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2BANGKOK.COM'S NEWS AND VIEWS
JANUARY 2005
Missing TNA article - January 28, 2005
TNA sometimes posts articles, then, within hours, they disappear. Usually this happens when the article is about a sensitive subject or the facts are clearly wrong. We notice that this article appeared and has since vanished:
Publication of HM King's speech for political aims considered - TNA/MCOT - January 27, 2005
The publication of His Majesty the King's advice and speech on stickers for political purposes are illegal, the Royal Thai Police has...
This story was in the Thai press on Wednesday (at that time Democrat Banyat defended the stickers):
Manager, January 26, 2005 - The police send a package of election stickers containing HM The King's speech to the Election Commission to consider. The stickers were made by an MP candidate.
And in this article Democrat leader Banyat is allowed to fully give his defense of the stickers: CSD seizes controversial Democrat stickers - The Nation, January 27, 2005
Today The Nation covered it again, this time playing up the frame-up angle being promoted by Democrat deputy leader Abhisit (Abhisit is a political rival of Banyat):
ELECTION COUNTDOWN: Democrats cry frame-up - The Nation, January 28, 2005
Senior Democrat figures yesterday insisted the party had nothing to do with stickers bearing quotes by Their Majesties the King and Queen seized near a party office on Monday night...
An earlier vanished article on TNA is the December 28 tsunami article PM expects all bodies to be recovered today.
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)Suzuki campaign - January 29, 2005
Above: Do not enjoy. Action brings back life (liveliness).
The ad shows people crashing into warning signs such as the one above. There are are also versions that say "Do not smile" and "Do not run." We think this means that one should not follow prohibitions against having fun and that people should enjoy themselves instead (presumably while riding Suzuki motorcycles). A teaser for this campaign is here. If anyone has any other interpretations of this, post on this thread.
(Photo: Wit Pimkanchanapong)'Thailand/thailand' - January 29, 2005
Left: Another cool project from artist Wit: Thailand/Thailand is a reconstructed map of Thailand that relocate 76 provinces shape of Thailand in order to fit the proportion space as much as the size of 80x200 cm...
Thai prime minister confirms reports of leadership tensions in neighboring Myanmar - AP, January 28, 2005
From Thursday: Rumors of bizarre gun battle in Rangoon - The Irrawaddy, January 27, 2005
In the absence of a free press, Rangoon's rumor mill is hyper-active even in quiet times. But in recent days it has bordered on the bizarre, with reports of a gun battle among the Burmese military regime's top three leaders. Adding fuel has been the mysterious public disappearance of one of them...
From Monday: Officer’s death sparks rumors in Rangoon - The Irrawaddy, January 24, 2005
The funeral of a Burmese army officer occurred on Sunday amid rumors of a planned shake-up in the country’s military command structure...
Poor show power from the streets of Thailand - The Irrawaddy, January 24, 2005
Article about the Assembly of the Poor...
Dog rides motorcycle - January 25, 2005
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)New year gifts for police - January 6, 2005
At this time of year local traffic police accept new year gifts from motorists. Usually is it whiskey, cookies, or envelopes with money. The neighborhood police stand in the middle of the road directing traffic during the morning and evening rush hours saluting motorists and accepting gifts. They put the gifts in piles by the side of the road (above, in front of some election posters) or on their motorcycles (left). While some people frown on this and there is no obligation to give, many cheerfully give to ensure the police will remember their neighborliness if they ever need police intervention.
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)Welcoming foreign dignitaries - January 24, 2005
Above and below: On Lan Luang Road some of the most elaborate decorations we have seen to welcome foreign dignitaries--in this case Singapore President Nathan and his wife.
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE: Will 2005 be Thailand’s annus horribilis? - The Nation, January 24, 2005
Latest tough editorial from The Nation: ...While critics repeatedly blame the opposition’s inertia, they forget that in 2001-2004 the government has maximised every means, formal and informal, within its reach to eviscerate dissident voices and activities. Mass media and civil-society organisations that used to speak up against abuses of power have now been snuffed out by the government...
Luang Phor Kitti dies, aged 69 - Bangkok Post, January 22, 2005
Senior monk Luang Phor Kitti Vhudto, who sparked controversy when he condoned the killing of communists, died of sudden heart failure in a Chon Buri hospital yesterday. He was 69...
Lessons from Thailand's schools - BBC, January 22, 2005
Peter Leonard writes: Just wanted to say that one reason I sent that story on to you is that it's nice to see Thailand receive some positive press. Spending time over here and listening to people talk about Thailand after the Tsunami is shocking at times. This story helps balance things a little I feel.
