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HM The King's New Year's card - Khaosod, January 1, 2010
HM King's New Year's card is featured yearly in Thai newspapers.
HRH The Crown Prince's New Year's card - from Matichon, December 30, 2009
The caption reads: HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn royally presents this card on occasion of the New Year 2010 celebration for the press [to present to the public] on December 29, 2009
News and Views - January 2010
1928 - Snapshot of the "King of Siam" at Na Phrathat Road
Another view of this area is here
1930 - Wat Phra Keo with the Mobil gas station at left
1915 - Buddhist monks at tea
(Source: 2Bangkok.com)Violence in the family - January, 2010
The billboard reads: Violence in the family - not a personal case, but the case that the society must understand/care about - If [someone committing violence] is seen - committing violence, please inform - with the concern of the Metropolitan Police HeadquartersStigmatized in the Deep South - January 9, 2010
From an email forwarded from friend living near the Inkayuthaboriharn military camp in Pattani who was accused by the military of being an insurgent:
I do not want to talk about the painful memory any longer because it brings the feeling that I do not want to think about. Talking about it makes me feel the pain every time... I hope that the story that I tell will be one of the solution for state authority... I accept that the operation of the authority as I told is not the state policy to solve the problem and bring peace.
However, I want to raise the question asking high ranked authority and the state policy controller whether they have explored seriously about how operational officials perform their work. Do they follow the declared policy?
Today the word “suspected” was put on my face for the rest of my life [the military questioned him and suspects him of being involved]. Every time that the violent situation occurred in this area, I will be one who was brought into investigation questioning my involvement. I have to live in society with the suspected charge of bombing and shooting despite that I am proved I was not involved in the incident.
I feel that I was put into the new world by the state authority and they indirectly kill me... and the government itself narrows my living space. Today no one dare associate with me like before, merely because I was stigmatized as militant...
(Photo: krebsonsecurity.com)
Would you have spotted the fraud? - krebsonsecurity.com, January, 2010Arisman's comments - January 9, 2010
Several asked about what Arisman's comments were which are referred to in this article: Suthep orders action against Arismant.
As far as we can tell the comments are the public threats to firebomb the houses of EC members if they do not dissolve the Democrat Party. There have also been calls to burn down Privy Councilor Prem's houses in Bangkok, Korat, and Songkhla.
Arisman is a significant Red Shirt as he is one of the few willing to personally lead protest activity on the ground (as opposed to others who threaten and posture on radio and at rallies). Arisman led the charge into the Asean Summit in Pattaya last April.
If Arisman has fled the country as is rumored, this is a boon for the government as it removes a personality who has shown the willingness and ability to lead aggressive protests.
There has been a much higher ratio of talk to action in the last two months and the Thai-language press is beginning to question the Red Shirts's ability to bring numbers together and take real action. Even the rally at the EC on Friday turned out to be a convoy of just 30 taxis.
Compare this to the English-language press which has been breathlessly reporting the Red Shirts' boasts along with scuttlebutt from blogs (for example: Reds ready to rumble in Thailand - Also: The idea that low-level minor military friends of Thaksin could break ranks during a protest and somehow support the Red Shirts is ludicrous).
After so many boasts of large numbers of protesters and a final siege of the government, the pro-Thaksin movement will have to come up with impressive activities soon--perhaps the protest at Surayud's house and then a long march into Bangkok (although land encroachment by an "old ginger" is hardly a strong issue with the public).
(Source: Mafia Wars - Bangkok)
"Meet A Gang's Rep In A Go-Go Bar"
(Source: Mafia Wars - Bangkok)
"Pay Off The Guards At Bangkwang Prison"
(Source: Mafia Wars - Bangkok)
"Move Stolen Art Through Suvarnabhumi Airport"
Mafia Wars Bangkok or Virtual Bangkok? - January 29, 2010
Mafia Wars is proud to unleash its newest city – Bangkok, a city overrun by crime and chaos as two gangs struggle for dominance over turf...
Nils updates: Mafia Wars Bangkok is still delayed...... however, a small number of users have been selected as beta testers and been given access to the first 2 new job tiers. Also, Zynga has released a "Royal White Elephant" limited loot item and "Bangkok Crates" containing some new Asian weapons, armor and vehicles, available to all users for in-game currency.
