It is interesting to note that Khamsaeng Sivilai, the first ethnic Lao member of the ICP and founding member of the Lao People’s Party, was not included in this group of LPRP luminaries. There is a burial stupa for him at Wat Sisaket so his remains are not missing in action. Another founding member of the Lao People’s Party, Boun Phommahaxay, was not included in this pantheon of Lao revolutionaries. The whereabouts of his burial stupa is unknown to me. One wonders why pioneer revolutionaries such as Sisana Sisane, Gen. Singkapo, Chao Souk Vongsak and Xomxeun Khamphithoune were not promoted ahead of Somphet Thipmala and Osakanh Thammatheva. I was quite surprised to see the name Vaenthong Luangvilay who only briefly occupied the LPRP Central Committee. I’m sure if you asked the average Lao citizen who this person was they would shrug their shoulders and say “bor hu”.
Regarding rituals, it was surprising to see the old stupas for Phoun Sipaseuth, Oudom Khattiya and Khambou Sounixay near the That Luang with their doors smashed in. Some also had the carved ‘grave’ portraits smashed. In contrast the stupa for Souphanouvong remained in relatively good condition. Small fences around these stupas had been removed or left open following the transfer of the urns. One wonders what will become of these stupas, will they be knocked down in the near future like colonial villas along the riverside or left to stand ‘spiritually’ empty?
Rather than go into a line by line rebuttal of Andrew’s rather remarkable rant, I think just two excerpts show how one sided his writing continue to be.
After going on and on about the supposed ideology of the TRT he writes one line about the Northern and Northeastern factions that make up Thaksin’s core support and his ability gain electoral majorities: But Thaksin made ample use of old-style Thai politicking techniques too, in particular the practice of bribing floating factions of MPs to join his camp.
But for the Democrats he says: It was mostly made up of cynical operators with no particular ideology, and its political survival depended on maintaining dominance in regions of southern Thailand where Democrat-aligned families had established a longstanding grip on power.
Isn’t the statement about the Democrats the just as, and maybe more, applicable to the TRT/PPP/PTP? Considering the number of parliamentary seats in the 2 regions isn’t the problem of “cynical operators with no particular ideology” even more prevalent in the North and NE?
Without the support of the northeastern provincial godfathers (his own family controls the Northern factions), Thaksin would not be a factor in any election. Does anyone think that support is based on an ideology of helping the poor people?
Tracing the reason why Burma < Thailand conclusion will most likely address the 3 issues mentioned.
Thailand among all other SEA nation, has enjoy unprecedented stability and unbridled economic prosperity for at least the last century if not more.
Therefore allow the country, with 'similarity in almost every respect' to Myanmar, to evolve to a democratic present.
Myanmar never have that benefit of stability as well as economic opportunity.
Similar to Myanmar, 2 important entities that hold Thailand together are The Monarchy and Buddhism.
The British colonization ended the former yet inadvertently strengthen the latter sowing the seeds to present, THEN none existing, ethnic discords, an important factors Thailand never have to endure in spite of similarly diverse ethnic group.
A significant part of the 2 ethnic groups the Kachin and the Karen are non Buddhist, making Buddhism the fabric to unity as in Thailand quite useless.
The 3 factors that you mentioned may seem daunting since Myanmar problems are 4th generational starting with inherent evil of colonization to present.
Yet the simple answer have always been in the example of Taiwan, Korea, as well as Thailand, the Philippines, China and to a lesser extend now Vietnam.
Invented by USA and EU that have define the new concept to a world unity that has transcend ethnic, religious and nationalistic constraints, THE FREE TRADE, the very antithesis of SANCTION.
The opposites to the above are N. Korea, China before Nixon visit as well as Vietnam before true re engagement make this point even better.
Trading promote the basic need of the most vulnerable citizenry in so many ways.
The desirable changes within Myanmar can never be sustained as long as the humanity within continue to be deprived of the most basic need.
