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New film delves into history and practice of bokator

2010-05-22T23:36:00.001-07:00

A DOCUMENTARY film on the ancient Khmer martial art bokator, formally known as labokator, will be screened tonight at the French Cultural Centre (CCF) in Phnom Penh.

The 50-minute film, titled Une Breve Histoire du Boxkator (A Brief History of Bokator), was directed by Daniel Perrier, a French artist and instructor at the School of Fine Arts in Nantes.

Perrier shot footage for the documentary during a previous visit to Phnom Penh, and now he is back for an extended stay to take part in a series of art projects at CCF.

The artist said he became interested in bokator after he met San Kimsean, a coach of the martial art, in August 2008. The more Perrier learned about bokator from the coach, the more intrigued he became.

“When I came to Cambodia I met San Kimsean by chance, and as we talked he told me about labokator,” Perrier said. “I knew about martial arts like kung fu and judo, but now I have learned about labokator. I think it is not only a martial art, but also the art of self-defence with real tactics.”

According to oral tradition, bokator dates back to the ninth century and was used to fight enemies on the battlefield. Legends say the technique was created by Khmer farmers who lived near the forest and had to learn to fight wild animals with weapons and bare hands – thus the various bokator techniques that mimic the movements of animals such as tigers, horses and crocodiles.

As an artist, Perrier was not interested in making a traditional documentary. Though the film does deal briefly with the history of bokator, it mostly focuses on different aspects of the training process. Using long, unedited shots of students learning basic movements at the Bokator Academy of Phnom Penh, the director allows the viewer to meditate on both the beauty and the rigour of the sport.

“I wanted to document an old Khmer practice, but I also wanted to show how they can re-create information when there are so few teachers,” he said.

“Labokator originated in the ninth century … but under the Pol Pot regime most of the next generation of practitioners were killed. So now there are very few young people involved, and the expert trainers are too old,” he said.

As a result, Perrier said, the coaches have invented a “new process of teaching” in which even intermediate-level practitioners are drafted to teach novices.

“I was really interested by this way of teaching. If they wait for an instructor, an old one with experience, they will be waiting for a long, long time because labokator is a very complex art. The progress is step by step by step,” he said.

Perrier said he made the documentary with very little money, using only a small video camera.

He added that he plans to sell copies of the documentary on DVD for US$25, with $20 going to support bokator students in training and $5 to fund his next video project.

“Next summer I also plan to bring students from France to collaborate with students in Cambodia to learn more about labokator under the sponsorship of the MAC/VAL Museum in Paris,” he said.

Une Breve Histoire du Boxkator will be screened tonight at 7pm at the French Cultural Centre, 218 Street 184, in Khmer with French subtitles.

KSpeu land row heard at forum

2010-05-22T23:29:00.000-07:00

HUNDREDS of villagers affected by an economic land concession in Kampong Speu province’s Omlaing commune complained during a public forum Thursday that soldiers and company employees were preventing them from planting corn on their land, even though they had been issued new land titles.

During the forum, organised by the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights (CCHR), villagers, rights groups, parliamentarians and local authorities discussed disputes stemming from the 9,000-hectare land concession granted to the Phnom Penh Sugar Company, which is owned by Cambodian People’s Party senator Ly Yong Phat.

“Even though some villagers have gotten new land titles from the provincial authorities, the soldiers are not allowing them to plant corn on their farmland,” said San Tho, a villager who attended the forum.

Hab Dam, Omlaing commune chief, said that more than 200 villagers had been issued new titles since last month. Despite this, she said, “The company did not allow some villagers to plant crops because their land had already been cleared, so those villagers will have to relocate.”

Chhean Kimsuon, a Phnom Penh Sugar Company representative, said by phone that the villagers “always made up lies” and that the company had a right to “protect its land”.

“The villagers are tricksters,” she said. “They haven’t planted anything on their own land but they want to plant corn on the company’s land.”

The soldiers are like a “referee”, she said, adding that the company had already cleared about 3,000 hectares. “When the rainy season starts, we will start planting sugarcane,” she said.

Ousted Bayon vendors ask to return

2010-05-22T23:23:00.000-07:00

ALMOST 100 vendors who have been barred from selling goods north of Bayon temple protested in front of the offices of the Apsara Authority Thursday, complaining that the loss of income is driving them deep into debt.

The 97 vendors said they were ordered to remove their stalls in mid-March to make way for a string of national celebrations that included Visak Bochea Day and the Royal Ploughing Ceremony.

But when they tried to return, authorities prevented them from erecting their stalls – even though were previously told they could start selling again on May 11, the vendors claimed.

“We cannot wait any longer, because we have not been able to sell for two months,” said Chan Nary.

She said officials with the Apsara Authority, the government body tasked with overseeing the Angkor temple complex, stopped vendors from setting up new stalls on Wednesday.

With no stable income for the last two months, some vendors have been forced to borrow money from banks to cover basic living costs, she said.

But Chrun Sophal, director of the communications department of the Apsara Authority, said it was unlikely the vendors would be allowed to return to their old locations.

“We see the current site is needed to arrange festivals frequently, and we need vendors to move their stalls during festivals,” he said.

Instead, authorities are considering moving the vendors, along with others nearby, to a location on the west side of Bayon temple, in the hope of setting up an organised – and permanent – place for their stalls.

“The new site is not far from the old one. But it is stable,” said Chrun Sophal, who offered no timeline on when such a move would take place.

Football winnings

2008-09-22T09:04:00.000-07:00

Ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra loses Man City on Tuesday to an Abu Dhabi group - but gains a profit of about 7.5 billion baht. "My financial position has changed in the last 15 months," he said.

(BangkokPost.com) - The takeover of Manchester City by Abu Dhabi investors has been made final, and ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra will lose the club by Tuesday, the British media reported from Manchester on Sunday.

"My financial position has changed in the last 15 months," said Mr Thaksin, according to the reports.

"I thus felt it was in the best interests of everyone associated with the club that I hand over the reins to new owners who share similar ambitions and visions to my own for Manchester City."

The deal is believed to be worth roughly 210 million pounds (about 12.76 billion baht; US$375 million).

In July of last year, he bought Manchester City Football Club for 82 million pounds, or 5.2 billion baht.

The reports quoted Premier League officials as saying that Abu Dhabi United Group, led by Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has concluded its process of due diligence and finalised its negotiations to purchase the team from Mr Thaksin.

The former premier, living in exile in England to avoid corruption court cases in Thailand, will retain a minority stake in the club.

The Arab group's oil wealth makes City the richest club in world football. Man City has promised to make more high-profile signings in the January transfer window after already luring Brazil striker Robinho from Real Madrid.

Robinho scored in City's 6-0 win over Portsmouth on Sunday. (Compiled from agency reports)

Fight for democracy

2008-09-22T09:02:00.000-07:00

The opinions of non-Thais range from disbelief to disdain and disgust at what is going on with Thai democracy. Here is help for our foreign critics to understand how we got into this mess.

In recent times, "democracy" is a word that has been thrown around more often than a ping pong ball in Patpong - and suffers about the same level of degradation.

From words in the pubs to letters in Postbag, to the reports by foreign correspondents and commentaries by the esteemed editors of various prestigious western media, everyone has an opinion on what democracy is, and that it either does not exist in Thailand, or has been battered and abused into something quite undemocratic.

From the observations of many non-Thais, opinions have ranged anywhere from disbelief to disdain and downright disgust at what is going on with the democracy of this Kingdom. With harsh words and brutal assaults, slamming and insulting the Kingdom, and with it, my fellow countrymen.

Well, allow me to address our foreign critics and help form an understanding of how we got into this mess. Though by all means, this observation is one man's humble opinion offered up to be considered, discussed and debated; nothing less, nothing more.

In the West, democracy is a tradition of over 2,000 years old, although it had taken a nap for centuries before it was rediscovered. One may trace the origin of modern democracy to the French Revolution (1782), the American Revolution (1776), or even the signing of the Magna Carta (1215). But no matter which event one would like to attribute modern democracy to, it is unarguable that Western democracy has been several centuries in the making and written by numerous conflicts and much bloodshed.

So if the West has gone through centuries of mistakes, of trials and tribulations, to arrive at a healthy, though imperfect system of modern democracy, why can't Thailand embrace the finished product, packaged with a beautiful ribbon? Well, it's not that we don't want to.

To understand where we are now, one must look at the historical evolution of Thailand since the conversion to constitutional monarchy in 1932.

From our first prime minister, Praya Manopakorn Nititada, to our latest, Somchai Wongsawat, in the 76 years since there have been 36 prime ministers, most of whom were "appointees", by the military or otherwise.

There were many reasons behind these "appointees", military or otherwise, not least of which was the influence of the superpowers and their Cold War chess match. Like the majority of the Third World, we were but a pawn served up on a platter with a side order of freedom fries by our leaders, to be exploited in the name of democracy against the rising tides of communism. Never mind the fact that we ourselves were ruled by military dictators for much of that time.

It wasn't until 1988 when we sustained a succession of "elected" leaders, starting with the government of General Chartchai Chunhawan.

Only for 20 years had the electoral process been able to sustain breathing room in this Kingdom, minus the hiccups in Black May 1992 and the 2006 coup. Is the Thai democracy young and fragile? It's a sickly, crying toddler in an incubator. So why, I ask you, would anyone look at an infant in an incubator with disdain and disgust?

Through much of our history in the 20th century, the overwhelming majority of the Thai population were peasant farmers, the backbone of the Kingdom, who wouldn't know a democracy from a tamagochi. How could they? With little to no education, their primary concerns were simply feeding and clothing their children? Democratic ideals are the luxury of the "haves", the "have nots" hold graver concerns. Is that so unbelievable? So disdainful? So disgusting?

It was only the economic boom of the late 1980s and 1990s, the advances in communication technology and globalisation, that saw the burgeoning middle class. Western education, or education period, was no longer the privilege of the elites.

Be that as it may, not unlike the period of Industrial Revolution in the West, the people were much more infatuated with the newfound riches than the ideals of democracy. Human nature: a pile of cash on the table versus some lofty ideal, which would the average Somchai and Somying one generation removed from the rice field (or the villages of Communist China) choose? Is that so disdainful, so disgusting, so unbelievable?

The infant may be wearing Gucci and the incubator may be the latest Mercedes model, but the fact is, in the 1990s Thailand's democracy was still just an infant in the incubator. As such, we were easily exploited by corrupt leaders, thrifty merchants (local and foreign) and, of course, our own greed. That is disdainful and disgusting, but which country has never gone through such a period? Like puberty, it isn't pretty, but it's a natural process of evolution.

With the Asian financial crisis of 1997, we woke up and realised that we simply exchanged "appointees", military or otherwise, for opportunistic thugs and gangsters, who knew about running a country and economy as much as we Thais know how to queue up in orderly fashion to board/deboard the Sky Train. They simply sneaked into office while the educated middle class were too busy having a bubble bath.

Then it happened. Clouds parted, Beethoven's Symphony No 3 echoed out of nowhere, the birds and the bees chanted, "hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah"! For the messiah had arrived! He was not a general, nor a gangster. He was a businessman who built a telecommunication empire with his own hands.

For a society that had embraced capitalism for only a little over a decade, we were googoo and gaagaa over him like he was some K-pop heartthrob. For the first time in the history of Thailand, the rich, the poor and those in between agreed on one thing: Thaksin Shinawatra was our man.

Chuan Leekpai was solid, but he was a plain housewife. This new guy was Paris Hilton on steroids. Is it so unbelievable, so disdainful, so disgusting? Infant in an incubator, we were lost lambs, confused and desperate, then came our shepherd, our saviour, all glittery in golden lights.

And well, you know the rest of the story.

Here we are in 2008. Duped and deceived, scarred and full of scorn. Conflict in all levels of society. Flocking to the banner of the PAD are simply people who have had enough. Sure, the leaders of the PAD are questionable. Sure, many of the PAD's tactics are unsavoury. But allow me to speak for the average Thai person - rich, middle and poor - we marched simply because we have had enough.

Similar to Black May 1992. Then we marched because we wanted no more military dictatorship, but now we march because we want no more greedy money merchants and their thuggish cronies.

Is this undermining democracy? There is no democracy to undermine. We never had it. Democracy isn't just about going to the poll and voting. Democracy isn't about smiling as you are getting screwed over once again. That may be fine for countries with healthy, but imperfect democracy. But here, in this corner of the Third World, we are tired of taking it lying down and are simply saying enough is enough.

They don't hand out democracy at the local mom and pop store, and it isn't on sale at Central or Paragon. One must fight for it.

It's an ugly fight. But is there such a thing as a pretty fight? Definitely, there isn't anything democratic about a fight, just ask the Coalition of the Willing. At least we avoid bloodshed as best we can. Granted, a lot of us aren't even sure what we're fighting for, a lot of us are simply venting frustrations and anger, but at least we're conscious and alive enough to stand up and fight.

Certainly there are and will be mistakes to overcome, trials and tribulations to triumph over in the road ahead. As I wrote in my first commentary on Sept 14, we Thais also have to look at ourselves and start the change with ourselves, not just point fingers at our corrupt leaders.

Is it so unbelievable, disdainful, disgusting? For those who are understanding, we thank you. For those who are not, please take no offence. You don't have to help us, or support us, constructive criticisms are welcomed and appreciated. But beg your pardon, please do not insult us. Especially if you are a guest in our country.

Somchai takes charge

2008-09-22T08:59:00.000-07:00

New Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat denied ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, has a hand in picking cabinet ministers "I am the prime minister and I am responsible," he insisted.

Former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh has surprisingly emerged as a potential deputy prime minister in Somchai Wongsawat's new cabinet lineup.

A reliable source said Gen Chavalit, who was army chief before resigning to enter politics, would oversee security affairs and southern unrest if his appointment is tangible.

Mr Somchai on Saturday denied his brother-in-law, deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, had a hand in picking cabinet ministers "I am the prime minister and I am responsible [for selecting the ministers]. Nobody has a hand in it," he said.

A recent trip to London by Yongyuth Tiyapairat, former deputy leader of the People Power party (PPP), had reinforced the speculation.

Mr Somchai said there has been a lot of progress in putting the cabinet together and some coalition parties have already forwarded their lists of ministers.

A source in the PPP said that former Siam Commercial Bank president Olarn Chaipravat has been approached for the finance minister post, but he has not made a decision.

Former interior minister Chalerm Yubamrung is lobbying for a deputy prime minister slot.

However, Mr Somchai's political advisers are reluctant due to his widely perceived negative image.

Kowit Wattana is likely to retain his interior portfolio despite pressure from Mr Yongyuth and his associates to hand the job to deputy party leader Sompong Amornwiwat.

Santi Prompat has reportedly cleared the air with Mr Somchai's wife Yaowapa and is likely to keep his job as transport minister. Chart Thai deputy leader Somsak Prissanananthakul said Saturday there would be changes in the party's cabinet line-up.

Mr Somsak noted that Warawut Silpa-archa, son of Chart Thai party leader Mr Banharn, is likely to be appointed as a cabinet minister.

Deal on US troops in Iraq 'close'

2008-09-09T05:50:00.001-07:00

Ms Rice said she wanted an agreement "that respects Iraqi sovereignty"

Iraq's foreign minister has said Iraq and the US are "very close" to a deal on the future of US forces in Iraq.

Hoshyar Zebari says both sides were redoubling efforts to bring 10 months of tough negotiations to a conclusion.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice - on an unannounced trip to Baghdad - said the final deal would be in line with Iraqi laws and sovereignty.

US troops' immunity from prosecution and the timing of a US pull-out remain to be resolved, correspondents say.

The draft deal being discussed includes a commitment that US troops will start to pull out of Iraq's cities from next summer, moving to large bases out of public view, says the BBC's Crispin Thorold in Baghdad.

Really, we are very, very close to closing this agreement and as we said from the beginning, there is no hidden agenda here

Hoshyar Zebari
Iraqi Foreign Minister

In a joint news conference, Mr Zebari and Ms Rice said they had agreed timetables should be set for a withdrawal, adding that a framework was close, but not final yet.

"We have agreed that some goals, some aspirational timetables for how that might unfold, are well worth having in [the Status of Forces Agreement]," Ms Rice said, after meeting with Iraqi officials, including Prime Minister Nouri Maliki.

She said the aim remained to hand over responsibility for security to Iraqi forces.

"We are trying to put together an agreement that protects our people, that respects Iraqi sovereignty, that allows us to lay the kind of foundation that we need for making certain that we complete the work we've all sacrificed so greatly to see accomplished," she said.

Mr Zebari said officials had hoped to conclude the negotiations earlier, but he cited internal political factors for the delay.

"Really, we are very, very close to closing this agreement, and as we said from the beginning, there is no hidden agenda here," he said.

"Time is of the essence, but, really, we are redoubling our efforts to bring this to a successful conclusion," he added.

Approval process

Earlier, Ms Rice said any aspirational timeline for a US troop withdrawal had to take into consideration the situation on the ground.

Any future agreement on the status of US troops in Iraq must be approved by the US president as well as Mr Maliki and Iraq's parliament.

Other issues up for possible discussion included the status of some 20,000 prisoners held by US forces without charge and Iraqi electoral law.

A United Nations mandate for US troops to stay in Iraq expires in December.

Iraqi officials have said they would like to see US forces end routine patrols of Iraqi towns by the middle of next year, and withdraw all combat troops in the next couple of years.

End of emergency near

2008-09-06T23:41:00.001-07:00

By Aekarach Sattaburuth and Manop Thip-Osod

The state of emergency could soon be lifted but anti-government protesters expect the move would do little to ease political tension.

