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Jonathan Fairfield
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OPINION: Why international kids who grew up in Thailand don’t speak ThaiBy Almanya Narula
OPINION – As a young Thai-Indian citizen who has spent almost twenty years of her life in the Land of Smiles, it is tragic to learn that “Mai Khao Chai” and “Phut Thai Mai Pen” are the primary sentences I use on a day-to-day basis.This is also a common phenomenon shared among many of my peers, who were also educated in international schools across Thailand.According to a former Thai professor of mine, the reason for such negligence of the culture and language traces back to a lack of relevant Thai history and language lessons in international schools, causing “a lot of students to not realize the importance of knowing the language and culture”.It’s true, and it is also true that one can not fully understand the importance of something unless they are made aware of its existence. International schools drive us to form our own independent opinions, however, when the only subjects that are discussed in classrooms revolve around western cultures, there is very little opportunity for students to get accustomed to Thai culture and form opinions on it.
-- Coconuts Bangkok 2015-09-10
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First game, Stockport County v Plymouth in 1992
3-0 win for County.
First game my Dad took me to. I was only young and just remember the crowd seemed so loud, even though there was probably only about 3,000 there.
Sat in wooden seats in the main stand.
Still have the match program at home.
Anyway, that was the start and been a County fan ever since, through the few good times and all the bad times.
Seats!!!
Well posh lad lol
First time anyone from Stockport has ever been described as posh!
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4,000 unlicensed health care providers in CambodiaThe Ministry of Health yesterday issued a tally of illegal health-service providers in the country, saying there were nearly 4,000 such facilities as of August.Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854871-4000-unlicensed-health-care-providers-ministry/
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Two brought in over alleged Angkor scam of a Brit touristProvincial police in Siem Reap are looking into allegations that two men working at the Angkor Wat temple complex scammed a tourist after he partook in an incense-lighting ritual and received fake cash as change when trying to make a donation.
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Cambodia backs off threat to scrap Australian refugee dealCambodia agreed on Wednesday to take in more refugees from an Australian detention center in the South Pacific, despite having indicated earlier it would pull out of the controversial resettlement agreement having taken in only four people.
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First game, Stockport County v Plymouth in 1992
3-0 win for County.
First game my Dad took me to. I was only young and just remember the crowd seemed so loud, even though there was probably only about 3,000 there.
Sat in wooden seats in the main stand.
Still have the match program at home.
Anyway, that was the start and been a County fan ever since, through the few good times and all the bad times.
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Apple stakes new claim to living room, shows new iPhonesSAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Apple staked a new claim to the living room on Wednesday, as the maker of iPhones and other hand-held gadgets unveiled an Internet TV system that’s designed as a beachhead for the tech giant’s broader ambitions to deliver a wide range of information, games, music and video to the home.
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Myanmar president wants ceasefire ahead of electionsMyanmar President Thein Sein has made his first public appearance since the start of a campaign for November 8 general elections, meeting leaders of ethnic armed groups for ceasefire talks.Read more: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854864-myanmar-president-wants-ceasefire-ahead-of-elections/
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Almost US$20 billion in dirty money left Myanmar in five decades - researchersKUALA LUMPUR (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Almost US$20 billion (13 billion pounds) in dirty money linked to corruption, crime and tax evasion has left Myanmar in the past five decades, slashing government revenue and driving a thriving underground economy, a money-laundering watchdog said on Wednesday.
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Cambodian NGOs, Provincial Officials Applaud Interior Minister’s Warning Against Illegal FishingCambodian nongovernmental organizations and officials in Sihanoukville province have applauded a warning issued earlier this week by Interior Minister to local authorities to not accept bribes from Thai and Vietnamese fishermen to fish in the Southeast Asian nation’s waters.
