Saturday 22 November 2008

Historical Document (again)


The simple phrase to decribe the conflict that has been going on is "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth". 

I've got another historical document which I think makes my collection better. The earlier post is from the PAD's perspective. This one is from UDD. 

Do doubt that these documents will be so valuable in the next couple of decades.

 

Tuesday 28 October 2008

Conflict within religion


Has anyone finished reading Ricklefs' "Polarising Javanese Society"? It would be great to hear people giving comments on it. I haven't finished the book, but interested in his main argument posing a question on the conflict within Javanese Islamic communities.


This argument is interesting especially in the current world, where lights are shed only on the religious conflict without realizing that sometime conflicts between religions are not as serious as the conflict among the believers of the same thing.


Let's talk about it.

P.S. Can anyone please recommend blogs or websites on Southeast Asian literature?


Tuesday 21 October 2008

Historical documents


I recommend those who pocess anything concerning current political events (i.e. photos, documents, video clips, and so forth) to keep them as many as possible. For the next couple of decades, they will become valuable sources for the next generation. 

I don't believe those who say "time will prove one's guilt". For me, it depends on "who" hold the power at the time. Whether former PM Thanksin will become a hero or a villain, it's up to those who will be holding power to 'produce' knowledge or able to 'write' history legitimately. 

Also, do remember as many details as possible. One day you will have to pass this story onto the youngers. 

Be fair to every side. 


Friday 17 October 2008

Hopes are fading?

More than 100 NLD youth resigned complaining that they can't participate in any potitical activities, The Irrawaddy reports

Are Southeast Asian youths no longer active in politics? 

I don't think so. They always ready, but the situation is not ripe yet.

Keep monitoring, youth of the nation.

Wednesday 15 October 2008

Thai-Cambodian Conflict: another test for ASEAN

A situation at the border between Thailand and Cambodia deteriorates in the past 24 hours. The conflict extends from the previous dispute over the Prae Vihear Temple a couple of months ago. 

So far there are injuries and death from both side. Diplomatic methods are in order to stop this conflict at its early stage.

This is a test; not only for Thailand and Cambodia, but for all the ASEAN members. 

Thailand will host the ASEAN meeting later this year. This conflict might create an end to that occasion. It is very important that ASEAN countries must come together to weather the world's economic bust which will be inevitable for Southeast Asia. 

If the conflict is not solved any time soon. It will prove another failure of ASEAN as a regional organization. 

Let's prioritize the problem. 

P.S.  Detailsaresketchy might give you some updates 

Saturday 11 October 2008

A new leadership for UMNO

As PM Badawi officially annonced a decision to give up his premiership, we might be able to learn something. 

He also gives an interesting suggestion that common people should be able to join Barisan directly if they do not like the opposition's policy. 

This might be another way to stop Anwar? 

Not sure, let's see.


Sunday 5 October 2008

Sri-thanonchai is the way


      "Sri-thanonchai" is Thailand's folklore about a chap who tricked everyone especially the authority to get what he wanted. The story is so famous as it represents the challenge of commoners to the rulers. Sri-thanonchai stories are in dark-comedy, parody, and sarcastic genres. 
      Prachatai blogged(in Thai) , (in English) the performance by Thee Lay Thee, a group of burmese comedians, at Chiang Mai University which I think is interesting. You can read the detail in the links. 
      Thee Lay Thee is like Sri-thanonchai in some sense. They represent a resentment of the Burmese commoners against the mil. govt. 
       
       No matter how effective it is, this kind of sentiment must go on. 

       Being Sri-thanonchai is the way. 

P.s. Can anyone please add and describe Sri-thanonchai  in Wikipedia?
      
  

Monday 29 September 2008

Anniversary of the Saffron Revolution


It has been a year since the Saffron Revolution. What happend thereafter? 
Myanmar suffered from cylone Nargis with more than 2ooK people dead. Aids from various international organizations were blocked and everybody (well, not sure about China) condemned the military govt. 