For those people who are interested in real history, there are free ebooks you can download in Project Gutenberg. If you are interested in the history of witch hunts in England there is a free book A History of Witchcraft in England from 1558 to 1718 by Wallace Notestein which you can download. I think it is better to get real history from the people who really did the researches than from words of mouths. From the book, you will see that witch hunts in this period was started by political party who wanted to equal Catholics as witches. In this period witch hunts were more of a political than religious events. Many half learned Western intellects who came to teach Thai children didn’t even study their own history. All they did were regurgitating what they heard in popular culture without checking the original texts. Because they talked from Western popular culture which our people had no expose to, it sounded like they know more than we do. Look at psychology as an example. Many Western people came to our society and talked like they know so much about psychology because of many Western psychologists they were able to name. Names like Freud and Jung, which were used to mesmerized many of our young men and women are already debunked Don’t take their words without study them yourself.
“Bhumibol’s tragic fall from grace was swift and savage”….
“over the four years that followed, the reckless behaviour of Thailand’s royalist elite brought the palace, and the country, to the brink of catastrophe.”
Starts with two hard to substantiate statements. Bhumibol has been almost non compos mentis for a decade and his “state of grace” has hardly changed. Just because more people speak out about the palace, and the lese majeste laws is now severely enforced, doesn’t mean Bhumibol has fallen from grace. Indeed, Andrew himself like many other has cited the king’s ostensible criticism of the LM law a few years ago as an argument that “the king himself” doesn’t like what is going on. That doesn’t sound like a fall from grace. The king’s image remains pretty solid whatever the red-yellow battles.
Secondly, isn’t it Thaksin and his red shirts who challenged the status qu0 (which was the palace-army deal to manage things the way they want). Obviously the yellow shirts will argue that it was the reds’ “reckless behaviour” that “brought the country to the brink of catastrophe.” The confrontation of both sides nearly wrecked the country; and it comes from a deep division over the future. Saying the palace nearly wrecked it alone is absurd.
I hope the other aunts are not too upset at missing out on the annual correspondence.
(they seem very personable, so perhaps that would be a better route for the family contacts?)
The generals having their laugh on the West saving face effort now underway.
Untold yet known to everyone, who have traveled to Myanmar, is the required compliance by Embassy of Myanmar insistence on addressing/filling the visa application with “Myanmar” .
Using “Burma” risk immediate rejection of that process.
This exercise of snuff diplomacy illustrate another aspect of the overall useless careless policy.
To denigrate this government of Myanmar has been USA and GB intent,a name already dignified by UN.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi willingly acquiesce to this West idiocy at the expense of the humanity within, is evident here at New Mandala.
What next?
Acknowledgment of the true impact, denied so long, of the ongoing useless careless policy?
#1. I’m afraid notwithstanding local knowledge the old adversaries are rather more likely to manifest some ingrained animosity and chauvinistic attitude to each other. Over the decades many Burmese had learnt to travel over difficult terrain served by very poor roads and rail links, just to survive, moving black market items from A to not B but Z, and in the process getting familiar with both terrain and dealing with the ethnic peoples on friendly business terms as equals. Besides we have civilian govt servants of various departments, serving or retired, who can help in this important reconciliation process.
#2. Assuming that the change is meant to last, the sheer logistics of accommodating the returnees can be problematic. People on the other hand will be more than happy to benefit from the experience and expertise gained by those who have broadened their horizons. It will be need to be handled and resolved as domestic internal contradictions in the family, not as if they were class enemies like some entrenched exploitative and repressive ruling class.
#3. Unemployment is the most dreaded scourge of any country and it’s the last thing demobbed soldiers would want to face. Perhaps the world class sweat shops in the SEZs likely to mushroom in the major cities and infrastructure projects will fill the gap. Many from farming families may wish to return to their villages provided the govt makes agriculture with land ownership and credit issues as well as farm mechanization with workshops for repair and maintenance a priority. The urban rural divide must be addressed. Satellite TV, VCDs and cell phones have bridged this to a certain extent. Employment opportunities remain the crucial issue here as everywhere else in the world.
