Dirk.Net

It’s not easy to find a Thai-English-Thai dictionary for Debian-based Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Mint etc.) but this package is the most painless option I’ve come across so far:
ftp://ftp.nectec.or.th/linux-distributions/Linux_TLE/archive/patong/pool/main/s/stardict-lexitron/stardict-lexitron_2.4.2-1tle1_all.deb
Download and double-click to install.
For other distributions you can find packages on the Nectec website (http://lexitron.nectec.or.th/downloadLex_detail.html).

The referendum on the junta-sponsored draft constitution was held today and the draft was accepted with a (for many) surprisingly low margin of 58. 24% vs. 41.76% against. The Northeast turned in a resounding “No” vote and in the North it was a close contest.
The military-installed government campaigned for the acceptance of the charter draft while opposing campaigns were threatened with criminal prosecution. Arguably, had the government disseminated unbiased information about the charter, there’s a chance that the draft might have been rejected.

Here’s what I witnessed at leisurely temple serving as a polling station today:

A transparent glass box serving as the ballot box is placed in the center of the room. The voter walking into the polling station sees the box first, with all the ballots already cast clearly visible. He or she might thus fear that his or her ballot can be identified after it has been cast into the box and that thus, her vote can be linked to her identity. In a culture such as Thailand’s that demands preserving face and not creating a public embarrassment for oneself and others, this is especially severe and might be an effective deterrent from the “wrong vote” for many. IMHO placing a glass ballot box out in the open space not very democratic and I haven’t this in other elections in Thailand. The government is obviously compromising the secrecy of the vote to help a favorable outcome.

The quality of healthcare in Thailand is truly amazing. Hospitals in larger cities are not only clean, well organized and staffed with friendly nurses and doctors, they also have all the latest technology and equipment. Add to that the dexterity and craftsmanship Thais have built over centuries, which today comes to the fore in high quality surgery. Having lived in Thailand for ten years I have yet to come across a foreigner being the “victim” of a botched surgery. Rather, everyone seems to be thrilled by the care they received at Thai hospitals and even the most difficult surgery being performed to the highest standards. And look at these prices:

 
Source: Bangkok Post

The current politial situation in Thailand can only be understood in its historical context. The Western notion expressed by some that “the coup was justified to fight corruption of the toppled regime” is quite simplistic, legalistic and seen from a purely Western perspective. For more profound backround information, two articles stand out: Kasian Tejapira’s Toppling Thaksin (PDF download is at the bottom of the page) and Duncan McCargo’s Network monarchy and legitimacy crises in Thailand (free download after registration). Both articles were written before the coup, outlining the conficts of power which led to the putsch of September 19th.

Another article analyzing Thailand’s culture of corruption from a religious vantage point. Thailand is fundamentally a very individualistic society where social conscience is exercised only within a circle of family, village or friends. This can be observed in road traffic where strangers meet and show hardly any consideration for one another. However, as soon as some sort of contact is established, Thais are extremely friendly and helpful with excellent social skills.
The karmic viewpoint is also influential. An (apparently) rich or powerful person is perceived to be deservedly so because of a karmic advantage, while the poor deserve to be so because of bad karma. This view is deeply rooted and almost antithetical to the Christian idea of an ideal of poverty and skepticism towards wealth (”More easily shall a camel enter through the eye of a needle than a rich man into the kingdom of God”) which in turn asks for compassion for and sharing with the poor and disadvantaged. These Christian precepts in turn ideally lead to a more just society with better wealth distribution especially when institutionalized by governments as in the largely Protestant but unreligious societies of Northern and Western Europe.
Conversely Thai society relies on the communal fabric of society, friends and family share and help each other, but each individual will not have the societal benefit in mind. This has to be adopted through education and possibly a patriotic spirit, without Thais compromising their peaceful and communal lifestyle which make them some of the most welcoming people in the world.