No response. 

The Nargis event was the most obvious and direct effect of how dictatorial leadership can cause disaster. If the regime is more relax on information, less people would suffer and the number would not be this high. Because media in Myanmar were restricted, people have not much chance to receive any information including the cyclone warning.  

We can see that people's voices are getting louder these days.  Let's hope that change will come soon. 



Tuesday 23 September 2008

Parallel politics

I think Thai and Malay politics today have something in common. 

Situations show the struggle of power between two groups; those who tried to secure interests (because they feel threatened) and those who ask for a share, if not a replacement, of power. 

The problem is a classic: Resources are limited, so everybody must fight for it. 

Events in Thailand illustrate that the fundamental power is still strong (some scholars call it "bureaucratic polity", which I think quite problematic in the current context). The former PM - who now bases in London - is a good example. The consevative force support those who align themselves closely with it. However, it seems that the conservative force changed its appearance in many ways. (bluntly, it knows how to spend the money and spend it well!) 
This situation is reflected from Thai history when power could not be easily decentralized.

In Malaysia, the UMNO seem to have quite a problem because it does not hold as strong power as it used to. The development of parliamentary system is working in Malay politics this time.  UMNO does not have too many methods to secure popularity like the fundamental power in Thailand does. It is interesting to see how Anwar's parliamentary means will work this time. 

 Malaysia will experience a change in politics way sooner than Thailand.

Ps. Those who are interested in Southeast Asian literature and living in Thailand, go to see the introduction of Southeast Asian writers at the Thai National Library, Fri 26 Sept, 2pm 

  

Saturday 30 August 2008

Thailand's S.E.A Write Awards 2008

Congratulations to Watchara Satchasarasin's (วัชระ สัจจะสารสิน) short stories "เราหลงลืมอะไรบางอย่าง" [We have forgotten something] on winning Thailand's S.E.A. Write Awards 2008

Ps. A review from Laughable Love's blog might give you some idea. Unfortunately, it's in Thai.



Friday 29 August 2008

A change to come

I don't think this government will last another month, to be the most optimistic.

With Thaksin fading from the scene, fractions among politicians are more visible than ever. We will now able to see the real opportunists stepping on the foreground of Thai politics.

I have one remark:
Since the 1970s, political conflict in Thailand has become less apprent in terms of ideology. That is, it is not the dictatorship VS democracy battle as it use to be in the last half century. Rather, democracy became an instrument for some groups to use as means to power.
Now you can see artists, poets, and musicians who opposed the military government in the 1970s turn to oppose the elected government.

I wonder...is this just manipulation?

Ps. If anyone wants to catch up, Bangkok Pundit provides the best current situation in English.

Friday 8 August 2008

8-8-88


Twenty years ago, Burma went through a situation in which is still debatable today whether it was "hope" or "failure".


Suu Gyi's National League of Democracy (NLD) was established and won the election over the SPDC. But the result was cancelled by the army.


Today, many countries are pressuring Myanmar. But as we can see, nothing has changed much.


According to Mary P Callahan's new monograph, maybe we might see a change sometimes soon?


I mourne to those who lost their lives in 8-8-88.

Tuesday 29 July 2008

History repeats itself.

This is the first time I update my blog outside my home. I am at Siam Square, a place where all the Thai teenagers hang out.

I sit in the middle of the crowd. My mind drifts to so many places I shouldn't have. I should spend my time thinking about something not serious, right? No; My mind says.

News about political 'clean up' runs across my eyes. If you learn history well enough, you will see that history repeats itself.

However, I don't mean that we can predict what is going to happen. Instead, things can happen in a different form but still contain the same essense.

A clique who is holding a power will not let anyone invade thier 'territory of interest'.

It's the same everywhere, though a different form.

We must be able to see the truth behind it.

Wednesday 23 July 2008

Where is the way out?


Thailand is facing a very hard time politically and economically like her neighbours in the region. The country is divided between the PAD and the anti-PAD group which turns out to be more and more violent. As far as analyses from various sources go, the way out of this complex situation would not appear easily.


