In 1947, it was the Shan who invited Aung San to Panglong. British archives show that only a few days before he went, Aung San didn’t think the meeting would lead anywhere, and he was pleasantly surprised to find when he arrived that the Shan had already decided that union with Burma, with local autonomy, was negotiable. The Kachin were willing to go along as well, while the Chin were frankly unsure what to do for the best and had some difficulty in following the discussions. The Karen, representing only Karen outside Ministerial Burma, arrived late, as they had been holding their own “Panglong”, and couldn’t claim to represent all Karen. So they didn’t sign anything.
In 2017 it was Aung San Suu Kyi who invited everyone. But to rekindle the Spirit of Panglong, perhaps the non-Burmans should hold their own conference first, as in 1947, and then open discussions with the centre by inviting Aung San Suu Kyi to attend. But I realise it doesn’t work like this these days, which is no doubt why David Brenner has reached his commendable and well-founded conclusions.
I don’t think regional analysis is necessarily what’s required to best understand the situation here. To me, there are long standing and recent local precedents of middle classes / students as disruptors. The southern situation, in relation to the other prongs of power in focus (Crown and Military), is probably more of a force towards embedding the status quo, rather than as a disruption to the current state. I’m no expert tho. Nich’s ‘what next’ is pretty on the money I think – though as the ‘new structure’ is seemingly unlikely – it is worth exploring what other options might exist – and private sector or business wasn’t a focus here, but tends to drive some such developments for better or worse.
Recently the birthday of the King was celebrated. I have not heard that a birthday speech was delivered, or that the King even was in Thailand during the celebrations. Other news indicate that the power and authority of the King has been extended considerably. Isn’t it a bit strange to have an absent head of state with increased political power?
The poets that be – both within, and outside “Thailand” are very scared indeed that “Thailand” will break up. Hence they’ve gone after the “federalist” Koo, who may have escaped, to a third country.
Does anyone have any information about a Dr Sheldon who was working as a missionary prior to 1927? Family folklore says that a family member Eva Browne (died 1927 Kalaw Burma) assisted her. Any information of direction would be much appreciated.
Yesterday in Jakarta at my hotel 9 solid hours of AFL 10am to 7pm, and 6 hours more today! I guess the rich AFL is one of the major funders. And Round the Twist (20 years old?) was on too. I’m an AFL fan but my needs can be satisfied by watching it on the internet on a reasonably priced pay per match basis. Thanks to the Party of Stupid in Australia (which one might that be?) for setting back Australia’s national interest by squandering the opportunity to develop better relationships with our neighbour at a time of rising religious tension in the country.
Cheapest air-fare I’ve found is about $A1100, from Perth. I.e. almost the cost of a flight to Europe. Does this sum up the history of Cocos Islands, outlined by academics above ?
The Cocos Malay language is a dialect of Jakarta/Betawi Malay. The language is very very similar to my language Betawi Malay. Their ancestors came from Java as plantation labors and sex slaves or harem.
“Aung San Suu Kyi was a convenient symbol of peaceful resistance to military rule.” “her defiant purity” “There is no purity in what has followed, and the NLD has proved an unsteady ally to the activists that made its 2015 victory possible.”
Aung San Suu Kyi was a moral rock, uncompromising with the military who kept her under house address for so many years, and she garnered her international support by being that moral rock. It was not pragmatic, it was not just a convenient symbol. But there is no purity, no morality in her submission and acquiescence now.
Because her foundation was moral, she cannot be compared in any way to the softer authoritarian regimes of SouthEast Asia. Where is her “defiant purity”, her Nobel acknowledged morality? For whatever reason, she has betrayed all those who revered her.
John Grima – good comment. But marred by lack of REGIONAL analysis. Most of the Isaarn and Lanna middle class ALREADY think they can get a better deal from Puea Thai (though there’s some variation, which the Democrats could have smarter expressed). Your comments mostly ONLY apply to Bangkok, and the South (excluding the Far South).
So let’s say that the Southern insurgency does not rise to the level of the other two threats suggested in the panel discussion. What candidates might there be for a more legitimate third? Let me suggest a kind of missing factor — vociferous middle class, student, and academic disaffection with the status quo of military government and succession. Right now that is missing. Lots of reasons for that. This regime is fairly effective in its repression, and that certainly has inhibited dissent. But it must also be the case that these missing dissenters are not persuaded that they would be better off under what comes next, after a reversal of the status quo. A return of Phua Thai to power? A return to street clogging stalemate? What’s the better choice? If that starts to become apparent, then the balance will begin to shift. I don’t know where that is going to come from, but in the past it has always come.