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) still insists that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej must resign before it will enter into talks with the government, leaving the stand-off simmering.

Mr Samak said on Friday he was considering ending the state emergency he declared for Bangkok. He said it was becoming a pointless exercise as people refused to comply.

The prime minister issued the emergency decree on Tuesday after PAD protesters clashed with rivals from the pro-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), leaving a UDD supporter dead and 43 other people injured.

The decree forbids an assembly of more than five people, but PAD protesters grouped in and around Government House have refused to comply with it.

In further defiance of the rule, a group of Ramkhamhaeng University students on Thursday night organised a protest march to Mr Samak's house during which two of them were shot and injured by unidentified gunmen.

Army commander Gen Anupong Paojinda, who is in charge of enforcing the decree, has also refused to exercise its powers to break up the PAD protest.

"When people do not comply, it doesn't bode well for the decree. So I will consult with officials in a day or two [about lifting it]," Mr Samak said.

"Normally it would be effective for three months, but I won't drag it out."

In a new bid to break the political deadlock, House Speaker Chai Chidchob, Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej and Opposition Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva have agreed the stand-off should be resolved through dialogue.

At a meeting on Friday, Mr Prasopsuk was assigned to mediate. They decided to meet after the joint House-Senate debate on Sunday failed to yield any concrete measures to end the strife.

Mr Abhisit said Mr Prasopsuk was entrusted with taking the lead role because he has no political affiliations and is widely accepted.

He said while the Senate speaker will act as a go-between, political parties will be asked to pressure their members of parliament to help reduce tension and work out possible solutions.

"We agreed a referendum might come too late. What we have agreed is to resolve the conflict through talks as suggested by the army chief," he said.

In a press conference on the emergency decree on Tuesday, Gen Anupong insisted the conflict must be resolved through political means and limited the military's role in order to avert bloodshed.

Mr Abhisit said the parties concerned should keep their conditions to a minimum to facilitate negotiations.

Mr Prasopsuk said he has been assigned to coordinate between the army chief and the PAD, and his initial offer of help has been welcomed.

"I think the conflict will be resolved soon and in an amicable way. But I cannot tell you with whom I am coordinating in the PAD," he said.

Asked about Mr Samak's refusal to go to the negotiating table with the PAD, he said his job at the moment was only to approach the PAD. He expects to discuss the progress of his work on Monday.

PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila said the group has told Senate representatives that talks are out of the question unless Mr Samak steps down first.

He said the PAD was maintaining its demand that Mr Samak resign because his attitude was not conducive to a dialogue.

"If he quits, we will take a step back and enter discussions to map out a solution in the short and long terms."

Mr Suriyasai warned the next 48 hours would be crucial after the cabinet on Thursday endorsed a law to empower the prime minister to enforce 20 other laws affecting each ministry such as the Traffic Act, the Disease Control Act, and the Defence Act.

He said there was still a chance of police breaking up the protest or the military staging a coup.

"It is a pity that the prime minister lets a chance for society to find a solution which is not a coup to pass him by," he said.

Deputy Senate Speaker Tassana Boonthong said Mr Prasopsuk has appointed Senator Gen Lertrat Rattanawanich to coordinate with the army chief and urge him not to use force against the protesters and stage a coup.

A source in the Senate said Mr Prasopsuk has sought help from senators Khamnoon Sitthisamarn and Paiboon Nititawan who have close associations with the PAD to convince the alliance to produce a proposal.

The source said the PAD will be asked to end its rally if the government resigns or dissolves the House. The proposal is likely to be accepted.

"They are likely to accept it — even if with reluctance. What claim will they use to justify the protest when the government steps down or the House is dissolved," the source said.

However, it remains to be seen how the proposed dialogue will turn out after the PAD and the government slammed the door shut on the prospect of negotiations.

Mr Samak reiterated Friday that he would not negotiate and would instead seek a way out through a referendum.

New foreign minister

2008-09-06T23:29:00.000-07:00

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has nominated former Thai Ambassador to France Saroj Chavanaviraj to the palace for royal endorsement to succeed Tej Bunnag, who resigned as foreign minister on Thursday.

Mr Saroj, 66, had been approached twice before by Prime Minister Samak to take up the foreign portfolio. The first time was when the present administration was being formed and the second time was after Mr Noppadon Pattama resigned as foreign minister in July. He had declined the two previous offers.

Mr Saroj retired in 2002 as Thai ambassador to Paris after serving four years as permanent secretary for foreign affairs.

A source said Mr Saroj did not want to be involved in politics and this was the reason why he had declined the job twice.

Another source close to Mr Saroj said he has decided to accept the offer this time because he has received requests from many people to help work for the ministry, particvulary since Thailand is now Asean chairman and will play host of the regional grouping's summit in December.

Mr Saroj was the most suitable person because he had the experience in Asean and Cambodian affairs, said the source.

Mr Saroj was director-general of Asean Department in 1988.

Deputy Prime Minister Sahas said Mr Samak wanted a former ambassador to take the foreign minister post.

"If we bring in an outsider, he might need time to study the job. But if we pick up an insider, that person will know the job better and he will not need time to study his job," said Mr Sahas.

What Asean member are concerned most at this time was that Thailand has yet to ratify the Asean Charter. The issue has been pending in parliament, Mr Sahas said.

He said Asean Secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan expressed concerns over this issue after Mr Tej's resigned.

Mr Surin wanted the charter to be ratified in parliament before the Asean summit, otherwise it would embarrass Thailand as the host country, said Mr Sahas.

He said he has coordinated with the Senate to speed up the issue.

Mr Surin has also lobbied with the Thai lawmakers to speed up the ratification, said another source.

Condom lubricant popular acne cure for Cambodian women

2008-08-31T19:39:00.000-07:00

PHNOM PENH – A condom lubricant designed for sex workers and gay men has become a popular acne cure among female Cambodians, women in the capital and local media said Thursday.

Number One Plus, a water-based lubricant produced by health organization Population Services International (PSI), is an excellent cure for acne, 29-year-old vendor Tep Kemyoeurn told AFP.

"After I used it for three days, all of my acne dried up and went away," she said. "Many people believe in it," she added.

Khen Vanny, 29, from Phnom Penh, told AFP that women of all ages have taken to using the lubricant to get rid of spots.

"It is very effective. Some people don't believe in it but people who do really get a good result," she said, adding: "My youngest sister and my aunt use it too."

Another woman told Khmer-language Kampuchea Thmey newspaper that she had used many kinds of medicine to treat acne but none had worked.

"After that my friends, who work at garment factories in Phnom Penh, advised me to apply the lubricant from Number One Plus condoms on my face every night," she told the paper.

"And just within three to four nights, the acne on my face gradually and then totally disappeared," she added.

A vendor near a factory in the coastal city of Sihanoukville told the newspaper that she sold packets of Number One Plus lubricant for 500 riels (12 cents) to many women every day.

The paper urged experts to conduct research about the phenomenon.

PSI were not immediately available for comment on the apparent cosmetic benefits of their product.

Miliband seeks backing on Russia

2008-08-27T00:18:00.000-07:00

Mr Miliband said Russia's declaration inflamed an already tense situation

Foreign Secretary David Miliband will visit Ukraine later in an attempt to build the "widest possible coalition against Russian aggression".

The trip comes after Russia's president formally recognised the independence of Georgia's two breakaway regions.

Mr Miliband has branded the move "unjustifiable and unacceptable".

Ukraine's president Victor Yushchenko has described his country as a hostage in a war being waged by Russia against states in the former Soviet bloc.

And he said the brief war between Georgia and Russia had exposed serious weaknesses in the powers of the UN and other international bodies.

'Territorial integrity'

Fighting between Russia and Georgia began on 7 August after the Georgian military tried to retake South Ossetia by force.

Russian forces subsequently launched a counter-attack and the conflict ended with the ejection of Georgian troops from both South Ossetia and Abkhazia - which already had de facto independence - and an EU-brokered ceasefire.

Mr Miliband's visit comes after he urged Russia to "abide by international law" and to withdraw its troops to positions they held before the confrontation.

Our aim is to suffocate aggression
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev

Meeting Russia's new 'Number One'

He said Russia's recognition of the breakaway regions "further inflames an already tense situation".

"It takes no account of the views of the hundreds of thousands of Georgians and others who have been forced to abandon their homes in the two territories," he said.

"We fully support Georgia's independence and territorial integrity, which cannot be changed by decree from Moscow."

Moscow's move has been criticised by other world leaders.

France, the current holder of the presidency of the European Union, called for a political solution.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said: "We think it is against the territorial integrity of Georgia and we cannot accept it."

Nato said it was a "direct violation" of UN resolutions, and US President George Bush warned his Russian counterpart that his "irresponsible decision" was exacerbating tensions in the region.

Mr Bush called on Russia to reconsider and "live up to its international commitments".

Cold War

But Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said the West would have to "understand the reason behind" the decision if it wanted to preserve good relations with Russia.

SOUTH OSSETIA & ABKHAZIA
BBC map
South Ossetia
Population: About 70,000 (before recent conflict)
Capital: Tskhinvali
President: Eduard Kokoity
Abkhazia
Population: About 250,000 (2003)
Capital: Sukhumi
President: Sergei Bagapsh

Profile: South Ossetia
Profile: Abkhazia
Q&A: Conflict in Georgia

He said Russia had been obliged to act following the "genocide" started by Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili in South Ossetia in August.

"The most important thing was to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe to save the lives of people for whom we are responsible, because most of them they are Russian citizens," he told the BBC's Bridget Kendall in an exclusive interview in the Russian town of Sochi.

"So we had to take a decision recognising the two states as independent."

He said a new Cold War could not be ruled out, but that his country did not want one.

"There are no winners in a Cold War," he said.

Georgia said Russia was seeking to "change Europe's borders by force".

Most of Russia's forces pulled out of the rest of Georgia last Friday but it maintains a presence both within the two rebel regions and in buffer zones imposed round their boundaries.

Mr Medvedev has blamed Georgia for failing to negotiate a peaceful settlement to the crisis.

Thai prime minister announces Cabinet reshuffle

2008-08-04T02:14:00.001-07:00

BANGKOK, Thailand—Thailand's embattled prime minister announced a Cabinet reshuffle on Saturday, a widely expected move seen as an attempt to fend off growing calls for his resignation.

The reshuffle by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej came as thousands of anti-government protesters continued to demonstrate in Bangkok. Protesters have held relentless rallies since May, accusing Samak's government of attempting to block corruption charges against ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and trying to amend the constitution to cling to power.

The reshuffle involved 11 Cabinet posts, including the key interior, commerce, industry and public health ministries. All were approved Saturday by King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Samak's original Cabinet took office in February, following December elections that were the first since a 2006 military coup ousted Thaksin for alleged corruption and abuse of power. The Cabinet was heavily criticized as full of Thaksin allies who were unqualified, unsuitable or tainted by corruption charges.

Since then, Samak has been forced to defend his administration against critics who contend it has failed to revive the country's sagging economy and was doing the bidding of Thaksin, who returned to the country from self-imposed exile in February.

Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama was forced to resign last month after being accused of jeopardizing the country's claims to land near an ancient Cambodian temple.

"With nonstop protests against the government, Samak had no choice but to replace some of his unpopular ministers," said Sukhum Nuansakul, a political lecturer at Ramkhamhaeng University, who predicted that Samak was buying time before moving to dissolve Parliament and call fresh elections.

The reshuffle is unlikely to win over Samak's critics, since most of the new faces are also considered close allies of Thaksin or unqualified to tackle the country's growing economic problems.

The government reported Friday that inflation had hit a 10-year high of 9.2 percent due to rising food and fuel costs.

"It is very disappointing to see the new Cabinet list," said Abisith Vejjajiva, who heads the opposition Democrat Party. "The new Cabinet cannot give Thais any hope in dealing with the economic situation."

Retired police Gen. Kovit Wattana was named the new interior minister, replacing the unpopular Charlerm Yoobamrung. The opposition accused Charlerm of being behind a July 25 attack in which hooligans used axes and sticks to beat anti-government protesters in northeastern Thailand. More than 20 people were injured, some seriously.

Chaiya Sasomsup, who earlier this month was disqualified as health minister, was chosen to head the Commerce Ministry despite a Constitutional Court ruling that he violated asset disclosure rules by failing to fully declare his wife's shareholdings.

Mingkwan Saengsuwan, who came under fire for his performance as commerce minister, was transferred to run the Industry Ministry.

PM unveils new line-up in cabinet

2008-08-03T04:03:00.000-07:00

The government yesterday unveiled its new cabinet line-up, but critics say they doubt it will be able to tackle problems facing the country.

The reshuffle, endorsed by His Majesty the King yesterday, marks the return of Chaiya Sasomsab to the cabinet. Four current ministers changed posts and six new ministers were brought in by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.

Mr Samak still retains his double duty as premier and defence minister, while he added the position of deputy prime minister to the portfolio of Mun Patanotai, who is the information and communication technology minister.

A source said the additional responsibility for Mr Mun was a reward for keeping the Puea Pandin party in the coalition government led by the People Power party (PPP).

Puea Pandin leader Suvit Khunkitti was among five cabinet ministers who were not in the new line-up after announcing his resignation as industry minister last week.

Also gone were Chalerm Yubamrung as interior minister, Lt Ranongrak Suwanchawee as deputy finance minister, Viroon Tejapaibul as deputy commerce minister and Sithichai Kohsurat as deputy interior minister.

The new cabinet ministers will attend an oath-swearing ceremony in front of His Majesty at Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin on Tuesday.

After the King's endorsement, government spokesman Wichienchote Sukchoterat said he was confident the new-look cabinet would be able to tackle any problems. ''The new cabinet ministers should satisfy the public because of their qualifications,'' he said.

Pol Lt-Gen Wichienchote defended Mr Chaiya, saying he had no corruption problems when he quit the top job at the Public Health Ministry.

Mr Chaiya resigned on July 9 after the Constitution Court ruled that he could not be a cabinet member after failing to declare all assets to the National Counter Corruption Commission.

Mr Chaiya said he had the right to return to the cabinet because he was not banned from politics and his comeback was not against the constitution.

But critics were not convinced after seeing the list of the new cabinet team.

Prapas Pintobtang, a political analyst at Chulalongkorn University, called the new cabinet a reflection of the interests of various factions in the PPP, which pose the question whether they will be able to work together as a unit.

The government might not last long, even with the new faces, due to problems it was facing, especially with its bid to amend the constitution, the analyst said. Mr Samak could eventually be forced to dissolve parliament and let voters decide the future of the charter, he added.

''Society should closely watch the projects that will be urgently approved by the government,'' he said.

People's Alliance for Democracy leader Pibhop Dhongchai called the new line-up a reward for people working for ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

He questioned the ability of some ministers such as Mingkwan Sangsuwan to run the Industry Ministry, Kowit Wattana and Mr Chaiya.

Pol Gen Kowit could have problems with his qualifications and Mr Chaiya was criticised as public health minister when he tried to end the compulsory licensing policy.

Chief whip of the Democrat party Sathit Wongnongtoey said he was also worried about the new line-up.

The cabinet reshuffle by Mr Samak was not aimed at boosting government efficiency by finding the right man for the right job, he said. The reshuffle was to please PPP factions, he said.

The change was to prolong Mr Samak's time as government leader, he said.

Potential problems were conflicts between the Industry Ministry under the new minister and the Finance Ministry because Mr Mingkwan no longer was in charge of economic policy, the Democrat MP said.

He also suspected the ability of Mr Chaiya to tackle problems affecting consumers because of his lack of expertise.

Public confidence in the government will erode if the new line-up fails to tackle economic problems, he warned.

But Santi Vilassakdanont, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries was optimistic about Mr Mingkwan's ability to lead the Industry Ministry because he had vision and experience working with private firms before entering politics.

China unblocks some websites at Olympic media centre

2008-08-01T07:40:00.001-07:00

Beijing (dpa) - China has unblocked some websites previously inaccessible to journalists at the Olympic Games main media centre after pressure from the International Olympic Committee, but other sites remained blocked.

Journalists at the media centre were able to access sites for human rights advocate Amnesty International, US broadcaster Radio Free Asia, the China-critical Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily, and Human Rights Watch as well as the site of a group advocating Taiwan independence.

But access to other websites were still barred, including those for the human rights group Human Rights in China and organizations advocating the end of Chinese rule in Tibet and western China's Muslim-populated Xinjiang region.

The websites for the outlawed spiritual group Falun Gong were also blocked.

The improved internet access at the media centre came after the International Olympic Committee (IOC), faced with pressure from the media and rights groups, met with Beijing's Olympics organizing committee Thursday.

"We understand some websites today are available," said Emmanuelle Moreau, the IOC's media relations manager. "We see that as very good news and as a positive step forward."

But Moreau said IOC staff have not been able to see how many sites and which sites have been unblocked.

She declined to say whether further meetings would be held.

A spokesman for the Organizing Committee of the Beijing Olympic Games said China would abide by the promises it made during its bid to host the Olympics and facilitate the Chinese and international media's reporting of the Games.

"The reporting by Chinese and international journalists through the internet is unhindered," the spokesman said.

Internet access has become a major issue in the run-up to the August 8-24 Olympics. China had promised unfettered access for the more than 20,000 journalists coming to cover the Games and had come under criticism for backtracking on its promise.

The IOC also came under fire in recent days by human rights groups for caving in to China.

China's organizers on Thursday insisted their hardline measures would remain in force, arguing that banned websites were not accessible because they violated Chinese laws.

Outside the media centre, a variety of websites considered politically sensitive continued to be blocked.

