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News and Views - December 2005
(Photo: Mr. John for 2Bangkok.com)The Surya Nawa 5 aground on Samilla Beach in Songkhla - December 23, 2005
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)Happy holidays from 2Bangkok.com - December 24, 2005
Happy holidays from 2Bangkok.com - December 23, 2005
(Source: Postcard circa 1909)
(Photo: Postcard circa 1909)
More on German Sutterlin script - January 6, 2006
Wolfgang writes about the postcard written in Suetterlin script: Your Comment is: Merry Christmas and good luck in the New Year from your friend.... Well, it is almost correct. Exact translation is: "Merry Christmas and good luck in the New Year wishes your friend K. Jubel" (I learned to read and write Suetterlin at primary school, about 1960) Cheers to you, keep up the fabulous work with your website!
Earlier: Translation of the "Greeting from Siam" card - December 27, 2005
ncr writes about the postcard above: ...That's the already mentioned old-fashioned German Sutterlin script once again, and the card reads "Frohliche Weihnachten und Gluck im neuen Jahr wunscht dir dein Freund K......" (Merry Christmas and good luck in the New Year from your friend.... (I cannot actually read that, but it's quite easy to guess the words; however, I cannot decipher the name, though my 90-year-old grandmother probably could). As for the date - 26 November 1909 - well, I think back in those times, before the arrival of air mail services, you had to send such things 4 weeks in advance....!
(Source: Undated postcard from the 2Bangkok.com collection)Happy holidays from 2Bangkok.com - December 22, 2005A few unusual sites - December 22, 2005
Nothing to do with Thailand, but interesting...
FayeAnn.com - Drawn.ca - J-Walk blog - Cute Overload
Book Review: The impurity of protest - by Ron Morris
Review of Democracy, Shaken and Stirred by Win Lyovarin and translated by Prisna Boonsinsukh
Political strife and accusations of misuse of aircraft - November 23, 2005
Political gallery 2005 - The Nation, December 27, 2005
All the 2Bangkok forum favorites are here: Pramuan Ruchanaseree, Suchon Chaleekrua, Chuwit Kamolvisit, Wissanu Krea-ngam, Sanan Kachornprasart, Nahathai Thewphaingarm, Sita Divari, Chaiyot Sasomsub, and Apirak Kosayodhin
Press Release: Bring the Elephant HOME Education Tour starts - December 28, 2005
Bring the Elephant HOME, a Dutch organisation founded by Antoinette van de Water has started her education tour. Together with two elephants the "elephant rescue team", total of 8 people, will make their way through the heart of Thailand (including Ayuthaya, Lopburi and Sukhothai). The group will stay at temples and will hold workshops at local primary schools. Showing the beauty of the elephants and the Thai culture the team hopes to raise awareness about the importance of nature conservation and the problem of elephants on the street.
Bring the Elephant HOME was founded as an educational and publicity campaign to support the elephants in Thailand...
For more information about this project, footage or tour details please contact:
Mr. Viritphon Chaiwong (Thai): 01 2890563
Ms. Antoinette van de Water (English): 01 5680571
Or check our website: www.bring-the-elephant-home.nl
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
Suthisarn flyover - 11:30pm, December 25, 2005
Span for the new flyover for Suthisarn Road and Weepahwahdeerangsit Road about to be raised.
Elusive contractor breaks her silence - The Nation, January 13, 2006
The elusive woman behind the company that won the lucrative ground-services contract at Suvarnabhumi Airport has broken her silence while allegations of questionable dealings surround her company.
Rawadi Jantawit, who owns 50,000 shares in Singapore-based Frobisher Pte Co Ltd, this week granted Nation Weekender an exclusive interview about her life and business dealings.
The weekly newsmagazine's January 16 issue hits news-stands today.
Most of the interview involves Rawadi's other business, Maxima Master Co Ltd, the licensed producer of Maxima in-built furniture, of which she is managing director.
Rawadi flatly refused to discuss Frobisher and granted the interview on the condition the subject would not be broached...
