Also in this edition: Vajiralongkorn has still not been sighted, a royalist tycoon is arrested for massive fraud, and harassment of protesters continues
Hands up all those who cheered the coups against the Shinawatras.
Thaksin was a crook, but delivered several good things, and wanted to change the education system to more like the 'West' (For good or bad!).
Yingluk took her orders from T, and had to accommodate crooks to keep a coalition together.
Her rice subsidies no worse than ChanOcha's rubber subs., and infamous, and ongoing, crookery.
The tourist industry will never return to it's old self... Remember the junta wanted to push it 'up market'? No more back packers...plebs...(But lots of dosh!)
All the junta have to do is show live, Vaj on TV, maybe with today's Bangkok Post so we can see the date?! (Like when kidnappers do it).
The discontent is simmering- Maybe the junta allowed the virus to spread deliberately?
Many countries, even Germany, UK, etc., used it as an excuse to stop demos...
Indeed, I confess to cheering the news of the 2006 coup when it happened, I was not a fan of Thaksin and really believed that Bhumibol was a saintly old chap. Luckily I became more politically aware later that year, largely thanks to Paul Handley’s book which blew my mind because I realised how little I’d understood. So by the time of the PAD protests of 2008, I was appalled at what they did, and supported the Red Shirts in 2010...
Meanwhile the king, queen and Koi finally appeared on royal news last night. Will write about it in the next newsletter. 👍
I've watched a few episodes of the Girl from Nowhere (New Kid in Thai, I believe) and find it interesting from a culture perspective. It is similar to the kind of ละคร that have a sort of folkloric element. Nanoo is a ghost who essentially punishes evil doers. Quite frequently the evil doers are morally evil flawed by envy, resentment, or sexual exploitation. Of course, they get what's coming to them.
One thing I am struggling with is how Nanoo sometimes contributes to or even incites the immoral behavior and then punishes the person she incited. From a Western perspective, inciting immorality is considered a serious crime too. So, don't understand how Nanoo can be considered a "good" force if she is also doing evil. Please, anybody who has ideas on this, I would be very happy to hear them.
I remember a ละคร from the mid-80's which concerned a lovely, but envious and resentful woman who did a lot dishonest things. She seems to get away with it until she sees that a group of women that she resents are preparing to cook food. She pees in the rice water believing the women that she hates will eat the rice. However, the women are actually preparing food for the Monks. Needless to say she ends up insane, homeless, and covered in sores in the end.
Thanks for interesting discussion! I agree that when I began watching the show I assumed she was some kind of avenging angel who would punish the wicked, but it soon became clear that she was instead a demon or malevolent ghost, who would still punish the wicked, but would also cause a lot of chaos. I also found the incitement uncomfortable initially, plus the fact that plenty of innocent people also get harmed in the crossfire, because I’d been expecting a show with a clearer moral universe.
Kong Rithdee discusses this issue really well in his two articles, so I highly recommend them!
My use of the term ละคร in my original post is not entirely accurate for this show. Apparently, ละคร are like what we call a mini-series in the US. They are serialized and run for a planned number of episodes and then they are over. Girl from Nowhere is not serialized. It is an anthology of self-contained stories rather than a long narrative that develops over the duration of the TV show. In addition, I believe they are currently producing a third season of it, so it has no predetermined number of episodes before it is over. As long they have stories they can keep going, although it would might be hard to continue if Chicha Amatayakul became unavailable.
What is fascinating is the folkloric element of the show and Nanoo's role. Why? Because it reveals a lot about the Thai worldview as regards the role of spirits in life. While the writers of show may not consciously be sourcing folklore, they are Thai so they share the worldview. In addition, in order for the show to be successful in Thailand, it must be plausible from a Thai perspective. This show is very popular in Thailand. Similarly, it provides insight into Thai moral values because it defines the "good" and "the bad." For that reason, it is very interesting if you watch with an eye to culture.
OK. Said enough about this. I will read the sources cited by Andrew and continue to watch the show. I hope you all will too.
Hands up all those who cheered the coups against the Shinawatras.
Thaksin was a crook, but delivered several good things, and wanted to change the education system to more like the 'West' (For good or bad!).
Yingluk took her orders from T, and had to accommodate crooks to keep a coalition together.
Her rice subsidies no worse than ChanOcha's rubber subs., and infamous, and ongoing, crookery.
