News and Views - November 2006 Thaksin's Life - November 18, 2006 Right: Thaksin's life: Cartoon version - History of the 23rd Prime Minister of Thailand whom has people who love and hate him. Finally his power was seized. Left: Thaksin youth - Got a job being a hotel officer carrying trays to service the customers - Being a cook helper - Making breakfast for the guests - Officer of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Above: Chapter 9: The minute that changed the history. The story that they did not want to tell. In the morning of Sep 20, 2006, Thaksin's power was seized! Boy: Grandpa, why the TV have the announcement so often? Grandpa: Eak, for this story the truth is difficult to tell. But you might see from the television some of it... It started last night at 9 p.m. on November 19 when the military seized the important places and seized the power of P.M. Thaksin. Right: Thaksin foundation - But I don't think like that because the mission to help the poor that he has founded has not ended. Setting a foundation is good but it is in a narrow sphere. Working in the status of P.M. might be wider. So I think this hero for poor people will not desert the poor certainly. One day, I believe that he will come back. An ancient computer surprises scientists - November 29, 2006 ...They said their findings showed that the inscriptions related to lunar-solar motions and the gears were a mechanical representation of the irregularities of the Moon’s orbital course across the sky, as theorized by the astronomer Hipparchos. They established the date of the mechanism at 150-100 B.C... Also: Decoding the ancient Greek astronomical calculator known as the Antikythera Mechanism Cactus building - BoingBoing, November 30, 2006 Airbus A380 superjumbo to make first visit to Bangkok - AFX News Limited, November 30, 2006 Cat held hostage for 50 baht - The Nation, November 29, 2006 And a photo here. Killers of Welsh student face 50 years of squalor and disease in Thai jail after death sentences are commuted - icWales, November 27, 2006 [Cooler heads have since changed this headline to a more sedate "Sentences commuted for student's killers"] The two Thai fisherman who murdered a holidaying Welsh student look set to spend the rest of their lives in one of the world's most notorious prisons after having had their death sentences commuted... Pearl, Partners Win Acreage Offshore Thailand - Rigzone, November 27, 2006 Pearl Energy Limited, along with partners, Horizon Oil (Thailand) Ltd and Tana Oil & Gas (Thailand) Ltd, has been conditionally awarded the petroleum contract for Block G10/48 in the Gulf of Thailand... A Final Injustice - The Nation, November 26, 2006 Not only were innocent people killed in the war on drugs, some of them were framed even after the life had gone out of them... Ekranoplan - November 30, 2006 Nils points out: Ever heard about the Ekranoplan? ...and if you think that image is bizarre, you ought to have a look at this (also here, here, and here). Indian Air Chief Offers to Upgrade Burma's Air Force - The Irrawaddy, November 27, 2006 Quite amazing how they don't show the slightest scruples delivering military hardware to the dictators to suppress and slaughter their people... and here's the underlying reason (the possible revenue from the sales is surely not the main motivation): currying favor with the junta for India's own gain. India sees itself in a race with China to tap Burma's vast natural resources to fuel its economic expansion... Uproar in China as some universities add golf course to the curriculum - Bloomberg News, November 27, 2006 Mandatory golf lessons for business students at a Chinese university have sparked a national debate about elitism... (Thanks to Danny for pointing this out.) Thai Beat A Go-Go - November 28, 2006 Brigitte writes: Hi, I don’t know if you’re aware of three CDs called ‘Thai Beat A Go-Go’ compiled by the Swedish label Sublimal Sounds. I just bought the first two volumes of this terrific collection of ‘60s Thai beat, garage and surf music – here’s what the booklets say: “What you are about to hear is a collection of rare and unusual, mostly western-influenced and western-styled, songs concocted in Thailand during the 1960s. Very little is now known about the Thai rock ’n roll scene of the 1960s, an era that now seems hopelessly lost in the past. The original records are so scarce that they practically never turn up, even in their