Hot damn – I wish I was in Singapore for this event. And how often do I say that? Really. Via Noelbynature’s great Southeast Asian Archaeology blog,Cham Ritual Arts
Wednesday, 9 Jul 2008
Asian Civilisations Museum, Ngee Ann Auditorium, 7.00 pm – 8.00 pmThe temple remains of the Cham kingdoms of central and southern coastal Vietnam are the legacy of the eastern most region of Southeast Asia. The lecture will cover the various aspects of Cham ritual arts by examining the different temple remains and the objects found at the temple sites. The speaker will trace the history of these remains, from the Vat Chao stone stele inscription of the late 4th to 5th centuries to the material remains of stone and brick temples from around the 8th to 10th centuries. Find out more about the practice of Cham ritual arts through these remains and in turn discover what they reveal about the Cham civilisations.
Andrew Walker over at New Mandala has a good take on the public protests by the PAD (People’s Alliance for Democracy) in Bangkok lately. These protests have largely revolved around the nationalist complaint that the recognition of Cambodia’s historic and legal claim to Preah Vihea temple amounts to the abdication of Thai territory and sovreignty. It’s total b.s., of course, as even Minister of Foreign Affairs Noppadon – who originally stood by the agreement and correctly argued that no territory nor sovreignty was lost – has now capitulated and simply started blaming the last government. Andrew writes:
But I strongly suspect that the PA(S)D doesn’t want to go home (though court orders and a lack of mass support may force them to). They don’t want to leave the streets because they are not really interested in the specific issues that they have used to attack the government. These issues are just convenient tools. Government backdowns mean nothing because the PA(S)D has a much more ambitious agenda.
Their agenda is to bring the elected government down. Their agenda is to campaign for a perverted form of democracy-“sufficiency democracy”-in which representation is achieved by appointment. Their agenda is to impose a minority viewpoint on Thailand’s political future.
Is this part of the tradition of democratic protest? I don’t think so.
In other words, the PASD is that sinful beast of democratic politics – opportunist. I agree.
Finally, in a more upbeat note, enjoy some Rice Porn, courtesy AFP, via KI-Media. I loves me some good rice photos.
More at the KI-Media page, including a scrumptious photo of crickets being prepared for sale. I never ate a lot of bugs, since I rarely went out drinking in Cambodia, and – at least in the city, they are almost exclusively a ’salty snack’ for consumption while drinking – but I did attempt to try almost everything once, from spiders, to crickets, to a number of things I couldn’t identify. Most were actually delicious. I never, ever, managed to get the grubs down, though.
My Friend, I think you’re mistaken. PAD is mainly to root out the destructive forces of the old Thaksin Era – I know because I support them. (The ‘Preah Vihea Temple’ is simply something that fellow Cambodians should be careful about, showing sign that possibly a corrupt part of their government is undermining Cambodia’s national interests by dealing with Thaksin the BusinessMan – as the allegation goes) PAD’s main interest is to eradicate Thaksinism out of Thai Politics and that’s it. Thais have general respect and brotherhood for Khmer as neighbors and it is important to have good co-operation. Obviously its a shame for those uneducated Thais and uneducated Khmers alike that have prejudices against one another. Its only Together that is the Way Forward.
Come to Thailand sometime, and I’ll give you a talk and understanding of where I’m coming from. The PAD part that wants to rid Thaksinism is generally the Positive and Educated, and very understanding and non-violent.
Dear Kuson,
Thanks for writing in. As for being mistaken – well, it wouldn’t be the first time. I’m no fan of Thaksin, his form of crony capitalism has infected and invaded Cambodia just as it attempted to swallow Thailand whole. And I have no doubt that the PAD’s primary goal is to, as you say, “root out the destructive forces of the old Thaksin Era.” To that goal, I say, Full Speed Ahead!
However, the issue of Preah Vihear was used by PAD in what I can only see as a ruthlessly opportunistic fashion. As a proponent of protest and direct action to improve democracy, I have no problem with protests in general, but they should be oriented to genuine issues that are in line with the protest organizer’s positions. The Preah Vihear issue fits neither, as far as I can tell: the border issue has been settled and recognized by almost everyone outside of Thailand as just, and the ownership of the temple itself has not been under serious contention – outside of some truly weird arguments coming from Thai nationalists – since the sixties.
So for PAD to whip up weeks of protest and attempt to topple the current government (again, full speed ahead on the project, but not on the issue used) is, in my mind, precisely the definition of opportunism. In many ways, it accomplished precisely the reverse of what the PAD claims it wants: the protests have undermined the proper functioning of the government, and held it hostage to nationalist claims about territory and sovereignty that were largely fantasized.
I would love to meet you in Thailand and hear your point of view and arguments. I am always happy to admit when I’m wrong, but so far, on this issue, I’ve seen little evidence of it.
Warmly, E
[...] on PAD, Democracy, and Militarism from Asia Sentinel 7 07 2008 In reference to my previous post on PAD protests in Thailand, thanks to Nicholas Farrely over at New Mandala for drawing my attention this way: In [...]
[...] PAD, militarism, democracy, and protests from the Asia Sentinel 7 07 2008 In reference to my previous post on PAD protests in Thailand, thanks to Nicholas Farrely over at New Mandala for drawing my attention this way: In [...]
[...] PAD, protests, democracy, and militarism from the Asia Sentinel 7 07 2008 In reference to my previous post on PAD protests in Thailand, thanks to Nicholas Farrely over at New Mandala for drawing my attention this way: In [...]