Political movements on the street involve a large amount of 'capital', either money or ideology. The sad thing is: all these movements serve the purpose of only a small group of people.


What a shame.

Saturday 21 June 2008

Was it just a dream?

Will ASEAN countries be like they were in the 1980s?

Robert McMahon observes that ASEAN was one of the "most dynamic area" in world economy back in the eighties.

Of course, there are many factors that made ASEAN become a gold pot; Cold War, the U.S. involvement, industrialization, and so forth.

Was it just a dream?

Thursday 12 June 2008

What do we do?

The world is facing an economic stagnation and Southeast Asia is no exception. Oil and commodity price are roaring.

What do Southeast Asian governments do?

Thailand and Indonesia are having quite a similar policy to help poor people by reserving some goods i.e. rice to sell to the poor cheaply. Indonesia is going to have rice-for-poor packages to sell and Thailand is having "blue-flag" project by reserving some goods to sell at the price lower than the market rate.

My first question is: who are the poors?

and my second question concerns economic perspective: Does this distort the market machanism?

Ps. Malaysia's PM announced that the oil price in Malaysia will not increase again for the rest of the year. I don't think it is possible.

Tuesday 10 June 2008

Good Governance in Developing Countries


I have attended Prof.Mushtaq H. Khan's inaugural talk today. He talks about "good governance" in developing countries.

He argues by casting doubts on the issue about wheather good governance is either achievable or necessary for developing countries in order to have economic developement. There is no country in history that has been through this process; by having a good governance an then follow by economic development.

He concludes that each country has its own particular kind of patron-client relationship and needs to be reformed in a particular way.

Throwing somewhat a vague concept calls "good governance" to those countries cannot make their economic develop.

Monday 2 June 2008

The vicious cycle of politics

To be honest, I don't want to talk about the current political situation that much. As a historian, it is too early to analyze. Let this be an exception.

The PAD has come out to the streets again. Nothing new. Somehow I agree with those people who condemn the media for making this matter too salient.

I cannot understand why the PAD's supporters do not see what is the most urgent matter for the country. Prices are roaring, don't expect that the new government can make everything better overnight.

I tell you; whether you guys win or loose, you will be suffered, not your leaders. Those people are getting even richer from this situation.

You are being used!

Ps. However, I don't think they will succeed. No support from above.

Thursday 29 May 2008

A change from Nepal

Finally, Nepal has become the world's newest republic after a majority of constituent assembly has voted to abolish the 240-year-old monarchy. A brief news is here.

What does this situation tells us?

It depends on how the rulers rule their countries, no matter what kind of regimes there are. The country would still be, more or less, stable as long as the people are happy i.e. having money in thier pockets.

This leads me to think that: At the end of the day, is the rightest regime really a regime, or a management of people's selfishness? Do people actually need any kind of regime or they just want the ruler to make them prosper?

I think it is too extreme. Because if everyone's selfish, how can we instill a sense of public responsibility to the people?

What does it take to make a change?

The ruler, or the people?

Thursday 8 May 2008

Military Rules in Southeast Asia

Whilst I am studying for the exam, a question emerged on the topic about the military rule in Southeast Asia.

In 1960s many countries in the region were ruled by military cliques; Burma under Ne Win; Thailand under Thanom; Indonesia under Suharto. It looks like these countries were moving into an "effective body of administration" after the chaotic period that preceded it.

Basically, because the army had arms, it then pocessed coercive power which by that time was the most effective way to control the restless situation under the shortest time being. However, more importantly, some groups gained interest from being involved in the politics; military regimes were main investors in Burma and Indonesia during the time. In Thailand, the leaders seemed to enjoy a personal interest from US aid programme especially the Military Assistant Programme. That is why they still wanted to cling onto power.

What about the west? or What about those countries that mil. has divorced from the government already?



Tuesday 6 May 2008

Lese Majeste charges against Chotisak.

