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News and Views - February 2009
Circa 1900 postcard: A Siamese girl, a Bangkok girl, a Bangkok damsel, a native nurse
Thai girls - February 14, 2009
(Source: postcard 1906)1906 postcard: Siamese women Bangkok
1940 postcard: Swarngchitt Kruhanont, Miss Thailand 1940 - Chia Khee Seng Store, Bangkok Thailand
1969 travel booklet: See You In Thailand in 1969
(Photo: Siam. Pays des merveilles, Photographs by Michael Wolgensinger, text by Rudolf Wening and A.F. Somm, Published by Artis-Brussels, 1959)National Lottery Building, 1959 - February 14, 2009
Olivier writes: This is an old picture of the National Lottery building in Bangkok. It's taken from a book called: "Siam. Pays des merveilles," Photographs by Michael Wolgensinger, text by Rudolf Wening and A.F. Somm, published by Artis-Brussels in 1959. Hope you'll enjoy it.In monkey-filled Thai city, humans have learned to get along to go along - Watertown Daily Times, February 1, 2009
Pattaya 'Foreign Tourist Police Assistance' volunteers - Bangkok Post, February 1, 2009
...But the ''farang police'', despite their good intentions, have been subject to criticism, particularly over what people see as their intimidating black uniforms, their imposing appearance and the carrying of handcuffs and batons. Questions have also been raised about whether proper background checks are conducted on applicants...Caught in the crossfire of love and hate - Bangkok Post, February 2, 2009
..."From our field investigations, we realised that no policemen liked him because he tried to expose their extortion activities," Pol Col Prayon said.
"On the other hand, every villager loved him because he always lent them a hand every time they had problems with police..."I'll return to post of prime minister: Thaksin - The Nation, February 2, 2009
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra Monday vowed to fight his way back to the post of prime minister and vowed to return to Thailand...From Not the Nation: Local man makes startling discovery of Daily Xpress
[Includes a 2Bangkok reference...]
From Not the Nation: 40 red shirts seize bus stop
And one that sounds like it came from Not the Nation:
Customers advised to be vigilant as new batch of counterfeit Windows XP finds its way into Thailand - Thaipr.net, February 1, 2009Bangkok is sinking - GlobalPost, February 2, 2009
Thailand's top disaster expert once foretold the 2004 tsunami. Now, he says the nation's capital will be submerged by 2030...Bangkok nightclub fire: Police 'tried to protect guilty colleagues' - Telegraph, February 3, 2009
A fresh investigation into the Bangkok nightclub fire that killed 66 people on New Years Eve has exposed serious flaws in the police inquiry, raising suspicions that officers framed an innocent man to protect guilty colleagues...Thais protest idea of Rohingya refugee center - The Irrawaddy, February 4, 2009
Around one thousand protesters gathered in Thailand’s southern port city of Ranong yesterday to demonstrate against suggestions that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is seeking to establish a Rohingya refugee center in the area.
According to an official Thai report, the demonstrators were mostly local residents “acting on behalf of a Thai-[Burmese] human rights commission.” They formed a picket line with signs in Thai and English after they were blocked from entering Ranong Airport, where they planned to submit copies of a protest letter to representatives of the embassies of Burma, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh and India...
Voyage de Siam - February 5, 2009
Plate from Voyage de Siam, by Guy Tachard, Paris: Arnould Seneuze & Daniel Horthemels, 1686Thai police net Colombian burglary gang - M and C, February 9, 2009
...'Sometimes, security guards are lenient when seeing foreigners,' Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Suchat Muankaew said. 'But now they had better be strict...'
(Photo: Collection of Dick van der Spek)Unknown Thai train - February 6, 2009
Anyone have any details about this train?US and Thailand begin joint war games - Channel NewsAsia, February 3, 2009
Thailand launched its annual war games Wednesday with troops from the United States, Japan, Singapore and Indonesia linking up with Thai forces for two weeks of joint military exercises...Chatuchak Night Market - February 6, 2009
Thai press is reporting that from February 20, 2009 Chatuchak Market will be open on Friday night.
Convertible tuk-tuks for the US market - February 6, 2009
Thanks to David for pointing this out.