The tourist industry will never return to it's old self... Remember the junta wanted to push it 'up market'? No more back packers...plebs...(But lots of dosh!)
All the junta have to do is show live, Vaj on TV, maybe with today's Bangkok Post so we can see the date?! (Like when kidnappers do it).
The discontent is simmering- Maybe the junta allowed the virus to spread deliberately?
Many countries, even Germany, UK, etc., used it as an excuse to stop demos...
Indeed, I confess to cheering the news of the 2006 coup when it happened, I was not a fan of Thaksin and really believed that Bhumibol was a saintly old chap. Luckily I became more politically aware later that year, largely thanks to Paul Handley’s book which blew my mind because I realised how little I’d understood. So by the time of the PAD protests of 2008, I was appalled at what they did, and supported the Red Shirts in 2010...
Meanwhile the king, queen and Koi finally appeared on royal news last night. Will write about it in the next newsletter. 👍
I also must confess to cheering the 1991 coup against Chartchai.
As you say, I did not know Thailand's history, but made the time to read up on it!
Your book and Handley's shone the light.
Seems the palace/junta feel need to stop the rumours!
Because of fucking “Cope For The Monarchy” things, in Thailand, seven years has passed with no any signs of better things happen.
The Rumor Dying of The Mad King Caligula in Thailand (Vajiralongkorn) made everyone in Social media has a big hope for things better at last...
Princess Sirintorn can be the throne next successor and be the 1st Empress of Thailand!!! Is this really possible krub?
The Netfilx TV Series “The Girl From No Where 2” is a very Brilliant!!! I’m very happy that Mr.Andrew, you also watching this krub..
I've watched a few episodes of the Girl from Nowhere (New Kid in Thai, I believe) and find it interesting from a culture perspective. It is similar to the kind of ละคร that have a sort of folkloric element. Nanoo is a ghost who essentially punishes evil doers. Quite frequently the evil doers are morally evil flawed by envy, resentment, or sexual exploitation. Of course, they get what's coming to them.
One thing I am struggling with is how Nanoo sometimes contributes to or even incites the immoral behavior and then punishes the person she incited. From a Western perspective, inciting immorality is considered a serious crime too. So, don't understand how Nanoo can be considered a "good" force if she is also doing evil. Please, anybody who has ideas on this, I would be very happy to hear them.
I remember a ละคร from the mid-80's which concerned a lovely, but envious and resentful woman who did a lot dishonest things. She seems to get away with it until she sees that a group of women that she resents are preparing to cook food. She pees in the rice water believing the women that she hates will eat the rice. However, the women are actually preparing food for the Monks. Needless to say she ends up insane, homeless, and covered in sores in the end.
Thanks for interesting discussion! I agree that when I began watching the show I assumed she was some kind of avenging angel who would punish the wicked, but it soon became clear that she was instead a demon or malevolent ghost, who would still punish the wicked, but would also cause a lot of chaos. I also found the incitement uncomfortable initially, plus the fact that plenty of innocent people also get harmed in the crossfire, because I’d been expecting a show with a clearer moral universe.
Kong Rithdee discusses this issue really well in his two articles, so I highly recommend them!
My use of the term ละคร in my original post is not entirely accurate for this show. Apparently, ละคร are like what we call a mini-series in the US. They are serialized and run for a planned number of episodes and then they are over. Girl from Nowhere is not serialized. It is an anthology of self-contained stories rather than a long narrative that develops over the duration of the TV show. In addition, I believe they are currently producing a third season of it, so it has no predetermined number of episodes before it is over. As long they have stories they can keep going, although it would might be hard to continue if Chicha Amatayakul became unavailable.
What is fascinating is the folkloric element of the show and Nanoo's role. Why? Because it reveals a lot about the Thai worldview as regards the role of spirits in life. While the writers of show may not consciously be sourcing folklore, they are Thai so they share the worldview. In addition, in order for the show to be successful in Thailand, it must be plausible from a Thai perspective. This show is very popular in Thailand. Similarly, it provides insight into Thai moral values because it defines the "good" and "the bad." For that reason, it is very interesting if you watch with an eye to culture.
OK. Said enough about this. I will read the sources cited by Andrew and continue to watch the show. I hope you all will too.
Yeah, Mr.Andrew MacGregor Marshall. Thank you very much for your tireless effort, to make Thailand be Real Democratic Country Krub..😿❤️🌎👍