A little sleuthing reveals true identities of new bag-handler - The Nation, December 27, 2005
...However, using a little imagination, it is most likely that Forbisher, which is a nonsensical name in English, is a misspelling. It is far more likely that the correct name is Frobisher, an old English name, as in Sir Martin Frobisher, the 16th-century explorer who became the first man to navigate the Northwest Passage.
A quick 5-Singaporean-dollar (Bt123) search on line with the Singapore Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority for Frobisher Pte Ltd and bingo! It is a live company registered in Singapore in 1997 with paid-up capital of S$100,000 and a registered address of 128 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088535. There are two shareholders, who are also the company's two directors: Lee Shwu Fang, a Singaporean permanent resident, and Rawadi Jantawit, a Thai national who resides in Bang Kapi, Bangkok.
Earlier: What is Forbisher Pte. Co. Ltd.? - December 29, 2005
Forbisher Pte. Co. Ltd. is an "obscure Singapore firm" (Mystery firm gets airport windfall, The Nation, December 20, 2005) that won the contract for ground services at the new airport.
We attempted to look it up in the Singapore Business Directory (Here and here - Directory of Business, Company and Limited Liability Partnership Names - This is a comprehensive listing of names of all business firms, local companies, foreign companies and limited liability partnerships (LLP) registered in Singapore), but there seems to be no record of it...
We had hoped to publish their incorporation papers in the same way we posted the incorporation papers of the Phuket Pass Project Limited, a company created to conduct the Kra Canal study. Another mysterious contract-winning company from this year was Quatrotec.
Update: The house likely to haunt Suvarnabhumi authorities - The Nation, December 29, 2005
...Rawadi is one of the two shareholders in Frobisher, having held the same amount of shares as the firm's Singaporean director since June 23. According to the official Singaporean document, she has a registered address at 1330 Nawamin Road, Klong Chan, Bang Kapi, Bangkok.
With the help of the post office, the address was traced to this deserted two-storey house, which shows no address number.
..."An episode of the television programme about mysteries - Miti Pissawong - was also shot here," the neighbour said...
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
Overloaded - December 27, 2005
Overloaded pickup on the expressway... In the past it seems these types of vehicles were mostly kept off the Bangkok expressways, but recently we have noticed quite a few these severely overloaded pickups slowly chugging along.
Siam Ocean World at the Paragon - December 21, 2005
A few shots of the fascinating Siam Ocean World at the Siam Paragon including the inevitable corporate sponsorship (fish in a car) and incredible jellyfish.
Also: Remembering the grounds of the Siam Intercontinental Hotel
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
Nationalism makes Laotian beer a success - USA Today, December 30, 2005
Inspired by Czech brews, propelled by patriotism, Beerlao has snapped up 99% of its domestic market and some international awards while forging a rarity in this impoverished remnant of the communist world a distinctive brand name...
High-speed trains meet global demand - New York Times, December 30, 2005
Thanks to Danny for pointing this out...
As countries like Italy and Spain open their pocketbooks for huge high-speed rail development, the U.S. remains on the sidelines...
Airbus gets order from Thailand - International Herald Tribune, December 30, 2005
Airbus said Friday that it had received an order from Bangkok Airways for six A350 airliners, valued at about $1 billion at list prices, as the airline adds routes to Europe...
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)Two-baht coin - December 31, 2005
Announced in May, 2005, it seems the two-baht coins are now in circulation (left). They are slightly larger than the one-baht coins.
Celebratory gun firing - good idea or not? - Notes from the Technology Underground, December 29, 2005
World's most polluted city? - December 31, 2005
Conor Bracken points out that the phrase "world's most polluted city" has been applied to almost every major city over the years. A Google search of the phrase reveals many cities mentioned as "world's most polluted," such as New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Athens, Calcutta, Tehran, Raipur, Los Angeles, Taiyuan, Lanzhou, Dzerzhinsk, Chongqing, Dhaka, Cairo, Benxi, Beijing, Norilsk and perennial favorite Mexico City.