I think what Chotisak is doing is too early, too soon. There are other methods he could adopt rather than not standing up in the cinema. I am not saying that he hasn't have the right to do it but he fails to realize that the other side could turn violent on him. Too risky.

If talking about "The King Never Smile" is still being banned, you are not doing it in the right time, Chotisak (and others). Wait first, the situation is not ripe yet.
Ps.
- I mourne for those who has lost thier lives in Burma due to the cyclone Nargis. The number is here.
- I see two changes in the world today:
1) Olmert and Abbas are moving towards easing Israeli-Palestinian tension.
2) Hu Jin Tao is scheduled to visit Japan.

Monday 14 April 2008

Roaring rice price

Are we really going to say goodbye to a cheap foodstuffs? It's worrying that foods are getting more and more expensive these days.

Rice price makes the record. I don't want to be too pessimistic by saying that, no too far in the future we will witness the food-war.

We are having an oil-war, aren't we?

It is possible.

Monday 7 April 2008

Farewell to Dith Pran










Dith Pran has just passed away on the 30th March.




May he rest in peace.

Tuesday 25 March 2008

Self-Sufficiency Economy

Perhaps Economists in the 'developmentalism' school are not, or do not want to, understand the economic system (if it is a system) called 'self-sufficiency economy'.

No, I am not talking about superficial trend most Thais are adopting. Last year, I am amazed by the billboard-size advertisement at the toll way terminal to Muang-Thong Thani. It was a polo shirts ad. saying [in Thai] "Do good for the father[which means, I think, the king], wear self-sufficiency economy polo shirts."

I don't mind the fact that they are selling things, but they're 'taking advantage of the moment' very unfairly. We know how effective advertisements to the people today. Instead of encouraging people to spend less, this company told people to spend money (in order to) be good!
Many works on economic developments tend to aviod talking about self-sufficiency economy. This is because it doesn't effect growth. Right now the 'greenness' becomes the world's biggest trend. You have to have a cloth bag. You have to have a hybrid car. You have to consume organic food. etc. etc.

It fell into another superficiality calls 'enoughism'.

At the end of the day, people are buying 'green' stuff just to show others that they are conscious about climate change. It becomes 'fashion'.

I'm not trying to confuse you by mixing climate change and self-sufficiency economy together. They are related.

When we spend less, we create less pollution, don't we?

I have a story for you:

A businessman went on a vacation at the beach. As dusk almost fell in his first day, he saw an old man sitting by the sea, staring at the sky for a long time until it got dark.
He carried his curiosity to his sleep. Then the next day, around the same time he saw the same old man again. This time he walked to that old man. He began to ask.
"Sir, why are you sitting here doing nothing?"
"I am enjoying the view, young man." the old man replied.
"Aren't you suppose to be working?" the businessman continued.
The old an smiled, looked at him without any answer. He replied with a question;
"What do we get from working?"
A young businessman was surprised, he replied;
"money?"
"And what do you after that?" the old man asked further.
"Umm...find more money?"
"And?"
"Then I'll buy a house, a car...I don't know" he began to hesitate.
"Then when you get older, say, retired. What would you do?" the old man did not stop smiling.
"Well, I might take a rest, find happiness, I suppose."
The old man stood up, held his hands and said;

"That's what I am doing right now, my friend"
----

ps. I don't mean that you should stop working, don't get me wrong!

Sunday 23 March 2008

The Killing Fields


I have watched "The Killing Field" during the past weekend. It has been so long since I wanted to watch it. It is based on true story about a freindship between an American and Cambodian journalists, Sidney Schanberg and Dith Pran. The movie covers the Khmer Rouge era(1975-1979), when innocent Cambodians were slaughtered. It shows how Pran could survive the killings during his hardest years as a captive.

I like this movie though it's quite depressing. But who can deny that Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge period was not the most depressing one?

