On Thainess & uniqueness

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The following appeared as a comment by N G to the Timesonline 'Siamese Spat' editorial:

"Certain circumstances are hard to believe seeing what has been going on from outside. Open discussion about anything seems acceptable in western cultures. But it may be the unfamiliar practice where act of restraint is advised to lessen the heat of certain situations. Different level of comprehension of the situation results in heated debate over the issue.

Sure, there are people who exploit and manipulate the law which exists to keep things in order but do think about different settings of the society. Every measures have pros and cons and are not applicable anywhere. There is uniqueness in every single one of us.

When overwhelmed means of exchanging ideas are prevalent, certain standard of practice over time may need to be changed. But let's not expect the change to take place basing on value and belief of those who find it difficult to understand seem-to-be unreasonable practice, who are brought up in a total different world.

Whether or not a country is up to ridicule or not, a need for discussion about the system may be required or not, lies in the eye of the beholder who obviously tends to have different appreciation level.

Human beings know very little about the world and the universe. Some people dare to claim that he knows it all, he is better, or he is even more civilised. Take a deep breath and see to it if one could learn to appreciate the differences and see from a different perspective with a different ground approaching the issue. The beauty is not what we see as stereotype but what we see with a fair mind without being judgmental."


But isn't that the crux of the Thai political problems?

- A group of people ('elites':), who think they know it all, are stifling (crushing) anyone who sees things differently than them.
There is nothing fair minded and non judgmental about the way the LM laws, the Computer Crimes Act or the Internal Security Act are imposed.

Silence = Acquiescence ???


Gouge Away - The Pixies Live
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The man speaks

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The Thaksin interview with Timesonline is a hot topic at present, and so controversial that looks like its being blocked in Thailand (what a surprise:)
UPDATE: Thaksin seems to be backtracking on some of the stuff apparently said/not said about the monarchy - IMO its a disgrace whats happening in Thailand regarding discussing the monarchy - people cannot speak their minds openly and it's turned into a sickening contest of who can show the most fawning loyalty to the great one.


These are the bits I found most amusing:

What would you say to the King?

I would say, ‘Your Majesty, it's time for Your Majesty to be kind to the Thai citizens, by giving them peace. Let them stay together peacefully through the blanket amnesty and pardons. So let everyone go back to their normal life and draft the new constitution.’

They [the enemies of Mr Thaksin] tried to kill me. They had a meeting in the house of Mr Pi [Malakul], who is close to Her Majesty… General Surayud [Chulanont, former Thai army commander, and prime minister after Thaksin was ousted by the military coup] asked General Panlop [Pinmanee] to assassinate me.

Hobby: Wow - A Privy Councillor ordering an assassination !
(that should be the most contoversial aspect of the whole interview as it's a very serious accusation)

Some people in Thailand seem to have worse fears than just economic and diplomatic stagnation. You hear people talking about some kind of economic collapse, civil war. Is that possible?

Thailand is near to being a 'failed state'. Because every institution almost cannot function because you don't allow the rules of the game to take their course. You don't allow the rule of law to prevail and you are biased against others. You don't shine before the whole world. You just want to control power regardless. That's why I'm saying Thailand has almost become a failed state, because no one trusts each other. There's no institution that's being trusted like before.

Hobby: Oh how the worm turns:)

What about the sale of Shin Corp [Mr Thaksin’s family telecommunications company which was sold to the Singaporean government for 77.3 billion bath (£1.14 billion) without paying tax, a cause of intense criticism of Mr Thaksin when he was prime minister]. You didn't pay tax. Putting aside the legal rights and wrongs, was that a misjudgement, politically?

Even if you want to pay tax the revenue department cannot accept your tax. Capital gains tax in Thailand is not tax payable. It's exempted by law. Some countries tax capital gains, but the Thai law has been there for many years as an incentive for a company to register itself in the stock market to exempt the capital gains tax.

Hobby: What about using nominees, maids, and tax havens - did the revenue department force you to do that?

So you don't have any regrets or misgivings about the way you handled that?

Well, you know, I’m in a difficult position to say anything as prime minister because it's a family affair, it's not my personal affair. I'm in a very awkward position as a prime minister to say anything.

Hobby: What a cop out!

But speaking now as a private citizen, it was a mistake, wasn't it?

No, because it's jealousy. I am one of the very few who have so much cash. It's the jealousy of the elite. I'm a representative of the rural people who grew up and had that much cash. [My] family wanted me to be free and clear from being criticised for conflict of interest. So they thought they'd better sell [the company].