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Myanmar president wants ceasefire ahead of electionsMyanmar President Thein Sein has made his first public appearance since the start of a campaign for November 8 general elections, meeting leaders of ethnic armed groups for ceasefire talks.At the opening of the talks in the capital Naypyitaw on Wednesday, Thein Sein stressed the importance of peace in the country's "transition to democracy" through peace."I hope today's summit will pave the way to signing the nationwide ceasefire agreement by the end of September," he said.Clinching the deal with the armed groups would be a political win for Thein Sein, who made it his top priority, boosting the chances of his ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party in the first general elections since the end of military rule.He said that he wants the ceasefire signed by September 29. Other reports said it the agreement could be signed at the beginning of October.Full story: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/09/myanmar-president-ceasefire-elections-150909062753824.html-- Al Jazeera 2015-09-10
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Almost US$20 billion in dirty money left Myanmar in five decades - researchersKUALA LUMPUR (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Almost US$20 billion (13 billion pounds) in dirty money linked to corruption, crime and tax evasion has left Myanmar in the past five decades, slashing government revenue and driving a thriving underground economy, a money-laundering watchdog said on Wednesday.Fraudulent invoicing of trade deals and physical smuggling of drugs, timber, gems and other goods pose big challenges to Myanmar, which will hold its first general elections next month since the end of military rule, U.S.-based Global Financial Integrity said in a report.Illicit financial inflows have accelerated in the past few years as the economy has opened up, and over the past five decades were four times as big as outflows, it said."Myanmar must be one of the most porous countries in the world," GFI economist Joseph Spanjers, the report's co-author, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation."It is a serious challenge for the country as tax losses due to illicit flows are robbing it of crucial public funds."Long isolation and trade restrictions during the nearly 50-year-long reign of a military government until 2011 and attempts to regulate currency exchange rates have combined to drive a substantial part of Myanmar's economy underground, GFI said.The Southeast Asian country, one of the poorest in the region, is not alone in grappling with the negative impacts of illicit financial flows.
-- Thomson Reuters Foundation/ Channel News Asia 2015-09-10
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Netflix plans expansion to 4 more Asian marketsHONG KONG (AP) — Netflix said Wednesday it’s planning to enter four more Asian markets next year as the Internet video streaming service steps up its international expansion.
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iPhone 6s and 6s Plus to be revealed on WednesdayAs many readers of Thai Tech will already know, new iPhones are expected to be announced on Wednesday 9th September, at the 7000-seater Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco.
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Convicted British pedophile is heard on appeal in CambodiaThe Court of Appeal in Phnom Penh yesterday heard the case of an English national previously sentenced to eight years in prison for sexually assaulting four young girls last year, though a final verdict has been delayed by the judge until September 17.Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854648-convicted-british-pedophile-is-heard-on-appeal/
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Myanmar's Suu Kyi opens election campaign on FacebookYANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Just five years ago, when Aung San Suu Kyi was still under house arrest, she commented that one day she hoped to get a Twitter account and chat with the outside world.Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854691-myanmars-suu-kyi-opens-election-campaign-on-facebook/
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Key issues for Myanmar's upcoming general electionYANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Campaigning kicked off Tuesday for Myanmar's Nov. 8 general election, which is expected to be the Southeast Asian country's most credible vote in more than a half-century.Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854688-key-issues-for-myanmars-upcoming-general-election/
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Football-obsessed Yangon fish seller makes entire staff wear Chelsea shirtsYANGON:-- Football fans are known for their die-hard loyalty to their teams, but it’s hard to beat the dedication of Yangon-based fish seller U Myint Lwin.
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Myanmar's Suu Kyi opens election campaign on FacebookYANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Just five years ago, when Aung San Suu Kyi was still under house arrest, she commented that one day she hoped to get a Twitter account and chat with the outside world.On Tuesday, the opposition leader kicked off campaigning for Myanmar's historic Nov. 8 general election with a Facebook post — one of many signs of how far the country and its most recognizable politician have come in a few years.In a video message, Suu Kyi called the upcoming election "a crucial turning point for our country."Suu Kyi, who enjoys huge public support, is barred from running for president because of a clause in the constitution that excludes people with foreign spouses or foreign children from the presidency. The clause is widely seen as custom-made for Suu Kyi, who is the widow of a British academic and has two sons with British nationality. But she is seeking re-election to parliament."For the first time in decades, our people will have a real chance of bringing about real change," Suu Kyi said in the message posted on her party's Facebook page in Burmese and English. "We hope that the whole world understands how important it is for us to have free and fair elections."More than 90 political parties will take part in the parliamentary elections, which are being closely watched as the next step toward democracy in a country that was run by a repressive military junta for nearly half a century.The polls will be the first since a nominally civilian government was installed in 2011. But with the military still firmly in control of the process, there is widespread speculation over whether the election will be free and fair.The polls will also be the first time Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party has contested a general election in 25 years.The NLD is expected to make large gains at the expense of the military-backed ruling party, and might even win a majority.The last time the NLD took part in a national election was in 1990, when it won by a landslide. But the result was ignored by the military, which kept Suu Kyi locked away under house arrest for 15 years without phone lines or Internet and blocked virtually all contact with the outside world.The party boycotted the next nationwide election in 2010 because Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, was still under house arrest and barred from taking part. The 2010 polls were condemned by international observers for widespread irregularities. It was in 2010 that Suu Kyi commented through her lawyer that she wished to "sign up on Twitter" once she was released to "get in touch with the younger generation inside and outside the country."A week after the 2010 election, Suu Kyi was released from house arrest. Her party took part in 2012 by-elections, winning 43 of the 44 seats it contested — including Suu Kyi's first elected post as a member of parliament."We hope to take our country to that point where there can be no return from genuine development in the democratic direction," Suu Kyi said in the video message Tuesday. "Please help us by observing what happens before the elections, during the elections, and, crucially after the elections."
