Monarchy:HM the Queen leaves hospital

[GWR]

19 December 2007
Cabinet invites citizens to continue wearing yellow and pink shirts into coming year
Assistant Spokesman of the Office of the Prime Minister Colonel Prachasan Chanasongkram (ประชาสัณห์ ชนะสงคราม) announced following the weekly Cabinet meeting that as citizens have worn yellow and pink shirts in honor of His Majesty the King’s 80th birthday throughout the year, the Cabinet would like to invite citizens to continue wearing the shirts next year.

Colonel Prachasan stated that the Cabinet saw the act as honorable and would like citizens to continue to wear yellow and pink shirts in celebration of His Majesty the King. The Cabinet invites citizens to wear the shirts at their own discretion and does not consider the matter a decree.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglis...d=255012180036

[GWR]

Monarchy debate defied traditional Thai deference

A debate on the hitherto taboo subject of the role of the monarchy in Thailand starts behind closed doors Tuesday at Bangkok's Thammasat University, at a time of great political uncertainty and an outpouring of national devotion for the revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The prestigious International Conference on Thai Studies, held every three years, has included several potentially explosive seminars that plainly deal with the role and future of the palace in Thai society - a discussion that normally only takes place privately in Thailand for fear of legal and social sanction.

The boldest - in Thai terms - discussion could take place when a panel of foreign and Thai professors debate the merits of a generally hostile and highly controversial recent biography of King Bhumibol, The King Never Smiles, that is banned in Thailand.

The book views the monarchy as an anachronism. The author, a former correspondent for the Far Eastern Economic Review, trashes the king's life to the extent of criticising his painting and saxophone playing.

The American author of the book, Paul Handley, who may never again be allowed into Thailand, will nevertheless present a paper about the powerful Privy Council at the conference, read in absentia by the chair.

The role of the Privy Council in Thailand is delicate because its chief, retired general and former prime minister Prem Tinsulanonda, is thought by many Thai analysts to be the main instigator behind a September 2006 coup that ousted controversial prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Another presentation will consider abolishing the century-old lese majeste laws that are used to squash debate about the role of monarchy and have frequently been used as weapons in political squabbles.

These debates will take place over three days during the mourning period of the king's respected elder sister Princess Galayani, who died last week, reminding the nation that the late princess's brother is also an increasingly frail 80 years old.

The king is widely seen in Thailand as having played a vital restraining, correcting role for most of the time since his coronation in 1950. His son and heir, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, is said by analysts to have little of his father's popularity, experience or dedication in the eyes of ordinary Thais.

This extraordinary examination of the role of the monarchy comes after some foreign academics proposed last year a boycott of the conference if its organisers rejected any papers that grappled with Thailand's contemporary political problems, alluding to a military and older elite contending for power with a ruthless and allegedly corrupt former telecommunications tycoon Thaksin.

This year's conference is officially themed around transnationalism and the erosion of borders in the modern world. Chris Baker, a Thai-based historian, wrote recently of the conference "One border that may be swept away is the thick black line between what can be said inside the country, and what already is being said outside it."

The boycott call appears to have fizzled out and popular Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is scheduled to open the conference. All participants have been requested to wear black in memory of Princess Galayani. dpa

Link may expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_....php?id=124954

Online debate on this debate at New Mandala:
http://rspas.anu.edu.au/rmap/newmand...mic-frankness/

[Stephen Cleary]

Can you believe this? And Paul Handley is to present a paper. Quite unbelievable! Anyone know how to get tickets/invitation to this?

Asia-Pacific News

Groundbreaking monarchy debate defies traditional Thai deference

Jan 8, 2008, 6:06 GMT

[Mod: Text of this article is the same as in the last post, so I thought it best to merge the threads and delete the main text here.]

Source: http://news.monstersandcritics.com/a...Thai_deference

[mdechgan]

Is this debate legal?
A lot of people talking behind closed doors about royalty?
I don't think the monarchy would approve of this.
I wouldn't be surprised if many people are arrested if they have any ideas or thoughts that people in higher places won't approve of.

I know many people that were arrested for saying some things about the monarchy in a taxi, only for the taxi driver to drive the passenger to a police station. Many of these taxi drivers are informants for various agencies.

[Stephen Cleary]

In response to Mdechgan. I can't seriously see anyone getting arrested here! In fact, debate has to be allowed, otherwise a lot of the academics would have boycotted it. (See Ron's excellent link to New Mandala above). Also, Paul Handley ought to turn up and face the fire, he can't be arrested of course, as his book 'doesn't exist'. And even if he was, there would be such an international outcry, that he would have to be released anyway!

