Laulen

The troubled South has some of the finest places to visit in Thailand. The present efforts at restoring some law and order there will only have an effect once all the of people there take collective responsibility for the violence and bloodshed, no longer support any idea of 'separatism'.

However, it takes only a few well-armed fanatics to spread fear and suspicion amongst the population. There should be little to worry people about Sharia law being introduced, judging my experiences in Malaysia.

One thing both Buddhist and Muslim should do is to pray for peace, respect, and tolerance of other communities. These troubles are not likely to vanish just because of a change of government, I fear.

An excellent post Hermano Lobo

A letter from a Thai that recognises the difficulties in maintaining law and order in LOS. It is such a sad state of affairs.

Are we any different in other 'farang' countries, or is it that there is a greater degree of 'sophisticated' thuggery?

Laulen

Once again, the authorities overlook the fact that to be an English teacher requires more than just a degree (useful training that this might be!).

Far more pertinent is the experience of teaching that the teaching applicant has had, where that experience was gained, and what TEACHING QUALIFICATIONS specific to the subject being taught does the applicant have.

We have heard nothing of this from the authorities. Once again, as is their right, they choose to ignore 'competent', experienced teachers without a degree. On top of that, for those with a degree, the application process is so long and bureaucratic that it is a wonder anyone is left who actually wants to teach English, for what many may think is a fantastic salary in Thailand, but in comparison even with neighbouring 'developing' nations is quite poor.

Please can the authorities take a more enlightened view in this area.

Laulen

Just briliant! Everyone has a 'grain of truth' in it!

An interesting topic, something I will ponder carefully when considering future investment in Thailand.

Thanks for the comments gals & guys!

An interesting topic. I certainly learned something new for a change. No wonder my wife wants a British Passport, now that she is eligible.

Makes joint travel easier, except of course to LOS. Here's hoping!

What a long-dragged out case this has been. I was in Thailand in 1999 and remember the sensationalism surrounding the whole of this Pathum Thani Wat's activities.

It is certainly very 'media savvy' and uses the latest of technology to promote Buddhism around the country and the world.

Only yesterday, I attended a Kathina Ceremony at their UK temple, near Woking, Surrey; it is inside a former Christian church building.

I have to say that this saga with the former Abbot does not seem to have affected the support of this UK temple. In fact, there are now plans to seek a northern England Dhammakaya temple, possibly in or near Manchester.

Douggie Style - Post 62

What an interesting post! I had never looked at culture and 'truth' in this way.

So, which culture do you prefer to live in, and why?

The diplomatic score should be a draw, don't you think?

It will be interesting to see if this new constitution will be more 'water tight' than the 1997 one. Let us hope so, for the good of all in Thailand, not just those elected to the National Assembly who must be 'Thai by birth'.

Does this mean those of ethnic hilltribes in northern Thailand are excluded from the National Assembly, because they do not have any ID card?

The Assembly will be a less colourful place as a result, I think.

Does this mean that smart ID cards will be going nationwide anytime in the future?

As it is, my wife will have to return to Thailand and Ubon Ratchatani to renew her's sometime before July next year.

Major floods in N Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- The governor of Nonthaburi province declared an official state of emergency this morning when heavy flooding hit thousands of homes and a major tourist attraction.

Governor Pranai Suwannarat said he would immediately start distributing 50 million baht worth of emergency aid on the provincial level, with another five million available from the emergency funds of each district.

The Chao Phraya burst its banks yesterday, as embankments were unable to hold floods from the North, combined with heavy rain in the Bangkok area.

The governor's office said "several thousand" homes were flooded along the river.

Also under water was Koh Kred, a major tourist attraction. The island has an ancient-style Mon village called Kwarn Ar-marn, which produces pottery.

More here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=113235

--Bangkok Post 2006-09-29

How sad! Such a pretty island, with no cars and only the occasional motorbike. I have quite a few of their lovely terracotta pots; memories of happy times on the island.

I do hope that people can support their recovery with the purchase of their distinctive pottery.

Laulen

I always feel so sad for the average Thai. They live in a beautiful country, and yet, without adequate education in the rural areas, so many are duped by political and business leaders, who have nothing but their own self-serving interests to pursue.

I do so much hope that, during the present lifetime of HM The King, Thailand will become a less corruptible place, with the police and civil servants being paid a proper wage without having to resort to second, third and even 'illegal' activities to 'make ends meet!'

Laulen

Let us hope that, when this current crisis resolves itself, there are a few more women in the highest political positions.

Despite what many Thais might think, there are an amazing number of Thai women holding all sorts of professional positions throughout the country. Who will be enlightened enough to give politics a go?

Could they do a better job at healing the apparent rift between city and country.

Perhaps then there will be a greater sense of balance, fairness, and equity for all of Thailand's peoples, whether in the country or the city.

Laulen

It seems that lack of 'transparency' and 'good governance' are absent in other areas of Thai society, if these allegations are to be believed.

Let us hope that the 'new' Thailand that emerges from this current political crisis will be cleaner, more free, and fairer for all than in previous times.

I hope those stuck in Burma (Myanmar) have deep pockets. It could be some time before the authorities reopen the border crossing point.

Two weeks before the appointment of a 'Prime Minister'??

From BBC News..

Gen Sonthi claimed he was acting in line with the wishes of the Thai people....

In the interim, he said, a new national assembly would be appointed to draft a new, permanent constitution.

What was wrong with the 1997 constitution? I recall reading it and it sounded fair enough. It isn't the constitution that is wrong, it is the people who are responsible for safeguarding its principles from those in the top echelons of Thai society who, through personal greed and selfishness want to have all the power, politics, and purchasing power for themselves.