-- (c) Associated Press 2015-09-09
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Key issues for Myanmar's upcoming general electionYANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Campaigning kicked off Tuesday for Myanmar's Nov. 8 general election, which is expected to be the Southeast Asian country's most credible vote in more than a half-century. A long-ruling junta made way for a civilian government more than four years ago, but the military still retains a powerful role, and political and economic reforms have been stymied by persistent ethnic strife and natural disasters. Associated Press writers based across Asia who have covered Myanmar for many years outline the key issues at stake:___FREE AND FAIR?Despite international monitors, updated voter rolls and greater media independence, the uneven playing field means few view the polls as truly democratic or fair.Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is barred from running for the presidency, contends that the voter lists contain "many, many errors" that may leave many of her party's supporters unable to cast ballots. In 2010, millions of "advance" ballots from the military helped guarantee a ruling party victory.Analysts say that in the tens of thousands of villages beyond the purview of international monitors, residents will tend to follow orders of pro-military village chiefs. Even if Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party swept the election, the military would retain 25 percent of parliament's seats, be guaranteed one of the two vice presidential slots and still have a say in key Cabinet positions.-By Robin McDowell, the AP's acting bureau chief in Yangon.___SUU KYI'S ROLENobel Peace Prize winner Suu Kyi's role is the election's central issue. The political prisoner-turned-parliamentarian and 70-year-old daughter of independence hero Aung San believes it is her destiny to deliver democracy to Myanmar. But the constitution blocks anyone with a foreign spouse or children from becoming president — a rule many believe was written with Suu Kyi in mind, since her late husband was British and her two sons have British passports.But Suu Kyi has spent her career beating the odds, and if the election is relatively fair, her party is expected to do well. The NLD won a 1990 election by a landslide, but the ruling junta ignored that result and kept Suu Kyi under house arrest for years. The party boycotted the most recent nationwide election in 2010, but dominated the 2012 by-elections in which Suu Kyi was elected to parliament.The new parliament will select the next president. Suu Kyi has said that if the NLD wins the election, it will try to amend the constitution, possibly removing the clause preventing her from serving as president. The party has yet to announce an alternate presidential candidate.-By Jocelyn Gecker, who has covered Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia for nearly a decade.___MILITARY'S MIGHTAmending the constitution without the military's consent, however, is mathematically impossible, thanks to the constitution the generals implemented. It guarantees the military 25 percent of the seats in parliament, and requires constitutional changes to be approved by more than 75 percent of that body.Army commander Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing has said the military is committed to holding a free and fair election and will respect the results.President Thein Sein's ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party serves as a proxy party for the military. It includes senior retired military officers — including Thein Sein himself — as well as members of the business elite.The USDP is not a solid bloc, because of a divergence of views on the nature of democratic reforms. Neither is the faction of former military men united, as was dramatically illustrated last month when the USDP ousted its own chairman, Thura Shwe Mann, a former general who served as the No. 3 man in the junta that preceded Thein Sein's government. Shwe Mann, regarded as a reformer, had declared his interest in becoming the next president, and the move against him was seen as showing the army's support for Thein Sein.-By Grant Peck, who has covered politics in Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia since the 1980s.___ETHNIC MINORITIESMyanmar is predominantly ethnic Burman, but nearly 40 percent of its 51 million people are ethnic minorities, mostly living in border regions where their rebel armies have clashed with government troops for decades.The minorities have had their own political parties and significant parliamentary representation since the 2010 vote. The USDP and NLD will vie for their support in post-election coalition building.Long-persecuted Rohingya Muslims, however, are virtually excluded from the political process in the predominant Buddhist country. They were barred from voting this year, for the first time since independence from Britain, and were disqualified as candidates.Rohingya have a long history in Myanmar, but are considered Bangladeshis by the government. In Rakhine state, where most Rohingya live, their rights are stripped and their movement severely restricted. Since 2012, radical Buddhist nationalists have stoked animosity toward Rohingya, inciting deadly attacks that have forced 140,000 into apartheid-style displacement camps. Just as many have fled to third countries by boat.The sole Rohingya lawmaker, Shwe Maung, was told he cannot run for re-election because he cannot prove his citizenship, something he says is ludicrous.