• Australian Medical Association: Thailand is the HIV capital of the world
  • Yingluck on the Couch
  • Two Years Ago: Burning Down Bangkok
  • Seven Years Ago: A tale of two newspapers: Closing community radio
  • Road to Victory is Red
  • Red Shirt deaths: Should we forgive and forget?
  • 20 Years Ago: Black May – City braces for more riots
  • Fierce debate between Red Shirt academics and Red Shirt politicians who work for Pheu Thai
  • Seven Years Ago: Thaksin and Suchinda
  • Calm prevails in Thailand, though divisions remain, 2 years after violent political upheaval
  • Looking North from Golden Mount
  • After the floods and rioting: Bangkok Rising
  • 20 Years Ago Today: Black May – Enough: End this terrible tragedy
  • The Skytrain Controversy
  • Bangkok has the most Facebook users with 8.7 million active users in the last month
  • Thailand’s 30,000 child boxers
  • Thai PM to visit Australia
  • Myanmar’s central bank aims for weaker currency
  • Burmese ‘Slaves’ held for two years in a shrimp factory near Bangkok
  • Mechai Viravaidya: Combating Hardship in Rural Thailand
  • 20 Years Ago Today: Black May – Censorship issue of the Bangkok Post
  • 20 Years Ago Today: Black May – ‘Drastic’ action to quell riot
  • 10 Years Ago: Politics in the Age of Thaksin
  • Thaksin Would Replace Yingluck With…
  • Weekly News Magazine, May 11, 2012

Thaksin Flies the Country

From Manager, May 8, 2012
Someone on the plane says: Adjusting the cabinet depends on Ms.Yingluck… She is captain. [referring to the assertions that Yingluck really controls the government when it is an open secret Thaksin is in control]

Posted in Editorial Cartoons | 1 Comment

Six Years Ago: “The Da Vinci Code” can be shown uncut

Six Years Ago: “The Da Vinci Code” can be shown uncut

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Seven Years Ago: Big Brother Shocks Thailand

Seven Years Ago: Big Brother Shocks Thailand

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20 Years Ago: Black May

20 Years Ago: Black May

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Bangkok to Rangoon Railway Planned – Special Economic Zone in Three Pagodas Pass

Burma Railway Set for Renaissance – The Irrawaddy, May 16, 2012
…Burmese Railway Minister Aung Min, also a leading government peace negotiator, told the opening ceremony of the Karen National Union (KNU) liaison office in Three Pagodas Pass on Tuesday that talks were already underway with Thailand regarding construction of the railway.
Measuring 415 kilometers (258 miles) from Bangkok to Rangoon, Aung Min said that the project will also benefit the businesses of local people who live near Three Pagodas Pass. However, the railway project hinges on Naypyidaw securing a lasting peace deal with the Karen rebels.
“Our citizens will only have to make a daytrip to Thailand after construction is completed,” said Aung Min. “Local development will also grow much more than before…”

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THAILAND: Mapping urban farming

THAILAND: Mapping urban farming – irinnews.org, May 16, 2012
A Geographical Information System (GIS) is being used to map vegetable production in the greater Bangkok region, seat of Thailand’s capital, to analyse how urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) contribute to food security in the city of more than 14 million…

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Thai Q1 Smartphone Sales Raked in over USD255 Million

First Quarter Smartphone Sales Raked in over USD255 Million in Thailand: GfK Thailand – gfkrt.com, May 16, 2012
…Another apparent smartphone trend in Thailand is the increasing penchant towards Android smartphones. As with most of the other markets in the region, popularity of such phones has been on an upswing. From its market share of 16 percent in quarter one last year, volume sales of Android smartphones have skyrocketed to reach 59 percent in the latest quarter.
“Smartphone penetration level in Thailand is considered low when compared with some of the other markets in the region like Singapore and Malaysia where the larger proportion of the population have already converted from their feature phones,” observed Dr. Wichit. “This presents a huge potential to smartphone manufacturers and we can expect the rate of adoption to accelerate when telecom operators in the country fully roll out their 3G services in the very near future. It is predicted that the Thai smartphone market will more than double in value and volume size in 2012,” he concluded.

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Bible school to start over in Thailand

Bible school to start over in Thailand – onenewsnow.com, May 15, 2012

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Thailand Ranks as No. 1 Outbound Destination for Indian Travellers

Thailand Ranks as No. 1 Outbound Destination for Indian Travellers – asiatraveltips.com, May 16, 2012
For the calendar year 2011, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has revealed that a record number of 917,832 Indians travelled to Thailand in comparison to 791,185 in 2010, making it the number one destination for Indians with a growth rate in excess of 16% in 2011…

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Thailand orders a million Android tablets for schools

Thailand orders a million Android tablets for schools – androidcommunity.com, May 15, 2012
…The country has allocated $32.8 million to ship just under a million tablets to its 6-8-year-old students, with 400,000 shipping out within the next 90 days. The second half of the program, with another 530,000 tablets, is expected to cost another $33 million…

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Thailand ranks 41 in university ranking