Coalition crumbles

2008-07-29T09:15:00.000-07:00

Deputy Prime Minister Suwit Khunkitti pulled his Puea Pandin party and 24 MPs out of the ruling coalition late on Tuesday in protest against what he called the misguided priorities of the government.

"The party will withdraw from the coalition government. We have given the government a chance to make changes," he told a hastily called press conference.

Government spokesmen said the withdrawal would not affect plans to reshuffle the government and submit a new list of ministers for royal approval on Wednesday.

In addition to Mr Suwit, Puea Pandin has two cabinet members of the Samak I administration: Information and Communication Technology Minister Mun Pattanothai and Deputy Finance Minister Ranongrak Suwanchawee.

The Puea Pandin Party leader said he had submitted his party's letter to notify Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej of its decision to pull out of the coalition government at about noon Tuesday.

Chart Thai Party advisory chief Sanan Khachornprasart called Mr Suwit's decision "appalling," and said he would consult ex-premier and party leder Banharn Silpa-acha. Chart Thai and Puea Pandin supposedly had a deal to act as partners on any major decisions, and Maj Gen Sanan indicated he felt Mr Suwit had back-stabbed.

In the short term, the loss of Puea Pandin and its leader should not affect the ability of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to govern. The premier will still have a majority in the Lower House, and there will be no vote of confidence until next year, barring a major political emergency.

But the withdrawal of Mr Suwit, a key cabinet member who also was industry minister, is another mini-crisis added to unending street protests, the loss of three cabinet ministers to malfeasance charges and the decision by the Supreme Court on Monday to prosecutge 42 members of former Thaksin governments on criminal charges, including three sitting cabinet members.

"We are concerned about the charter amendments," said Mr Suwit, apparently staking out an opposition agenda. "We have said that the amendment of the constitution is less important then people's day-to-day problems."

Mr Suwit also cited what he claimed were his party's concerns over the Preah Vihear temple. "The party is not satisfied with the government's decisions on the temple issue," he said - although he did not detail either his objections or what policy he favoured.

Puea Pandin was the third-biggest among the five political parties backing the ruling People Power party headed by Mr Samak. Mr Suwit is a veteran politician and financier.

The party joins the Democrats, until now the only opposition party, on the other side of the parliamentary aisle.

Mr Samak has promised a major cabinet shakeup involving "more than 10 positions:" in coming days. It is widely expected he will bring in non-politicians to help, particularly with the economic posts, including Mr Suwit's industry minister post.

Thailand and Cambodia to meet on border temple row

2008-07-25T18:08:00.000-07:00

Thailand and Cambodia are to hold talks next week in Cambodia to try to defuse an escalating row over joint claims to land adjoining an ancient Hindu temple on their border, government officials confirmed Friday.

Joint talks between the two countries' foreign ministers are scheduled Monday in Siem Reap, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat confirmed.

It remained to be seen who would head the team for Thailand, which is currently without a foreign minister.

"If there is no foreign minister, then Thailand will send an equivalent representative," Tharit said.

Former Thai foreign minister Noppadon Pattama was forced to resign earlier this month over widespread criticism of his handling of the Preah Vihear temple affair, which has since blossomed into a potential military conflict between the two countries.

Preah Vihear, an 11th-century Hindu temple built on a 525-metre- high cliff on the Dongrak mountain range that defines the Thai-Cambodian border, has been the cause of a border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia for decades.

In 1962, the two countries agreed to settle joint claims to the temple at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Cambodia won, but the court stopped short of defining the border in the area.

Thailand claims that a 4.6-square-kilometre plot of land adjoining the temple is still disputed.

The ancient spat got a fresh start earlier this month when UNESCO agreed to list Preah Vihear as a World Heritage Site. The inscription excluded the 4.6 square kilometres of disputed territory, and Thailand protested the listing.

Noppadon, who first backed the Cambodian proposal and then reversed his position, was forced to resign after failing to block the listing of Preah Vihear.

The spat escalated from a diplomatic row to a potential military conflict last week, when three Thais were detained for entering the disputed temple territory.

Although the threesome were quickly released, troops were called in from both sides to protect their border.

While Cambodia first appealed to the Association of South-East Asian Nations and then the UN Security Council to get involved in the border standoff, both bodies have urged the two countries to settle the matter bilaterally.

A bilateral meeting Monday between Cambodian Defence Minister Teah Banh and General Boonsrang Niempradit, supreme commander of the Thai Army, in Sa Kaeo province, Thailand, 270 kilometres east of Bangkok, failed to find a quick fix to the joint claims on the temple's surrounding area.

The temple sits on the border between Si Sa Khet and Phrea Vihear provinces in Thailand and Cambodia, respectively, and is about 400 kilometres north-east of Bangkok.

The border spat has come at a sensitive time politically for both Cambodia and Thailand. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen faces a parliamentary election Sunday, and Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is under mounting pressure to resign, in part over his government's alleged mishandling of the Preah Vihear affair.

Border talks end in deadlock

2008-07-23T17:30:00.000-07:00

Border talks end in deadlock
Cambodia, Thailand to meet again in August

Supreme Commander Gen Boonsrang Niempradit, right, and Cambodian Defence Minister Gen Tea Banh, left, take questions from reporters at a joint press conference held in Sa Kaeo’s Aranyaprathet district after the two countries failed yesterday to find ways to end the Preah Vihear row. CHANAT KATANYU

SA KAEO: Talks between Thailand and Cambodia went nowhere yesterday after both countries refused to back down from claiming sovereignty over the disputed area near the Preah Vihear temple.

But Supreme Commander Gen Boonsrang Niempradit and Cambodian Defence Minister Gen Tea Banh promised not to take any further military action that might heighten tension on the border between Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket province and the Cambodian province of Preah Vihear, where the 900-year-old temple is located.

‘‘The two sides affirmed there will be neither a withdrawal nor reinforcement of their troops,’’ Gen Boonsrang said.

After eight hours of intense talks at a hotel in the border district of Aranyaprathet in Sa Kaeo province involving the two generals and selected officials, the two countries called it quits and agreed to adjourn the General Border Committee ( GBC) meeting to next month.

A government source said a new schedule has been tentatively set for Aug 18-20 in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Gen Boonsrang, who is the GBC deputy chairman for Thailand, admitted the main obstacle was their ‘‘different legal documents’’.

He said Thailand and Cambodia insisted on using different agreements as a basis for the talks on the disputed border area.

Gen Boonsrang did not elaborate but was apparently referring to ways to resolve the 4.6-square-kilometre area of disputed territory.

‘‘The meeting yesterday was not easy,’’ he said.

Thailand insists on using the watershed mark as the border between the two countries.

Cambodia maintains the demarcation of the area has to be based on a map drawn in 1908.

Gen Tea Banh, who is also a deputy prime minister and chairman of the GBC for Cambodia, did not consider the talks a failure and said there was a need to ease the border tension.

‘‘We realise we have to reduce the [unfriendly] atmosphere, tension and [military] stand-off,’’ Gen Tea Banh said.

Thailand and Cambodia each have about 500 soldiers deployed in the overlapping area. Thailand has 2,400 troops and Cambodia has about 2,000 troops in the area as a back-up.

deadlock – a situation in which neither person or group involved in a disagreement is willing to change their opinions or position ความล้มเหลวในการแก้ไขความขัดแย้ง
joint – (of two groups or people) done together ร่วมกัน
sovereignty – the right to control or rule over อำนาจอธิปไตย
affirmed – stated that something is true ยืนยัน
withdrawal – the removal of an army from an area of fighting ถอนกำลังทหาร
reinforcement – extra soldiers who go to help an existing group of soldiers ทหารกองหนุน
intense – involving or done with a lot of effort, energy, attention, etc. อย่างเข้มข้น
adjourn – to temporarily end something, such as a meeting บอกเลื่อน เลื่อนออกไป
tentatively – not yet definite or certain คร่าวๆ โดยประมาณ
elaborate – to give more details or information about something ขยายความ
resolve – to solve a problem แก้ปัญหา
watershed – a high piece of land that divides the flow of water in an area ลุ่มน้ำ
demarcation – the establishing of a border การแบ่งเขต การกำหนดขอบเขต
ease – to make a problem, bad situation, or pain less severe บรรเทา เบาบาง
stand-off – a disagreement or fight in which neither side can do anything to achieve what they want ความโต้แย้ง / ขัดแย้งที่เจอทางตัน
deployed – put in place and ready to be used เคลื่อนกำลังพลพร้อมอาวุธไปอยู่ในตำแหน่งที่พร้อมจะต่อสู้ (ทางทหาร)
overlapping area – an area claimed by two different countries พื้นที่คาบเกี่ยว

Army chief sceptical of ceasefire

2008-07-20T06:49:00.000-07:00

WASSANA NANUAM
KING-OUA LAOHONG

Three Muslim men claiming to be leaders of separatist insurgent groups in the far South announce a ceasefire in a video made in Germany and screened on Channel 5.

Army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda has refused to give credence to the surprise ceasefire announcement by three Muslim men claiming to control 11 insurgent groups operating in the restive southern border provinces.

Gen Anupong said yesterday the group had talked to Gen Chettha Thanajaro, the leader of coalition party Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana, rather than going to the proper state authorities.

He refused to accept that the men had the power to control southern insurgency groups.

In a pre-recorded video broadcast by army-run Channel 5 television station yesterday at noon, three unnamed Muslim men claiming to have 11 insurgent groups in their charge said they had stopped attacks in the three southernmost provinces.

Speaking through a translator (right in picture), one of the men (left) said they had ceased their violence without condition from last Monday at noon and would support the peace process.

They called their group Thailand United Southern Underground (TUSU).

Channel 5 broadcast the announcement at the request of Gen Chettha, who is a former army chief.

The clip was also broadcast via satellite to 150 countries worldwide.

Gen Anupong said the announcement took the army and Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej by surprise.

His staff only managed to identify the leader of the men in the video clip as Madipeng Khan, who led an active insurgent group in the three southernmost provinces from 1984 to 1987, Gen Anupong said.

The man had tried to make himself the leader of other insurgent groups in the region, but failed to win their respect and cooperation, he said.

Army spokesman Col Akara Thiprote said Gen Chettha had not told the Fourth Army, which is in charge of southern security, of his negotiations with the Muslim groups.

Col Akara said Fourth Army chief Lt-Gen Wirot Buacharoon regarded the ceasefire announcement as the work of a civic group led by Gen Chettha.

sceptical – having doubts about something that other people think is true or right ที่น่าสงสัย
forswear – to agree to give up something or to stop doing something สาบานว่าจะไม่ทำ
insurgent - of a group of people fighting to take control of their country by force การจราจล การก่อจราจล
give credence – to believe that something is true ให้การยอมรับ
restive – not willing to be patient and becoming increasingly difficult to control หัวแข็ง ดื้อรั้น
coalition party – a political party that has joined with one or more other parties to form a government พรรคร่วมรัฐบาล
in their charge – under their control ภายใต้การควบคุม
via – through ผ่าน โดยวิธี
civic group – a group of private citizens, i.e., a non-government group กลุ่มพลเรือน

Analysis: Samak strikes back

2008-07-16T17:23:00.000-07:00

Thitinan Pongsudhirak is Director of the Institute of Security and International Studies, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University.

Just when it appeared as if the government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej was down and out, it has retaken the offensive and thereby upped the ante in Thailand's winner-takes-all political drama.

Key rulings from the judiciary last week dimmed the government's longevity. The recent spate of crucial rulings began with the Constitution Court 's 8:1 landmark verdict against the Samak cabinet's resolution to endorse the joint communique supporting Cambodia's unilateral registration of Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage Site.

The overwhelming ruling indicated that the joint communique between Thailand and Cambodia was under the jurisdiction of Article 190 of the Constitution, which required parliamentary approval.

It was tantamount to a conviction against the government for having violated the charter. Many saw the government's "unconstitutional" enactment as sufficient grounds for resignation to show responsibility.

Another ruling on the same day was anticipated. The Election Commission's earlier "red card" against Yongyuth Tiyapairat, an executive of the ruling People Power party, for election fraud in the Dec 23 elections was upheld by the Supreme Court's division for crimes involving political office holders.

This decision puts in motion the party dissolution case against the PPP through the Office of the Attorney-General to the Constitution Court, a process of six months or less.

The spectre of PPP's disbandment, much like the destruction of its forerunner Thai Rak Thai party, will thus grow in likelihood in the weeks ahead.

Another ruling the next day against a cabinet minister for failing to fully disclose his wife's assets rocked government stability further.

By Friday, when former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama was compelled to tender his resignation, it looked as if the Samak government was collapsing amidst the court rulings, the anti-government street protests by the People's Alliance for Democracy, and rising cost of living and worsening macroeconomic conditions.

Even a major cabinet reshuffle appeared too little, too late.

But then Mr Samak and his PPP lieutenants decided to go for broke, budging not an inch but instead turning the crisis into opportunity.

When he came out of his corner in his weekly Sunday talk show, Mr Samak threw a combination of punches to confront the government's coalition of opponents. He had something for everyone who has undermined the government and is intent on its downfall.

After making an earlier tactical retreat on constitutional amendments, the prime minister has reiterated the government's intention to restart the amendments process as soon as parliament reconvenes.

He openly criticised the judiciary, accused it of overstepping its boundaries over the executive and legislative branches, and threatened to set new parameters around the role of the judges through constitutional amendments.

Mr Samak further challenged the courts by exposing a potential "red card" for a Democrat party executive and MP in Ubon Ratchathani province.

If the EC fails to confirm its provincial branch's "red card" finding, or if the Constitution Court rules in favour of the Democrat executive in question, charges of discrimination and conspiracy will fly from PPP headquarters.

By last Tuesday, when the cabinet held its weekly meeting, the government's offensive was in full bloom. A new, six-month relief package of tax cuts and utilities and fuel subsidies to the tune of 47 billion baht was announced to offset higher living costs, with the emphasis on low-income earners.

Having been distracted and obstructed by its opponents in recent weeks, the PPP-led government has returned to its populist roots. The majority of the electorate is the PPP's greatest asset.

Mr Samak and the ruling party are now poised to fight its upcoming battles with its support bases firmly in tow.

The conspicuous return to its tried and tested populist agenda is a win-win outcome. Even if the government is aborted and new elections are due, relief measures for the poor and downtrodden will translate into votes.

Yet the Samak government is still deep in the woods despite its defiant posture, economic stimulus to its supporters, and challenges to its opponents.

A long list of court rulings is in the offing, including charges against Mr Samak himself and a number of his cabinet members.

The forthcoming cabinet reshuffle can buy him time if he brings in respected outsiders to shore up macroeconomic management. If they are prominent enough, these outsiders will make difficult targets for the PAD and other anti-government groups.

Mr Samak also has to remove or relocate cabinet liabilities such as Interior Minister Chalerm Yubamrung.

A complete revamp of the cabinet may enable the Samak government to hobble along for a few months until the PPP dissolution verdict arrives.

Political temperatures will rise inexorably, and Thailand will become increasingly ungovernable, in the interim.

Many hold out the hope that the judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court, Constitution Court and Administrative Court, can resolve the political crisis through its rulings. Such may be the case if the decisions are seen as fair across the board and can set political direction.

The danger, however, is that the crisis will persist and transcend beyond the judicial decisions, politicising and compromising the courts.

The cost of dragging the judiciary into Thai politics would then not be worth it.

One-Two sued

2008-07-12T16:18:00.000-07:00

By Boonsong Kositchotethana

Families of the victims of the One-Two-Go airlines crash in Phuket last September are preparing to file more than 70 lawsuits in the US courts, demanding compensation of $US400 million - 13.2 billion baht.

The lawsuits name Bangkok-based Orient Thai Airlines and its budget carrier One-Two-Go Airlines as twin defendants.

The families have also asked Thai authorities to file criminal charges against Udom Tantiprasongchai, the chief executive and founder of the two carriers.

Ribbeck Law Chartered, a Chicagobased law firm specialising in aviation disasters worldwide, has been authorised by the families of victims and survivors to represent them in claiming compensation for damage caused, from the airlines, the Boeing Company and liable parties.

One-Two-Go's MD-82 jetliner crashed on Sept 16, 2007, in strong winds and heavy rain after attempting to land at Phuket international airport, leaving 89 people dead and 41 others injured.

The plane was manufactured by McDonnell Douglas Corporation, which was taken over by Boeing in 1997.

The budget carrier is facing a string of multi-million-dollar lawsuits brought by the families of victims and survivors in several locations including California, Texas and England.

In Thailand, Ribbeck is helping families who are filing complaints with insurance regulators in London to suspend the licence of One-Two-Go's insurance carrier to underwrite future coverage for airlines.

The basis for the complaint against the insurer was its bad-faith denial of payment of medical bills and compensation, such as burial expenses, to the victims' families, said Manuel von Ribbeck, the founder of the law firm.

In addition, the victims' families are in the process of filing a formal petition with the Thai government and the governments of 29 other countries to revoke the business licences of airlines that have insurance coverage from the same carrier that covered One-Two-Go.

One-Two-Go and its insurance carrier are being represented by Clyde & Co LLP and Beaumont & Son Aviation out of Singapore, said a family member of one of the victims.

"We are being treated as less than human beings by the representatives of the insurance carrier," Mr von Ribbeck quoted a family member as saying.

Now in Bangkok to deal with the case, Mr von Ribbeck complained that Thai authorities were taking too long to release a report of their investigation.

He said multiple lawsuits would be filed against all of the potential defendants in the US, adding he was speaking to Thai authorities about criminal prosecution in Thailand.