Many wonder what Burma will look like if it manages to get rid of the shadow of military dominance, and ethnic war, and grinding poverty. We hope it will be a much happier place.
Do we sense just a little bit of grudging acceptance of the Lady here?
Go on, sport. Give us some more of your valued opinion and considered recommendations now that she’s going to achieve what you always wanted – lifting the infernal sanctions. Perhaps they heard your constant whining over the din, and not to her credit in taking up the offer from the generals who had evidently wised up if belatedly on a proper and workable exit strategy.
The All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU or ba ka tha in Burmese), or for that matter the Communist Party of Burma (CPB or ba ka pa) are unlikely to change to Myanmar. We have a saying, “when everyone but you drinks the bitter rain water and goes insane, so must you so you’re not the ‘odd one’ out”.
I agree with Rhoden. Bamar/Bama is not going to die out any time soon just because official Burmese (from the dawn of history) and now also official English use the term Myanmar to be politically correct.
Burma or Myanmar ?
What’s the big deal ? I cannot see any.
Many people from Burma would say different meaning of Burma, Myama and Bama. They also are ready to argue until their face turn blue.
In reality, most people will come up with very vague meaning of these words. Some would try to explain as “Myan = quick/fast” and “Mar = hard/durable”. Well, this sort of shallow explanation worked during General Ne Win’s one party rule but not anymore in modern days.
Some say the word “Myanmar” originated from India while some others are happy to claim bizarre forms of explanation and the same way goes for the Burmese ethnic’s original root. (The truth might hurt, but let face this with a brave face).
When speaking Burmese, I tend to here “Burma” placed before the word “country” in more colloquial speech and “Myanmar” placed before it in official language.
I’m not sure what the staying power of “Burma” will be in English if Americans & British stop using it, but I don’t get that the sense at all that it will be disappearing anytime soon in Burmese language usage.
Actually all the international rankings are a matter of marketing. Other than the top schools like Harvard and MIT and the rest at the top who, regardless of their ranking would churn out great stuff anyway, the others are all just playing a game to get more international students and publish more stuff.
Every university has its good and bad. Look, Bush went to Yale, and I personally know someone who cannot even understand management who has a doctorate from Harvard.
What matters at the end of the day is the student’s attitude and the opportunities open to the student, which I thought was well-described by Alamanach.
I have to agree that Asian universities in general, tend to not want you to think too radically and want you to follow trends or your supervisor’s research instead, so it is not only Chula that is like that. Try studying in Singapore.
Chula is not that great, definitely. But it is not that bad as well.
Myanmar is the dominant term used in Yangon from what I’ve seen, although there is a sizeable minority who use Burma. I’ve noticed people will sometimes use Burma when speaking to a foreigner and Myanmar when speaking to a… Myanmar person.
Peter: “It is apparently ambiguous whether the censors objected to the “anti-Thaksin” allegory/tone, or the further additional implications in regard to the present Thai King and especially the present Queen and Prince, or to both areas.”
Two things are clear, 1. Thaksin supporters would find it offensive and 2. the film was funded under the non-Thaksin fiscal stimulus program. Maybe it is one the other or both reasons that you suggest. As for it being ambiguous, of course it is, along with everything else for the last umpteen years.
“But it is not ambiguous that the censor committee have nothing to do with Thaksin in terms of their appointment or position and it seems a bit of a stretch to “blame” this absurd (and totally counter-productive in terms of worldwide publicity the film is now getting) act of pointless censorship on Thaksin and the Yingluck/Pheu Thai government.”
1. What? That is exactly what people do on this blog do all the time!
2. What is the name of the film? “Shakespeare must die.” The title apes all the people who want to punch, kick, swear, throw people in jail and commit acts of violence every time they perceive an act of LM. (not a very good way to honor any Buddhist monarch, I might add) The authors probably knew it stood a good chance of being censored or getting slapped with a defamation suit or some other neanderthal reaction, but in the long-run its real significance is probably its intercultural intertextuality which is really quite cool.
