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Hua Hin - March 1, 2009
Old postcards from the 2Bangkok collection
How to plan a successful jailbreak - BBC News, March 1, 2009
...But we have to bear in mind that most of the people in there were abandoned people. People who'd lost hope in a lot of their lives and had very few friends left...Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand support call for global currency - Bloomberg, March, 2009
China’s call for a global reserve currency to take the place of the dollar has won the support of central bank chiefs in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, who argue it would help curb volatility and foster trade...Thai pirate murder - the aftermath - Sail World, March, 2009
The ragged teenagers who bludgeoned a cruising sailor to death in Thailand may never be tried, and British sailors with the dream of sailing the world are thinking again...Burmese rock fans arrested in Bangkok - The Irrawaddy, March 31, 2009
More than 400 Burmese illegal migrants were arrested by Thai immigration authorities as they tried to attend a concert in Bangkok by the Burmese rock band Iron Cross...Why Bangkok cops nearly arrested Krista - Philippine Star, March 2, 2009
...While filming some scenes for Marino near a temple last week in Bangkok, Krista Ranillo was surprised when a cop nearly arrested her. It turned out that Krista was in a sexy dress and it was not allowed in that area. The cop didn’t know that a shooting was in progress because the camera was hardly visible...End of an era for Bangkok's Oriental Hotel - The Associated Press, March 4, 2009
Kurt Wachtveitl, the general manager at Bangkok's famed Oriental hotel for more than four decades, announced his retirement at a dinner he was hosting for the wine critic Robert Parker...Under the skin: Thailand's tattoo festival - The Guardian, March, 2009
[Thanks to Jon for pointing this out.]Thailand: Alleged arms smuggler calls Thai trial 'theater' - AP, March 5, 2009
...Dressed in an orange prison uniform, Bout yelled at guards who tried to quiet him at several points during a 10-minute exchange with reporters in French, English and Russian.
"Enough! You've had one year!" he snapped at a guard. "You can't deprive me of my freedom of speech..."Q&A: Thailand's former PM Thaksin Shinawatra - Time, March, 2009
...Last time you spoke with TIME in January 2007, you said you were finished with politics and that you would retire. What changed?
[My political opponents] have been bullying me politically nonstop since then. I already declared that I wanted to retire. I wanted to spend my life with my family. But they were bullying me. The rule of law is not there [in Thailand]. The democratic process is not there. That is too much. All of my supporters urged me: 'you have to come and fight back politically.' They want [Thailand] to come back to a mature democracy...
From Not the Nation: Thaksin raising army of orcs
..."This is nor ordinary army,” explained army chief Anupong Paojinda. “These U-rak-thai do not fear sunlight or the seniority of puu yai. They cannot be placated by Buddhist abstractions about karma, or by casting spells of nationalism. Even our royalist amnesia weapons have no effect on them. In other words, they are not human. Or at least not Thai.”
...Privy Council head Prem Tinsulanonda has been entrusted with the defense of Dusit and the residence of His Majesty. Appearing for a press conference on the Makkawan Bridge, Prem, dressed in a long white robe and sporting a newly grown white beard, explained his strategy by raising his gnarled wooden walking staff and pounding it into the pavement. “They shall not pass!” he exclaimed, as the bridge cracked beneath his feet. Two reporters from Channel 7 and one from Al-Jazeera were injured when the bridge collapsed into the klong.
No Thaksin blog post? - March 6, 2009
We also note Thaksin has missed his monthly blog post which came out on the 6th of each month like clockwork.
Earlier: Thaksin's latest blog entry - buildingbetterfuture.org, February 6, 2009
From his secret location, Thaksin releases his second blog entry: Literacy is key to competing in a rapidly changing world
So far these rather generalized articles seem to be coming out on the 6th of each month.THAILAND: Swiss TV reporter Christoph Müller arrested, later released but not allowed to leave country - RSF/IFEX, March 5, 2009
...The authorities have not told Müller exactly why he was arrested but it appears to be the result of a 2006 complaint about a 2002 report by Müller on a bogus Swiss doctor based in Thailand who was raising funds for a suspect charity...Bangkok in Black and White - cysewski.com, March, 2009
Ancient Hindu sun god bead stolen from Thai museum - Thailandnews.net, March 6, 2009
An ancient bead featuring the Hindu sun god Surya Dev was stolen while on display at Thailand's National Discovery Museum Institute...Guinea Bissau: The Thai link in killings - AllAfrica.com, March, 2009
...It is, perhaps, no coincidence that the bomb is being linked to Thailand. The Southeast Asian country has become a major hub for the production and shipment of hard drugs, especially cocaine...Excerpts from Dubai interview with Thaksin Shinawatra - FEER, March 6, 2009
...You talk about this reconciliation. What shape would that take? For example, what about a government of national reconciliation? Is that something you could support?