He said he was confident of winning the cases on behalf of his clients.

A preliminary investigation into the crash initially found pilot error as the cause of the tragedy.

Wuthichai Singhamanee, the deputy director-general of the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), said yesterday that Thai authorities would conclude their formal investigation of the crash in the next month.

He said the DCA only last week received reports on the examination of parts of the doomed aircraft by the US National Transportation Safety Board.

Mr Wuthichai said One-Two-Go would be subject to the most severe penalties if found guilty.

"We want to tell the whole world that we are not compromising just because the operator is a Thai firm, as some have claimed," he said.

Mr Udom declined to comment in detail and said he would rather let the legal process take its course.

"What [the plaintiffs' law firm] is telling the Thai media is a way to stimulate business for itself as its interest is to make more money for itself," he told the Bangkok Post.

One-Two-Go, he said, was not dealing directly with the cases but was working with the law firms representing the insurance companies.

The families of Thai victims and survivors have accepted initial compensation of $150,000 each.

Noppadon resigns

2008-07-10T03:04:00.000-07:00

Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama resigned to show his spirit on Thursday - but said defiantly that events will show that he and the ministry staff handled the Preah Vihear temple issue perfectly.

"Time will prove that I and the Foreign Ministry have done what is right. I am not a nation-seller. I am as patriotic as all Thai people. I have not caused damage to the country," he said.

Earlier, the Democrats began a process to impeach Mr Noppadon in parliament. It was not clear if that effort would be dropped in light of the resignation.

Out on the street, core leader Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang of the People's Alliance for Democracy demanded the entire government resign. The minister may have quit to take responsibility but the whole cabinet was to blame, he said.

Mr Noppadon quit just hours after he returned from Canada, where he attended the meeting of Unesco which approved Cambodia's application to declare Preah Vihear temple a World Heritage Site. While he was absent, on Tuesday, the Constitution Court ruled that he had violated the constitution by signing a joint communique backing the Cambodian government without first submitting the document to parliament for approval.

"Although I didn't do anything wrong, I would like to show my spirit and take responsibility by stepping down from foreign minister post," he said at a press conference held at mid-afternoon on Thursday, and broadcast nationwide on Army TV Channel 5.

The resignation takes effect on Monday.

He was not humbled by events. He insisted he did done the right thing by supporting the Cambodian application. He respected the Constitution Court's verdict but felt the entire issue was debatable.

He insisted he did not cause Thailand to lose sovereignty over the disputed area around the temple: "I did not sell the country and did not cause any damage to it."

The only thing he was truly sorry for, he said, was that the issue had been used to instigate conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, and to wrongfully arouse nationalistic sentiments in the country.

He also got in criticism of his more radical opponents, saying they had even harassed his sister at her home in Nakhon Ratchasima.

"I am resigning to show my spirit," he said, "so that the government can concentrate on solving people’s problems."

He had indirect support from Army commander Anupong Paojinda, who said that he felt the only way to face any problems with Cambodia over the temple issue was through peaceful negotiatons.

He rejected calls by nationalists to oust Cambodian vendors in the disputed area around the actual temple, on the grounds that it is Thai territory. He said the area is in dispute, and legal and international relations mechanisms should be used. There are better ways to deal with the problem than simply to use armed force against the Cambodians.

In parliament on Thursday morning, opposition whip Sathit Wongnongtoey began formal impeachment proceedings against Mr Noppadol by handing a letter to Senate Speaker Prasobsuk Boondech.

Mr Sathit said Mr Noppadon had violated the constitution, and "shoulc have used his common sense in considering how much his own actions affected society," he said.

That was before Mr Noppadon resigned, and it was not known if the Democrats will continue to press the issue. Probably they will; Mr Sathit said he plans to seek the removal of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej for the same violation of Article 190 of the constitution.

At the Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge, Day 47 of the PAD demonstration was under way, and Maj-Gen Chamlong seemed happy.

The rally will continue indefinitely, he said. He called Mr Noppadon's resignation just one of 17 political victories by the protesters, and he said they will not stop before the government is brought down.

บทความ โดย ลูกชาวนาไทย

2008-07-10T02:53:00.000-07:00

ตอนนี้เราต้องตั้งสติให้ดีครับ แล้วคิดวิธีรับมือกับปัญหาที่ละขั้นตอนครับ และคิดวิธีการที่มีความเป็นไปได้ ปฏิบัติได้ เพราะเรื่องบางเรื่อง แม้เราอยากให้เป็น อยากทำอย่างโน้นอย่างนี้ แต่ในทางเป็นจริงมันทำไม่ได้ ตอนนี้สถานการณ์มันไม่สุกงอม การพยายามที่จะปลิดผลไม้ใดๆ ออกจากขั้วที่ยังไม่แก่พอ มีแต่แต่จะเกิดผลเสีย
ผมว่าตอนนี้ คนไทยแบ่งออกเป็นสองฝ่ายชัดเจน คือ "คนในชุมชนหมู่บ้าน" และ "คนในชุมชนเมือง" ทั้งสองกลุ่มนี้มีกรอบวิธีคิดทางการเมืองที่แตกต่างกัน คนในชุมชนเมืองคือ "คนชั้นกลางเป็นส่วนใหญ่" แต่มีกลุ่มคนจนในชุมชุนเมืองที่เป็นคนชั้นล่าง ส่วน "คนในชุมชนหมู่บ้าน" คือ ชาวรากหญ้าทั้งหมด มีคนชั้นกลางเล็กน้อย เช่นพวกครู หรือข้าราชการที่ไปทำงานในระดับหมู่บ้าน
ประเทศไทยแบ่งออกเป็นแบบนี้ กระแสแนวคิดและความเข้าใจต่างๆ ตอนนี้ "มาจากชุมชนเมือง" เท่านั้น
หาก แบ่งตามฐานเลือกตั้ง "คนในชุมชนหมู่บ้าน" ยกเว้นภาคใต้ แล้ว เลือก พปช. แทบทั้งหมด มีบางเขตเท่านั้นที่เลือกตัวบุคคล พรรคอื่นๆ เช่นชาติไทย เป็นต้น

ส่วนในชุมชนเมืองอาจเลือก ปชป. เช่นใน กทม. แต่ คนพวกนี้ก็ไม่ได้เลือก ปชป. ทั้งหมด พวกเป็นกลางที่เรากำลังพูดกันคือ "คนในชุมชนเมือง" ที่ยังไม่เลือกข้าง ซึ่งหลายฝ่ายพยายามแย่งมาเป็นพวก แต่ผมไม่คิดว่าตรงนี้จะสำคัญนัก เพราะคนชุมชนเมือง มีประชากรเพียง 30% ของประเทศเท่านั้น และมีเฉพาะ กทม. เท่านั้น ที่เป็นเขตชุมชุนเมืองทั้งหมด มี สส.ได้ 37 คน แต่ที่เหลือคนชุมชนเมืองเวลาเลือกตั้ง เขตเลือกตั้งจะไปทับซ้อนกับคนชนบท คนในสังคมหมู่บ้าน ทำให้พลังของชุมชนเมืองไม่มากนัก จะมีก็แต่ เชียงใหม่เท่านั้นที่เขตเทศบาล อาจมี สส.ได้ 1 คน ดังนั้น ผลกระทบต่อการเลือกตั้งของ “คนในชุมชนเมือง” มีไม่มากนัก แต่คนเหล่านี้เสียงดังผ่านสื่อเท่านั้นเอง
มวลชนส่วนใหญ่ของประเทศยังอยู่กับ พปช. การแย่งชิงมวลชน ทำได้แค่ในกลุ่มคนชั้นกลางเท่านั้น ในชนบท ฝ่ายอำมาตยาธิปไตย เจาะเข้าไปไม่ได้ ตอนนี้ พปช./ทรท. คุมเสียงแทบทั้งหมดแล้ว
ดังนั้น ไม่ว่ายุบสภา ยุบพรรค เราก็ยังไม่อับจนสิ้นหนทาง เพราะคนส่วนใหญ่ ไม่ได้โดนยุบไปด้วย ฐานเสียงเรายังอยู่ แม้ "ผู้แทนของคนรากหญ้า" จะโดนสังหารทิ้งทางการเมืองไป แต่ คนรากหญ้า เข้าก็ส่ง "ผู้แทนชุดใหม่" มาสู้ได้อีก
การเมืองมันไม่ได้เป็นเรื่องของคนชั้นนำอีกต่อไป แต่มันคือการต่อสู้ของพลังระหว่าง “ชุมชนเมือง” กับ “ชุมชนหมู่บ้าน” การทำลายล้าง "ผู้แทนของประชาชนทั้งสองกลุ่มนี้ไม่มีผลอะไร เพราะเขาก็จะส่งผู้แทนชุดใหม่เข้ามาสู่สภาอีก
ภาพที่เราเห็นชัดเจนมานานคือ การเมืองในต่างประเทศ เช่นการเมืองของสหรัฐอเมริกา ผู้เลือกตั้งหรือประชาชนได้แบ่งออกเป็นสองขั้วอย่างชัดเจน คือ พวก Democrat กับพวก Republican ประชาชนทั้งสองกลุ่มนี้จะหนุนพรรคการเมืองของตน ผู้แทนของทั้งสองพรรคนี้ ก็เหมือนตัวแทนของคนทั้งสองกลุ่มนั้น ดังนั้น แม้ว่าจะมีผู้มีอำนาจบารมีเพียงใด สังหารผู้แทนของ ประชาชนที่นิยม Democrat หรือ Republican ทิ้งหมด ก็ไม่มีผลต่อการเปลี่ยนแปลงทางการเมืองมากนัก เพราะพวก Democrat หรือ พวก Republican ยังอยู่กันเต็มประเทศ พวกเขาก็จะส่งผู้แทนชุดใหม่ ที่ยังมีแนวคิดและนโยบายทางการเมืองเหมือนเดิมมาอีก การสังหาร หรือการตัดสิทธิ์ผู้แทนไม่ให้เล่นการเมือง จึงไม่มีทางกำจัดความขัดแย้ง การแตกแยกความคิดทาการเมืองได้

ปัญหาของประเทศไทยทั้งหมดเวลานี้จึงอยู่ที่ "ผู้เลือกตั้ง" ที่ตื่นแล้ว ไม่ใช่ "ทักษิณ" หรือ สมัคร แต่อย่างใด การห้ามสองคนนี้เล่นการเมือง การตัดสิทธิ์กรรมการบริหารพรรคการเมือง จึงไม่มีทางที่จะทำให้ฝ่ายอำมาตยาธิปไตยได้อำนาจทางการเมืองแต่อย่างใด เพราะประชาชนที่แบ่งออกเป็นสองขั้วแล้วจะไม่มีทางไปสนับสนุนขั้วตรงข้ามอย่างแน่นอน

สถานการณทางการเมืองตอนนี้เราอาจเศร้า เราอาจท้อแท้ได้ครับ เพราะเราเป็นมนุษย์ปุถุชนธรรมดา เหมือนคนทั้งหลาย ไม่ใช่พระอรหันต์ แต่เราไม่อาจทำให้ความเศร้า ความท้อแท้มาบั่นทอนพวกเราได้เราอาจเสียเวลาร้องไห้พักหนึ่ง แต่เมื่อร้องไห้ให้กับแผ่นดินนี้เสร็จแล้ว เราต้องมาต่อสู้กันต่อไป เพื่อให้ประชาธิปไตยเกิดขึ้นในแผ่นดินนี้อย่างสมบูรณ์ครับ เพื่อให้ "เสียงของประชาชนนั้นศักดิ์สิทธิ์และทรงพลัง"

จงแปรความโกรธ ความเศร้า และความท้อแท้ให้เป็นพลังครับ
สังคม เรากำลังเปลี่ยนแปลง ถึงอย่างไร พวกเขาก็ไม่อาจดึงให้คนส่วนใหญ่ของประเทศย้อนกับไปเหมือนเดิมได้ เหมือนลูกหลานที่โตแล้ว "ปู่ย่า" ทั้งหลาย ก็ต้องทำใจ ให้ลูกหลานเติบโตต่อไป จะดึงให้พวกเขาเป็นเด็กต่อไปไม่ได้แน่นอน
ขอเอาคำพูดหลวงวิจิตรวาทการ มาปลุกใจนะครับ
"ชีวิตคือการต่อสู้ ศัตรูคือยากำลัง อุปสรรคคือความสำเร็จอันดีงาม
ชีวิตที่ไม่เคยประสพการต่อสู้ ย่อมเป็นชีวิตที่อ่อนแอ
คนที่ไม่เคยมีศัตรู ย่อมจะเป็นผู้เข็มแข็งไปไม่ได้
งานใดที่สำเร็จราบรื่นไปโดยไม่มีอุปสรรค ย่อมเป็นงานที่ไม่หนักแน่นและถาวร"
ประชาธิปไตย ที่ไม่ได้มาจากการต่อสู้ของประชาชน ย่อมเป็นประชาธิปไตยที่ไม่เข็มแข็ง ประชาชนย่อมไม่ห่วงแหนมัน เพราะมันได้มาโดยง่าย ประชาธิปไตยที่ต้องต่อสู้เพื่อให้ได้มาอย่างยากแค้น เลือดตาแทบกระเด็น ย่อมเป็นประชาธิปไตยที่เข็มแข็ง ยั่งยืนและถาวร
นี่เป็นอุปสรรคเล็กๆ น้อย ๆ เท่านั้นครับ

บางคนคิดไปไกลสุดโต่งว่าทำไมไม่ใช่วิธีรุนแรง โดยการทำรัฐประหารตัวเอง แล้วเอารัฐธรรมนูญปี 2540 กลับมาใช้ ผมว่าการทำรัฐประหารจะทำให้สถานการณ์เลวร้ายไปมากยิ่งขึ้น เพราะฝ่ายโน้นเขาก็ระดมพลขึ้นมาสู้ หากนองเลือดมันก็เสียชื่ออยู่ดี เพราะถึงอย่างไร ฝ่ายประชาธิปไตยก็ยังเป็นคนกุมอำนาจรัฐ การใช้วิถีทางที่ไม่เป็นประชาธิปไตย เพื่อให้ได้ประชาธิปไตยนั้น มันเป็นสิ่งที่เป็นไปไม่ได้
สิ่งที่เราต้องการอยากให้เกิดขึ้น กับสิ่งที่เป็นไปได้มันไม่เหมือนกันครับ การเสนอสิ่งที่เป็นไปไม่ได้ มันไม่ได้เกิดประโยชน์อันใดนะครับ นอกจากปลอบใจเราเองเท่านั้น
จงอย่าคิดในสิ่งที่เป็นไปไม่ได้ จงสู้คิดในสิ่งที่ทำได้ดีกว่าเราอาจโกรธ โมโห แต่การกระทำจริงๆ มันต้องทำในสิ่งที่ทำได้
ขณะนี้พวกเขารอให้เรา "ทำผิดกฎหมายอยู่แล้ว" เข้าทางเขาพอดี พวกเขาจะได้ใช้กฎหมายจัดการเราได้ อย่าลืมเรามีแค่ประชาชน และความชอบธรรม เท่านั้นที่อยู่ข้างเรา หากประกาศยกเลิก รธน. เหมือนทำรัฐประหารตัวเอง จะมีความผิดฐานกบฏทันที มันไม่สำคัญว่าใครเป็นรัฐมนตรี ใครเป็นนายกฯ มันสำคัญที่ "ใครคุมกำลังทหาร" และ คนคุมกำลังทหารเขาเชื่อใคร
การจะทำรัฐประหารตัวเองได้ มันต้องกุมอำนาจทุกอย่างไว้แบบทหารพม่าครับ
ยิ่งช้ความรุนแรง พวกเราก็ยิ่งขาดความชอบธรรมครับ และสุดท้ายก็แพ้เขาอยู่ดี
ตอนนี้สิ่งที่ประชาชนจะทำได้ดีที่สุดคือ การไปกาเบอร์ลงคะแนนให้พรรคพลังประชาชน ในชื่อใหม่ นี่คือหนทางที่เป็นไปได้มากที่สุดครับ และผมเชื่อว่ามันจะออกแบบนี้ครับ เพราะสิ่งที่คาดว่าจะเกิด เมื่อมีการยุบพรรคคือ ตั้งพรรคใหม่ แล้วหานายกฯ ที่เหมาะสม ซึ่งก็ไม่ยากครับ เพราะ สส. พปช. ที่เป็น กรรมการบริหารพรรคมีประมาณ 10 คนเท่านั้นครับ ซึ่งจะต้องสิ้นสภาพ ก็หาคนที่เราคิดว่าจะเอาเป็นนายกฯ มาลงเลือกตั้งแทนคนเหล่านี้ (เช่น นายอุกฤษ์ มงคลนาวิน) เป็นต้น
ทุกคนที่เหลือก็ย้ายไปพรรคใหม่ พรรคชาติไทยซวยหน่อยเพราะ สส.เป็นกรรมการบริหาร ถึง 15 คน ก็ต้องเลือกตั้งซ่อมส่วนนี้ ที่เหลืออาจมาเข้าพรรคใหม่ของ พปช. หรือบางส่วนอาจไป ปชป. แต่คนที่อยู่ในเขตภาคกลางหรือภาคอีสาน หากย้ายไปสังกัดพรรค ปชป. ก็เกิดยากอย่างแน่นอน เมื่อนายบรรหารกับครอบครัว และคนดังในชาติไทย โดนห้ามเล่นการเมืองทั้งหมด ผมเชื่อว่า 15 ตำแหน่ง ของชาติไทยที่เลือกใหม่ พรรคพลังประชาชนในชื่อใหม่ จะกวาดไปได้หมด
เชื่อผมเถอะว่าพรรค พปช. ชื่อใหม่ แม้ไม่ยุบสภาก็ใหญ่กว่าเดิมครับ เพราะจะรวม สส.พรรค มัชฌิมา และชาติไทยมาด้วย และพรรคเพื่อแผ่นดินที่อยู่ในคิวจะต้องโดนยุบต่อไป ก็จะย้ายมาสังกัดพรรคพลังประชาชนชื่อใหม่เกือบทั้งหมด
" ความเสี่ยงคือ" พวกอำมาตย์ อาจมาซื้อ สส.พรรคพลังประชาชนในช่วงที่กำลังหาพรรคใหม่สังกัด ไปอยู่กับพรรคประชาธิปัตย์ หรือพรรคที่เขาตั้งขึ้นรองรับ แล้วไปจับมือกับ ปชป. ตั้งรัฐบาล แต่ต้องซื้อไปได้ไปไม่ต่ำกว่า 50 คนนะครับ ปชป. จึงจะมีโอกาสตั้งรัฐบาลได้
แต่ สส.ที่ทรยศแบบนี้ จะโดนประชาชนสังหารทิ้งในการเลือกตั้งครั้งต่อไปแน่ครับ แต่หากเห็นสัญญาณไม่ดี เราก็ยุบสภาก็ได้ครับ