native Thailand, and sadly few people remember the original artists. Traditionally Siam has been separated from the west by many aspects of life, by language, culture, religion etc. But during the 1960s with the Vietnam war developing into full swing in neighbouring Vietnam, and Thailand itself filled up with American GI’s on R & R looking for kicks, the Thais became increasingly exposed to western pop music being broadcasted on the airwaves and being played in hotel lounges. Many of the local bands were of course influenced by The Beatles, Elvis Presley, The Ventures and other big names of the day. Luckily most of the so-called “string band music” groups developed their own style through mixing pop sounds with traditional Thai music.” They’re available from Amazon (they also offer two CDs called ‘Cambodian Rocks’, which might also be of interest to you); sound samples of all tracks are available at a mouseclick at the German Amazon site (amazon.de), which made me buy them instantly! Education Ministry to scrap one laptop per child project - The Nation, November 27, 2006 ...The Education Ministry Monday vowed to scrap three populist policies floated by the previous administration. "We will not focus too much on technology and materials. We will focus on substance," Education Minister Wijit Srisaarn said Monday. When Thaksin Shinawatra was at the helm, his government promised to procure 250,000 computers along with Internet broadband access to state schools, and also to give a low-cost laptop for every primary student. "We don't request budget to finance such ideas," Wijit said... Google Earth spurs Bahraini equality drive - FT, November 27, 2006 ...For those with insufficient bandwidth to access Google Earth, a PDF file with dozens of downloaded images of royal estates has been circulated anonymously by e-mail. Mr Yousif, among others, initially encouraged web users to post images on photo-sharing websites. “Some of the palaces take up more space than three or four villages nearby and block access to the sea for fishermen. People knew this already. But they never saw it. All they saw were the surrounding walls,” said Mr Yousif, who is seen in Bahrain as the grandfather of its blogging community... Japanese planners reveal design of world's tallest tower for downtown Tokyo - AP, November 25, 2006 Japanese planners this week revealed the design of a huge broadcast tower that is set to become the world's tallest structure upon completion in 2011, eclipsing even Canada's CN Tower... Interesting Thai art blog: Contemporary art & culture, Thailand - November 25, 2006 Snow for Bangkok - November 25, 2006 Charlie reports: ...this is from last weeks Swindon Advertiser... (left) China and India put a strain on energy markets - International Herald Tribune, November 19, 2006 Developing countries like China and India have been buying up energy and mineral resources to guarantee security of supply... (Thanks to Danny for pointing this out...) (Photo: Rapee) Dawn at Vertigo - November 25, 2006 Rapee reports: Last week, I had a chance to go up to the Vertigo on the rooftop of Banyan Tree Hotel, Bangkok, at dawn. Since not too many people are allowed to be up there during such hours, I think this set of pictures might be interesting for you and your readers. The series of photos here. Earlier: World's highest outdoor restaurant: Sirocco Restaurant on top of State Tower and on top of RCK Tower Earlier: World's second highest outdoor restaurant: Vertigo Restaurant on top of Thai Wah II Tower The Kinaree Nava-- the floating restaurant in Lumpini Park - November 24, 2006 Don Entz writes: Attached is a photo of that boat restaurant on the lake in Lumpini Park from about late 1960s or 1970. It's a little hard to see, but if you look closely at the left side of the boat, you can see the kinnaree figure... (Source: Bangkok Bulletin, No. 657, December 12, 1966) 'The Train': First Hindi film in Bangkok's Sky Train - Indiafm, November 22, 2006 Ho Chi Minh City hurries to become a megacity - The New York Times, November 17, 2006 (Thanks to Danny for pointing this out...) Sulak's response to lese majeste charge - November 21, 2006 David writes: A letter written by Ajarn Sulak in response to the lese majeste charge has been published on www.sulak-sivaraksa.org. You can find it at here. "Tallest rollercoasters currently in Thailand" - November 21, 2006 A reader reports: I thought you might find this interesting