Newspaper Finds Truth, Rapes It

We all know, Thai newspapers are not for the faint-hearted. Gross front pages showing accident victims torn apart and blood all over are the order of the day. Because there’s a market appreciating violence.

But what about the essentially more subtle handling of violence per se? That’s why this ad below (click to enlarge) can probably only appear in Thailand: “If your boy is getting anally raped by his teacher, we’ll uncover the truth.”

Let’s play “where’s Waldo being violated?”, commented advertising copywriter copyranter.  ”Bangkok daily newspaper Prachachat says that they “see through the truth.” Pretty disturbing visual, though it is Thailand.”

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July 19, 2010 | Filed Under Culture Shock, News & Media, Society | 3 Comments 

We’re Sorry, Thailand.

The TV spot reportedly banned by the Thailiban censors.

Should not be seen on TV? Hypersensitive? Creative reflection anyone?

The ad’s keyphrase: “If there was anyone to blame, it would be all of us.”

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July 19, 2010 | Filed Under Culture & Arts, News & Media, Society | Leave a Comment 

Al Jazeera: Slingshots & Firecrackers, That’s All They Had

Relive Black May with Al Jazeera’s “The Rageh Omaar Report: The Year of Living Dangerously.” As if the Thai government’s PR campaign fell on deaf ears you’re left wondering if the red shirts are no front. The last words belong to the opposition, it’s the government that’s in need of explanations. Add some somber music and there you have a classic drama.

There is always the danger of superficiality and clichés when outsiders try insider reports. It’s suggested the poor and innocent were only armed with slingshots and firecrackers. Still, we learn that the reds try to turn the pro-Thaksin movement into something very different, into a class war – and why is it that fewer people visit Siriraj Hospital these days?

Think what you want of our governor, but Sukhumbhand’s assessment of implicitly calling the red protest self-defeating gets lost amidst much “there’s no way out.” Sukhumbhand warns the rural people who were on the streets they’re the first to feel the effects of the protest. They’ll suffer. We hear Jatuporn, but no word about the cash war, war weapons, lies and deception.

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June 21, 2010 | Filed Under Books & Movies, News & Media, Politics | 4 Comments 

Thitinan On Continuity & Change

Some interesting thoughts from the quotemeister – to speak with Bangkok Pundit – who needs no introduction.

Thitinan Pongsudhirak remained rather quiet during the past weeks. He’s diplomatic in this Asean TV report, but minces no words.

Thitinan warns of ramifications for the region if Thai democracy does not overcome its “dead end democracy.”

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June 4, 2010 | Filed Under News & Media, Politics, The Interview | 16 Comments 

Carpetbaggers Or Else!!!

It’s a terrifying sight, once respected minds voicing support for mayhem and death – for rather selective, hardly sane reasons. The leaders of the red shirts were successful at inciting hatred and violence in society, but not that the red cause lost support. The reds are dead. Long live the reds. Now even the “real Thaksin disciple” and political dinosaur Chalerm Yoobamrung is poised to continue the dynasty of the political dinosaurs Samak and Chavalit – a succession not rejected by the true Thaksin converts, but accepted as a sort of “what good guy can survive in the Thai system.”

Well, that’s why those guys make life so hard for a guy who’s not yet as low as them. One can hardly dispute that the Democrats and their powerful hidden backers represent patronizing bullies. But then again, that’s balm for politics compared to an opposition that’s on the brink of intellectual collapse, supported by academic firebrands and hardcore loyalists whose emailed pamphlets, writings and comments suggest you’re ruled by the Butcher of Bangkok, the Pol Pot and Hitler of modern times, by a fascist regime killing the innocent. Worst of it: people keep on repeating and – obviously – believing this nonsense. Even in parliament.

Their choice of strong words reflects the failure of these hardcore reds’ imaginary world, as their attention-grabbing approach by moronizing dissenters has not much to do with the betterment of society. It’s their desperate attempt to pretend strength and get the numbers. But the numbers never added up. So they had to radicalize the remaining few by applying peer pressure and comradeship. Hierarchal obedience yes, but Thai people are not that dumb, stupid. Take our red hero – or “red herring”? – Jatuporn during the censure debate. Lying on live TV about peaceful protest, no weapons and that he submitted pictures of police carrying loads and loads of gasoline into Central World to blow up the place … Jatuporn did not submit a single picture. And red apologists are still not “questioning” him. Outrageous? Now why’s that.

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June 1, 2010 | Filed Under History, News & Media, On Our Own, Politics, Society | 23 Comments 

Bangkok’s 9/11

The events of the passed few weeks, days and hours will be burned deeply into Bangkok’s psyche. Our Bangkok will be back. Not tomorrow, not next week – and any other attempt to hold a colored mass protest masqueraded as peaceful will ring alarm bells. Warning, graphic, this is what happened on May 19th, 2010. The anniversaries of 1973, 1976 and 1992 are remembered for democracy. May 19th, 2010, will be remembered for a gigantic collapse of common sense, for utter failures on all sides. The government, the reds, the people.

However, it is doubtful the red leaders will see the light of day again anytime soon. There will be a hard crackdown against government enemies and you won’t have a clean conscience not defending that. Look at the human toll, the destruction, the lost opportunities, all in the name of fairness, equal chances and democracy. It’s not about Central World torched, this our most pleasant, most open shopping mall. The red leaders will be hunted by what they said and did.

But this is also no time for even more hate and revenge. Enough of it already. When you point the finger at someone three fingers point back at you. Sure, people were hijacked, taken hostage – like the motorcycle guy who told a reader he was paid 200 baht a day by the red shirt security for the past three days. Was threatened with violence if he left. He’s glad it’s over. Maybe he even feels remorse. Clear game plan of the reds was all along to force the regime to commit suicide.

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May 19, 2010 | Filed Under History, News & Media, On Our Own, Politics, Society, The Thai Mind | 49 Comments 

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