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| Weekend edition, October 11-12, 2008 |
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Bangkok storm surge - October 11, 2008
This odd graphic on the Bangkok storm surge page that shows a family with backpacks running from a tidal wave at Sao Ching Cha. |
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Thailand still among top choices but outlook dim - Bangkok Post, October 8, 2008
Thailand has remained an attractive destination for foreign businesses, ranking eighth in the world, but prolonged political tensions may further erode investor confidence both in capital markets and the real sector, a global survey says... |
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U.S. Warden Message: PAD Demonstrations Monday in front of Police Headquarters - October 10, 2008
[The timing of this demonstration coincides with National Police Day on Monday.]
This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. Citizens traveling to
and residing in Thailand that media reports indicate the People's
Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leaders have called for a mass rally at
Police Headquarters on Monday morning, October 13, 2008. Police
Headquarters is located on Rama I road, which is the same road that Siam
Paragon, Central World, and other large shopping areas are located. We
ask Americans to exercise caution if you are going to be in this
vicinity or in the area of any demonstrations.
We wish to remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to
be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into
violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of
demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the
vicinity of any demonstrations.
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Book of speeches - It reads:
Thai at present -
Memorial to the National Day 2483 (1940) [This is the cover of a book of speeches by "Marshal Por" or Field Marshal Pibul Songkhram.]
Pibul-era graphics - October 11, 2008
Magazine - It reads: Nikorn Sunday - We believe listeners -
Nation is far from troubles -
Issue 13 - Date November 14, 1943
At bottom: Maksing…Kitima…Usana Mor. Pleunghum - Havakalormak and Sunshine in cloud rain [Not sure what these words at the bottom are - possibly articles in the magazine] |
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OpenFlights.org - October 11, 2008
Interesting site: OpenFlights is a tool that lets you map your flights around the world, search and filter them in all sorts of interesting ways, calculate statistics automatically, and share your flights and trips with friends and the entire world (if you wish). It's also the name of the open-source project to build the tool.
Thread on the forum about the system |
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Shippers quit Bangkok port over strike fears -
Cargonews Asia, October 9, 2008
Shippers are clearing their cargo from Bangkok Port and re-routing shipments via Laem Chabang Port on fears that unionised workers will strike again... |
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THAILAND: Another bout of military rule? - Inter Press Service, October 8, 2008
The battle for Bangkok has entered a new and violent phase, the logical end of which can only be another bout of military rule... |
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China to build section of China-Laos-Thailand railway - Bernama, October 8, 2008
China will invest 20.4 billion Chinese yuan (about US$ 3 billion) to build a 600-km railway segment running from its Southwestern province of Yunnan to Thailand's Mohan through Laos... |
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Nuclear bond for North Korea and Myanmar -
Your Nuclear News, October 6, 2008
A recent flurry of high-level contacts between North Korea and Myanmar raises new nuclear proliferation concerns between the two pariah states... |
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Editorial cartoons by Zeer - October 10, 2008
These editorial cartoons are from Thairath's Zeer. They are from a new collection of Zeer cartoons, Political Record.
It reads: Money + women or religious parasite - [on the monk’s fan] Refrain from secular temptation. [The woman, the men are attempting to bring valuable assets to give to the monk to corrupt him. This is a cartoon from around 2000 alluding to many religious scandals at the time.]
More Editorial cartoons by Zeer |
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| Thursday, October 9, 2008 |
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Death and injury toll up 300 - Royal Army forces stationed to look into Bangkok - Army Commander in Chief guarantees no coup - Revelation of the moment police use tear gas - Shocking leg and arm injuries
Many police officers injured - Chaotic clash in the downtown area - Police uses tear gas to dissolve PAD mob encamping at Parliament to allow [government meeting]
Perfunctory policy declaration - Somchai climbs to escape - Merely 2 hour long meeting - Democrats boycott - Parliamentary confusion - Khao Sod, October 8, 2008
Bangkok chaos - Mob clash - Clash continues from morning to night - both sides injured - PAD male and female members die - Tear gas causes many lost legs - Somchai climes fence to escape - Chawalit resigns
Bloodshed chaotic clash between riot police and PAD causes both sides injuries after the police use teargas to dissolve the rally - Thai Rath, October 9, 2008
2 die in mob dissolution - ABAC University undergraduate dies - Army Commander-in-Chief confirms no coup
Chawalit resigns to take responsibility for the incident
Policy declaration - Escape from the enclosure - PM, House Speaker, Senators, ministers escape the PAD enclosure - Daily News, October 9, 2008
Bloodbath in Bangkok - The Nation, October 8, 2008
Social denouncement of government - Democrats boycott policy declaration - City chaos causes stock nosedive
Clash between police and PAD leads to 2 deaths and more than 400 injuries.