ไม่ต้องสนใจว่าจะต้องต่อสู้อะไรรุนแรงครับ ไม่มีการนองเลือด ไม่มีความวุ่นวาย เพราะสุดท้ายมันต้องตัดสินที่ "เรา ผู้เลือกตั้ง" ทั้งหลาย สิ่งที่พวกเขาทำทั้งหมดคือ "ทำให้ผู้เลือกตั้ง" อย่างเรา เกลียดทักษิณ แล้วหันไปเลือกพรรคประชาธิปัตย์ของเขาเท่านั้นเอง
หากพวกอำมาตย์ คิดว่าจะทำรัฐประหารแล้วนำเอาระบบ 70/30 มาใช้ ก็เท่ากับ "ร่นเวลาล่มสลายของศักดินาอำมาตยาธิปไตย" ให้เร็วยิ่งขึ้นครับ เพราะคนไทยมีประสบการณ์ กับการต่อต้านระบอบประชาธิปไตยครึ่งใบมานานแล้ว ตั้งแต่ยุค พล.อ.เปรม เป็นนายกฯ แล้ว และสุดท้ายก็เกิด รธน.ปี 2540 หากพวกเขาทำอย่างนั้น ก็ต้องทำรัฐประหารก่อน เพื่อเอา รธน. ฉบับใหม่มาใช้ การทำรัฐประหาร หากทำได้พวกเขาทำไปแล้วครับ แต่พวกเขากลัวการต่อต้านจากประชาชน และกลัวการ คว่ำบาตรทางเศรษฐกิจจากนานาชาติ พวกเขาจึงไม่กล้าทำ
หากไม่ทำรัฐประหาร ก็ต้องแก้ไข รธน. ปี 50 ตามระบบปกติ ซึ่งมันมีความเป็นไปไม่ได้เลยครับ
หากพวกเขาทำรัฐประหาร ก็ยิ่งโดนต่อต้านสูง เชื่อผมเถอะว่า เขาใช้อาวุธสุดท้ายคือ ตุลาการวิวัฒน์ จุดมุ่งหมายคือ "ไม่ต้องการให้ประชาชนเลือกพรรคนิยมทักษิณอีก"
แต่ พวกเขาทำไม่ได้หรอกครับเชื่อเถอะ เพราะพวกเขาวิเคราะห์สังคมไม่แตก วิเคราะห์ไม่กระจ่าง จึงทำผิดพลาดมาตั้งแต่ 19 กันยายน 2549 แล้ว

Hope for hacks

2008-07-07T18:05:00.001-07:00

Kay Kimsong

A Chinese investor who has set up a golf academy in Phnom Penh expects it will encourage the sport among young people in Cambodia.

A Chinese investor has established an international golf academy in Phnom Penh in order to try to attract more Cambodian business people, senior officials and tourists to the sport, as well as young people, the project’s general manager, Summer Xia, told the Post on July 3.

“We set up this school with the aim to reach our vision to build up a Cambodian junior golf team, because in Cambodia, there are many senior officials who play golf,” said Xia.

The academy, set up at a cost of $150,000, had a soft opening a month ago and will officially tee off next month. Offering two- to three-month programs and charging $15 per hour for lessons, the academy already has 40 students enrolled, 80 percent of whom are Korean businessman.

Xia said the academy has invited four coaches from South Korea, China, and the Netherlands, as well as a Cambodian-American coach.

“This game is not like driving a car; you need to be skillful. But playing golf is addictive, like smoking heroin,” laughed Xia.

Cambodia currently has four golf courses, two each in Phnom Penh and Siem Riep, but would soon be home to ten courses, with new links in Sihanoukville and provinces near the Vietnam border. Phnom Penh also has four driving ranges.

Bun Sok, secretary of state of the Ministry of Education Youth and Sport, thought the academy would be a tool for encouraging business investment and saw it as a “sign of development, security and peace.”

Dalin Chhem, sales representative of the Angkor Golf Resort, said, “The golf academy can help our business as more people get involved in golf. Then more will come to our resort, and bring more customers to us.” She hoped it would encourage younger and more local golfers.

While Minister of Tourism Thong Khon saw golf as a sort of luxury niche market for the tourism industry, he also noted that there were an estimated 60 million golfers worldwide, 17 million of which were Chinese, Japanese or Korean.

“If a golfer comes to Cambodia, he will not only be seeing Angkor Wat, but will play golf as well. Airfares are expensive, so if they come on one trip, they can enjoy many things,” Thong Khon said.

Hamas Suspends Prisoner Exchange Talks With Israel

2008-07-06T08:27:00.001-07:00

Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip have suspended prisoner exchange talks with Israel that would free an Israeli soldier in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians. VOA's Jim Teeple has details from our Jerusalem bureau.

The Hamas declaration to suspend the prisoner exchange talks came after Israel decided to keep cargo crossing points with the Gaza Strip closed - in retaliation for continued rocket attacks by Palestinian militants against southern Israel.

The talks are supposed to lead to freedom for Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit, who was seized from his Gaza border post two years ago by Palestinian militants. Egypt has been brokering talks that would see Schalit freed in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners that Israel holds.

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri says the Israeli closure is a violation of the Gaza truce between Israel and Palestinian militants that went into effect on June 19.

"Hamas has decided to suspend negotiations for the release of Schalit because of the closure of the border roads which is a violation of the terms of the ceasefire," he said.

Another round of talks on freeing Schalit was supposed to have taken place on Saturday in Cairo.

A spokesman for Israel's military says the latest border closure, which took effect on Thursday, was provoked by continued rocket fire, which he says is a violation of the truce.

The truce calls for Palestinian militants to stop firing rockets at Israel, and for Israel to open crossings into Gaza. Upon completion of the prisoner exchange, Egypt has pledged to re-open its border crossing with Gaza at Rafah.

Meanwhile Israel's Defense Minister Ehud Barak has issued demolition orders for the homes of two East Jerusalem Arabs who carried out attacks against Israelis. The homes belong to the families of a man who gunned down eight Jewish seminary students in March and the man who killed three Israelis on Wednesday with a bulldozer in the heart of Jerusalem. Israel's attorney general ruled the demolitions can take place but noted the demolitions could raise "significant legal problems." Human rights groups say they will appeal the demolition orders.

Jaguar expects strong Thai sales from XF sedan

2008-07-02T10:53:00.000-07:00

Jaguar Cars (Thailand) Co is confident that the luxury Jaguar XF sports sedan that premiered yesterday at Siam Paragon will receive strong local acceptance similar to the worldwide response at its debut last year.

''The aesthetic beauty, style and performance of this imported premium sports sedan along with being the first premium luxury brand that is capable of E20 fuel make it a most appealing model for any luxury sports car owner,'' said managing director Anurak Inthraphuvasak.

Jaguar XF received more than 17,000 booking orders worldwide after its premiere at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in Sept 2007.

In Thailand, the company expects this model will perform well and receive a warm welcome from local customers.

The strategy will emphasise maintaining its customer base in addition to catering to a younger generation of drivers who appreciate the finer things in life, said sales and marketing manager Ekaraj Nopphaket.

The company set a conservative sales target of a 10% market share in the luxury car segment or about 100 units this year. Booking orders for the first 20 cars scheduled for delivery this September will be taken during the local debut.

Presenters show off the new Jaguar XF sedan, which is expected to be priced locally from six to 12 million baht. — PATTARACHAI PREECHAPANICH

''We have already taken 10 orders,'' said Mr Ekaraj.

Usually, 70% of Jaguar customers buy the cars with cash with the others paying in installments.

Three versions of the XF are available in the Thai market with a starting price of 6.89 million baht for the 3.0-litre V6 engine. The other two are 9.3 million baht and 12 million baht for the 4.2-litre V8 model.

A discount of 300,000 baht will be offered immediately to those deciding to buy an XF with a special warranty on its engine for a five-year guarantee or 100,000 kilometres, which also includes another five-year guarantee for after-sale maintenance on engine inspection, oil changes, spare parts and maintenance resulting from normal driving except tyre replacement.

The company runs two service centres in Bangkok, one in the Don Muang area and the other on Ratchadaphisek Road, capable of servicing 1,200 Jaguar cars.

The engineers who designed the Jaguar XF were trained in the workshops of England while the spare parts inventory was fully stocked to elevate standards of service.

Established in 1992, Jaguar Cars (Thailand) is a joint venture between Wearnes Automotive & Equipment Pte of Singapore and AAS Auto Services Co run by Mr Anurak.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

2008-07-02T10:49:00.000-07:00

The board of CAT Telecom has awarded a 2.15-billion-baht fibre-optic network project to Marubeni (Thailand) despite questions raised by the Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) over the project's transparency. State auditors have objected five times to the project, officially known as the Automation Switched Optical Network (ASON).

The network would link all parts of the country with the capital via optical-fibre lines covering 9,000 kilometres.

Dr Jitkasem Ngamnil, a director of the state telecom enterprise, said the board held a special meeting on Monday to consider the project and after six hours of wide-ranging debate, it agreed to hire Marubeni.

He insisted that the board had considered the project in detail because ASON had a long history of study by past boards, and also had received objections many times from the OAG.

Phisal: Committee was kept informed

But after very cautious consideration, the board went ahead with the approval, he said.

All questions that had been raised by the OAG could be clarified by the board, he added.

A source familiar with the project said that earlier in May the board had scrapped the bid after Maruben's technical proposals did not meet CAT's terms of reference.

He said Marubeni proposed using ZTE brand equipment from China, but later shifted to another brand, Ciena, during the required testing procedure.

The company also did not show any documents to certify that ZTE and Ciena were the same products, and that it also was not a distribution agent for the Ciena brand.

The source said that Marubeni was later disqualified in the first round and had no right to submit a new proposal.

But due to political interference, the source claimed, the CAT board reversed its stance and later selected Marubeni again.

CAT president Phisal Jorpocha-udom told a press conference yesterday that although the bidding had been scrapped at the end of May, the procurement regulation required the board to communicate whatever decision it had made to the bidding committee.

He said the bidding committee disagreed with the board and insisted on awarding the project to Marubeni, attaching more evidence to support its position.

He said that the board reconsidered the committee's reasons and agreed with it to award the project to the Japanese company.

The Unesco process

2008-07-02T10:45:00.000-07:00

Montreal - The annual scramble for world heritage status opens on Wednesday evening in Quebec City, where Cambodia and 40 other countries are seeking the high-profile designation from Unesco for cultural or natural sites.

The Cambodian application is perhaps the most political. But among applicants are five countries seeking their first sites on the Unesco list - Saudi Arabia, Kyrgyzstan, Papua New Guinea, San Marino and Vanuatu.

Among Eastern European countries, Albania, Croatia, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, the Russian Federation and Slovakia are applying for recognition of special sites, and Hungary and Slovakia have a joint application for designation of a network of fortifications where the Danube and Vah rivers converge in Komarno.

In the Middle East, applicants include Yemen for its Socotra Archipelago; Saudi Arabia for archaeological site al-Hijr; Iran for the Armenian monastic ensembles in its Azerbaijan province; and Israel for the triple-arch gate at Dan and the Bahai holy places in Haifa and western Galilee.

The World Heritage Committee is chaired this year by Canada, which planned the meetings. They conclude on July 10, and coincide with the kickoff of Quebec City's 400th anniversary celebrations as one of North America's oldest continuously inhabited cities. Those festivities begin Thursday.

Unesco's World Heritage list currently includes 851 properties of "outstanding universal value," including 660 cultural, 166 natural and 25 mixed properties in 141 countries.

At least 30 are on an endangered list, meaning they either need special attention to preserve them or have risked being delisted because conservators have failed either to take proper care of the sites or to comply with Unesco rules.

Among those on the endangered list is one of Germany's most historic and scenic areas of 18th and 19th century significance, the Dresden Elbe Valley.

German authorities had decided to build a bridge in the heart of the well-known landscape against the advice of Unesco, which urged a tunnel. Warnings were issued about the site's status in 2006 after the decision to build the bridge was taken.

No site has ever been delisted from the programme, but the issue is on the agenda for this year, Unesco said in a press release.

Cambodia is seeking designation for its millennium-old temple, Preah Vihear, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.

In a compromise in May, Cambodia agreed to redraw the inscription map, including only the temple, but the move would limit Unesco's say over how Preah Vihear would be preserved, officials in Cambodia and Thailand said.

And Thailand has been enjoined by a court decision on Monday that it must refrain from direct support for the Cambodian application. (dpa)

Forest fire resurges in Inner Mongolia

2008-07-02T10:41:00.000-07:00

A fire resurged at the Xirite Forest Farm in the middle range of Dahinggan Mountains in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and was yet to be controlled by Tuesday morning, May 30, 2006. A fire resurged in the Xirite Forest Farm and was still out of control by Tuesday morning. Some 400 more soldiers have been sent to the scene of the fire.(Xinhua Photo)

XIRITE, Inner Mongolia, May 30 (Xinhua) -- A fire resurged at the Xirite Forest Farm in the middle range of Dahinggan Mountains in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and was yet to be controlled by Tuesday morning, local fire fighters said.

The blaze re-entered the area from the nearby Sangenhe Forest Farm between Mianduhe and Urqihan towns on Monday afternoon, wherea fire was reported last week.

Policemen rush to a fire area in the Xirite Forest Farm in the middle range of the Dahinggan Mountains in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region May 30, 2006. Xinhua Photo)

The previous fire, which entered Xirite in the evening of last Friday, was reportedly brought under control by early Monday morning.

Fire fighters, however, said on Monday that difficult access, dry and windy weather, and poor telecom connections would make it hard to prevent the fire from resurging in Xirite.

Withered branches and leaves also contributed to the fire, fire fighters added. Enditem

WIMBLEDON

2008-07-01T03:59:00.000-07:00

LONDON : Thailand's Tamarine Tanasugarn was in seventh heaven yesterday when she stunned second seed Jelena Jankovic of Serbia 6-3, 6-2 at Wimbledon and will now make her first appearance in a quarter-final at a Grand Slam event.

''Can I say wow, wow, wow?'' Tamarine said after booking a quarter-final berth against defending champion Venus Williams.

It was seventh time lucky for the unseeded Thai, who had lost in the fourth round six times at the All England Club.

The first Thai to have reached the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam event, Los Angeles-born Tamarine is guaranteed 93,750 (about 6.2 million baht).

Tamarine, who turned 31 in May and is the oldest woman left in the draw, screeched with delight and sank to her knees after Jankovic hit a forehand long on the first of three match points.

The world No. 60 took full advantage of another erratic display from Jankovic, who appeared to be moving freely despite suffering a knee injury when struggling to overcome third-round opponent Caroline Wozniacki on Saturday.

A break in the sixth game was enough for Tamarine to go on and clinch the opening set, and at 2-1 to the Thai in the second both players called for treatment.

Jankovic received attention to her troublesome left knee while Tamarine lay face down on the court as a trainer worked on her back problem.

The timeouts made little difference to the course of the match and a dejected Jankovic had no answer to the scuttling Thai's consistency from the baseline.

Jankovic's loss means that none of the top three women reached the quarter-finals _ the first time that's happened at a Grand Slam tournament in the Open era. World No. 1 Ana Ivanovic and third seed Maria Sharapova were shock losers last week.

Also advancing was Chinese wild-card entry Zheng Zie, who followed up her upset of Ivanovic by beating 19-year-old Hungarian Agnes Szavay 6-3, 6-4 to secure her first Grand Slam quarter-final berth. AGENCIES

Arjun finishes 15th in Thai PGA golf

2008-06-30T04:11:00.000-07:00

Arjun Singh managed an even par 72 on the final day to finish tied 15th and cap a modest week for the Indian golfers at the Singha Thai PGA Championships here Sunday.

Arjun ended the week at six-under 282, best score among the Indians, while youngster Gaganjeet Bhullar turned in a card of two-under 70 to finish 20th. Arjun took a cheque of $3,966 while Bhullar earned $3,285.

Of the other Indians, Gaurav Ghei had his worst day of the week with a 75 that saw him finish at even par 288 and in tied 44th place while Harmeet Kahlon (71), who was one-over 289 and tied 49. Amandeep Johl (77) was tied 56th at five-over 293.

