News and Views - March 2005 TK Park - March 21, 2005 On the forum: Bangkok One Way Traffic System 1984 - March 22, 2005 airlana writes: Bangkok's one way traffic system was introduced Saturday 4 February 1984. Thousands of maps were distributed. Here's a copy of that original map. I remember the confusion well. 'Depreciation of baht unaffects Thai economy:BOT' - TNA, March 31, 2005 We just like the title of this article. Southeast Asia Rising: A Region Booming Among Asia's Economic Giants - March 31, 2005 Interesting conference: Thailand remains one of the fastest growing economies in Asia, and its economic surge reflects broader positive developments across Southeast Asia... Tram sign: Touching wires = death + fine - March 30, 2005 Via BoingBoing: Seth Godin posted this funny sign from the Newcastle Tramway Authority on his blog. SafePhuket.com - March 29, 2005 We were just remembering back in 2002 after the Bali bombing when the SafePhuket.com website was set up to convince tourists that Phuket was safe... The site is no longer online. ThaiCabinCrew.com - March 29, 2005 Jear points out this interesting site: www.thaicabincrew.com Thailand on fire - 9:25am, March 31, 2005 CNN International weathercaster Mair Ramos is showing a NOAA satellite image of northern Thailand, Myanmar and Laos showing the region dotted with fires "highlighting the severe forest fire problem" that is "caused by slash and burn farming in the region." We have checked the NOAA site, but cannot find the same image... If anyone can find this image, but let us know. Thailand's 'war on drugs' had unexpected consequences, new study says - AP, March 30, 2005 ...A report on the study, published in the March issue of the International Journal of Drug Policy, said 70 percent of intravenous drug users surveyed claimed they stopped using heroin after the campaign began. However, nearly a third of those who quit said they had switched to smoking methamphetamine or opium, according to the study by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the Chiang Mai University Research Institute for Health Sciences and the Northern Drug Treatment Center in Thailand... (Photo: Harry Piskun) Army vet sites - March 21, 2005 Every day it seems more photo sites start up featuring photos taken by US army vets who served in Thailand. Here are some interesting sites: U-tapao photos (click on the buttons on the left side of this page) Links to other U-tapao sites Bangkok then (1970) and now (2005) Songkran in 1970 Left: Harry Piskun's photo of the old Erawan Hotel. Thai Elvis - March 21, 2005 Thai Elvis at the Palms Thai restaurant Emergency repairs for Giant Swing - TNA, March 24, 2005 ...Although several restoration operations have been carried out in the past, the Fine Arts Department now wants to take down the whole structure to examine it in more details... Songkhla city website - March 25, 2005 Asiper points out the Songkhla city website. Rebuilding Thailand's dream island - BBC, March 18, 2005 Bang Na traffic snarls set to ease - The Nation, March 24, 2005 ...The traffic congestion has been compounded for over a year due to three construction projects. The first two projects were the construction of two overpasses and expansion of traffic lanes on Bang Na-Trat to accommodate the planned opening of Suvarnabhumi Airport later this year. The third was the expressway extension to link the Bang NA-Din Daeng route with the Bang NA-Bang Pakong elevated expressway and the Art Narong tollway. The two overpasses will be completed before the other projects... Power consumption hits record high - AP, March 22, 2005 ...Demand for electricity hit a record high of 19,593 megawatts on Monday, the state-owned Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand said. The figure was 1.4 percent higher than the previous record of 19,326 megawatts set in March last year, the agency said... HIV RUMOUR: ‘Aim to defame Thai workers’ - The Nation, March 22, 2005 ...Italian Thai Development, which hired the Thai workers for the construction project, said some of them had returned to Thailand simply because their employment contracts had ended... Earlier: 38 Thai construction workers found HIV positive in Bangladesh - AP, March 20, 2005 Thirty-eight Thai construction workers in Bangladesh have been found to be infected with HIV, a news report said Sunday... Tom Vamvanij's blog - March 17, 2005 Tom Vamvanij's blog in Thai and English has interesting comparisons of local media reports in a style 2B readers will appreciate... ASEAN should have withheld Myanmar membership - former US envoy Holbrooke - AFX, March 21, 2005 ...'Instead, a dreadful group of people whose behaviour violates all the norms of civilization, all the wonderful things Thailand for example stands for, were invited to join ASEAN with no real conditions.' Holbrooke pointed to the European Union's recent decision to block membership talks for Croatia until Zagreb finds a war crimes suspect, as an example of how ASEAN could have dealt with Myanmar... Axum Obelisk - Design Observer, March 21, 2005 William Drenttel details the moving of the Axum Obelisk in the late 1800s from Egypt to New York, complete with photographs. It is an astounding story of innovation in moving techniques. 