Quite! I have seen photographic evidence of very colourful lsaan locals on FB celebrating their children’s birthdays, and that includes members of the hard core ‘retired matron’ demographic that held vigils at Siriraj in Bangkok. This myth that all of Thailand is bereft, needs countering.
Phil I always pay the “farang” price because I am unskilled in bargaining unlike every back-packer I come across and also because depriving some vendor of a few baht here-and-there is really “baht-pinching”. I eat sticky rice sometimes but would prefer not to be known as a “sticky shit”. However, yes I have seen some of those cocktail dressers and some of the wearers look quite risque in them.
I think Jim Taylor is not one of the more abstract post-modernists and does or did travel widely in Thailand. As I recall he wrote his PhD on Buddhism in Thailand and has lived and worked here so he is not wholly abstract or esoteric. However, I agree with you that some of the narratives appearing in NM of late are “other-worldly” and perhaps largely unrecognizable by “many” Thais. Perhaps the authors of such narratives should seek out Prem, Prayuth and the Crown Prince and see what they have to say.
Having spent 12 months in the Hermit Kingdom I can assure you that Thailand anywhere is not like North Korea. There, there is mass hysteria and if you want to see an example of mass hysteria go there. Here for the most part people are restrained.
Very interesting news indeed. I wonder if this ” personal Business ” could be a reference to the prince’s much rumored but as yet unconfirmed ” illness “. If Prince Vajiralongkorn has a serious, possibly life-threatening, medical condition I would say that princess Sirindhorn’s chance of assuming the throne has greatly improved. The royal family may not want to install a new king who might die in short order. This is ,of course, mere speculation on my part.
One might be tempted to add HRK ” Who would want to follow after such an auspicious reign and risk constant comparison?”
One King is dead and the heir has fled.
Thailand is a plutocracy like almost all countries. It is only because their democratic disguise is so amateurish that we are able to poke fun at them. Western democracy is no more functional or real than Thai democracy but it is very professionally disguised.
All that matters is for the Thais to continue to kowtow to the ‘international community’ (Imperial America), and then their vassal monarch, tin-pot generals and corrupt businessmen can do whatever they like.
The author writes that he is ‘…disappointed by the silence of Australian media and Australian government’. In the words of Yevgeny Yevtushenko, ‘When the truth is replaced by silence the silence is a lie’.
The situation with regards to the succession becomes ever stranger. First a regent was installed who has no kin relation at all with the dynasty. In fact the current regent is a commoner, and to instal him as regent was done by a non-royal committee. Now the constitution is changed and the name of the king substituted by a dotted line. In other words, Thailand does not have a king at present, which can only mean that at least until a new king has been properly installed (not necessarily coronated) there is no monarchy in Thailand! How shall this be interpreted?
According to Reuters and confirmed by other reputable agencies the CP has left Thailand on personal business. Doubt if his late Father will be very impressed from up above. So much for grieving with the people. Currently, I honestly believe Thailand does not have a King while the military tighten their historic grip.
Thailand’s Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will fly overseas on Friday night and return home next month, three senior military sources with knowledge of the matter said, two weeks after the death of his father, the revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The departure comes during a timeframe the military government had identified for the prince to ascend the throne, with Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha saying last week it could be within seven to 15 days of the king’s death, or even later.
a succinct and accurate account of Thailand’s current black hole. well done Somchai to highlight the summit power scenario. It is pity academics of Thailand do not have the courage of their convictions (if they have any) to speak out (Note Kris Hartley’s piece). Por liew.
Totally agree Mark re the King’s great work but where most of us cross the floor is that the Generals have used some of that to build a scenario of a God like presence amongst us for their own ends. The great man was also a victim of being used by the unscrupulous. But I do respectfully disagree with you. Thailand does not have a King. In my mind a Regent can only act on behalf of a King/ Queen. But I accept others may disagree that in Thailand’s unfortunate case a Regent can become Head of State in the vacuum. Looks messy from my hill top, will go and get my eyes tested and see if that makes any difference. The countries that posters mention all have a laid down constitutional procedure which is pretty universal, the incoming monarch does his duty in the cause of stability and continuance, not the case in Thailand.
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the royal projects initiated by the late King have been partially responsible for Thailand’s great economic leap forward. That’s not to say that he was solely responsible but it is undeniable that his social, political, economic, and religious leadership has contributed greatly to Thailand’s economic progress. There are also many others who have contributed to Thailand’s economic rebirth. And we should not forget their contributions either.
