As an outsider living in Indonesia and seeing the constant threat under which the ethnic Chinese here live, and considering the way Malaysia actively discriminates against the ethnic Chinese (and anyone non-Malay) there, I can’t help but feel that your article might have benefited from looking at the rock and the hard place between which it sits.
(Respinse “A Thai”) If that is the case, then it confirms the undemocratic nature of the Thai regime does it not? which Khun Sek, is not a “government” — it is illegal military junta which replaced by force an elected government. That is the fact.
Frankie Leung – Nonsense! Try saying something anti-semetic or anti-black in the US and see what happens.
I can say anything I want in Singapore too – whether you like it or not. See, I am saying it now and I can shout the same thing in the middle of Ochard Road…
Do we say the English have special previleges in UK, because English is spoken? One can carry these kinds of arguements to ridiculous extreme, if one does not need to keep any kind of perspective…
Hugh: Thailand has both in the understanding of the Thais involved in the matter and even a liberal-democrat from an Anglospherean pure propaganda zone country must be able to grasp that having no written constitution is not the same as having no constitution.
Undoubtedly you will be able to find Thai academics and journalists who have hitched their wagons to comprador interpretations of Thai culture in order to add to the white man’s burden, but that really doesn’t alter the reality.
Please don’t tell me what language to speak in my country. I don’t go to places like Hong Kong and tell the locals to speak English in case they project the image of being a Chinese-dominated city. Don’t forget, 7.4% of Hong Kong residents are not Chinese.
Michael and Shane – I hope you are correct. The last thing Australia wants is more instability in Thailand. If the CP is becomes King, by due process, I’d be happy with that. He’s always been a good friend of Australia. Unfairly much maligned by his enemies.
I am amazed at the huge number of folk who do not understand that Thailand has neither a King nor a Constitution.
But can some one inform me please as to what the new purpose of the Royal Thai Army is. I ask that in the context that their sole reason for being an organised army was to the protect the King of Thailand. There is no King of Thailand.
Excellent article. I especially liked that comparison between “gun-toting Oklahoma Christian fundamentalists” and Isaan taxi drivers. There are a LOT of guns in Isaan. And Isaan people are fundamentalist Buddhists, and nascent Lao nationalists. Like Texas – which is now talking TeXit, if the elites reject them yet again, Isaan is now widely talking IsaanExit.
His Excellency raises good points. Not least re. clothing. From what I’ve seen of the many Thais in Australia, the vast majority are wearing either black, white (the Buddhist mourning colour), or other very subdued colours. His Majesty the Late Bumiphol was indeed one of Siam’s greatest kings. I always wear black, grey, or subdued colours at any Thai eatery, out of genuine respect. I did however see ONE Thai very blatantly sporting a bright ORANGE shirt. What is the significance of this ?
The significance of His Excellency The Ambassador’s remarks are that a rupture in Australia-Thai relations may be developing. His Excellency needs to appreciate that in Australia FREE SPEECH IS KING ! What does he say to that ?
With regard to this attempt to white wash the story …..
Note the following statement in the article: “The so-called “Justice” Minister (General) Paiboon Khumchaya has indirectly called for socially sanctioned attacks (or “lynch mobs”) against those suspected of being even remotely “anti monarch”, even if they are living overseas.”
This is a groundless allegation based wholly on a subjective personal interpretation designed to support the notion that Thailand has been plagued by a ruthless totalitarian regime.
the following is as reported by Thai media ………
On 18 October 2016, Justice Minister Paiboon Kumchaya was asked by media for his opinion on the case of vigilantism against a lèse-majesté soy milk seller in Phuket that occurred three days earlier. The Minister replied nothing is better than vigilantism and also encouraged Thais in other countries to do the same with lèse-majesté committers living abroad, reported Matichon Online.
Interesting that the junta feels the need to comment on New Mandala articles.
Khaosod ran with a news item this week that I haven’t seen picked up elsewhere. The chief imman of Thailand has told Thai muslims that they should not prostrate themselves to royalty because muslims should only prostrate themselves to God, and of course, Islam has but one God. If this were to be widely reported I wonder how the majority buddhists would react? It would mak every practicing muslim liable to lese majeste, would it not?
Poor native indonesian don’t need ahok to feel marginalised. The resentment towards chinese has always been there even since Dutch colonial time. It used to be economic disparity which cause the friction and now one of their golden boy is a lawmaker who is making things worse and seems to aim the least fortunate. I just hope it won’t end up with another anti-chinese riot.
No, Arthurson, that wouldn’t be “micro-fascism”, that would be a school administrator making a stupid rule, as happens all too often when ill-educated toadies are advanced into positions of micro-power.
The desire of the parents of these kids to have their children’s dress dictated to them by such a toady and their acquiescence in the charade would be closer to “micro-fascism”.
