Thailand revisiting Myanmar's dark age

[webfact]

STREETWISE
Thailand revisiting Myanmar's dark age
Achara Deboonme

BANGKOK: -- The sounds of furious renovation work are emerging from our neighbour Myanmar. I have had my ear to the wall for the past year thanks to the Yangon-based Eleven Media Group, a Nation partner.

Companies from around the world are jumping on the bandwagon, looking for business opportunities in a country dubbed the globe's final frontier. At big Yangon supermarkets, it's now easy to find Coca-Cola, Heineken and snacks from Thailand.

Freed from tight censorship, journalists are starting to ask tough questions of authorities. One concerns the government's contracts with broadcasters, chiefly Sky Net.

Another milestone on the road to openness was reached last week when the government held a press conference following reports of a massacre of stateless Muslim Rohingya - known locally as Bengalis. The outside world remained unconvinced with the official denial, but the press conference was an indication of progress made by the Thein Sein government. Nobody would have expected such a public rebuttal from the previous junta regime, which cared little for what the rest of the world thought.

The new spirit of openness has also brought more international flights to Yangon and other big cities. However, foreign officials can still expect an escort if they venture to certain places beyond Yangon.

The pressure for more reforms is growing, and the hottest topic is constitutional amendments and the 2015 election. It now looks certain that Aung San Suu Kyi - who spent years under house arrest as an enemy of the junta - will be allowed to run for president.

But the biggest change of all would be a fair election. A guarantee of this has been delivered by Shwe Mann, chairperson of the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party, but it came with a caution that could just as well apply to Thailand:

"Fighting among the parties could destroy national unity. Political parties are formed by citizens of the country. They are not enemies. Such an attitude, to regard them as enemies and to eliminate them, will not lead to national reconciliation. It could damage national solidarity. If this happens, Myanmar will never develop."

Myanmar has made dramatic changes in the past two years. With growing investment and assistance from the outside world, its people are practically guaranteed of a better future.

Thailand has changed too, but mainly in political terms. Never before has such a large group of Thai protesters been mobilised against the government. Never before have we been gripped by violence for such a long period without an end in sight. Never before have Thais been so divided.

People in Myanmar are looking towards a brighter future. Another 10,000 villages will get access to electricity this year, while a democratic election is in sight. In contrast, Thais are anxiously waiting to see where their political division will lead them.

On the eve of Sunday's election, I got chatting to a middle-aged woman outside Bangkok's Klong Sam Wa district office. She was there with a bunch of people lighting candles in a protest against violence and for the election. But, spooked by the clash at Lak Si, she was no longer sure she would vote.

Her fears were deep-seated: "Nowadays, I can't even wear red on Sundays. I don't know why I'm so worried. I guess I don't want to stir up bad feelings."

My tweet about the candlelit vigils met with a brutal response: "Go light candles in Lak Si" retorted one fellow Twitter user. This came following a shoot-out that injured at least seven, including one man who was shot in the throat and likely paralysed merely for exercising his right to vote. The lack of compassion for a fellow Thai was staggering.

It reminded me of the vicious war in Bosnia Herzegovina, sparked by religious tensions, and of the power struggles in Sudan that led to much suffering and the birth of a new country, South Sudan. Civil war has also seen millions of Syrians flee their country for refugee camps, while Sunday night witnessed a lethal bomb in Pakistan that demonstrated how little compassion some have for their countrymen.

Will such a day come for Thailand? Will we be led into the senseless killing of others, just because of differences of political belief? Will this bring the day when the country is divided into two parts - North and South? Our map would change. Thailand would no longer be the symbolic "golden axe" that its shape now inspires.

If you think all this is far too pessimistic, consider the shooting at the Thai-Japanese Bridge near Chamchuri Square on Sunday night. Ordinary civilians' lives are now in danger.

For years, Myanmar's minorities had been totally ignored by the Burmans, the dominant ethnic group. Now, Premier Thein Sein says their demands for constitutional change must be considered.

As Thailand falls into the dark times witnessed by Myanmar in past decades, it seems our our neighbour is leaping towards a brighter future.


-- The Nation 2014-02-04

[chooka]

Whilst Myanmar is moving forward and gaining respect around the world, Thailand is sinking. Thai just can't see what they are doing to their country with this constant political unrest year after year, lets not forget the scams etc. Burma is going to leave Thailand in its wake and if Thailand is not careful and cleans up it's act it is going to become the sewer of South East Asia.

