As you can see to the right on this page, the question "Where In The World Is John Brown?" provides a link to my Lightstalkers page. A more important concern for Thailand's sixty-six million citizens a few days ago was; where in the world is deposed former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra? I can't seem to find a listing for him on Lightstalkers anywhere!
According to a Bloomberg news program broadcast earlier this week on cable TV in Cambodia, former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was hiding out somewhere in the world but nobody seemed to know where he was. The Bloomberg newscaster even went so far as to call him a "crazy man."
Apparently, the former Prime Minister has turned up in London and issued a statement, but his passport has been revoked and he's been charged with inciting Bangkok's unrest from abroad. Two people died and one-hundred-twenty-three were injured during clashes that saw Thaksin supporters capture an Army tank.
While I don’t claim to be a political analyst or expert scholar regarding the slow evolution of "democracy" in Thailand, there is one thing I know about Thaksin Shinawatra and that is; he is a NOT crazy. For the most part, crazy men don't become communication company billionaires.
Last year Thaksin assured everyone that he would remain in Thailand to answer various charges relating to his years as Thailand's headman. Fearing incarceration, Thaksin fled the country and has yet to return.
The "man on the street' almost always has a political view in Thailand although one might need to be diplomatic when inquiring about these candid thoughts in less cosmopolitan areas. When an ethnic Lahu man that owned a guest house in the northern Thailand city of Chiang Rai (Thaksin country) was asked if he supported Thaksin he replied, "Oh sure, he gave me enough money to buy this motorcycle." A Mai Sariang schoolteacher also responded favorably when she stated, "Look at all the solar power panels Thaksin has given to villagers in this province!"
Meanwhile, to the south in Bangkok, as Thaksin supporters capture military vehicles, their viewpoints are on full display.
Thaksin also has a large group of detractors that is comprised of some of the country's leading educators, scholars, media and business people. Many of them live in Bangkok. Surprisingly, some of these folks are advocating more appointments to Thailand's government rather than relying on voters to choose their leaders. But then again, if leaders are buying votes with motorcycles and solar panels, that might pose a threat to a democratic way of life too.
Politics and economics are complex intertwined issues in Thailand, counted as one of the "Asian Tiger" countries that have seen explosive economic growth over the past 25 years. By 2002 Thaksin's administration adopted a more active foreign policy in response to a steeper than expected downslide in the economy but policy analysts said the changes were for profit-making rather than political ends.
Currently, Thailand is being hit hard by the aftershock of the US "mortgage meltdown" and exports to its major markets, including the USA and Japan, have slumped. Further, not only has the world's economic downturn drastically affected Thailand's all important visitor industry, where spending is expected to drop by as much as thirty percent this year, it's reputation as a safe destination took a blow due to last year's political protests that forced airport closures in Bangkok.
As for Thailand's stock market, its daily trading volume has plunged by nearly half to just seven billon baht per day and financial advisors worldwide are telling foreign investors to stay away until the political situation has stabilized. Countries such as Singapore are the beneficiaries of this economic chaos.
Complicating matters is the fact that most Thai people look towards King Rama IX for moral leadership. As the world's longest reigning monarch, the Swiss educated American born King is undoubtedly the most widely respected person in the Kingdom, but he is over eighty year of age and his input regarding the political affairs of the country have seemed to diminish over the past few years, despite the nation's penchant for wearing yellow shirts in his honor.
Under Thaksin's direction, Thailand arguably prospered economically during challenging times. Thaksin Shinawatra's personal bank account also benefited from policy initiatives he fashioned, and his opponents say he is corrupt.
A Thai born ethic Karen man residing in Ban Ta Tha Fang, a small rural village near the shores of the Salween River along the Myanmar (Burma) border in northern Thailand was the recipient of a small solar panel provided by Thaksin's administration a few years back. Now that he has light, he can stay up as long as he wants making baskets, and he earns more money. On the other hand, he gets less sleep and works harder. "How do you feel about that?" asked a city dweller. "I'm not sure," responded the man in his sixties.
Deep down perhaps millions of Thai people share his sentiment regarding what should be done to alleviate the currently distressing social and economic ills in Thailand. It's a beautiful country and I wish them all luck.