Korea's Mo Joong-kyung claimed a three-shot victory to end a long 12-year title drought on the Asian Tour. The 36-year-old Korean held off the combined challenges of Filipino Juvic Pagunsan and local hero Prayad Marksaeng with a superb final round of seven-under-par 65 to claim the first prize of $47,550. Mo totalled 21-under-par 267.

It wasn't quite a stroll for overnight leader Mo as Pagusan battled brilliantly on the back nine to stay hot on the Korean's heels before settling for the runner-up place following a four-under-par 68.

In-form Prayad, chasing a third victory this month, got to within two shots of the lead but ran out of holes for a 66 to share third place with Australian David Gleeson, who charged up the leaderboard with a blistering 64.

The first time Mo won a title on Asian Tour was in 1996 when he won in Guam in 1996.

อยู่ร่วมกัน

2008-06-28T08:29:00.000-07:00

การอยู่ร่วมกับคนพาลทั้งหลาย นำทุกข์มาให้ในกาลทุกเมื่อ เหมือนอยู่ร่วมกันกับศัตรู ส่วนธีรชนคนมีปัญญามีการอยู่ร่วมเป็นสุข เหมือนสมาคมแห่งญาติ

คนที่เกิดมาในโลกนี้ ไม่ว่าจะยากดีมีจน จะอยู่โดยลำพังคนเดียวไม่ได้ จำต้องมีการคบหาสมาคมอยู่ร่วมกับผู้อื่น คนที่จะคบหาสมาคมอยู่ร่วมกันนั้น มีความแตกต่างกันออกไป คือเป็นคนชั่วก็มี เป็นคนดีก็มี การคบหาสมาคมนั้นย่อมมีผลแตกต่างกัน ถ้ามีเหตุให้คบหาสมาคมกับคนชั่วก็มีผลให้ได้รับความทุกข์ ความไม่สบายใจ ถ้ามีเหตุให้คบคนดีอยู่ร่วมกับคนดี ก็มีผลให้ได้รับสุขทั้งกายและใจ ความทุกข์ความสุขจะเกิดมีขึ้นได้ เพราะการคบหาสมาคมอยู่ร่วมกันนั่นเองเป็นเหตุ

คำว่า คนชั่ว หมายถึง คนที่ดำรงชีวิตอยู่ด้วยอาการเพียงหายใจเข้า หายใจออกเท่านั้น ไม่ดำรงชีวิตอยู่ด้วยปัญญา

โดยลักษณะของคนชั่วจะมีความประพฤติชั่วเป็นสัญลักษณ์ เมื่อคิดก็คิดแต่ความคิดชั่ว เมื่อพูดก็พูดแต่คำพูดชั่ว และเมื่อทำก็ทำแต่กรรมชั่ว คนพาลชั่วนั้นมีความประพฤติเป็นไปเพื่อตัดประโยชน์ทั้งในปัจจุบันและอนาคต ถือเอาแต่สิ่งที่ไม่เป็นประโยชน์ทั้งในปัจจุบันและอนาคตอย่างเดียว

ส่วนคนที่ดำเนินชีวิตในประโยชน์ทั้งสองอย่างในเบื้องต้นด้วยปัญญา ชื่อว่า คนดี

มีความประพฤติดีปฏิบัติชอบเป็นสัญลักษณ์ เป็นผู้รู้จักเหตุและผล ความประพฤติของบัณฑิตคนดีนั้นไม่วิปริตแปรผัน พึงเห็นสมด้วยพุทธภาษิตที่ว่า "บัณฑิตทั้งหลายอันความสุขหรือทุกข์ถูกต้องแล้ว ย่อมไม่แสดงอาการขึ้นลง"

อีกอย่างหนึ่ง คนที่ประกอบด้วยกุศลกรรมบถ 10 ประการ มีเว้นจากการฆ่าสัตว์ เป็นต้น ชื่อว่าเป็นคนดีเหมือนกัน คนดีนั้นเป็นผู้คิดดี พูดดีและทำดีเป็นเครื่องหมาย

ในคนชั่วและคนดี คนที่อยู่ร่วมสมาคมคบหาคนชั่ว ย่อมมีนิสัยของคนชั่วเป็นแบบอย่าง เพราะคนชั่วนั้น ย่อมแนะนำให้นิยมยินดีในทางทุจริตผิดศีลธรรม ส่วนคนผู้คบหาคนดีด้วยการเข้าไปมอบตนเป็นศิษย์ ยอมรับโอวาทคำสอน ไต่ถามสิ่งที่เป็นประโยชน์และไม่เป็นประโยชน์ ย่อมจะมีคนดีเป็นแบบอย่าง เพราะคนดี ย่อมจะแนะนำในทางที่ความดีที่สุจริต คนที่คบหาสมาคมกับคนชั่วแม้สิ้นกาลนาน ก็คุ้มครองรักษาตนไม่ได้ มีแต่จะทำร้ายตัวเองและผู้ติดตามให้วิบัติฉิบหาย ด้วยเหตุที่ตนยึดถือเอาแต่การกระทำที่ไม่ดี ส่วนผู้ที่คบหาสมาคมกับคนดี อยู่ร่วมกับคนดีแม้เพียงครั้งเดียว ย่อมคุ้มครองรักษาตนไว้ได้ ทั้งเป็นเหตุให้ถึงความเจริญในประโยชน์น้อยใหญ่ได้ ด้วยเหตุที่ตนถือเอาแต่การกระทำที่ดี

ดังนั้น ผู้หวังความสุขความเจริญแก่ตน และพ้นจากภัยพิบัตินานาประการ อย่าได้คบหาสมาคมอยู่ร่วมกับคนพาล ควรหลีกเลี่ยงให้ห่างไกล แต่ควรจะคบหาสมาคมกับบัณฑิตให้ชิดใกล้ จะมีความปลอดภัยไร้ทุกข์ มีแต่ความสุขความเจริญ ยิ่งๆ ขึ้นไป ไม่สิ้นสุด

วันศุกร์ที่ 27 มิถุนายน 2551

2008-06-28T07:52:00.000-07:00

666 ตกกรอบ 27 มิถุนายน 2551 666 ถึงวันนี้ก็ยังไม่มีความคืบหน้าสำหรับการทำคลอด
“บอร์ดใหม่คุรุสภา” โดยเฉพาะในส่วนของประธาน และกรรมการผู้ทรงคุณวุฒิอีก 7 ด้าน เห็นทีกระแสข่าวเสียงที่ว่ามีการวิ่งเต้นและฝากฝังกันอาจจะมีความจริงอยู่บ้าง เพราะ
ศ.ดร.เสริมศักดิ์ วิศาลาภรณ์ ประธานบอร์ดคุรุสภาคนปัจจุบัน ที่มีชื่อเป็น 1 ใน
4 ผู้ได้รับการสรรหายังออกปากว่า คงจะไม่ได้กลับมานั่งเก้าอี้เป็นวาระที่ 2 แล้ว
แม้จะเป็น 1 ใน 4 ก็ตาม ด้วยเหตุผลว่า การเมืองแรงมาก ผมเป็นนักวิชาการ
เค้าไม่เลือกผมหรอก เพราะฉะนั้นก็จะขอทำงานวิชาการต่อไป ... สบายใจกว่าเยอะเลย 666 เก็บตกการประชุมคณะกรรมการข้าราชการครูและบุคลากรทางการศึกษา (ก.ค.ศ.)
นัดที่ผ่านมา ได้มีการพิจารณาร่างประกาศ ก.ค.ศ.เรื่อง การจัดสวัสดิการให้แก่ครอบครัวของข้าราชการครูและบุคลากรทางการศึกษาที่ถึง
แก่ความตายอันเนื่องมาจากการปฏิบัติหน้าที่ ซึ่งเป็นการออกตามมาตรา 77 พ.ร.บ. ระเบียบข้าราชการครูและบุคลากรทางการศึกษา...โดยในร่างได้มีการเสนอ
ให้จัดสวัสดิการ เช่น การให้ทุนการศึกษาบุตรจนจบการศึกษา การจัดสวัสดิการเบิกค่ารักษาพยาบาลแก่ พ่อ แม่ คู่สมรส เป็นต้น ขณะที่ปัจจุบันเมื่อข้าราชการครูเสียชีวิตลงครอบครัวจะไม่ได้รับสวัสดิการต่อ ยกเว้นในพื้นที่จังหวัดชายแดนภาคใต้ที่ได้รับการพิจารณาเป็นกรณีพิเศษ ... แต่งานนี้ เสมา 1 สมชาย วงศ์สวัสดิ์ ได้มอบให้สำนักงาน ก.ค.ศ.ไปศึกษารายละเอียดเพิ่มเติมอีกครั้ง เพราะเรื่องนี้ต้องใช้งบประมาณจำนวนมาก ...เรื่องนี้ครอบครัวครูก็ต้องลุ้นกันต่อไป 666 คณะศิลปศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์ (มธ.) รับสมัคร บุคคลเพื่อสอบคัดเลือกเป็นลูกจ้างงบโครงการบริการวิชาการและสังคม ตำแหน่ง นักวิชาการเงินและบัญชี จำนวน 1 อัตรา

Thailand's Prime Minister Faces Protests and Vote in Parliament

2008-06-26T05:59:00.000-07:00

Thailand's Prime Minister says he will not step aside despite on-going protests but will face a no-confidence debate in parliament in the coming week. As Ron Corben reports from Bangkok the prime minister also denies claims by protestors encamped outside the government's main administration building that he is acting on behalf of former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, currently facing corruption charges.

Anti government demonstrators gather outside Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, 21 Jun 2008

Thai Prime Minister, Samak Sundaravej, during his weekly address to the nation, said he was willing to face a no-confidence parliament debate this week but is refusing to bow to protester's calls for his resignation.

Mr. Samak, leader of the People's Power Party, oversees a six party coalition government elected last December. The elections ended 15 months of military rule after a coup in September 2006 ousted former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, now facing corruption charges.

Mr. Thaksin and more than 100 executives from the former Thai Rak Thai Party face five year bans from politics after being charged with fraud during elections in 2006.

Many former Thai Rak Thai Party members moved to establish the People's Power Party.

But Mr. Samak says his government was elected legally and is looking to serve a four year term in office. He also denied he was a proxy for Mr. Thaksin.

Mr. Samak said it still appeared those with ill feelings towards Mr. Thaksin were looking to have him resign as Prime Minister. This, he said, would head the country into an uncertain direction.

The current protests were launched in May by the People's Alliance for Democracy, the PAD; initially calling for a halt to constitutional changes that could have led to the investigations against Mr. Thaksin coming to a halt as well as the lifting of the political bans on the Thai Rak Thai party members.

Many at the weekend rallies, that drew several thousand protestors, were skeptical that Mr. Thaksin, a billionaire and owner of British premier league soccer team Manchester city, would remain on the sidelines of Thai politics.

At the rally, Pimpagon Rojananin, a fifth year student at Chulalongkorn University, says it will be important for the Thai political landscape that the court cases involving Mr. Thaksin go ahead, so political tensions in the country will be reduced.

"Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra after what he has done to our country at least standing in court and facing the sentence. If he is right [innocent] OK he's free but if it's not right he deserves [a punishment] for what he has done," said Pimpagon Rojananin.

Mr. Thaksin remains a deeply divisive figure in Thai politics drawing his support from rural populations and the poor with populist policies such as low
interest loans and low cost medical care programs.

At the same time, the urban middle class have attacked the former prime minister and his supporters over corruption and abuse of power charges.

Political analysts warn the outlook for the political landscape in Thailand will remain unsettled over the coming months. But the military, which launched a coup in September 2006 against Mr. Thaksin's government, has called for a political resolution to the present conflict, saying it will remain neutral.

ยาเสพติดประเภทผสมผสาน

2008-06-26T01:49:00.000-07:00

ยาเสพติดประเภทผสมผสาน ผู้เสพจะมีอาการโดยเบื้องต้นจะกระตุ้นประสาทให้ผู้เสพตื่นตัว ร่าเริง ช่างพูด หัวเราะตลอดเวลา ต่อมาจะกดประสาททำให้รู้สึกคล้ายเมาเหล้า มีอาการง่วงนอน เซื่องซึม เมื่อเสพมากขึ้นจะหลอนประสาท อาจเห็นภาพลวงตา หูแว่ว หรือมีการหวาดระแวง ความคิดสับสนควบคุมตนเองไม่ได้ ผู้เสพกัญชาส่วนใหญ่มักป่วยเป็นโรคจิตในภายหลัง
กัญชา เป็นพืชล้มลุกจำพวกหญ้า ใบแตกเป็นแฉกคล้ายใบละหุ่งหรือมันสำปะหลัง สาที่ทำให้เสพติดเป็นน้ำมันกัญชา ซึ่งอยู่ในใบและยอดช่อดอกกัญชาตัวเมีย นิยมเสพโดยวิธีสูบด้วยบ้องกัญชาหรือมวนบุหรี่สูบ
อาการของผู้เสพกัญชา เบื้องต้นจะกระตุ้นประสาทให้ผู้เสพตื่นตัว ร่าเริง ช่างพูด หัวเราะ ตลอดเวลาต่อมาจะกดประสาททำให้รู้สึกคล้ายเมาเหล้า มีอาการง่วงนอน เซื่องซึม เมื่อเสพมากขึ้นจะหลอนประสาท อาจเห็นภาพลวงตา หูแว่ว หรือมีการหวาดระแวง ความคิดสับสนควบคุมตนเองไม่ได้ ผู้เสพกัญชาส่วนใหญ่มักป่วยเป็นโรคจิตในภายหลัง

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2008-06-26T01:01:00.000-07:00

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ยก 2 สมัคร-อภิสิทธิ์ เปิดศึก ประเด็นปกป้องจักรภพ

2008-06-25T10:26:00.000-07:00

ผู้สื่อข่าวรายงานว่า

การประชุมสภาผู้แทนราษฎร เพื่อพิจารณาญัตติเพื่อขอเปิดอภิปรายไม่ไว้วางใจ วันที่ 2 เริ่มด้วยการอภิปรายของนายนิพิฎฐ์ อินทรสมบัติ ส.ส.พัทลุง พรรคประชาธิปัตย์ ซึ่งได้รับมอบหมายให้อภิปรายนายกรัฐมนตรีในข้อกล่าวหาที่ 5 กรณีแสดงท่าทีปกป้องให้ท้าย กับผู้ใต้บังคับบัญชาที่กระทำความผิดอย่างออกหน้า แม้รัฐมนตรีที่มีทัศนคติที่เป็นอันตรายต่อการปกครองในระบอบประชาธิปไตย อันมีพระมหากษัตริย์ทรงเป็นประมุข อันเป็นความผิดร้ายแรง นายสมัคร สุนทรเวช ก็ยังปกป้อง โดยไม่คำนึงถึงผลกระทบต่อสถาบันอันเป็นที่เคารพยิ่งของประเทศชาติและประชาชน

นายสมัคร สุนทรเวช นายกรัฐมนตรี และหัวหน้าพรรคพลังประชาชน ได้ลุกขึ้นชี้แจงนายนิพิฎฐ์ กรณีมีการระบุว่า

เป็นต้นตำรับการแสดงเอกสารเท็จในสภาฯ ว่า ความจริงเป็นอย่างนั้น ที่ต้องนำเอกสารเท็จเอามาแสดงให้ดู เพราะมีคนบอกว่า มีคนเอาเอกสารเท็จไปแสดงให้ดู เพื่อจะได้รับเงินส่วนที่เกินกว่าการลงทุน คนก็ด่าว่า นายสมัครนำเอกสารเท็จมาแสดง "คนที่เป็นไม้สักทำพื้นได้ ทำเสาได้ ตากแดดตากฝนได้ คือคนอย่างนายสมัคร คนที่เป็นไม้ฉำฉา มาปูพื้นทนฟ้าทนฝนไม่ได้นาน ควรศึกษาก่อนมาพูดจาว่า ผมเป็นต้นฉบับ"นายกรัฐมนตรี กล่าว และว่า การอภิปรายคุณสมบัติคนอย่างตนว่าไม่จงรักภักดี ควรไปศึกษาให้ดีก่อน อย่าได้สงสัยในเรื่องความไม่จงรักภักดีของนายสมัคร

ส่วนเรื่องนายจักรภพ เพ็ญแข อดีตรมต.ประจำสำนักนายกฯ นั้น นายสมัคร กล่าวว่า

คนที่เป็นนายกรัฐมนตรีต้องมีเหตุผล เพราะมีการเก็บเรื่องไว้ 8 เดือน พอไม่ถูกใจ แล้วนำมาเล่นงาน เรื่องอย่างนี้ตำรวจต้องวินิจฉัย ตนให้ตำรวจจัดการ นายจักรภพออกเพราะตำรวจบอกว่าผิด

ขณะที่นายอภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ ผู้นำฝ่ายค้านฯ กล่าวถึงญัตติข้อที่ 5 ว่า

ตนไม่ได้สงสัยในความจงรักภักดีของนายกฯ เพียงแต่เรียกร้องว่า ให้ใช้อำนาจทางการบริหาร แก้ไขปัญหา ตนไม่ทราบว่านายกฯ เจตนาว่าใครเก็บเรื่องไว้ 8 เดือน ส่วนประเด็นการพูดจาดูแคลนคนมีอายุมาก ไม่จริง ตนให้ความเคารพกับผู้อาวุโส สิ่งที่อภิปรายเป็นเรื่องพฤติกรรมไม่ได้ขึ้นอยู่กับอายุ ดีชั่วไม่ได้อยู่ที่แก่หรือหนุ่ม คนดีคนชั่วมีทั้งคนแก่และคนหนุ่ม เราว่าไปตามข้อเท็จจริง

“ส่วนการพูดกันว่า อยากหรือไม่อยากเป็นนายกรัฐมนตรี ผมสนใจการเมืองตั้งแต่เด็ก แต่นักเมืองคนแรกที่ประกาศว่าอยากเป็นคนแรกคือท่านนายกฯ ที่ประกาศบันได 3 ขั้น สุดท้ายท่านก็มาตรงนี้ ส่วนผมก็มาตามระบบ และไม่ได้ไปไหน หรือออกไปตั้งพรรค จะเรียกอยากหรือไม่อยาก ถ้ามีความอยากก็คืออยากเข้าไปมาทำงาน แต่หากไม่สามารถมาตามระบบ ผมก็ยอมรับคำตัดสินของประชาชน ผมต้องต่อสู้ด้วยตัวเองไม่เป็นนอมินีหรือหุ่นเชิดให้ใคร” ผู้นำฝ่ายค้านฯ กล่าว

Thai House holds no-confidence debate against PM, ministers

2008-06-25T01:02:00.000-07:00

Thailand's oppositive Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva speaks during the non-confidence censure debate at the House of Representatives in Bangkok, Thailand, June 24, 2008.(Xinhua Photo)

BANGKOK, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's House of Representatives held on Tuesday a no-confidence censure debate, in which Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and seven other cabinet ministers were to face a two-day-long grilling by the sole opposition party, the Democrat Party.

