Are the Cartoons really biased?

In a press conference held recently, rayong democrat MP Satit Pitutacha attacked Thai Rath cartoonist “Sia” Sakda Iew, saying he was bent on destroying Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the Democrat Party. He added that Sia did not offer a professional, honest criticism or offer his opinions in a creative manner and also did not follow media ethics and professionalism in his work, and did not use his intellect either at a time when the country is facing problems.

Satit asked Sia to be fair, unbiased, professional, ethical and work within media standards, and if he does not do so, he would put forward a compilation of pieces done by Sia when he filed complaint with the National Press Council of Thailand. But none of these threatening stopped Sia from expressing his opinion. He showed PM sitting in his chair with the messages “it is time a standard label was attached to the chair” and “muzzling the media means muzzling the people” in the background. And as usual, there is a cobra wound around Abhisit’s neck. However some Thai Rath fans say the newspaper’s cartoons are neutral and balanced by the work of another cartoonist Somchai Katanyutanan or “Chai Ratchawat”. Once he was criticized by some as supporting the Democrat Party, something he denied for. So he challenged to find a cartoon done by him that cheered the Democrats where he could easily find one which criticizes them.

According to Arun Watcharasawat, another cartoonist, MPs should not try to read too much into caricatures or they will always find them biased. Readers need to use a certain level of intellect and thought to interpret a cartoon, like when a viewer considers a koan – a Buddhist riddle that never has a clear answer.

Thermal scanners at Thai airports to prevent swine flu

Government has ordered installation of thermal scanners at the country’s international airports, including of Suvarnabhumi International Airport as a preventive measure against the potential spread of swine flu in Thailand. Thai Public Health Ministry said that this is being done not only in Bangkok but other international airports such as Northern Province of Chiang Mai and southern province of Phuket.

At present, there was no swine flu case discovered in Thailand, Witthaya Kaewparadai, Minister of Public Health told a press conference. But for the safety of the passengers, the infra-red cameras, which are used to detect unusual body heat in a bid to prevent the spread of swine flu, have also been installed at Thailand’s international airports. Not only this, the thermal scanners will be ready to use when it is necessary as arrival passengers would be minimally affected.

Thai health ministry is taking all possible preventive steps against this deadly disease. Prior to this, there was also a press conference in which, the Thai Public Health Ministry held a meeting with several involved authorities, including of representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), Bangkok office, discussing about the swine flu. Meanwhile the Thai Public Health Minister established an operation center to closely monitor and evaluate the worldwide swine flu situation on a daily basis to prevent the swine flu from potentially spreading into Thailand.

Thailand – The City’s Most Popular Western Restaurant

The most popular restaurant for western food in Bangkok is, The Bourbon street. It is probably the most popular restaurant in Bangkok with expats and tourists. It lies on Sukhumvit in downtown Bangkok. Its best thing about the restaurant is the ambience and the atmosphere which gives a cozy and friendly feeling, with burnt orange walls, very comfy rattan and leather fabulous furniture and subdued lighting. They also have a pretty area outside stocked full of huge leafy plants, where you can wait if your table isn’t ready. This is a perfect place to have western food and mind relaxation with its atmosphere. Its bar area is comparatively nice, where you can really hang out.

Thailand’s Bourbon street is really unbelievable, and just not worth missing. Bourbon Street is American owned and operated (a rarity in Thailand) and serves authentic Cajun, Creole and Mexican food in a very cool atmosphere. Food arrives quite quickly, it’s still piping hot. Bourbon Street is also always packed full of people every time for its goodness and delicious food. Even the staffs are the most efficient staffs of any other restaurant. They are so friendly and sweet, which is actually a given in Thailand but that doesn’t usually come with efficiency too!

Coronation Day – a special event in Thailand

In Bangkok, the Coronation day is celebrated every year for his Majesty king Bhumibol Adulyadej. He was crowned as Rama, the ninth King of Chakri dynasty on 5th may 1950. This event includes commemorative sport, dance, gun salutes and other cultural events across Bangkok. On this event, there are religious rites that last for three days.

On the very first day (3 may) there is a Buddhist ceremony at Amarindra Vinichai Hall, in which scriptures are chanted and a sermon is delivered by a high monk. On the second day, the ceremony includes two pars-  a Brahmanic one and a Buddhist one.