Hobby: Very hard for me to trust people who cannot admit ever making a mistake.
(btw, Jealousy of the elite, or by the elite? - both IMO:)

And now for the important bit, here's the song:)

Debaser - by The Pixies (best band ever:)

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Still Waiting

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The holding pattern continues and nothing much to blog about as its all been done before - I'm so bored with the political maneuverings and am just waiting for the next 'big' event that provides some spark to the situation.




Thaksin, Abhisit, Sondhi etc etc- boring!
Now we have blasts from the past Chavalit and Chuan to add to the mix - here's a good overview by Thitinan.

Great blog and comments in this thread over at Absolutely Bangkok
I wish I had the intelligence & motivation to create such blog posts - thanks to Bangkok Dan, and all the other contributors, especially Jaded, who has taken the effort to put in writing a great outline of things, and it explains why I still keep reaching the same old conclusion - situation hopeless!
(but us farang are lucky - we can leave anytime we like - it's the Thai's who are victims of the mess, but have no hope of change, or escape, they are the ones that I really feel for)

About the 3G debacle: Personally I could not care less about accessing the internet via my phone and all the other tricks offered which IMO are a trap for the gullible - I have a 3G phone, but its still just a phone to me:) , however if it improves internet speeds in Thailand then I say 'bring it on'.
:)

Has Dr. John got it right? (Situation hopeless?)

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Dr. John and the Night Tripper crew performs Zu Zu Mamou (Warning: possible Voodoo content)

Letter to the Bangkok Post
(PAD even gets some praise in another letter:)

"The sad state of affairs starts young here
The past weeks have seen numerous navel-gazing articles littering the English-language press about the state of Thai society, what bodes for the future, all lamenting on the parlous state the country finds itself in and postulating solutions.
Sadly, the raw fact is that there are no magic solutions. The country is inherently dysfunctional and will remain so. The reasons for this are complex and manifold, but I will address what I see as the main protagonists.

It starts young; I watch the predominantly male children of friends and colleagues being essentially indulged and spoilt. There is very little corrective parenting that involves ''no don't do that, no you can't have that''. Indeed, one English father has become so exasperated by his Thai wife's constant doting on their youngest to the exclusion of all discipline, that he has detached himself from the close rearing process entirely.
This kind of over-indulgent behaviour by parents produces spoilt children who become petulant at a moment's notice. They become equally unpleasant adults that feel the world owes them and revolves around them.
I will not loiter on the educational system as it has generated reams of column inches over the past months; sufficient to say that it continues to fall substantially short of being in any way fit for purpose and offers no assistance here.

Then there is the general demeanour of Thai society and the requirement for non-questioning, non-confrontational deference if you are not the high status one. This suffocating environment not only prevents any form of growth in social society, but is the most fertile of environments for corruption in any of its forms, as those who are endlessly fawned upon grow to become arrogant and indulgent.

Then in the higher structures of society, due process is routinely interfered with so that a ''workable'' outcome can be achieved; no doubt it being paraded as the middle way. Sadly, if the middle way falls out with the law or at least natural justice, then the seeds of division are sown and those at lower levels see that as a green light to make their own ''middle'' way and thus we have the society we have today.

So, short of brainwashing the entire country and starting again, there is nothing that can be done as there is no part of the national structure that is _ save for one very striking exception _ respected. That, sadly, is the sum of it."

DR JOHN PATTERSON

I'm not completely sure about the child spoiling comments, as Thai kids (including males) don't seem any worse behaved than their western counterparts - if true, I'm thinking the deference to higher authority 'rule' must counteract the child spoiling???

I hope Dr John is wrong about the rest, particularly the hopelessness of the situation.
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Coup Anniversary - The cost so high the gain so low

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Rise (Public Image Limited)
I could be wrong I could be right
I could be wrong I could be right
I could be wrong I could be right
I could be black I could be white
I could be black I could be white
I could be white I could be black
Your time has come your second skin
The cost so high the gain so low
Walk through the valley
The written word is a lie

May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you
May the road rise with you

I could be wrong I could be right
I could be wrong I could be right
I could be black I could be white
I could be right I could be wrong
I could be black I could be white

They put a hot wire to my head
Cos of the things I did and said
And made these feelings go away
Model citizen in every way

Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy

I could be wrong I could be right
I could be wrong I could be right
I could be wrong I could be right
I could be black I could be white
I could be right I could be wrong
I could be black I could be white

