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News and Views - September 2008
(Photo: Sadortu for 2Bangkok.com)
(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 warmthJirapat Tatsanasomboon: LOVE and LUST - September 27, 2008
The always interesting Jirapat Tatsanasomboon's new exhibition "LOVE and LUST" at the Thaivibu Gallery in the JTC building on Silom.
(Photo: thavibu.com)
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)More Jirapat art - October 11, 2008
A couple more examples of Jirapat's interesting art...
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)Changes at the Bangkok Post: Note from the Editor - Bangkok Post, September 1, 2008
From today, the price of the Bangkok Post, Thailand's leading English-language newspaper, is 30 baht...Step down, now! - Bangkok Post, September 4, 2008
Thai protesters pursue chaos theory - Financial Times, September, 2008
(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)
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...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..."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...Americans dying overseas - September 26, 2008
Non-Natural Death Cases Abroad - July 1, 2005-June 30, 2008
Non-Natural Death Cases Abroad - October 2002-June 30, 2005
Statistical Summary - July 1, 2005-June 30, 2008
(Thailand is number 3 only after Mexico and Iraq.)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...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”...
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
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...Pro-PAD/Anti-Thaksin website - September 29, 2008
All about Rangsan - September 30, 2008
Rangsan get 25-year imprisonment for masterminding assassination attempt against late Supreme Court president
Rangsan architect website - in process projects - past projects
THAILAND: A 14-year trial and alleged police set-up - Asian Human Rights Commission, 2007
Channel 3 TV show - September 4, 2008
Richard writes: The early morning breakfast show on Channel 3 called "rueang lao chao ni" had a live outside broadcast today at the city hall in Samut Prakan... MoreKrabi Airline To Fly Oslo - Krabi - Bangkok - Airlines.net, September 1, 2008
Australian arrested in Thailand for lese-majeste - Reuters, September 3, 2008
Verisimilitude by Harry Nicolaides
New Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat - September 18, 2008
The following is compiled from biographies of Somchai published in the Thai-language press.Born August 31, 1947, Nakorn Sri Thammarat native, married to Yaowapa Wongsawat. Has 1 son and 2 daughters.
Education
Bachelor’s degree from Faculty of Law, Thammasat University in 1970, Barrister Association graduated in 1973, National Defense College alumni 38 in 1987, Master of Public Administration, Public and Private organizational management Program from National Institute of Development Administration in 2002.Major experience
Judge, Justice Ministry Permanent-Secretary, Labor Ministry Permanent-Secretary, Council of State member, People Power Party Deputy Leader, Acting Prime Minister and Acting Education MinisterFull work experience
Judge assistant to the Justice Ministry, Judge of the Chiang Mai Provincial Court and also the Chiang Rai Court. Chief Judge to the Phan-nga Provincial Court, Judge of the Rayong Juvenile Court, Chonburi Chief Judge, Nonthaburi Chief Judge, Thonburi Criminal Court Chief Judge, Region 3 Appeal Court Judge, Region 2 Appeal Court Chief Judge, Justice Ministry Deputy Permanent-Secretary on academic department and on administrative department, Justice Ministry Permanent Secretary (November 11, 1999), Labor Ministry Permanent Secretary (March 8 2006-September 2006) National Research Council for Law section (1999-2006), Thai Barrister member, Asset Examination Committee on drug-dealing case Chairman, Electricity Generating Authority Committee member, Independent Power company committeeman, Krungthai Bank committee member, PTT Company committee member, Thailand Airports Authority committee member, Thaioil Company committee man, Board of Narcotics Control committee member, the Anti-Money Laundering Office committee member, The Council of State committee member. The Office of Board of Royal Thai Police Committee member, the Office of Police Commission committee member, the Civil Service Commission board member, the Office of Judiciary commission member, the Office of Attorney commission member, the National Intelligence agency committee member, the Government Lottery Office committee member, the Deputy Party leader of the People Power Party and Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister and Acting Premier (September 9, 2008) and Acting Education Minister.
(Photo: Bangkok Mediplex)Bangkok Mediplex - September 18, 2008
Articles here, here and here. Bangkok Mediplex websiteFrom a press release:
Fun facts about Bangkok Mediplex
* Each floor’s colour represents the five elements (Wu Xing), often found in Chinese medicine and Feng Shui. Each element has a different colour identity and represents each floor and interior space. (They tend to behave somewhat like the physical entities).
The elements are:
Fire (red - basement) Earth (amber – 1st floor)
Wood (green – 2nd floor)
Water (blue – 3rd floor)
Metal (white – surrounding space)
* The structure of the building’s facade was inspired by “Cell Expansion” and represents the human skin cell pattern.
