The Post’s Difficult Readership

Since our honorable Bangkok Post has introduced the possibility to post comments under online articles, quite some disparities have come to light between the editorial line of the paper and the opinions of its readers. With the principal gap being again and again: The Post’s editors aren’t that upset with the PAD. Whereas many online readers seem to be quite upset with the PAD.

Take the in the meantime legendary commentary Dearest Tom, Dick & Harry by a certain Voranai Vanijaka, who compared Thailand’s democracy with “a ping pong ball in Patpong” that “suffers about the same level of degradation.” Khun Voranai advised politically concerned foreigners: “But beg your pardon, please do not insult us. Especially if you are a guest in our country.”

A week later Khun Voranai had to run a clarifying apology. Too many angry comments seemed to have inundated the Post’s editorial desk. But readers didn’t have to wait long for a next displeasing commentary: Deputy editor-in-chief Veera Prateepchaikul’s Time for what? didn’t get Khun Voranai’s nearly 300 comments. Judging from some of the comments though Khun Veera didn’t cause a lesser stir.

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September 30, 2008 | Filed Under News & Media, Politics | 6 Comments 

TeakDoor, The Other Thai Expat Forum

A poster on ThaiVisa’s forum recently asked if there are any other Thailand-related expat websites than ThaiVisa and Stickman. Well, humbly & selflessly I posted the link to Matt’s Top 100 Thai Blogs. A few minutes later the thread was deleted by ThaiVisa’s ever so eager moderators.

Consider yourself a free thinker? Then Thailand’s most popular forum is not for you. Threads and your opinions are moderated police state-like. Sure thing, they’re only protecting their own turf. And maybe because, as Stickman once told me: “You won’t read more rubbish than in forums.”

Seriously, for the Thailand free thinkers there’s a decent alternative out there: TeakDoor.com – “The Thailand Expat Forum for Travel, Lifestyle and Fun.” You’ll hear a swear word and bad language now and then on TeakDoor – and rightly so. Among the punters are real longtimers caring about the issues with heart and blood.

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September 30, 2008 | Filed Under Being Farang, Travel & Tourism | 57 Comments 

Seizures Of A Yes Yes Culture

Following video was kind of orphaned for some time in our BKK Vids section. It’s worth a very close look though. It deserves an own post. Watch it. Study it. Decode it.

Who’s the actress? No clue. The video was shot by Maurice Spees, a Dutch filmmaker based in Thailand, at a street performance in Bangkok. Capturing pure Thai depth psychology.

The performance “was suddenly interrupted by this woman stealing the show,” says Maurice. “Nobody knew who she was, but she was to good to chase away.” What she’s telling us?

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September 29, 2008 | Filed Under Culture & Arts, The Thai Mind | 19 Comments 

Klong Stunt Drowns Man & Lovely Leena’s Dream

It must have happened in Bangkok. A publicity stunt by underdog Leena Jangjanya in the race to be governor of Bangkok went terribly wrong when a campaign staff drowned as they bathed in a canal to highlight the plight of residents who have no access to clean water.

Thing is: He was crying for help. But staff thought he was putting up a show for the TV cameras. According to candidate Leena the 32-year-old Thirasak Sitanont drowned as she and other staff were showing journalists the rashes they got from washing in the filthy water.

To speak with Reuters: “One of my staff saw him waving and crying for help, but we thought he was pretending and he was far away from us, posing for two TV crews,” a sobbing Leena told Reuters. Death campaign. So much for headline-grabbing activities.

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September 25, 2008 | Filed Under Politics, Seriously, Not ... | 2 Comments 

PAD’s Progressive Sexism: Carry A Condom? Bad Bad Girl

Sexist logic of our “progressive” PAD movement? The protest site at Govt House is not only off limits to sex workers, we’re told. If you haven’t heard the accusation yet: Government House was “full of used condoms because many protesters were using the site as their sexual playground.”

True or not: Proper women should never carry condoms around with them. If they do and associate with the PAD, expect some swiftboating. This related glorious Bangkok Post commentary is not only about the brave new sexist world under a PAD purism.

And we still don’t know what New Politics is really all about. Can assure you that much: New Politics will remain a flexible something adjustable at will – with the highest purity, proper morals and perfect ethics in mind. In men’s oppressive minds. New Politics and women’s rights?!

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September 25, 2008 | Filed Under Politics, Society, The Thai Mind | 2 Comments 

“People In The Dark” – PG-12 Film Too Hot For Thai Govt

It’s a classic Thai cerebral reaction. Don’t like something? Deny it, ignore it, away with it. Why tackle the root causes. Out of sight, out of mind. By not mentioning a problem you can make it – yes – disappear. The forbidden and denied though are more intriguing. Which is why the Thai powers that be just shot themselves once again in the foot.

As back then, after Thailand’s YouTube ban, when only more of those slanderous videos turned up. Now everybody wants to see „Children in the Dark,“ a Thai-Japanese film invited to the Bangkok Int’l Film Festival 2008. The film was canceled at the last minute with no given reason. A film rated PG-12 in Japan. Requiring “Parental Guidance.”

Banning a movie rated for children older than twelve. Too tough for Thailand’s authorities – the Ministry of Tourism in this case, official sponsor of the film fest. Censors’ reason being: The film features the social problem of trafficking in Thai children, buying of internal organs, children who encounter injury and violence and have to deal with pedophiles.

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September 24, 2008 | Filed Under Culture & Arts, The Thai Mind | 10 Comments 

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