In today’s Canberra Times the Thai government has published a three-page “advertising feature” to celebrate King Bhumibol’s birthday. New Mandala readers in the Canberra region may be interested hear that:
The Royal Thai Embassy will celebrate King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 80th birthday and wishes to invite all Thais and their families to attend the function. It will be held on December 7 at 6 pm at Sala Thai of the Royal Thai Embassy, 111 Empire Circuit, Yarralumla. The dress code is lounge suit or national dress with the preferred colour yellow.
2 responses so far ↓
1 Republican // Dec 5, 2007 at 7:51 pm
After that remarkable birthday speech last night in which the King basically neutralized any possible public opposition to arms purchases by the Thai military (since criticism of this after last night would be tantamount to lese majeste) I had an idea.
What better way to join in the royal celebrations at the Thai Embassy in Canberra on the 7th than for pro-democracy academics and activists to organize a demonstration outside the Embassy with huge banners saying:
“Thai King Supports Military Dictatorship in Thailand”
“Thai King Supports Coup”
“Thai King 5th Richest in the World While Urging his Subjects to Live in Subsistence ”
etc.
Then, distibute translations of the King’s birthday speech yesterday, or even last year’s speech after the coup, and distribute pictures of him with the coup leaders and any other incriminating material you can get your hands on. Maybe find some of his choice speeches dishing the West, like the one a few months ago saying that Western knowledge was making Thais stupid. Journalists like that kind of thing.
That is, unless you are worried that such an action might pose a problem for your next research trip to Thailand. In which case you’d better just prepare your yellow attire and bone up on the royal anthem.
2 Teth // Dec 6, 2007 at 12:01 pm
How much does it cost to print a 3-page ad in that paper? And what’s all this hubbub about sufficiency and cost-effectiveness?
Last time I checked they were nothing new.
Leave a Comment
Please note: New Mandala encourages vigorous debate. However, for the moment we will only be publishing high-quality comments that make original contributions to discussion. There will, of course, still be space for pithy, humorous, eccentric and cheeky input. Short and sweet will usually trump long and involved. Repetitive ranting, unimaginative point-scoring and idle abuse will not be entertained. Comments which carry a real name are also more likely to be approved. Thank you for your ongoing interest and contributions.