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Thailand's Red Networks: from Street Forces to Eminent Civil Society
Southeast Asian Studies at the University of Freiburg (Germany) Occasional Paper Series www.southeastasianstudies.uni-freiburg.de Occasional Paper N° 14 (April 2013) Thailand’s Red Networks: From Street Forces to Eminent Civil Society Coalitions Pavin Chachavalpongpun (Kyoto University) Pavin Chachavalpongpun (Kyoto University)* Series Editors Jürgen Rüland, Judith Schlehe, Günther Schulze, Sabine Dabringhaus, Stefan Seitz The emergence of the red shirt coalitions was a result of the development in Thai politics during the past decades. They are the first real mass movement that Thailand has ever produced due to their approach of directly involving the grassroots population while campaigning for a larger political space for the underclass at a national level, thus being projected as a potential danger to the old power structure. The prolonged protests of the red shirt movement has exceeded all expectations and defied all the expressions of contempt against them by the Thai urban elite. This paper argues that the modern Thai political system is best viewed as a place dominated by the elite who were never radically threatened ‘from below’ and that the red shirt movement has been a challenge from bottom-up. Following this argument, it seeks to codify the transforming dynamism of a complicated set of political processes and actors in Thailand, while investigating the rise of the red shirt movement as a catalyst in such transformation. Thailand, Red shirts, Civil Society Organizations, Thaksin Shinawatra, Network Monarchy, United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, Lèse-majesté Law Please do not quote or cite without permission of the author. Comments are very welcome. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the author in the first instance. -
Thailand White Paper
THE BANGKOK MASSACRES: A CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY ―A White Paper by Amsterdam & Peroff LLP EXECUTIVE SUMMARY For four years, the people of Thailand have been the victims of a systematic and unrelenting assault on their most fundamental right — the right to self-determination through genuine elections based on the will of the people. The assault against democracy was launched with the planning and execution of a military coup d’état in 2006. In collaboration with members of the Privy Council, Thai military generals overthrew the popularly elected, democratic government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whose Thai Rak Thai party had won three consecutive national elections in 2001, 2005 and 2006. The 2006 military coup marked the beginning of an attempt to restore the hegemony of Thailand’s old moneyed elites, military generals, high-ranking civil servants, and royal advisors (the “Establishment”) through the annihilation of an electoral force that had come to present a major, historical challenge to their power. The regime put in place by the coup hijacked the institutions of government, dissolved Thai Rak Thai and banned its leaders from political participation for five years. When the successor to Thai Rak Thai managed to win the next national election in late 2007, an ad hoc court consisting of judges hand-picked by the coup-makers dissolved that party as well, allowing Abhisit Vejjajiva’s rise to the Prime Minister’s office. Abhisit’s administration, however, has since been forced to impose an array of repressive measures to maintain its illegitimate grip and quash the democratic movement that sprung up as a reaction to the 2006 military coup as well as the 2008 “judicial coups.” Among other things, the government blocked some 50,000 web sites, shut down the opposition’s satellite television station, and incarcerated a record number of people under Thailand’s infamous lèse-majesté legislation and the equally draconian Computer Crimes Act. -
Military Brotherhood Between Thailand and Myanmar: from Ruling to Governing the Borderlands