Chaos downtown
Private sector warns that the metropolitan crisis worsens the economic crisis - Damages investors’ confidence - Krungthepturakit, October 8, 2008 |
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(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
Mid-morning - Military riot police at the southeast corner of Chitlada Palace
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
The areas around Parliament and the Royal Plaza are already clean and devoid of protesters.
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
Roads in the area are not blocked, but dozens of police paddy wagons are stranded around every intersection as all their tires were slashed by protesters.
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
The car bomb vehicle moments before it was towed away by police. |
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From Not the Nation: Nation Editor Finally Gets To Use “Black October” Banner
...Currently, Ekkachai and his colleagues are working on some slide shows featuring the severed leg, as well as some Flash animation of his new “Thailand Holocaust” series, expected to debut on the Nation’s website as soon as a small child dies, which Ekkachai hopes will be this week. |
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Soldiers deployed to help control situation - Bangkok Post, October 7, 2008
Soldiers from the army, navy and air force have been deployed on Tuesday night to help control political situation following request from police, according to army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd.
Col Sansern insisted that the soldiers will not be armed, and their responsibility is to keep the country in order.
He reiterated that violence will not occur, and that soldiers would not stage a coup.
Protesters' injury toll rises to 381 - The Nation, October 7, 2008
PM: Emergency decree not yet necessary - Bangkok Post, October 7, 2008
Prime Minister and Defence Minister Somchai Wongsawat vowed to continue to work as the premier and he will not dissolve the parliament despite political riots that took place several times in Bangkok on Tuesday.
"While I am taking this post, I will not stop my work," he told reporters after he was asked whether to step down or dissolve the parliament. "Any decisions would be made at the appropriate times."
Mr Somchai said he has not received the resignation letter of former deputy prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh...
Above: The Nation's entry page
"Black October 2008"
Photos from The Nation
Photos from Manager
More links to local news photos of the event including photos that allegedly show police throwing some sort of small incendiary device
Below: ASTV1 frame grab - At the bottom left it reads: New politics by the people
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Fatal car bomb in central Bangkok - BBC, October 7, 2008
A suspected car bomb has killed one person in Bangkok, as tensions rise in the long-standing political crisis... |
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Urgent: Police fire tear gases at protesters in front of Parliament - The Nation, October 7, 2008
Police fire dozens of tear gases at protesters, who staged a blockade outside Parliament at 6:20 am.
The firing of tear gases managed to open an access to Parliament at the gate on Phichai Road.
Leading members of the People's Alliance for Democracy urged the protesters to remain protesting there.
PAD siege broken - Bangkok Post, October 7, 2008
Riot police launched a surprise tear-gas raid Tuesday morning to break up a siege and tear down barricades at parliament erected up overnight by supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy.
The PAD protesters retreated as unarmed police with shields and face masks moved through the barbed-wire barricades and tore them down.
Several people were injured but it was not clear how their wounds occurred. One man appeared to have been hit by a tear-gas grenade as it exploded, tearing off part of his leg...
[This sounds of the canister firings could clearly be heard all around town at around 6:22am.] |
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Malaysia blogger goes on trial - Al Jazeera, October 6, 2008
One of Malaysia's most prominent bloggers and a high-profile critic of the government has gone on trial for sedition... |
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Pibul-era graphic - Juvenile soldiers - October 7, 2008
This sheet music cover reads: Song - Rabbit Brand - 19th edition - Yurathai Song - Retail and wholesale distribution at Tor. Jeckhuan department store at Banglampoo Pratumai, Phra Nakorn |
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AIG to sell operations in Thailand and the Philippines -
Reuters, October 6, 2008
American International Group, crippled by losses related to bad mortgages, said Monday that it had received offers for its Philippine insurance businesses and that it would sell its Thai consumer finance operations...