Of course, the way Taylor misuses the concept, it just means “bad stuff a government does”, so if you are willing to call just about anything “fascism” because it makes you feel good, then I suppose you are right.
As an example of the micro-fascism described in James Taylor’s article, we learned today that a school in Buriram has confiscated the school children’s colorful jackets as not keeping with the spirit of the mourning period. It is better to have children suffer from the cold than to show any possible signs of disunity!
Students worry after school confiscates colourful coats
Submitted by editor4 on Thu, 03/11/2016 – 18:40
Winter is coming but a school in the northeastern province of Buriram has banned colourful coats during Thailand’s mourning period.
On 3 November 2016, Somsak Taemsoaksoong, the principal of Nangrong School announced in an assembly that only black, grey and white coats were allowed and colourful coats would be confiscated, reported Khaosod English.
“Government officials [like our school staff] have to wear black for a year,” Somsak said. “So if students wear bright colors, it looks kinda off.”
Students have responded with concern since the temperature in Buriram is cooling rapidly, with thermometers dropping to 23 degrees Celsius on the day of the principal’s announcement.
Most students do not own coats in muted colours and fear they will now get sick.
In the aftermath of King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s death on 13 October 2016, Thailand’s government has encouraged the wearing of muted tones.
So, basically the two men have very little in common indeed either in terms of their personalities or their political (or geographical) circumstances? One’s pretty good and the other’s b…….y obnoxious?
The junta is indeed a “ruthless totalitarian regime” “plaguing” the country. Nevertheless, the Taylor article is mostly a lot of empty, uninformed inuendo, evidently from a distance, another one of many rushing to get bylines in the wake of His Majesty’s death. Not really worth the response.
It would be much better to take a discussion of at problems, policies, possible solutions. And to criticize the Junta’s supression of just that…
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Confronting ‘Chinese privilege’ in Singapore
As an outsider living in Indonesia and seeing the constant threat under which the ethnic Chinese here live, and considering the way Malaysia actively discriminates against the ethnic Chinese (and anyone non-Malay) there, I can’t help but feel that your article might have benefited from looking at the rock and the hard place between which it sits.
Thai government responds to New Mandala article
(Respinse “A Thai”) If that is the case, then it confirms the undemocratic nature of the Thai regime does it not? which Khun Sek, is not a “government” — it is illegal military junta which replaced by force an elected government. That is the fact.
Confronting ‘Chinese privilege’ in Singapore
Frankie Leung – Nonsense! Try saying something anti-semetic or anti-black in the US and see what happens.
I can say anything I want in Singapore too – whether you like it or not. See, I am saying it now and I can shout the same thing in the middle of Ochard Road…
Do we say the English have special previleges in UK, because English is spoken? One can carry these kinds of arguements to ridiculous extreme, if one does not need to keep any kind of perspective…
Thailand’s peculiar interregnum
I think it means something like “government official” but a Thai friend insists it means the same as มือปืน (hired gun) except of a higher class.
The way it has been used by Reds and others recently it probably just means “elites”.
Thailand’s peculiar interregnum
Hugh: Thailand has both in the understanding of the Thais involved in the matter and even a liberal-democrat from an Anglospherean pure propaganda zone country must be able to grasp that having no written constitution is not the same as having no constitution.
Undoubtedly you will be able to find Thai academics and journalists who have hitched their wagons to comprador interpretations of Thai culture in order to add to the white man’s burden, but that really doesn’t alter the reality.
Confronting ‘Chinese privilege’ in Singapore
I live in USA. I am enjoying freedom of speech. Are you? I can say whatever I want whether you want to hear is totally irrelevant for me.
Confronting ‘Chinese privilege’ in Singapore
Please don’t tell me what language to speak in my country. I don’t go to places like Hong Kong and tell the locals to speak English in case they project the image of being a Chinese-dominated city. Don’t forget, 7.4% of Hong Kong residents are not Chinese.
Making enemies out of friends
Your response didn’t answer my comment at all, wiry
Thailand’s peculiar interregnum
Michael and Shane – I hope you are correct. The last thing Australia wants is more instability in Thailand. If the CP is becomes King, by due process, I’d be happy with that. He’s always been a good friend of Australia. Unfairly much maligned by his enemies.
Thailand’s peculiar interregnum
I am amazed at the huge number of folk who do not understand that Thailand has neither a King nor a Constitution.
But can some one inform me please as to what the new purpose of the Royal Thai Army is. I ask that in the context that their sole reason for being an organised army was to the protect the King of Thailand. There is no King of Thailand.
Second acts for Thaksin and Trump?
Excellent article. I especially liked that comparison between “gun-toting Oklahoma Christian fundamentalists” and Isaan taxi drivers. There are a LOT of guns in Isaan. And Isaan people are fundamentalist Buddhists, and nascent Lao nationalists. Like Texas – which is now talking TeXit, if the elites reject them yet again, Isaan is now widely talking IsaanExit.
