New Mandala

The Red Shirts held their fundraising concert at Khao Yai on Saturday, November 15, preparing for their big push to oust the government. In contrast to other news sources, I would put the number of Red Shirts there at about 50,000 to 60,000. The atmosphere was generally very festive, relaxed and happy. There were very few [...]

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True to form, the good folk at Liberal Thai have put together a Thai-language translation of Richard Lloyd Parry’s interview with former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.  It remains incomplete (with only the first 6 pages of the 12 page interview) but a note at the bottom suggests that the full version will be available soon.

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New Mandala has been sent the following draft letter by a contact in Bangkok. It was written by a diligent officer in Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Its authenticity cannot be verified but it raises issues that may be of interest to some readers.
The Editor
The Times
Dear Sir, I must protest in the strongest possible terms about your [...]

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Thaksin’s interview is a violation of the monarchy, which is the country’s core pillar and a highly respected institution. It is unacceptable and should have never taken place…Thaksin has also chosen to make a move when the entire nation is joining in wishing His Majesty the King a full recovery and good health. I wonder [...]

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He’s not the King yet. He may not be shining [now]…But after he becomes the King I’m confident he can be shining … it’s not his time yet. But when the time comes I think he will be able to perform.
- Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra quoted in Richard Lloyd Parry, “Ousted [...]

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Vajiralongkorn is a graduate from Australia’s Royal Military College in Canberra and has trained with the U.S., British and Australian armed services…His Western lifestyle is not discussed openly, thanks again to lese majeste. But people have privately asked whether he has the natural authority to unify the nation, especially given his partisanship towards the military. [...]

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There is an interesting analysis of Thai politics that was just published at Asia Sentinel.  It draws attention to “a feckless heir”, “a muddle-through scenario”, and “anti-monarchy radicalism”, among a large number of other issues.

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The National Archives of Australia have substantial holdings on Thai Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn’s years in Australia.  One of the files is “Closed”, some are currently “Withheld pending agency advice” or “Not yet examined”, and others are “Open”.  The archival material covers the Crown Prince’s initial time at the King’s School in Sydney and his training [...]

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Yesterday New Mandala’s Andrew Walker was interviewed on the ABC Radio National breakfast program about politics and the palace in Thailand.  The audio of Andrew’s conversation with Fran Kelly is available here.

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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 [...]

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