Chinese military training - January 22, 2005
From Tian.cc: During a military news segment of Chinese Central Television's broadcast, it showed soldiers of Chinese army are been trained to be gaming geeks by playing bootlegged copies of Counter Strike, a popular first-person shooting video game.
Thai embassy opens polling booths in Qatar - The Peninsula, January 22, 2005Concrete posts touted as latest tourist attraction - TNA, January 20, 2005
...According to Mukdahan Governor Phairat Sakonphan, the posts in the Mekong River in Wan Yai district were constructed by French army engineers in 1893 when Laos was still a French colony, as a means of showing safe navigation routes...
No Gloom, only Boom for Thailand: Dr Doom - Business Day, January 20, 2005
...Maverick Marc Faber, author of the Gloom, Doom and Boom report, in comments to Business Day said that the Thai stock market valuations are “very reasonable”; while megabank JP Morgan recommended in a report that investors should buy the baht against the Singapore dollar on optimism about sustained economic growth in Thailand...
More photos from Hong Kong: Bastard Chairs - January 20, 2005
Earlier: Lost Laundry and Architecture of Density
Advice from the city of Yangon - January 17, 2005
The Pubic Relations and Information Department of the City of Yangon has advice for tourists. Besides the general travel's advice that is similar to that for Thailand (also interesting is Don't stamp on Monk's shadow) there is this advice on dealing with Officialdom: ACCEPT THAT THE BUREAUCRAT IS RIGHT
He knows more about the matter at hand that you do. He'd been doing it. He knows how it is to be done and not done. He knows what is allowed and not allowed. For every argument of yours he has one to better it. Don't argue. There is a maxim: 'The bureaucrat is always right especially when he is wrong.' Accept it.
OBSERVE REGULATIONS
One course to follow to get out of the way of the bureaucrat is to observe the regulations however irksome or irrational. If you don't know what they mean, ask him. He might be pleased. On the other hand, he might be irritated. You can't win. You see what I mean?
Crane collapse - The Nation, January 15, 2005
The massive arms of a crane being used to build a bridge over the Chao Phya River in Samut Prakan crashed to the earth with a roar on Thursday night, causing Bt5 million in damage – but injuring no one... More on the Mega-bridge construction
Phuket Vignettes - January 17, 2005
Hey, my name is Steve Rosse and I used to write a column in The Nation about Phuket. I've just published a book of short stories about the island and I'm donating 25% of my profits to tsunami relief on the island.
Fake Thai Disneyland - Dreamworld - miceage, January 17, 2005
Via BoingBoing: Check out this four-part photo-essay of a fake Disneyland in Thailand, complete with counterfeit Mickey Mouse gift-shop, Space Mountain and Fantasyland.
CIA report about the future - January 17, 2005
Every 5 years, the CIA makes a forecast of the next 15 years. The latest report is full of rather obvious predictions about China and India becoming economic and political powers. Considering the inaccurate intelligence provided by the CIA in recent years--especially in understanding trends--it will be interesting to look back in a few years and see what was missed. Below are the scant references in the report to Thailand:
(p. 15) This revival has been accompanied by a deepening solidarity among Muslims caught up in national or regional separatist struggles, such as Palestine, Chechnya, Iraq, Kashmir, Mindanao, and southern Thailand, and has emerged in response to government repression, corruption, and ineffectiveness. Informal networks of charitable foundations, madrassas, hawalas, and other mechanisms will continue to proliferate and be exploited by radical elements; alienation among unemployed youths will swell the ranks of those vulnerable to terrorist recruitment.
(p. 51) As India’s economy grows, governments in Southeast Asia—Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and other countries—may move closer to India to help build a potential geopolitical counterweight to China. At the same time, India will seek to strengthen its ties with countries in the region without excluding China.
(p. 93) This revival has been accompanied by a deepening solidarity among Muslims caught up in national or regional separatist struggles, such as Palestine, Chechnya, Iraq, Kashmir, Mindanao, or southern Thailand and has emerged in response to government repression, corruption, and ineffectiveness.
Asian chewing habit linked to oral cancer - Science News, January 15, 2005
Several hundred million people today practice the ancient custom of chewing betel. In south Asia, where the habit is most prevalent, the signs are hard to miss...
Brisk! - January 16, 2005
Bangkok is overcast and rainy. Everyone is commenting on how unusual this brisk and dreary weather is. Check the The 2Bangkok cam for a view of Bangkok.