More at the (very comprehensive) Mafia Wars Wiki, including detailed item lists, job names for the tiers ('Brawler & 'Criminal') plus artwork (as leaked/compiled by users who already have access): Bangkok, Brawler, Criminal, Faction Store, Purchased in Bangkok, Bangkok crate, tuk-tuk, and a nice business: tourist guide scam (right)
(Source: Mafia Wars - Bangkok)
More on Mafia Wars - Bangkok - February 20, 2010
Nils reports: The remaining 4 episodes have now been rolled out (themes & locations in brackets): Pirate (piracy & smuggling, Malaysia/Indonesia) - Commandant (drug trade, Golden Triangle) - Oyabun - (Tokyo) - Dragon Head - (Hong Kong) - Bangkok Boss Contest
Phuket tourists driving turtles away - AsiaOne, January 14, 2010
Historical Thai flags - FOTW, January, 2010
Thailand blames its critics for refugees' fate - Sydney Morning Herald, January 16, 2010
...Mr Abhisit said delays on the part of the proposed resettling countries - Australia, the US, Canada and the Netherlands - had kept the Hmong in detention and, ultimately, was a factor in them being deported...
Cambodian military towns spring up on Thai border - ABC Radio Australia, January 14, 2010
...It's believed a total of 14 new villages will eventually be established at a cost of hundreds of millions of US dollars. A multi-ministerial committee, headed by former Phnom Penh governor and long-time Preah Vihear supporter, Chea Sophara, is driving the development. It's a long-term plan, with land along the heavily-mined border being cleared for new infrastructure to sustain the permanent relocation of soldiers and their families...Police report on Pornthip raises tension in court - Sin Chew Jit Poh, January 7, 2010
...Karpal Singh who represented Teoh's brother Teoh Meng Kee alleged that the police report was made to intimidate and refrain Dr Pornthip from giving evidence of the second post-mortem carried out on Teoh's body recently.
...Karpal said Dr Pornthip needs assurance that she would not be detained by the Immigration when she arrives in the country to give evidence on the second post-mortem...RP offers to buy 370,000 MT Thai rice without duty as compensation gesture - Manila Bulletin, January 7, 2010
Thaksin appalled by Hun Sen's economic knowledge (3) - Khmer Intelligence News, January, 2010
Thailand's former premier Thaksin Shinawatra who has recently been appointed as economic advisor to Cambodia's prime minister Hun Sen is reportedly appalled the latter's poor economic knowledge and stubbornness. When Thaksin asked Hun Sen what measures he has taken to counter the ongoing world economic and financial crisis, Hun Sen was unable to speak clearly. Hun Sen tried to say there was nothing he could do and he had to only wait for the United States and Europe to "resolve their problems." When Thaksin asked him about the size of the economic stimulus package the Cambodian government has adopted, Hun Sen just scratched his head. And when Thaksin asked him about the social safety net the Cambodian government has put in place to protect the population, Hun Sen just asked back, "What is this?"Last one in, again - Bangkok Post, January 7, 2010
...Two weeks after the army announced that terrorists in the South were switching from mobile phones to other types of remote controls to set off their bombs, the military announced it would purchase new, updated and more expensive equipment to jam mobile phones; this time, the jammers come from Japan at a cost of (cough)1.5 million baht (cough) apiece; you should be ashamed for what you're thinking right now, the leaders of the armed forces have absolutely no motive but pure national security and the idea of a kickback on such equipment is hateful thought...With Hmong expulsion, Thai army asserts foreign policy role - The Irrawaddy, January 6, 2010
...Thai analysts are hardly surprised, given the long history of the Thai army calling the shots to determine Bangkok’s foreign policy with neighborhood Laos, Cambodia, Burma and Malaysia. It is rooted in military thinking that was dominant during the Cold War, when Thailand was a strong ally of the United States government’s war in Indochina...
Siamese postman
Circa 1890s
Siamese family
Circa 1890s
Father continues fight for justice in Thailand - Red Deer Advocate, January 7, 2010
...Iovinelli said Uthai originally claimed he fired his gun in self-defence, but at the most recent hearing said instead that he fired his gun accidentally.
“Our concern throughout is how do you accidentally shoot two different people that are far apart from one another?” he said...Thai Market owner finds hate graffiti - Reporter News, January 7, 2010
S Korea to join U.S., Thai-led Cobra Gold exercise in late January - chinaview.cn, January 8, 2010
Cambodia, Thai soldiers enjoy new year's dance near border - Bernama, January 4, 2010
Some 80 Cambodian and Thai soldiers enjoyed a New Year's dance last weekend, a festivity that helped the two sides of armed forces to know each other and exchange gifts...Witness disappears in police torture case - Bangkok Post, January 1, 2010
...Abduloh Abukharee vanished on Dec 11 from a witness protection programme where he had been placed after being called as a key witness in a case involving local police accused of torturing insurgency suspects in the South...Lost decade' generation finds new life in Thailand - Asahi Shimbun, January 1, 2010
..."To me, Japan was a country where no matter how hard I worked, I never felt rewarded," said a 37-year-old Tokyoite who asked to be identified as Daisuke Kawasaki.