71 feet and weighing 244 tons, Cleopatra's Needle was turned sideways, loaded onto a boat, shipped across the ocean, loaded onto a custom-created rail line, and erected in Central Park -- at a cost of only $100,000. A similar event is taking place right now, sending an obelisk from Italy to its original home in Ethiopia, but it will be split into three parts and cost $450 million. Alternate New York - March 21, 2005 Images of New York, not just as it once was, and as it might one day be... EDITORIAL: Anti-booze lobby not acting sober - The Nation, March 22, 2005 ...The significance of the board’s decision lies in the fact that what started out as a healthy public debate on a valid issue about how to mitigate harmful effects of alcohol consumption has become manipulated and distorted by some who harbour hidden agendas. ...No one denies that Buddhist monks have a right to freedom of expression like any other citizen of this country. What’s more, they are expected to provide leadership on moral issues. But why have they singled out the liquor industry for a public display of moral indignation when there are other, probably greater evils that have so far eluded their wrath, such as the country’s sex industry?... Tradition of Thailand’s foreign policy is at risk - The Nation, March 21, 2005 This Nation editorialist is horrified that ASEAN is no longer at the heart of Thailand's foreign policy ("Asean has been relegated to number two") and the government dares push a Thai head of the U.N. There do not seem to be reasons offered as to why these things are bad. Either the article was over edited (with the reasons being lost) or once again opposition to doing anything differently is reason enough for most critics. Secret of Thailand's Success? It's the Women - Bloomberg, March 21, 2005 ...Which Asian nation is doing best when it comes to women's advancement? Thailand. It scored 92.3 of a possible 100, and according to MasterCard's index, 100 equals gender equality. The survey was based on interviews with 300 to 350 women in 13 nations and national statistics. ...Thailand, Malaysia and China are three economies widely seen as the future of Asia. Thailand's economic boom in recent years has prompted many leaders in the region to look to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's growth strategy, known as "Thaksinomics"... Many married women in Asia have maids? - March 21, 2005 Conor Bracken points out a strange opening line in a Bangkok Post story: For many married women in Asia, everyday household duties such as the washing, ironing and vacuuming are tasks usually left to the maid... (Housework aerobics, Bangkok Post, March 21, 2005) THAI rejuvenates itself ahead of airport launch - Business Day, March 21, 2005 ..."The tasks include changing the logo of the airline, employees’ uniforms and the look of its exterior, etc so as to rejuvenate THAI," said Kanok... More from the Wat Pasalawan controversy - Korat Post, March 16, 2005 We are not sure what this is really about or why we should care, but the Wat Pasalawan controversy continues. ...Despite the need for appropriate decorum, Daeng lashed out in a barage of anti-foreign invective that will shock you when you read it. We have been asked, with deep respect, to tone down our coverage, and have... Brazenly taking my photo, this man, who was the one that slapped our female assistant on 12 February 2005 inside Wat Pasalawan, he then walked away, saying, "You are now considered a target." Why have police not apprehended this man? They need his real name. Do you know it? Call us. ...We have been threatened, and a recent public radio broadcast has cited us by name as attempting to harm the mon... and religion... Thai Airways' new livery - March 19, 2005 Chatchawal points out Thai's new livery. On the forum: TG's new livery Also: Anyone heard about Thai Sky Airlines? BMA denies reports of gay hotline - TNA, March 17, 2005 The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) today denied reports that it was setting up a 24-hour telephone advice helpline for gay men and introducing information about homosexuality into the school curriculum, saying that it did not have the expertise to do so... Ayutthaya wants share of historical site fees - Bangkok Post, March 17, 2005 ...But the department keeps all the fee money and spending is at the sole discretion of the department's director-general and is not made public... Public services were expensive so the municipality had little money left over from its annual budget of 100 million baht for local development, he said... (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Construction worker housing - March 19, 2005 This is the worker shantytown behind the Central World Plaza. Phuket Gay Festival set to earn Bt100 million - TNA, March 19, 2005 The pink baht will help revive the tsunami-damaged tourism industry on the southern island of Phuket next month when over 5,000 homosexuals from across the world descend on the island for the province’s 6th annual Gay Festival. According to Mr. Chanok Kaewsrinual, head of the Phuket Gay Association, the festival on Patong Beach on 7-10 April will include a range of events, including the unmissable drag parade... Pol. Col. Theeraphol Thipcharoen, superintendent of Kathu district police station, also noted that the event was important to help Phuket shrug off its unearned image as a destination for sex tourists, including those engaging in underage sex with young rent boys. According to the police