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News and Views - December 2008
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)“Finnish conspiracy” lurks behind political crisis in Thailand - Helsingin Sanomat, December 21, 2008
(Photo: Manager)"Privileged thieves" banner - December 31, 2008
The words written on the UDD stage banner on December 29, 2008 are “Abhisit-chon-jora.” The word “abhisit” in Thai means “privileged”. The word “chon” means man or group and the word “jon" or "jora” means “thief”. Therefore the words refers to a privileged group or privileged thieves. This apparently refers to PM Abhisit whose name also means privileged.
However, a photo of the King and Queen are placed on the banner along with the words. Some have criticized this as breaking with tradition as placing photos of King and Queen is supposed to be thoughtfully considered.
Phutjatkhan always makes the most of these kinds of perceived slights. An article on their website explains: Part of the UDD stage was revealed to have the picture of Their Majesties King and Queen on the stage background where there was also written improper words with the meanings of “privileged group” and “thief.” Concerning the placement of the royal picture close to such words, this case was widely criticized by many political activists and academics, including the Interior Ministry advisor on national security, senators and also the People’s Network against Corruption Board Chairman Weera Somkwamkid. Furthermore, the case is criticized as a possible lese majeste case.
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)Alcohol-free Krathin - December, 2008
It reads: Alcohol-free Krathin merit-making [ceremony where robes are offered to monks] - Safe trip - Thai Health Promotion Foundation[This is a campiagn promoting drivers not to drink alcolhol during the " Krathin" merit-making period. This is when robes are offered to monks. Normally, merit-makers travel to make merit at temples including trips outside Bangkok. The message tells drivers to mind driving without having alcolholic drinks to have safe trip.]
Jingle bells unheard in Thailand until Santa shops child abuser - Andrew Drummond, December 19, 2008
...Thailand's education authorities have been duped once again, this time by a man with a record dating back 45 years for sexually abusing children, who ran a child-sex tourism operation for profit under their noses.
The widespread abuses committed by Canadian John Wrenshall are so mind boggling it comes as no surprise this time that the U.S. authorities chose to arrest him somewhere from which he could easily be deported for trial...Junta militants arrested in Thailand: BBC - The Irrawaddy, December, 2008
The BBC Burmese radio service has reported that 10 members of an armed Burmese militant group have been arrested in Mae Sot...Why are they all so scared of being opposition leader? - The Nation, December 25, 2008
..."The opposition has robbed us of our MPs. We will get them back somehow," Thaksin told a group of red-shirted supporters in the North earlier this week.
To him, MPs are like personal belongings. They don't represent their constituencies. They belong to the man who "owns" them. That's why they can be bought and sold. And, if you are not careful, they can also be stolen.
The following day, Snoh Thientong, leader of the Pracharaj Party, who has been serving as Thaksin's nominee in the fight to win back the "stolen" MPs, used an even stronger term. He told reporters that the Democrat Party had "hijacked" MPs from his side. And all efforts are being exerted to force them back where they belong...
"A message from your king" - December 25, 2008
The Nation has this pecuilar "A message form your king" that leads to some sort of viral advertising website.EXCLUSIVE: Harry's cry of despair from jail - Neos Kosmos, December 24, 2008
...Will I be haunted by the memories? Will the stench of rotting garbage ever leave my nose? Will I always walk with my head bowed, looking to avoid stubbing my toes? Will the grime that has stained my skin ever wash away? It's been so long since I've had a cold drink or a hot shower, or food at the right temperature. I have not used a spoon, or fork or plate for three months. I eat out of plastic bags. I am sick of sitting, standing and kneeling on concrete...
Police official files third complaint against journalist for allegedly
insulting monarchy - IFEX, December 24, 2008
..."It is time for prosecutors and investigators in Thailand to immediately drop these outrageous and punitive charges against our colleague Jonathan Head," said Bob Dietz, CPJ's Asia program coordinator. "Head's reporting has raised important questions about Thailand's deteriorating political situation and he should be allowed to report without fear of official reprisals."