Thai government responds to New Mandala article
His Excellency raises good points. Not least re. clothing. From what I’ve seen of the many Thais in Australia, the vast majority are wearing either black, white (the Buddhist mourning colour), or other very subdued colours. His Majesty the Late Bumiphol was indeed one of Siam’s greatest kings. I always wear black, grey, or subdued colours at any Thai eatery, out of genuine respect. I did however see ONE Thai very blatantly sporting a bright ORANGE shirt. What is the significance of this ?
The significance of His Excellency The Ambassador’s remarks are that a rupture in Australia-Thai relations may be developing. His Excellency needs to appreciate that in Australia FREE SPEECH IS KING ! What does he say to that ?
Thai government responds to New Mandala article
With regard to this attempt to white wash the story …..
Note the following statement in the article: “The so-called “Justice” Minister (General) Paiboon Khumchaya has indirectly called for socially sanctioned attacks (or “lynch mobs”) against those suspected of being even remotely “anti monarch”, even if they are living overseas.”
This is a groundless allegation based wholly on a subjective personal interpretation designed to support the notion that Thailand has been plagued by a ruthless totalitarian regime.
the following is as reported by Thai media ………
On 18 October 2016, Justice Minister Paiboon Kumchaya was asked by media for his opinion on the case of vigilantism against a lèse-majesté soy milk seller in Phuket that occurred three days earlier. The Minister replied nothing is better than vigilantism and also encouraged Thais in other countries to do the same with lèse-majesté committers living abroad, reported Matichon Online.
http://www.prachatai.com/english/node/6661
So yes the so called Justice Minister is reported as calling for vigilantism .
Thai government responds to New Mandala article
Interesting that the junta feels the need to comment on New Mandala articles.
Khaosod ran with a news item this week that I haven’t seen picked up elsewhere. The chief imman of Thailand has told Thai muslims that they should not prostrate themselves to royalty because muslims should only prostrate themselves to God, and of course, Islam has but one God. If this were to be widely reported I wonder how the majority buddhists would react? It would mak every practicing muslim liable to lese majeste, would it not?
Second acts for Thaksin and Trump?
The differences between these two are far, far greater than any similarities. I think this is really stretching things.
Making enemies out of friends
Poor native indonesian don’t need ahok to feel marginalised. The resentment towards chinese has always been there even since Dutch colonial time. It used to be economic disparity which cause the friction and now one of their golden boy is a lawmaker who is making things worse and seems to aim the least fortunate. I just hope it won’t end up with another anti-chinese riot.
Thai government responds to New Mandala article
No, Arthurson, that wouldn’t be “micro-fascism”, that would be a school administrator making a stupid rule, as happens all too often when ill-educated toadies are advanced into positions of micro-power.
The desire of the parents of these kids to have their children’s dress dictated to them by such a toady and their acquiescence in the charade would be closer to “micro-fascism”.
Of course, the way Taylor misuses the concept, it just means “bad stuff a government does”, so if you are willing to call just about anything “fascism” because it makes you feel good, then I suppose you are right.
Thai government responds to New Mandala article
As an example of the micro-fascism described in James Taylor’s article, we learned today that a school in Buriram has confiscated the school children’s colorful jackets as not keeping with the spirit of the mourning period. It is better to have children suffer from the cold than to show any possible signs of disunity!
http://www.prachatai.com/english/node/6695
Students worry after school confiscates colourful coats
Submitted by editor4 on Thu, 03/11/2016 – 18:40
Winter is coming but a school in the northeastern province of Buriram has banned colourful coats during Thailand’s mourning period.
On 3 November 2016, Somsak Taemsoaksoong, the principal of Nangrong School announced in an assembly that only black, grey and white coats were allowed and colourful coats would be confiscated, reported Khaosod English.
“Government officials [like our school staff] have to wear black for a year,” Somsak said. “So if students wear bright colors, it looks kinda off.”
Students have responded with concern since the temperature in Buriram is cooling rapidly, with thermometers dropping to 23 degrees Celsius on the day of the principal’s announcement.
Most students do not own coats in muted colours and fear they will now get sick.
In the aftermath of King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s death on 13 October 2016, Thailand’s government has encouraged the wearing of muted tones.
Second acts for Thaksin and Trump?
So, basically the two men have very little in common indeed either in terms of their personalities or their political (or geographical) circumstances? One’s pretty good and the other’s b…….y obnoxious?
Thai government responds to New Mandala article
The junta is indeed a “ruthless totalitarian regime” “plaguing” the country. Nevertheless, the Taylor article is mostly a lot of empty, uninformed inuendo, evidently from a distance, another one of many rushing to get bylines in the wake of His Majesty’s death. Not really worth the response.
It would be much better to take a discussion of at problems, policies, possible solutions. And to criticize the Junta’s supression of just that…