3. Contrary to what some police officers might think, the film in fact does do honor to the Thai institution of monarchy, in that some filmmaker and artist works hard to create a film with deep literary meaning that invokes great works of world literature from the past that have also reflected on these universal themes in the institution of monarchy. BTW Pali literature is the way to go though, a neglected part of Thai, Burmese, Lao, Cambodian, Sri Lankan, Indian heritage. May Pali literature have a bright future !
As the vast majority of foreigners paying attention to Myanmar only pay attention really to the words of ASSK in relation to politics, I think “the trigger” will be when we start getting news reports subtitled with her having said “Myanmar”. Then it will be commonly accepted by everyone avidly watching the news, and so it will become a relatively irrelevant debate in the circles of the now-called-“Burma”-watchers, and for people mildly aware of what happened in 1989. The truth was never all that important for legitimacy…..
PTT has trailer clip of the film. It looks quite intriguing. The semiotic references of the the burning “р╣Ар╕лр╕╡р╣Йр╕в” and what seems to be a reenactment of a scene from the thammasat massacre were jarring.
Peter,
What amuses me is the thought of a censor watching the movie, drawing his own allusions from it and being terrified of upsetting anyone on either side of the political divide.
I’ll stop now as I feel a slew of pithily relevant Shakespearean quotations coming on!
Oh…and I see from my window that Yoshi the gardener is raking the gravel in an unharmonious anti-clockwise wrong direction this morning….
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Revolutionary remains
It is interesting to note that Khamsaeng Sivilai, the first ethnic Lao member of the ICP and founding member of the Lao People’s Party, was not included in this group of LPRP luminaries. There is a burial stupa for him at Wat Sisaket so his remains are not missing in action. Another founding member of the Lao People’s Party, Boun Phommahaxay, was not included in this pantheon of Lao revolutionaries. The whereabouts of his burial stupa is unknown to me. One wonders why pioneer revolutionaries such as Sisana Sisane, Gen. Singkapo, Chao Souk Vongsak and Xomxeun Khamphithoune were not promoted ahead of Somphet Thipmala and Osakanh Thammatheva. I was quite surprised to see the name Vaenthong Luangvilay who only briefly occupied the LPRP Central Committee. I’m sure if you asked the average Lao citizen who this person was they would shrug their shoulders and say “bor hu”.
Regarding rituals, it was surprising to see the old stupas for Phoun Sipaseuth, Oudom Khattiya and Khambou Sounixay near the That Luang with their doors smashed in. Some also had the carved ‘grave’ portraits smashed. In contrast the stupa for Souphanouvong remained in relatively good condition. Small fences around these stupas had been removed or left open following the transfer of the urns. One wonders what will become of these stupas, will they be knocked down in the near future like colonial villas along the riverside or left to stand ‘spiritually’ empty?
Critical review of King Bhumibol’s life
Rather than go into a line by line rebuttal of Andrew’s rather remarkable rant, I think just two excerpts show how one sided his writing continue to be.
After going on and on about the supposed ideology of the TRT he writes one line about the Northern and Northeastern factions that make up Thaksin’s core support and his ability gain electoral majorities:
But Thaksin made ample use of old-style Thai politicking techniques too, in particular the practice of bribing floating factions of MPs to join his camp.
But for the Democrats he says:
It was mostly made up of cynical operators with no particular ideology, and its political survival depended on maintaining dominance in regions of southern Thailand where Democrat-aligned families had established a longstanding grip on power.
Isn’t the statement about the Democrats the just as, and maybe more, applicable to the TRT/PPP/PTP? Considering the number of parliamentary seats in the 2 regions isn’t the problem of “cynical operators with no particular ideology” even more prevalent in the North and NE?
Without the support of the northeastern provincial godfathers (his own family controls the Northern factions), Thaksin would not be a factor in any election. Does anyone think that support is based on an ideology of helping the poor people?
