New Mandala

20 responses so far ↓

• 1 patiwat // Dec 19, 2006 at 4:31 pm

  No. 2 was Pharani Leenuthapong, an executive of BMW Thailand, while No. 3 was Suwit Pipatwilaikul, a high-school graduate construction contractor from Nong Bua Lamphu. Sounds like their was some “lobbying” going on in this selection.

  But it doesn’t really matter – in the end, the 2,000 junta-appointees have been distilled down to 200 junta-loyalists who will be concentrated to 100 junta-boot lickers who will be condensed into 25 junta-cronies who will be fortified with another 10 junta-appointees. It’s a forgone conclusion that this constitution is actually the Military’s Constitution.

• 2 Srithanonchai // Dec 19, 2006 at 6:04 pm

  Okas indeed attended class 4212 of the National Defence College. The chairperson of this class is none else then the deputy speaker of the National Legislative Assembly, Potjanee Thanavaranit. In October 2005, both Potjanee and Okas organized a congratulatory party for Sonthi Bunyaratgalin, their class mate.

• 3 Jon Fernquest // Dec 19, 2006 at 7:24 pm

  A Namier for Thai political history would be nice. The British historian Namier was the first to study the composition of parliament in minute detail:
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Bernstein_Namier

  “Apart from the use of techniques such is prosopograthy, the study of social and family connections, what distinguished Namier’s work was meticulous attention to detail and emphasis on original sources. Namierisation, a word coined in his lifetime, was essentially a substitution of accurate detail for the generalisations that had contented earlier historians. Namier went to the grass-roots of politics. He asked such questions as : what determined the conduct of individual MPs? Why did men go into politics? What did they get out of it?”
  http://www.history.ac.uk/reviews/reapp/lewis.html

• 4 Republican // Dec 19, 2006 at 8:16 pm

  A “Royalist Constitution”. I can’t understand why we continue the charade of hiding the monarchy’s involvement, when there is no way that the Thai people would accept a military takeover without the king’s endorsement. The aim of the Constitution will be not to entrench a military regime but to ensure that the political position of the monarchy is enhanced and protected from any democratic challenge.

• 5 nganadeeleg // Dec 19, 2006 at 8:38 pm

  I can’t understand why you have such a one track mind, Republican – The position of the monachy was firmly entrenched in the old Constitution so don’t get youself too distressed.

  If anything, the aim of the new Constitution, will be to try ensure that someone like Thaksin can be kept in check should that personality type ever rise to power again.

• 6 polo // Dec 20, 2006 at 12:47 am

  OFF TOPIC – from Bangkok Post Tuesday December 19, 2006

  Ex-nun gets jail
  LESE MAJESTE :The Ayutthaya provincial court yesterday sentenced a former Buddhist nun to three years in prison for lese majeste.

  Benjawan Bensungnern, 73, formerly the head of a nuns’ organisation in tambon Phai Ling of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district, was found to have committed the offence during March and November 2002, together with Kamalas Samarnsap, then a Buddhist novice.

  Ms Benjawan, who would appeal, was released on bail yesterday. Ms Kamalas was earlier found guilty and sentenced to jail in Chiang Mai.

• 7 Republican // Dec 20, 2006 at 1:05 am

  Ah, Nganadit, you’re late for class. Your parents contacted me asking for your report card. Unfortunately it looks like no new bicycle for you this term.

  NM SCHOOL REPORT CARD
  STUDENT: ด. ช. Nganadit

  WRITING: B. Tries hard. His expression becomes somewhat flowery when writing about the monarchy, at which point his style becomes confused and illogical.

  READING: D+
  Quite lazy. Refuses to read assigned texts. Asks other students to summarize books for him. Prefers magazines, fantasy, and TV, especially the 8pm news. But recently he has shown a promising interest in promoting anti-royalist literature in Thai translation: “…I’m all for having the book published in Thai and made available in Thailand….” Seems interested in working in publishing as he is continually asking his intellectual friends if they are being paid. However it will be hard for him to make himself employable if he doesn’t read assigned textbooks.

  HISTORY: C+
  Very interested in the early medieval period, especially tales of white knights. Needs to concentrate more on modern history, in particular the era of revolution and modernity.