I think Thailand is slowly opening up and Thais themselves have admitted that to me. Just a couple of months ago, i was totally amazed when i saw the Thai language book 'Khadee Prawathisat Lorp Palangphrachon' (The Historical Case of The Murder of King Rama VIII) listed as a Top 20 bestseller down at my local book store, i bought a copy.

I don't think, Mdechgan, you can state that the monarchy wouldn't agree, as even HM himself said a while back that he doesn't believe that he should be above criticism.

Can i say something about those recently closed website forums Fah Diew Kan? Folk on the Internet have been complaining that all they did was 'discuss', well, let me say that wasn't the complete truth. I was on there a few times and read innumerable comments that were completely malice and defamatory. I don't feel sorry for them, as they should have hired at least a couple of moderators, no comments were ever deleted on that site. If there was no lese-majeste applicable, the site could have been closed down anyway for breaking another law - defamation, could even call it blasphemy. In fact, i noticed that a lot of the posters at Fah Diew Kan where the same folk posting at formerly jailed blogger's Phra Phichai forums. The two sites promoted each other.

Of course, i don't believe in Draconian lese-majeste laws, but i would like those who have never read forums such as Fah Diew Kan to understand that a lot of these folk posting are not having 'a simple discussion'. Can you remember all the folk who expressed their shock and anger when Phichai and Giyotin were arrested? Even Prachatai were on their case straight away. Friends of Giyotin claimed she only 'discussed'. Are they being serious? honestly? She could simply have been arrested for pornography!..... and she was..

I agree that discussion should be promoted, but i would like to see that disgruntled Thai youths (many of whom studied abroad) who have a loud opinion, express their views in a sensible manner, and not in a style which resembles that of YouTubers. Otherwise, their arrogant manner is not gonna help change the views of royalists.
Finally, i hope that Jon Ungpakorn, Prachatai and the folk at FACT (Freedom Against Censorship Thailand) get to read this.

[Wisarut]

Originally Posted by Stephen Cleary

I think Thailand is slowly opening up and Thais themselves have admitted that to me. Just a couple of months ago, i was totally amazed when i saw the Thai language book 'Khadee Prawathisat Lorp Palangphrachon' (The Historical Case of The Murder of King Rama VIII) listed as a Top 20 bestseller down at my local book store, i bought a copy.

I have that book in my hand alogn with "Before Faded Away" ... These 2 books are about the Assasination of King Anadamahidol and the aftermath ... and 'Khadee Prawathisat Lorp Palangphrachon' is the detailedd explanation og the eyewithenss acount recorded by the author of "Before Faded Away".

Originally Posted by Stephen Cleary

Can i say something about those recently closed website forums Fah Diew Kan? Folk on the Internet have been complaining that all they did was 'discuss', well, let me say that wasn't the complete truth. I was on there a few times and read innumerable comments that were completely malice and defamatory. I don't feel sorry for them, as they should have hired at least a couple of moderators, no comments were ever deleted on that site. If there was no lese-majeste applicable, the site could have been closed down anyway for breaking another law - defamation, could even call it blasphemy. In fact, i noticed that a lot of the posters at Fah Diew Kan where the same folk posting at formerly jailed blogger's Phra Phichai forums. The two sites promoted each other.

Of course, i don't believe in Draconian lese-majeste laws, but i would like those who have never read forums such as Fah Diew Kan to understand that a lot of these folk posting are not having 'a simple discussion'. Can you remember all the folk who expressed their shock and anger when Phichai and Giyotin were arrested? Even Prachatai were on their case straight away. Friends of Giyotin claimed she only 'discussed'. Are they being serious? honestly? She could simply have been arrested for pornography!..... and she was..

I agree that discussion should be promoted, but i would like to see that disgruntled Thai youths (many of whom studied abroad) who have a loud opinion, express their views in a sensible manner, and not in a style which resembles that of YouTubers. Otherwise, their arrogant manner is not gonna help change the views of royalists.
Finally, i hope that Jon Ungpakorn, Prachatai and the folk at FACT (Freedom Against Censorship Thailand) get to read this.

This is one of many ways which Thai netters have acted with total lack of MATURITY and RESPONBSIBILITY ... They have to Pay Heavy Price in prison cells for their IMMATURITY and IRRESPONBSIBILITY.

[Parinand]

If Thailand claims to be an open society, it must allow open academic discussion on important issues related to the monarchy. Banning or interfering the forum will bring bad reputation to our country. However, the participants must touch on this subject reasonably and responsibly.