The Thai life insurance unit of AIG, American International Assurance, said that its parent company, based in Hong Kong, was considering the sale of part of its AIA stake, but that AIA would continue to operate in Thailand and retain a majority stake. |
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Film producer, wife accused of bribing official - San Jose Mercury News, October 3, 2008
...One of the contracts they received called for their firm to produce an "elite privilege card" that gave the buyer special privileges in Thailand such as being escorted through immigration and customs. Other contracts were to design a calendar, a book and a Web site... |
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The plastic prison - Common Ground, October, 2008
[Odd reference to Thailand in this article...]
...Unlike Vegas, what goes on in Washington and on Wall Street doesn’t stay there. In a financial version of the “Butterfly Effect,” the stroke of a hedge fund manager’s pen in New York can cause riots in Thailand... |
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Time to tackle the menace of computer games - The Nation, October 6, 2008
...A survey from the Culture Ministry revealed that Thai children spent around 2 hours a day playing computer games. About 80 per cent of them choose the combat-style, action-packed games, some of which come with graphic and violent images. The addiction can affect their personality as they become more prone to bursts of anger and violence. Without proper guidance, some are unable to distinguish between fantasy and the real world... |
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| Weekend edition, October 4-5, 2008 |
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Thai email forwards: Recession is coming - October 4, 2008
This email forward warning about the coming recession has been going around this week.
More Thai email forwards |
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More on the world's biggest crusie ship - October 4, 2008
Nils notes: By the way, what the Sun article fails to mention is that the shipyard is situated in Northwestern Germany (here and here). Interesting to note is that they have a long tradition dating back to 1795 and have always remained a family-owned business.
Over the past 2-3 decades they have become famous for building these giant cruise ships (one of very few specialists for this worldwide), as well as the difficulties it poses bringing them out to the open sea, as the shipyard is located 36 km from the coast. This means they must negotiate the Ems River, which had to be deepened to facilitate the passage of these vessels. In addition, in 2002 a huge river barrier was completed, financed by the state government of Lower Saxony in an effort to keep this important employer in business. It allows to temporarily increase the water level in the river so that ships with a draft of up to 8.5 m can use it. (Though officially it also serves coastal protection purposes) The Meyer Werft keeps breaking record after record for the largest ever cruise ships built in Germany.
Incidentally, they also built the ill-fated Estonia which sunk when the ferry's front door separated in heavy seas en route between Tallinn and Stockholm, claiming 852 lives. Celebrity Solstice inside the dock
Earlier: The world's biggest cruise ship squeezes out of dock and sets sail - The Sun, September, 2008
[Nothing to do with Thailand, but interesting.] |
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Raising a salute to Jayaretnam - The Nation, October 3, 2008
...Obviously, in Singapore he was also sad figure but a powerful icon for the person who has stood up as the leader of the Workers' Party (1971) and fought against the monopolistic power of ruling People's Action Party and their leaders. He was knocked out of action in 2001 after he was declared bankruptcy for failure to pay the massive damages to members of PAP in a series of defamation suits...
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Building collapse in Bangkok's gay street -
Gay NZ, October, 2008
The collapse happened on Tuesday in Bangkok's Silom Soi 4 at around 4pm local time (10pm NZ time), when the Soi is largely unattended. ...
"We were so lucky [that there were] no gays or any sign of human beings trapped within the wreckage..." |
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| Wednesday, October 1, 2008 |
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Young PAD asks Chaing Mai University’s undergraduates [literally "young elephants"] to go to Government House after the final examination -
Call for enrollment 0834805145
Signs at Chaing Mai University - Join the PAD - September, 2008
Sardatu reports: After the seminar on discussion of the political topic “PAD meets college students” was hosted at the Chaing Mai University on September 19, 2008, many Chiangmai University undergraduates were invited to join the PAD rally storming of the Government House compound during the semester close.