Thailand's Wild East - Time, February 5, 2009
...Locals work the nearby ranches, occasionally dressed in Wild West outfits likely inspired by American soldiers who passed through during R&R from the Vietnam War...Obama look-alike found in Saraburi - TOC, February 6, 2009
Boffins reject climate claims - Bangkok Post , February 6, 2009
...For example, water-related agencies had failed to come up with sustainable means of water resource management because they thought floods and drought were caused by climate change which were beyond their ability to deal with, the physicist said...Mystery Briton is key witness in ‘Merchant of Death’ arms sting - Times, February 8, 2009
...Even before Bout’s plane touched down, more than 50 Thai police, tipped off by the DEA, were staking out the Sofitel hotel where he had planned to meet his fake Farc clients. Amid the publicity that Bout’s arrest attracted, Smulian’s role went initially unnoticed. There were some reports that the Briton was also arrested in Bangkok, but other sources claim he was picked up later in New York...Human rights office in Southern Thailand raided - The Irrawaddy, February 9, 2009
...The rights group on Saturday had responded to the military's warning to government agencies of alleged infiltration of NGOs by challenging the army to produce evidence and charge wrongdoers.
In a statement, it called on the army "to stop threatening the work of activists who are helping people in the region whose rights are violated or abused..."Park reopens on Thai-Cambodian border - UPI, February 9, 2009
Koh Lanta: Like Phuket without mass tourism - Cyber Diver News Network, February 6, 2009
A tuk-tuk driver is squashing a black scorpion on the road during a brief tropical downpour, the chilli from fiery tom yum soup is burning my tongue and the Andaman Sea is lapping...All about Ladda Tammy Duckworth - Wikipedia, February 11, 2009
Honda CRM250 blasts along Sukhumvit highway, Rayong - YouTube, February 10, 2009
Warrant: Slain St. Paulite was Thai lottery middleman - Minneapolis Star Tribune, February 10, 2009
Police: Man's fatal stabbing could be related to Thai lottery - Pioneer Press, February 10, 2009
Like Phuket, long ago - The Age, February 7, 2009
The Rebirth of Phuket - The Age, February 7, 2009UNHCR warned over Angelina Jolie's criticism on Rohingya - The Nation, February 11, 2009
Thai government has warned UN High Commission for Refugees that Rohingya boat people's presence in Thailand is sensitive issue and it and its guests should not mention about the issue, Thai Foreign Ministry's senior official said Wednesday...Boatpeople 'ugly as ogres' - Straits Times, February 11, 2009
Myanmar's senior official in Hong Kong has described the Rohingya boatpeople as 'ugly as ogres,' as a high-profile refugee case has highlighted...Myanmar's outrageous racism excused - Asia Sentinel, February, 2009
The reputation and so-called solidarity the Association of Southeast Asian Nations hit a new low this week...
The tone of this article somehow reminds us of this: Being Offended - Stuff White People Like, May 28, 2008Thailand's stubborn fugitive - Far Eastern Economic Review, February 11, 2009
...According to Mr. Phongthep, nothing short of a fundamental change will bring meaningful peace to Thailand’s political landscape. “I think we have to bring back a system that is acceptable to most of the people. We have to bring back the system that is correct according to internationally accepted standards and we have to make the people in Thailand realize that we cannot just live in this country and do what we like without considering the ways that people should follow to live peacefully together,” he said...NBT: We interrupt this broadcast to give you trash - The Nation, February 12, 2009
...Of course, they couldn't hoodwink anybody. It was a flop from Day One. News was not only slanted, it was meant to serve as a fortress against any political opponents. With Satit's predecessor Jakrapob Penkair in charge, the station promptly became a machine for Samak's political witch-hunt...Thai military leaders tour Cobra Gold headquarters - Stars and Stripes, February 13, 2009
..."The great benefit that the Royal Armed Forces get out of Cobra Gold is the preparation for operations, especially peacekeeping operations which they can then apply in internal security efforts."
Amid a blend of field uniforms from five Southeast Asian nations, Kanchanawat met participants of the staff-level mock United Nations crisis scenario being played out in the fictional country of "Arcadia..."
[Originally the title of this article was "Cobra Gold exercise aids Thai security"]
(Photo: Sadortu for 2Bangkok.com)Road announcement - February 17, 2009
It reads: Regarding the road construction project line A, B and E under work for the Tak Public Works and Town and Country Planning Office that begins on September 3, 2008 up to the present, we apologize for any inconvenience that occurred to pedestrians and local residents living close to the area.