Considering the many major industrial areas in China and India undergoing unchecked expansion, not to mention post-Soviet far eastern cities, it is probably unlikely that Bangkok is among the world's most polluted in any category.
Earlier: The state of traffic in Jakarta - December 30, 2006
Danny comments: An interesting article, particularly as it mentions Bangkok as second most polluted city. Good juxtaposition between Bangkok and Jakarta on the BRT front...they are racing ahead with new lines whilst Bangkok lags.
2005: Tough year for motorists and commuters alike - The Jakarta Post, December 26, 2005
...Keeping private cars off the streets would ease traffic jams and reduce air pollution in the capital, which is the World's third most polluted city after Mexico City and Bangkok...
CorruptionWatch.net - December 31, 2005
As pointed out by The Nation: Embattled Auditor-General Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka shows a sticker with the logo of the Corruption Watch group's website ---www.corruptionwatch.net--- calling on the public to help monitor corruption.
Press bestows annual nicknames on the cabinet - December 31, 2005
Thaksin's'' Wizard who loses his magic'' - Bangkok Post, December 30, 2005
The Wizard and his band of populist preachers - The Nation, December 30, 2005
Government House reporters have this year voted to label Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra "the Wizard with Weak Magic" and his administration "the Government That Puts the Populace in Distress". Name giving by the Government House press corps is an annual tradition ahead of the New Year holiday...
"Your bus pass to a world of freedom" - The Nation, December 31, 2005
And odd transit-related opinion piece from The Nation... This picture of buses does not sound like the writer is used to riding Thai buses.
Buses provide a valuable service, one that involves much more than getting you from point A to point B. You can even say it is a form of freedom. With the availability of public buses, you no longer have to drive and put up with all of the hassles that come with driving, such as finding a parking space or observing traffic rules. The most important benefit of buses over other means of transportation is not just that they are cheaper, but that they can act not only as a means, but also as a medium...
...One example of this is a country’s prosperity, which is shown by economic indicators, but which is grounded in such areas as basic education and sound infrastructure. A bus company that aims not only at making a profit, but also at helping to ease traffic problems and making life in the city easier in the end becomes profitable as well as popular. Such a company can also draw its competitors into its scheme and thereby make new business partnerships and perhaps even save on operating costs...
Thailand, world's no. 2 sugar exporter, faces 'severe shortage' - Bloomberg.com, December 31, 2005
Thailand, the world's second-biggest exporter of sugar, is facing a "severe shortage" of the commodity and will crack down on hoarding and illegal exports to shore-up supplies, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said today...
'Dark news' about the Phan Waen Fah literature award - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Dark News, Komchadluek, Issue 22, December 22, 2005
Southern problems have also wrecked havoc on literature circles since the head of the literature committee--MP Dr. Lalita Roeksamran--has decided to give first prize for the Phan Waen Fah literature award to another writer since the writer who got the highest votes wrote a work that criticizes authority as well as TRT politicians. This kind of despotic action by Dr. Lalita to please "the Leader" [derisive nickname for PM Thaksin] and his men in Khaki has outraged most members of the literature committee including Master Nawarat Phongphaibun [Master of Thai poets] and they are going to boycott the next annual Phan Waen Fah literature award.
On the forum: Highrise construction map update
"Bigfoot" in Malaysia? - The Nation, December 29 , 2005
Malaysia's wildlife department said Thursday it would investigate claims that "Bigfoot" man-like beasts are roaming the jungles of southern Johor state, an official said Thursday...
One year ago: 2B coverage of the tsunami - December 26, 2005
It started with this: 8:10am, December 26 - Earthquake felt in Bangkok. On the ninth-floor of a 13-floor building, we could distinctly feel the building sway with a circular motion for about four seconds. Hanging telephone cables also swayed. We looked out the window and it seems that people at ground level were not aware of the shaking. Updates to come.
The 2B tsunami (December 26, 2004-January 3. 2005)
Ghost train of tsunami's fury - The Age, December 24, 2005
Thanks to Danny for pointing this out...