Kawasaki, a frequent visitor to the area, is among the generation that suffered through Japan's "lost decade" after the collapse of the asset-inflated economy in the 1990s...
From Komchadluek, January 13, 2010
The headline reads: Glut of reds at the Khao Yai Thieng Mountain - Privy Councilor discusses ways to handle - Surayud insists will not resign - Surayud seeks way to go down from Khao Yai Thieng, p. 15
From Komchadluek, January 13, 2010
Top (in red): Gen Surayud’s house
Top left: Channel 7’s signal booth
Top right: EGAT’s reservoir [Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand]
Middle left: Channel 3, 9 [MCOT] signal station
Middle right: Police authority’s safety front
Middle right (in red): Red shirts’ stage
Bottom middle (building with red roof): Police weapon checkpoint
Bottom left: Nakorn Ratchaseema Provincial police’s Klongphai Safety Operational Center
Bottom right: Ban Khao Yai Thieng village, Moo 6
Bottom left (road): To Nakorn Ratchaseema
Bottom middle (road): Mitraparb Road
Bottom right (road): Bangkok
(Photo: Kewalin)
Photos from Sunday's Silom Festival - January 17, 2010
(Photo: Kewalin)
(Photo: Kewalin)Senior Chinese legislator meets Thai guest - People's Daily, January 10, 2010
Zhou Tienong, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, met in Beijing with a delegation of the National Assembly of Thailand on Monday. The delegation was led by Chai Chidchob, president of the National Assembly and speaker of the House of Representatives...Thai Naval Battle Memorial Day - paknamphotos.com, January 17, 2010
On Sunday 17th January 2010, Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Kamthorn Pumhiran presided over the wreath-laying ceremony and the merit making ceremony in front of HTMS Thonburi at the Royal Thai Naval Academy in Samut Prakan. Today marks the 69th anniversary of the battle with the French on 17th January 1941 near the island of Koh Chang...A shelter for Bangkok's homeless - Bangkok Post, January 17, 2010
Sanam Luang's 300 residents will soon have to move...Good news for Thai solar industry - renewableenergymagazine.com, January 28, 2010
Plans to build one of the world's largest ever photovoltaic (PV) solar farms near Bangkok (Thailand) has boosted the Thai government's efforts to accelerate the development of a national PV market...
[Thanks to Marc for pointing this out.]Reveal secret dealings with Thaksin Shinawatra – Amarasinghe challenges Rajapakse - lankatruth.com, January 20, 2010
Honouring the memory of the master planner of Bangkok - Bangkok Post, January 16, 2010
Last week Bangkok, Thailand and the world lost a truly remarkable citizen. Former Bangkok governor (1992-1996) Krisda Arunvongse na Ayudhya died of coronary artery disease at Siriraj Hospital on Tuesday at the age of 78. Krisda was better known for his endeavours outside politics, but in his years of public service he provided an example that we can only hope will be emulated more in future years...“Mew” Lalita – latest presenter of Protex soap – urges Thai families to stay protected from harmful bacteria - Thai PR.net, January 19, 2010
[Just an amusing headline.]Bird spotted just twice in 139 years found breeding in northeastern Afghanistan - Treehugger, January 15, 2010
The warbler—called the "world's least-known bird species"—was first spotted in India in 1867 and wasn't seen again until a sighting was made in Thailand in 2006...
Also: More in-depth information about the birdMSU to join hands with Thai univ - Times of India, January 16, 2010
...Students, researchers and teachers of M S University can now look forward to enrolling for academic, research and joint degree programmes at Thammasat University...P. Penh returns CATS to Thai owners - Bangkok Post, January 11, 2010
Fugitive treaty with Thailand is near - The National, January 10, 2010
...UAE and Thai officials are expected to sign an extradition treaty on Wednesday, a deal that Thailand hopes will lead to the UAE handing over the former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who is reported to be living in Dubai...