Burma’s changing equations
Nich
Tracing the reason why Burma < Thailand conclusion will most likely address the 3 issues mentioned.
Thailand among all other SEA nation, has enjoy unprecedented stability and unbridled economic prosperity for at least the last century if not more.
Therefore allow the country, with 'similarity in almost every respect' to Myanmar, to evolve to a democratic present.
Myanmar never have that benefit of stability as well as economic opportunity.
Similar to Myanmar, 2 important entities that hold Thailand together are The Monarchy and Buddhism.
The British colonization ended the former yet inadvertently strengthen the latter sowing the seeds to present, THEN none existing, ethnic discords, an important factors Thailand never have to endure in spite of similarly diverse ethnic group.
A significant part of the 2 ethnic groups the Kachin and the Karen are non Buddhist, making Buddhism the fabric to unity as in Thailand quite useless.
The 3 factors that you mentioned may seem daunting since Myanmar problems are 4th generational starting with inherent evil of colonization to present.
Yet the simple answer have always been in the example of Taiwan, Korea, as well as Thailand, the Philippines, China and to a lesser extend now Vietnam.
Invented by USA and EU that have define the new concept to a world unity that has transcend ethnic, religious and nationalistic constraints, THE FREE TRADE, the very antithesis of SANCTION.
The opposites to the above are N. Korea, China before Nixon visit as well as Vietnam before true re engagement make this point even better.
Trading promote the basic need of the most vulnerable citizenry in so many ways.
The desirable changes within Myanmar can never be sustained as long as the humanity within continue to be deprived of the most basic need.
Don’t stand out in Thailand
For those people who are interested in real history, there are free ebooks you can download in Project Gutenberg. If you are interested in the history of witch hunts in England there is a free book A History of Witchcraft in England from 1558 to 1718 by Wallace Notestein which you can download. I think it is better to get real history from the people who really did the researches than from words of mouths. From the book, you will see that witch hunts in this period was started by political party who wanted to equal Catholics as witches. In this period witch hunts were more of a political than religious events. Many half learned Western intellects who came to teach Thai children didn’t even study their own history. All they did were regurgitating what they heard in popular culture without checking the original texts. Because they talked from Western popular culture which our people had no expose to, it sounded like they know more than we do. Look at psychology as an example. Many Western people came to our society and talked like they know so much about psychology because of many Western psychologists they were able to name. Names like Freud and Jung, which were used to mesmerized many of our young men and women are already debunked Don’t take their words without study them yourself.
Critical review of King Bhumibol’s life
“Bhumibol’s tragic fall from grace was swift and savage”….
“over the four years that followed, the reckless behaviour of Thailand’s royalist elite brought the palace, and the country, to the brink of catastrophe.”
Starts with two hard to substantiate statements. Bhumibol has been almost non compos mentis for a decade and his “state of grace” has hardly changed. Just because more people speak out about the palace, and the lese majeste laws is now severely enforced, doesn’t mean Bhumibol has fallen from grace. Indeed, Andrew himself like many other has cited the king’s ostensible criticism of the LM law a few years ago as an argument that “the king himself” doesn’t like what is going on. That doesn’t sound like a fall from grace. The king’s image remains pretty solid whatever the red-yellow battles.
Secondly, isn’t it Thaksin and his red shirts who challenged the status qu0 (which was the palace-army deal to manage things the way they want). Obviously the yellow shirts will argue that it was the reds’ “reckless behaviour” that “brought the country to the brink of catastrophe.” The confrontation of both sides nearly wrecked the country; and it comes from a deep division over the future. Saying the palace nearly wrecked it alone is absurd.
Crown Prince’s family update?
I hope the other aunts are not too upset at missing out on the annual correspondence.
(they seem very personable, so perhaps that would be a better route for the family contacts?)
Don’t stand out in Thailand
The House Committee on UnThai Activities?