BURNING ISSUE: As TRT falters, Chalerm sees an opportunity - The Nation, December 28, 2005
Chairman Maew's thoughts on the Great Hop Forward - Chang Noi, December 26, 2005
Money. Money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money! That's what this business of politics is all about. When you've got enough, it's easy to keep everybody happy -- villagers, MPs, faction bosses, family, soldiers, percentage men, everybody. But when you don't.....
Thai Labor Party to Be Revamped - The Irrawaddy, December 22, 2005
Thailand’s State Enterprises Labour Confederation will join civic and other labor groups to revive a fully-fledged labor party that would better represent public interests...
Junta Chief's Tour Creates Speculation - The Irrawaddy, December 21, 2005
...Some observers have suggested that Than Shwe's group includes only government aides traditionally aligned with the junta chief because of a growing distrust of the junta's second-in-command, Deputy Snr-Gen Maung Aye...
Speed Train Derails in Northern Thailand - RedNova, December 20, 2005
A northern speed train from Thailand's northern resort province of Chiang Mai derailed in Pitsanulok Province Monday morning, but there was no report of any casualties...
Number of electoral democracies reaches 122 as freedom spreads - breitbart.com, December 20, 2005
Press release from Freedom House with links to the full report - December 20, 2005
Thailand drops to a rating of three in "political rights." The Philippines joins Thailand as "Partly Free."
About diplomatic bags - Straight Dope, December 21, 2005
Don Entz points out something about diplomatic pouches: Any container can be a diplomatic bag--there are no limitations on size or shape. The Soviet Union tested the limits of this rule in 1984 when it claimed that a nine-ton tractor trailer was a diplomatic bag.
The bag has been abused from time to time. For instance, in the 1984 Dikko incident, a former Nigerian minister was kidnapped in London and placed in a crate to be flown to Nigeria. With him in the crate was another man who was conscious and equipped with drugs and syringes. The kidnappers were hiding in another crate...
NEW YEAR SPECIAL: The 10 top things taking shape (or not) next year - The Nation, December 21, 2005
Thailand literary blog by Christopher G. Moore - December 21, 2005
Phaka writes: I am the webmaster who runs a new Thailand literary blog by Christopher G. Moore. I am a great fan of your blog and hope that you might find an opportunity to bring Moore's new blog to the attention of your many readers. It does something other Thailand based blogs don't do: it concentrates on the literary scene in Thailand. I would draw your attention to the two part interview with the Managing Director of Bookazine.
Bangkok Post now B25 - Bangkok Post, December 19, 2005
'The Nation' to cost Bt25 - The Nation, December 20, 2005
Giant lime - Thai Rath, December 18, 2005
A giant lime that weighs 1.5kg...
Foreign filmmakers flocking to Thailand, but Hollywood stays away - AFP, December 18, 2005
More and more foreign producers are filming in Thailand, industry officials say, but high taxes and red tape are driving away big-budget Hollywood movies that would bolster the 250-million-dollar industry...
Thai crimebusters enlist www: arrest warrants go online - TNA, December 18, 2005
Left: Advertisements on Baiyoke II tower
Thailand's biggest billboard - December 22, 2005
Right: The Baiyoke II, Thailand's biggest billboard, with a Johnny Walker ad including an appropriately scaled warning at the top of the ad.
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
The Nation names the PM as the mystery man - December 17, 2005
[This tongue-in-cheek Nation article is the closest thing we have seen in English that clearly states what the internet is buzzing about--and even Ekkayuth's sensational Thaiinsider.com website would not say--that the person who is being accused of impregnating an MP is the Prime Minister.]
OFF THE BENCH: Confessions of a mystery paramour - The Nation, December 17, 2005
...The prosecutor then produced a list of my personal encounters with the leader, which showed that I had actually met him once during a press conference at Government House. I recalled trying to be flirtatious, sitting in the front row with a sinister plan to uncross my legs in front of him a la Sharon Stone in "Basic Instinct".