1 Military Brotherhood between Thailand and Myanmar: From Ruling to Governing the Borderlands Naruemon Thabchumphon, Carl Middleton, Zaw Aung, Surada Chundasutathanakul, and Fransiskus Adrian Tarmedi1, 2 Paper presented at the 4th Conference of the Asian Borderlands Research Network conference “Activated Borders: Re-openings, Ruptures and Relationships”, 8-10 December 2014 Southeast Asia Research Centre, City University of Hong Kong 1. Introduction Signaling a new phase of cooperation between Thailand and Myanmar, on 9 October 2014, Thailand’s new Prime Minister, General Prayuth Chan-o-cha took a two-day trip to Myanmar where he met with high-ranked officials in the capital Nay Pi Taw, including President Thein Sein. That this was Prime Minister Prayuth’s first overseas visit since becoming Prime Minister underscored the significance of Thailand’s relationship with Myanmar. During their meeting, Prime Minister Prayuth and President Thein Sein agreed to better regulate border areas and deepen their cooperation on border related issues, including on illicit drugs, formal and illegal migrant labor, including how to more efficiently regulate labor and make Myanmar migrant registration processes more efficient in Thailand, human trafficking, and plans to develop economic zones along border areas – for example, in Mae 3 Sot district of Tak province - to boost trade, investment and create jobs in the areas . With a stated goal of facilitating border trade, 3 pairs of adjacent provinces were named as “sister provinces” under Memorandums of Understanding between Myanmar and Thailand signed by the respective Provincial governors during the trip.4 Sharing more than 2000 kilometer of border, both leaders reportedly understood these issues as “partnership matters for security and development” (Bangkok Post, 2014). -
Thai Freedom and Internet Culture 2011
Thai Netizen Network Annual Report: Thai Freedom and Internet Culture 2011 An annual report of Thai Netizen Network includes information, analysis, and statement of Thai Netizen Network on rights, freedom, participation in policy, and Thai internet culture in 2011. Researcher : Thaweeporn Kummetha Assistant researcher : Tewarit Maneechai and Nopphawhan Techasanee Consultant : Arthit Suriyawongkul Proofreader : Jiranan Hanthamrongwit Accounting : Pichate Yingkiattikun, Suppanat Toongkaburana Original Thai book : February 2012 first published English translation : August 2013 first published Publisher : Thai Netizen Network 672/50-52 Charoen Krung 28, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500 Thailand Thainetizen.org Sponsor : Heinrich Böll Foundation 75 Soi Sukhumvit 53 (Paidee-Madee) North Klongton, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand The editor would like to thank you the following individuals for information, advice, and help throughout the process: Wason Liwlompaisan, Arthit Suriyawongkul, Jiranan Hanthamrongwit, Yingcheep Atchanont, Pichate Yingkiattikun, Mutita Chuachang, Pravit Rojanaphruk, Isriya Paireepairit, and Jon Russell Comments and analysis in this report are those of the authors and may not reflect opinion of the Thai Netizen Network which will be stated clearly Table of Contents Glossary and Abbreviations 4 1. Freedom of Expression on the Internet 7 1.1 Cases involving the Computer Crime Act 7 1.2 Internet Censorship in Thailand 46 2. Internet Culture 59 2.1 People’s Use of Social Networks 59 in Political Movements 2.2 Politicians’ Use of Social -
Myanmar: the Key Link Between