Head told CPJ that investigating police officials had requested a DVD recording of a Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) (http://www.fccthai.com ) event on December 9 titled "The State of Politics and the Way Forward for Thailand", at which members of a pro-government group made reference to Head's reporting. The FCCT announced today that it was suspending sales of that particular event's recording. In an e-mail statement, the FCCT's executive board said that "DVD recordings of Club events had been misused by certain individuals with their own agendas, in a way that compromises the free speech values the media community and the FCCT stand for..."
(Photo: BrokenCookie.com)Free the Sims - December 31, 2008
Some blog postings about the airport siege: here and here.
Thanks to Wise Kwai for pointing this out.Another link: A photo of an advertisement on what has to be a Bangkok city bus appears in Dark Roasted Blend's latest roundup of Hilarious and Crazy Signage: When you apply the sticker over your van, pay attention to where the rivets are going!
Shameful case of forgotten political prisoner - The Age, December 19, 2008
Why is Harry Nicolaides not as famous as Salman Rushdie? Is it because his novel Verisimilitude sold only seven copies? Perhaps it is because his work mentions Thai royalty rather than Allah and Mohammed. Or maybe it is because Nicolaides, an Australian teacher and aspiring writer, is locked up in a country that is generally friendly towards Australians...iPhone nano knockoffs already on sale in Thailand - Apple Insider, December 19, 2008
The devices, spotted here by an AppleInsider reader in Thailand, are almost always designed to mimic Apple's products as closely as possible...It’s confirmed, there’s trouble brewing - Malaysia Star, December, 2008
...The 21-year-old singer’s “pregnancy” ordeal started after celebrity fortune teller Mor Krit Confirm (whose trademark is ending his predictions with the word “confirm”) confirmed that Lydia was pregnant.
Mor Krit’s prediction fanned the soosip (Thai slang for gossip) on Lydia and the nature of her relationship with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who recently divorced Pojaman, his wife of 32 years.
The tabloid speculated that Thaksin had split up with the mother of his three children so that he could marry Lydia and raise her baby...Our pick of the flicks and flops - Sydney Morning Herald, December 28, 2008
...It's the other way round in Hollywood, where CG image-making has almost killed the creativity. One of the most interesting stories I heard this year was that audiences in Thailand have become so hostile to overblown effects that they now advertise "No CGI" on the posters for some movies...Thailand's quiet survivor - Guardian, December, 2008
...Nevertheless, some western commentators' views still seem to be influenced by Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I. It is as if the last two years of political turmoil were an oriental version of the English civil war, a battle between Roundheads and Cavaliers, parliamentarians and royalists. Nothing could be further from the truth...Worst slump in decades for Thai tourism - International Herald Tribune, December, 2008
From empty sun loungers at luxury hotels to vacant bar stools in dingy saloons, tourism in Thailand is going through its worst slump in decades...
Abhisit comments from 1994 - Bangkok Post, December 25, 1994
Interesting opinions from the Abhisit from Christmas Day 1994Thailand: Documents offer look at big tobacco's tactics - Sin Chew Jit Poh, December 22, 2008
...In the Thai study, University of Sydney's Ross MacKenzie and University of Edinburgh's Jeff Collin allege that Philip Morris scientist Roger Walk was able to lecture and organize conferences at the Thai government-funded Chulabhorn from the early 1990s to at least 2006.
The researchers say this allowed Philip Morris to develop relationships with key officials and scientists in efforts to discount the threat of secondhand smoke...Development policies as bad as the tsunami, survivors say - The Nation, December 25, 2008
...Many local people without identity cards to prove they were Thai citizens - officially "stateless" but who had lived in areas for a long time - were also forced to leave. Sea gypsies such as Urak Lawoi and Moken ethnic groups were among those now facing settlement insecurity.
"Some people have lived in Thailand for up to 50 years. Yet, because they have no right to register their births, they have no other basic rights. When they are harassed, they cannot even lodge a complaint with police," Maitree said.
Currently, there were lawsuits seeking to evict up to 2,258 families in 28 communities...
