Chris I am not sure some of the commentators that write on “royal affairs” in Thailand are even aware of Marx. Notwithstanding according to The Economist the most widely read writer by its readers in the 20th Century was in fact Marx. I am also not even sure whether all/many NM readers actually read The Economist on a regular basis although the print versions in Thailand are so often “voluntarily” withdrawn by the local distributor that I cancelled my print version.
My understanding of the Queens condition is that she is mentally impaired after a massive stroke in 2012. She is the currant holder of the Royal Regent title, if she were capable of preforming this function Gen Prem would not have been called on to be Regent pro-temp.
The BBC is now citing an “unnamed source” that crown prince will assume the throne on December 1 . Could the Regent order that the signing of the constitution be delayed till then?
Its interesting you bring up Marcos. The US was a strong supporter of Marcos during Martial Law and was kind enough to provide him safe haven when he was finally overthrown. Should Duterte and Filipinos thank the US for Marcos?
[…] Sheridan Rogers is an Australian-based food and travel writer with over 30 years’ experience. She travelled to Indonesia in September 2016 with FEALAC (Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation), the goal of which is to increase bi-regional cooperation and dialogue among its 36 members. You can discover Sheridan’s popular food and travel blog, including a recipe for Janet DeNeefe’s nasi goreng hijau (green fried rice), here! If you are interested take a look at Dr Elisabeth Kramer’s article on an Australian Pilot killed by the Dutch during the Indonesian War of Independence. […]
The “cracks” are surely no more than would appear in any democratic party anywhere. Different people have ambitions – that is normal in politics. In the UK for example the very successful Blair-Brown partnership was not a crack but a chasm that lasted decades. In any party with any chance of success people push their own agendas – it would be strange and sinister if that did not happen. Who will remember this stuff at the next election?
But hang on Falang – the CP is reliably reported as NOT returning to Thailand, until November 11 – Rememberance Day. So does this mean Prem signs off on Prayut’s Charter – then two days later, the CP returns ? Certainly something to remember!
God bless Hun Sen. For all those reasons you cite Shane. Let’s do some counter factual here – without Hun Sen, Pol Pot would have ruled longer, more mass murderously. Without Hun Sen, Thailand’s democracy movement would have been crushed more thoroughly. He’s under immense Prayut pressure now – but Hun Sen gave Thailand’s true democrats the safe space they needed, at the crucial time. Without him the only border sanctuary would have been the lonely Lao PDR, struggling. God bless this Samdeach.
Am afraid the Cambodian opposition as loyal or disloyal as it chooses to be or even forced to be is too fractious and I am not sure it has much of a following in rural Cambodia. Western commentators who use pen names – not pointing the finger at you specifically – claim that with social media even rural Cambodians are fired up against Hun Sen. However, I am wondering just how far social media has penetrated rural Cambodian society. Only better off rural households can afford android mobile technology that can support social media platforms and I challenge the “experts” on rural Cambodian society living in Phnom Penh or perhaps Siem Reap to provide hard evidence that with social media Hun Sen and his CPP will be doomed at the next elections. The one thing I can still think Hun Sen has in his favor apart from his well-oiled CPP is that it was his group that sided with Vietnam and eventually put an end to Pol POt and the Khmer Rouge. Whereas on the other hand the likes of Sam Rainsay were opposed to the regime that was established in Phnom Penh with Pol Pot’s ouster and he has maintained good relations with Vietnam and to some extent Thailand as well (I don’t mention China here). The other positive point about Hun Sen is he is not anti-Vietnamese whereas the opposition want to drive as many Vietnamese out of Cambodia as possible and “re-negotiate/claim” territory they think the dreaded “Youn” have swallowed. Thus unfortunately the opposition play the “race card” too often.
‘…values of democracy, rule of law, and respect for human rights, on which that positive perception rests…’
Every empire has its day, and then comes the time for them to depart and hand the baton on to another. Even the British understood this reality, and they were mostly graceful about it. The Americans however, appear to want to grip fast to their former role and defy destiny, even though there time is now up. What happens in this situation is that all the other nations of the world eventually gang up against the miscreant and prize the baton from their dead fingers. The way things are going the ‘Stars and Stripes’ could end up as a greater symbol of infamy than the German swastika. Myanmar should have nothing to do with them.