Find your house - January 15, 2005
Space View from Sisea is a must-have for any 2Bangkok.com reader. It has the entire extended Bangkok area in a map book composed of satellite photos. You will be able to find your house in this book! It is 1800 baht from Chula Book Center or contact Sisea and tell them 2Bangkok.com sent you. We were told 5000 copies were printed and less than 1000 are left.
We wonder how satellite image companies can continue charging high prices for these images if they are so readily available in book form. However, it may also create a new market as almost everyone who sees this fascinating book wants a copy regardless if they have a particular reason for needing satellite photos.
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)Police campaign to 'discredit' Porntip - Bangkok Post, January 14, 2005
...Dr Porntip played a key role in amending the criminal procedural law to allow prosecutors, doctors and local administration officials to take part in autopsies of suspects who died in police custody.
"That made most police feel as though they were the bad guys,'' one analyst said...
Condolences sign - January 14, 2005
The sign (left) reads: Very deep condolence to those who were killed and injured in the tsunami in the six provinces in southern Thailand.
This sign is located at the heavily traveled Skytrain-Subway junction at Sukumvit. Although the sign is from MRTA, it is placed just within the Skytrain entrance.
Peace Art Project Cambodia - January 14, 2005
Comparing Thai script with Kmer, Thai Lue, and Brahmi - OALIT, December 12, 2004
Political parties meet with Labour - January 13, 2005
[A major labour conference will be held this weekend. Here is the schedule translated from Thai.]
Political Parties meet with labours/Labour policy and the general election of 2005
Sunday, January 16, 2005 in the small hall of Thammasat University
Organized by Thai Labour Solidarity Working Committees, State Enterprise, Workers’ Relations Confederation, Labour organization of Thailand and American Center for International Labour Solidarity (ACILS)
Schedule
08.00 a.m. - Registration
09.00 a.m. - Welcome speech by Mr. Sripoe Wayupak, the chairperson of Thai Labour Solidarity Working Committees, Mr. Somsak Kosaisuk, Secretary of State Enterprise Worker’s Relations Confederation, and
Mr. Manas Kosol, Chairperson of Labour Organization of Thailand
09.30 a.m. - Open ceremony by Mr. William Konglin, the director of American Center for International Labour Solidarity
10.00 a.m. - Presentation “Labour policy that the workers want"
10.30 a.m. - Labour Policy of Chatthai Party
11.00 a.m. - Q and A
11.30 a.m. - Labour Policy of Thai Rak Thai Party
12.00 - Q & A
Afternoon
12.30 p.m. - Lunch
13.30 p.m. - Labour Policy of Democrat Party
14.00 p.m. - Q & A
14.30 p.m. - Labour Policy of Mahachon Party
15.00 p.m. - Q & A
15.30 p.m. - Suggestion to Labour on how to vote by the Election Commission
Moderated all day by Associate Professor Lae Dilokvithayarat, Chulalongkorn University Associate Professor Malee Prukpongsaowalee, Thammasat University
Royal astrologers' predictions for 2005 - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Manager, January 10, 2005
The old Royal astrologers' had made predictions about the future as follows:
* Many good rice fields and orchards have become villages forcing the farmers and orchard owners to be under the yoke of agribusiness.
* Lazy men will die from starvation.
* Mountains will move.
* Land will walk.
* Monks will not follow the Abbots.
* Lord of demons will fight against the king.
* Monks will loot and pillage the cities.
* The streams and canals will be narrowed.
* Even rice husks will be pricier than gold.
* Chickens, hogs, dogs and men will die without getting sick first.
* New diseases will eat human beings.
* People with projecting suits will come to rescue the dead.
* Failed real estate projects will eat people's money.
* Men will drink water from artesian wells reserved for the Lord of Naga.
* The poor will roam the cities.
* The monks in saffron robes will have wives.
* Couples will have too few children.
* Wildlife will be extinct.
* While talking, people will raise their tails like angry animals.
* The noblemen will beg like vagabonds.
* People will go to battlefields.
* Corpses will be scattered around the cities.
Update: ttaaee points out on the forum: I think the above predictions were a little taken out of the context. It says in the article in Manager that this was only an excerpt of predictions, yet not the whole, about the future. I guess the author of the article only chose this part of the predictions because it seems to produce a shocking effect on the readers.
Also: Fasten your seatbelts, please - The Nation, January 10, 2005
Those looking for business articles in the the business section of The Nation were greeted by a month by month breakdown of Matichon's astrologer's report for Thailand in 2005.