[GWR]

Conference link that also asks conference-goers to wear black for the current royal funeral arrangements:

http://www.thaiconference.tu.ac.th

To bypass the 'wear black' splashsheet:
http://www.thaiconference.tu.ac.th/index1.html

Post on a B.J. Terwiel article that seems to have arisen from this conference:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bang...9214#post19214

Conference schedule:
http://www.thaiconference.tu.ac.th/program.html

THAI STUDIES / INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

Princess: Outsiders' views useful

SANITSUDA EKACHAI & ACHARA ASHAYAGACHAT

Academic research and diverse views on Thailand supplied by foreign scholars help Thai society see itself more objectively, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn said yesterday.

''As outsiders, they can see us from afar more clearly because we ourselves are too close to the subject,'' the Princess said while addressing some 500 academics at the opening of an international conference on Thai Studies at Thammasat University.

A wide range of topics and papers will be presented and discussed over the three-day conference, including the ''sufficiency economy'', censorship, the southern violence, Buddhism, sexuality, gender inequality and the monarchy.

In the seminar yesterday, academics lashed out at the inapplicability and irrelevance of the sufficiency economy concept in Thailand, saying the promotion of the principle was a political manoeuvre of the coup-installed government and Thailand's elite.

One of the critics, Peter Bell from the State University of New York at Purchase said the principle was not a coherent and viable economic theory. The United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) recommendation for other countries to apply the approach was not relevant, he added.

''The concept is simply a strong critique of Thai capitalist development. It comes with a sense of anti-globalisation in light of the financial crisis in 1997,'' Mr Bell said.

Andrew Walker of the Australian National University's Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, said the sufficiency economy had become an ideological tool used by the elite to take the pressure off them to address any serious redistribution of income or resources.

HRH Princess Sirindhorn said Thai scholars should conduct their own local research to compare notes with foreign academics' work because better understanding can help the country solve its problems more effectively.

Prof Charles Keyes, a respected anthropologist at the University of Washington, traced the changes of Thailand over the past 40 years in his keynote speech.

He said that Thai villagers had left the sufficiency economy behind to unequivocally embrace the global capitalist system, but their economic decisions, aspirations and life choices remain significantly tempered by the Buddhist teachings based on moderation and self-reliance.

Piriya Krairiksh, an art historian, said that although research on Thailand has shifted from the hands of amateurs a century ago to professional academics, their common aim to create a ''united, free and good'' Thailand remains elusive.

Link may expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/100108_Ne...008_news04.php

There does appear to be a message in the above - that HRH Princess Sirindhorn, as a joint sovereign, might well try to preside over a more 'open' system. The big 'if' in that is, of course, the temperament of her brother and how much he has been influenced by charismatic others (bearing in mind the current clash of two charismatic titans/ogres).

[Wisarut]

Even Comrades from Mainland China have comparedThai Monarchy the monarchy in hte neogibor countries that

He felt very SHcoked when he knew that Princess Kalayaniwatthana passedd away! - Thai Monarchy system is SO in touch and has active interactions with their subject that the comrades would NOT dare to suport the overthrow of the system depsite of theri anti-Class nature

King Sihanuk was active outside the country ... so much that the Cambodian people pointed out that he did not have active interaction with his subjects - rendering the Monachy system irrelevent ...

Lao Monarchy also did not have active interaction with theri subject, so it was overthown ... depite of the good nature of King Savangvatthana and other members of Lao royal family ...

The author has prointed out that if Monarchy did not have continuing active interaction with theri people, they would become irrelevent institute. Even worse, if the individual within Royal family has very bad behaviors, it will IGNITE the wave of revolution ... Look what happened to Emperor of Qin Dynasty and Czar Nicolas II and Czarina of Imperial Russia as a few good examples of Bad Monarchy ...

This should be a wanting to Thai Monarchy to keep in touch with their subjects as well as a warnign tho tose who want to establish the New Capitalist Dynasty through Peresidential SYstem ....

http://www.manager.co.th/Daily/ViewN...=9510000003166

[Nekochan]

When it comes to the time to discuss about Thai monarchy, it does. I often visit Prachatai and the Same Sky and only find increasing topics about Thai monarchy after Sep 19. Based on my judgement, they range from very moderate to extreme ones (very obnoxious, of course). But as they are operated under the law (I do not khow much about this), that should be allowed.

Prachatai has been very quiet since the arrest of Pichai and Ton Chan. They were later released with bail. Since lese majeste' is so universal that it can be intrepreted into...anything, they were not actually pressed charges. (I am not sure)

The nature of the lese majeste' law allows a person to be charged by a third party (actually by anyone) who claims a person made such offence to the monarchy. This becomes a political tool to oppress free speech. Thaksin and CDR did use the same tool and was very effective.