I agree. It is a kind of academic travelogue. What were the policy issues and debates. Some of the pictures suggest education and infrastructure were issues for some. How about a bit more from these authors on those
Hi Donald,
Apologies for the slow reply. There are many Kachin stakeholders discussing the vision of society, particularly the vibrant civil society, and the KIO. It’s critical that communities participate in formulating this vision. At this stage, the most common vision of self-determination is defined as genuine federalism, but nobody is clear on what this means exactly. Natural resource management, devolution of central powers and many other areas will be central. Developing an effective, empowering federal system is critical, but it’s difficult to focus on its development when armed conflict is escalating.
Your story touched me, because I am also a Malaysian Indian studying in the UK (on a university scholarship). Ironically, I was always mocked for my dark skin in Malaysia; I had to come all the way here for people to see me as beautiful. For the first time, I am also judged by my work and not by my name. The fact that I don’t speak Mandarin doesn’t matter. You have nothing to apologise for; patriotism is a sham and in the end doesn’t fill your stomach.
John Grima – you are missing the point. It is NOT the fact that Patani separatists are “contained” – though I doubt that. It is the FACT of THE EXAMPLE they are giving to other regions – especially Isaarn – that it IS possible to defeat the Thai military.
[…] this year, PoP’s Museum and Heritage Studies scholar Natali Pearson wrote about her visit to the remote Houtman Abrolhos Islands – site of the Batavia’s wrecking on its maiden voyage to the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) in […]
Amanda, so sad to have just learnt of your father’s death. We spent time together in India in the early 70’s and I still have some of his (very early) writings. I would be happy to copy them to you if you like.
Facebook 
Twitter 
Soundcloud 
Youtube 
Rss
Why Myanmar’s ethnic minorities lose faith in federalism and peace
In 1947, it was the Shan who invited Aung San to Panglong. British archives show that only a few days before he went, Aung San didn’t think the meeting would lead anywhere, and he was pleasantly surprised to find when he arrived that the Shan had already decided that union with Burma, with local autonomy, was negotiable. The Kachin were willing to go along as well, while the Chin were frankly unsure what to do for the best and had some difficulty in following the discussions. The Karen, representing only Karen outside Ministerial Burma, arrived late, as they had been holding their own “Panglong”, and couldn’t claim to represent all Karen. So they didn’t sign anything.
In 2017 it was Aung San Suu Kyi who invited everyone. But to rekindle the Spirit of Panglong, perhaps the non-Burmans should hold their own conference first, as in 1947, and then open discussions with the centre by inviting Aung San Suu Kyi to attend. But I realise it doesn’t work like this these days, which is no doubt why David Brenner has reached his commendable and well-founded conclusions.
Thailand’s triple threat
I don’t think regional analysis is necessarily what’s required to best understand the situation here. To me, there are long standing and recent local precedents of middle classes / students as disruptors. The southern situation, in relation to the other prongs of power in focus (Crown and Military), is probably more of a force towards embedding the status quo, rather than as a disruption to the current state. I’m no expert tho. Nich’s ‘what next’ is pretty on the money I think – though as the ‘new structure’ is seemingly unlikely – it is worth exploring what other options might exist – and private sector or business wasn’t a focus here, but tends to drive some such developments for better or worse.
Indian migrant workers in Malaysia – part 1
Dear Vetrivel, I’m interested in documenting the lives of migrant labourers in Malaysia. Could you give me your email or Facebook ID?
Kingdom of fear (and favour)
Recently the birthday of the King was celebrated. I have not heard that a birthday speech was delivered, or that the King even was in Thailand during the celebrations. Other news indicate that the power and authority of the King has been extended considerably. Isn’t it a bit strange to have an absent head of state with increased political power?
Kingdom of fear (and favour)
The poets that be – both within, and outside “Thailand” are very scared indeed that “Thailand” will break up. Hence they’ve gone after the “federalist” Koo, who may have escaped, to a third country.
Dear Princess Bajrakitiyabha
Ironic that the Princess’s doctorate thesis was on “the protection of the rights of the accused”. 55
https://www.unodc.org/southeastasiaandpacific/en/goodwill-ambassador-hrh-princess-bajrakitiyabha-mahidol.html
Mission to Burma, and to the Lahu, and the rest…
Does anyone have any information about a Dr Sheldon who was working as a missionary prior to 1927? Family folklore says that a family member Eva Browne (died 1927 Kalaw Burma) assisted her. Any information of direction would be much appreciated.