Gen Prayut has very little say in the matter, as the crown prince has decided to delay assumption while he grieves for his late father.
The regent is king in all but name. A rose by any other name is still a rose. Regents are appointed under a wide variety of situations, including the two that you named. For instance, in Belgium the council of ministers acts as regent from the time the king dies until the new king takes office. Malaysia also appoints a regent after the kings death until his successor has taking the oath of office.
Thailand’s current regent will ensure that all legal and political necessities are observed during the interregnum. However, the Regent does not exercise any role with regard to the funeral Ceremonies and rituals that are to be held for the late king. These decisions are made by the ” king in waiting ” in his capacity as heir to the throne. An example being Crown prince Vajiralongkorn’s decree that Princess Sirindhorn will oversee the design and construction of the late king’s funeral pyre.
I agree with you that the next king will be a focus for social and political stability. One of the monarchs first tasks will be to try and persuade the generals to keep their promise to hold parliamentary elections in 2017. There is much speculation that a faction within the Army might try to use the kings death as a pretext to delay them indefinitely.
PS-I also would like to thank you for your kind and reasoned tone of debate. It is very pleasant to ingage in civil and polite Academic discourse. Some times those who post in this type of forum can be very mean and unkind to each other and everyone suffers for it.
I gave up on the ivory tower self-obsessed mirror talk bubble, decades ago. Went to East Asia, tried to understand what ordinary people were saying, spoke with them every minute in THEIR languages, getting better for every effort (including failed), building on the basis of the fundamentals of languages, linguistics, history, etc. I’d learnt @Uni. A good grounding. A starting point. But can be a trap if you get lost in the thought bubble.
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The myth of King Bhumibol
Quite! I have seen photographic evidence of very colourful lsaan locals on FB celebrating their children’s birthdays, and that includes members of the hard core ‘retired matron’ demographic that held vigils at Siriraj in Bangkok. This myth that all of Thailand is bereft, needs countering.
Thailand’s black hole: a Deleuzian take
Phil I always pay the “farang” price because I am unskilled in bargaining unlike every back-packer I come across and also because depriving some vendor of a few baht here-and-there is really “baht-pinching”. I eat sticky rice sometimes but would prefer not to be known as a “sticky shit”. However, yes I have seen some of those cocktail dressers and some of the wearers look quite risque in them.
Thailand’s black hole: a Deleuzian take
Michael
I think Jim Taylor is not one of the more abstract post-modernists and does or did travel widely in Thailand. As I recall he wrote his PhD on Buddhism in Thailand and has lived and worked here so he is not wholly abstract or esoteric. However, I agree with you that some of the narratives appearing in NM of late are “other-worldly” and perhaps largely unrecognizable by “many” Thais. Perhaps the authors of such narratives should seek out Prem, Prayuth and the Crown Prince and see what they have to say.
Thailand’s black hole: a Deleuzian take
Having spent 12 months in the Hermit Kingdom I can assure you that Thailand anywhere is not like North Korea. There, there is mass hysteria and if you want to see an example of mass hysteria go there. Here for the most part people are restrained.
Thailand’s supreme reign
Very interesting news indeed. I wonder if this ” personal Business ” could be a reference to the prince’s much rumored but as yet unconfirmed ” illness “. If Prince Vajiralongkorn has a serious, possibly life-threatening, medical condition I would say that princess Sirindhorn’s chance of assuming the throne has greatly improved. The royal family may not want to install a new king who might die in short order. This is ,of course, mere speculation on my part.
Thailand’s peculiar interregnum
One might be tempted to add HRK ” Who would want to follow after such an auspicious reign and risk constant comparison?”
One King is dead and the heir has fled.
Thailand’s black hole: a Deleuzian take
Agreed
Thailand’s supreme reign
Thailand is a plutocracy like almost all countries. It is only because their democratic disguise is so amateurish that we are able to poke fun at them. Western democracy is no more functional or real than Thai democracy but it is very professionally disguised.
All that matters is for the Thais to continue to kowtow to the ‘international community’ (Imperial America), and then their vassal monarch, tin-pot generals and corrupt businessmen can do whatever they like.
The author writes that he is ‘…disappointed by the silence of Australian media and Australian government’. In the words of Yevgeny Yevtushenko, ‘When the truth is replaced by silence the silence is a lie’.