  POLITICS: C
  After a slow start he has made some progress but is still very confused, especially about democracy. Has a curious fascination for autocratic regimes. Recently his assignment work has improved somewhat: “…royal clique all not setting a very good example for the lower officials”; “…there are a number of things holding back progress in Thailand, and I concede the monachy has to share in some of the blame….”; “… I would be reluctant to have the institution removed until …”, and especially “…HMK should abdicate immediately now…” However, he failed the module on critiquing royalist propaganda.

  ECONOMICS: C+
  Strangely attracted by the insufficiency theory of economics promoted by the widely ridiculed Jitlada school. Shows confusion about the difference between royal wealth and national wealth. Recently handed in a better assignment: “It is disgusting that people are in poverty while there are so many super rich including […] HMK/Royals”; “…I probably would prefer if the king was taxed…” However he is particularly weak on capitalist economics.

  GEOGRAPHY: D
  Failed his test on knowledge of Europe and the US. Knowledge of Thailand appears to extend only as far as Bangkok, particularly the Ratanakosin island area.

  ART: B
  Very inventive. Likes to make things up. Prefers using bright colours, especially yellow. Quite skillful in imitating the style of ancient court artists.

  CREATIVE WRITING: D
  Tends to copy his friends. Needs to develop his own style. Much of his work is very repetitive. Likes romantic themes; no apparent familiarity with social realism.

  CLASSROOM BEHAVIOUR: B
  Has an excitable nature and often gets led astray by other boys, especially the school bully. A bright boy, he likes to ask questions, but doesn’t seem willing to listen to reason. His concentration span is very limited; he needs to develop a one-track mind. Seems a bit intimidated by the poorer boys in the class, especially sons of taxi drivers.

  GPA: 2.3
  Status: PASS

  OVERALL COMMENTS: Young Nganadit has had a slow start but I believe he has some potential if he applies himself. But it will be difficult for him to improve unless he overcomes his reading disability. His main problem is that he seems to treat his education as a hobby.

  Teacher’s Signature:

  Republican
  ……………………..

• 8 Vichai N. // Dec 20, 2006 at 1:33 am

  You are a pompous self-absorbed man Republican, just like your master Thaksin. Humility would do you, and Thaksin, a lot of good. One of the endearing merits of a constitutional monarchy is teaching humility to ministers with huge ego . . . those constant knee bending and bowing to the monarch would do that to ego-maniacs.

  But somehow the lesson was lost to Thaksin and see what happened to him. It would be too bad if you too Republic forget how important humility is to a man. Maybe you should apprentice to Khun Chamlong . . he can teach you a lot old man.

• 9 Republican // Dec 20, 2006 at 2:49 am

  Thailand’s political development lags behind even that of Nepal. 55555! Laughing stock of the world.

  [http://www.prachatai.com/05web/th/home/index.php]
  รายงาน: เมื่อเนปาลผ่านรัฐธรรมนูญฉบับชั่วคราว เปลี่ยนประมุขจากกษัตริย์เป็นสามัญชน! – โพสท์ 19/12/2549

  เปลี่ยนบรรยากาศของการเลือกตั้งกันเองของสมัชชาฯ ในเมืองไทย ไปติดตามการเมืองของเนปาลสุดร้อนแรง เมื่อรัฐธรรมนูญฉบับชั่วคราวที่ร่างโดยรัฐบาลและกบฏลัทธิเหมามีผลบังคับใช้ ทำให้ประมุขของเนปาลเปลี่ยนจากกษัตริย์มาเป็นสามัญชน นักวิเคราะห์ชี้สถาบันกษัตริย์ยากที่จะกลับคืนสถานภาพเดิม

• 10 Bystander // Dec 20, 2006 at 5:48 am

  Humility cuts both ways. Current event in the SET hints that the royalists may learn a thing or two about humility sooner rather than later.

• 11 nganadeeleg // Dec 20, 2006 at 8:26 am

  Dear teacher, thanks for the report card, but I already have a new bike due to putting into practice my excellent results in sufficiency economy.

  My parents did take exception to your comment that I liked romantic themes with no apparent familiarity with social realism, as they have already observed that I do not have blind faith in elected leaders.

• 12 polo // Dec 20, 2006 at 10:21 am

  Republican might be right in his sentiments but suggesting that very poor Nepal, in an effective civil war for years, is more advanced than Thailand is silly. I don’t like the coup, Thaksin or the king-focused polity, but saying Nepal is ahead is just stupid and undermines serious argument.