How the Bangkok International Film Festival is being run - Bangkok Post, January 9, 2005
...I was increasingly taken aback that a Bangkok film festival could be so oblivious to its context...
...This year, the 180 films to be shown in the festival, which runs from Jan 13-24, will again include no Thai subtitles. Despite the overstatement by some officials that the BKK IFF has overtaken Korea's Pusan Film Fest as the top Asian cinema event, Pusan shows every film with English and Korean subtitles. Local subs are also a standard feature--some ordained by law--for cinefests in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Germany, France, as well as other countries...
Overlooking the collapsed building - January 10, 2005Building collapse - January 9, 2005
Press trucks on the expressway overlooking the building that collasped on Sunday. The Bangkok Post's unusual front page photo on January 10 was taken from here.
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
Photos and article about the collapse - Manager Online, January 9, 2005
Five firefighters believed missing in Bangkok building collapse - AP, January 9, 2005
Firemen trapped in collapsed building - TNA, January 9, 2005
'Partial solar eclipse scheduled over Thailand in April' - TNA, January 9, 2005
They should 'schedule' these more often.
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)'Do Not Enjoy' - January 8, 2005
For some reason an advertising company has chosen these words (left) for its holder image on empty billboards around town. Or possibly is it a new advertising campaign? The Thai words at the top read sanuk my dy.
India's Odd Couple: Cops and Tech - Wired, January 5, 2005
News from our neighbors: ...police squads were known to confiscate evidence from some offices, returning with monitors and leaving computers behind. Computing teacher Vijay Mukhi said two years ago cops in Mumbai seized pirated software floppies and stapled them together as though they were documents, destroying the material...
In Praise of Purachai - The Nation, January 8, 2005
Purachai was often a figure of scorn according to many expats for his audacity in enforcing laws, especially nightlife regulation. From the Thai perspective, he is yet another 'good guy' who is too clean to work effectively within the system: ...Thai Rak Thai insiders have done their best to keep Purachai's problematic working style a private matter, but accounts of how "difficult" he was persistently found their way into public forums. It's hard to believe, still, that such shortcomings make an apparently honest man with a good agenda unsuited for Thai politics, whereas those with far uglier flaws continue to thrive. The rise and fall of Purachai seem to confirm that politics is about compromise and flexibility, whether for better or worse, and rigidity could be the biggest liability of all...
Earlier articles:
Purachai calls it a day on politics ‘for family’- The Nation, January 6, 2005
...Purachai was widely tipped as a successor to Thaksin in the early days of the Thai Rak Thai government.
But his abrasive personality undermined his position in the party and the popularity of the party itself...
Purachai as PM? - The Nation, December 28, 2003
“Let’s draft Purachai as leader of a new party!” This suggestion was heard in some quarters. He appears a possible choice since his political future has become uncertain. After being moved from interior to justice – where he rubbed somebody who must be reckoned at the ministry the wrong way – he was shifted to an obscure place among several Thaksin deputies at Government House, with unsung assignments.
...There are hard-core members of the now defunct Palang Dharma Party who will back him. Political campaign funds can come from anonymous contributors who want to see Thaksin face a formidable challenge. It would be nice if the Democrat, Chat Thai and Chat Pattana parties would join hands and declare their support for Purachai as prime minister.
Purachai's star - The Straights Times, May 13, 2002
Mr Purachai's efforts have put him high on public polls and he has received support from the much-revered constitutional monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej. But, says Mr Thongbai: '...nobody in the government is on his side.'...
Phishing from the Ministry of Education? - January 8, 2005
2Bangkok.com receives a huge quantity of spam and is especially interested in local spam sources. We have noticed a large volume of phishing spam originating from within the Ministry of Education website.
Government flames? - January 6, 2005
We had been looking for a good example of pro-Government forumers who are allegedly hired to spin debate on forums (and on call-in radio shows). Wisarut came across a possible example: The plan for cutting subway ticket prices to 10 baht for the first 3 stations and 15 baht overall has become a controversial issue. Many feel happy with this kind of vote buying, but many also feel worried about poor service after the price reduction along with the continuing political football between BMCL and MRTA. Many who feel this are relentlessly flamed by government forumers allegedly hired by Thai Rak Thai to attack opposite viewpoints. Look and you will see lots of flames and red herrings: Matichon, BTS board 1, 2, 3, Manager, and mThai. Here is a short 2B thread in English on the subject (with no flames).