The last third day is Coronation day, in which the king is dressed in full regalia, and a feast is given to Buddhist monks. They hear their Royal Thai Army and Navy each fire a salute of 21 guns. This day is very special and is enjoyed by the Civilians.

Child abuser identified with the freckles on his hand

Child abuse is not a new story for Thailand, but a paedophile indulged in child abuse being caught due to the distinctive freckles on his hand definitely had a shocking story behind him. Dean Hardy, 50, from Orpington, south-east London, took photos of young Thai girls being sexually abused during a business trip to Thailand. Though he took precautions not to exhibit his face, the police identified him with the freckles on his hand which were visible in some picture.

Hardy has admitted indecent assault and taking indecent photos, was sentenced at Southward Crown Court for six years prison in jail. The court had been told 63 indecent photos were found on memory cards from Hardy’s cameras and his computer hard drive.

Judge Gregory Stone, sentencing, said: “It’s plain from the evidence that you went to Thailand where you molested young girls and took photographs, indecent photographs, of these young female children.

As many as four children were involved in these crimes. This was sex tourism of the most offensive kind.

You were plainly exploiting their and their families’ poverty and vulnerability without caring what harm you were inflicting on these children, and caring only for your own depraved gratification.”

Thailand’s world comedy film festival

Thailand will host the World Comedy Film Festival,which will be sponsored by The Tourism Authority of Thailand(TAT) under the helm of the Federation of National Film Association of Thailand which will feature more than 50 comedy films, will run from 23 – 29 April, 2009, at Siam Paragon Cineplex and SF World Cinema at Central World. The first in Asia this April, will follow the success of the Bangkok International Film Festival, in an effort to position Thailand as the film industry hub of Asia and also to help boost the country’s tourism industry.

Thailand has long been known as the Land of Smiles. Laughter’s Beyond Frontier is the theme of this maiden comedy film festival in Bangkok, with an international array of films from such countries as the USA, UK, Italy, France, Germany, South Africa, Poland and Asian movies from Iran, Kazakhstan, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, China, Taiwan, as well as the host country Thailand. The film fest will feature 20 films from the World Cinema category, 20 movies from Asian Cinema, and 10 Thai comedies plus 5 classics.

This is the first time that the Comedian Association, the Federation of National Film Associations, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand are working together in close cooperation to showcase the local prowess of comedy acts in films and other kinds of media.

Thai Govt to spend 50 billion Baht on South Thailand

The Southern provinces of Thailand has been suffering from insurgency for quite long now and in an attempt to improve the condition of people in the four southernmost provinces, the Thai government has decided to spend more than 50 billion Baht (1.4 billion U.S. dollars). This will not only develop the infrastructure there but will also resolve violence in the region, a senior official said.

A special committee set up for improving economy in the region declared that this amount was a must if development projects are to be set up in the unrest regions of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat provinces as well as four districts of Songkhla during 2010-2012, Deputy Interior Minister Thaworn Senneam was quoted as saying.

The projects aim that each village in the area should get 228,000 Baht (6430 U.S. dollars). Again the villagers are to cooperate in planning development projects for their village without intervention by the government. For this, more than 100,000 households in the region will be picked up to join an economic self-sufficiency program, with each household receiving 6,000 Baht (170 U.S. dollars) in leading the program.

On Friday, a special cabinet meeting agreed to extend the emergency decree in South Thailand for another three months. This decree was due to expire on April 19.

Thai water festival goes on, but tourists check out

Thailand tourism had barely started picking up from last year’s shutdown of Bangkok airports by protesters when violence returned to the capital as troops and demonstrators swapped gunfire and firebombs this week. Hundreds of local and foreign tourists still gathered on Monday to celebrate the water festival in Bangkok’s Khao San Road, a magnet for budget travelers, but some businessmen wondered how many foreigners would be back next year.” This could be the last time you see such joy and celebration here in Thailand,” said a less-than-festive Surat Wongcharnsilp, chairman of the Association of Khao San Business Operators.” Around 80 percent of tourists have checked out and more tourists are expected to leave after Songkran,” Surat said.