Prayut still needs the Crown Prince as King – to sign off on Prayut’s new, “referendum-endorsed” Constitution. Bumiphol’s departure was very unfortunate for Prayut in this regard. Had it not happened when it did, Prayut would have had ultimate, incontestable endorsement. Now Prayut is forced to go for either second best – I.e. CP endorsement, but for this the CP HAS TO become King. Or third best, I.e. Prem, 96 years old as Regent Tempore endorses Prayut’s Constitution. Prayut is in a helluva bind. He’s now trying to squirm out of it. As Marx said : “men make history, but NOT in circumstances of their choosing”!!
Thailand making preparations for Dec 1 royal succession: Military sources
“We are making preparations. Everything is being prepared for Dec. 1,” said another senior military source who declined to be identified. “But this timeframe also depends on His Royal Highness.”
It might be equally interesting to compare student bodies, and not just the difference between those left on the ground 40 years ago and those penning discursive paeans to democracy and activism from thousands of miles away today.
The late 60s and early 70s, as everyone surely knows, were a time of political turmoil all around the world. In the US, it was still possible to get half a million people out to oppose the war in Vietnam in 1971. In South Korea, student protests throughout the 70s built to a crescendo in May 1980 with the Kwangju massacre. The examples are many and too well-rehearsed to be worth going into here.
In the US today, a state of perpetual war exists and Twitter and Facebook are full of “activists” calling people names for not wishing to share toilets with transgender people. Thailand is under its most repressive military dictatorship in 40 years and a few dozen students have made a few symbolic gestures in the direction of…. what?
The simple fact of the matter is that there are Thais scattered all around the world, many of them studying at universities.
And no doubt many proclaim a preference for whatever they imagine “democracy” would mean in the Thai context and discursively advocate for “free speech” and oppose the “junta”, as if naming that which is “good” and that which is “evil” were a form of political activism.
Well, it isn’t. So perhaps the most significant difference between the Octobers has to do with the difference between students then and students now.
Coming from families that can afford the astronomical costs involved in studying abroad means that Thais attending foreign universities are for the most part direct beneficiaries of the system the generals are standing firm to protect.
It isn’t difficult to see why they really aren’t prepared to do much more than chat online to change the system that feeds them.
And as for actually fighting for”democracy”, I suspect that like de Villier’s Axel they believe “Our servants will do that for us”.
It would certainly explain why no one from the middle classes has died in a protest since the heroic days of the 70s. They have the sense not to “run into the bullets”.
Look at how our minster of information lectured Thailand a few months ago: “Thailand risks ‘substandard’ democracy!” Within a split-second, I predicted that he must be trained by the US. Sadly, my prediction was 100% accurate. He attended several human rights and journalism training sessions offered by NGOs funded by the US Embassy. So not having a gunshot fired, the US took over our Ministry of Information.
Apart from the media, the real thrust of American influence comes from these NGOs, most of which are modern-day Trojan horses, lecturing ‘Western values’ and eating up critical human resources developing countries rely on. You might believe that Western values are ‘superior’ since people adopt them freely. Nothing can be further from the truth. Does McDonald have superior food since people eat it most? Remind me of the days when our neighborhood church used to give out ice creams and let everyone play video games so that children would go there—an opportunity to convert. The video games and ice cream instilled a sense of inferiority. “See, our church has it, your monastery doesn’t. Which one is better?” Now, every assistance comes in with such missionary ‘conversion’ projects. Want technical training? Listen our human rights lectures! Want vaccine? Need IMF assistance? Open your market! And remember, do as we say, not as we do! (Read Kicking Away the Ladder by Ha-Joon Chang).