No wonder some people call Thaksin Mr. 'Toxin'. It is a shame that so many poor rural people appear to have been 'bought' by his cheap lines of credit, and the 30Baht health scheme. It is understandable though!

Let's hope that whoever is next in power (a woman perhaps???) can maintain a sense of fairness and justice for those poor of Thailand, whether in the city or the countryside.

Laulen

For those of you unaware, here is the full text, in English from the leaders of the military coup:

This is the full text of the statement read on Thai TV on Wednesday by Army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, following Tuesday's coup:

Dear fellow countrymen and women, the Administrative Reform Group Under the Democratic System with the King as the Head of State, has successfully seized the administrative power.

As a result, the constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand , the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Cabinet, and the Constitution Court have ceased to exist.

In this connection, the Administrative Reform Group Under the Democratic System with the King as the Head of State - comprising the supreme commander and commanders of the armed forces and the National Police Bureau - has the opinion that the administration of the country by the caretaker government has created severe division unprecedented in Thai society.

The practices of corruption and malfeasance and nepotism are apparently rampant within the bureaucracy.

Moreover, there is interference with independent organizations to the extent that they are unable to perform their duties or resolve problems of the country.

If the situation is allowed to continue, national stability and economy will be affected as a whole.

Occasional political activities could have affected the dignity of His Majesty the King - the beloved monarch of the Thai people.

Therefore, the Reform Group Under the Democratic System with the King as the Head of State has the necessity to seize the administrative power in order to control and rectify the situation and bring normalcy to the country and quickly restore the people's unity.

In so doing, the Reform Group Under the Democratic System with the King as the Head of State wishes to reaffirm that it has no intention to become the administrator of the country itself, and it will return the democratic administrative power with the king as the head of state to the Thai people as soon as possible.

The group has pledged to maintain peace and order and preserve the stability of the beloved nation of the Thai people. We hereby request our fellow countrymen and women to stay calm and support our noble aspirations.

Thank you.

Gen Sonthi appeared in front of portraits of the king and queen

copyright - BBC News 2006

The leader of Thailand's military coup, Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, has said a new PM would be named within two weeks.

"We have two weeks. After two weeks, we will step out," Gen Sonthi told a news conference. He said coup leaders were considering candidates.

The figurehead of Tuesday night's bloodless coup made the assurance at a news conference in Bangkok.

Coup leaders have said PM Thaksin Shinawatra's alleged corruption and divisiveness forced them to act.

from http://news.bbc.co.uk

BANGKOK (Reuters) - The Thai army declared martial law nationwide in the early hours of Wednesday after a coup to dismiss Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a coup spokesman said in a televised address.

He also ordered all soldiers to report to their barracks and banned troop movements unauthorized by the coup leaders.

The army took control of Bangkok and announced it would set up a commission to reform the constitution despite Thaksin declaring a state of emergency from New York.

After tanks surrounded Government House in the country's first coup in 15 years, all television channels relayed a written statement saying the armed forces and police were in control of Bangkok and surrounding provinces, and appealed for calm.

It said the armed forces and police had set up a commission to decide on political reforms, ousting Thaksin in the midst of protracted political crisis in which he was accused of undermining democracy.

Weerasak Kohsurat, a deputy minister in a prior government, told Reuters he believed royal adviser Sumate Tantivejakul would head the reform commission and an interim government would be formed while political reforms were agreed.

Elections would be called soon and Thaksin would be allowed to take part, he said.

The statement was broadcast shortly after Thaksin called a television station to make a statement from New York, where he is attending a United Nations summit.

"I declare Bangkok under a severe state of emergency," he said.

The transmission stopped after 10 minutes while the billionaire telecoms tycoon-turned-politician, whose critics accuse him of corruption and abuse of power, was still talking.

The capital remained quiet, according to the television message and Reuters reporters.

Inside Government House, around 50 soldiers ordered police in the complex to lay down their weapons, a witness said.

In his television statement, Thaksin ordered troops not to "move illegally" and told army commander-in-chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin to report to acting Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya.

He also ordered Armed Forces Supreme Commander Ruangroj Mahasaranond to implement the emergency order.

Even though Thailand's last military coup was 15 years ago, speculation about military intervention has been rife, with motorists calling traffic radio stations last week after tanks were spotted rolling down streets of the capital.

That proved to be a false alarm, with the army saying it was merely soldiers returning from exercises.

A general election scheduled for October was postponed last week, probably until November.

The Thai baht fell immediately after reports of tanks approaching the center of the capital.

Reuters...© Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved.

Russell Miles, Brit expat on streets of Bangkok reporting live to BBC World.

'no signs of panic' All major intersections blocked off. Many people just wandering round.

Thai Armed Forces have dismissed the Thai Government, and have revoked the Constitution... BBC World.

Advice received by Russell Miles that he should not go to work tomorrow (today your time).

Bangkok Post and The Nation websites reportedly blocked.

Thai Police visiting some expats in Bangkok to advise them to stay inside... reports from emails sent to the BBC Newsdesk

Reports in general are stating an air of confusion (nothing unusual?) currently in obtaining reliable information from Bangkok.

Thaksin reported to be 'calm' and awaiting his turn to address the UN General Assembly later this evening; time unknown.

No news available re: Martial Law and curfew times as yet... sorry.

US Ambassador to UN states is 'non-commital' to news of the military coup in Thailand, calling for a return to the 'rule of law' ... BBC World

Thai King is reportedly 'very disillusioned' with Thaksin, reports BBC World

Thailand has now blocked broadcast of BBC World just now, but I can still see it from the UK