The Songkran water festival marks the start of the Thai New Year. A public holiday began on Monday, officially three days but for many Thais stretching into a week, a period to soak passers-by on the streets or spend time upcountry with family. With many Thais moving around the country, the festival is normally one of the year’s high points for tourism, which employs around 1.8 million people out of a population of about 65 million and accounts for around 6 percent of gross domestic product.

In all, the industry generates about 540 billion baht ($15.3 billion) annually, but maybe not this year. By Monday four countries — Singapore, Canada, Australia and Britain — had issued advice to their people to defer non-essential travel to Bangkok after the government declared a state of emergency there.

Thailand urged to lift state of emergency to boost tourism

The Thai government is requested to lift the current state of emergency and find measures to boost the tourism business shattered following Monday’s clashes between government forces and anti-government protesters in the capital, said a senior hotelier on Wednesday.

Prakit Chinamornpong, president of the Thai Hotels Association, said that the people should think first of the country’s interest, and that the government should lift the state of emergency immediately. It should also ask 19 foreign countries to lift the travel warnings they have issued advising their citizens to refrain from traveling to Thailand due to the political unrest.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Sunday declared the state of emergency in the capital and five neighboring provinces, one day after anti-government protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship stormed into the hotel in Pattaya where the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations was holding a summit with six dialogue partners.

It was determined that visiting government heads and other participants at risk, and the government acted decisively, canceling the summit on that day.

Mr. Prakit said that the Thai government must find ways to boost the tourism sector before the start of the high season in October. It should focus on encouraging Chinese, Japanese and South Korean travelers to visit Thailand.

As Mr. Abhisit plans to visit China, he should discuss with Chinese leaders on ways which could boost confidence for Chinese tourists to visit this country, Mr. Prakit. Advised. (TNA)

Philippines not discounting travel ban to Thailand

After issuing a travel advisory on Thailand, the Philippines indicated Tuesday it is not discounting a travel ban if the situation there grows worse. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Eduardo Malaya said they are continuously monitoring and analyzing the situation in Thailand, where a state of emergency is in effect.

On Monday, the DFA issued a travel advisory to Filipinos in Thailand, urging them to stay indoors and cautioning against making unnecessary travel there.

Filipinos who are already in Thailand are told to take extra precautions and avoid public places where rallies could take place. Malaya cited reports from Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Antonio Rodriguez that no Filipino there has been injured or affected so far.

He said there are some 10,000 Filipinos in Thailand, most of them gaining Thai citizenship or becoming permanent residents. Many Filipinos there are professionals and factory workers.

Protests Restarted in Thailand

Bangkok has witnessed the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) since 26 March, 2009, that led to the occupation or obstructing of a handful of government compounds, including the Government House area, which houses a number of cabinet offices, and the outside of the Si Sao Thewes home, which is the residence of Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda, President of the Privy Council. On April 9, some of the protesters went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, head office of the Democratic Party, and the Constitutional Court. Some certain areas in Bangkok; such as, Victory Monument and the surrounding vicinity remain closed by the protesters. Police and security officials have exercised utmost restraint at all times in handling these disturbances, and will continue to do so.

All relevant authorities have clearly stated that Thailand will remain under civilian rule. Such events are not unusual from time to time in any democratic system that permits the right to protest under its constitution. There has been no significant disruption to life and business in the capital beyond added traffic congestion in a few areas. Almost the entire key tourist sites in Bangkok and nationwide are completely unaffected. Hotels and other travel-related infrastructure and services, including all airports, train services throughout the country, and roadways are operating as normal.

Tourists and experts in Bangkok should avoid the following areas: Chamai Maruchet Bridge, Government house, and outside the Si Sao Thewes area. Public utilities and communication services operate uninterrupted, contrary to reports of possible disruptions. To ease any concern that foreign visitors may have in traveling to Thailand, the Thai authorities concerned have stepped up measures to ensure their safety and to facilitate their travel, both to and within the country.

Protests Restarted in Thailand

Bangkok has witnessed the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) since 26 March, 2009, that led to the occupation or obstructing of a handful of government compounds, including the Government House area, which houses a number of cabinet offices, and the outside of the Si Sao Thewes home, which is the residence of Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda, President of the Privy Council. On April 9, some of the protesters went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, head office of the Democratic Party, and the Constitutional Court. Some certain areas in Bangkok; such as, Victory Monument and the surrounding vicinity remain closed by the protesters. Police and security officials have exercised utmost restraint at all times in handling these disturbances, and will continue to do so.

