New Mandala

Khi Kwai (”a foul, steaming heap on Thai politics and society”) is a new addition to the Thai blog scene.  One of its recent posts takes up the issue of “Thailand for sale“.  It is provocative, polemical and well-written.  I expect many readers will find it a thought-inducing read.  Some of Khi Kwai’s other recent [...]

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Amidst the analysis of the intrigues, machinations and strategic moves surrounding Thailand’s current political crisis, it is useful to reflect on some of the underlying, more structural forces at work.  My emphasis is on the origins and consequences for Thai politics of what Pasuk Phongpaichit and Chris Baker have termed Thailand’s [...]

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Violence is intrinsic to politics. When violence becomes part of the political culture, it hands power to those who are willing to use violence most ruthlessly. History is strewn with examples. In the past, Thailand’s culture of protest was framed by a Buddhist appreciation of non-violence. The PAD has taken a dangerous step away from [...]

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It seems the world is whipping the democracy horse yet again. Getting on their soap boxes to rant and rave on something of which they have meagre understanding. I refer to “History Repeats Itself” by W. Scott Thompson, International Herald Tribune, 1 December 2008, and “Thai Royalists’ Efforts To Undermine Thaksin Are In Vain”, an [...]

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