* The logo has evolved from “human tissue” and has a more lively and dynamic character.
* Signage columns and light poles are based on the “Human Spine” and the way it “twists” like DNA. There is also a DNA portrait pattern on floor tiles inside the complex.
* The lemongrass lawn in front of the complex is a natural / therapeutic feature...
(Photo: Bangkok Mediplex)Bangkok’s Rama IX Bridge: closing the gap - 1987 - buddhadada.com, September, 2008
Thailand’s Humpty-Dumpty government still in freefall - Malaysia Star, September, 2008
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)Flyover sign - September 19, 2008
It reads: BMA and Chulalongkorn Academic Service Center - Assessment of the flyover project. We apologize for any inconvenience.Puea Pandin consults fugitive - Bangkok Post, September 20, 2008
Puea Pandin leaders have consulted the party's chief adviser, fugitive criminal Vatana Asavahame, on their quota of cabinet seats. They visited Cambodia's Poipet province, known for its casino complexes, to meet him...
More on Vatana's escapeThailand rated slightly less corrupt than last year - Bangkok Post, September 23, 2008
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)Tipping truck - September 23, 2008
Propped-up cement truck at a construction site on Suthisarn Road.
Weird times in Thailand, Malaysia - but democracy is working - Globe and Mail, September, 2008
Asia Sugar-Thailand to cash in on India's fading exports - Reuters India, September, 2008
A flaw in Thailand's justice - Belleville News Democrat, September, 2008
...What is wrong with this? The "perpetrator" has confessed, right? I asked Visut if it had ever happened that a suspect who had confessed to a crime turned out to be innocent.
"Not in Thailand," he insisted with clench-jawed certainty. "They know the punishment is very serious."
In other countries, however, confessions are notoriously unreliable. An organization called the Innocence Project in the United States uses DNA evidence to find innocent people who have been convicted of crimes. And after 16 years of research, the project has come up with a startling conclusion: DNA evidence shows that 25 percent of the people who confess or plead guilty to a crime are irrefutably innocent...Bangkok fest removes 'Children' - Variety, September 19, 2008
..."Even though the bad guys in the movie are foreigners, the movie contains inappropriate content about child prostitution that does not fit with Thai society," said Federation chairman Jaruek Kaljaruek...
No Movie No Life - September 19, 2008
"i don't like my life so very much that's why i love movies"From Not the Nation
Real Estate Firm To Open New Luxury Condo For Foreign Criminals
The developer says it has already sold more than 75 percent of the units: 40 percent to the city's regular client base of money launderers, 20 percent to people using stolen identities, and 15 percent under duress...
17% of Thai Men Have Been A Cabinet Member At Some Point
Desperate Tourism Authority Revokes Exit Visas
All foreign visitors now required to stay indefinitely, purchase at least one wooden elephant...
Citizen Juling - September 22, 2008
From a press release: How did a young idealist, Buddhist art teacher Juling from the far North, end up lying comatose in a pool of blood at a village kindergarten school in the deep Islamic South? Colourful human rights activist and senator Kraisak Choonhavan goes on the road to understand what happened and why. Definitely not a straight enquiry into the Southern Unrest in Thailand, this strange documentary takes a deep-immersion trip into the country's soul with all its bizarre scenes. From the opening among ecstatic royalist crowds on the streets of Bangkok on Coronation Day in June 2006, to the festive military coup d'etat that ends it, the filming co-incides with the last four intense months of the Thaksin Shinawatra government, under which thousands died in extra-judicial killings and many disappeared.
Bangkok Film Festival 2008'Citizen Juling': Exploring a Thai woman's death - IHT, September 9, 2008
'How do you make a film about a girl who could never give you an interview, because she's in a coma?" asks the Thai artist Ing K in a recent film festival blog entry.
The answer: with the Thai contemporary art photographer Manit Sriwanichpoom and the controversial opposition senator Kraisak Choohavan. The three collaborated in producing "Citizen Juling," an intelligent and timely documentary that explores the circumstances surrounding the death of Juling Pongkanmul, a teacher from northern Thailand who was assaulted by Muslim women in a village in southern Thailand's war zone in May 2006...
(Photo: Nils)
(Photo: Nils)Ghost building on New Phetburi
Above - September 6, 2008 - Nils writes: The "ghastly ghost" is now under construction again. It will be - what else? - a luxury condominium.
Left - February 11, 2005 - Nils writes: The ghastliest ghost building of Bangkok. Close to IFCT Tower (now Thai Summit Tower, in the background). This one is really "na-glua" (fearsome).