superintendent, child prostitution in fact does not occur anywhere in Phuket. PLEA FOR ENGLISH SKILLS: Just 50 MPs turn up for House pep-talk - The Nation, March 16, 2005 [We are only including this because of the rather funny bit quoted below.] ...MPs would also be called on to press the Kingdom’s case when they travel overseas. "It’s not a time for MPs just to go shopping. For example, they should be able to explain the situation in the South when abroad..." Rare Painite Gemstone Found in Burma - The Irrawaddy, March 15, 2005 New examples of one of the world's rarest gemstones, painite, have been found in northern Burma, the latest such discovery in the country where the mineral was first discovered five decades ago, a local journal said Tuesday... Outsider filmmaker: Thunska Pansittivorakul - March 10, 2005 Thunska Pansittivorakul, an alternative filmmaker who makes movies of "near-zero commercial value" has made a website that brings together alternative Thai filmmakers: thaiindie.com From his profile: ...His film, “Sigh”, has been selected to show at the Thai Film Festival in Hong Kong. However the Thai embassy in Hong Kong is not approved of this film and decides to ban it. “Voodoo Girls” can not be shown in Bangkok Film Festival because it reflects the bad image of Thai women. The festival is organized by Tourism Authority of Thailand. “Unseen Bangkok” was shown for a small group of people protected by the authority of Japanese Foundation in Thailand. Moreover, his film called “Happy Berry” was selected to show at Makati Cinemanila International Film Festival 2004, but also was canceled by the censorship in Indonesia... Underground experience - Independent may be too bland a description for the shorts and documentaries of radical filmmaker Thunska Pansittivorakul - Bangkok Post, March 4, 2005 ...In an age where being non-mainstream seems fashionable, perhaps Thunska represents a rare breed of old-school agitator whose rebellious art is driven by ideals rather than by commercial interest (his movies have near-zero commercial value). And his presence might suggest a cultural mechanism at the time when society is slipping into the grip of neo-conservatism... Thailand at global forefront of digital camera boon - TNA, March 14, 2005 ...Mr. Boonjert Hanwichitchai, deputy director for operations of IT City Plc, says that the digital camera market in Thailand is set to record a high rate of growth this year, with sales expected to exceed one million units, compared to 800,000 last year and 600,000 in 2003... Crane barged under San Francisco bridges - March 15, 2005 Danny Brown point out: Nothing to do with Thailand but interesting: Photos of port loading cranes being barged under San Fran Bay bridges on the Skyscraper forum. Construction on National Route 7 resumes - The Cambodia Daily, March, 2005 News from our neighbors: Construction restarted Sunday on National Route 7 – between Stung Treng town and the border with Laos following warnings last week by National Assembly President Prince Norodom Ranariddh that Cambodia was prepared to use military force against Laos in order to finish upgrading the road... National Road 7 was built during now-retired King Norodom Sihanouk's reign from 1955 to 1970, but was damaged during the war in Vietnam and during the civil war in the 1980s and 1990s... The World's Top 100 Wonders - March 7, 2005 The World's Top 100 Wonders - How many of the world's top wonders have you seen? Crown aids stalled road scheme - The Nation, February 21 , 2005 ...The road would start at Soi Sarasin, go through Wireless Road, across the expressway and end at Benchakitti Park, the source said... Apirak stories... Apirak plans 20-year development roadmap - Bangkok Post, March 15, 2005 ...Under the roadmap, Bangkok will be divided into 12 zones based on their activity and physical profiles. There will be an "Old Town Zone'' covering the Rattanakosin area (old Bangkok) and parts of old Thon Buri town adjoining the Chao Phraya river. There will also be a "Central Business District'' or "Lumpini Zone'' encompassing Bang Rak, Pathumwan, Vadhana and Sathon districts, a "New Business Zone'' in the Rama III road area, and a "Sri Nakharin Group'' covering Lat Krabang, Min Buri and Prawet districts near the new Suvannabhumi airport... Bangkok governor willing to hear proposal from residents - Bangkok Post, March 15, 2005 ...While ducking the question whether the community could be allowed to stay on under a land-sharing scheme, the governor said he was receptive to the community's proposal, which envisioned the people and park co-existing... More on Removing the Mahakan Fort community Also: Removing the Soi Leunrit community Also: A walk through Pak Klong Talad Chinese-Thai groups hail enforcement of anti-secession law - chinaview.cn, March 13, 2005 ...At a seminar held here Monday, Teng Suksudprasert, vice-chairman of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, said the anti-secession law, passed earlier in the day by the National People's Congress (NPC), is a law for peaceful reunification. Visith Leelasithorn, president of the Tiochew Association of Thailand, noted that the approval and enforcement of the law could further safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The adoption of the law with a high support rate manifested the common aspiration of the Chinese people and