Thailand ranks 41 in university ranking – The Nation, May 16, 2012
While Thailand is ahead of seven other countries, including India and Indonesia, it lags behind China and Malaysia when it comes to the quality of higher education. China is at No 39 while Malaysia is in 36th place…

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Thaksin Bargains With the Dead Red Shirts

From Thairath, May 4, 2012
The cartoon title reads: Dead friends and good brother.
On Thaksin’s sign: Want to go home smartly.
On Yingluck’s sign: Reconciliation, amnesty.
The street signs: Ratchaprasong, Kok Wua
Skeleton arm holds up a sign: Get the man who ordered to kill and punish [him].
Left mouse’s sign: Release UDD prisoners
Right mouse: Red Shirts people must not died for free.
[Another cartoon from Red Shirt cartoonist Sia that edges away from the slavish support of Thaksin and acknowledges Thaksin is bargaining with the deaths of the Red Shirts to enable his return.]

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This area is prone to criminal activity


(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)

This sign in front of Wat Thepthidaram reads: This area is prone to criminal activity. Please be aware of your belongings. Best wishes from Samranrat Police Station. If something happens, call 191 or 02-2262136. Fax 02-2257430 www.samranrat.metro.police.go.th

Posted in Signs and Billboards, Thai Military | Leave a comment

The Prem Meeting

From Manager, May 1, 2012
Prime Minister Yingluck (Poo) says: Pa… that’s night cream. I tested already. My face looks tight and young for a week… you must try it…
The caption reads: Don’t think too much… Poo and Prem didn’t talk about politics.

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Heil!

From Thairath, May 7, 2012
The cartoon title reads:Who has the most dictatorial heart
Member of the House of Representative Boonyord Sooktinthai is saying “Heil Hitler” and holds a banner that reads: Protect Charter ’50 of Coup ’49 group”
On the hooded figure: Prime Minister from military camp – Order to suppress people
A mouse is holding a sign: Good boy of the CNS [Council for National Security]

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Thai Premier hails Islamic culture

Thai Premier hails Islamic culture – gulf-daily-news.com, May 15, 2012

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Media Censorship to be Abolished in Burma

Media Censorship to be Abolished in Burma – The Irrawaddy, May 15, 2012
Burma’s media will not have to pass through censorship once the new Myanmar Press Council is formed in June, according to a senior director at the Press Scrutiny and Registration Department (PSRD)…

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Myanmar Tilts Toward South Korea

Seoul: Myanmar halts arms buys from Pyongyang

Myanmar to observe UN N.Korea resolutions: Seoul

Lee: Korea to help Myanmar achieve both democracy, economic development

South Korea’s Lee Offers Aid to Myanmar Ahead of Suu Kyi Meeting

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Oddities abound in Amphon’s trial and jailing

Oddities abound in Amphon’s trial and jailing – The Nation, May 15, 2012

Reds urge Ampon rights probe – Bangkok Post, May 15, 2012

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Thai Rak Thai Returns to Help Yingluck

From Thairath, May 2, 2012
The cartoon title reads: Freedom of the victims of politics [meaning the Thai Rak Thai executives banned from politics for five years]
Yingluck holds a paper that reads: Go on, Thailand!
Somchai Wongsawat, the head of 111 group is coming out of a “Coup’49″ earthen jar.
On the hooded figure: Obstruct everything – Order to suppress people
Sign the mouse is holding: Unlock helper

From Manager, May 4, 2012
The gecko says: What does that mean, they’ll be acquitted in another month?! Actually, they’ve been pulling a jailbreak ever since their first day in jail!!! [meaning the banned politicians openly engaged in politics and ran proxies for office which they controlled]
Sign: Prison No. 111
Graffiti on the wall: There’s no doing good and receiving good in turn; there’s only doing bad and receiving good
We’re fighting for our boss, Nai Liam [Thaksin]
Red everywhere except on Kam Phaka’s nipples [Kam Phaka is a Red Shirt personality on Thaksin's VoiceTV who wrote a message of support for lese majeste convict "Uncle SMS" on her bare breasts.]

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Five Years Ago: Editorial Cartoons

Five Years Ago: Editorial Cartoons – May 2007

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Mahaprachachon, April 13-19, 2012

From Mahaprachachon, April 13-19, 2012
Thaksin — Songkran  — Democracy

Text: We’ve not been free from the elitist dictatorship for several years now, ever since the PAD asked the military to conduct the 2006 coup resulting in the CNS-backed government. Then a second yellow-shirt mob chased away the Samak government. This was followed by the Abhisit government’s shooting of the people to make two bloody Songkrans in a row, and he still insisted on staying in power until 2011. But this Songkran, the light at the end of the tunnel is brighter. Thais will get to enjoy traveling in both our homeland and our brother countries of Laos and Cambodia, as this is really a democratic Songkran.

From Mahaprachachon, April 13-19, 2012
Abhisit and crimes against mankind

From Mahaprachachon, April 13-19, 2012
The cartoon title: Who ordered [the coup]?
Thought balloon from Prvy Councilor Prem’s jacket: We curse those betraying our nation that they may be ruined and bless those who rob our democracy that they may be prosperous.
Gen. Sonthi (popping out of Prem;’s jacket): You don’t need to curse. I won’t betray Pa [Prem]… um, the country. Even if it means dying, I’ll never say anything. 