Any comment that are useful for the project running or complaints can be sent to our box or by phone number 0-5553-4115, address 989 Moo 9 Tambon Maepa, Mae Sod district, Tak province 63110 or via www.Project-maesodroad.com
(Photo: Sadortu for 2Bangkok.com)It reads: Department of Rural Roads, road construction office
Road construction: The project of road construction line A B and E
The Tak’s Office the Public Works and Town and Country
Planning, the length of 5265 kilometer
Hired company: Phra Nakorn Sri Ayuthaya Commercial and Industrial Co., Ltd
Contact begins on September 3, 2008
Due date of contact ending February 13, 2009
Budget: 177,000,000.00 baht
Construction supervision team Monchai Prasithiwong Civil Engineer head (level 7)
Visuth Thongthab - Civil engineer
Phone number 0-5553-4115
www. Project-maesodroad.com
The project operation relies on the tax income from the public
The picture on the right side shows the scenery along the road side following the project plan.In Defense of Thailand - Thailandnews, February 6, 2009
...Americans should take a moment to acknowledge Thailand as a member in good standing of the democratic club that is America's system of alliances in East Asia and the Pacific...When allies drift apart - Asia Times, February 13, 2009
When a Thai court last year refused to turn over an Iranian national United States authorities claimed was part of a missile parts smuggling operation, it marked the first-ever failed extradition between the two long-time strategic allies...Tortured by Thai visits - The Star, February 14, 2009
I am a married woman in my 40s with a teenage son. My marriage was a happy one until two years ago when I found some condoms in my husband's luggage and that he had been making regular visits to a Thai border town...
(Photo: Sadortu for 2Bangkok.com)Protest graffiti on building - February 8, 2009
This photo is from Amphur Maesod in Tak Province. It reads: The bastard black man is going to destroy my building. His whatever speech is meant to destroy my building. My building’s worth is 4 million but he gives me about 1 million and a little. If this is the asset of your fucking parents, what would you think? Where is the fuck fairness of the matter?Increase in AIDS cases in Thailand prompts action by civic groups - Voice of America, February 13, 2009
...Thailand United Nations AIDS Country Coordinator, Patrick Benny, says while the forecast of 12,000 is much lower than the 120,000 new infections Thailand was reporting each year a decade ago, trends do point to a rising incidence within key vulnerable groups...Travel Q&A: Where's reimbursement for time stuck in Thailand? - Inside Bay Area, February 13, 2009
...That's about $57 per person per day.
Figuring out how to apply for that refund has been tough. Finding no details on the official Thai tourism Web site or the government news site, we contacted the U.S. division of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The New York office thought the offer had expired; the Los Angeles office marketing manager said she had never been informed of the reimbursement program but has now been told it ended Dec. 30...Lunch with the FT: Abhisit Vejjajiva - Financial Times, February 13, 2009
Thailand never used to have an image problem. Put to one side the occasional negative story about sex tourism and heroin-trafficking and the country has been successfully marketed as the idealised Oriental paradise: exotic, beautiful, warm, welcoming and unthreatening...Russia slams US for pressure on Thai court over Bout extradition - RIA Novosti, February 14, 2009
..."Moreover, Thailand has terminated a criminal case against Bout, while he has not been proven guilty on charges brought against him in the United States. In this context, the U.S. lawmakers' public appeal cannot be regarded only as an attempt to put pressure on the executive and judiciary authorities of Thailand," the statement said.
"These actions on the part of parliamentarians in a nation that purports to be an example of rule of law and observance of human rights looks embarrassing, to say the least," the document said...MICT asks ISPs to block ‘Red Siam’ - Prachatai, February 14, 2009
Thaksin has been recently spotted in Cambodia - KI, February 15, 2009
Four days ago, a number of opposition National Assembly members asked Prime Minister Hun Sen to confirm the presence in Cambodia, in January and/or February 2009, of Thailand's ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The presence of the foreign fugitive politician on Cambodian soil may have negative implications on relations with neighboring Thailand.
According to article 96 of the Constitution, Hun Sen must respond to the parliamentarians within seven days after receiving their letter.