overseas Chinese to oppose secession and "Taiwan independence" and their wish for national reunification, said Amorn Apithanakoon, president of the World Chinese Unity Center in Thailand... (Source: Absolut Ads) 'Absolut Bangkok' - March 14, 2005 Interesting Bangkok-themed ad from Absolut Ads. A tale of two newspapers: Reporting on the new cabinet - March 12, 2005 Nothing underlines the pro-government caution of the Post and the uncompromising, often rabid anti-government slant of The Nation than their reporting on the new cabinet. When the Post does decide to be critical, they are careful to qualify it by adding 'critics say' and more and more the Post uses quotes from a named person to report the news--in this case several academics explain the cabinet appointments via direct quotes. The Nation offers a hard-hitting appraisal with every paragraph citing nepotism, inexperience, party financiers, or appointments made to keep "a watch on Suriya." The Nation does do a good job explaining the likely political undercurrents that define the appointments--something that the Post would never touch. The Nation also has interesting profiles of the new faces in the cabinet. Cabinet line-up 'puts growth first' - Critics: Curing social ills gets short shrift - Bangkok Post, March 12, 2005 The face of the new cabinet underlines the fact Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is a shrewd political player but one who is more concerned about achieving strong economic growth than curing social ills, critics said yesterday...The cabinet members would still have to prove they were "Mr Cleans" and ministers must be up to scratch since Mr Thaksin had already announced he would make frequent reshuffles to his cabinet, Mr Sombat said. Warakorn Samakoses, rector of Dhurakij Pundit University, rated the economic team as good since Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Somkid Jatusripitak and Commerce Minister Thanong Bidaya had won high praise from the private sector... Cabinet line-up fails to impress - The Nation, March 12, 2005 Despite his strong mandate, PM refuses to drop scandal-tainted ministers while choosing new ones based on connections... There were no cheers from admirers, and regular critics said the ministerial line-up underlined their scepticism that nepotism still weighs heavily in the decision-making of the most powerful prime minister in modern Thai history. Politicians whose images are plagued by corruption scandals remain in the Cabinet, with some getting even bigger posts. Some were “demoted”, but that they were kept in the government at all must have disappointed those who thought that 19 million votes would embolden Thaksin to do away with all the black sheep... A tale of two newspapers: Surprises in the cabinet? - March 11, 2005 Bangkok Post's delight with the new cabinet--also their headline--is not shared by Reuters... Big surprises in new cabinet - Bangkok Post, March 10, 2005 The cabinet line-up, which has been anybody's guess for weeks, was revealed unofficially in full yesterday with Sudarat Keyuraphan and Surakiart Sathirathai being the biggest surprises... Few surprises in Thaksin's new Thai cabinet - Reuters, March 10, 2005 Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's new cabinet contains few surprises as he is giving key economic and security jobs to trusted aides and political supporters, according to leaks of the list on Friday... More articles about the new cabinet List of new Cabinet ministers of Thailand - AP, March 11, 2005 Finance minister retained as new Thai Cabinet announced - AP, March 11, 2005 Cabinet spoils go to Thaksin’s supporters - The Nation, March 12, 2005 Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his sister have scored 26 of the Cabinet’s 35 positions for 24 members of their factions, including three for the businessmen who finance the Thai Rak Thai Party... Deputy speaker’s first item of business: A nose-powdering room - The Nation, March 12, 2005 ...Lalita, the country’s first female deputy House speaker, said her first order of business was to equip the women’s lavatory on the second floor of the building with beauty equipment, hair dryers, cosmetics, combs and perfumes. “These will help improve the look and personalities of female MPs,’’ she said... Charoen tops Forbes list as richest man in Thailand at US$3 billion - Bangkok Post, March 12, 2005 ...Mr Charoen, who was ranked 194th worldwide, is joined this year by Chaleo Yoovidhya (292), the founder of the Krating Daeng/Red Bull empire with $2.2 billion, and Charoen Pokphand Group patriarch Dhanin Chearavanont (387) at $1.7 billion. The Chearavanont family's wealth, while nothing to sniff at, has dwindled substantially from the heady days of the economic boom in the early 1990s, when as many as 11 Thais were on the Forbes list of billionaires. In 1994, Mr Dhanin ranked 26th worldwide with a fortune estimated at $5.3 billion in 25-baht dollars... One year ago Somchai's family despairs of justice - Bangkok Post, March 11, 2005 A YEAR ON, AND STILL NO NEWS ON SOMCHAI - Five suspects about to stand trial, but police seem to lack interest in pursuing the Muslim lawyer's disappearance - Bangkok Post, March 11, 2005 A year since human rights advocate and Muslim lawyer Somchai Neelapaichit went missing, the government has little to tell his relatives or the public about what