Gradual moderation at The Nation - January 8, 2005
During the last few months, as it has becomne obvious nothing can halt Thaksin's ascent to a second term, the once belligerient Nation has moderated its editorial stance and the most strident editorials are gone.The Nation still does a good job illunimating the factions within TRT and sometimes baiting the various personalities:
EDITORIAL: A CEO comes into his own? - The Nation, January 07, 2005
...Overall, Thaksin appears to have succeeded, at least so far, in getting done what needed to be done in the worst of situations.
At the same time, he also succeeded in convincingly portraying himself as the man of the hour, an image he hasn't always succeeded in painting. However callous it may sound, Thaksin and his Thai Rak Thai Party may well reap political dividends for the general election on February 6...STREETWISE: Capitalising on a crisis - The Nation, January 07, 2005
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has never been out of the public eye throughout the past four years. Distinguishing him from his predecessors is his bottomless supply of opinions on nearly every issue...
Suwat’s spot on party list rankles old guard - The Nation, January 07, 2005
...This reflects newcomer Suwat’s clout in Thai Rak Thai and how Thaksin rates him personally. It remains to be seen how Suriya, who everyone knows cannot see eye to eye with Suwat, will handle the latter’s fast-track rise within the party rank and file.
...Adding to the intrigue, Suriya’s relations with Thaksin came under greater scrutiny recently, when it was reported that the Thai Rak Thai secretary-general joined a conspicuous meeting at a London restaurant with political veteran Sanan Kachornprasart, a key architect of the newly formed Mahachon Party. Suriya was reportedly accompanied by another key Thai Rak Thai figure, Somsak Thepsuthin.
Thaksin is known always to be unhappy whenever a senior member’s leverage in his party becomes too strong...
Still here - January 6, 2005
(Photo: Simon Jenkins)
Simon Jenkins sent in this panorama of bustling Bangkok. Thailand is still thriving despite the disaster in the south. Several organizations have asked us to spread the word that, even along the southern beaches, many, if not most, of the resorts are still intact and in operation.
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com on Samet Island)
For instance: Commerce Minister Watana Muangsook: “Ua Arthorn In-law”- As an in-law in the family owning the country’s number one food conglomerate, his work at the Ministry of Commerce was seen as overlapping with the interests of the business in an “Ua Arthorn” [We Care] style...
Chang Noi: Chairman Maew’s thoughts for 2005 - The Nation, January 3, 2005
[Maew is the nickname of the Prime Minister and the way he is always referred to in the Thai-language press.]
As we march steadfastly towards the Second Glorious Era, I see the country as a land of promise, a nation transformed. Poverty will disappear. Poverty-relief caravans will visit everyone registered under our poverty scheme. Experts will advise them how to earn a living and pay them Bt100 a day during training...
Astro 'black-out' on Anwar interview - Screenshots, January 5, 2005
News from our neighbors - How Malaysia's pay TV service edits material the government does not like: In September, Astro had denied subscribers the re-runs of Anwar's interview with CNN's Lorraine Hahn in her Talk Asia programme.
Wednesday (Dec 22) night, reports Malaysiakini, Astro 'blacked out' Al-Jazeera's 90-minute interview with former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim...
Also from Screenshots: Odd donations 1 and 2
Thailand's poor to be taught to solve their own problems - TNA, December 29, 2004
The title of this story sounds like something from The Onion: The Thai government has announced a plan to launch an education programme to teach rural residents how to efficiently solve their problems and lift themselves out of their poverty...
The largest kilometre stone in the world? - suannon @home, January 4, 2005
Thaksin's 'bitter medicine' - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Thairath, January 2, 2005
There are many critics of Premier Thaksin who gave him several doses of bitter medicine [criticism] in 2004:
1) Ajarn Theerayut Boonmee - regular bitter doses - with the most better taste of all
2) Banyat Banthatthan - regular better dose with punches from the Democrat Party
3) Dr. Ammar Siamwala - regular doses - bitter to the last drop
4) Dr. Sumet Tantiwetchakul - bitter dose from the Heavens [Dr. Sumet has worked with His Majesty so the bitter dose Dr. Sumet gave to Premier Thaksin is assumed to be coming from His Majesty.]
5) Anand Panyarachun - the bitter dose which Premier Thaksin has to take without hesitation
6) Chamlong Srimuang - a bitter dose from a close friend
7) Dr. Prawet Wasee - bittersweet medicine
8) Dr. Kasem Watthanachai - bitter dose from another close friend mixed with a bitter dose from the Heavens [Dr. Kasem is now working with His Majesty on Privy Council]