From Mahaprachachon, April 13-19, 2012
Sprinkling Songkran water to pay respect to one’s elders - Curse those who bombed houses and cities

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£6m Thai coins deal for Llantrisant’s Royal Mint

£6m Thai coins deal for Llantrisant’s Royal Mint – walesonline.co.uk, May 14, 2012
…“This deal is great news for Britain and has a special importance for me as Welsh Secretary as the aRMour nickel plated steel blanks which Thailand’s coins will be made from will be supplied by The Royal Mint, based in Llantrisant, South Wales…

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Pointing Out the Wrongdoers

From Thairath. May 5, 2012
The cartoon title reads: Opening the door and welcoming justice
On the sleeve: International Criminal Court
On the door: Acknowledging the authority of the International Criminal Court
Left man: Sunai
Right man: Weng
On the hooded figure: Protected by double standards – Ordering the people killed
Suthep holds a paper that reads: Pressing terrorist charges 
Left mouse: Punish those who ordered the killings
Right mouse: Justice for the UDD

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Two Years Ago: Shooting Sae Daeng

Two Years Ago: Shooting Sae Daeng

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Mahaprachachon, April 20-26, 2012

From Mahaprachachon, April 20-26, 2012
The cover reads: Parliament’s voice will go which way?
The blurb reads: The phrase “the majority of votes will lead others” from “democrat people” is not only a “political discourse” that they hope to “get good things to themselves and send bad things to others”, but they also aim to destroy parliament’s reputation. The truth is… the parliament is the center of Thai people’s voice.  So parliament’s voice will go which way? [Referring to the opposition criticism that the Puea Thai government is using its majority to railroad laws benefiting Thaksin. The contention is that, if the government is in the majority, they have carte blanche to do what they want as they are the voice of the people.]
On the right: Democrats become gloomy.
Money can buy anything.
“Politics” is the story of area.
Unlock Thailand.

From Mahaprachachon, April 20-26, 2012
Let it be… Let it be crazy!
The political movement is a new situation– UDD-Red Shirts upgrade themselves to the international level with full support by “the greatest friend” Hun Sen

From Mahaprachachon, April 20-26, 2012
Headline: Leaders with no maturity leaders with world population’s nightmare
[Comparing former PM Abhisit to North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un.]

From Mahaprachachon, April 20-26, 2012
Headline: Behind the scenes of Red Shirts group at Siem Reap

From Mahaprachachon, April 20-26, 2012
Headline: From bloody Songkran to Songkran in the three lands. [meaning Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia]

Posted in Red Shirt Publications | Leave a comment

Walmart Supplier in Rights Row

Walmart supplier in rights row – Bangkok Post, May 13, 2012
…According to the minutes of a meeting between the Cambodian diplomat, the company’s executives and Thai labour authorities, obtained by the Bangkok Post Sunday, the ambassador was told a misunderstanding arose among the company’s 1,050 Cambodian workers when the Thai government increased the minimum wage by 40% from 176 to 246 baht per day on April 1.
Workers received their wages for March–calculated using the old rate–on April 5, which caused confusion.
Regarding the accusation that the company had withheld workers’ personal documents, the management admitted doing so, but said it was in the best interest of workers. The company said it provided a service to help workers report to immigration officials every 90 days…

Earlier: Songkhla: Strikers claim shots fired

Earlier: Phatthana Seafood factory in Songkhla: Strings attached to offer made to Cambodian workers

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Celebrating 500 Years of Successful Thai-Portuguese Trade

Celebrating 500 Years of Successful Thai-Portuguese Trade

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Funeral pyres lit in our dark night of shame

Funeral pyres lit in our dark night of shame – Bangkok Post, May 12, 2012
…As his coffin was raised in a cross-town funeral procession, it was more than just Ampon that died: it was the hope that serious consideration to updating the law that was evidently used with self-righteous savagery that died with him. Denying bail to a sick old man for sending libelous text messages is not something worthy of any civilisation, because it’s as good as a death sentence. Tell me again, for I didn’t hear it, running away where?
Then yesterday, freedom of speech was executed by the firing squad at the Ministry of Culture. The National Film and Television Board – officially chaired by PM Yingluck Shinawatra, though she never has time to watch any serious films – upheld the initial verdict of the censors board and banned Shakespeare Tong Tai (Shakespeare Must Die), an adaptation of Macbeth and a political allegory based on our contemporary fracas. The death sentence rests comfortably on a vague justification: the film, which is about a general who kills a king to become king and a politician who lusts after power, will cause disunity among the people. The film’s title serves as its own dark prophecy: Shakespeare must die, and is dead…

Posted in Censorship, Lese Majeste | Leave a comment

Another Coup Looming in Thailand?

Another Coup Looming in Thailand? – cfr.org, May 10, 2012

Refers to this article: Thai army secretly plans for the worst – atimes.com, May 11, 2012

Posted in Thai Politics | 5 Comments