The West loves to divide up people. Soon after the infiltration process as outlined above, some fully-converted West-worshippers attack ‘traditional’ people as ‘backward’ and push to ‘Westernize’ (they call it modernize or globalize) the country. Conflicts and protests—often branded as cry for freedom and democracy—come in, as happened most recently in US-nurtured Arab Spring. Sedition is successful. The soul of the country is destroyed, and the nation becomes, as Robert Taylor says, “just another country seduced by the power and glitz of globalization and inane mass culture.”
Back in the good-old days, Burmese King Bagyidaw suffered melancholy and died because he couldn’t stand the sight of British Residency forced upon him after the loss of first Anglo-Burmese War. The Residency didn’t talk much. Today, judging from how the US Embassy regularly interferes and lectures Myanmar even on bread-and-butter issues, Bagyidaw’s ghost must be laughing.
USA is in a difficult position. Thailand has to be an ally even though its government is not democratic in the sense that US wants. Thailand should not become an ally of China or behave like the Philippines now, acting like a bad boy. USA is only watching because there is a Presidential election is on foot albeit it is quite clear that Hilary is winning. American diplomats are keeping their mouths shut in public.
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Thailand’s peculiar interregnum
whom will they send the draft constitution ? – there is no king …
Thailand’s peculiar interregnum
Thailand’s draft constitution will be sent for royal approval on 9 November. The King will revise it for 90 days before the approval.
http://prachatai.org/english/node/6688
Thailand’s peculiar interregnum
Chris I am not sure some of the commentators that write on “royal affairs” in Thailand are even aware of Marx. Notwithstanding according to The Economist the most widely read writer by its readers in the 20th Century was in fact Marx. I am also not even sure whether all/many NM readers actually read The Economist on a regular basis although the print versions in Thailand are so often “voluntarily” withdrawn by the local distributor that I cancelled my print version.
Thailand’s top ten after Bhumibol
My understanding of the Queens condition is that she is mentally impaired after a massive stroke in 2012. She is the currant holder of the Royal Regent title, if she were capable of preforming this function Gen Prem would not have been called on to be Regent pro-temp.
Thailand’s peculiar interregnum
The BBC is now citing an “unnamed source” that crown prince will assume the throne on December 1 . Could the Regent order that the signing of the constitution be delayed till then?
Online politics in the Philippines
Its interesting you bring up Marcos. The US was a strong supporter of Marcos during Martial Law and was kind enough to provide him safe haven when he was finally overthrown. Should Duterte and Filipinos thank the US for Marcos?
Noel’s Story, Whose history?
[…] Sheridan Rogers is an Australian-based food and travel writer with over 30 years’ experience. She travelled to Indonesia in September 2016 with FEALAC (Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation), the goal of which is to increase bi-regional cooperation and dialogue among its 36 members. You can discover Sheridan’s popular food and travel blog, including a recipe for Janet DeNeefe’s nasi goreng hijau (green fried rice), here! If you are interested take a look at Dr Elisabeth Kramer’s article on an Australian Pilot killed by the Dutch during the Indonesian War of Independence. […]
Cambodia’s latest game of cat and mouse
The “cracks” are surely no more than would appear in any democratic party anywhere. Different people have ambitions – that is normal in politics. In the UK for example the very successful Blair-Brown partnership was not a crack but a chasm that lasted decades. In any party with any chance of success people push their own agendas – it would be strange and sinister if that did not happen. Who will remember this stuff at the next election?
Thailand’s peculiar interregnum
But hang on Falang – the CP is reliably reported as NOT returning to Thailand, until November 11 – Rememberance Day. So does this mean Prem signs off on Prayut’s Charter – then two days later, the CP returns ? Certainly something to remember!
Cambodia’s latest game of cat and mouse
God bless Hun Sen. For all those reasons you cite Shane. Let’s do some counter factual here – without Hun Sen, Pol Pot would have ruled longer, more mass murderously. Without Hun Sen, Thailand’s democracy movement would have been crushed more thoroughly. He’s under immense Prayut pressure now – but Hun Sen gave Thailand’s true democrats the safe space they needed, at the crucial time. Without him the only border sanctuary would have been the lonely Lao PDR, struggling. God bless this Samdeach.