at 2B. During the recent IAAPA Amusements Convention in Atlanta it has been reported that Siam City Park Bought two new rollercoasters from a now closed park in Dubai. both due to open in 2007. They will also be the two tallest rollercoasters currently in Thailand... China's environmental problems mirrored in the Yellow River - The New York Times, November 19, 2006 Perplexed and dismayed, Tibet nomads survey the results that global warming and industrialization have had on their homeland... (Thanks to Danny for pointing this out...) European cities do away with traffic signs - Spiegel, November 16, 2006 Graft busters warned to be 'wary of women' - Bangkok Post, November 18, 2006 Clash of civilizations at Hong Kong newspaper - IHT, November 19, 2006 An American editor ruffles feathers at the territory's leading English-language daily... (Thanks to Danny for pointing this out...) Odd articles - November 14, 2006 Judeoscope adds an editorial headline to a Reuters article: "Thailand yet to understand that appeasing Jihadis only toughens them" - Judeoscope, November 12, 2006 And a weird, rambling article full of dubious facts: Loud actions, still voices in Thailand - The New Nation, November 12, 2006 ...And it's also a place where Western scare stories about the dangers of China's economic rise ring hollow. In fact, so many of its top leaders are as fluent in Mandarin as they are in Thai that its cabinet meetings could be conducted in the language of Beijing just as easily as of Bangkok... Govt open websites to receive public complaints - The Nation, November 13, 2006 ...According to Prime Minister's Office Minister Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan the address of the new site was www.1111.co.th. It matches the 1111 telephone hotline for the same purpose. The old address was www.rakang.thaigov.go.th. Thailand to mark AIDS Day with world's longest condom - INQ7.net, November 30, 2006 Thailand planned to mark World AIDS Day on Friday by setting a record for the "Longest Condom Chain," a ribbon of 25,000 condoms intended to raise awareness to fight the disease... Somali abductors refuse to release kidnapped Thai national - AFP, November 2, 2006 A Somali militia that abducted a Thai national in the northeast enclave of Puntland last month vowed not to release the captive until three Somalis detained in Thailand are freed... Monks in the crucible of construction - BBC, November 3, 2006 Thanks to Richo for pointing this out: "People may have money, but they'll always want more. Real life is not about money - even millionaires are still suffering." Overseas visitors left in dark by the loos on show at World Toilet Expo - Bangkok Post, November 17, 2006 The Health Department's exhibitions on the history and development of toilets in Thailand, as well as the royal projects on national public health, have failed to draw the attention of international delegates at the World Toilet Expo and Forum. A lack of information in English was blamed for the low attendances at the exhibitions held at the Impact Exhibition and Convention Centre, Muang Thong Thani yesterday. The expo ends tomorrow. Most foreign visitors could not make out what the exhibitions were about and walked past them because they did not understand the information, which was presented mostly in Thai... While Malaysia fiddles, its opportunities are running dry - The Age, November 14, 2006 [Thanks to Danny for pointing this out...] And the author writes about the response to this column on his personal website. Latest photos of the SS American Star - November 18, 2006 Nils points out the latest photos of the SS American Star: Mother Nature takes her toll. I think last time we had seen the photos from November 2005. The wreck has since almost tipped over, and the bridge and main mast have collapsed. Panoramic photos from Baiyoke - November 18, 2006 Mike of thailandresor.se sends links to some interesting panoramic photos from Baiyoke (here and here). Bus Uncle - November 17, 2006 Nils points out Bus Uncle on Wiki and YouTube and comments: I wonder if there is any Internet meme related to Thailand? In pictures: Bangkok toilet expo - BBC News, November 16, 2006 The World Toilet Expo and Forum has opened in Bangkok with the theme "Happy Toilet, Healthy Life" - 800 delegations from 19 countries are attending... Bangkok composer defends 'appalling' opera - Contactmusic.com, November 16, 2006 ..."It's an opera written