New Mandala

12 responses so far ↓

• 1 Thai TV // Jul 21, 2008 at 2:06 pm

  Nationalism is a virus better to eradicate before it spreads….

• 2 manning sawwinner // Jul 21, 2008 at 2:55 pm

  Lucky not the whole Siam was wiped out. Even with the present territory, no justice has been done to all the regions of the country. It is usually Bangkok that is the most pampered. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise that Thailand (or is it Siam?) lost those territories. Just think how absurd it would be for Thailand to be an imperial state!

• 3 Reg Varney // Jul 21, 2008 at 3:42 pm

  Any chance you can put up the whole thing?

• 4 Srithanonchai // Jul 21, 2008 at 4:17 pm

  Chang Noi (TN 21 Jul.) has this to say on the PAD: “In short, PAD is an anti-democratic movement, supported by high investment and shadowy protection, that exploits the fears of the privileged and a deliberately anti-rational nationalism, and flirts with militarism and violence. Is PAD a bulldog, let out on a leash for a specific purpose, that will be chained up when the threat from thieves has passed? Or is it another step in the destruction of democracy begun by Thaksin, continued by the coup-makers, and now plunging ahead on the momentum?”

  Wow!

• 5 Andy // Jul 21, 2008 at 7:18 pm

  I hope you’ll put up the whole book, it looks like a very interesting read to get more background on the mindset in the wake of the Thai-French war, the annexation of the “lost territories”, it loss again and the near-loss of independence after World War II.

• 6 hrk // Jul 22, 2008 at 1:48 am

  I doubt that this book is supposed to be read prior to a PAD meeting. It has been published in the context of Phibul’s nationalism, which was quite different from the current nationalist hipe. In fact, even though the nationalism of the 40’s certainly had a strong fashist background, it was certainly not allied with the monarchy (rather on the contrary).

• 7 Bad mass // Jul 23, 2008 at 1:44 am

  This website ’s very fake. Don’t read

• 8 Reg Varney // Jul 23, 2008 at 3:46 pm

  Yeah, right, fake. NM made up this book. Dear me Bad mass, you are totally bad.

• 9 Kuson // Jul 24, 2008 at 5:14 am

  “If you want to get yourself into the nationalist mood while on your way to a PAD rally”

  But as I walk to a PAD rally, my feeling is more about being sorry for the countries being colonized.

  Western Imperialism [particularly English, French] were not around region to do what they did in Good Faith. While most of the English colonies were fared much better off [ like elsewhere in Americas, Australia, South Africe, Singapore, Malaysia, India etc ] currently, the French’s Colonies had it worst. Sure, the Europeans really messed up Africa (divide and conquer at its ultimate) but I think the French left the worst taste of them all.

  French deed here then result in good and bad repercussions, however (just some below):

  On the not so good side, IMHO Lao people are Thai people and it is quite sad that the Mekong has to divide us, otherwise maybe Laos would have been fellow citizens. This extends to Cambodians, who have a similar culture. The Thai governing system at the time was about having loosely self-governing territories, so all cultures were preseved and allowed to reign quite freely (in Father to Son relationship). We have alot of Mons living happily in Thailand (at least much happier than the Mons in Myanmar, I reckon).

  On the bright side, Cambodians and Laotians get their own country, which could be a good thing for them I think. At the very least, for people who can at least be ‘heads of governments’. I relate this to the Kingdom of ChiangMai, who, if they were taken by the English, would have been another Thai state as another nation. Whether they would have been better off outside Thailand now is a question, but definitely there will be a different head of state if so.

  BUT: One thing for sure, The Western Imperialists were there for their own Empire’s Well Being, and whether we ended up on the Good Side or Bad Side, should not be thanking the stars for their deeds.

• 10 Kuson // Jul 24, 2008 at 5:35 am

  Ref: Bad Mass’s “This website ’s very fake. Don’t read”.

  I do not pretend to know Bad Mass’s intentions or what he’s read specifically to be accusing such broadly to cover the whole website, but I’d like to draw my experience.

  Even though many contributions seem quite superficial or outright unworthy [as some items only a Thai could understand based on his context and long experience living in the country and understanding why things happen as they do], but there are lots of comments that are well thought out and are worth reading that you can not find in any media. Those worthy comments and research certainly challenge alot of assumptions and provide a “Mirror” for which Thai readers can try to reflect to see, whether any improvements to the Country can be had by reading this site.

  For this, Bad Mass, I highly recommend to use this site to challenge the common “truths” (via different views and research coming from Foreign, Expats, Academics — I’m guessing), test it out, find Blind Spots, and if it comes out in flying colors, you’ve probably got something good. All for the Development of Thailand and the countries described here in New Mandala!

  And don’t get put of by Republicans who criticize the establishment. Many come from countries where that is allowed. I think it is important that we know that our King is a decent man and means well.

  So use this site well, and it Will Serve!

• 11 Reg Varney // Jul 24, 2008 at 12:10 pm

  kuson: listen to PAD rants, run the flag up, sing the royal anthem, read luang vichit and you are done.

• 12 kuson // Jul 24, 2008 at 7:58 pm

  Ah Reg! How did your “rant” come about in #11?

  I suspect you would certainly clap when the Tri-Rong (Thai National Flag) comes down. Where do you want it - up, down?

  Reg, you don’t have to do anything extra : you’re already done, and done in quite bad many can agree!

Leave a Comment