I think it depends on both sides. If it were to be national reconciliation government it means that there would be no opposition. When there’s no opposition it is not good for democracy. But sometimes you need it for a short period of time to amend the constitution. This constitution is not working for Thailand. It’s really the product of the military junta, so it’s not going to work for Thailand, and the political process must be reformed to improve to a more mature democracy...Shinawatra-less Manchester City pull out of Thailand - Goal.com, March, 2009
Manchester City had high hopes of becoming 'Asia's Premier League team' when former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra took over the club, but a domestic scandal and severe legal trouble forced him to sell to the Abu Dhabi-based ADUG firm...Briton faces up to two years in Thai jail after 'passport mix-up' - Guardian, March, 2009
A British man holidaying in Thailand claimed he was beaten, handcuffed and jailed after Foreign Office diplomats mistakenly told Phuket immigration officials he was travelling on a false passport...Monkeys show young how to floss - Herald Sun, March 11, 2009
Thai monkeys have been observed showing their young how to floss - proof that primates teach offspring to use tools, a Japanese researcher says...Thieves targeting outbound passengers at Bangkok airport - Car Rentals, March, 2009
Kiss Thailand's tolerance for gays goodbye - CounterPunch, March 9, 2009
...Two days before the event, warnings had already circulated in the area telling tourists to stay away from the planned parade route. In addition, for several days local radio stations controlled by the Thaksin clique urged its followers to disrupt the event. The logistical complexity of the disruption, which also included a fleet of sound trucks blaring homophobic epithets and threats of violence, indicated a significant level of planning and financing...Passover travel warnings issued for Sinai, Turkey, Thailand - Ynetnews, March 9, 2009
Bureau calls on Israelis not to visit Sinai, issues terrorism warnings for Turkey, Thailand - Just before the Passover holiday, the Counter Terrorism Bureau...
A day later this article's title was changed to Passover travel warnings issued for Sinai and the Thai mention in the subheading was gone.
Another article that references the original Thai warning: Pessah warning: Stay away from Sinai - jpost, March 9, 2009
...It also warned against visiting northern Nigeria, several spots in Thailand and the Malaysian border, and said there was a "basic concrete threat" on the Kenyan coast.
Regarding Turkey, the Philippines, Thailand and Uzbekistan, the National Security Council said there were risks of "chance terror attacks" and advised Israelis there to take special precautions.Preah Vihear temple has access roads from all directions - KI, March 12, 2009
Chinese dissident lawyer's family defects - The Nation, March 12, 2009
...The wife and children of a top civil rights lawyer under close surveillance by the Chinese authorities have arrived in the United States after walking across the border to Thailand, Gao Zhisheng’s wife Geng He said.
Geng said her daughter, 15, and son, 5, had suffered “great hardship” in China from living under virtual house arrest in their Beijing home...Repentant thief sends back Sun God bead - The Nation, March 13, 2009
Tagines, hookahs in Bangkok's "hidden" Arab quarter - Reuters, March, 2009
Old Bangkok - March 16, 2009
Other views: Ratchadamneon--then and now
Also: Phan Phiphop Lila Bridge over the years
The charmer making a mess of his country - Times Online, March, 2009
[Thanks to nils for pointing this out. He also mentioned this article was mentioned on Thai TV.]Ning is happy with new life down on the farm - Berwickshire Today, March 16, 2009
A Thai trainee farm worker has been uniquely rewarded for his hard work and enthusiasm - by having the first spring calf of the year named after him...
Dwelling house at Klong Rangsit - March 17, 2009
From an undated postcard.
(Source: undated photo)Princesses of Siam - March 18, 2009
A handwritten caption written in Thai on the back reads: The photograph shows the princesses of Siam, who were daughters of King Rama V the Great.
Names of princesses from front line to rear [all the names were recorded in abbreviation followed the names royally given to the princesses by King Rama V- all the princesses were titleholders] 1. Sujitra 2. Adisai 3. Hem 4. Wapee 5. Sutathip 6. Walai 7. Chandra 8. Nipanoppadon 9. Malineenopdara 10. Ornpraphan 11. Jutarat 12. Worrarak 13. Beatrixpatra 14. Yaowaman 15. Chareonsri 16. Prapapanpilai 17. Atcharaphan 18. Yaowapa 19. Artorn 20. Pravesworasamai 21. SasipongChinese journalist stranded in Thailand - Radio Free Asia, March, 2009
...Zeng said unidentified men had paid him visits beginning Jan. 7 and tried to intimidate him.
“This made me think that perhaps the Chinese government was putting pressure on the UNHCR in Thailand, and causing problems for my asylum application.”
“On Jan. 7 I got a threatening phone call. The caller said I would have to suffer the consequences if I wrote articles criticizing China,” Zeng said.
