Launching TumblerBlog.com

Ambitious. Foolish. Self-indulgent. Whatever you call it, I would like to announce my decision to venture into the world of political blogging.

It goes without saying that the last few years have been extraordinary for Thailand. Since the 2006 coup, we have had a new constitution, four Prime Ministers, two rounds of party dissolution and two rival colour-coded street movements with unprecedented significance.

Perhaps due to the striking images of the closure of the two airports or the burning buses in the middle of the city, it is a common practice for both Thai and foreign observers to label the post-coup years as a period of turbulence. Yet, for all its obvious faults, one important benefit brought about by the coup is the dramatic increase in political participation and awareness of the general public, at least if that is measured in terms of visibility. The growing willingness of the Thai population to exert influence over matters that were previously reserved for politicians, career bureaucrats and the ‘elites’, can only be a good thing in my book.

Against this backdrop, this blog will serve as a way for me to add my voice to the ongoing public debate regarding where our country is headed. It should be clear to observers of Thai politics that nothing is ever predictable, and many uncertainties still lie ahead. Thus, it is highly important for people to be allowed and even encouraged to engage freely in debates on the topics of their choice.

Having said that, I am fully aware of the existing regulations on what can and cannot be discussed in this country. I do not intend to make myself anonymous, and readers are welcome to follow my tweets or become my Facebook friend. I suppose the price to pay for being publicly accessible is that I will have to moderate comments and readers are requested to avoid making comments that might spell trouble for me as the owner of this blog.

That is all I have to say for now. So stay tuned and watch this space.

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2. Implications of Abhisit’s ‘Road Map’
3. Petition to Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats, Regarding the Violence in Thailand
4. Coups and Elections: Honduras’s Parallels with Thailand
5. Coup Maker to Enter Politics… the Proper Way