happened. Critics say authorities lack the will to pursue officials involved in the kidnapping, abduction and murder of human rights defenders. Only last weekend men abducted and held a tsunami relief volunteer for questioning, before releasing her unharmed... Above: Komchadluek's March 12 news of the cabinet appointments: 'All Thaksin's people seize the main ministries - Noi (Sudarat) is Minister of Agriculture" (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Above: Former PM Chuan Leekpai comments on the cabinet appointments on Saturday More on the cabinet - March 14, 2005 EDITORIAL: Concentration of power continues - The Nation, March 14, 2005 Thai PM defends cabinet choices amid criticism - AFP, March 13, 2005 ..."The cabinet members include some ex-bureaucrats who have received plum positions after abandoning their political neutrality during the election campaign," former prime minister Chuan Leekpai, now the opposition Democrat Party's chief advisor, said in the Nation newspaper. Opinion pieces in the English and Thai language media offered further criticism, with one calling the cabinet a "hodgepodge of misfits" and another blasting the "eleven PhDs" now in the body... Chao Pa: Doyenne of Bangkok society - The Nation, March 13, 2005 [Chao Kokaew was one of the great Thai ladies, beloved by all who knew her. She could often be seen strolling through The Emporium easily recognizable by her trademark purple hair. The 'Society Hostess' article below has some fascinating details of her final activities.] Chao Pa: Doyenne of Bangkok society - The Nation, March 13, 2005 ...But she took her illness bravely, telling the Channel 9 TV interview that she was not afraid. "Whatever happens, happens. If I'm sick, I won't resist it and I rest. If I have to go, it is the circle of life so I don't think too much," she said. "I record my voice every year and I want it to be heard at my funeral. I want to thank people who come to my funeral. It's normal and everyone must face it. No one is immortal and when you die, you die."... SOCIETY HOSTESS: Chao Kokaew falls into coma - The Nation, March 13, 2005 Socialite remains on life support but will receive no medication at relatives’ request... Thailand Stockpiles Anti-Flu Drugs for Bird Flu Fight - Reuters, March 10, 2005 Thailand, a country on the frontline of the war against Asia's bird flu, is stockpiling Tamiflu and considering producing a generic version of the antiviral drug, health officials said... Free of quota, China textiles flood the U.S. - New York Times, March 9, 2005 In the first month after the end of all quotas on textiles and apparel around the world, imports to the United States from China jumped about 75 percent, according to trade figures released by the Chinese government... Funny hotel review - March 11, 2005 Don Entz reports: Check out the Customer Review at this website supposedly promoting this Pattaya hotel: "Room has cockroach. Stayed in the room 417 with wholly covered carpet on the floor. The carpet is so dirty that it smells as it has been in dead-mans grave for a hundred years. Been promised at the booking that it will be a room on high floor with sea view. But upon the arriving the hotel says that no room on high floor is available. Instead got a room on the forth floor at the sea side without seeing sea but only the roof of front buildings. The worst thing is that the room has cockroaches. Fortunately enough warm water that keep me clean. The hotel has the simplest breakfast I have never ever seen and every day the same. The good thing about the hotel is the central location." (Photo: Unknown) (Not) Bangkok in 1957 - March 10, 2005 On the forum Tom notes: Very interesting to see these photos on the front-page today, but they are definitely NOT showing Bangkok in 1957. The second photo at the Democracy Monument is showing both Mercedes W110 (built 1961-1968) and W114/115 (1968-1976). So technically not possible as these cars did not exist in 1957. So guess at least the second photo is from the end sixties. We have added another street scene from the set below. We believe it of Charoen Krung Road with the rise in the distance being a bridge over Khlong Ong Ang. Earlier: Bangkok, 1957 - March 8, 2005 Andrew passed along these interesting photos of Bangkok in 1957 that are being circulated by email. (Photo: Unknown) (Photo: Unknown) A tale of two newspapers: Thaksin's speech - March 11, 2005 While the Post mentions in passing that Thaksin was criticized for "for thinking and acting unilaterally," The Nation gives almost equal space to past criticisms of Thaksin. The Nation and Post each portray quotations from the speech differently. For example, the Post mentions Thaksin's pledge to start a center to track missing people while The Nation adds this center will search for 'people who went missing during the government’s war on drugs.' The Nation also adds a criticism of the upcoming, but as yet unknown, cabinet. PM vows to change his tune - Will listen to critics, respect human rights - Bangkok Post, March 10, 2005 Thaksin Shinawatra promises to keep an open mind, listen to dissent, make up with the press, respect human rights, support non-governmental organisations and return power to people by promoting participatory democracy in his second term... His pledges were uncharacteristic, considering Mr Thaksin was criticised during his first