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.”

Says copyranter: “That’s one way to advertise your journalistic chops. But I want a full investigation! Is the boy doing it for a better grade? Is safe sex taught in this school’s health class? And why is the playground slide so damn rusty?”

Adds Gawker: “So, here is how a Thai newspaper promotes itself, with an ad showing – and I’m no expert, but – a teacher sodomizing some kid, it looks like? Tagline: “See Through the Truth.” Ummm … sure, whatever you guys want.”

Or simply … a golden Thai rule? Fuck the truth?

Or the usual – as a commenter on Gawker writes: “A pretty accurate representation of the reporter-editor relationship.”

Can’t show a nipple in Thailand. But sodomizing a schoolboy, hey it’s pedophiles’ haven.

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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.”

The affront:

“Did we do anything wrong? Did we handle anything too harshly? Did we listen to only one side of the story? Did we perform our duties? Did we really think of people? Were we corrupt? Did we take too much? Did the media make people better informed? Did our society deteriorate? Did we love money more than the rightness? And did we only wait for help? If there was anyone to blame, it would be all of us. We apologize, Thailand. And if there was anyone who can fix the problems, it would be all Thais. Keep the loss in mind and turn it into our force.”

Pundit has more on it.

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Mending the fences: Thanks to FIFA, Thai football fans put away their politically colored shirts to spend sleepless nights watching the World Cup matches in South Africa. News of favorite teams and players dominated most newspapers and TV screens. An avid football fan himself, PM Abhisit has, however, managed to accomplish most of what he had promised. On 7/6/10 he left for half a day trip to Vietnam, to attend the World Economic Forum and meet up with Asean leaders at the Greater Mekong Subregion summit meeting. He took the opportunity to brief world’s business leaders of the current political situation in Thailand and to assure them that his government was taking every possible step to restore law and order while moving the country forward toward national reconciliation.

On 7/6/10 he announced another cabinet reshuffle (5th), with eight new ministers mostly from the Democrat Party. Throughout the month, the Abhisit government continued to address the country’s most urgent economic issues i.e. severe El Nino drought (worst in 18 years) that had delayed rice planting by at least six weeks. The Map Ta Phut environmental problems were finally sorted out, with 18 activities to be banned and clearer rules and regulations to become effective by year-end. After years of frozen salaries, civil servants were granted a special bonus to be paid out in 10/10 and a 5% salary increase to be effective in 4/11.

Farmers’ problem loans too were being refinanced or restructured with hefty haircuts. The first lot of community title deeds was given out. Shooting prices of sugar and eggs were promptly addressed and lowered. Rescue package for those affected by the Ratchaprasong shutdown and arson was fine-tuned and extended to include foreign businesses in the area. To ease the burden of the urban poor, free electricity (max. 90 kw), free (hot) bus, free (third class) train and subsidized LPG, were extended till year end, when PM Abhisit hope to make some of them permanent.

By Vongthip Chumpani*

Reform Thailand: To restore social equilibrium, PM Abhisit quickly launched his 5-points National Reconciliation Roadmap. Sombat Thamrong-thanyawong, a respected academic was appointed to chair the panel to scrutinize changes to the Constitution. Former Attorney General Kanit na Nakorn was chosen to head the independent fact finding panel called Truth and Reconciliation Committee, to probe into the root causes of the violent clashes in 5/10 within two years. On 18/6/10 former PM Anand Panyarachun agreed to head the independent panel to set out national reform policies.

He would be working closely with Dr. Prawase Wasi, a highly respected social commentator, who was asked to lead the National Reform Assembly to gather public views on how reforms should be implemented to overcome social disparities. Implementation plan would be worked out within three years, with an annual budget of THB 200 million. PM Abhisit also appointed Yubol Benjarongkit to set up a panel to kick-start reform of the media. Last but not least, Pol Gen. Vasist Dejkunchorn was invited to chair the panel to restructure the police force.

Do you hear what I hear?

In the belief that public policies should come from the people, not from a few people with their own agenda, PM Abhisit has initiated a number of public hearings in earnest. On Rice Day 5/6/10, farmers were invited to air their views at the government house. In successive events, PM Abhisit extended his invitation to various sectors of the Thai society e.g. NGOs, civic groups, academics, local and international business groups, foreign diplomats, foreign investors, local and foreign mass media, to share and exchange their views with him on national reconciliation and reform issues that were important and of special concern to them.