The National Democratic College Student Power Group joins hands with the Juvenile Network of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (Young PAD) - Is politics a complicated matter? - Should college students neglect the situation? -
Ideal college students who have interests in politics are invited to join our activities after the final examination.
Invitation to join the seminar on discussion of the topic PAD and college students - On Friday September 19 from 6 pm at professor’s canteen at Chaing Mai University |
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"From: Mrs.Pojaman Shinawatra" - October 1, 2008
One of the periodic Nigerian scam letters that uses the Shinawatras:
From:Mrs.Pojaman Shinawatra
Bangkok-Thailand
Email:mrspojaman@gmail.com
Dear,
I am Mrs.Pojaman Shinawatra the wife of Mr. Takshin Shinawatra the
ex-prime Minister of Thailand who is currently being tried in Thailand.
Most importantly the current Leadership has put a search light on my
Family business activities thus the reason why we are looking for a person
outside Thailand to act as our proxy and invest the hedge fund he left
behind in a financial institution in Europe .
We need a capable person that can keep the transaction confidential and
at the same time has the capability of pulling $150m from the institution
where the funds are lodged.
If you are sure you can be honest and trustworthy to handle the
investment, then send your letter of intent so that we can discuss the
terms and draw up an agreement via our Representative before you can
proceed to claim the funds for investment.
Due to the sensitivity of the transaction, we will require topmost
confidentiality all through the transaction.
Awaiting your response via my confidential email id:mrspojaman@gmail.com
Regards
Mrs.Pojaman Shinawatra.
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| Tuesday, September 30, 2008 |
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'Unnecessary' dam project threatens rarest wildlife - Independent, September 28, 2008
One of the world's rarest reptiles, the critically-endangered Siamese
crocodile, is gravely threatened by a proposed dam in an unspoilt region
of Cambodia, British conservationists warn... |
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Ex-prime minister's sentence further entrenches criminal defamation and deepens threat to freedom of expression in Thailand, says SEAPA - IFEX, September 29, 2008
...The Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) is expressing concern over the
penalty of imprisonment meted out against the former prime minister. While
the Samak defamation decision will have to be taken within the larger
political contexts in Thailand, SEAPA believes that meting out a jail
sentence for defamation will only further entrench criminal defamation in
Thailand, further growing an existing threat to freedom of expression.
While there are accepted limits to free speech, the penalty of imprisonment
for defamation is excessive against any person, in any context. The
criminal defamation case against Samak -or any other personality- will have
implications beyond the personalities directly involved. It will set a
chilling standard by which all Thai citizens, including journalists,
writers, and oppositionists, will now also be held by...
Journalist reporting on corruption killed in Suphanburi province - IFEX, September 29, 2008
The TJA condemns the barbaric killing of "Matichon" newspaper reporter Jaruek Rangcharoen, 46, in Suphanburi province on 27 September 2008. The organisation also condemns those behind the murder...
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| Monday, September 29, 2008 |
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Dr Dan is our man, Bangkok Post readers say - Bangkok Post, September 28, 2008
After the final week of the Bangkok Post poll, Kriangsak Charoenwongsak retained his top spot, and even pulled further away from his closest rival, former Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin... |
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| Weekend edition, September 27-28, 2008 |
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No prosecution for alleged anti-“no standing” offender - Prachatai, September 21, 2008
[This confusingly titled article refers to the charges against the people who threw popcorn and yelled at the pair who failed to stand for the Royal Anthem.]
...That the alleged offender said that “whatever nation, religion, monarchy (you belong to), why don’t you show love toward His Majesty? Are you Thai? See, even Westerners learn to stand up”... |
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Southern security detainees and the stories they'll never forget - The Nation, September 26, 2008
...First there was the initial confinement at a Pattani police station where he went through various forms of torture. Besides the normal punching and kicking, his captors also used electric shocks. He recalled grasping for breath as authorities took their sweet time removing the black plastic bag that they had put on his head moments earlier... |
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(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
Marketing vs Reality views of Sanam Luang - September 27, 2008
An "Amazing Thailand" poster in the subway (above). This year's kite flying festival was cancelled because of the construction of the funeral buildings for Princess Galyani Vadhana. Instead of lush green fields of the marketing version above, the reality is a sandy, semi-paved expanse (below) where, from time to time, paid anti-PAD crowds are plied with cans of Leo beer as speakers exhort them "settle" the PAD.