The end for “Burma”
The generals having their laugh on the West saving face effort now underway.
Untold yet known to everyone, who have traveled to Myanmar, is the required compliance by Embassy of Myanmar insistence on addressing/filling the visa application with “Myanmar” .
Using “Burma” risk immediate rejection of that process.
This exercise of snuff diplomacy illustrate another aspect of the overall useless careless policy.
To denigrate this government of Myanmar has been USA and GB intent,a name already dignified by UN.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi willingly acquiesce to this West idiocy at the expense of the humanity within, is evident here at New Mandala.
What next?
Acknowledgment of the true impact, denied so long, of the ongoing useless careless policy?
Burma’s changing equations
Nich,
#1. I’m afraid notwithstanding local knowledge the old adversaries are rather more likely to manifest some ingrained animosity and chauvinistic attitude to each other. Over the decades many Burmese had learnt to travel over difficult terrain served by very poor roads and rail links, just to survive, moving black market items from A to not B but Z, and in the process getting familiar with both terrain and dealing with the ethnic peoples on friendly business terms as equals. Besides we have civilian govt servants of various departments, serving or retired, who can help in this important reconciliation process.
#2. Assuming that the change is meant to last, the sheer logistics of accommodating the returnees can be problematic. People on the other hand will be more than happy to benefit from the experience and expertise gained by those who have broadened their horizons. It will be need to be handled and resolved as domestic internal contradictions in the family, not as if they were class enemies like some entrenched exploitative and repressive ruling class.
#3. Unemployment is the most dreaded scourge of any country and it’s the last thing demobbed soldiers would want to face. Perhaps the world class sweat shops in the SEZs likely to mushroom in the major cities and infrastructure projects will fill the gap. Many from farming families may wish to return to their villages provided the govt makes agriculture with land ownership and credit issues as well as farm mechanization with workshops for repair and maintenance a priority. The urban rural divide must be addressed. Satellite TV, VCDs and cell phones have bridged this to a certain extent. Employment opportunities remain the crucial issue here as everywhere else in the world.
Many wonder what Burma will look like if it manages to get rid of the shadow of military dominance, and ethnic war, and grinding poverty. We hope it will be a much happier place.
You betcha, Nich, and thank you.
More ideas about Burma for today
plan B,
Do we sense just a little bit of grudging acceptance of the Lady here?
Go on, sport. Give us some more of your valued opinion and considered recommendations now that she’s going to achieve what you always wanted – lifting the infernal sanctions. Perhaps they heard your constant whining over the din, and not to her credit in taking up the offer from the generals who had evidently wised up if belatedly on a proper and workable exit strategy.
The end for “Burma”
The All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU or ba ka tha in Burmese), or for that matter the Communist Party of Burma (CPB or ba ka pa) are unlikely to change to Myanmar. We have a saying, “when everyone but you drinks the bitter rain water and goes insane, so must you so you’re not the ‘odd one’ out”.
I agree with Rhoden. Bamar/Bama is not going to die out any time soon just because official Burmese (from the dawn of history) and now also official English use the term Myanmar to be politically correct.
The end for “Burma”
Burma or Myanmar ?
What’s the big deal ? I cannot see any.
Many people from Burma would say different meaning of Burma, Myama and Bama. They also are ready to argue until their face turn blue.
In reality, most people will come up with very vague meaning of these words. Some would try to explain as “Myan = quick/fast” and “Mar = hard/durable”. Well, this sort of shallow explanation worked during General Ne Win’s one party rule but not anymore in modern days.
Some say the word “Myanmar” originated from India while some others are happy to claim bizarre forms of explanation and the same way goes for the Burmese ethnic’s original root. (The truth might hurt, but let face this with a brave face).
The end for “Burma”
When speaking Burmese, I tend to here “Burma” placed before the word “country” in more colloquial speech and “Myanmar” placed before it in official language.
I’m not sure what the staying power of “Burma” will be in English if Americans & British stop using it, but I don’t get that the sense at all that it will be disappearing anytime soon in Burmese language usage.