The special House session, chaired by House Speaker Chai Chidchob, kicked off at around 01:30 p.m. local time.

Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej listen to the non-confidence censure debate at the House of Representatives in Bangkok, Thailand, June 24, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

The censure followed a general debate in the Senate on Monday in which Samak cabinet faced grilling by a group of senators criticizing its poor performance.

The targeted cabinet members in the Democrat Party's no-confidence motion included Prime Minister and Defense Minister Samak Sundaravej, Deputy PM and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee, Deputy PM and Commerce Minister Mingkwan Saengsuwan, Transport Minister Santi Prompat, Deputy Transport Minister Songsak Thongsri, Justice Minister Sompong Amornwiwat, Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama and Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung.

The censure followed a general debate in the Senate on Monday in which Samak cabinet faced grilling by a group of senators criticizing its poor performance.

Thailand's oppositive Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva speaks during the non-confidence censure debate at the House of Representatives in Bangkok, Thailand, June 24, 2008.(Xinhua/AFP Photo)

They are all from the People Power Party (PPP), the core party of the six-party coalition government which took office just four months ago.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva launched the grilling by stating the reasons why to file the no-confidence motion against Samak and his ministers, accusing them of having failed to address the economic plight of Thai people, citing surging oil and food prices, rising inflation, and the insurgent violence in the deep South, but focused on protecting interests of some ex-politicians -- implicating ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his allies.

Abhisit also accused Samak and the foreign minister of compromising the country's sovereignty by endorsing a bid of the Cambodian government to list the ancient Preah Vihear Temple located in a disputed boundary zone between the two countries as a World Heritage site.

Samak returned by accusing Abhisit of fueling tension between Thailand and Cambodia. He denied he was a proxy of Thaksin, and maintained he had the capacity to stay as the premier to lead the country.

The 73-year-old premier and veteran politician also told Abhisit that the latter was "too eager to become prime minister" and the Democrat Party's censure was aimed at seeking power for themselves.

The Democrat would cast some 50 members of parliament (MPs) to censure the eight cabinet members including Samak.

The debate is expected to last an almost non-stop 36 hours until midnight Wednesday, and to end with a voting on the non-confidence motion on Thursday.

Samak and the seven ministers would have to resign if a majority MPs in the House voted for the motion, but the chance seems slim as the six coalition parties led by PPP control nearly two-thirds of the seats in the 480-seat House, while the Democrat holds only 164 seats.

The PPP won most House seats in the December 23 general election. The PPP allied with five other smaller parties to form a coalition government, which took office on Feb. 6.

Opponents represented by the civilian coalition People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and the sole opposition party Democrat Party have branded the PPP a nominee party of the former ruling TRT party, which was disbanded, and the Samak administration a puppet of former Prime Minister Thaksin.

The PAD has staged street rallies in central Bangkok since May 25, first to oppose the government's bid to push for amendment to the junta-installed 2007 Constitution, then to straight call for the step-down of the Samak government. PAD protesters broke through police blockades last Friday in their march to the Government House and set new rally stages around the compound, vowing to stay put until the Samak resigns.

Samak has maintained that he will not resign, or dissolve the House to call a snap election. Public fear is that the restless confrontation between the government and the PAD could escalate to violence and deteriorate the political turmoil which started more than three years ago when PAD launched street protests against former Thaksin administration.

Thailand Open golf tournament gets new lease of life

2008-06-24T08:07:00.000-07:00

BANGKOK (AFP) — The Thailand Open, one of the region's most revered golf tournaments, will return to the golfing calendar in 2009 after new backers were found, organisers said Tuesday.

The tournament has not been held for three seasons due to lack of sponsorship but the Thailand Golf Association (TGA) have signed an agreement with World Sport Group to breath new life into the event.

"This is an extremely exciting initiative for the Thailand Golf Association that we are confident will see the Thailand Open return to its glory days," said TGA president Rungsrid Luxsitanonda.

"As everyone knows Thailand's golfers are at the forefront of the game in Asia with so many great players but the one thing missing has been that fact that our national Open has not been played since 2005."

The tournament dates back to 1965 with New Zealander Richard Lee the last player to lift the title.

World Sport Group already run a number of golf events in Asia and helped revive the Singapore Open, which has become a major tournament featuring five million dollars in prizemoney this year.

Chris Jordan, senior vice president for golf, said they had plans to do the same for the Thailand Open.

"The Barclays Singapore Open, which this year will offer prize money of five million dollars is an excellent example of what we can achieve and we are really looking forward to similarly transforming the Thailand Open," he said.

'อภิสิทธิ์'คุยมีหมัดเด็ด ชท.แทงกั๊กยกมือหนุน

2008-06-24T08:04:00.000-07:00

ผู้สื่อข่าวรายงานว่า วันนี้ (24 มิ.ย.) นายอภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ หัวหน้าพรรคประชาธิปัตย์ เรียกประชุมทีมอภิปรายไม่ไว้วางใจนายสมัคร สุนทรเวช นายกรัฐมนตรี และนายนพดล ปัทมะ รัฐมนตรีว่าการกระทรวงการต่างประเทศ

เข้าหารือ ณ ที่ทำการพรรค โดยยืนยันว่า พรรคไม่ได้เปิดประเด็นเรื่องความขัดแย้ง กรณีปราสาทพระวิหารตามที่รัฐบาลกล่าวหา แต่ผลของความขัดแย้งเกิดจากการตัดสินใจของนายนพดล นอกจากทำให้ประเทศเกิดความสูญเสียแล้ว ยังทำให้เกิดความขัดแย้งกับประเทศเพื่อนบ้าน และคงเป็นการยากที่รัฐบาลจะขอขึ้นทะเบียนปราสาทพระวิหารเป็นมรดกโลกร่วมกัน เพราะนายนพดล ได้ลงนามในแถลงการณ์ร่วมแล้ว ซึ่งการอภิปรายวันนี้จะชี้ให้เห็นถึงกลยุทธ์ของกระทรวงการต่างประเทศในการเจรจาเรื่องดังกล่าว ก่อนเปลี่ยนรัฐบาลชุดนี้

นายอภิสิทธิ์ กล่าวว่า ไม่ได้คาดหวังให้มีการเปลี่ยนขั้วการเมือง แต่เรียกร้องให้สมาชิกฟังการอภิปรายและใช้จิตสำนึกในการลงมติว่าจะไว้วางใจหรือไม่

พร้อมเชื่อว่าคนที่มีจิตสำนึกจะต้องตัดสินใจอย่างเด็ดขาดในการแสดงความไม่เห็นด้วยกับสิ่งที่นายกรัฐมนตรี และรัฐมนตรีว่าการกระทรวงการต่างประเทศตัดสินใจ นายอภิสิทธิ์ ยังยืนยันความพร้อมในการอภิปรายไม่ไว้วางใจ ซึ่งจะเริ่มอภิปรายนายกรัฐมนตรีควบคู่กับรัฐมนตรีว่าการกระทรวงการต่างประเทศ โดยตนเองจะเป็นแกนนำหลักในการอภิปรายทั้งสองเรื่อง ซึ่งคาดว่าจะแล้วเสร็จไม่เกินเวลา 24.00 น. จากนั้นจะตามด้วยเรื่องเศรษฐกิจ

ด้านนายสาทิตย์ วงศ์หนองเตย ประธานคณะกรรมการประสานงาน (วิป) พรรคฝ่ายค้าน กล่าวว่า ไม่เห็นด้วยกับข้อเสนอของรัฐบาลที่จะให้ฝ่ายค้านอภิปรายไม่ไว้วางใจจนถึงเวลา 07.30 น.พรุ่งนี้ (25 มิ.ย.)

เนื่องจากเหตุการณ์เช่นนี้เคยเกิดขึ้นมาแล้ว เพราะจะทำให้บรรยากาศการอภิปรายมีปัญหา ดังนั้น รัฐบาลควรเปลี่ยนความคิด ซึ่งรัฐบาลไม่ควรนำเรื่องนี้มาเล่นเกมการเมือง เพราะการอภิปรายไม่ไว้วางใจเป็นเรื่องสำคัญของประเทศ พร้อมยืนยันฝ่ายค้านมีข้อมูลที่ลึกและไม่เคยเปิดเผยมาก่อน โดยเฉพาะกรณีปราสาทพระวิหาร

นายสาทิตย์ ยังเรียกร้องผ่านไปยังประธานสภาผู้แทนราษฎรให้ควบคุมการอภิปรายและเวลาการอภิปรายให้เหมาะสม เพื่อไม่ให้เกิดความวุ่นวาย

ขณะที่นายสามารถ แก้วมีชัย รองประธานคณะกรรมการประสานงานพรรคร่วมรัฐบาล (วิปรัฐบาล) กล่าวว่า รัฐบาลมีความพร้อมเต็มที่ในการชี้แจงตอบข้อซักถามของฝ่ายค้านในการอภิปรายไม่ไว้วางใจ เพราะประเด็นที่ฝ่ายค้านจะอภิปรายส่วนใหญ่ เป็นเรื่องการบริหารที่บกพร่องผิดพลาดไม่ใช่ปัญหาการทุจริต ซึ่งตามข้อบังคับให้สิทธิ์นายกรัฐมนตรี และคณะรัฐมนตรี สามารถชี้แจงได้เต็มที่ พร้อมระบุไม่รู้สึกหนักใจที่รัฐมนตรีของพรรคร่วมรัฐบาลไม่ถูกอภิปรายไม่ไว้วางใจในครั้งนี้ เนื่องจากมั่นใจเสียงของรัฐบาลมีความเข้มแข็งเพียงพอ และพร้อมสนับสนุนรัฐมนตรีที่ถูกอภิปรายไม่ไว้วางใจ นอกจากนี้นายกรัฐมนตรี ยังกำชับให้การอภิปรายเป็นไปตามธรรมชาติไม่ต้องตั้งองครักษ์คอยพิทักษ์รัฐมนตรีด้วย เพราะไม่อยากให้มีการประท้วงให้เสียเวลาการอภิปราย นอกจากมีการกล่าวพาดพิงบุคคลที่ 3

ผู้สื่อข่าวรายงานว่า รัฐบาลจะเปิดโอกาสให้ฝ่ายค้านอภิปรายอย่างเต็มที่จนถึงเวลา 07.30 น. วันพรุ่งนี้ (25 มิ.ย.) ก่อนพักการประชุม

และเริ่มประชุมต่อในเวลา 09.30 น. จนถึงก่อนเวลา 24.00 น. ของวันที่ 25 มิ.ย. เพื่อลงมติในวันที่ 26 มิ.ย.ต่อไป จากนั้นจะเป็นการพิจารณาร่าง พ.ร.บ.งบประมาณรายจ่ายประจำปี 2552 ทางด้านนายอนุรักษ์ จุรีมาศ รัฐมนตรีช่วยว่าการกระทรวงคมนาคม และรองหัวหน้าพรรคชาติไทย ให้สัมภาษณ์ถึงการอภิปรายไม่ไว้วางใจ ว่า ไม่สามารถบอกได้ว่าจะให้เสียงสนับสนุนรัฐบาลที่จะถูกอภิปรายไม่ไว้วางใจจากฝ่ายค้านได้หรือไม่ จนกว่าพรรคชาติไทยจะมีมติจากการประชุมพรรคในเวลา 12.00 น.วันนี้ก่อน เพื่อให้เป็นไปในทิศทางเดียวกัน

ขณะที่นายสิทธิชัย โควสุรัตน์ รัฐมนตรีช่วยว่าการกระทรวงมหาดไทย จากพรรคเพื่อแผ่นดิน กล่าวว่า แม้พรรคเพื่อแผ่นดินจะมีมติวานนี้ว่าติดใจเรื่องปราสาทพระวิหาร แต่ยืนยันว่า การทำงานระหว่างพรรคร่วมรัฐบาลไม่มีปัญหา และพรรคเพื่อแผ่นดินจะให้เสียงการสนับสนุนรัฐบาลอย่างแน่นอน

Thai PM defiant ahead of vote

2008-06-24T07:53:00.000-07:00

Protester numbers have dropped but many are still camped outside Government House [AFP]

Thailand's prime minister, Samak Sundaravej, is resisting pressure to resign just four months after taking power as MPs begin to debate a no-confidence motion in his leadership.

Politicians in the parliament's lower house are to vote on the measure on Tuesday after four weeks of street protests by Thais calling for the government to resign.

Sirichok Sopa, an executive of Thailand's Democrat party which filed the motion, told Al Jazeera the opposition party wanted to tell the Thai people that the government was mismanaging the economy.

"We're hoping the government will answer the questions with clarity," he said.

Critics accuse Samak of being a proxy of Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister, who was removed from power in a 2006 coup amid allegations of corruption and abuse of power.

Hitting back

But the prime minister has reamined defiant, telling Thai senators on Monday not to "mess with someone like Samak" during the opening round of the censure brought by the opposition in the senate.

"Don't try to slander and accuse me like you did Thaksin, who has been tarnished by accusations," he said.

Samak is in no mood to quit [AFP]

"You think I'll consider myself incapable and quit? That is insane."

The prime minister has said he will consider stepping down if the no-confidence vote succeeds.

But analysts say his opponents are unlikely to muster enough votes in parliament on Tuesday given the size of Samak's coalition majority in the lower house.

Samak's six-party government coalition, which is led by his People's Power party, controls about two-thirds of the 480 seats in the lower house and his partners will have to desert him for the vote to succeed.

"The stability of government is still good. The coalition partners will not be swayed by the debate of the opposition. They will vote to retain Samak as prime minister," Natawut Saikau, the government deputy spokesman, told the Associated Press news agency.

Protester numbers have dwindled from the tens of thousands of people on the streets of Bangkok over the weekend, but Samak's critics say they will not be satisfied until the entire government steps down.

Cambodia.Prince Norodom Sihamoni

2008-06-14T08:58:00.001-07:00

A former ballet teacher and UN cultural ambassador has been crowned the new king of Cambodia.Prince Norodom Sihamoni was chosen to succeed his father, the octogenarian King Sihanouk, who has opted to step down in order to ensure a peaceful succession for the war-torn nation before he dies.Like his father Sihamoni took an early interest in the arts, starring as a boy in Sihanouk’s movie adaptation of The Little Prince. He later studied at the National Conservatory and the Academy of Musical Art in Prague.After escaping from Cambodia with his parents during the Khmer Rouge terror, Sihamoni went to France where he became a professor of classical dance. In the eighties, he set up and choreographed work for the company Ballet Deva and made several dance films. From 1993 until his appointment as king he was Cambodia’s ambassador to the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).Sihamoni’s artistic interests are not unusual for an Indochinese monarch. King Bhumipol Adulyadej of neighbouring Thailand is a noted jazz musician and clarinettist, responsible for more than 40 compositions. Sihanouk too is a prodigious patron of the arts who directed several films and wrote musical orchestrations. Sihamoni’s sister, Princess Norodom Bophadevi, a master of traditional Apsar dance, is Cambodia’s current minister of culture.
November 1, 2004 - Delicate dance for Cambodia king
October 30, 2004 - New king hails Vietnam-Cambodia ties

PHNOM PENH — Cambodia’s new king, Norodom Sihamoni, said he was happy with the constant development in co-operative relations between Cambodia and Viet Nam. In response to President Tran Duc Luong’s message of congratulations regarding his ascension to the throne, King Sihamoni thanked President Luong for recalling the spendid relationship and exemplary multi-faceted co-operation which had been cultivated by Vietnamese leaders and his father, King Norodom Sihanouk, over the past decades. Those relations, the message said, serve the common benefit of both peoples as well as peace, stability, friendship, and development in Southeast Asia and the world at large. — VNS

October 30, 2004 - Former dancer crowned Cambodia’s new King

Phnom Penh — Carried on a golden litter by eight bearers and blessed by dozens of chanting Buddhist monks, former ballet dancer Norodom Sihamoni was crowned Cambodia’s new King in an ornate ceremony yesterday.The new monarch, who was little known even in his own country until a few weeks ago, prayed before statues of his ancestors in the throne hall of the royal palace before taking his oath. AP

October 30, 2004 - (Xinhua) — Cambodia’s new King Norodom Sihamoni puts his palms together to greet people at the Royal Palace Square in Phnom Penh Oct. 30, 2004. Sihamoni met with people at the square and made his first national address on Saturday, one day after he ascended the throne. In front of about 50,000 well-wishers, the king said that he would follow his retired father King Norodom Sihanouk’s teaching to be a faithful and devoted servant of the nation and the people. The three-day coronation will end tonight with firework displays and performances. (Xinhua Photo/Li Peng) (dzl)/(zlq)

Cambodia’s new monarch receives UAE envoy

Cambodia’s new monarch Norodom Sihamoni received today Salim Issa Al Zaabi, UAE Ambassador to Thailand and non-resident ambassador to Cambodia. The meeting comes as part of the coronation festivities of King Sihamoni, who succeeded his father Norodom Sihanouk. Ambassador Al Zaabi conveyed to King Sihamoni the greetings and well-wishes of President H.H Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The King also asked Al Zaabi to convey his greetings to Sheikh Zayed.