• 13 Suntorn // Dec 20, 2006 at 7:51 pm

  Wow, the name Chamlong has been mentioned. He has been quiet since the 19 sep coup. Why? Because he opposed the non-elected premier Suchinda in 1992 and let others die for him on Rajdamnern Rd. But now, he is best friend of Surayuth and supports this non-elected prime minister just because he does not like a man called Thaksin Shinawatra. Where is your moral principle, K. Chamlong?

• 14 jeru // Dec 20, 2006 at 11:49 pm

  Chamlong Srimuang is Thailand’s true living hero. He got rid of two dangerous tyrants Suchinda and Thaksin by the power of his broom. I salute Chamlong all the way.

• 15 saraburian // Dec 21, 2006 at 1:25 am

  Re: Chamlong
  Has he be tamed by HMK after that bloodymay?
  Did he strike a deal the day he crawl with Suchinda? From then on he left politics and spent most of his energy as a principal of leadership school in Kanchanaburi. Most of his Ajaan were the so-called “Kon Dee” including Purachai, Seripisut, Paiboon Wattanasiritham etc. Later on they came to work for Thaksin. In his book, Paul Handley said something like Prem was behind the lobbying to let Thaksin off the whim. At the time I remember Chamlong himself staged a comeback on the day of Thaksin’s trial by the constitutional court.
  Is Chamlong his own man or is he an agent of someone else. To me, Chamlong is a very complex character. Can someone throw some lights on this please?

• 16 saraburian // Dec 21, 2006 at 2:32 am

  When I say Chamlong staged a comeback on the trial day of Thaksin, I mean he reappeared in to the limelight after a long absence from public view to give Thaksin his moral support.
  Five years later he worked hand in glove with Sondhi Lim to oust Thaksin. Will the real Chamlong please stand up?

• 17 anon // Dec 21, 2006 at 3:59 am

  The only person Chamlong has ever fought for was himself. His actions in Bloody May dramatically increased the popularity of the Phalang Dharma Party. Too bad he couldn’t hold it together. His actions against Beer Chang and Thaksin have put him – and him alone – in the limelight, just the way he likes it.

• 18 jeru // Dec 21, 2006 at 12:32 pm

  The Thai people owe a lot to this remarkable ascetic Chamlong Srimuang. As you now know, in 1992, Chamlong Srimuang helped rescue the democracy of Thailand from military rule by leading the protests that toppled Suchinda.

  However, in 1992, the democracy of Thailand was still facing peril! because that constitution did NOT set up proper institutions and courts to check and scrutinize the behaviors of the political leaders and the military/police in the affairs of the State! It was this MAJOR loophole in our Thai Constitution of 1992 for which General Suchinda took advantage of – which allowed him to bypass proper democratic processes to establish himself as the premier of Thailand. Unless this loophole in our Thai Constitution is mended,

  Thus, Chamlong Srimuang proposed to the National Assembly (combination of the House of Representatives and the Senate) and to His Majesty the King that the Constitution be amended. This action finally occurred in 1997.

  In 2006 when it was very clear that Thaksin Shinawatra was violating constitutional ethiquette by refusing to submit himself to accountability despite the many serious allegations of constitutional abuse thus degrading the revered office of the PM of Thailand, Chamlong again led the protests that triggered Thaksin’s ouster by a coup.

  All those corrupt pro-Thaksins would try their damnest to maligh Chamlong but the man is honest and with the highest integrity.

• 19 saraburian // Dec 22, 2006 at 2:20 am

  Don’t forget that Chamlong was Prem’s secretary for quite some time when Prem was a premeir. And now he also serves in the NLA. Also, there is an allegation that he was involved with the right-wing operations to crush the student protesters during the 6 October 1976 massacre. Over a long period, it looks like he’s flip-flopping all the time…

• 20 New Mandala » Another opportunity for Okas // Jan 3, 2007 at 8:57 am

  [...] New Mandala readers may recall my earlier post about Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) dark horse Okas Tepalakul. Okas, a car dealer from Chachoengsao province (and classmate of coup supremo Sonthi) gained the most votes from members of the National People’s Assembly (NPA). [...]

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