ADBI Working Paper Series Myanmar: The Key Link between South Asia and Southeast Asia Hector Florento and Maria Isabela Corpuz No. 506 December 2014 Asian Development Bank Institute Hector Florento and Maria Isabela Corpuz are consultants at the Office of Regional Economic Integration, Asian Development Bank. The views expressed in this paper are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of ADBI, ADB, its Board of Directors, or the governments they represent. ADBI does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this paper and accepts no responsibility for any consequences of their use. Terminology used may not necessarily be consistent with ADB official terms. Working papers are subject to formal revision and correction before they are finalized and considered published. In this paper, “$” refers to US dollars. The Working Paper series is a continuation of the formerly named Discussion Paper series; the numbering of the papers continued without interruption or change. ADBI’s working papers reflect initial ideas on a topic and are posted online for discussion. ADBI encourages readers to post their comments on the main page for each working paper (given in the citation below). Some working papers may develop into other forms of publication. Suggested citation: Florento, H., and M. I. Corpuz. 2014. Myanmar: The Key Link between South Asia and Southeast Asia. ADBI Working Paper 506. Tokyo: Asian Development Bank Institute. Available: http://www.adbi.org/working- paper/2014/12/12/6517.myanmar.key.link.south.southeast.asia/ Please contact the authors for information about this paper. -
Thailand Censorship and Emprisonment : the Abuses in the Name of Lese Majeste
© AFP “His untouchable Majesty” Thailand Censorship and emprisonment : the abuses in the name of lese majeste February 2009 Investigation : Clothilde Le Coz Internet Freedom desk Reporters sans frontières 47, rue Vivienne - 75002 Paris Tel : (33) 1 44 83 84 71 - Fax : (33) 1 45 23 11 51 E-mail : [email protected] Web : www.rsf.org “But there has never been anyone telling me "approve" because the King speaks well and speaks correctly. Actually I must also be criticised. I am not afraid if the criticism concerns what I do wrong, because then I know. Because if you say the King cannot be criticised, it means that the King is not human.”. Rama IX, king of Thailand, 5 december 2005 Thailand : majeste and emprisonment : the abuses in name of lese Censorship 1 It is undeniable that King Bhumibol According to Reporters Without Adulyadej, who has been on the throne Borders, a reform of the laws on the since 5 May 1950, enjoys huge popularity crime of lese majeste could only come in Thailand. The kingdom is a constitutio- from the palace. That is why our organisa- nal monarchy that assigns him the role of tion is addressing itself directly to the head of state and protector of religion. sovereign to ask him to find a solution to Crowned under the dynastic name of this crisis that is threatening freedom of Rama IX, Bhumibol Adulyadej, born in expression in the kingdom. 1927, studied in Switzerland and has also shown great interest in his country's With a king aged 81, the issues of his suc- agricultural and economic development. -
JSS 097 0B Front
The Journal of the Siam Society Patrons of the Siam Society Patron His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej Vice-Patrons Her Majesty Queen Sirikit His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn Vice-Patron & Honorary President Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Honorary Vice-Presidents Her Majesty Ashi Kesang Choeden Wangchuck, The Royal Grandmother of Bhutan His Imperial Highness Prince Akishino of Japan His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark Council of the Siam Society, 2008 - 2010 President Mr Athueck Asvanund Vice-President Mrs Bilaibhan Sampatisiri Leader, Natural History Section Dr Weerachai Nanakorn Honorary Secretary Mr Barent Springsted Honorary Treasurer Mr Suraya Supanwanich Honorary Librarian Ms Anne Sutherland Honorary Editor, JSS Dr Chris Baker Honorary Editor, NHB Dr William Schaedla Members of Council Mrs Eileen Deeley Ms Raksaswan Chrongchitpracharon Dr Nirun Jivasantikarn Mr Peter Laverick Mrs Beatrix Latham Mr James D Lehman H.E. Mr Juan Manuel Lopez Nadal Mr Paul Russell The Journal of the Siam Society Volume 97 2009 As this volume was in press, in May 2009, the Society received the information that Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn had graciously accepted to become Honorary President of the Society, in addition to being a Vice-Patron. The President, Council, and Society members wish to express their gratitude to Her Royal Highness for honouring the Society in this way. Editorial Board Tej Bunnag advisor Chris Baker advisor and honorary editor Michael Smithies editor Kanitha Kasina-Ubol coordinator Euayporn Kerdchouay production assistant © The Siam Society 2009 ISSN 0857-7099 Cover: A tinted lithograph by Delaporte, showing the Lao weights in use in the market in Luang Prabang, in François Garnier, Voyage d’exploration en Indo-Chine effectué pendant les années 1688, 1867, et 1868. -