term in office for thinking and acting unilaterally. Mr Thaksin said he would exercise his absolute House majority wisely, and not abuse his power. "I will not use that political security in a wrong way but will maximise it for the love and unity of Thais, to make them become one and to solve problems and eliminate obstacles,'' he said... Mr Thaksin said democracy would be developed further, and that could come in the form of strengthening grassroots-administration bodies, ensuring independent organisations could be truly independent and supporting NGOs which make "constructive'' contributions. " I will respect NGOs that have no hidden agendas,'' he said. Mr Thaksin pledged to increase people's power, partly by returning power taken from them by various laws. He would also give people a chance to exercise their power by visiting them and giving them a say, calling public hearings or even holding a referendum on important matters... Mr Thaksin promised to promote human rights. He would discuss with human rights groups ways to lift Thailand's standard of rights protection, open a centre to track down missing people and identify unknown bodies. He also promised to develop his relations with media outlets that treasured Thailand's dignity and wanted only good things for the country. "I will try to understand the media which is still trying to keep pace with development,'' he said. The government would stamp out family problems, drugs, drinking and smoking, and poverty. "I will help our people live a better life in a better society that enjoys better education and a better economy,'' he said... THAKSIN ASSUMES POWER : ‘I shall uphold human rights’ - The Nation, March 10, 2005 Assuming the mantle of prime minister for the second time, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday suggested he would take a softer approach to a number of issues that routinely embroiled him in controversy during his first term... The Thaksin administration was the target of persistent criticism from international rights groups, in particular for its heavy-handed suppression of the Tak Bai protest and the killing of dozens of militants at the Krue Se Mosque. Thaksin said he welcomed constructive criticism by human-rights groups and was willing to hold one-on-one discussions with them. Thaksin has also been faulted in the past for showing little interest in cases of people who went missing during the government’s war on drugs. Yesterday, Thaksin said the government would set up a centre to search for such missing people. The unsolved case of missing Muslim-lawyer Somchai Neelapaichit, believed to have been killed by police, rates high among the controversial issues that have hurt the government’s image. Thaksin also made conciliatory remarks towards the press, with which he has had a stormy relationship. He said he was willing to make amends. Yet he insisted that he would do so only on condition the press did not harbour hidden agendas. “I will try my best to understand the press,” he added. Countering popular fears that he might want to exploit the overwhelming majority of Thai Rak Thai in the House, Thaksin insisted the party’s dominance was, in fact, in the national interest. “I will use this stability granted to the government towards the building of national unity,” he said... His new administration, he pledged, would also provide substantive support to local administrative bodies, independent agencies, and “good” NGOs... Thaksin has been under pressure to appoint a qualified and trustworthy Cabinet, following his landslide election mandate. But critics say what has been leaked to the press so far is anything but impressive... For Gun Lovers In Thailand - March 1, 2005 Gun.in.th - For Gun Lovers In Thailand Thailand and Cambodia to celebrate 55 years of diplomatic relations - TNA, March 2, 2005 Thailand and Cambodia plan to celebrate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year with a series of cultural exchanges, the Thai Ambassador to Cambodia said in Phnom Penh on Wednesday... ''There is no Cambodian law forbidding Thai soap operas, but I think television stations are still not confident enough to show them. They have simply practised a self-censorship,'' he said... Tsunami volunteer 'abducted' - Quizzed about her work with Porntip - Bangkok Post, March 9, 2005 ‘Abduction demands police action’ - The Nation, March 10, 2005 Incredible hail - March 10, 2005 Terrorists target offshore call centres - The Register, March 7, 2005 News from our neighbors: A terrorist cell busted by Indian police was planning attacks on leading software firms in Bangalore... World's thinnest building - March 10, 2005 Sam Kee Building in Vancouver Preachers on Khao San Road - March 8, 2005 Don Entz reports: Here's something I haven't seen before: (We) just returned from Khao San Road. There was a tag team of evangelist preachers imparting the Word of God at TOP VOLUME right smack dab in the middle of the street. Never seen that before. At times when they were particularly fervent, the hippies and backpackers sitting on the sidewalk being entertained by them would break out in applause. Indian version of The Simpsons - March 8, 2005 Send up of The Simpsons in a cliched Indian style... STORM DAMAGE: Capsized ferry leaves 10 dead - The Nation, March 6, 2005 Several others seriously injured as heavy rains lash South; Patong