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
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| Friday, September 26, 2008 |
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Somchai 1 Cabinet - Komchadluek, September 25, 2008
New cabinet lineup
New entrances - 12
Former members - 24
Core quota (Thaksin) - 8
PPP faction - 14
5 coalitions - 14
[On the bottle] Somchai 1 [cabinet]
(At the bottom) Komchadluek graphic |
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Thaksin shakes the bottle - Komchadluek, September 25, 2008
It reads: Thaksin shapes the Cabinet himself [literally "shakes the bottle of the Cabinet himself"] - Orarn to supervise the economy - Newin competes to enter the Cabinet - Chawalit failed [this later proved not to be the case as Chawalit was made a Deputy PM] - Sompong to sits Foreign Minister post -
Ladder given to PAD [meaning a way for PAD to climb back into normal politics] - Committee to be established to work with the 3rd Constitution Drafting Committee to discuss new politics [referring to the controversial moves to amend the constitution] |
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Warden message on milk products in Thailand - U.S. Embassy Bureau of Consular
Affairs, September 25, 2008
Over the past several weeks, there have been reports of deaths and
illness in China as a result of milk contaminated with melamine. China
has historically been a supplier of milk and cream products to Thailand,
and on September 22, 2008, rising concern over possibly contaminated
milk led the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue a
statement on its website saying that all Chinese dairy imports will be
more stringently inspected. A Thai FDA port inspector confirmed to
Embassy officials that all current shipments of Chinese dairy products
entering Thailand are tested and only released into the market after all
test results are conclusive that the products are not contaminated.
We cannot evaluate the safety of all dairy products available in
Thailand, but suggest that consumers stay abreast of current events and
always look at the product labels for nutritional information, possible
allergens, and country of origin if you are concerned about the source
of your food... |
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Director offered edit on pic cut from Bangkok -
Hollywood Reporter, September 25, 2008
..."We made the film to expose the hidden reality in Thailand and in the whole region," Sakamoto said. "We just wanted to know the reaction and impression of what Thai people thought about it, and we're really sorry that they will not have the opportunity to do so..." |
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| Thursday, September 25, 2008 |
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Info on the old Chiang Rai Airport? - September, 2008
Patrick writes: I wonder if you could help me out. I'm trying to find out some
information about the old Chiang Rai Airport and I wonder if your
readers might be able to help me...
Thread on Orient Expat
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Thai court rejects US extradition request for Iranian accused in missile parts export case -
KSWT-TV, September 23, 2008
A high-ranking Iranian air force officer facing charges in San Diego of trying to export U.S. missile parts to Iran has been released from custody after a Thai court denied his extradition...
A spokeswoman for the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok says the U.S. was disappointed. A spokesman for the Thai Foreign Ministry says the decision should be respected... |
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Bangkok fest bans film for second year in a row -
Hollywood Reporter, September, 2008
...On the opening day of the sixth annual Bangkok fest, Junji Sakamoto, the director of "Children of the Dark" -- which organizers last week barred from screening in the festival on the grounds that it lacked the proper permits -- announced a news conference for Wednesday.
"This film must be shown (to) all of the world, especially in Thailand for the children's future," Sakamoto said in a statement. "To stop this film is the same as shutting children's futures, also shutting the future in the country."
Festival artistic director Yongyoot Thongkongtoon told The Hollywood Reporter that the ban of the Thai-Japanese co-production was more about the subject matter and the image problem it represents for Thailand... |
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| Wednesday, September 24, 2008 |
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(Photo: Sadortu for 2Bangkok.com) |
Welcoming the PM and his wife - September 23, 2008
Sign welcoming the new PM in Chiang Mai.
It reads: Sankampenag people welcome P.M. Somchai Wongsawat, 26th Prime Minister - And his wife, Yaowapa Wongsawat - With warmth |
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Sombat Khong Phudee
Quality of
well-mannered people
Experience the joyfulness of children who live cultural lives |
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