But I never got the chance, because the leader quickly held up his X-sign. I must admit, I initially thought the X-sign suggested something a little more titillating...
MONEY & BANKING MAGAZINE SURVEY: And The richest family is... - The Nation, December 14, 2005
Thaksin's kin head money list for the second straight year with Bt33.2 bn as political cronies follow close behind...
Giving birth to Pan-Asian vision, but no road map - AP, December 15, 2005
..."Nothing is wrong with the dream," Robert Broadfoot, managing director of Political and Economic Risk Consultancy in Hong Kong, said Thursday. "But does it mean East Asia will become a European-style community? Does it mean reduced travel restrictions? Does it mean different investment rules?"...
INTERVIEW - Thai candidate for U.N. sounds reform note - Reuters, December 14, 2005
Thaksin throws hat into Asean ring on Burma - The Irrawaddy, December 14, 2005
Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra made an unprecedented public statement of displeasure yesterday over recent political developments in Burma...
PRC road accidents taking heavy human and economic toll - ADB, December 12, 2005
In the four years 2000-2004, more than 500,000 people were killed and around 2.6 million injured in road accidents in the People's Republic of China, equivalent to one death every 5 minutes - the highest rate in the world....
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
BMA threatens to fine company for failures - Bangkok Post, December 3, 2005
...The company has finished the installation of the signs, which began operating on Nov 29.
Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin said that on the next day 16 of the 40 signs were out of order...
Something from Thaiinsider.com - December 13, 2005
Wisarut writes: Now the updated info about CTX Scandal from US Attorney general can be seen here. [The Thaiinsider website--the website of Thaksin's arch-critic Ekkayuth] This news mentions the list of those who involved in CTX scandal:
1) Premier Thaksin
2) Khun Ying Potjaman
3) Sister Yaowapha
4) Minister Suriya
5) Former AOT Director "Sor Sala"
6) General "Sor Suea"
7) Current AOT Director "Sor Suea"
8) The officer of NBIA "Or Ang" who goes to the US with General "Sor Suea"
(Photo: Janette Steenhuis Gatesy)
On the site of the Four Seasons Hotel - December 10, 2005
Bill Stelling writes: I hope you receive this photo—it’s a picture of the house that stood on the site of the current Four Seasons Hotel on Rajadamri Road. My school mate Janette Steenhuis’ father was the head of Diethelm back in the 60’s and lived in this house, which was just one of an enfilade of beautiful teak villas that stood across from the RBSC. Her mother planted the flame trees which still adorn the grounds of the hotel.
Abraham Lincoln's body exhumed and viewed in 1901 - The 1876 attempt to steal Mr. Lincoln's body - December 6, 2005
Nothing to do with Thailand, but interesting...
'Yes' billboards - December 9, 2005
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
From The Nation: An Bt80-million marketing campaign has the slogan ‘Yes’ appearing on
billboards and the Skytrain. The promotion was launched by an as-yet-unnamed US bank, whose identity will be announced on December 16.
Earlier: Above is one of a series of billboards appearing around town with the word "yes" in various blue fonts. This sort of teaser billboard--with a graphic image but no sign of what is being advertised--is becoming increasingly common way of introducing new products.
How to identify languages - December 9, 2005
Remember Thai "has a round dot on most characters."
Triple blow paralyses city traffic - The Nation, December 9, 2005
Three major events plunged Bangkok into nightmarish traffic yesterday. Traffic across much of the city came to a virtual standstill, owing to preparations for today's opening of the Siam Paragon shopping mall on Rama I road, a graduation ceremony at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Bitec) in Bang Na, and a mob of farmers descending on Silom road...
Red Cross mulls 'neutral' emblem - BBC, December 5, 2005
In Geneva diplomats from the 192 countries which have signed the Geneva conventions are meeting to discuss a third emblem for the international Red Cross...
Daughter of German-Thai couple may be alive a year after tsunami - CBC, December 9, 2005
The photo is here.