By the way, in German we call this kind of structure a "Bauruine" (construction ruin), which sums up the facts pretty well. It seems there is no comparable word in English that implies "it was started, but abandoned before it could be finished." (?)Thailand Elite spam campaign - September 6, 2008
The infamous Thailand Elite program has now turned to a spamming campaign. It appears they are using the Australian Chamber of Commerce member database as their mailing list.
Incredibly, the email comes with a 3MB graphic attachment (right).
To make the experience complete, the text is written in an advertising style common in Thai, stoking the ego of the recipient by telling them how far above other people they are and how purchasing the product will elevate them even further:
...Because of the elevated position and standing you have achieved in life, you have been personally selected for Thailand Elite membership. Please consider this a personal invitation, on behalf of both my ministry and the people of Thailand, to you to take up Thailand Elite membership and join this selected and privileged community as the details attached...The Negrito of Thailand: the Mani - September 5, 2008
Thanks to Steve for pointing this out.Actress Beart, director defend new tsunami film - Reuters, August, 2008
...Du Welz heard some people were "irritated" by the fact that "Vinyan" dealt with the tsunami. The Times newspaper this week quoted a couple who lost a daughter in the tidal wave as saying that to turn tragedy into entertainment so soon was "outrageous"...Time to end culture of impunity around disappearances - The Nation, September 1, 2008
Worse than a coup - The Economist, September 4, 2008
...The PAD’s leaders, however, are neither liberals nor democrats. A gruesome bunch of reactionary businessmen, generals and aristocrats, they demand not fresh elections, which they would lose, but “new politics”—in fact a return to old-fashioned authoritarian rule, with a mostly appointed parliament and powers for the army to step in when it chooses. They argue that the rural masses who favour Mr Thaksin and Mr Samak are too “ill-educated” to use their votes sensibly. This overlooks an inconvenient electoral truth: the two prime ministers had genuinely popular policies, such as cheap health care and credit...
Directionless Thailand falters on world stage - The Nation, September 4, 2008
It must be pretty awkward for Asean senior officials who have been meeting in Hua Hin over the past two days to work out plans for the upcoming Asean summit, which Thailand will host in mid-December - a little more than three months away...The mirror has 60 million faces - Bangkok Post, September 7, 2008
...We can say the election was bought, but which election wasn't? Buying an election is just a matter of supply and demand, it can't be bought if the people aren't willing to sell it. And the people is us, the Thai people. It is us who sell our freedom, our democracy.
If Samak resigns, there are thousands and thousands more Samaks ready to replace him. The idea and being of the likes of Thaksin or Samak is like the proverb ''fish in the water and the rice in the field''...Thaksin Shinawatra could be the Peron of Thailand - Georgia Straight, September, 2008
Thaksin Shinawatra is shaping up to be the Juan Peron of Thailand, with the significant difference that he is a rich Peron...Cabinet meet irresponsible - Bangkok Post, September 08, 2008
...If this is not a fair warning of brewing trouble, then nothing is. It seems as though the government, unable to make things better, has decided to make them worse. It is sickening to hear the PAD leaders and the provincial support group both spoiling for a fight. It is disturbing that the government would wade into such a tinderbox, seemingly happy to hand a box of matches to those who would start a fire...Cypriot faces 15 years’ jail in Thailand - Cyprus Mail, September, 2008
...He described his appalling prison conditions and pleaded to be allowed to apologise.
“I want to immediately apologise to the royal family for my reckless choice of words,” he said from Bangkok Remand Prison.
“I want to write a comprehensive letter with the greatest humility to the Thai people for the way the Thai press presented what was written in the book.”
Bail of 500,000 baht (€10,000) raised by his girlfriend and her friends has been refused.
Nicolaides said he entered the prison on Monday a healthy man, but he now had swollen lymph glands, chest pains, constipation and stomach cramps and could not eat.
Almost all the other inmates in his cell were coughing and wheezing, he said. “There is a rumour going around that some of them will be transferred to the tuberculosis ward, which is terribly overcrowded...”So far, it just isn't looking like Asia's century - Washington Post, September, 2008
So much for the Asian century. The Thais are bickering with themselves, and when they're done doing that, they'll bicker with the Cambodians -- again. China may be Japan's biggest trading partner, but they hate each other anyway. Malaysia and Indonesia? Two countries divided by the same language...Another controversial decision in Thailand - Philboxing, September 6, 2008
There's been another controversial decision in Thailand and the question that needs to be resolved is whether Philippine super bantamweight champion Jun Talape was a victim of biased judging in Thailand when he lost a split twelve round decision to Wethya Sakmuangklang in an Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title fight or was the Filipino judge biased in his scoring?...Thailand's secrets in jewelry industry bared - Sun Star, September 6, 2008
...With the special zones opened to foreign investors, Thai entrepreneurs sought foreign partners, particularly the known jewelry makers in France and Italy. When the foreign jewelry-makers took the bait, they also brought in state-of-the-art techniques and the machinery of producing quality jewelry items in large quantities.