Your time has come your second skin
Cost so high the gain so low
Walk through the valley
The written word is a lie

I could be wrong I could be right
Could be wrong -
They put a hot wire to my head
Cos of the things I did and said
A model citizen in every way
Your time has come your second skin
Cost so high the gain so low

Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy

I could be wrong I could be right
I could be wrong I could be right
I could be wrong I could be right
I could be black I could be white
I could be right I could be wrong
I could be black I could be white

Your time has come your second skin
Cost so high the gain so low
Walk through the valley
The written word is a lie

I could be wrong I could be right
Could be wrong -
The put a hot wire to my head
Cos of the things I did and said
A model citizen in every way
Your time has come your second skin
Cost so high the gain so low

Anger is an energy
Anger is an energy
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Please sir, can I fart?

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Lets all play follow the leader.
(I'm still holding my nose:)

If The Nation's report is to be believed, it's still all about Thaksin:
"Meanwhile, another leading red shirt said yesterday that fugitive PM Thaksin Shinawatra had cut back roles for "the trio" who have played a leading parts in violent protests by his supporters. The trio refers to Jatuporn Prompan, Nattawut Saikua and Veera Musigapong.
Thaksin decided to push for 30 new leaders to usher in a new peaceful struggle through leader-training schools to be established as a network nationwide. He wanted to produce leaders to help the red shirts achieve their goals through systematic political campaigns, according to Nisit Sinthuprai, former executive of the now-defunct People Power Party who is a director of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship School.
Nisit said he and other supporters of Thaksin such as Dr Weng Tochirakarn, Jaran Ditta-apicha, Wisa Kanthap, Shinawatra Habunpad wrote the curriculum for the school.
He said he had consulted Thaksin on plans for the DAAD to have a group of about 20-30 people as a panel to map out strategy, evaluate situations and make decisions on their movement. This leading role should not rest with just Jatuporn, Nattawut and Veera, as it had previously".

I'm wondering if Jakrapob and Giles will be consulted regarding curriculum content?

Last week Giles said this:
"The Thai elite want us to be half-wits. They want us to do as we are told and be loyal to Nation, Religion and King. When the Leader farts, we all have to fart. If he wears a pink shirt, we must all wear one too. We must all believe that he invented everything that is of value in the country. The elite want us to crawl on the ground in front of them as though we are not human. We must smile like idiots and chant in unison that we “love our King and country”. The problem in Thai society has always been that the rulers are corrupt, brutal and barbaric, while the people are generally good. Yet ‘They’ claim the right to lecture us on being good citizens"

I also wonder whether 'How to suppress dissent via lawsuits' will be in the curriculum at the Thaksin school of democracy?

Fortunately, Thailand is well catered for in the leadership area, as we also have another leadership school which has churned out thousands of leaders over the years.
'Chamlong has been a major teacher at the leadership school, which has trained some 56,000 people over the past 22 years'
I'm pleased all that the leadership training has benefited the dogs and cats too, as their reported circmustances from 10 years previously seemed to be very dire.

People have the power:
"I was dreaming in my dreaming of an aspect bright and fair
And my sleeping it was broken
but my dream it lingered near
In the form of shining valleys
where the pure air recognized
And my senses newly opened
I awakened to cry -
That the people have the power to redeem the works of fools
Upon the meek the graces shower
it's decreed
the people rule.
The people have the power
the people have the power
The people have the power
the people have the power.
Vengeful aspects became suspect and bending low as if to hear
And the armies ceased advancing because the people had their ear.
And the shepherds and the soldiers lay beneath the stars
Exchanging visions and laying arms to waste in the dust
In the form of shining valleys where the pure air recognized
And my senses newly opened
I awakened to the cry -
The people have the power
the people have the power
The people have the power
the people have the power.
The power to dream
to rule
to wrestle the world from fools
It's decreed
the people rule
it's decreed
the people rule.
Listen: I believe everything we dream can come to pass through our
union
We can tun the world around
we can turn the earths revolution.
We have the power
the people have the power
The people have the power
the people have the power.
The power to dream
to rule
to wrestle us from fools
It's decreed
the people rule.
We have the power
we have the power
The people have the power
we have the power. "
by Patti Smith

However, there are some people who just dont want to listen, they only hear what they want to hear (those pesky non thai thai people, those un-americans, un-australians etc - they must be the ones creating all the problems in the world:)
"I don't want to try to convince you that I'm right. I want to try to understand you. If we are going to fix our country's problems, we need to have a conversation together"
See the end of this article for the response she got.
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