Google Transit beta - December 10, 2005
Via Slashdot: Google's introduced Google Transit, a new Lab product where users (or, "people") can map trips around their city using public transit. From the Google Blog: 'With it, commuters will be able to easily access public transit schedules, routes, and plan trips using their local public transportation options. This first release covers only the Portland, Oregon metro area, but we are working to expand our coverage very soon.' The amount of data they give seems very comprehensive, including time you'll spend walking to the bus or subway, and the amount of money it would cost compared to driving.
Sanan denies speculation he will join with Thai Rak Thai - Bangkok Post, December 10, 2005
Mahachon party leader Sanan Kachornprasart has denied speculation that he will join the Thai Rak Thai party...
Chinese naval fleet arrives in Thailand for visit - Xinhuanet, December 9, 2005
A Chinese naval fleet which is formed by the Shenzhen missile destroyer and Weishanhu depot ship of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China, Friday arrived Thailand's Sattahip Navy Port for a four-day friendship visit to Thailand.
...It will be the first time for the Chinese navy to conduct joint military exercise with the Royal Thai Navy in the Gulf of Thailand.
Burmese activists stage protests in Bangkok - The Irrawaddy, December 8, 2005
Several Burmese activists in exile briefly staged a protest in front of Burma’s Embassy in Bangkok today against the reconvening of the junta-sponsored National Convention. Zaw Min, a Burmese protester, told The Irrawaddy that the demonstration was organized to deplore the military government’s “sham” assembly...
Why Isan's dip in birth rate matters - Bangkok Post, December 8, 2005
...In just one generation, the demographics in Isan have gone from six to 10 child families to one and two child families. And some of these, who are ready to be the next parents, are electing not to go down that path. The long-held belief that Isan will supply our country with all of our manual labour requirements is disappearing in just one generation. The repercussions both within Isan and beyond is enormous...
Dhaka's bid to change Asian Highway route fails - News From Bangladesh, December 3, 2005
Expert: Taiwan Skyscraper May Cause Quakes - AP, December 3, 2005
The weight of the world's tallest skyscraper - specially built to withstand Taiwan's frequent earthquakes - could be causing a rise in the number of tremors beneath it, a professor from the island wrote in a scientific journal...
Greenpeace seeks to stop climate killing coal plants in Thailand - India Infoline, December 6, 2005
With its flagship the Rainbow Warrior looking on, Greenpeace activists on Tuesday climbed the loading crane of the BLCP coal plant at Map Ta Phut in Thailand and unfurled banners demanding the plant's immediate closure, calling on the Thai government to phase out coal power and to commit to renewable energy...
'Have no the adult the child that look after with the old man prohibition against the next sea swimming' - December 1, 2005
And a photo of Halong Bay, Vietnam
Strange, new carnivore species sighted on Borneo - Reuters, December 5, 2005
...Researchers hope to confirm the discovery by setting cage traps to catch a live specimen, but warn that Indonesian government plans to clear the rainforest to create the world's largest palm oil plantation may interfere with plans, WWF said.
The proposed plantation scheme, funded by the China Development Bank, is expected to cover an area of 1.8 million hectares, equivalent to about half the size of The Netherlands, said the WWF, formerly known as the World Wide Fund for Nature... (photo here)
Bangkok Inside Out banned in Thailand? - December 6, 2005
[If there is one thing Thais do not like is foreigners drawing attention to unsavory or contradictory aspects of society--and if the news of the 'offending' item ends up in the Thai-language press, authorities will take action no matter how nonsensical it may seem.]
From a press release (PDF, 170KB): ...On November 22, Thailand's prominent daily newspaper Kom Chad Luek ran a front page story quoting a senior Thai government official, Ms Ladda Tangsuphachai, Director of Cultural Monitoring at the Thai Ministry of Culture, alleging that Bangkok Inside Out taints the image of Thailand and its people. The article states that our book "discusses negative subjects such as fake goods, gambling, gay performances, touts and scams, and places such as Patpong, Nana, and Khaosan Road," and singles out a photograph that shows a bar girl on a farang's (foreigner's) lap. Ms Ladda is quoted as saying that "According to the Constitution, the press has freedom to publish. So, all we can do is to take the problematic books off the shelf."