The Thais, even if only a few of them spoke good English, joined international trade fairs displaying the best of their glittering goods and kept on cornering more orders. From a few million dollars in sales at the beginning, the Thai jewelry industry proved to be a winner. By last year, the industry has become the second biggest exporting industry in Thailand...
In sharp contrast, the Philippines' jewelry export industry, despite the abundance of gold, silver, and other precious metals produced by local mines, plus natural and cultured pearls, grew at a snail's pace to peak at $45 million last year while that in Thailand was zooming forward.Father of Calgarian killed in Thailand meets with ambassador - 660 News, September 8, 2008
Ernie Del Pinto says he's more confident than ever, that justice will be done...Giant actor/wrestler Nathan Jones hit by truck in Bangkok - MarketWatch, September 8, 2008
...Jones was in Thailand promoting his latest film release "Somtum," an action movie about a 7-foot-tall docile man who learns Muy Thai and then uses his new skills to help solve a case of stolen diamonds...Help for writer held in Thailand - The Age, September, 2008
A Melbourne lawyer is expected to arrive in Thailand tomorrow to help an Australian writer detained for alleged offences against the crown...Dhaka proposes road links with Thailand through Myanmar - Myanmar Times, September, 2008
Bangladesh has proposed direct road links with Myanmar and Thailand to improve its business ties with the nations of Southeast Asia...
On the forum: Bangkok Governors of the past
Left: Young Samak
Why I will never buy a condo in Bangkok - Stickman, August 31, 2008
...As a final word of caution, I ran this article by someone who had been in the industry in Thailand and this is what he had to say. These are his unedited words. “I wouldn't buy ANY property in Thailand. Of course, I could never say that when I was in the realty business!”...Thailand chair role likely deepening ASEAN scars - by Kok Sap, September 10, 2008
Eating Thai bat - thailandgek.nl, September, 2008
Architectural history of the Rajadamnoen - September, 2008
Thailand ranks #13 in "Ease of Doing Business" ranking - September, 2008
...Singapore leads the global rankings on the overall regulatory ease of doing business for a third consecutive year. New Zealand is runner-up, and the United States third. Hong Kong (China) retains fourth place, while Thailand advanced to 13 and Malaysia to 20...Military: Thai soldiers seize Cambodian temple - Xinhua, September 12, 2008
Cambodian military said that more than 100 Thai soldiers have seized control of the Kingdom's Ta Krabey temple and are refusing to leave, despite the best efforts of some 50 Cambodian soldiers who remain at the site, local media reported Friday...Thailand cops protect sex-slave trade - San Francisco Chronicle, September 14, 2008
Threat To Thai Democracy - Sin Chew Jit Poh, September 14, 2008
...Indeed, the latest crisis has left Samak looking like a champion of democracy. By contrast, PAD—a patchwork alliance of businessmen, unionists and other political activists—seems to be advocating anything but the democratic ideals that had heralded its birth two years ago...Thai wins pole dancing - The New Straits Times, September 15, 2008
A Thai national danced her way to "pole position" in the recent Clorets Amateur Pole Dancing Competition grand finals at Zouk in Kuala Lumpur...Bangkok Wires by photographer Thomas Kalak - September, 2008
More on Thomas Kalak: Official Website and Weird Bangkok Objects at Things Magazine
[Thanks to Curtis for pointing this out.]Bangkok City Biking - YouTube, September, 2008
Here you'll find videos of and about biking in Bangkok, Thailand. While many people would automatically think this is a dangerous, unpleasant pastime, my friends and I would politely disagree. Bangkok is a vibrant, active city where you never know what's around the next corner; where you're never sure who you'll meet, what you'll see or when you'll make it back home...
(Photo: Nils)
(Photo: Nils)The Met - September 16, 2008
Nils reports: Seems the Met in Sathorn is nearly topped out....
Interesting how they already put plants onto the balconies. At 228m it will be Bangkok's 4th tallest behind the new Central World Hotel. Links here, here and here.Political upheaval hits Bangkok passenger traffic - MoodieReport, September, 2008
Old Bangkok - September 18, 2008
And don't miss their outstanding page on King's Hotel on Sathorn RoadBangkok Bank says has $101 mln exposure to Lehman - Reuters, September 16, 2008