I agree to one thing published in Asia Sentinel lately that Thai monarchy is not truely "institutionised". I presume they meant it depended on personal charisma which person was subjected to natural changes (Could I be more specific?). Therefore, it will be a tough job ahead for the successor whether he (or she) will be.

Paul Handley made a right move by staying in the US. His appearence in Thailand will make everything more complicated. OK! it has been really complicated in this country for the last few years!

[GWR]

Academics Hail Freedom That Comes With Conformism

Beautiful minds from across the globe joined together in Bangkok this week to deconstruct the Socratic method and discuss taboo subjects like vote buying.

BANGKOK - The world’s sharpest brains converged in Thailand this week to hail the country’s post-centennial conformism as liberating its population from independent thought.

“Socrates once said, ‘The highest form of Human Excellence is to question oneself and others.’ But he was also a farang from Europe who was put to death,” Dr Julius Tupp, Distinguished Professor of Anthropology at Sydney Community College in Australia, said in a keynote address at the annual Thai Studies Conference this week.

“A thorough deconstructive analysis of the cultural imposition of such values as freedom of thought finds that looks can be deceiving,” said the professor. “For instance, what thoughts are we really free from? Is freedom really free, or will we then simply become slaves of freedom?”

Attendees at the three-day conference were encouraged to wear the same clothes as an expression of the newfound freedom from freedom of thought. It encouraged participants to resist concepts learned from years of Western liberal indoctrination and embrace new ideas that go against the grain of rational thought.

“Some may laugh if everyone wears the same shirt every day. But I like it; one less thing to think about so I can free up my mind to think about the things I really want to think about,” said Dr Tupp, who recently finished the acclaimed piece “Playing on the beach in Hua Hin: A postmodern analysis of the evolution in the relationship between human beings and sand.”

The academic conference has attracted special attention this year due to several panels that focused on the taboo subject of evil politicians who buy votes from poor people in Isan. This controversial subject is frequently the topic of discussion on web boards, but most people are scared to speak about it publicly due to strict laws that prohibit speaking about the subject. It’s the first time this subject has come to light in an academic setting, and some are hoping the increased scrutiny of politicians will finally allow the common man to see just how these individuals attempt to hold on to power.

“We’re just proud to be speaking about bad politicians and vote buying in public for the first time,” said a professor, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution. “Isan people need to know once and for all that they can’t just sell their votes to scummy politicians. I’m glad this message will finally get out there.”

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30062039

[Stephen Cleary]

Police watch Thai Studies Conference

13-01-08

The 10th triennial Thai Studies Conference, held at Thammasat University January 9-11, was themed “Thai Studies in a Tranationalized World”. 619 academics from dozens of countries attended 105 panels, including a keynote speech by HRH Princess Mahachakri Sirindhorn, over the three days.

More than 100 FACT signers were among the Conference participants as well as making up the core of several panels so it was an excellent opportunity to plan and network against censorship. FACT stickers and CD-ROMs, “Beat the Censors–Unblock ICT!” were made available for free throughout the Conference. There was much fruitful discussion about censorship versus academic freedom, banned books, Internet blocking, film censorship and our role and responsibilities as academics, scholars and intellectuals for fighting censorship to enable freedom of information and knowledge within the greater society.

Book sale tables dominated the entrance to TU’s Dome Building including recently-censored Same Sky Books (Fah Diew Kan). FACT t-shirts were for sale at the Fah Diew Kan table.

Some panels related specifically to the issue of censorship in Thailand. “Truth, the Unreal and Censorship” concerned itself with film censorship and FACT signer Chalida Uabumrungjit, director of the Free Thai Cinema Movement and Thai Film Foundation was one of the panellists.

“Free Media and the Democratization of Mass Communications” was chaired by FACT signer Dr. Ubonrat Siriyuvasak of Chulalongkorn University and its panellists included FACT signer Dr. Pirongrong Ramasoota Rananand, Dean of Chula’s Journalism Department and former FACT coordinator, media activist Supinya Klangnarong, chair of the Campaign for Popular Media Reform and a lecturer at Mahidol University. Perhaps the most memorable quote from this panel was Ajarn Pirongrong: “Free speech is speechless in Thailand.”

For the first time, panels were held discussing the Thai monarchy, a topic which has been firmly rejected when proposed to previous Conferences. Many Thai and foreign journalists were in attendance.

The three panels were grouped into “The Monarchy, Lese Majeste, and One Book”, organised by FACT signer Dr. Thongchai Winichakul of the University of Wisconsin and had indisputably the highest numbers of participants..