University rankings from Chula’s perspective
Actually all the international rankings are a matter of marketing. Other than the top schools like Harvard and MIT and the rest at the top who, regardless of their ranking would churn out great stuff anyway, the others are all just playing a game to get more international students and publish more stuff.
Every university has its good and bad. Look, Bush went to Yale, and I personally know someone who cannot even understand management who has a doctorate from Harvard.
What matters at the end of the day is the student’s attitude and the opportunities open to the student, which I thought was well-described by Alamanach.
I have to agree that Asian universities in general, tend to not want you to think too radically and want you to follow trends or your supervisor’s research instead, so it is not only Chula that is like that. Try studying in Singapore.
Chula is not that great, definitely. But it is not that bad as well.
The end for “Burma”
Myanmar is the dominant term used in Yangon from what I’ve seen, although there is a sizeable minority who use Burma. I’ve noticed people will sometimes use Burma when speaking to a foreigner and Myanmar when speaking to a… Myanmar person.
Don’t stand out in Thailand
Don’t stand out, and DO stand up.
(and DO crawl)
Reviewing King Bhumibol’s life
Peter: “It is apparently ambiguous whether the censors objected to the “anti-Thaksin” allegory/tone, or the further additional implications in regard to the present Thai King and especially the present Queen and Prince, or to both areas.”
Two things are clear, 1. Thaksin supporters would find it offensive and 2. the film was funded under the non-Thaksin fiscal stimulus program. Maybe it is one the other or both reasons that you suggest. As for it being ambiguous, of course it is, along with everything else for the last umpteen years.
“But it is not ambiguous that the censor committee have nothing to do with Thaksin in terms of their appointment or position and it seems a bit of a stretch to “blame” this absurd (and totally counter-productive in terms of worldwide publicity the film is now getting) act of pointless censorship on Thaksin and the Yingluck/Pheu Thai government.”
1. What? That is exactly what people do on this blog do all the time!
2. What is the name of the film? “Shakespeare must die.” The title apes all the people who want to punch, kick, swear, throw people in jail and commit acts of violence every time they perceive an act of LM. (not a very good way to honor any Buddhist monarch, I might add) The authors probably knew it stood a good chance of being censored or getting slapped with a defamation suit or some other neanderthal reaction, but in the long-run its real significance is probably its intercultural intertextuality which is really quite cool.
3. Contrary to what some police officers might think, the film in fact does do honor to the Thai institution of monarchy, in that some filmmaker and artist works hard to create a film with deep literary meaning that invokes great works of world literature from the past that have also reflected on these universal themes in the institution of monarchy.
BTW Pali literature is the way to go though, a neglected part of Thai, Burmese, Lao, Cambodian, Sri Lankan, Indian heritage. May Pali literature have a bright future !
The end for “Burma”
As the vast majority of foreigners paying attention to Myanmar only pay attention really to the words of ASSK in relation to politics, I think “the trigger” will be when we start getting news reports subtitled with her having said “Myanmar”. Then it will be commonly accepted by everyone avidly watching the news, and so it will become a relatively irrelevant debate in the circles of the now-called-“Burma”-watchers, and for people mildly aware of what happened in 1989. The truth was never all that important for legitimacy…..
Reviewing King Bhumibol’s life
PTT has trailer clip of the film. It looks quite intriguing. The semiotic references of the the burning “р╣Ар╕лр╕╡р╣Йр╕в” and what seems to be a reenactment of a scene from the thammasat massacre were jarring.
http://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpress.com/
Reviewing King Bhumibol’s life
Peter,
What amuses me is the thought of a censor watching the movie, drawing his own allusions from it and being terrified of upsetting anyone on either side of the political divide.
I’ll stop now as I feel a slew of pithily relevant Shakespearean quotations coming on!
Oh…and I see from my window that Yoshi the gardener is raking the gravel in an unharmonious anti-clockwise wrong direction this morning….