New Mandala readers in the UK will be keen to know that on Thursday 5 March 2009 former Thai Foreign Minister Dr. Tej Bunnag will be speaking in London. All of the details for this event, organised by Samaggi Samagom, are available here. The topic is “His Majesty the King and Development”. And, in case you were wondering, “open-minded foreigner guests” are welcome.
If any New Mandala readers do go along we are, as ever, more than happy to publish a short report on proceedings. Please get in contact with me in the usual way if you are interested in writing one up.
UPDATE
This event is now being discussed over at Prachatai.
5 responses so far ↓
1 David Brown // Feb 28, 2009 at 3:55 pm
is this some sort of “response” to Jais talk?
2 Srithanonchai // Feb 28, 2009 at 10:36 pm
“open-minded foreigner guests” > Read: Foreigners who are prepared to take Tej’s official propaganda.
3 Ralph Kramden // Feb 28, 2009 at 10:55 pm
The advertising is interesting, with the Samaggi Samagom claiming to be a non-political organisation, restricting press access and claiming the right to total control of the venue, presumably to be able to oust those who might protest something? They also claim that this talk is purely academic. That is a term that is hardly descriptive of the topic. Tej gave this talk somewhere else recently. Was it in Singapore? I recall reading about it and notes from his talk. It was just the usual propaganda and certainly not academic.
4 me // Mar 1, 2009 at 5:42 am
“*to foster freedom of discussion and expression, Samaggi Samagom would like to restrict the press/media from entering the event.”, so does this mean that the talk wont be transcribed/make available to the public? isnt this a contradiction in itself.. “fair dicussion”, ha dont make me laugh.
5 Surim // Mar 3, 2009 at 7:24 pm
“to foster freedom of discussion and expression, Samaggi Samagom would like to restrict the press/media from entering the event. This talk will be purely academic. ”
I think what they mean by this is to have an open discussion without being accountable or charged with e.g. lese majeste afterward as in the closed door academic discussion on any sensitive topics. But I agree that it’s such an irony and self-contradiction. I wonder how many Thais would dare to criticise the King’s projects in this event.
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