[englishoak]

Not yet its not but its entirely possible, the aims of some are to take it down there and its been sadly making progress in that direction since the elite factions have become obsessed with positioning and power for when the inevitable happens.

[wprime]

Thailand is growing, but one can't expect a nation to instantly turn into a modern state without problems. The masses on both sides think they're doing what's best for the nation but both sides are also causing damage to the nation.

In the end Thailand will come out stronger, but it will take time.

[noitom]

The author dedicates an entire paragraph to never before have so many Thais and never before has violence gripped and never before. How about 1973, 1976, and 1992? How about the Thai south for the last 12 years. How about putting your eye to the wall in a history book or a news story about the Thai south from other sources?

[harada]

Whilst Myanmar is moving forward and gaining respect around the world, Thailand is sinking. Thai just can't see what they are doing to their country with this constant political unrest year after year, lets not forget the scams etc. Burma is going to leave Thailand in its wake and if Thailand is not careful and cleans up it's act it is going to become the sewer of South East Asia.

As is Vietnam.

[vincent2000]

Whilst Myanmar is moving forward and gaining respect around the world, Thailand is sinking. Thai just can't see what they are doing to their country with this constant political unrest year after year, lets not forget the scams etc. Burma is going to leave Thailand in its wake and if Thailand is not careful and cleans up it's act it is going to become the sewer of South East Asia.

Thai people know exactly what they are doing ... Most Thai people love their King so most are likely nationalist.

This means that they are ready to surrender some of their individual rights for the "common good"...

It also means that they are ready to lose foreign investments for keep a sovereign state

[Just1Voice]

One third of Burma's total land mass sits on the Adaman Sea and Bay of Bengal. In 5 years or so, once it's been developed into resorts and hotels, unblemished by the pollution of Thailand's beaches, and minus the tuk-tuk and taxi mafia, you're going to see the tourists finding them much more appealing that those of Thailand, who will then suffer a massive and major loss of tourism dollars.

[noitom]

One third of Burma's total land mass sits on the Adaman Sea and Bay of Bengal. In 5 years or so, once it's been developed into resorts and hotels, unblemished by the pollution of Thailand's beaches, and minus the tuk-tuk and taxi mafia, you're going to see the tourists finding them much more appealing that those of Thailand, who will then suffer a massive and major loss of tourism dollars.

Good points.

[bigbamboo]

Whilst Myanmar is moving forward and gaining respect around the world, Thailand is sinking. Thai just can't see what they are doing to their country with this constant political unrest year after year, lets not forget the scams etc. Burma is going to leave Thailand in its wake and if Thailand is not careful and cleans up it's act it is going to become the sewer of South East Asia.

Vietnam is already coming on leaps and bounds and Myanmar has the potential to do the same. Singapore we all know about, Brunei is swimming in oil, Malaysia has the third highest per capita GDP and Indonesia is a G20 nation. At the moment Thailand is hanging on to the coat tails of the top four along with the Philipines but could drop to seventh or eighth if it doesn't get it's act together fast. So much for being the hub of ASEAN. Thank Buddha that Cambodia has Hun Sen and Laos is just Laos.

[Bender]

One third of Burma's total land mass sits on the Adaman Sea and Bay of Bengal. In 5 years or so, once it's been developed into resorts and hotels, unblemished by the pollution of Thailand's beaches, and minus the tuk-tuk and taxi mafia, you're going to see the tourists finding them much more appealing that those of Thailand, who will then suffer a massive and major loss of tourism dollars.

and then the TAT will wonder, why these pesky farang keenok dont come anymore in thailand to get scammed, cheated, beaten, etc ect

[Publicus]

Thailand "lost" the new deep sea port facility it desperately needed but in fact never had to begin with to Myanmar when the US and Japan decided to put the necessary resources into the new facility being constructed in the rapidly developing coastal city of Dawe. The Thai main contractor last year pulled out of the $8 billion project to make way for the US and Japan to take over. The Thais really dropped the ball then threw away.It's never a good idea to tick off the US and Japan but the Thais managed to check both boxes on this one.

[steveyinasia]

"Freed from tight censorship, journalists are starting to ask tough questions of authorities. One concerns the government's contracts with broadcasters, chiefly Sky Net."….and yet in Thailand we have journalists that don't have a clue how to report or are often not able to report on certain areas.

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

Whilst Myanmar is moving forward and gaining respect around the world, Thailand is sinking. Thai just can't see what they are doing to their country with this constant political unrest year after year, lets not forget the scams etc. Burma is going to leave Thailand in its wake and if Thailand is not careful and cleans up it's act it is going to become the sewer of South East Asia.