Read the letter in Khmer at http://tinyurl.com/arb59e
Thaksin's V-day call - Straits Times, February 15, 2009
...Saturday's rally at a Buddhist temple outside Bangkok was billed as a fundraiser for Thaksin supporters, who still hold periodic rallies that have failed to muster significant crowds. Thaksin did not mention where he was calling from...Maiden foreign trip ends in terror ordeal - Times of India, February 17, 2009
..."While Amarjit and Jasbir were given immigration clearance, the officials started acting funny with me during verification," Paramjit told TOI on Monday. "They said I was Paramjit Singh Panjwar, a KLF terrorist whose entry Bangkok has banned since 1995. I was harassed for about 12 hours because of my namesake. They did not even bother to check my passport or contact the embassy officials in Delhi. It was terrible - they stripped me of my clothes, and dignity..."The ten cheapest countries to holiday - and the ten priciest - Times, February 18, 2009
[Thanks to Chris for pointing this out. Thailand is number 3.]Pictured: The Buddhist temple built using 1.5 million recycled beer bottles - Daily Mail, February 18, 2009
[Thanks to John for pointing this out.]Thailand launches national cocktail to lure tourists - Guardian, February 20, 2009
...Thailand's tourism authority formally rolled out the drink yesterday, grandly styling the concoction "Thailand in a glass: the new punch in Thai tourism..."Teenage backpacker 'died from excitement' in Thailand - Telegraph, February 19, 2009
Katy assault suspect found in Thailand - MyFox Houston, February 19, 2009
A man featured on the FOX 26 Predator Check segment has been found in Thailand one month after another man, also featured on Predator Check, was caught living a secret life in the Southeast Asian country...Film-rating system to take effect in May - The Nation, February 18, 2009
..."The two extra groups are for films that should be promoted on merits of cultures, arts or traditions, and films that should be banned for containing inappropriate content," Teera said...Rolls-Royce delivers first car to Thailand - Autochannel, February 19, 2009
...Dr Nikorn specified his bespoke car to feature a Diamond Black exterior and an interior finished with piano black wood and contrast stitching. Amongst other Bespoke features, the car comes with the award-winning starlight headlining, an optional feature that incorporates 800 fine fiber optics in the ceiling, creating the impression of a star-filled night sky...
[With a great full-sized photo.]Thai military commanders brought an apology letter to Cambodia - KI, February 21, 2009
Severed head - February 24, 2009
Noel points out the closeup photo of the severed head.
Photos of both head and body are here.
Several readers also noted how The Nation repeatedly reported that the head was hung from Rama IX Bridge instead of Rama VIII Bridge.Thaksin running scared as Abhisit picks up more points - The Nation, February 24, 2009
...That's why Dubai prefers to welcome "white" guests, while non-white visitors or tourists are regarded with ill-concealed contempt, including eye-scanning and scolding for those who do not understand the procedure. Workers from the sub-continent have been known to be slapped on the back of the head by irate overzealous civil servants at the airport...Rescue plan for rare Siamese crocs - BBC News, February 23, 2009
...The Siamese was declared extinct in the wild in 1992, and while several population sites have been found in recent years, numbers are still critically low...Urban elephants ply Bangkok streets in search of tourist dollars - AFP, February, 2009
...A report released by wildlife charity TRAFFIC last month revealed that more than 250 live animals had been smuggled from neighbouring Myanmar in the past decade, in contravention of national and international laws.
"Females and juvenile elephants are particularly targeted to supply the demand from the tourism industry in Thailand," said Chris Shepherd, senior programme officer with TRAFFIC...Bangkok rocked by anti-government protests - Radio Netherlands, February 24, 2009
[Is Bangkok really being "rocked"?]British angler lands monster stingray in Thailand - Guardian, February 24, 2009
Catch weighing up to 350kg could be the largest freshwater fish ever caught by rod and line...
[Don't miss the astonishing photo.]KNU colonel released by Thai army - The Irrawaddy, February 25, 2009
Col Ner Dah Mya of the KNU is released on bail by the Thai army, after being charged with possessing illegal weapons and transporting migrants to Thailand...How not to make a political fashion statement in Bangkok - Time, February 26, 2009
...So what's a safe fashion choice in Bangkok these days? Black may be appropriate for ASEAN members mourning the regional casualties of the global financial crisis. For everyone else, it's pink — a hue that gets to the heart of a color conundrum. The Thai King was born on a Monday, but he was born in Massachusetts, which is half a day behind Thailand's time zone. Technically, that means he was actually born on Tuesday Bangkok time, which could mean he should be honored by pink...Travelers cautioned about Bangkok political unrest - Hostelbookers, February, 2009
...Backpackers in Bangkok in particular may be affected by the anti-government demonstrations currently taking place in the capital city...Thai group demands independence - Aljazeera, February 26, 2009
...Speaking to Al Jazeera's Step Vaessen at a location outside Thailand, a senior member of the National Revolutionary Front Co-ordinate (BRN-C) said the group's main aim was "to fight for independence through an armed revolution".
"Our main aim is not war but we are forced into this because without violence Siam [Thailand] will never stop discriminating against the Malay people in the south," he said on condition of anonymity...Thaksin may deliver Hong Kong speech via video-link - The Nation, February 29, 2009
Noppadon: Thaksin cancels HK speech - Bangkok Post, February 28, 2009
Pongthep says Thaksin will not cancel speech in Hong Kong - The Nation, February 28, 2009
US report says illicit Thai drug production has ended - Bangkok Post, February 28, 2009
Thai separatists vow to pursue independence - AlJazeeraEnglish, February 26, 2009