for people who grew up on STAR WARS and THE LORD OF THE RINGS. "At the same time, the opera is not a simple retelling, but a complete rethinking of the Ramayana in terms of contemporary society and culture." Rail crisis as train brakes fail - The Age, November 16, 2006 [Thanks to Danny for pointing this out...] Some of Melbourne's newest passenger trains have had to be withdrawn from service after a spate of braking failures... Foreigners seek surgery in Thailand despite dangers - TODAYonline, November 13, 2006 Disappearing Armstrong Guns - November 15, 2006 Richard writes: I thought I would share with you some pictures I took during a recent press trip I went on to Phi Sua Samut Fort [and a full report is here]. This is an island fort in the middle of the Chao Phraya River between the city hall in Samut Prakan and Phra Samut Chedi on the West bank. The temple used to also be on an island just north of the fort, but after they dredged the river to make it deeper in the mid-20th Century the river changed course slightly. The gap between the bank and Phra Samut Chedi silted up and it stopped being an island. However, Phi Sua Samut is still an island. The land is owned by the navy and up to now entry was forbidden. However, they are presently renovating the fort and hope to open it to the public in 2007. In the 1890's, King Rama V purchased ten Disappearing Armstrong Guns from the UK. Seven were placed at Chulachomklao Fort (at the mouth to the estuary) and three on Phi Sua Samut Fort. These 6 inch guns were modern for their time and were the first rear-loaded guns in the Thai navy. The guns were loaded while they "crouched" in the gun pit. They were then raised by hydraulics to the firing position. The recoil from firing forced the gun back into the pit. This meant the guns were only visible to the enemy for a few seconds. The Armstrong guns only saw action in 1893 during the Paknam Incident. A pilot ship hired by the French navy was hit and ran aground. The other two French ships managed to slip past Chulachomklao Fort. By the time they reached the inner fort at Phi Sua Samut it was already dark. They then proceeded all the way to Bangkok with no resistance from the remaining forts. The Armstrong guns at Chulachomklao Fort are in good working order and were fired  during a recent anniversary. The guns at Phi Sua Samut Fort are being renovated and hopefully will be fired next year. Angry flood victims complain about bills for unused power - Charged as if homes were not under water - Bangkok Post, November 12, 2006 ...Power offices were inundated with complaints from villagers in Ayutthaya and Ang Thong who received high electricity bills for the two months their homes were under three metres of water. They called on the Provincial Electricity Authority to deal with the problem, saying officials could not wade through floodwater to read electricity meters so they just billed customers as if there had been no flood... Police Officers car broken into as he attends a Police celebration party - Pattaya City News, November 10, 2006 Dubai swats pests ogling beach beauties - New York Times, November 12, 2006 ...Indeed, for the estimated 500,000 foreign workers here, most from the Indian subcontinent, the chance to spot a woman in a bikini may be hard to pass up. They typically live in a Dickensian world of squalor, working 12-hour shifts six days a week, often denied their wages of about $150 per month for months at a time. Most of them secure work by taking out loans from recruiting agencies at home to get here, forcing most to stay on for years without seeing their families and loved ones. The workmen have become prevalent in Dubai’s public parks and beaches as their numbers have swelled, and because of the lechery-on-the-beach factor, they are especially noticeable at this time of year. They tend to beachcomb in groups, their camera-equipped cellphones always at the ready. Many do not know how to swim; some enter the water wearing their traditional robes, made of thin white cloth that becomes transparent when wet — and reveals far more of their anatomy than most beachgoers want to see. Incidents of physical harm to women are rare, though the police have arrested flashers and men committing lewd acts in public... Warning sign - November 13, 2006 Charlie writes: Here's a warning I never saw before. In a local style toilet in Chiang Rai, "Beware dropping your phone." Where are the