newspaper report.
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)Din Daeng election posters - October 12, 2008
Left: PPP- Number 1 - Anong Petchtad - Dindaeng zone representative - the leading city needs close supervision - area resident, working person, contact to people, service-minded -“Once I have created happiness for Dindaeng and Huaykwang residents, I urge another opportunity to serve as BKK MP for the Dindaeng zone”
The poster has been defaces with the words " betrayer killing the country”Right: Democrat Party - Vote Sidthiwat Cheerawinit - MPs Bhirapan, Thana, Dr. Sansern - To develop Dindaeng - BKK MP for Dindaeng zone number 2 - Election Day on Sunday November 9th, 2008
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)No alcohol - October 14, 2008
It reads: No alcoholic drinks during the Buddhist Lent period.
Bangkok storm surge - October 11, 2008
This odd graphic on the Bangkok storm surge page that shows a family with backpacks running from a tidal wave at Sao Ching Cha.Bangkok wins Clean and Green Land award - Bangkok Post, October, 2008
Bangkok was awarded Clean and Green Land at the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment in Hanoi, Vietnam...Thailand: Right-wing mob riots outside parliament - Green Left Weekly, October 6, 2008
Late on the evening of October 6, the ultra right-wing fascist mob that calls itself the Peoples Alliance for Democracy (PAD) laid siege to the Thai parliament...Thai queen weighs in with anti-govt protesters - Reuters, October 13, 2008
...Jinda's emotional account of his conversation with the queen is likely to damage the government, especially his revelation that King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whom many Thais regard as semi-divine, was behind the donation of 1 million baht ($29,150) to treat those injured in the unrest...Q+A: Thailand and Cambodia face off again - for what? - Reuters, October, 2008
FACTBOX: Preah Vihear, a source of Thai-Cambodian tension - Reuters, October, 2008
...In the run-up to the 1962 World Court ruling, Thailand's military government organized a fund-raiser in which every citizen donated 1 baht to pay for Bangkok's legal team at The Hague.
...In June 1979, Thai soldiers forced 45,000 refugees from Pol Pot's "Killing Fields" to descend the heavily mined escarpment back into Cambodia. "Several thousand died, either shot by Thai soldiers to prevent them trying to cross back, or blown up in the minefields," British historian Philip Short wrote in a seminal biography of Pol Pot...Correspondence between King Mongkut and Abraham Lincoln - October, 2008
Thailand still among top choices but outlook dim - Bangkok Post, October 8, 2008
Thailand has remained an attractive destination for foreign businesses, ranking eighth in the world, but prolonged political tensions may further erode investor confidence both in capital markets and the real sector, a global survey says...Russian rocket sends Thai satellite into orbit - Hindu, October, 2008
Building collapse in Bangkok's gay street - Gay NZ, October, 2008
The collapse happened on Tuesday in Bangkok's Silom Soi 4 at around 4pm local time (10pm NZ time), when the Soi is largely unattended. ...
"We were so lucky [that there were] no gays or any sign of human beings trapped within the wreckage..."Asian mom, white dad: C-section more likely - Globe and Mail, October 1, 2008
Thanks to Noel for pointing this out.Archer Entertainment to film epic "Kings of the Sea" in Thailand - FinancialNewsUSA.com, October 2, 2008
Time to tackle the menace of computer games - The Nation, October 6, 2008
...A survey from the Culture Ministry revealed that Thai children spent around 2 hours a day playing computer games. About 80 per cent of them choose the combat-style, action-packed games, some of which come with graphic and violent images. The addiction can affect their personality as they become more prone to bursts of anger and violence. Without proper guidance, some are unable to distinguish between fantasy and the real world...The plastic prison - Common Ground, October, 2008
[Odd reference to Thailand in this article...]
...Unlike Vegas, what goes on in Washington and on Wall Street doesn’t stay there. In a financial version of the “Butterfly Effect,” the stroke of a hedge fund manager’s pen in New York can cause riots in Thailand...Film producer, wife accused of bribing official - San Jose Mercury News, October 3, 2008
...One of the contracts they received called for their firm to produce an "elite privilege card" that gave the buyer special privileges in Thailand such as being escorted through immigration and customs. Other contracts were to design a calendar, a book and a Web site...THEOS in orbit; set to transmit Bangkok photos - Balita.org, October 3, 2008
Thailand's first natural resources survey satellite, THEOS, achieved orbit on Wednesday night, moving across the night sky...AIG to sell operations in Thailand and the Philippines - Reuters, October 6, 2008
American International Group, crippled by losses related to bad mortgages, said Monday that it had received offers for its Philippine insurance businesses and that it would sell its Thai consumer finance operations...
The Thai life insurance unit of AIG, American International Assurance, said that its parent company, based in Hong Kong, was considering the sale of part of its AIA stake, but that AIA would continue to operate in Thailand and retain a majority stake.Thai Internet wunderkind captivates audiences from behind bars - Christian Science Monitor, October 8, 2008
Panrit Daoruang, popularly known as ‘Gor,’ once blogged about his life as a teen drug addict. Now he crusades about prison overcrowding and helps fellow inmates...