John Brown Photojournalist On LIGHTSTALKERS
My Mondo Library Photography
My Photoshelter Photography Archive Homepage
According to a Bloomberg news program broadcast earlier this week on cable TV in Cambodia, former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was hiding out somewhere in the world but nobody seemed to know where he was. The Bloomberg newscaster even went so far as to call him a "crazy man."
Apparently, the former Prime Minister has turned up in London and issued a statement, but his passport has been revoked and he's been charged with inciting Bangkok's unrest from abroad. Two people died and one-hundred-twenty-three were injured during clashes that saw Thaksin supporters capture an Army tank.
While I don’t claim to be a political analyst or expert scholar regarding the slow evolution of "democracy" in Thailand, there is one thing I know about Thaksin Shinawatra and that is; he is a NOT crazy. For the most part, crazy men don't become communication company billionaires.
Last year Thaksin assured everyone that he would remain in Thailand to answer various charges relating to his years as Thailand's headman. Fearing incarceration, Thaksin fled the country and has yet to return.
The "man on the street' almost always has a political view in Thailand although one might need to be diplomatic when inquiring about these candid thoughts in less cosmopolitan areas. When an ethnic Lahu man that owned a guest house in the northern Thailand city of Chiang Rai (Thaksin country) was asked if he supported Thaksin he replied, "Oh sure, he gave me enough money to buy this motorcycle." A Mai Sariang schoolteacher also responded favorably when she stated, "Look at all the solar power panels Thaksin has given to villagers in this province!"
Meanwhile, to the south in Bangkok, as Thaksin supporters capture military vehicles, their viewpoints are on full display.
Thaksin also has a large group of detractors that is comprised of some of the country's leading educators, scholars, media and business people. Many of them live in Bangkok. Surprisingly, some of these folks are advocating more appointments to Thailand's government rather than relying on voters to choose their leaders. But then again, if leaders are buying votes with motorcycles and solar panels, that might pose a threat to a democratic way of life too.
Politics and economics are complex intertwined issues in Thailand, counted as one of the "Asian Tiger" countries that have seen explosive economic growth over the past 25 years. By 2002 Thaksin's administration adopted a more active foreign policy in response to a steeper than expected downslide in the economy but policy analysts said the changes were for profit-making rather than political ends.
Currently, Thailand is being hit hard by the aftershock of the US "mortgage meltdown" and exports to its major markets, including the USA and Japan, have slumped. Further, not only has the world's economic downturn drastically affected Thailand's all important visitor industry, where spending is expected to drop by as much as thirty percent this year, it's reputation as a safe destination took a blow due to last year's political protests that forced airport closures in Bangkok.
As for Thailand's stock market, its daily trading volume has plunged by nearly half to just seven billon baht per day and financial advisors worldwide are telling foreign investors to stay away until the political situation has stabilized. Countries such as Singapore are the beneficiaries of this economic chaos.
Complicating matters is the fact that most Thai people look towards King Rama IX for moral leadership. As the world's longest reigning monarch, the Swiss educated American born King is undoubtedly the most widely respected person in the Kingdom, but he is over eighty year of age and his input regarding the political affairs of the country have seemed to diminish over the past few years, despite the nation's penchant for wearing yellow shirts in his honor.
Under Thaksin's direction, Thailand arguably prospered economically during challenging times. Thaksin Shinawatra's personal bank account also benefited from policy initiatives he fashioned, and his opponents say he is corrupt.
A Thai born ethic Karen man residing in Ban Ta Tha Fang, a small rural village near the shores of the Salween River along the Myanmar (Burma) border in northern Thailand was the recipient of a small solar panel provided by Thaksin's administration a few years back. Now that he has light, he can stay up as long as he wants making baskets, and he earns more money. On the other hand, he gets less sleep and works harder. "How do you feel about that?" asked a city dweller. "I'm not sure," responded the man in his sixties.
Deep down perhaps millions of Thai people share his sentiment regarding what should be done to alleviate the currently distressing social and economic ills in Thailand. It's a beautiful country and I wish them all luck.
John Brown Photojournalist On LIGHTSTALKERS
My Mondo Library Photography
My Photoshelter Photography Archive Homepage
No comments:
Post a Comment