-By Robin McDowell.___ECONOMIC CHALLENGESThe Asian Development Bank forecasts Myanmar's growth will top 8 percent this fiscal year, and foreign direct investment may exceed $8 billion. But such data obscure stiff challenges including widespread poverty and unemployment.Bureaucratic red tape and corruption led the World Bank to rank Myanmar last among 189 countries in terms of ease of starting businesses. Much-needed economic reforms stalled as lawmakers instead enacted religious-related measures to please the Buddhist majority."The drift to reform has ceased over the last six months," said Sean Turnell, an economist at Australia's Macquarie University.Widespread flooding is confounding efforts to build up the rice trade; exports were halted to control prices. Inflation at 8 percent, a weakening of the local currency and lower natural gas prices are other risks recently cited by the International Monetary Fund.Though private enterprise is blossoming in light manufacturing and tourism, the military and its allies retain a powerful role in most industries. Economic reforms will likely limp along, Turnell says, while cronies of the old military regime continue to dominate key sectors.-By Elaine Kurtenbach, who has reported on Asian affairs from Japan and China since the 1980s and reported on Myanmar's 1990 election.___STRATEGIC IMPORTANCEWedged between China, India and Thailand, with rich natural resources and great potential for economic growth, Myanmar is strategically vital. While Western businesses hang back, awaiting the election results, Asian neighbors less concerned over backsliding on human rights and other risks are pressing ahead.China has sought to soften public antagonism over its big natural gas pipeline, dam building and other projects, giving Suu Kyi a warm welcome in Beijing. Thai, Singaporean and Malaysian investors are still leveraging longstanding connections with the old regime to forge lucrative deals in timber and gems.The U.S. wants to help lead a shift toward democracy and ethnic reconciliation, both to counterbalance China's rising power and to raise its own regional profile. U.S. relations with other Southeast Asian countries are benefiting from eased tensions over Myanmar.India has a hefty stake in building closer ties with Myanmar, given its role as a gatekeeper for China into the Bay of Bengal and for trade with the rest of Southeast Asia. Thailand has focused on expanding business ties, and also needs cooperation from Myanmar in dealing with Rohingya refugees and other migrants.All these stakeholders have a vested interest in seeing a stable outcome from November's vote.-By Elaine Kurtenbach.
-- (c) Associated Press 2015-09-09
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Football-obsessed Yangon fish seller makes entire staff wear Chelsea shirtsBy Coconuts Yangon September 8, 2015YANGON:-- Football fans are known for their die-hard loyalty to their teams, but it’s hard to beat the dedication of Yangon-based fish seller U Myint Lwin.The forty-something boss asks his dock workers to don the blue uniform of Chelsea FC as if they were his private squad.The manager's own, yellow, shirt is emblazed with the words: ‘The Special One’.“Everyone needs to find some joy in life," he says. "For me that joy is watching football.”
Coconuts Yangon 2015.09.09
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Inspire what's on Video show - Pattaya SpecificThe Inspire weekly “whats on Show” shares the very best of whats on and happening from throughout Pattaya.In this weeks show Ash in Bangkok gets a call from a sporting celebrity, whilst the team enjoy a day at Jesters Care for kids. 'plus look out for inspire the bear'
-- Inspire Pattaya 2015-09-08
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Inspire what's on Video show - Pattaya Specific - 6 SeptThe Inspire weekly “whats on Show” shares the very best of whats on and happening from throughout Pattaya.In this weeks show Ash in Bangkok gets a call from a sporting celebrity, whilst the team enjoy a day at Jesters Care for kids. 'plus look out for inspire the bear'
-- Inspire Pattaya 2015-09-08
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Hooters Bangkok to open this monthHooters Bangkok opens its doors this week on Sukhumvit Soi 15, kickstarting a THB100 million (US$2.8 million) marketing campaign to raise brand awareness in the country.The Hooters Thailand franchise was secured by Destination Resorts, the company behind DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Phuket at Surin Beach, DusitD2 Phuket Resort, Sri Racha International Golf at Sri Racha Hills, Hard Rock Café Phuket at Patong Beach, Novotel Phuket Karon Beach Resort & Spa, Novotel Hua Hin Cha Am Beach Resort & Spa and the Swissotel Resort Phuket.It also operates the Four Points by Sheraton hotel on Bangkok’s Sukhumvit 15, where Hooters Bangkok is located, a 253 sqm, two storey bar to be officially opened on September 18.Since securing the franchise, Destination Resorts has opened its first restaurant in the holiday resort of Phuket and has a third under construction on Pattaya’s Beach Rd, a massive 810 sqm complex with 50 high definition televisions screening sport, two bars and two outdoor areas.Destination Resorts will open 30 Hooters restaurants across Southeast Asia in partnership with the American brand owner over five years. A fourth is planned for Samui next year.-- Retail News Asia 2015-09-08
Thailand Live Thursday 10 Sep 2015
in Thailand News
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