How Australia Plus became Australia minus
Yesterday in Jakarta at my hotel 9 solid hours of AFL 10am to 7pm, and 6 hours more today! I guess the rich AFL is one of the major funders. And Round the Twist (20 years old?) was on too. I’m an AFL fan but my needs can be satisfied by watching it on the internet on a reasonably priced pay per match basis. Thanks to the Party of Stupid in Australia (which one might that be?) for setting back Australia’s national interest by squandering the opportunity to develop better relationships with our neighbour at a time of rising religious tension in the country.
Australia’s Malay population
Cheapest air-fare I’ve found is about $A1100, from Perth. I.e. almost the cost of a flight to Europe. Does this sum up the history of Cocos Islands, outlined by academics above ?
Australia’s Malay population
The Cocos Malay language is a dialect of Jakarta/Betawi Malay. The language is very very similar to my language Betawi Malay. Their ancestors came from Java as plantation labors and sex slaves or harem.
Can the NLD claim the high ground?
“Aung San Suu Kyi was a convenient symbol of peaceful resistance to military rule.” “her defiant purity” “There is no purity in what has followed, and the NLD has proved an unsteady ally to the activists that made its 2015 victory possible.”
Aung San Suu Kyi was a moral rock, uncompromising with the military who kept her under house address for so many years, and she garnered her international support by being that moral rock. It was not pragmatic, it was not just a convenient symbol. But there is no purity, no morality in her submission and acquiescence now.
Because her foundation was moral, she cannot be compared in any way to the softer authoritarian regimes of SouthEast Asia. Where is her “defiant purity”, her Nobel acknowledged morality? For whatever reason, she has betrayed all those who revered her.
Thailand’s triple threat
John Grima – good comment. But marred by lack of REGIONAL analysis. Most of the Isaarn and Lanna middle class ALREADY think they can get a better deal from Puea Thai (though there’s some variation, which the Democrats could have smarter expressed). Your comments mostly ONLY apply to Bangkok, and the South (excluding the Far South).
Thailand’s triple threat
So let’s say that the Southern insurgency does not rise to the level of the other two threats suggested in the panel discussion. What candidates might there be for a more legitimate third? Let me suggest a kind of missing factor — vociferous middle class, student, and academic disaffection with the status quo of military government and succession. Right now that is missing. Lots of reasons for that. This regime is fairly effective in its repression, and that certainly has inhibited dissent. But it must also be the case that these missing dissenters are not persuaded that they would be better off under what comes next, after a reversal of the status quo. A return of Phua Thai to power? A return to street clogging stalemate? What’s the better choice? If that starts to become apparent, then the balance will begin to shift. I don’t know where that is going to come from, but in the past it has always come.
Election impressions from Timor-Leste
I agree. It is a kind of academic travelogue. What were the policy issues and debates. Some of the pictures suggest education and infrastructure were issues for some. How about a bit more from these authors on those
Election impressions from Timor-Leste
This report on the elections gives the impression that there were no policy issues or issues of any kind that were important. Was that true?
Conflict in Kachin continues
Hi Donald,
Apologies for the slow reply. There are many Kachin stakeholders discussing the vision of society, particularly the vibrant civil society, and the KIO. It’s critical that communities participate in formulating this vision. At this stage, the most common vision of self-determination is defined as genuine federalism, but nobody is clear on what this means exactly. Natural resource management, devolution of central powers and many other areas will be central. Developing an effective, empowering federal system is critical, but it’s difficult to focus on its development when armed conflict is escalating.
Why is Malaysia experiencing a brain drain?
Your story touched me, because I am also a Malaysian Indian studying in the UK (on a university scholarship). Ironically, I was always mocked for my dark skin in Malaysia; I had to come all the way here for people to see me as beautiful. For the first time, I am also judged by my work and not by my name. The fact that I don’t speak Mandarin doesn’t matter. You have nothing to apologise for; patriotism is a sham and in the end doesn’t fill your stomach.
Thailand’s triple threat
John Grima – you are missing the point. It is NOT the fact that Patani separatists are “contained” – though I doubt that. It is the FACT of THE EXAMPLE they are giving to other regions – especially Isaarn – that it IS possible to defeat the Thai military.
Treasure Island meets Lord of the Flies: rediscovering the Batavia shipwreck
[…] this year, PoP’s Museum and Heritage Studies scholar Natali Pearson wrote about her visit to the remote Houtman Abrolhos Islands – site of the Batavia’s wrecking on its maiden voyage to the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) in […]
A tribute to Nicholas Tapp
Amanda, so sad to have just learnt of your father’s death. We spent time together in India in the early 70’s and I still have some of his (very early) writings. I would be happy to copy them to you if you like.