Google Zeitgeist Thailand - December 24, 2008
It reads: The year 2008 is the year of change for Thais. Certainly, many use Google to search for information about this change. The fastest rising key words are also the wordings associated with the royal monarch such as the song “Saeng Nung” (One Light) composed in honor of Her Royal Highness Galyani Vadhana, the late princess. The other fastest rising words are words related to the popular social networking website Hi5. Tourism in the country is another topic that greatly attracts peoples' interest. The search reveals that the hill resort Pai becomes more popular. Entertainment and showbiz is another topic interesting to Thais. This can be proved by the searching of names of superstar such as Lula Mario and the recently passed away country singer Yodrak. We collect the fastest rising words below. The words are recorded as most searched for words of the year 2008. Explore and share the zeitgeist or the soul of time of Thailand in the year 2008!
Fastest Rising
1. Code hi5
2. Decorate hi5
3. imeem
4. skin
5. hi5
6. music code
7. TV watch
8. TV
9. Music download
10. “Puan jai noi” songMost Popular
1. Music
2. Game
3. Listen music
4. job
5. hi5
6. picture
7. car
8. download
9. home
10. mp3
Royalty
1. Sang Nung song
2. HM King’s sister
3. King Rama V
4. Chakri Dynasty
5. Mother Day
6. Royal Household Bureau
7. Royal project
8. self sufficiency economy
9. royal works
10. HM King’s pictureOlympics
1. Beijing 2008 Olympics
2. Olympics torch relay
3. Olympics international boxing
4. Olymp.ics weight lifting
5. Olympics gold medal
6. medal prize summary
7. swimming
8. Gae Prapawadee
9. Manus Boonjamnong
10 Somjit
Fastest raising words about local celebrities
1. Lula
2. Jeeja
3. Aon
4. Yodrak
5. Mario
6. Note Udom
7. Four
8. Dome
9. Toey
10. PeoyFastest raising words about local destinations
1. Pai
2. Hua Hin
3. Cha-um
4. Pattaya
5. Wang Nam Khiew
6. Khud Island
7. Ancient City (Muang Boran)
8. Samet Island
9. Chang Island
10. Phuket
King not giving much-anticipated birthday speech - The Nation, December 4, 2008
Left: HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn speaking to assembled government officials
Right: HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn informing the assembly of the King's condition
Thai monarch falls ill; fails to deliver birthday speech - TNA, December 4, 2008
Trooping of the Colors - December 2, 2008
On all Thai TV channels now (including ASTV) is the annual Trooping of the Colors at the Royal Plaza. Above, the King reviews troops from the back of a Cadillac convertible modified with a garuda hood ornament (see below).
Travel film archive - December 1, 2008
Old travel films on YouTube: Siam to Korea 1931 - Singapore 1938 - Hong Kong 1938 - Manila 1938 - Bali 1939 - Borneo 1921
[Thanks to Jaymes for pointing this out.]
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)We want a bonus! - December 16, 2008
At the Ministry of Labor, more than 200 employees of Cobra International Company in Chonburi gathered to stage a protest after their company refused to pay an annual bonus in the amount being requested by the employees.
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)Australian author stuck in Thai jail - The Age, December 7, 2008
...Nicolaides, who has been in jail since his arrest, won't have another hearing until January 19 next year.
"Well, I think it's about time the Australian government put Harry Nicolaides' human rights before its relationship with the Thai government," Mr Dean told the Seven Network.
Nicolaides' brother Forde (Forde) said the family had petitioned the federal government, claiming it was doing nothing to assist...
This cartoon shows new PM Abhisit (seated) with a protruding lower lip.
A big lower lip is the physical trademark of government partner Newin (standing behind Abhisit).Fake banknotes flood city as recession grips - Bangkok Post, December 19, 2008
Thousands of counterfeit banknotes, particularly 1,000-baht bills, are likely to go into circulation over the New Year period, the Bank of Thailand (BoT) warned yesterday...