For six days, the PM, his cabinet members and hundreds of civic minded volunteers took turn to man some 300 telephone lines opened to any callers who wished to air their needs, recommendations and complaints. Most of the issues raised were related to the current economic hardships. Many were to give encouragement to PM Abhisit and his government. As expected, there were earfuls of abuses and insults from those who sympathized with the red shirt movement. Based on the number of calls on the subject, the ministry of finance had to set up a special hot line to record problems related to loans in the unorganized market. All input were documented and sorted out for further analysis and solutions under the national reconciliation framework.

CRES’ emergency

The Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation CRES has estimated that some THB 30 billion was spent on financing the red shirt movement’s political activities. Some 83 individuals and firms suspected of funding and acting as financial proxies for the red shirts were identified and told to clarify their financial transactions from 9/09 to 5/10 to CRES investigators representing the DSI – Department for Special Investigation, the Revenue Department, the Anti-Money Laundering Office and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board.

Through it all, there were death threats against key government officials and a few bomb explosions at some of the 68 targets identified by the security people. Two red shirts were arrested in Siemreap and sent back to Thailand by the Cambodian government for masterminding the bombing of the Bhumjaithai Party headquarters In spite of private sector’s recommendation to the contrary, the Abhisit government decided to maintain the Emergency Decree in Bangkok and in 19 provinces in the Northeast and the North as a matter of precaution against threats of another major violent outburst.

All quiet before storm?

In 6/10 Thaksin has kept a low profile and did not call home as was the habit. Instead, his cause was aptly amplified by a team of international lobbyists, led by a Robert Amsterdam who made strategic and systematic attacks on the Abhisit government, accusing them of colluding with the Thai military to violently crack down on the red shirt movement and to permeate a non-democratic government. Throughout 6/10, there was a stream of negative foreign press and TV reports on Thailand. Thaksin’s “hired guns” took actions to discredit the Abhisit administration with the U.N. Human Rights Council, the U.S. congress and the European parliament.

Alas, the Abhisit government was able to contain the damages. UNHRC elected Thailand’s ambassador Sihasak, not only as a member but also as chairman of the council. The US Congress voted 441:4 in favor of PM Abhisit’s national reconciliation roadmap. A Bangkok by-election on 27/7/10 was expected to be a good indication of the snap election, to be called some time next year. It would go to show whether the Puea Thai candidate, a core red shirt leader arrested and jailed for terrorist activities, could win over a Democrat candidate, former deputy minister of foreign affairs responsible for “hunting down” Thaksin as he flew all over the world in his private jet.

A pleasant surprise

Notwithstanding the bloody political mess in 4-5/10, Thailand’s economic resilience has been substantiated once again by the better than expected 5/10 data. Public debt was down to 42% of GDP. And government budget deficit this year was expected to be only 3.5% of GDP. Investment has also picked up, mostly in machinery and equipment to support future export orders, with capacity utilization between 65-70%. Export of farm goods increased 42% yoy. Total export went up to USD 16.44 billion and import USD 14.14 billion. Trade balance was positive again at USD2.3 billion. Current account balance was USD 1.0 billion in the black. Balance of payment however recorded a deficit of USD 989 million. International reserves dipped slightly to USD 143.5 billion.

As at end of 6/10, THB remained firm at THB 32.37 to USD, THB 36.23 to Yen, THB 39.71 to Euro and THB 48.67 to Sterling. In spite of net capital outflows from equities and bonds, the SET ended the month on a firm note at 797. Interest rates remained unchanged. The country’s 2010 GDP forecast was adjusted back to 5 – 6% and inflation to 3.5%. Export for 1-5/10 totaled USD 75 billion, up 34.5% from the same period of last year. The only bad news came from tourism, down by 20.2% in 4/10 and 12.9% in 5/10, with average hotel occupancy rate at only 30%. Arrivals from Asean and East Asia declined the most. Increased political stability was however expected to attract tourists from Europe and North America for the peak season starting in 10/10.