Cambodia took an agony it didn't cause. It was a changing international circumstances, especially major powers' conflict, that put Cambodia into that position. A new phase of the Cold War; U.S.-China rapprochement; Beijing and Moscow tension over Southeast Asia, brought about naive people's agony.

I just don't want the movie to end happy.

Because there was no happy ending in Cambodia.

Saturday 22 March 2008

Do Southeast Asians have entrepreneurial mind?

While I am working on my assignment about the connection of Southeast Asia to the world economy in the ninteenth century. A question came up; Do Southeast Asians have an entrepreneurial mind?

World capitalist system arrived in the region in many ways; An expansion of colonial empires from Britain, Dutch, Spain, France, and the U.S. Also, the Chinese and Indians came to the region for their economic activities.

Colonial powers as well as the Chinese and Indians were major forces in transforming the region to become a part of world's market.

Had natives initiated their own businesses?

One theory suggests that Southeast Asian farmers were formally self-sufficient. Then, after an arrival of colonial powers, they were drawn into the market economy.

Another theory shows that Southeast Asia was already part of World market (like Tony Reid's SEA in the Age of Commerce) but not in the perfect form, not consistence.

I argue that SEAsians do have entrepreneurial mind.

King Rama III of Siam had de-monopolized some economic activities even before the arrival of Sir. John Bowring. Furthermore, Burmese smallholders themselves were the intermidiaries for the selling/buying of goods to the British. In Java, after communal land system was demolished, Javanese competed to own land for cultivation.

Let's discuss.


Ps. Irawaddi's slide show on Burma's road to independence. Nice pictures.

Tuesday 18 March 2008

"Morality" and Thai politics

There are many disscussions about 'morality' and Thai politics today. I have watched Chu-Pitch TV in Prachatai.com the other day, Ajarn Pitch talked about the role of morality and Thai politics.

Ajarn Pitch focused on morality(Sin-la-tham) in democracy. He says that democracy is the system to manage 'selfishness' of the people(I agree with this Hobbsian approache) and to tell whether there is any morality in domocracy, we have to see how much can the elected represent the need of the people. He concluded that, in this regard, it is possible only to see morality 'inside' or 'outside' politics.

Morality in Buddhist notion will not be discussed in this context.

Just like Ajarn Somsak's article on the lastest Matichon Weekly about Pridi's project to legalize and set up casinos at Thai's border in 1938. Because the state had demolished some kind of tax, which would cost a big loss. Therefore, Pridi decided to build casinos to generate income for the state.

Ajarn Somsak also argue that talking about morality in Buddhist notion in present context is not pragmatic.

Nowadays, so many people are talking about morality(Buddhist notion) in politics. Which is a very subjective topic to find the ground.

Let's stick to something touchable.

Monday 17 March 2008

Thai Studies

1st point
It is interesting reading Ajarn Kasien's Article (I'm sorry, it's in Thai) about "democracy". It has been many decades since scholars, both Southeast Asians and non-Southeast Asians, are trying to answer the question: Are Southeast Asian countries suitable for democracy?

I think there are several questions we need to ask in order to answer such a question;

- What is democracy?

- Is there anything called 'relativism of democracy'?

- What does it take to be a democratic country?

- etc. etc.

2nd point

New Mandala has posted a summary from the International Conference on Thai Studies on Handley panel. Very interesting.

But, what is 'network monarchy'?

Is it a contemporary phenomenon or kings set up this kind of network before?

Ajarn McCargo's phrase got so famous!

I think it's the 2oth-21st century phenomenon. If you don't count King Chula's family network against the Bunnags.


Wednesday 12 March 2008

The Rise of Vietnam

I don't think there were that many people in 1975 who thought that Vietnam will become like it is today.
Vietnam's GDP grows around 7% annually for the past decade.

Through the end of last year, Viet Nam's growth rate exceeded that of Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, South Korea and even India, its closest rival.

Mega-projects are also on their ways; main roads, infrastructers, etc.

The important thing is that, 'education' is the first priority for the government.

Such a hot spot.

But, don't forget that Thailand was also in this position before.