Counterfeit Bt1,000 bills concern rises - The Nation, December 23, 2008
Counterfeit banknotes creating alarm - Bangkok Post, December 23, 2008Bargains for the brave – Thailand slashes prices - Times Online, December 2008
Prices of holidays in Thailand are to be cut in a bid to restore confidence following recent political unrest...Bangkok airport protests were fun, says Thailand's new foreign minister - Telegraph, December, 2008
...Thailand's new foreign minister has described last month's hijacking of Bangkok's main international airport as "a lot of fun"...
FM Kasit apologises for saying airport closure was fun - The Nation, December 23, 2008
Thai PM defends foreign minister's airport comments - AFP, December 24, 2008Stem-cell therapies 'unproven and giving Thailand a bad name' - The Nation, December 23, 2008
Thai references: "Why do they call them 'Thai fighters?'" - December, 2008
Left: The "Thai fighter" from the Family Guy episode "Blue Harvest"
Right: Thai restaurant from the South Park episode: "Butters' Very Own Episode"
The Phea Thai Party - Matichon, December 16, 2008
It reads: The Phea Thai Party for the future of Thailand and the happiness of the whole nation. The Phea Thai Party is the newly founded political party that holds a vision to learn and be aware of the past, being happy at present and paves a bright and well-to-do future for every Thai.
The principle is learning from the Thai Rak Thai, both from success and mistakes in the past to create a new future for Thailand and our next generation for the happiness of the whole nation amid the economic crisis in present world. We invite everyone who is ready to serve the nation and the people to join as party members. The applicants are required to be qualified and have visions as to following:
1. Holding tight to the constitutional monarchy
2. Opposing coups both the military coup or the coup by judicial power or independent organizations as tools to destroy politics abusing of power of the people
3. Detest injustice and the persecution of the dictatorship
4. Respect the decision of the majority of the people and law
5. Love the people and ready to devote oneself for the people
Those who are fully qualified according to the law as MP candidates with the 5 principles above are invited to apply at the Phea Thai Party...
The Phea Thai party logo (below) is a combination of the Thai Rak Thai logo (above left) and the People Power Party logo (above right).
Human Rights Defender in Thailand: Somchai Homlaor - Amnesty International, December, 2008
Motorcycle taxi industry flourishing in Thailand - Bangkok Post, December 14, 2008
Cyanide millipede, huge spider among new species - National Geographic, December 2008
Discovered in northeastern Thailand in 2002, the newfound snake species grows to about four feet (130 centimeters)...
Women go to Thailand to pick sex of baby - Thailandnews, December 5, 2008
Victorian women are travelling to Thailand to circumvent IVF sex-choice laws and pick the sex of their babies. Trips costing up to $10,000 are being undertaken by mothers desperate to choose the gender of their babies after the practice was overruled by the Australian Health Ethics Committee in 2004...Mee krob anyone? Thais try to revive ailing cuisine - Reuters, December 9, 2008
...Convenience and cost are two reasons why Thai food is changing, spurring many locals to bemoan what they think of as the death of their renowned local cuisine.
They say the balance of sweet, salty, bitter, sour and spicy flavors meant to underpin Thai dishes has been replaced by something saltier and a lot sweeter than it should be.
The reason? Changing tastes wrought by globalization and culinary shortcuts have ended up changing Thai flavors, and placing some dishes in danger of extinction altogether...Buddhists perpetuate Bangkok's stray dog problem - Huffington Post, December 8, 2008
..."Feeding dogs, without sterilization, makes them healthy enough to produce bigger litter sizes," says Sheridan Conisbee, founder of Soi Cats and Dogs, a Bangkok-based stray animal advocacy group."Soi" means side street in Thai.
"With the merit-making idea so firmly entrenched," she says, "it's really difficult to change this..."
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
Smiley face over Bangkok - 19:28, December 1, 2008
This evening, people around town saw this sight over Bangkok. Crowds at Victory Monument stopped and looked up to see the only three lights visible in the sky forming a smiley face. Thai TV reported that the lights were Venus, Jupiter, and earth shine on the moon.
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