October 30, 2004 - Ex-dancer crowned new Cambodia king

Norodom Sihamoni was crowned yesterday as Cambodia’s first new king in 50 years, in ornate ceremonies that formally ended the reign of one of Asia’s longest-serving and best-known rulers. Sihamoni, who was little known even in his own country until a few weeks ago, prayed before statues of his ancestors in the throne hall of the Royal Palace before standing in front of the throne to take his oath. "I swear to abide by the constitution and laws of the kingdom and am committed to serve the interests of the state and the people," Sihamoni said. He repeated the oath three times, and bowed after finishing the sentence each time. Fifty-two Buddhist monks - one for each year of the king’s life according to the traditional Cambodian zodiac - then chanted blessings for about 10 minutes. By the Western calendar, he is 51 years old. Sihamoni’s ascension came two weeks after he was selected by a panel of political and religious leaders to succeed his father, Norodom Sihanouk, who abdicated three weeks ago, citing ill health. Sihanouk led his country through wars, revolution and the building of a shaky democracy since he was first put on the throne by the French in 1941, and attained godlike status for many Cambodians. Yesterday’s ceremonies were the centerpiece of three days of festivities marking the coronation. Sihamoni, a former professional dancer, cultural ambassador and political novice, was brought to the palace on an ornate golden litter carried by eight bearers. He was accompanied by royal guards and musicians playing ceremonial music, while other royal officials carried a golden crown, robe and sword that were used in the ceremony. The procession went from the golden-hued Khemarin Palace, where the king resides, to the throne hall, where the monarch conducts official affairs.

Pakistan-Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni sworn in as monarch

PHNOM PENH: Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni, the 51-year-old son of former king Norodom Sihanouk, formally took his oath as monarch Friday in a ceremony broadcast on national television. "I swear to follow the constitution and all the laws of the kingdom of Cambodia and to carry out my duties for the prosperity of the nation and the people," he read from a scroll, in front of an audience of hundreds of top government officials, religious leaders, monks, royalty and diplomats. afp

October 29, 2004 - Former ballet dancer crowned king of Cambodia

Miranda Leitsinger, Associated Press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Carried on a golden litter by eight bearers and blessed by dozens of chanting Buddhist monks, former ballet dancer Norodom Sihamoni was crowned as Cambodia’s new king in an ornate ceremony today, replacing his father, one of Asia’s longest-serving and best-known rulers. Sihamoni, who was little known even in his own country until a few weeks ago, prayed before statues of his ancestors in the throne hall of the Royal Palace before taking his oath.“I swear to abide by the constitution and laws of the kingdom and am committed to serve the interests of the state and the people,'’ said Sihamoni, who wore loosely fitting light golden-colored ceremonial garments. He said the oath three times and bowed after each statement.Afterward, 52 Buddhist monks - one for each year of the king’s life according to the traditional Cambodian zodiac - then chanted blessings for about 10 minutes. By the Western calendar, Sihamoni is 51 years old.His ascension came two weeks after he was selected by a panel of political and religious leaders to succeed his father, Norodom Sihanouk, who was put on the throne by the French in 1941 and subsequently led his country to independence and through the turmoil of the Vietnam War, the genocidal Pol Pot regime and the building of a shaky democracy in the 1990s, attaining godlike status for many Cambodians along the way. He decided to step down for health reasons and turns 82 on Sunday.Sihamoni has no political experience and is better known as a professional dancer and an envoy to the United Nations cultural agency. He has spent most of the past two decades living outside his homeland, mostly in Paris.Cambodia’s king is seldom involved in day-to-day politics, but the position carries huge cultural significance for the Cambodian people, and the king has some influence on national affairs.Today’s ceremonies were the centerpiece of three days of festivities. As Sihamoni was borne into the palace, musicians played ceremonial music and other royal officials carried a golden crown, robe and sword.The procession went from the golden-hued Khemarin Palace, where the king resides, to the throne hall, where the monarch conducts official affairs.More than 200 dignitaries attended, including Prime Minister Hun Sen and National Assembly President Prince Norodom Ranariddh, Sihamoni’s half brother.Temples across the country were expected to fill with people offering prayers for the new king.In a statement released after the ceremony, Sihamoni called today “the most auspicious day in the history of Cambodian history and history of my life.'’“I am extremely touched to have the opportunity to devote my physical and mental strength and intelligence to serve the nation and the people and to continue tradition and glorious achievements of my father,'’ the king said.Earlier today, Sihamoni paid respect to past kings and divine spirits guarding the throne to ask for their blessings.In a ritual bathing ceremony, monks and Sihamoni’s parents - Sihanouk and former Queen Monineath - poured water culled from the Kulen Mountains on the new king to wash away his impurities, and increase his prestige and power.Stones from the mountains, just north of Siem Reap, were used to build the ancient temples of Angkor, Cambodia’s best-known landmark. The area’s water is considered especially pure.During the ceremony, Monineath gently patted the back of her son’s head and gave him a kiss. His half brother, Ranariddh, held his hand as he walked him to the royal bath.Sihanouk wished his son “great success and prestige.'’“May also peace, happiness and prosperity prevail for the Cambodian nation and people under King Norodom Sihamoni,'’ he said.The streets of Phnom Penh - some dotted with portraits of the youthful-looking king - were quiet today, with most workers having the day off to mark the coronation. Police barred traffic in front of the Royal Palace, where a huge portrait of Sihamoni has replaced one of his mother and father.Sihamoni was selected as new king by a nine-member throne council Oct. 14, a week after Sihanouk abdicated.Ranariddh said his brother “will carry on the legacy'’ of Sihanouk, whom most Cambodians consider the father of Cambodia’s “independence, territorial integrity and national unity.'’Sihanouk asked for the ceremonies to be kept low-key because he didn’t want the impoverished country to spend too much money on the event.In a lifetime on Cambodia’s center stage, Sihanouk wrested independence from the French and led the country through a peaceful, relatively prosperous era in the 1950s and ’60s. He then saw his country plunged into bloody conflict between the Khmer Rouge and a U.S.-backed regime in Phnom Penh, going several times into exile, before democratic elections in 1993.“We’re happy to see the peaceful succession,'’ U.S. Ambassador Charles Ray said. “We hope that the new king will have every success as he works to consolidate stability and peace and freedom in Cambodia.'’ British Ambassador Stephen Bridges said: “I think it signifies the peace and the stability of the country that, for all the political problems over the last year, we can have a ceremony like this.'’

October 28, 2004 - Royal coronation of new Cambodian king begins

PHNOM PENH, Oct. 28 (Xinhuanet) — The three-day royal coronation of Cambodia’s new king began here Thursday with traditional religious rituals being held inside the golden-roofed Royal Palacewhere King Norodom Sihamoni will be crowned Friday evening. Prince Sihamoni was chosen as Cambodia’s new monarch by the nine-member Throne Council on Oct. 14, following his father King Norodom Sihanouk abdicated a week earlier in Beijing for fragile health. Sihamoni is the second king for the Cambodian nation in over 60years. According to Royal Palace Minister Kong Sam Ol, as the retired king Sihanouk asked the coronation ceremony to be held in a modestway, no foreign heads of states, special envoys and royal familieswere invited to the event, nor traditional mass celebrations and parade planned. He said, King Sihamoni will be crowned only in the presence of about 40 royal family members, hundreds of government officials and lawmakers and dozens of foreign diplomats in Phnom Penh. Thursday’s royal coronation includes traditional Buddhist and Brahmanic rites and ceremonies designed to bring divine blessings upon the new monarch in the Royal Palace. King Sihamoni will be officially crowned and seated in the throne Friday evening to be followed by a state banquet. According to a statement from the country’s celebration committee, King Sihamoni is expected to announce royal pardons to scores of prisoners at his coronation. The capital city Phnom Penh is in a festive mood with national flags festooned along the city’s leading boulevards and portraits of the new monarch and banners wearing congratulation messages canbe seen on government, school, factory and hotel buildings. To let the whole country join in the jubilation, people will enjoy one day off on Oct. 29 and fireworks displays were arranged for three evenings along with song and dancing performance at public locations in Phnom Penh. The 51-year-old unmarried king’s coronation ceremony will be broadcast live on radio and TV across the country. Cambodia’s monarchy dates back as early as to the world-famous Angkor Period around the 10th century. The current Constitution, adopted in 1993, restricts the sphere of action of the monarchy which is non-hereditary. The monarchy reigns, but does not rule, nor does the king choose his successor. Enditem

‘Big Mistake’ in Temple Application: Expert

2008-06-14T08:54:00.000-07:00

[Editor’s note: Cambodia and Thailand agreed in a May 22 meeting in Paris that Cambodia would be allowed to forward an application for the controversial Preah Vihear temple to be listed as a Unesco World Heritage site. The temple rests on a disputed northern border region, and Cambodia has agreed only to apply for the temple grounds to be listed and not the land surrounding it. VOA Khmer asked Sean Pengse, director of the Paris-based Cambodia Border Committee, for his thoughts. Below is an edited transcript of the interview.]

Q. Recently, Cambodian government and Thai government agreed to take only the temple itself on the mountain to put into the list of world’s heritage. Is the decision not to include the areas surrounding the temple into the list of world’s heritage right? Please give your comment.

A. Putting Preah Vihear temple as the world’s heritage by Unesco without putting the surrounding areas is a big mistake. First of all, it is against the verdict of the international court in the Hague in 1962. The court decided that the temple and areas surrounding belonged to Cambodia. Secondly, not putting the surrounding areas will cost Cambodian integrity because Cambodian land including Preah Vihear since the 1991 Paris Peace Accord has to be preserved and treated as Cambodian land. This is the Paris Peace Accord in 1991. If we refer to the international treaty which was signed by France and Thailand in 1904 and 1907, it is also the same. The decision is against both the former and the later treaties. Therefore, we lose our land, and it is against the Paris peace treaty and the 1904 and 1907 treaty between Thailand and France.

Q. What did Thailand gain from the latest agreement?

A. I would like give a small footnote. Initially, in 1998, after Cambodia got out of Pol Pot’s dictatorship power, Preah Vihear was put as a region for joined business with Thailand. Therefore, Thailand made a lot of income, and Thailand now wants to continue this further. Responding to your question that Thailand and Cambodia with Unesco as a coordinator decided to put only Preah Vihear temple in World’s Heritage is not correct. But why did they decide so?

I would like to inform people that last month the Thai Prime Minister came to meet [Prime Minister] Hun Sen, and they made a decision to put Preah Vihear temple, but not the areas surrounding it. The Thai Prime Minister came to meet Hun Sen in Phnom Penh last month. Therefore, the decision by Sok An and the Thai Foreign Minister as well as a referee from Unesco was the decision on the decision of the prime ministers. It is not something to be surprised about. The decision of the prime ministers was against the decision of international court. They never put the temple alone. This act was against the decision of the international court, and this was the first time in the world that one country erased the decision made by the international court.

Thailand forced Cambodia to work against the decision of the international court. This is the first time in the world, and it is the biggest mistake of the Royal Government of Cambodia.

Q. Why does Thailand strongly wants to own the areas surrounding Preah Vihear temple?

A. Preah Vihear is small. But I want to say briefly that the Cambodian Border Committee in Cambodia, the Cambodian government, sets up border markers with Thailand and Vietnam. They set up new border markers and drew a new map because the old map is not clear. Thailand also called the Cambodian ambassador to meet them and told Cambodia to tell France that the map is old. Therefore, the other maps are also not clear. Therefore, when Thailand saw that Vietnam gained a lot from the border issue, Thailand wanted to set up new border markers with Cambodia.

Making a new map is just an excuse. The Cambodian government falls into their trap. We already have a map recognized internationally, and the international court in the Hague decided on the Preah Vihear issue attached with the map.

Why didn’t we work on the existing map? Why do the new map? We don’t know the reason why they make new map. This is such a regretful a mistake. On behalf of the Cambodia Border Committee in France, I condemned the Royal Government. This is the incompetent government, and we call on the government to revise the border again, both land and maritime border.

Q. Unesco requires that Cambodia submit the application to put Preah Vihear as the World Heritage and requires that Cambodia draw a new map. Does Cambodia have to draw a new map? Do we have enough time? If they draw new map, do they do with correct standard?

A. This is a good question. I would like to say that we don’t have time. If we make a new map, we not only draw the map around Preah Vihear. Why do I dare to say so? Why do we need a new map? We already have a map. And the decision on the temple was decided with the existing map. The map was attached to the decision of the international court in the Hague. Why do we need to draw a new map? If we want to do, we can put border markers according to the decision of the international court. We should not draw a new map.

If we draw a new map, we don’t have time. What map do they base it on? We already have a map. In 2000, according to the memorandum of understanding, they established “white areas,” so we already fall into their traps. That’s why our committee does not agree on the idea to draw new border map because we have a clear map, and we have a decision from the international court in the Hague, and the decision was decided with the map. If they want the map, come meet me; I have it.

Q. In the end, do you have any appeal to the Cambodian government and Cambodian people about Preah Vihear temple?

A. First of all, I would like tell the government that putting only Preah Vihear temple and not the surrounding areas is against the decision of international court in the Hague. Cambodian people have to make sure that Cambodian government respects only one which is to respect the decision made by international court in 1962. Cambodian won the case on Preah Vihear temple. They did not decide on only the temple, but the areas surrounding with map attachment. I call on the government to respect this decision.

Cambodia: Wins For Phnom Penh And Build Bright

2008-06-14T08:45:00.000-07:00

Phnom Penh beat Moha Garuda 2-0 while Build Bright United beat Naga Corp FC 4-3.

Two goals in the first half of the game – from Srey Veasna in the 17th minute and A. G. Samuel in the 40th minute – were enough for Phnom Penh to see off Moha Garuda.

But the match was much closer for Build Bright and where they had to hold on hard in the closing stages of the game before they were able to pick up the three points against Naga.

Build Bright were 2-1 ahead at the break with goals off N. S. Ahiem in the 18th minute and Sem Bunny in the 32nd minute while Naga Corp replied through Chin Chum in the 30th minute.

Chin Chum then found the equaliser for Naga with his second goal of the game four minutes after the restart but Build Bright were quick to stage a fight back with two goals off Sem Bunny (55th minute) and N. S. Ahiem (59th minute.

But Chin Chum’s completion of his hat trick (85th minute) failed to change the inevitable as Build Bright stayed the course for the points.

ស្វាគមន៍

2008-04-06T09:50:00.000-07:00

សូមស្វាគមន៍ដល់ប្រិយមិត្តទាំងអស់គ្នាឲ្យបានដឹថាប្លកនេះខ្ញុំបាទរៀងធ្វើវាទេ
ហើយប្រសិនបើជាប្រិយបានចូលមកដល់ទីនេះហើយសូមអញ្ជើញទៅទស្សនា
ប្លកដ៏ទូចមួយនេះកុំខានសូមអញ្ជើញខាងក្រោមនេះបាទ
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ងាប់ខ្មាស់គេ

2008-04-05T02:53:00.000-07:00

ហេតុអ្វីត្រូវធ្វើអត្តឃាដ	យាយីព្យាបាទជីវិតឯង	។ ។ ។
នទុក្ខមានព្រួយមានចំបែង	ម្តេចមិនប្រឹងប្រែងងើបដោះស្រាយ?
ខឹងខកស្រកខ្លាំងកម្លាំងចិត្ត	ម៉្តេចស្លេះជីវិតមិនសោកស្តាយ
ស្លាប់ហើយលែងវិលយល់សប្បាយ	ស្តាយភ្លេចផ្លូវស្រាយទៅរកភ្លឺ
ងាប់ដោយអត្តឃាដខ្មាស់គេណាស់	ផ្តេសផ្តាសត្បិតយើងលង់ជំងឺ
គិតខ្លៅផ្លូវខ្លីឥតពន្លឺ	អត្តឃាដបញ្ឈឺឈឺនរណា?
អ្នកស្លាប់មានឈ្មោះជាអ្នកចាញ់	មិនខំប្រឹងប្រែងស្រាយបញ្ហា
បណ្តោយខ្លួនលង់ទុក្ខទោសា	យកតែមោហាជាត្រីមុខ
សិនបានសំរន់ចិត្តកំរោល	ប្រមើលឧបាយដោះស្រាយទុក្ខ
សំរាលវិបត្តិឆ្លងអពមុខ	ម៉្លេះសមយើងសុខព្រោះពិចារណ៍

2008-04-04T18:01:00.000-07:00

សាកល្បង

2008-04-04T17:47:00.000-07:00

សូមស្វាគមន៍ប្រិយជាថ្មីម្តងទៀត