...Asia Books and Bookazine, the two largest English-language book chains in Thailand, have removed our books from their shelves after being informed that anyone caught selling our book was subject to a fine and/or imprisonment... (via Friskodude)
Environmentalists in Italy fight a 'green' project - International Herald Tribune, November 30, 2005
Thanks to Danny for pointing this out...
To achieve the pan-European dream, two big tunnels are to be blasted through the mountains on either side of tiny Venaus, remote Alpine village in Italy. But here in Italy\'s northwest Piedmont region, it is widely regarded as an environmental and public health disaster and has prompted major protest against it...
The Schnabel car, the world's largest capacity railcar - December 7, 2005
Thanks to Jack for pointing this out...
"Dark News" debut on Komchadluek.net - The Nation, December 6, 2005
Check out the website www.komchadluek.net Wednesday, and you will find the first issue of "Dark News", Thailand's first online newspaper that you can count on in a state of turmoil.
Despite its name, it will shine a light on every dark corner in society that is waiting to be revealed. "Dark News" investigates and unmasks those issues that have been covered up. It provides you challenging news stories and analyses in Thai, in an extraordinary form.
"Dark News" comes in colourful pages - like the newspaper - that allow you to discover things that have been hidden, just as in the actual newspaper you trust.
Besides news stories and analyses of current events, "Dark News" provides a platform for you to express your opinions or share information with the "Dark News" team so that they can help find out the truth for you.
Behind "Dark News" are teams of reporters and analysts who have experienced all kinds of political climates. More importantly, they all believe in the ideology of providing constructive investigative media as a voice for the people that doesn't depend on political or business interests.
Where has all the money gone? - Bangkok Post, December 2, 2005
The Government may not be broke. But it has raised doubts about its ability to manage money with its decision to issue 80 billion baht's worth of treasury bills. And the fact that questions persist days after the prime minister and his finance tzar defended the decision - essentially as legitimate and normal practice - just shows how much public confidence this government has lost...
Bangkok mall to offer gay shopping - Sapa-DPA, December 1, 2005
More on Thaksin's comments on the SEA Games judging
Two Thai aquatics officials sacked - Inquirer News Service, December 2, 2005
Thailand apologizes for SEAG outburst - The Philippine Star, December 2, 2005
Thai sports officials apologized to the Philippines yesterday for the remarks reportedly made by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra complaining about the alleged unfair officiating in the ongoing 23rd Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in Manila.
Chaiyapak Siriwat, vice president of the Thailand Olympic Council, extended his apologies to Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco and other members of the Southeast Asian Games Federation Council (SEAGF) over the issue.
"The report was inappropriate and I feel sorry for this. On behalf of the Thailand Sports Council, I apologize for whatever inconvenience brought about by the senseless report," Siriwat told the SEAG Federation Council meeting at the Hyatt Hotel yesterday...
...At least two of Thailand's aquatics officials have been sanctioned by the FINA (international aquatics federation) for "shady judging," among other things, according to Philippine Amateur Swimming Association president Mark Joseph yesterday.
...In water polo, Joseph said another Thai referee was banned from the deck because of "intentional bad calls and unfair player exclusions."
The referee "destroyed the Vietnam team" and was never allowed to be on the deck again by FINA neutral delegate Khosrow Amini of Iran, he said...
Thai 'palusot' - ABS-CBN, December 1, 2005
...Still, more gold medals are up for grabs -- and the Thais could yet overtake the Vietnamese and the Filipinos in the medal standings when the Games come to a close on December 5. But even if that were to happen, Thaksin and the Thai sports officials who supplied him with the information about the alleged cheating going on in the 23rd SEAG have already left a bad taste in the mouth.
For all Thaksin knows, the Thai sports officials may just have been feeding him with excuses to explain away their delegation's less than stellar performance. Even the Vietnamese have so far been garnering more golds than the Thais. Does this mean the Vietnamese have been cheating the Thais, too?...
