Thailand’s monarchy
I wish to refer to the article by Sin-Ming Shaw (“Thailand in denial,” April 24, page 9). It is always a pleasure to hear foreigners’ opinions regarding Thailand, especially from those who are currently based in Thailand. However, there are some misconceptions, which regrettably is not uncommon among some foreigners.
First, with regards to the Forbes report on the world’s richest royals published on Aug. 20, 2008, which ranked His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand in first place, the Crown Property Bureau has clarified that the report is inaccurate and inconsistent. The report included land and other assets belonging to the Crown Property Bureau, which is not in His Majesty’s personal net worth. Thus, the figure stated in the report should be considered too high.
Second, the Thai monarchy is and remains within the Constitution and above politics. The Thai monarchy has never been a player in politics. While some political groups may have advocated their cause by claiming royal support, any attempts to drag the palace into discussions about the current political conflict and portraying it as a partisan actor are simply wrong and misleading. Any perception of power and influence derives from the respect and reverence that the His Majesty has earned from his over 60-years working in the field, including in the most remote and inaccessible parts of the country, for the good of his people.
Finally, Thailand upholds people’s rights to freedom of speech and expression as guaranteed by the Constitution. The so-call lese majeste law does not prohibit discussions about the country’s monarchical institution or its political future. However, the issue is difficult for Thais to discuss, especially when the country has had such a beloved and respected monarch for so long, it is normal that people may feel anxious and unsettled about the future. It is also typical for many Asian cultures, including that of Taiwan, not to talk about inauspicious matters, particularly when it concerns someone whom you love and respect.
Nichamon Agrasuta
Chief of the information section of the Thailand Trade and Economic Office
Congressman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) led a bipartisan delegation to Taiwan in late February. During their various meetings with Taiwan’s leaders, this delegation never missed an opportunity to emphasize the strength of their cross-party consensus on issues relating to Taiwan and China. Gallagher and Krishnamoorthi are leaders of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. Their instruction upon taking the reins of the committee was to preserve China issues as a last bastion of bipartisanship in an otherwise deeply divided Washington. They have largely upheld their pledge. But in doing so, they have performed the
It is well known that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) ambition is to rejuvenate the Chinese nation by unification of Taiwan, either peacefully or by force. The peaceful option has virtually gone out of the window with the last presidential elections in Taiwan. Taiwanese, especially the youth, are resolved not to be part of China. With time, this resolve has grown politically stronger. It leaves China with reunification by force as the default option. Everyone tells me how and when mighty China would invade and overpower tiny Taiwan. However, I have rarely been told that Taiwan could be defended to
It should have been Maestro’s night. It is hard to envision a film more Oscar-friendly than Bradley Cooper’s exploration of the life and loves of famed conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein. It was a prestige biopic, a longtime route to acting trophies and more (see Darkest Hour, Lincoln, and Milk). The film was a music biopic, a subgenre with an even richer history of award-winning films such as Ray, Walk the Line and Bohemian Rhapsody. What is more, it was the passion project of cowriter, producer, director and actor Bradley Cooper. That is the kind of multitasking -for-his-art overachievement that Oscar
Chinese villages are being built in the disputed zone between Bhutan and China. Last month, Chinese settlers, holding photographs of Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平), moved into their new homes on land that was not Xi’s to give. These residents are part of the Chinese government’s resettlement program, relocating Tibetan families into the territory China claims. China shares land borders with 15 countries and sea borders with eight, and is involved in many disputes. Land disputes include the ones with Bhutan (Doklam plateau), India (Arunachal Pradesh, Aksai Chin) and Nepal (near Dolakha and Solukhumbu districts). Maritime disputes in the South China