Rubber Duckzilla - Official Ninetendo Magazine UK, January, 2010
Rubber Duckzilla destroying Chamchuri Square (Google Earth Placemark). Full photo here and another version here. Apparently it has something to do with an advert for cola and a promotional online game.Thai backpackers top insurance list - UKPA, January, 2010
...Claims following Thailand visits account for 22% of all backpackers' claims, according to InsureandGo...The walk of austerity - The Star, January 8, 2010
Commonly practised in Thailand, Burma, Cambodia, Laos and Sri Lanka, Theravada Buddhism is sometimes called the Forest Tradition...2 men indicted in California for ivory smuggling - Washington Post, January 19, 2010
Thailand may ban off season rice crops - Commodity Online, January 19, 2010
Thailand said it is looking at banning off-season rice farming after a campaign to discourage farmers from planting a second or third crop failed to meet its target.
The government wants to limit the amount of rice being grown because of the fear of a looming water crisis...
[Thanks to Mud for pointing this out.]"A Teaching Job In Thailand Guaranteed After Just 40 Hours Online TEFL Training" - 24-7pressrelease.com, January 19, 2010
[Thanks to Mud for pointing this out.]Thaksin lands in Cambodia - Straits Times, January 20, 2010
Thaksin warns of 'country in flames' - Bangkok Post, January 20, 2010
Surayud ordered to give up contested plot of land - The Nation, January 21, 2010
Security beefed up for Anupong - Bangkok Post, January 21, 2010Killer phone number a hoax - TAN, January 21, 2010
...False rumors have surfaced in various provinces that one can die from picking up a phone call from unknown numbers, particularly those that start with 083 and end with 3366.
Authorities have proved that this bizarre rumor is a hoax...Winery scam - Sonoma Index-Tribune, January 21, 2010
As some of you may have, I received an e-mail purportedly from one "Anna Maldonado" who identifies herself as "an American" and whose e-mail address appears to be an Italian hosting site called Katamail.com . She says she lives and works in Bangkok, Thailand, and that "when I was around last time I got a bottle of one of your wines from a friend as a gift and I love...Thai poachers turn funghi farmers in bid to save forests - AFP, January 21, 2010
Nuan Muangchan began to illegally log rosewood as a teenager, creeping at night into Thailand's largest national park and hiding from animals and rangers to smuggle out her loot...Current safety documents and investigation reports for download - report of One-Two-Go crash landing at Phuket, Thailand - InvestigateUdom, January, 2010
Many files and movies, also flight data recorder lasting 5 minutes...
Website main page: "Investigate Thailand's Udom Tantiprasongchai"
JACDEC´s airliner safety statistics: Airlines - jacdec.de, January, 2010
[Thai is 0.58.]
[Thanks to Mud for pointing these out.]Human Rights Watch World Report: 2010 - Thailand - HRW, January 23, 2010
Tata Young: "I'm not sexy at all" - The Jakarta Post, January 24, 2010
[Thanks to Mud for pointing this out.]D’Brass: Seeking a fresh beginning in the strange land called Texas - Star Telegram, January 24, 2010
...Nayhai, 22, told me his story. While living in an UNHCR camp, he swam across a narrow river that demarcates Thailand from Myanmar with the intention to catch fish. When he lay down on river bank to dry off, one of the thousands of mines planted by the dreaded Tatmadaw (army regulars) blew up under him, tearing off both his hands and shattering his right eye.
He is illiterate, even in his native tongue. Yet he wants to work and seeks no charity...Bulgaria - Europe's third-biggest exporter of prostitutes - novinite.com, January 24, 2010
...The report assessed that about two fifths of Britain’s estimated 80,000 prostitutes were migrants, most commonly from Lithuania, Thailand and Poland...
[Thanks to Mud for pointing this out.]Fight is on for villagers to control natural resources - Bangkok Post, January 24, 2010
The scramble for dwindling natural resources is growing worldwide and fuelling armed conflicts. Bamrung Boonpanya, an activist who has been working to empower people in the Northeast for over 30 years, points to ways for villagers to defend themselves and their resources...
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)Stop - January 30, 2010
The billboard reads: Stop hurting Thailand by using violence
Schoolie returns home from Thai jail - Sky News Australia, January 23, 2010
A Sydney teenager has arrived home after spending two nights in a Thai jail during a schoolies trip...North Korean arms were headed to Iran, Thailand report says - Bloomberg, January 30, 2010
...A copy of the report, obtained from diplomats whose governments hold Security Council seats, said the 40-ton cargo’s destination was Airport Mahrabad in Tehran. It says the plane departed from the North Korean capital of Pyongyang and that the shipper was the Korea Mechanical Industry Co...Tangled Thai: Bangkok’s red tape slows the rebound - Break Bulk, Janaury 25, 2010
...For example, for two years the country’s constitution has required new projects to undergo environmental impact assessments. However, said Rainer Roessler, BDP Project Logistics’ Thailand-based general manager, no rules were laid out about how to go about getting these assessments done, so the permitting process bogged down...Kai Look Koie: Son-in-Law Eggs (Thailand) - NY Daily News, January 24, 2010
[Thanks to Mud for pointing this out.]Now that's a slam trunk! Meet Toktak, the elephant who plays basketball - Daily Mail, January 23, 2010
[Thanks to Marc for pointing this out.]