All relevant authorities have clearly stated that Thailand will remain under civilian rule. Such events are not unusual from time to time in any democratic system that permits the right to protest under its constitution. There has been no significant disruption to life and business in the capital beyond added traffic congestion in a few areas. Almost the entire key tourist sites in Bangkok and nationwide are completely unaffected. Hotels and other travel-related infrastructure and services, including all airports, train services throughout the country, and roadways are operating as normal.

Tourists and experts in Bangkok should avoid the following areas: Chamai Maruchet Bridge, Government house, and outside the Si Sao Thewes area. Public utilities and communication services operate uninterrupted, contrary to reports of possible disruptions. To ease any concern that foreign visitors may have in traveling to Thailand, the Thai authorities concerned have stepped up measures to ensure their safety and to facilitate their travel, both to and within the country.

A fresh blow for Thai tourism

Thailand’s battle-hardened tourism sector may have finally come unstuck with the violent scenes that ended a major Asian summit at a major beach resort, industry experts warned. It weathered the SARS epidemic in 2003, the 2004 Asian tsunami and a 2006 coup, but the latest turmoil, just months after Bangkok’s two airports were closed by separate protests, has left foreigners fearful.

Supporters of ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra breached police lines on Saturday to storm into a meeting of 16 Asian leaders in Pattaya, forcing an embarrass government to airlift them to safety.

The conference was originally due to be held in Bangkok in December but was rearranged at various points, with the northern city of Chiang Mai and the southern tourist isle of Phuket both mooted as possible destinations. Thailand’s tourism industry accounts for five percent of gross domestic product and employs some two million people, or up to seven percent of the country’s total workforce. It was hit badly last December when rival demonstrators seeking to oust Thaksin’s allies from government shuttered Bangkok’s airports for nine days.

The blockade left hundreds of thousands of visitors stranded and prevented 3.4 million tourists from visiting Thailand, costing the country 290 billion baht (8.3 billion dollars), according to a central bank study. Thai people they can go about their normal activities.” But reaction was swift among those countries whose nationals frequently visit Thailand.

Tourism operators were most fearful about fewer numbers from the Asian market during the long-haul low season, in particular from China. “We would expect more visitors from the Asian market (at this time of year), adding that he feared Monday would bring cancellations from China. The market is so important to Thailand that Abhisit dispatched a government minister to Beijing earlier this year to persuade China to remove its travel warning to Thailand.

AIG sells bank and credit card business in Thailand

American International Group (AIG) has announced that it has completed the asset sale of a retail bank and credit card operations in Thailand.

The two ventures, AIG Retail Bank Public Company Limited and AIG Card (Thailand) Company Limited, were sold in Thailand to Bank of Ayudhya Public Company Limited with proceeds of around $45m in addition to the repayment of $495m of intra-group indebtedness.

AIG has sold off a number of assets recently, with this being the third in the last week. On 2 April BMO Financial Group acquired AIG Life of Canada for $263m and Munich Re Group spent $739m purchasing Hartford Steam Boiler. Chairman and chief executive officer Edward Liddy has stated that the firm is continuing its drive to dispose of assets effectively in order to repay the US Government.

Ten businesses have been sold to date, with more at the discussion stage.

Protests to damage tourism heavily

The Federation of Thai Tourism Associations (FETTA) and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports joined together Thursday to urge the ‘Red Shirt’ anti-government protesters to demonstrate peacefully but expressed concern that a prolonged with violence must eventually heavily affect Thai tourism industry.

The protest will inevitably have a negative impact on foreigners’ confidence in Thai tourism, and be reflected in cancellations and redirected travel to other destinations.
“If the protest continues and turns violent, it will negatively impact on the number of tourists entering the country, particularly on the upcoming Songkran festival and on Labor Day, when a large number of Chinese tourists are expected,” he said.

As Thai tourism has not fully recovered since the closure of the Thai two main airports late last year, Mr. Prasit said the ongoing political turmoil could possibly affect the planned summits of the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and its international dialogue partners this weekend in Pattaya and other official meetings to be held at the end of this year might be cancelled or postponed.