Burma Coup Watch
This publication is produced in cooperation with Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN), Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK), the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Progressive Voice (PV), US Campaign for Burma (USCB), and Women Peace Network (WPN). BN 2021/2031: 1 Mar 2021 BURMA COUP WATCH: URGENT ACTION REQUIRED TO PREVENT DESTABILIZING VIOLENCE A month after its 1 February 2021 coup, the military junta’s escalation of disproportionate violence and terror tactics, backed by deployment of notorious military units to repress peaceful demonstrations, underlines the urgent need for substantive international action to prevent massive, destabilizing violence. The junta’s refusal to receive UN diplomatic and CONTENTS human rights missions indicates a refusal to consider a peaceful resolution to the crisis and 2 Movement calls for action confrontation sparked by the coup. 2 Coup timeline 3 Illegal even under the 2008 In order to avert worse violence and create the Constitution space for dialogue and negotiations, the 4 Information warfare movement in Burma and their allies urge that: 5 Min Aung Hlaing’s promises o International Financial Institutions (IFIs) 6 Nationwide opposition immediately freeze existing loans, recall prior 6 CDM loans and reassess the post-coup situation; 7 CRPH o Foreign states and bodies enact targeted 7 Junta’s violent crackdown sanctions on the military (Tatmadaw), 8 Brutal LIDs deployed Tatmadaw-affiliated companies and partners, 9 Ongoing armed conflict including a global arms embargo; and 10 New laws, amendments threaten human rights o The UN Security Council immediately send a 11 International condemnation delegation to prevent further violence and 12 Economy destabilized ensure the situation is peacefully resolved. -
27 Bangkok Indexit.Indd 339 12/15/11 11:00:18 AM 340 Index
Index 339 INDEX A amnesty, 279–83, 285, 301, 303 Abhisit Vejjajiva, 5, 7–8, 20, 25, 27, Amnuay Virawan, 17 30–31, 38–40, 43–45, 47, 72, Amsterdam, Robert, 280–81 77–80, 100, 120, 123–5, 132, 135, Anan Panyarachun, 44, 104, 169, 144, 165–66, 168, 173, 178, 182, 305–306 186, 194, 200–201, 245, 253, Ananda Mahidol, King, 73, 180 257–62, 274–76, 282–83, 285, 290, ancien régime, 287, 295 294, 298, 313, 319, 321, 323 Angkor Sentinel, military exercise, background of, 35 208 government under, 32–36, 42, 44, anti-monarchical conspiracy theory, 74, 76, 82, 102, 111, 115, 138, 74, 80 158, 169, 179, 183, 185, 195, see also “lom chao” 203, 205–207, 209–10, 267, 278, “anti-system” forces, 129 280, 305, 309, 329 anti-Thaksin media, 79 reform package proposed by, 89, 95 Anuman Ratchathon, Phraya, 2 absolute monarchy, 22, 192, 221–22, Anuphong Paochinda, 25, 33, 315 269–70 Apichatphong Weerasethakun, see also constitutional monarchy; 184–85 monarchy Appeals Court, 277 absolute poverty, 27, 156, 324 “aristocratic liberalism”, 105 Academy Fantasia, reality show, 93 Army, Thai, 21–22, 25, 35, 43–44, activist monks, 290–92 76–78, 87, 133, 139, 165, 220, agents provocateurs, 294, 299 224, 227, 293, 298, 302, 304, 307, agrarian change, waves of, 232–36 309–10, 323 “ai mong”, 78 psychological warfare unit, 237 Allende, Salvador, 50 restructured, 128 Amara Phongsaphit, 303 Arvizu, Alexander, 253 American Embassy, see U.S. Embassy ASEAN (Association of Southeast ammat (establishment), 21–22, 27, 29, Asian Nations), 166, 202, 204–205, 38, 93, 99, 135, 137–38, -
Thai Media Accounts of the Accession of Rama X to the Throne What Is Holding Thailand Back from Becoming a High-Income Country?
