Comments for New Mandala

Comment on Thailand’s new rural economy by Chris Beale

Chris Beale — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:22:38 +0000

I’ll echoe Chris Bakers’ comments – but with the addition that decline of the rural economy has meant far more empowerment in other areas for Isaarn :
in every sense – not least the now far more welathy, mobile Isaarn worker attitude that he’s/ she’s a force to be reckoned with – if not a separate national LAO identity.
Isaarn is now almost a nation in itself, for itself, self confident in its’ self. Almost ready to break-away from “Tai” land.

Comment on Commentary on Thailand’s Crown Prince by Chris Beale

Chris Beale — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:14:03 +0000

This elite obsession with “Thailand’s” Crown Prince is a distraction from the main question : whether the country can hold together ?
Just one example – given below – an opinion poll showing Abhisits’ popularity apparently soaring, because he “stood up
to Hun Sen” over Cambodia’s appointment of Isaarn’s hero Thaksin. Only problem with this poll ? = NO Isaarn opinion !Abhisit’s popularity soars three times for downgrading ties with Cambodia :
From The Nation, 7/11/09

“The popularity rating of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has tripled after his decisive action to downgrade the diplomatic ties with Cambodia, Abac Poll said in a survey released on Friday.

In comparison to 23.3 per cent in the survey in September, Abhisit’s popularity leaped to 68.6 per cent.

The prime minister was most popular in the South (88.2 per cent), followed by the Central Region (68.9 per cent), Bangkok (68.8 per cent) and the North (64.6 per cent).”

The Nation

Comment on Commentary on Thailand’s Crown Prince by abejero | from the Big Apple to the banks of the Mekong

abejero | from the Big Apple to the banks of the Mekong — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:00:52 +0000

[...] Hat tip to PPT, and read their About page. This is a good blog for those interested in Southeast Asia politics, especially with increasing political repression in Thailand in face of the impending succession. [...]

Comment on Review of Wassana by Somsak Jeamteerasakul

Somsak Jeamteerasakul — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:00:21 +0000

michael :
I suppose it’s too much to hope that the book will be translated..

I definitely hope not. Wassana’s Thai prose is atrociously bad. Believe me, it’s far better to read the review!

Comment on Review of Wassana by Chris Beale

Chris Beale — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:24:50 +0000

It’s a very debatable point whether Anand was the “quick fix” the military needed. But yes – otherwise : an excellent review, much appreciated.

Comment on Commentary on Thailand’s Crown Prince by Chris Beale

Chris Beale — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:00:05 +0000

Ralph – I’d be surprised if any member of the general public or academic/ activist found anything more on this than is already in Handley’s book.

Comment on Lintner on Burma’s army officers by planB

planB — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:36:05 +0000

There is a general misconception about Myanmar that those from the west who has never even visited will assume with their western views of the world.
Taking Turnell Viacary accusation of SPDC hoarding of the GAS wealth for example.
1) Not counting $ spent on building Naypyidaw conveniently dismiss that as megalomaniac, astrological motivated act.
2) Admitting Myanmar spent 35% of the GNP but not recognizing where the $ come from.
3) Dismissing outright the infrastructure cost of Myanmar under SPDC as not part of capital expenditure because these are deemed self serving.
These are but common tactic that Turnell and Vicary used and believed by most who zeal to vilify SPDC self serving interest over shadow common sense.
Visit the country and proof to yourself.
Yes SPDC is hoarding $ from one sided deal with Thailand and China for it own future.
no SPDC is not the Turnell Vicary portrayal of sich evil entity ;
“The ruling regime has little understanding of the dynamics of a market economy, and mistakes the building of roads, bridges, dams and other physical infrastructure as constituting ‘economic development’ in themselves. Burma’s state is almost wholly predatory, and is not so much parasitic of its host as all- consuming. If in other countries ruling regimes behave occasionally as racketeers in skimming a ‘cut’ from prosperous business, then Burma’s is more like a looter – destroying what it can neither create nor understand.”
when does an economist dismiss so readily an infrastructure spending as irrelevant?
The academic arrogance is so glaring.
These are the same lies that is repeatedly used as truth.
Visit the country and make up your own mind.
As for the 3 points listed explain the west contributed to the Paranoia and Xenophobia that the SPDC is exhibiting ?
Litner is no more expert than Turnell and Vicary until proven otherwise.

Comment on The Devil’s Discus – in Thai by CJ Hinke

CJ Hinke — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:20:03 +0000

Dragon’s Mouth Publications informs me that sometimes the ABE website fails to reset. The link above works and the price is $40 + shipping.

Comment on Review of Wassana by michael

michael — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:49:07 +0000

Thank you so much, Craig Reynolds, for this illuminating review. I suppose it’s too much to hope that the book will be translated, although it points to extremely important considerations which, despite the light they shed on motives & the way decisions are made in every sphere of life here, are usually overlooked or at least only mentioned as exotic trivia in analyses by academia & the media.

Comment on Lintner on Burma’s army officers by Totila

Totila — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:14:17 +0000

Sanctions debates (over a country now awash in fossil fuels and with opaque finances not saying where those billions go), engagement theatrics (very possibly again a “triumph of hope over experience”) and emotional ad hominem attacks on Mr. Lintner, probably the best-informed and most objective observer in the region…

By all means talk to the SPDC and look for ways out of the morass, but seriously try to account for what most of the players’ non-altruistic agendas are. And if your only end result is—slightly kinder sergeants conducting borderland search and destroy sweeps; more competitive comparison shopping possibilities for armaments and luxury items (for the Tatmadaw and associated business cronies) plus shifting of the textile sweat factories back from Thailand (where Burma’s rich history of labor protection will work miracles) then what is the point?