Stories about Thailand from August, 2008
Thailand: People’s coup or putsch?
Since Tuesday, anti-government protesters have invaded Thailand’s Government House demanding the resignation of Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej. The rallyists, estimated to be as low as 3,000 to as high as 25,000, are members of the People's Alliance for Democracy
Audio slide of Bangkok rallies
Newley Purnell has uploaded an audio slide about huge anti-government rallies in Bangkok. The protesters are demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister.
Twitter users and Bangkok rallies
Thai Twitter users are commenting about the huge rallies led by anti-government groups in Thailand. One user, bodychan, writes: “I don't want Samak say this word ‘No one died in Government House’.”
Anti-government rallies in Bangkok
A teacher who is based in a province in Thailand is surprised that people are not talking much about the huge rallies in Bangkok which forced the Prime Minister to seek protection in a military compound.
Middle-aged Bangkok protesters?
MrPavee notes that Bangkok protesters who stormed the government house were mostly 45 year-old middle class individuals. He also writes that the rallies “showed the government is really losing its grip and is actually really weak.”
Japan and Thailand: Children of the Dark
Roy Berman from Multant frog elaborated his comments on a newly released film “Children of the Dark” which is about how children in Thailand are exploited by developed countries.
Cambodia: Sex workers, 100% condom use and human rights
Cambodian sex workers have taken to the internet to make their plight and fight for human rights better known. In Cambodia, a 100% condom use law which states that sexual exchanges with clients have to take place with condoms on sounds like a good idea, but it has been turned against those it is supposed to protect, by being used as a means to imprison sex workers, using the fact that they carry condoms with them as evidence for them doing sex work.
Southeast Asia’s Olympic performance
Southeast Asian countries garnered 12 medals in the recently concluded 2008 Beijing Olympics. Indonesia leads the pack with 5 medals: 1 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze medals.
Breastfeeding in Thailand
absolutelybangkok.com is worried that Thailand has the lowest exclusive breastfeeding rate in Asia and one of the lowest in the world.
Thai King is world's richest royal
Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the world's richest royal. Thailand Jumped the Shark asks if it is a source of pride or national embarrassment. Bangkok Pundit comments too.
Thailand: Expats and Olympics
The Lost Boy from Thailand poses a good question: “Who do expats cheer for in the Olympic games? Is it with their country of birth or their country of residence?”
Thailand: Thaksin Shinawatra trial
Real Life Thailand lists the possible outcomes of the ongoing trial involving former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra and his family
Thailand wins a gold medal
Fable, a Brit-American blogger in Bangkok congratulates Thailand for winning a gold medal in the 2008 Olympics. She also explains why the Olympics TV coverage in Thailand is better than in the US.
Southeast Asia and Beijing Olympics
Close to 200 athletes from the Southeast Asian region are participating in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The big news (as far as the region is concerned) during the opening ceremonies are the exclusion of Brunei during the event and the “improper” waving of the Singaporean flag by the country’s flagbearer.
Thailand: Prime Minister hides in a public toilet
Mangozeen reports how the Thai Prime Minister evaded reporters by hiding in a public toilet for 30 minutes. The leader criticized the media for not giving him privacy.