The Newsletter | No.78 | Autumn 2017 16 | The Region News from Southeast Asia continued Thai media accounts of the accession of Rama X to the throne Peter A. Jackson ONE OF THE MOST widely reproduced images in the respect for one’s immediate parents rather than one’s have political valence, reflecting the Thai press in the first days after King Maha Vajiralongkorn patrilineal ancestors. Also, in Thailand the attitude of continuing role of anti-insurgency ascended the throne was a colour photograph of King katanyu or respectful gratitude emphasises the honouring thinking against often-unnamed Bhumibol’s ritual investiture of Prince Vajiralongkorn of one’s mother as well as one’s father. Nevertheless, like ‘enemies’ of the nation in the military’s as Crown Prince, and heir to the throne. This elaborate the Confucian notion, the Thai cultural value implies a approach to politics to this day. ceremony took place on 28 December 1972, when the profound lifelong moral obligation to one’s parents and the Despite many revisions of the prince had returned to Bangkok during a break in his description of King Maha Vajiralongkorn as a ‘grateful king’ Thai constitution under a succession studies at the Australian Royal Military Academy of yet again represented his reign as being in continuity with of military and civilian governments Duntroon in Canberra. In this widely reproduced photo, the that of his father. since the overthrow of the absolute prince is pictured with head bowed before King Bhumibol, The image of the late King Bhumibol as the ‘royal father’ monarchy in June 1932, the provision who is sitting on a raised throne. -
Chapter 3, Section 1 – China and Continental Southeast Asia.Pdf
CHAPTER 3 CHINA AND THE WORLD SECTION 1: CHINA AND CONTINENTAL SOUTHEAST ASIA Key Findings • China’s pursuit of strategic and economic interests in Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos often jeopardizes regional environmental conditions, threatens government ac- countability, and undermines commercial opportunities for U.S. firms. • China has promoted a model of development in continental Southeast Asia that focuses on economic growth, to the exclu- sion of political liberalization and social capacity building. This model runs counter to U.S. geopolitical and business interests as Chinese business practices place U.S. firms at a disadvantage in some of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economies, particu- larly through behavior that facilitates corruption. • China pursues several complementary goals in continental Southeast Asia, including bypassing the Strait of Malacca via an overland route in Burma, constructing north-south infra- structure networks linking Kunming to Singapore through Laos, Thailand, Burma, and Vietnam, and increasing export opportunities in the region. The Chinese government also de- sires to increase control and leverage over Burma along its 1,370-mile-long border, which is both porous and the setting for conflict between ethnic armed groups (EAGs) and the Burmese military. Chinese firms have invested in exploiting natural re- sources, particularly jade in Burma, agricultural land in Laos, and hydropower resources in Burma and along the Mekong Riv- er. China also seeks closer relations with Thailand, a U.S. treaty ally, particularly through military cooperation. • As much as 82 percent of Chinese imported oil is shipped through the Strait of Malacca making it vulnerable to disrup- tion. -
Military Coup and Democracy in Thailand
Military Coup and Democracy in Thailand Chairat Charoensin-o-larn Thammasat University, Bangkok Paper delivered at the Thailand Update Conference 2007, the Australian National University on August 31, 2007. The author would like to thank Dr. John Funston, director of the National Thai Studies Center for inviting him to the conference. 1 Abstract The article discusses the political situation in Thailand since the military coup in September 2006 up to the referendum on the 2007 constitution in August 2007. The article argues that the new constitution, which limits the power of politicians by giving immense power to the court and bureaucracy, coupled with several other measures adopted by the military junta and its interim government to remove the ousted prime minister Thaksin and his former TRT groups from the Thai political map, will intensify rather than reduce current political divide in Thai society. The article concludes that military dominance in Thai politics will linger on and that the great political divide will remain pending the outcome of the general election, which will be held at the end of 2007. Key words: Thailand, Political Conflict, Constitution, Democracy, Military Coup. 2 A Political Overview Thailand’s military coup on the night of September 19, 2006, came as a surprise, and was greeted with resentment by some and with joy, relief, and hope by others. The former were afraid that the coup was just the beginning of yet another military intervention in Thai politics, a tradition that had seen a bitter revival fifteen years before in the bloody incident of May 1992. Representatives of this group ranged from a number of students and university lecturers who called themselves the “19 September Network against the Coup” 1 to a taxi driver who ran his car head-on into an army tank stationed at the Royal Plaza to show his discontent with the coup for destroying Thailand’s democracy.