[When we started 2Bangkok in the late 1990s, most international articles on Thailand had to do with elephants or monkeys.]The museum for the study of money - Bangkok Post, January 24, 2010
...A letter of permission is required before visiting...
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)Crosswalk - January 30, 2010
From a sign in Chinatown:
Drivers and passengers’ notification
1. Not crossing at the crosswalk will face up to a 200 baht fine.
2. Car drivers and motorcycle riders who do not slow or stop at the crosswalk for passerby will face up to 500 baht fine penalty.
Beginning from August 1st, 2009
(This is the project of strict traffic discipline campaign to promote crosswalk users to lessen accident risk and promote good concern for following traffic rules.)
Traffic Work, Plabplachai 2 Police station - 02-221-5494
- Right - Ratchawongse Road - Left Ratchawongse Intersection
- Left - Wat Tuek Intersection - Phra Pok Klao Bridge
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
More Edith Clampton & Readers' Responses - thai-blogs.com, January 20, 2010
Earlier: The legendary Edith Clampton - thai-blogs, January 18, 2010
[Includes some great examples of her letters.]
...She was highly ‘controversial’ because a large minority of the Post Bag readers actually took her letters seriously, including embassy officials and big corporation heads. At the end of the day, what made Edith’s letters so classic were probably the incredibly serious replies which often bombarded the sub-editors desk in batches...Capturing Maj. Gen. Kattiya Sawasdiphol - January 22, 2010
The news Thursday night is about the raid on Maj. Gen. Kattiya Sawasdiphol's driver's house that netted war weapons--allegedly related to the grenade attack on Army Headquarters that only came to light in the press today. For now, there are Thai-languages articles on the raid here, here, here, and hereBangkok visit - Manila Bulletin, January 25, 2010
[Thais and resident foreigners are often surprised to hear how people of neighboring countries see Thailand as an example of an efficient and well-run country. This is particularly true of Indians and Filipinos.]
...The impressive ultra-modern network of skyways has successfully alleviated Bangkok traffic. Notably, there are only a few advertising tarpaulins on these structures. Moreover, Bangkok has retained a “garden city” look as all its 25 parks, main traffic islands, spaces under skyways are well-tended green areas bursting with flowers and decorative plants endemic to Thailand. Many of these botanical marvels are also found in the Philippines but are somewhat ignored.
The common denominator of Asian countries with progressive economies is love of country which means that their movers and shakers have a sense of nation that compel them to uphold national interests. Most Thai leaders are guided by love of country like the Governor of Bangkok, M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra, who was a former MP and concurrently head of the BMA; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Kasit Piromya, and the various project directors like Dr. Royol Chitadon, director of the Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute...Thai Airways launches cultural overhaul - Thailandnews.net, January 25, 2010
...Abusing perks is arguably the tip of the iceberg at Thai Airways.
Corruption and collusion with politicians in purchases of everything from airplanes to seat cushions was the norm in the past, insiders said.
"Every time there is a purchase, there is some trick involved because there is always some politician involved," said one Thai Airways manager who asked to remain anonymous.
Under the premiership of Thaksin Shinawatra from 2001 to 2006, interference in purchases by the board of directors, which is appointed by the government, reached new heights, Piyasvasti said.
"About five years ago, the board became so active that management simply stopped managing the company, and that started a rapid decline in Thai Airways," Piyasvasti said...Images of Siamese dance from the past - YouTube, January, 2010
Cambodian PM says Thai government won't survive - Reuters, January 12, 2010
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said indicated on Tuesday that relations with neighbouring Thailand remained tense and said "it won't be long" before a change of government in Bangkok...
(Photo: Nils)
Pink piglet-shaped salapao - January 20, 2010
Nils notes: Snapped at my local 7Eleven: Big Pao Minced Pork with Carrot and Crab Stick
(Source: Historical photo)
Circa 1890s - Siam princess and princesses in a palace pond
(Source: Historical photo)
Circa 1890s - Siam princes and princesses playing tug of war
(Source: Vintage postcard)1905 - Bangkok street scene