Businessmen’s pitch

To move the country forward, the Thai private sector has come up with their own four pronged economic development plan, to be undertaken jointly by regional chambers of commerce and provincial federations of industries. They would focus on increasing the farmer income, beefing up regional tourism, improving basic infrastructures through reduction of national logistics cost (from 19% to 14% of production cost), and increasing cross border trade, in preparation for Asean Community integration in 2015. The business community in Thailand has come to appreciate the necessity and the urgency of redressing the country’s huge wealth distribution gap.

They have been pitching in with their own contributions in cash and in kinds. They would be coming up with new ideas and recommendations with regard to PM Abhisit’s latest challenge to substantially increase the minimum wages in exchange for tax incentives. While many believed higher minimum wages would give the poor a chance to upgrade their lives and thereby stimulate domestic spending, others cautioned that inflation could soon neutralize the benefits and make Thailand less competitive as an FDI destination. Ultimately mutually acceptable solutions would materialize as Thai society learnt how to constructively work out their differences and share the wealth of their nation more equitably.

* Vongthip Chumpani is an advisor to and former president of Bangkok Bank and a former advisor to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. All views and opinions expressed herein are entirely from her own personal observations.

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As you may have observed posts haven’t really been updated recently. There are several reasons for that. Well, after nearly three years of practically nonstop blogging I did not burn myself out yet. That’s not it. It just there are so many other things ahead and in life. Gonna blog occasionally, but finetune priorities in the weeks ahead, and then decide. So many plans, so many projects.

The recent terrorizing of Bangkok was a blogger’s dream. Healthy stats and great traffic. But mighty depressing. That can’t be it. The blood of others should not allow for one’s profit. Even though it was a waste of blood and I really don’t want to beat a dead horse, but having to defend common sense, sanity and reason on this blog against prevarication and lies was hard to swallow.

In the days before the red march started, when it became clear that mayhem is the only strategy the reds have, when I switched from a neutral position to a clear “no, this kind of sad movement is insane,” formerly loyal readers turned against me. Well that happens when you go public with an opinion. Many of you joined in and encouraged. And it is you I want to thank for keeping this unimportant little blog going.

The badmouthing goes on, just for the sake of badmouthing. We know this is never gonna be a perfect society, but at least those promising shortcuts to wealth and equality have become silent. For the moment. There are no shortcuts. There never were and will never be. Thailand will be back at some dangerous juncture in the future, but next time common sense may act more swiftly and decisively.

And, to be honest, if the forces opposing sanity and reason stop at nothing I don’t mind a certain restriction of civil liberties. You think life in the West is freer? The people of this blessed place are obviously not yet able to handle all the consequences that come with freedom. But for the moment I must no longer always butt in.

Have some traveling ahead, must take better care of myself – hey already lost 10 kg in a few weeks – and got a new project taking shape that would actually contribute to the betterment of life and society, and not just talk about it. This little blog though isn’t all but dead. The News Feed and BKK Vids will continue to be updated, expect a new post now and then – and your contributions are more welcome than ever.

Again, thank you for your criticism, encouragement and constructive disputation. Let the open healthy debate roll on. The love for this place and dedication can’t be for nothing. But then again, who’s right? No one’s only wrong.

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THE NATION – Thaksin & 24 Others to Face Terrorism Charges
THE AUSTRALIAN – Thai Union Frozen Product to Become World’s Largest Seafood Group
TAN – Dire Warning From Bank of Thailand
TAN – Puea Thai Cry Foul Over Election
RIA NOVOSTI – Vanessa-Mae to Represent Thailand @ 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi (gonna be fun)
HUFFINGTON POST – Robert Amsterdam: Thailand’s Legitimacy Deficit
WP – Divisive Ex-Thai Leader Marks Birthday on Twitter
GLOBAL POST – Bomb Shatters Bangkok’s Calm
CSM – Bomb Wounds 9 in Wake of Thailand Election
TIME – Hmong Refugees Live in Fear in Laos & Thailand
AP – Is Facebook Hurting Thai Language?
BANGKOK POST – The Babelry of Politic-Speak

BKK News Feed for Week 28 in 2010, July 19th – July 25th:

BANGKOK POST – Yellow & Red Leaders End Legal Battle: Colorful Truce
WSJ – Thai Divisions Shift to Voting Booth
ASIA SENTINEL – Corruption Cases Could Sink Thai Govt
NEW MANDALA – The Politics of Motorcycle Taxis
BANGKOK POST – Isaan Revolt Reflects Puea Thai Leadership Problem
NYT – In Thai Election, One Candidate is in Prison
CNN – Thailand’s Ghost-Friendly Director
! ASIA TIMES – U.S. Slips, China Glides in Thai Crisis
BLOOMBERG – IMF Raises Thailand’s GDP Forecast to as Much as 8%
THE NATION – Banned Ad Should Be Seen on TV
SPIEGEL – Kasit Interview: “I’m not Going to Run Like Thaksin”
ROBERT AMSTERDAM – Keeping Feudalism Alive

BKK News Feed for Week 27 in 2010, July 12th – July 18th:

! BANGKOK POST – Voranai: Amart & Prai
AP – Thai Politics Intrudes on the World of Reality TV
NYT – Wasps to Fight Thai Cassava Plague
! FCCJ – Bangkok’s Stupid War
BANGKOK POST – “Man in Black” Nabbed
AFP – U.S. Envoy Plans Thailand Mission
NOT THE NATION – Abhisit Spends Entire Week on Phone With Old Woman Who Thinks He’s the Water Department
RADIO AUSTRALIA – Thailand Cracks Down on Migrant Workers From Neighboring Countries
BANGKOK POST – “Ban the Democrats”
NYT – Old Bones Yield a New Age of Dinosaurs in Thailand
MUST READ: MICHAEL YON – Even as the World Watched: Peaceful or Pistol?
AP – Don’t Feed the Elephants: Bangkok Introduces Fines

ASIA TIMES – Holes in Thailand’s Drug Fences
NOT THE NATION – Ministry of Communications Bans Over 2,000 Metaphors
WASHINGTON TIMES – Thai “Emergency” Cameras Watch for Red Shirt Uprising
BANGKOK POST – PAD Leaders, Supporters Face Charges Over Govt House & Airport Seizure
THE NATION – Yellow Shirts: Terror Charges “Ludicrious”
! NEWSWEEK – Recalling Thailand’s Past Lives: From Thailand’s Rural Reaches to the Palme d’Or
BANGKOK POST – What Makes a Terrorist Under Thai Law
PHUKET WAN – Phuket, Thailand’s Forgotten First Airport Invasion
THE NATION – Uganda Questions How Thaksin Gets Passport
THE NATION – World Cup Final: Let’s Blow This Curfew
ASIA TIMES – Thailand’s Forgotten War Simmers
BANGKOK POST – There’s Hope for Reform

BKK News Feed for Week 26 in 2010, July 05th – July 11th:

ECONOMIST – Thailand’s Irreconcilable Differences
PHUKET GAZETTE – Phuket Punters Mourn as World Cup Favorites Fall
TNA – National Reform Panels Officially Launched, Members Announced
AFP – Thai PM Says Monarchy, Army Should Stay Out of Politics
VOA – Thailand’s New Migrant Labor Laws Spark Fear, Criticism
NYT – Russian Pianist Charged in Rape of Thai Boy
CNN – Will Tourists Return to Thailand?
TELEGRAPH – Blog: Thailand Goes Back to Sleep
BBC – Thailand Launces Feel-Good Campaign to Aid Reconciliation
ICG – Bridging Thailand’s Deep Divide
BANGKOK POST – Reconciliation Impossible Without Political Freedom
BANGKOK POST – Bangkok’s Lady-Toy Bars Revealed

CNN – Thailand Fights to Stem Tide of Child Sex Tourists
WP/Reuters – Thai Temple Offers Buddhist Funerals for Pets
BBC – ICG Urges Thailand to Lift Emergency
BANGKOK POST – Voranai: Hotline or Hotseat?
BANGKOK POST – Post Bag: Suranand’s Tea Party
BANGKOK POST – Puea Thai Elects New Nominal Head
AL JAZEERA – Insurgents Kill 8 Soldiers
THE NATION – A Victory in Washington
AP – Imagine Peace: Thai Exhibit on Political Crisis
BANGKOK POST – Thitinan: The Widening Battle Over Foreign Perceptions
AFP – U.S. House Urges Peaceful End to Thai Crisis
ROBERT AMSTERDAM – The Hypocrisy of Abhisit

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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.

No wonder the reports’ comments at Al Jazeera’s YouTube site are locked. Or is there a way out? And just a thought: If the reporter would ask his local colleagues how to pronounce local names he’d only gain credibility.

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