New Mandala

Author Thant Myint-U is a former senior UN official and also the only grandson of former UN Secretary-General, U Thant.  His noteworthy personal background provides the context for his latest book, The River of Lost Footsteps: Histories of Burma.
It has been getting some good reviews – from both the New York Times and the New Yorker. 
I am yet to [...]

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Prolific Thai scholars Chris Baker and Pasuk Phongpaichit have posted a detailed Wikipedia entry about the classic Thai poem Khun Chang Khun Phaen. Here is an extract from their fascinating discussion:
Sepha Khun Chang Khun Phaen (Thai: เสภาขุนช้างขุนแผน) is a long Thai poem which originated from a folktale. The story is a classic love triangle, ending [...]

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New Mandala is pleased to announce a new feature – Book Zone – to be offered in conjunction with the National Library of Australia (Asian Collections). We will regularly feature Asian language material from the NLA’s collection. The NLA has an extensive collection of Thai language material covering a wide range of social, political, economic [...]

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The United Nations International Anti-Corruption Day ceremony held in Vientiane on December 8 sought to demonstrate that there was an acceptable public space for the discussion of issues considered politically sensitive by the Lao Government. Its encapsulation in a fanfare of empty rhetorical condemnations by high-ranking officials and foreign dignitaries, however, showed that this space [...]

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Keith Barney is a doctoral researcher in the Department of Geography, York University, Toronto. He has undertaken some very interesting research on timber plantations in Southeast Asia (Barney 2004). He has sent this message to New Mandala about his recent work in Laos:
Greetings New Mandala Readers. I have recently finished up fieldwork in Laos, [...]

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In the southern Shan State, fierce fighting between the Shan State Army and Burmese Army military units, augmented by Wa proxies, is being reported.  The Irrawaddy has a solid overview of events.
This fighting is occuring in areas not far from the Thai border - close to both Mae Sai and Tachilek.  I imagine The Irrawaddy will continue to update [...]

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