By Pravit Rojanaphruk |
<p>The just-released book in Thai language on the impact of the controversial and draconian lese majeste law on Thai society entitled ‘<em>Darkness Under the Sun</em>’ (ความมืดกลางแสงแดด) by writers and independent journalists Vorapoj Panphong and Thiti Meetaem reflects the Thai mainstream mass media’s failure in covering the issue of lese majeste law critically.</p>
By Harrison George |
<p> You lose, or have stolen, something of value. Your duty is to trot along to the local police station, and report the fact. After some time (a phrase deliberately chosen for its flexible interpretation), you will emerge with a police report.</p>
By Aim Sinpeng |
<p>“More companies have been registered in Myanmar in the past six months than the previous decade combined,” revealed, on separate occasion, directors of two market research firms in Rangoon. Since 2010, Burma recorded big jumps in its foreign investment stock, bringing in nearly US$25 billion, which account for more than all investment in the previous two decades. While the number of enterprises permitted to invest still remains low, a mere fifteen in 2011, the trend indicates both growth in volume and number.</p>
By Pravit Rojanaphruk |
<p>The draconian and controversial lese majeste law as well as the Computer Crimes Act ensures that freedom of expression regarding anything mildly critical of the monarchy institution could be punishable by heavy jail sentences. Thais who live outside the prison should rethink the nature of their ‘free’ society, however.</p>
By Harrison George |
<p> The news that the film <em>‘Shakespeare Tong Tai’</em> (Shakespeare Must Die) has been banned by the censors comes as no surprise to teachers of English literature in the nation. They report an ever-growing list of censored works, and are often bewildered by the official reasons given for the bans.</p>
By Andrew Spooner |
<p>To anyone interested in Thailand’s recent history and politics Dr. Thongchai Winichakul needs little introduction. A famed academic and historian, now resident in Singapore and the USA, Dr. Thongchai was a student leader during the terrible Thammasat Massacre of 1976 and spent time in prison following those events.</p>
By Harrison George |
<p>And if we can move to the next item on the agenda? Which is, er, …<br />
<br />
The research study by Acharn Ekaphap.<br />
<br />
Ah yes, and this is for his promotion to Assistant Professor, am I right?<br />
<br />
Yes, sir. If you recall my proposal submitted last year, …<br />
<br />
A point of order, Mr Chairman, I believe that this agenda item is inappropriate and must be withdrawn.<br />
<br />
Withdrawn, Acharn Rabiab? Whatever for?<br />
</p>
By Harrison George |
<p>In a way, you could understand it. His formative years were during the Great Depression when scrimping and saving was not a sign of anal-retentive miserliness but an essential strategy for survival. But years later, when my father had prospered as far as a Morris Minor, his driving habits reflected his upbringing.<br />
</p>
By Harrison George |
<p> A family funeral gives you chance to show off your knowledge of Thai ceremonies and to make a complete nuisance of yourself by asking useless questions.</p>
By Andrew Spooner |
<p>As the news of the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/11/us-soldier-killing-afghanistan-children">Kandahar Massacre</a> circles the globe, the eyes of the international community are once again scrutinising the USA’s dubious and often appalling human rights record – particularly when they are intervening/invading in some foreign country.</p>
By Harrison George |
<p>‘I call this meeting of the Subcommittee of the National Broadca- …’</p>
<p>‘Just a minute. Subcommittee? I thought you asked all of us here?’</p>
<p>‘As I was saying, the Subcommittee on the Ethics of Receiving Gifts, Favours and Inducements is called to order. And we’re not all here if you’ll notice.’</p>
By Aim Sinpeng |
<p>Cyber political pundits, bloggers and Facebook activists in Thailand often feel deeply frustrated and annoyed with their lack of liberty to write at will. Yet netizen's frustration with seemingly increasing internet censorship is not unique to Thailand, but rather it's part of the global insurgence of state control over internet freedom. As the internet and new media come to dominate the flow of news and information around the world, governments have stricken back with measures to control, regulate and censor the content of blogs, websites and text messages.</p>