“The second incident happened one evening when I went out for a walk. I had just got to a bridge at the mouth of the alleyway where I was living, and two small vans drove recklessly towards me, brushing past me very close. Why didn’t they use headlights? It was already dark,” he said.
“The third incident was in the last few days. Somebody started banging on my door in the middle of the night. I asked who it was, but there was no reply...”Spring break Thailand, worst ever - Examiner, March, 2009
...“The scariest part about Bangkok was not the taxi driver getting me a hooker,” said Luke. “It was how drunk this other guy got me in the bar, and me jumping out of the tuk-tuk on the way back to his apartment...”
(Source: AP wire photo)U.S. Embassy in 1951 - March 19, 2009
Caption on the back of this photo from 1951 reads: June 30 - U.S Embassy which was hit in fighting in Bangkok - This is the U.S. Embassy in bangkok, Thailand, which was hit four times during an artillery duel between army and navy forces in Bangkok's streets today. Shells ripped through the building as navy and marine forces fought what appeared to be a losing battle to set up a rebel government replacing kidnapped Premier Pibulsonggram. (AP wire photo)Police view seriously Thailand's allegation about Kelantan - Bernama, March 18, 2009
Malaysian police are taking seriously Thailand's allegation that Kelantan is a transit point for drugs distribution in Malaysia and say the matter had to be tackled urgently...
Old postcard - March 18, 2009
Captions read: Phya Thai Palace, Bangkok - Bedroom Suite de Luxe, Under the management of the Royal State Railways of SiamThai soldiers lay barbed wires deep inside Khmer territory - KI, March 19, 2009
‘Merchant of Death’ or simple tango lover? - New York Times, March, 2009
...Last week a Bangkok newspaper, The Nation, reported that the judge, Jitakorn Patanasiri, “half-jokingly said he would be denied a visa to either the United States or Russia following the verdict.” The Nation said the judge told a Thai prosecutor: “I am in a tough position. Bilateral ties with Russia and the United States could be at stake...”
Siamese women - March 23, 2009
Above: Undated postcard
Below: Postcard from 1899
Elderly fraudsters jailed for scam sale of Thai royal family's former land - Telegraph, March 17, 2009
Too-tiny turtles from Thailand seized at DIA - Longmont Daily Times-Call, March 20, 2009
Four elderly men have been jailed over an £8 million scam involving the sale of a plot of land that was formerly the home of the King and Queen of Thailand...
Billionaire Candy brothers were duped by con men - Telegraph, March 21, 2009
Nick and Christian Candy, the renowned billionaire property entrepreneurs, have been the victims of four elderly con men who forged paperwork...
[Thanks to Chris for pointing this out.]
A Denver-area aquarium shop and pet store illegally imported the turtles from Thailand...Your Holiness, meet the Condom King - Dothan Eagle, March, 2009
...Mechai should request an audience with Pope Benedict XVI. It would promise to be an enlightening evening.
In a visit to Africa this week, the pope took a position against condom use as a tool in AIDS prevention. “You can’t resolve it with condoms,” the pope said. “On the contrary, it increases the problem.”
Mechai would take issue with that, and would have reams of data to support his position...Reasoned, intelligent debate? No way - Bangkok Post, March 22, 2009
Swear words, derisive phrases and sarcasm abounded, along with near brawls, challenges to swear oaths at Buddhist temples and Puea Thai MP Surachet Chaikosol raising his middle finger to Puea Pandin MP Ron Rithichai. The following is a list of the abuse that Thailand's democratically elected representatives hurled at each other for two days...
(Source: 1950 postcard)Ratchadamneorn in 1950 - March 24, 2009
Earlier: Ratchadamneon--then and nowUgandan ivory seized in Thailand - New Vision, March, 2009
A tonne of Ugandan ivory has been impounded in Bangkok, Thailand, the biggest seizure of illegal animal products from the country in recent times...'Gift' lands man in Bangkok lock-up - The New Straits Times, March 26, 2009
...After much persuasion from embassy officials and family members, the police gave him two options -- either seek a lawyer to fight his case or pay an "administration fee" of 150,000 baht.
"The police officer who recorded the statement assured them it was legal.
"We left the matter to the family to decide, and they finally agreed to pay after the amount was reduced to 100,000 baht," he said.
The official dismissed reports in some blogs that claimed the money was divided by several policemen in their presence, adding that the pensioner was taken to the court on the third day where he pleaded "guilty without intention" and was asked to pay a nominal fee of 2,000 baht...Burma key to Thailand’s drug problem: SSA-S - The Irrawaddy, March 26, 2009
Thai police misreport finding U.K. tourist's remains in sea - Bloomberg, March 27, 2009
Thai police said they received a false report that the body of a U.K. tourist murdered with a hammer three days ago was found in the Andaman Sea near an island where he and his wife had stopped during a boating trip...