demolished stalls? - November 11, 2006 Where around Chutuchak are the stalls that were demolished earlier this week? There is some broken up concrete at this location (GoogleEarth Placemark), but this could be routine construction work. A thread about this is here. Earlier: Stalls of Chatuchak vendors demolished - The Nation, November 9, 2006 About 120 men wearing T-shirt with the word "police" moved in to forcefully demolish about 500 stalls of vendors who rent a plot of the State Railway Authority inside the Chatuchak Weekend Market. A vendor was also assaulted when he took pictures of the men, who were backed up by a bulldozer... The political apathy of Thai films in 2006 - Bangkok Post, November 10, 2006 Truly amazing: Kjeragbolten - November 10, 2006 Nils writes: Nothing to do with Thailand, but breathtaking... Kjeragbolten - Kjeragbolten photos - Kjeragbolten on flickr Hualamphong photo - November 10, 2006 Nils points out: Here's something to do with Thailand - a nice Hualamphong photo on the trekearth site. Bangkok a haven for Asian migrants - BBC, November 8, 2006 Thanks to Richo for pointing this out... China's Thames Town opens house - CNN, November 8, 2006 Thanks to Conor Bracken for pointing this out... ...She said her pub and fish-and-chip shop have been replicated in Thames Town. Her establishments, the Rock Point Inn and Cob Gate Fish Bar, have both been reproduced almost exactly, though Caddy's fish-and-chip shop is spelled "Cobb". "As you can imagine, the jokes are absolutely rife here," she told Reuters in Britain. "They are as follows: 'I have been Shanghaied' and 'My business is on the Chinese take-away menu...'" Cambodia moves to protect endangered bird - EurekAlert!, November 6, 2006 In an effort to protect a large grassland bird from possible extinction, the government of Cambodia has recently moved to set aside more than one hundred square miles of habitat for the Bengal florican, a bird now classified as endangered, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)... Legless Thai-American loses election - The Nation, November 8, 2006 More interesting articles from the Post and Nation - November 9, 2006 Website ban 'violates freedom of expression' Blacklisting of teachers to stop BMA revives bus project after approval of rail routes Firms eye foreign partners for rail lines What is happening to Buddhism in Thailand is completely political and unBuddhist News from The Irrawaddy Burma’s Subtle Disobedience Campaign Not for many years has a “movement” in Burma created such whispers among observers and exiled activists as the White Expression campaign initiated by the 88 Generation Students group in early October. Among activists, politicians and students, the campaign—which asked Burmese to wear white shirts as a sign of solidarity with the group’s detained leaders—was seen as a victory. It represented a small act of defiance against one of the world’s most repressive regimes, and one that routinely condemns its critics as terrorists... Burma’s Tomb Raiders Through neglect and intimidation, Burma’s military regime tries to obliterate the memory of four heroes it wants to forget... Our Fraternal Greetings to the Siamese people This speech was delivered by Burmese independence hero Aung San at the Orient Club, Rangoon, on April 17, 1947—three months before his assassination... Four-finned Japanese dolphin an evolutionary throwback, researchers say - Mainichi Daily, November 7, 2006 With photos... (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) Bangkok intersection - November 5, 2006 Intersection of Petchburi and Phayathai Roads - The new construction in the distance is on the former site of Hollywood Street Plaza. Google Placemark for the location Exclusive all-night tour reveals mysteries of Paris Metro - CNN, November 3, 2006 Thanks to Don Entz for pointing this out... Fisheries running out? Thanks to Nils for pointing this out: 'Only 50 years left' for sea fish - BBC, November 2, 2006 Will seafood nets be empty? Grim outlook draws skeptics - Seattle Times, November 3, 2006 Uncyclopedia on Singapore - November 6, 2006 Nils writes: I'd say the Uncyclopedia article on Singapore is funnier (at least more well-written) than the one on Thailand. See especially Legal System and Judiciary, Economy, and, last but not least, Transportation: "It is customary for visitors to leave a piece of chewing gum stuck to the ceiling of a train car with their name and