The first session, titled “The Accessories of the Monarchy as an Institution” included a fascinating, if circumspect by necessity, examination of the Crown Property Bureau after the 1997 economic crisis by Dr. Porphant Ouyyanont of Sukhothai Thammathirat University; a look at the cult following of Thai citizens venerating the fifth Chakri king, King Chulalongkorn, and Thailand’s present monarch by Dr. Irene Stengs of the Meertens Institute in The Netherlands; and a paper written by Paul Handley, author of The King Never Smiles on the development of the Privy Council to the modern day. Of course, Mr. Handley is persona non grata in Thailand due to accusations of lese majeste which led to the banning of his book in Thailand before its publication and his paper was read by the chair.

Special Branch officers of the Royal Thai Police requested attendance from the Conference organisers and this panel was the first one they attended. Perhaps they thought they might catch Paul Handley!

The second panel in the monarchy series concerned “The Lese Majeste Law: How It Works and How It Fails”. Its first paper by Dr. Somchai Preechasilpakul of Chiangmai University and Dr. David Streckfuss of the University of Wisconsin concerned the misuse and abuse of the law and gave consideration to its abolition by comparison to similar laws in other monarchies.

FACT signer and reporter for The Nation, Pravit Rojanaphruk then discussed “Lese Majeste Law and the Thai Print Media” in the context of the Rodolf Jufer case last year. Using this case as a springboard, discussion was generated about Thai culture of self-censorship, patriotism and the taboo for any public critical discussion of the monarchy. Khun Pravit mentioned that his editors had put pressure on him even several days previously for writing about the closing of Fah Diew Kan’s website over alleged lese majeste.

The final panel, “Critical Comments on Paul Handley’s The King Never Smiles”, chaired by Dr. Michael Herzfeld of Harvard University, was far and away the best-attended panel of the entire Conference. 350-400 people were accommodated in one lecture hall, a separate room, the hallway, the stairs and another lecture hall upstairs to which the panel was televised. At least three Special Branch police officers were also in attendance.

FACT signer and Midnight University founder, Dr. Nithi Eoseewong, discussed the impact of the book on Thai society as the first biography of King Bhumiphol to be published. FACT signer Dr. Craig Reynolds of the Australian National University spoke about the book’s critical intellectual commentary. Dr. Annette Hamilton of the University of New South Wales commented that freedom of speech does not deny loyalty and love for the King. Only Dr. Kobkua Suwannathat-Pian of Malaysia’s Universiti Perguruan Sultan Idris seemed restrained in the lively discussion and many questions from the floor.

The book, its successes and failings, were critically examined during this panel. It is undeniable that The King Never Smiles is a valuable contribution to scholarship on Thailand and opens up a field of enquiry long closed by law and by social convention.

It is at least partly due to the book’s publication that panels on the monarchy were held during the Thai Studies Conference. Perhaps discussion of this vital part of Thai life will be expanded during the next Conference three years from now, to be held at Mahidol University.

The real question is, why have a police presence at an academic conference. The Conference is hardly a hotbed of revolution and includes distinguished academics from around the world. Did they expect us to be intimidated? Did the police find what they were looking for?

CJ Hinke / Freedom Against Censorship Thailand (FACT)

http://facthai.wordpress.com/2008/01...es-conference/

[Stephen Cleary]

FACT also mention that Paul Handley has been afforded 'persona non grata'.

According to an interview though with Handley over at New Mandela last September, he himself doesn't know whether or not he has been blacklisted. Does anyone have any evidence that Handley is blacklisted? I mean we have read it on several occasions before but i haven't seen any proof.

The same goes for his book, we have read that it is banned (like FACT says) and we have also read that it is not (as it simply doesn't exist) and the reason you can't buy it is because the bookstores simply won't sell it. Anyone got anything concrete on this?

[Stephen Cleary]

Ron posted on the main page today that Fah Diew Kan is back online.

According to the Fah Diew Kan 'adminstrator', he wrote that they have moved their server abroad and that's why they are back online.

I noticed that their posters are continuing the same discussions before, let's see if they get blocked.

[Stephen Cleary]

Originally Posted by Wisarut

I have that book in my hand alogn with "Before Faded Away" ... These 2 books are about the Assasination of King Anadamahidol and the aftermath ... and 'Khadee Prawathisat Lorp Palangphrachon' is the detailedd explanation og the eyewithenss acount recorded by the author of "Before Faded Away".

Extremely surprised to have seen this week that this book has soared up the charts.
It is now the #4 best seller at Se-Ed Books..... Seems like there are a lot more Thais interested in this story than before...