For a country with a semi-democracy, semi-feudal political system, the end of the present reign puts everything in uncertainty…As democratic institutions are undermined and all political powers are dependent on the monarchy, the future of the whole country sadly hinges on this transition.
- Professor Thongchai Winichakul quoted in Grant Peck, “Thai king’s illness leaves countrymen anxious”, The Associated Press, 19 October 2009.
9 responses so far ↓
1 David // Oct 20, 2009 at 4:04 am
“Thaksin’s opponents frequently identify themselves with the monarchy and claim the former prime minister disrespected the throne, which has badly polarized the nation.”
hmmm… there are two ways to interpret this sentence… one of which carries a heavy jail sentence…
2 David Brown // Oct 20, 2009 at 12:24 pm
phew….. protected by a comma….
but does a policeman know how to translate punctuation into Thai?
3 Chris Beale // Oct 21, 2009 at 11:30 pm
With the greatest respect, the transistion also hinges on the masses below. Especially the Lao/ Isaarn masses who do Thailand’s lowest jobs : not a single Isaarn PM in Thailand’s entire history – except Silpa-Archa, who was Chinese, not Lao!
Be very, very careful you at “Thailand’s” top.
My experience is Isaarn does not think of itself as “Thai/Tai”.
Not a single Isaarn person I have ever met – did not say they were Lao/ Isaarn BEFORE they said they were Thai !
4 David // Oct 23, 2009 at 4:08 pm
@ Chris Beale, “not a single Isaarn PM in Thailand’s entire history…”
Correct me if i am wrong, but wasn’t Sarit Thanarat from Isaan..?
5 FBF // Oct 23, 2009 at 7:37 pm
@Chris
When did
BanhanburiSuphanburi become part of Essan?6 Nick Nostitz // Oct 23, 2009 at 10:38 pm
“David Brown”
you asked: “but does a policeman know how to translate punctuation into Thai?”
Yes, there are very educated police officers. And if it comes to lese majeste investigations when the accused has been stating the possibly offending words in a foreign language, several professors of this language will be asked to translate and interpret these words into Thai. This is standard procedure.
7 David Brown // Oct 24, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Nick… thanks for the response
I wasnt slinging off at the police translation prowess, more I was wondering if someone tells them to get someone for lese majeste whether they would let a comma get in the way of an arrest
my reading is that the comma means that the phrase applies to Thaksins opponents rather than the throne (unless they are related of course..)
8 Chris Beale // Oct 31, 2009 at 6:48 am
David – thanks for reminding : yes – Sarit WAS from Isaarn.
God bless him. Moreover, his mother was Lao !!!
Bring back Sarit – that’s what I say !!
No wonder Thailand has gone wrong ever since !
9 Ralph Kramden // Oct 31, 2009 at 8:45 am
Thak Chaloemtiarana described Sarit’s political system as “depotic paternalism.” He also said it was “harsh, repressive, despotic, and inflexible.”
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