passport number written beside it; make sure you partake in this wonderful custom!" (Photo: 2Bangkok.com) "You destroy the world!" - November 4, 2006 Some kind of event poster at Thammasat University... Various websites - November 4, 2006 Via the Thai History blog: Another brief link note, three links for S. Sivaraksa. Someone's blogging about S.Sivaraksa... And a website about the Bunnag family. Fired 'Post' reporter backed over story - The Nation, November 3, 2006 Bangkok's reputation belies the city's charm - Press & Sun-Bulletin, November 2, 2006 The recent military coup in Thailand has focused attention on its capital city, prompting many Americans to add political turmoil to the other two things synonymous with Bangkok: traffic and prostitution... Cambodia busts internal terrorist plot - DPA, November 2, 2006 Cambodian authorities said Thursday they were still seeking an unspecified number of suspected terrorists after foiling an apparent... Militia kidnap Thailand citizen in northern Somalia - Garowe Online, October 31, 2006 Burmese political cartoons on show in Bangkok - The Irrawaddy, November 1, 2006 "Recommended Menu" - November 3, 2006 A reader sent in this mobile phone shot from a 7-11. Apparently this makes no more sense in Thai than it does in English. "...a higher pitch of strain" - October 30, 2006 Don Entz points out this from the always amazing North Korean website: Pyongyang, October 30 (KCNA) -- The military moves shown by the U.S. imperialists jointly with the south Korean bellicose forces under the pretext of the DPRK's recent self-defensive nuclear test are, in fact, all-round preparations for a nuclear war against the DPRK. They are an unpardonable provocation pushing the situation of the Korean Peninsula to an uncontrollable worst phase by bringing it to a higher pitch of strain. So states Rodong Sinmun in a commentary Monday. Those who are fond of fire are bound to be burned to death. If the U.S. and south Korean war maniacs persist in nuclear war adventures, they can never evade the lot of destruction. ...No sooner had the present authorities of Japan come to power than they kicked up a noisy racket against the DPRK and Chongryon under the pretext of the "abduction issue" which had already found a solution. This is nothing but a sinister and base move of pro-U.S. charlatans to fish in troubled waters for a political purpose... Thailand: The boom is on hold - Newsweek, October 16, 2006 The King Never Smiles': L'etat, c'est moi - Sreeram Chaulia, October 4, 2006 World's tallest tower rising in Dubai - AFP, October 31, 2006 ... With two stories added every week, Burj Dubai is taking shape as the centerpiece of a 20-billion-dollar venture featuring the construction of a new district, "Downtown Burj Dubai," that will house 30,000 apartments and the world's largest shopping mall. ... "At the moment, we are not answering. We'll say it (will be) more than 700 meters (2,296 feet) and more than 160 stories ... The people who need to know, know," Sang, a 40-year-old New Zealander, told AFP... Video of Junta Chief’s Bejeweled Daughter Hits Web - The Irrawaddy, October 31, 2006 Popular Outrage Sparked by ‘Wedding of the Year’ Video - The Irrawaddy, October 31, 2006 Junta Training Counter-dissident Force- The Irrawaddy, October 31, 2006 Gor in jail - October 31, 2006 Richard writes: I am not sure if you are interested, but I thought you might want to see www.ThaiPrisonLife.com as it shows a side of the Thai court system and Thai prison life not often experienced or read about. It is also an important chapter in the life of well-known Thai person. From www.ThaiPrisonLife.com: ...When he was only 16, Gor became the youngest columnist at the Bangkok Post. Over a period of two years he wrote honestly about the ups and downs of his life. He wrote about his teenage marriage, the birth of his daughter and his most darkest secret. He told them that when he was 15 he became addicted to drugs. Unknown to his readers, at that time he was still struggling to quit. Shortly after his 19th birthday, he was arrested by the police for drug possession. His parents put their house up for the bail and a year passed before he had to go to court. On the 7th August 2006, the criminal court in Samut Prakan sentenced Gor to three years in prison. At 4.45 p.m. that afternoon, a new chapter opened in the life of Gor...  Remains of Buddhism's founder enshrined in India - AFP, October 29, 2006