Vietnam is already coming on leaps and bounds and Myanmar has the potential to do the same. Singapore we all know about, Brunei is swimming in oil, Malaysia has the third highest per capita GDP and Indonesia is a G20 nation. At the moment Thailand is hanging on to the coat tails of the top four along with the Philipines but could drop to seventh or eighth if it doesn't get it's act together fast. So much for being the hub of ASEAN. Thank Buddha that Cambodia has Hun Sen and Laos is just Laos.

If it means anything, I don't know, but Viet consumers must have money to spend. On a recent visit to a major electronics superstore on Trung Hung Dao in D1, HCMC, one mid-week afternoon, buyers were lined up at the smartphone counters. So much so I gave up trying to buy one myself. The streets are packed every night not just with visitors but locals dining and drinking in the pricier establishments. In HCMC I always get the feeling that Viets are strongly forging ahead with making and spending money. I don't doubt the Myanmarese will be doing the same. Thailand, on the other hand, looks dead to me. If it weren't for the Russian, Indian and other foreigner tourists, many shops and malls would have a hard time making a profit.

[draftvader]

foreign officials can still expect an escort if they venture to certain places beyond Yangon

Now that IS service. Do they foot the bill for the young lady or not?

[belg]

good for myanmar, they dont have a ruling chinese elite, oh, but i guess rich chinese thai elite are already investing, aka buying up big pieces of foreign land, to speculate in the near future so that their big money can even grow more, at the cost of the low wages labourers that make them rich and keep the poor ignorant and poor

[simple1]

The OP has ignored the significant ongoing 'dark ages' human rights abuses of ethnic minorities in Burma that includes detention, rape as a weapon, torture, killings and free fire areas. Large corrupt land grabs for 'development' that are enshrined in recent law e.g. In 2012 farmland laws stripped Burma’s farmers of the right to property – the government owns all “private” land etc.

Reports are that some areas of Burma are already polluted / environmentally degraded so why do people believe Burma will not go down the same road as Thailand?

[jat1012]

"For years, Myanmar's minorities had been totally ignored by the Burmans, the dominant ethnic group. Now, Premier Thein Sein says their demands for constitutional change must be considered."

Interesting comment. If the society is democratic , there is a decent constitution and the rule of law is followed all ethnic groups should be treated the same, under the law. If not , then the building has faulty foundations and will eventually collapse. Perhaps that is what is meant by demands for constitutional change? Equality under the law? In the Europe there are minorities constantly whining for more rights, the only right that should be enforced is equality under the law, anything else automatically degrades the rights of other religious/ethnic groups and should be rejected.That does not apply here in Thailand as there is in reality no such thing as 'Equality under the LAW', until that basic precept of democracy is understood and enforced Thailand will continue down the road to being a real 3rd world failed state. Ie. NZ <deleted> facing 5 years in jail for minor theft and resisting arrest, Red bull heir languishing in luxury in Singapore for killing a police officer, squareheaded rich man convicted of crimes living comfortably in Duba, allegedly known criminal allowed to interfere in the constitutional rights of Thai citizens. There must be many,many more instances where equality under the law is NOT demonstrated in this wonderful country, Thainess? Rather like England pre Magna Carta, France pre revolution. As those who are not treated 'equally under the law' get better educated and more organised, or just thoroughly pissed off, eventually they will impose their will upon there 'oppressors', and that could be bloody. (unless the country is North Korea or Zimbabwe). I will dream on, never happen here, I am getting ready to bend over again to rejoin the masses in getting shafted.

[3NUMBAS]

at least the lower figures for tourists arrivals have kept the LB muggings and general murders of tourists low .less potential victims around to rob.guess they will move on the elderly expats next

[simple1]

Today reported that Burmese reporters have been detained for exposing a secret chemical weapons manufacturing facility. In addition it is claimed the land for the facility had been confiscated from the local farmers without compensation.

Cannot provide a link as reported in the BKK Post.

[marko kok prong]

agree withjust1 voice's post,if you look at that andaman coast there are hundreds of islands,mostly in pristine condition,far more than thailand has,i see it like thailand maybe was in the late 60,s early 70's,once these are opened up thailand will lose a lot of tourists,lets just hope that the burmese learn from thailands mistakes and make sure they develop this in a responsible way,at present i am in Koh chang which i first came to in 1995,there were then only a few simple bungalows on the west coast,now parts of it resemble Pattaya,.