Thailand’s peculiar interregnum
^
indeed , the current timeline for the signing of the new charter is 9 Nov .
Thailand’s supreme reign
well he was, but seems to have disappeared the past few days, after being the focus every night.
Cambodia’s latest game of cat and mouse
Am afraid the Cambodian opposition as loyal or disloyal as it chooses to be or even forced to be is too fractious and I am not sure it has much of a following in rural Cambodia. Western commentators who use pen names – not pointing the finger at you specifically – claim that with social media even rural Cambodians are fired up against Hun Sen. However, I am wondering just how far social media has penetrated rural Cambodian society. Only better off rural households can afford android mobile technology that can support social media platforms and I challenge the “experts” on rural Cambodian society living in Phnom Penh or perhaps Siem Reap to provide hard evidence that with social media Hun Sen and his CPP will be doomed at the next elections. The one thing I can still think Hun Sen has in his favor apart from his well-oiled CPP is that it was his group that sided with Vietnam and eventually put an end to Pol POt and the Khmer Rouge. Whereas on the other hand the likes of Sam Rainsay were opposed to the regime that was established in Phnom Penh with Pol Pot’s ouster and he has maintained good relations with Vietnam and to some extent Thailand as well (I don’t mention China here). The other positive point about Hun Sen is he is not anti-Vietnamese whereas the opposition want to drive as many Vietnamese out of Cambodia as possible and “re-negotiate/claim” territory they think the dreaded “Youn” have swallowed. Thus unfortunately the opposition play the “race card” too often.
Washington’s untapped influence in Myanmar
‘…values of democracy, rule of law, and respect for human rights, on which that positive perception rests…’
Every empire has its day, and then comes the time for them to depart and hand the baton on to another. Even the British understood this reality, and they were mostly graceful about it. The Americans however, appear to want to grip fast to their former role and defy destiny, even though there time is now up. What happens in this situation is that all the other nations of the world eventually gang up against the miscreant and prize the baton from their dead fingers. The way things are going the ‘Stars and Stripes’ could end up as a greater symbol of infamy than the German swastika. Myanmar should have nothing to do with them.
Thailand’s peculiar interregnum
Prayut still needs the Crown Prince as King – to sign off on Prayut’s new, “referendum-endorsed” Constitution. Bumiphol’s departure was very unfortunate for Prayut in this regard. Had it not happened when it did, Prayut would have had ultimate, incontestable endorsement. Now Prayut is forced to go for either second best – I.e. CP endorsement, but for this the CP HAS TO become King. Or third best, I.e. Prem, 96 years old as Regent Tempore endorses Prayut’s Constitution. Prayut is in a helluva bind. He’s now trying to squirm out of it. As Marx said : “men make history, but NOT in circumstances of their choosing”!!
Thailand’s peculiar interregnum
Thailand making preparations for Dec 1 royal succession: Military sources
“We are making preparations. Everything is being prepared for Dec. 1,” said another senior military source who declined to be identified. “But this timeframe also depends on His Royal Highness.”
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/thailand-making-preparations-for-dec-1-royal-succession-military/3249456.html
Mourning and the Thai interregnum
– He is responsible for the fact that Thailand could never become a real democracy: Why? Evidence?
– he had been the king who signed the most constitutions worldwide,: What could he do? Refused and Be dethroned?
– He was the king who had allowed and endorsed so many military coups: Evidence?
-He was the king who allowed the military to govern a “democratic country more than 66% if his reign: ‘allowed’ ? had he got the power to fight?
– He was the king who was responsible for the thammasat massacre: Why? Evidence?
– He was the king who was responsible for the 4 innocent die for the death of his brother: Why? Evidence?
– Most likely he was also responsible for the death of his brother: Evidence?
– he preached insufficiency and gathered the largest royale asset: Do you understand that concept? Please debate.
etc. etc.etc…..
Thailand’s law of the mob
An interesting idea, comparing Octobers.