Thailand’s peculiar interregnum
The situation with regards to the succession becomes ever stranger. First a regent was installed who has no kin relation at all with the dynasty. In fact the current regent is a commoner, and to instal him as regent was done by a non-royal committee. Now the constitution is changed and the name of the king substituted by a dotted line. In other words, Thailand does not have a king at present, which can only mean that at least until a new king has been properly installed (not necessarily coronated) there is no monarchy in Thailand! How shall this be interpreted?
Thailand’s supreme reign
Hi Chris Beale,
According to Reuters and confirmed by other reputable agencies the CP has left Thailand on personal business. Doubt if his late Father will be very impressed from up above. So much for grieving with the people. Currently, I honestly believe Thailand does not have a King while the military tighten their historic grip.
Thailand’s peculiar interregnum
^
at the very least the absence at this time raises eyebrows …………………
Thailand’s peculiar interregnum
Fri Oct 28, 2016
Thailand’s Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will fly overseas on Friday night and return home next month, three senior military sources with knowledge of the matter said, two weeks after the death of his father, the revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The departure comes during a timeframe the military government had identified for the prince to ascend the throne, with Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha saying last week it could be within seven to 15 days of the king’s death, or even later.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-king-prince-idUSKCN12S13M?rpc=401
Thailand’s supreme reign
a succinct and accurate account of Thailand’s current black hole. well done Somchai to highlight the summit power scenario. It is pity academics of Thailand do not have the courage of their convictions (if they have any) to speak out (Note Kris Hartley’s piece). Por liew.
Thailand’s supreme reign
What can i say about my former teacher: Ji Ungpakorn? Besides take a chill pill.
A. Giles still ranting same stuff as he did 20 yrs ago….
Thailand’s supreme reign
Totally agree Mark re the King’s great work but where most of us cross the floor is that the Generals have used some of that to build a scenario of a God like presence amongst us for their own ends. The great man was also a victim of being used by the unscrupulous. But I do respectfully disagree with you. Thailand does not have a King. In my mind a Regent can only act on behalf of a King/ Queen. But I accept others may disagree that in Thailand’s unfortunate case a Regent can become Head of State in the vacuum. Looks messy from my hill top, will go and get my eyes tested and see if that makes any difference. The countries that posters mention all have a laid down constitutional procedure which is pretty universal, the incoming monarch does his duty in the cause of stability and continuance, not the case in Thailand.
Thailand’s supreme reign
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the royal projects initiated by the late King have been partially responsible for Thailand’s great economic leap forward. That’s not to say that he was solely responsible but it is undeniable that his social, political, economic, and religious leadership has contributed greatly to Thailand’s economic progress. There are also many others who have contributed to Thailand’s economic rebirth. And we should not forget their contributions either.
The myth of King Bhumibol
The vast majority of journalists are ill-educated. Ill-educated people soak up propaganda and regurgitate it without even realising what is happening.
Thailand’s supreme reign
Gen Prayut has very little say in the matter, as the crown prince has decided to delay assumption while he grieves for his late father.
The regent is king in all but name. A rose by any other name is still a rose. Regents are appointed under a wide variety of situations, including the two that you named. For instance, in Belgium the council of ministers acts as regent from the time the king dies until the new king takes office. Malaysia also appoints a regent after the kings death until his successor has taking the oath of office.
Thailand’s current regent will ensure that all legal and political necessities are observed during the interregnum. However, the Regent does not exercise any role with regard to the funeral Ceremonies and rituals that are to be held for the late king. These decisions are made by the ” king in waiting ” in his capacity as heir to the throne. An example being Crown prince Vajiralongkorn’s decree that Princess Sirindhorn will oversee the design and construction of the late king’s funeral pyre.
I agree with you that the next king will be a focus for social and political stability. One of the monarchs first tasks will be to try and persuade the generals to keep their promise to hold parliamentary elections in 2017. There is much speculation that a faction within the Army might try to use the kings death as a pretext to delay them indefinitely.
PS-I also would like to thank you for your kind and reasoned tone of debate. It is very pleasant to ingage in civil and polite Academic discourse. Some times those who post in this type of forum can be very mean and unkind to each other and everyone suffers for it.
The myth of King Bhumibol
Why not?There are still more Lao people living in Isaan than in Lao itself.It’s not so crazy.
Professor, speak up and make a difference
I gave up on the ivory tower self-obsessed mirror talk bubble, decades ago. Went to East Asia, tried to understand what ordinary people were saying, spoke with them every minute in THEIR languages, getting better for every effort (including failed), building on the basis of the fundamentals of languages, linguistics, history, etc. I’d learnt @Uni. A good grounding. A starting point. But can be a trap if you get lost in the thought bubble.