· February, 2006

Stories about Thailand from February, 2006

Myanmar: Damning the Dams

  27 February 2006

Dathana at the Blog of Nyein of Chan Yar complains about the environmental damage bound to be caused by a planned series of dams on the Salween River along the Thai-Myanmar border: “Burma stupid generals just know how to get money. They do not consider how much damage will be...

Singapore, Thailand: Photoblogging Protests

  27 February 2006

Singapore-based themediaslut is photoblogging protests in Thailand against business mogul and PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who last week dissolved parliament and called snap elections as a response to the public outcry over the tax-free millions earned from the sale of a controlling stake in his Shin Corp. to Singapore's Temasek Holdings.

Thailand: Ways to Wai

23 February 2006

Tales from Isan explains the how and whys of the wai, the traditional Thai greeting of cupping one's palms together in front of one's chest. “Get it right, and you earn the approval and pleasure of the person you seek to honor. Get it wrong, and you risk embarrassing, or...

Philippines, Thailand: Healthy Food?

  21 February 2006

Jessica Zafra writes from Manila about marketing coffee as healthy: “I've been drinking coffee since I was 8, and let me tell you: I don't drink it because it's good for me. Part of the attraction of drinking coffee is knowing that too much of it is bad for you.”...

Thailand: Airport Odors

  20 February 2006

A Daily Dose of Words ridicules a Financial Times travel writer who described inhaling “the smell of mint, of jasmine and perfume” on stepping out of Bangkok's Don Muang airport. Exhaust fumes, perhaps, he and his commenters point out. But no, no herbs and flowers.

Philippines, Thailand: Comparing Crises

  17 February 2006

My Liberal Times compares the crises in the Philippines and Thailand that have been dogging both countries’ leaders (accusations of election-tampering in the case of the former and allegations of self-enrichment in the latter). His conclusion: In both countries, the opposition has been politicizing the alleged misdeeds of the leaders...

Thailand: Conquering the Mind

  17 February 2006

Thai Buddhist blogger Pongsathorn discusses his discovery of two kinds of samatha, or “coercion of our intention to do one single activity.” There is intentional samatha and unintentional samatha. Engaging in both exercises different aspects of the mind, so doing both is beneficial for the spirit. “For samatha without intention,...

Myanmar, Thailand: Bangkok Falls

  15 February 2006

At Burma Digest, a poster hopes that the protests against Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra will send a message to his allies in the Yangon government. He calls on other Burmese to join and protest at Thai embassies. “Today, the Road to Burma Liberation can also be through Bangkok.”

Thailand: Ghost Stories

9 February 2006

Brain farts (and other inane crap) has a scary, unexplainable encounter in her school bathroom after the death of a professor. “What I DO know is that I totally believe in ghosts now. I swear I will never laugh at another ghost story again. “

Thailand: Book Banned

6 February 2006

According to Thai-blogs.com, a new biography of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej has been banned in Thailand even before its publication, and local access to the publisher's website blocked.

Myanmar, Thailand: Damning the Salween

  3 February 2006

Burma Underground talks about a deal between the Thai government and the ruling Myanmar junta to dam the Salween River and displace thousands in ethnic minority states for Thai industrialization.

Thailand: Exiled Website

3 February 2006

Thai activist website CorruptionWatch.net (TH) had its hosting contract cancelled by its local host, according to Reporters San Frontieres. The website, which runs critical coverage of individuals linked to Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra, has found a new host — outside Thailand.

Thailand: Tearjerkers

1 February 2006

Brain farts (and other inane crap) spends an afternoon in Thailand watching Korean films that make her cry and asks “Why do we re-watch movies that we know are going to make us cry? Is there some deep psychological reason why we like to revisit sad movies? Or am I...