Beach ‘Rak Andaman’ festival breaks up in panic... Chilly Bangkok - 11:45am, March 5, 2005 It is 23 Celsius (73 Fahrenheit) in Bangkok now with a stiff breeze from the east. Thailand's opposition party appoints Abhisit as new leader - AFP, March 4, 2005 Thailand's opposition Democrat Party appointed Abhisit Vejjajiva, a youthful Oxford-educated career politician, as its new leader in the wake of last month's massive election loss... News from our neighbors: Happy Anniversary, 'Demise' of Local Elections - Jeffooi, March 01, 2005 Thanks to Bernama's Santha Oorjitham, many of us may not have realised that today, March 1, is the 40th anniversary of the suspension of local government elections in 1965. However, it was the police who gave the occasion some pomp and colours to remind us there are attempts to revive local government elections. Or else, about two generations of Malaysians would have been ignorant that local government election had once existed in this country... (Photo: QuickBird) On the forum: Most urban middle class Thais are right-leaning - Manager Daily, March 8, 2005 Benjakitti Water Park - March 10, 2005 Nils writes: Related to the following forum thread--I have two QuickBird satellite image subsets of this - the first is November 2002 (left), the second December 2004 (below). Scale approx. 1:5000. We can see that the maximum length/width of the lake was reduced from 810 x 195m to 760 x 190m, overall size from 14.7 hectares to 12.9 hectares. Good to compare with the maps mentioned by Wisarut: map - map It really looks like in the drawing now! Earlier: Public park at the Tobacco Monopoly - November 4, 2003 Smoke from forest fire in Cambodia spreads to eastern Thailand - TNA, March 8, 2005 Thailand's eastern province of Trat is being affected by a forest fire in Cambodia, but the impact is still controllable, according to local authorities... More about the Bangkok Metro maps - March 10, 1005 Concerning Tuesday's link to the new Bangkok Metro maps, Cormac Bracken humorously notes: (referring to the Si Lom map) Interesting to see that they plan to re-route Convent and Saladaeng road to be an a 45' angle to Silom instead of the more traditional 90'. Although some might be confused by the fact that Sala Daeng Soi 1 (beside U Chu Liang Building) will in future be parallel to Sala Daeng Road. However it's good to know that they did test this website for errors before publishing this new info to the world. You can tell, because the name of the street is "Sala Deang BTS Station-test." (Photo: QuickBird) (Source: haivan.cup.com) Second Mekhong bridge - March 7, 2005 A thread on the forum about the second Mekhong bridge which is part of the Indochina Highway and will ultimately connect India, Burma, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. Links: Satellite image of the construction and a 6,255m long tunnel section in Vietnam that has its own website. North Korean holidays - March 6, 2005 BoingBoing links to a crazy North Korean travel movie. NK does not like it. Almost like being there: Alternative Bangkok - March 7, 2005 Chatchawal Phansopa points out: Alternative Bangkok - An interesting page about parts of Bangkok which foreigners do not usually see. Photos were taken from Th. Ratchaphruek which stretches from Th. Krung Thon Buri to Th. Rattana Thibet via Th. Phetchakasem/Th. Barommarat Chachonnani. These areas are not very far from Silom/Sathon and a short drive from Saphan Taksin. Charn Issara II - March 7, 2005 Right: Nils sent in this lovely photo of Charn Issara II building. (Photo: Nils) Van VDO goes underground - March 7, 2005 Anyone familiar with Bangkok's incredible selection of pirated classic films will have seen the Van VDO logo at the beginning of many copy DVDs. After years of operating openly from a stall in Jatujak Market, Van sent this message to his mailing list: Dear Valued clients, Due to the matter of the current rigor enactment of Copy Right Act which seriously had impeded us to continue our business, we regret to announce that we have to stop our business at Jatujak Flee Market since now. Please be accordingly informed that we has no policy to open any new store, branch or had distributors or agents to sell or dispense our products at any new places. However, we still provide the service for clients to order by email. Therefore, those who are interested are able to view the film list and details of how to order via the web site and email address below. http://homepage.mac.com/vanvdo/dvdlist.htm (Password required, type vanvdoon to enter the site) We realize that this method possibly caused inconvenience to some clients. But this is the only channel for maintaining and nourishing our relationship as well as exchanging film experiences and perspectives with clients. Finally, we would like to thank for all your mighty supports to our business up to now and we hope that you would enjoy watching your favorite films. Also, please support the less opportunity but enriched films in quality for letting them more chances to public present in theatre as it will encourage and favorably support the film producers and distributors to continuously in long term basis provide you such gorgeous films as the same as we had performed to our clients from the past until now. Best regards, Van' VDO. Also: A funny bootleg DVD cover from Malaysia that includes a disparaging quote from a