Don't forget that economic growth isn't the only thing people need.

Don't make the same mistake like your neighbors.

Tuesday 11 March 2008

Which road it leads to?


The election result from Malaysia makes me think of what's going on in Indonesia.
If anyone can remember, in Nov 2007, Indonesia won the Democracy Awards from International Association of Political Consultants (IAPC) for its progress toward democracy for the past nine years. An interesting thing is, usually this award will be given to individuals e.g.Nelson Mandela, Aung San Suu Kyi, etc. But this time, it is given to the entire nation!

Yeah, since its independence in 1945, this might be the time that can be called the 'calmest' period so far. But the diversity and, especially, the uneaqual policies from the state could possibly lead to a grave situation.

In Indonesia, Shariah Law could create fractions among the people. Even though 90 per cent of the population is muslims, but the majority of people are moderate, not fundamental. Is it a time to reconsider since not that many poeple are recieving a benefit form it?

In Malaysia, Bhumi-Putra policy stemmed from biases against the other races. But it was understandable from the context in history.
But at present, isn't it the time to reconsider? Isn't the election result starting to prove something?
So, what are these policies lead to?
I hope the answer is peace.
Ps. Irawaddy magazine had an interview with "Ad Carabao", a famouse Thai singer, on his support to free Shan State here.

Monday 10 March 2008

Malaysia Election Result


Here is the election result in Malaysia, 8 March 2008 :

The Barisan Nasional (BN) has lost 2/3 majority in parliament. It recieved less votes; 137 out of 222 seats, less than 62 per cent.

Despite that, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says that he will not resign. Instaed, he will try to strengthen UMNO again. Today he has sworn as PM.

It is interesting that, this is the worst election result for UMNO since Malaysia's independence in 1957. It shows that Malaysians want something new for the country.

The result shows that the people from periphery are feeling upset with UMNO, which I think its priority is on central area of the peninsular.

Maybe this is a turn of Malaysia politics. And the decline of UMNO as the dominate party.

What about the minorities?


Sunday 9 March 2008

'Niras' Bangkok


"Niras" is one kind of Thai poem. It is composed when a poet has left the place where he belongs.

I wonder if Khun Thaksin writes a niras, what will he put into each line?

Grief, Sorrow, Anger, Pitiness, Forgive, Unforgive, etc.

His action at Suvarnabhumi airport was interpreted into a thousand ways. Scholars, Sympathizers, Supporters, opponents, etc. shared their opinions in many places including newspapers, TV, radios, and websites.

A family reunion after a year and six months.

After this, he will spend times fighting in courts. Meanwhile, Thai politics will be more and more interesting.

Gosh, I still wanna know who killed the people in the New Year bombing 2006!
Ps. I saw this in Asia Portal, it's about the 2006 coup and beyond. Interesting.

Saturday 8 March 2008

Protest in Kuala Lumpur




Of course, unrest in Kuala Lumpur at the moment is not surprising. If Furnivall's 'Plural Society' is something applicable for this situation, I would say that we can expect a lot more protest like this across the region.

'People at the interstices' became a hot topic in many Southeast Asian countries, regardless whether they were colonized or not. As far as democarcy concerns, voices from the margin has to be put into focus for every "elected" governments in the region.

For example, the growing strength of civil societies in Thailand indicates that 'small- people' have gained more attention from policy makers and they can form a strong front to negotiate with the state. I argue that analyses from some scholars that Thai democracy went backward to the pre-1932 era are not fully correct. This is because the fruit from the development of democracy is the formation of strong civil societies as we can see today.

Malaysian politics is more or less shaped by the British rule since the 19th century. The division of races is a result of how the colonial administration managed its colony. This perception was inherited to many Malay politicians. The most apparent can be seen in Mahatir's The Malay Dilemma.
My purpose is not to find someone to blame. Instead, if we try to understand the cause of certain social phenomena in history, we might find a chance not to step on our own footprint again,
even though it happens all the time.