New Mandala

A blog over at The Nation identifies some new (?) coup rumours.  It is dramatic stuff.  One of the commentators (number 4) even speculates that if there is another coup “Bangkok will turn into a abysmal mechanical war, that could be never won by Thaksin troop”.  Is it time to break out the lists of Pre-Cadet [...]

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It was way back in 1999 that I first visited Panrit Daoruang’s website.  Back then he was known by the firstname Nattawud.  In the following years he went on to become a famous Internet and media personality.  During his years of fame his life took an abrupt turn and he ended up in Samut Prakan Central Prison.  If you [...]

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Sometimes I’m afraid that we might focus too much on doom and gloom, and cut and thrust, here on New Mandala.  But no matter how much we devote ourselves to issues in mainland Southeast Asia we all still need to eat.  And on a day when Gordon Brown is telling those of us in Britain to stop wasting food it seems [...]

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Latrobe University political scientist Michael Connors has an opinion piece over at Asia Sentinel that will be relevant to the many NM readers who are closely following the political jousting in Thailand.  He writes: 
The rationale for wanting to dismantle Thailand’s electoral system is evident: pro-Thaksin forces keep winning elections. And as Thaksin is said to represent [...]

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I asked to speak to the manager and minutes later, I’m being directed outside the building, along the road and back inside another building, that backs onto the same building I have just left. I sat and patiently waited. Finally, a man dressed in army uniform entered from the street. He asked, “Why do you [...]

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