review of the film Mahachon on verge of joining Thai Rak Thai - Bangkok Post, March 6, 2005 ..."Without its party leader and secretary-general, Mahachon is in a difficult situation. So it is possible it could be dissolved and merge with Thai Rak Thai,'' Mr Boonjong said... (Photo: jpatokal) Preah Vihear - March 4, 2005 Thread on the forum - Photos from Jpatokal Above: The 'VIP' shed (Photo: Danny) Bangkok's floating forest - March 2, 2005 Danny reports: I was down at Rama III Road last week and visited a park adjacent to the Rama 9 Bridge (NW side of bridge). Whilst the park was very green and had a good amount of shade, I was surprised by the amount of tree trunks in the area and near the river. Not just near but actually on the river! Sawn logs floating on the the river adjacent the park. I have many times seen loads of floating logs, chained together, being transported up river, usually at night when river traffic is low. I have always wondered about the origin and destination of these logs, (sawmills up river?). However, these logs, which I estimated to number over 1000, seem to have been 'stored' at the site for many months as one can tell from the moss and state of the logs. Although, there are some makings on all the logs most likely related to grading, there is no indication as to their destination. The logs do seem to be a good playground for some children and provide a fishing pier for fisherman. I was wondering if anyone could give some information on these logs. [Note that all four mega-bridge pillars are visible in the distance in two of the photos.] (Photo: Danny) (Photo: Danny) CITY OF GHOSTS: From a grand total of 323 in 1997, only 57 derelict buildings remain - Bangkok Post, March 4, 2005 ..."According to our data there were 323 suspended projects in 1997,'' said Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) deputy governor Samart Ratchapolsitte. "Now there are only 57 suspended buildings in the capital.''... Back in the late 1990s at least one international property consultant warned that some of Bangkok's suspended buildings could turn into safety hazards, as developers were not ``mothballing'' their projects and leaving steel rods exposed to the elements that would rust and cause structural problems. Those reports are now being brushed aside. "The overall standard of construction in Bangkok is pretty good. High-rise buildings tend to be over-engineered if anything,'' said Mr Landy... Bangkok developers' failure to mothball their projects _ a process of sealing off and protecting unfinished construction from theft and deterioration _ will more likely just add to the cost of getting them restarted. There was literally no mothballing of projects between 1997 to date, industry sources said. " The mechanical systems and piping will have to be totally replaced,'' said Mr Dilokpul. " In fact, it will cost a new developer more to replace and modify these.''... Platform on top of the world - March 1, 2005 Cormac Bracken point out the astonishing platform atop the Burj Al Arab in Dubai. SRT Labor Union website - February 26, 2005 Wisarut points out the SRT Labor Union website: As usual, SRT Labor Union always opposes free trade as well as privatization. Thai electoral system fails the grade - Bangkok Post, March 1, 2005 [Any article critical of Thailand that begins by referring to international conventions, etc. is likely to be out of touch with local conditions and history. The author clearly has no clue to local sensibilities or the context of Thai electoral laws, offering Thais Abraham Lincoln as an example of an unschooled politician. While the non-degree holder rule is under attack, one of the reasons for barring non-degree holders from office was to begin to purge uneducated big men and their mini-parties from political life. The author suggests that monks conduct voter education. Temple life is already highly politicized and the last thing Thai civil society probably wants is further secularization of the monkhood by politicizing them.] Thai law denies Buddhist monks the right of suffrage. Likewise, a person must have a university degree and be a bona fide member of a political party to run for public office. While international observers try to evaluate election laws in the context of a nation's history, culture and politics, the restrictions in Thailand are not in accordance with internationally accepted norms and standards... Observers of the Feb 6 election in Thailand noted not only the inadequacy of voter education in the lead-up but also the absence of groups to conduct voter education either from the government or from civil society. Monks are revered religious figures and can provide this need. This role fits the monks perfectly well by reason of their moral authority... Human excrement hurled as winning Thai lawmaker says thank you - AP, March 1, 2005 ...The lawmaker, Mana Kongwuthiphanya, was traveling in the back of a slow-moving open truck to thank voters for electing him and endorse the council candidate alongside him when the attack took place, police Col. Trongphum Praphanon said. ...Physical attacks on lawmakers are rare, although this was not the first time human excrement has been used in such an assault. In 1994, a law tutor threw a bag of human excrement at then Commerce Minister Uthai Pimchaichon during a news conference. It burst when it hit Uthai's face.