It might be equally interesting to compare student bodies, and not just the difference between those left on the ground 40 years ago and those penning discursive paeans to democracy and activism from thousands of miles away today.
The late 60s and early 70s, as everyone surely knows, were a time of political turmoil all around the world. In the US, it was still possible to get half a million people out to oppose the war in Vietnam in 1971. In South Korea, student protests throughout the 70s built to a crescendo in May 1980 with the Kwangju massacre. The examples are many and too well-rehearsed to be worth going into here.
In the US today, a state of perpetual war exists and Twitter and Facebook are full of “activists” calling people names for not wishing to share toilets with transgender people. Thailand is under its most repressive military dictatorship in 40 years and a few dozen students have made a few symbolic gestures in the direction of…. what?
The simple fact of the matter is that there are Thais scattered all around the world, many of them studying at universities.
And no doubt many proclaim a preference for whatever they imagine “democracy” would mean in the Thai context and discursively advocate for “free speech” and oppose the “junta”, as if naming that which is “good” and that which is “evil” were a form of political activism.
Well, it isn’t. So perhaps the most significant difference between the Octobers has to do with the difference between students then and students now.
Coming from families that can afford the astronomical costs involved in studying abroad means that Thais attending foreign universities are for the most part direct beneficiaries of the system the generals are standing firm to protect.
It isn’t difficult to see why they really aren’t prepared to do much more than chat online to change the system that feeds them.
And as for actually fighting for”democracy”, I suspect that like de Villier’s Axel they believe “Our servants will do that for us”.
It would certainly explain why no one from the middle classes has died in a protest since the heroic days of the 70s. They have the sense not to “run into the bullets”.
Washington’s untapped influence in Myanmar
Without a doubt.
Look at how our minster of information lectured Thailand a few months ago: “Thailand risks ‘substandard’ democracy!” Within a split-second, I predicted that he must be trained by the US. Sadly, my prediction was 100% accurate. He attended several human rights and journalism training sessions offered by NGOs funded by the US Embassy. So not having a gunshot fired, the US took over our Ministry of Information.
Apart from the media, the real thrust of American influence comes from these NGOs, most of which are modern-day Trojan horses, lecturing ‘Western values’ and eating up critical human resources developing countries rely on. You might believe that Western values are ‘superior’ since people adopt them freely. Nothing can be further from the truth. Does McDonald have superior food since people eat it most? Remind me of the days when our neighborhood church used to give out ice creams and let everyone play video games so that children would go there—an opportunity to convert. The video games and ice cream instilled a sense of inferiority. “See, our church has it, your monastery doesn’t. Which one is better?” Now, every assistance comes in with such missionary ‘conversion’ projects. Want technical training? Listen our human rights lectures! Want vaccine? Need IMF assistance? Open your market! And remember, do as we say, not as we do! (Read Kicking Away the Ladder by Ha-Joon Chang).
The West loves to divide up people. Soon after the infiltration process as outlined above, some fully-converted West-worshippers attack ‘traditional’ people as ‘backward’ and push to ‘Westernize’ (they call it modernize or globalize) the country. Conflicts and protests—often branded as cry for freedom and democracy—come in, as happened most recently in US-nurtured Arab Spring. Sedition is successful. The soul of the country is destroyed, and the nation becomes, as Robert Taylor says, “just another country seduced by the power and glitz of globalization and inane mass culture.”
Back in the good-old days, Burmese King Bagyidaw suffered melancholy and died because he couldn’t stand the sight of British Residency forced upon him after the loss of first Anglo-Burmese War. The Residency didn’t talk much. Today, judging from how the US Embassy regularly interferes and lectures Myanmar even on bread-and-butter issues, Bagyidaw’s ghost must be laughing.
Thailand’s law of the mob
USA is in a difficult position. Thailand has to be an ally even though its government is not democratic in the sense that US wants. Thailand should not become an ally of China or behave like the Philippines now, acting like a bad boy. USA is only watching because there is a Presidential election is on foot albeit it is quite clear that Hilary is winning. American diplomats are keeping their mouths shut in public.