New Mandala

It’s been longer than I hoped since the first post in my new “Anthroblog” series. I have been diverted by administrative tasks. But I’ve found some time to return to the task…
As I indicated in the first post, for the time being I am focussing on Baan Tiam’s history, and the various ways in which [...]

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Not content with lese-majeste laws to protect the revered monarchy that are among the world’s most draconian, Thailand is to build a wall around the kingdom to keep out detractors.
But the barrier will be virtual, a national internet firewall to block websites deemed insulting to the throne of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who at 80 is [...]

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In recent days there has been a flurry of statements from senior Thai figures about the need to keep the “royal institution” out of politics. In what appears to be a rare point of consensus, Prime Minister Somchai and Army chief Anupong have issued stern warnings against those who seek to use the monarchy for political [...]

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For some time now a diaspora of disaffected ‘emotional migrants’ from the overdeveloped affluent West has been taking place. They are fleeing the discontents of an uncertain existence to pursue happiness, but what awaits such life style ‘refugees’ when they abide in ‘Amazing Thailand’? A place pictured in the global imaginary as an exotic comfort [...]

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The Nation has a quick summary of the latest edition of The King of Thailand in World Focus (a lively discussion related to the previous edition is available here).  I have yet to see this version but would be interested to hear the thoughts of those who have.  According to the summary:
…articles touch on the Crown Property Bureau, His Majesty’s [...]

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From the Bangkok Post:
The Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) plans to spend about 100 million to 500 million baht to build a gateway to block websites with contents defaming the royal institution. ICT Minister Mun Patanotai said 86 percent of those websites are from foreign countries. He said his ministry will give more [...]

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We haven’t featured anything on sufficiency economy for a while (at least not since its principle architect was identified by Forbes as the world’s wealthiest royal) so I was very pleased yesterday when a colleague passed me information about a scheme to take sufficiency economy to the world. It’s been organised by the Thai Research [...]

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Two new reports released this month examine relief efforts after Cyclone Nargis. One, by the International Crisis Group, proposes the normalizing of aid relations with Myanmar. The other, by a conglomerate of groups based over the border, critiques the work of the United Nations and international agencies in responding to the disaster. Neither achieves what [...]

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I’ve dislocated both shoulders on several occasions – although fortunately, not at the same time. With the corpse-like limb dangling from its socket, any movement is acutely painful. Nevertheless, I find the best solution is to grasp the limp wrist with my remaining good hand, and slowly but firmly twist outward and downwards in a [...]

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The prolific Ashley South makes an interesting and important argument in the November edition of The World Today, published by the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House.  South discusses Zimbabwe and Burma, and the future of liberal-democratic interventionism.  His piece is available here.

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