reader

From The Thai Enquirer Thai LGBTQ+ history through the looking glass: religious freedom and LGBTQ+ rights in Thailand In 2015, Thailand enacted the landmark Gender Equality Act that made gender-based discrimination illegal. However, gender discrimination is allowed if it serves to protect “the welfare and safety of a person or for following religious rules, or for the security of the nation” according to Section 17 in the Act. Despite the lack of overt persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals, Thai society is still not wholly accepting of gender and sexual minorities according to a 2014 UNDP report. In this article, we interview LGBTQ+ activist Sirisak “Ton” Chaited (they/them) about their recent gender-inclusive monasticism #ทุกคนต้องบวชได้ #ทุกเพศต้องบวชได้ campaign and dive into the brief LGBTQ+ history in Thailand to better understand the intersectionality between religious freedom and LGBTQ+ rights in Thai society. As 95% of Thais are Buddhists, Buddhism has been the cornerstone of Thai culture for many centuries. Regardless of your interpretation of Buddhist religious scriptures, texts, and teachings, some Thai Buddhist-practioners are of the belief that nonconforming sexual orientation and gender identities may be viewed as a punishment for past lives’ sins or the inability to control sexual tendencies and impulses. Yet a closer look at Thai history may explain why this notion is not a noble truth. Predating the Rattanakosin era (1782 AD – present), various temple murals depict homosexuality among Thai men and women according to Chaingmai-based Dutch journalist Sjon Hauser’s observations in Transsexuality in Northern Thailand Historical Notes. “Whether or not Buddhism has been instrumental in influencing the development of the popular Thai notion [of กะเทย “kathoey”, the Thai term commonly used with, but is not limited to, transwomen, intersex individuals, and effiminate gay men], a very similar mixing of physical and psychological sex, gender behaviours and sexuality occurs both in the Pali terms [sic] pandaka and in the Thai term kathoey. Both terms are parts of conceptual schemes in which people regarded as exhibiting physiological or culturally ascribed features of the opposite sex are categorized together. If Buddhism was not the source of the popular Thai conception of kathoey then at the very least it has reinforced a markedly similar pre-existing Thai cultural concept” wrote Thai history scholar Peter A. Jackson, PhD. in the book Queer Dharma: Voices of Gay Buddhists. After Thailand transitioned from an absolute into a constitutional monarchy in 1932, the state propagated national culture by implementing traditional concepts of gender as one of the tools to establish social order as observed by Scot Barme, a visiting fellow at the History Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies at the Australian National University in his book Luang Wichit Wathakan and the Creation of a Thai Identity; and renowned Thai scholar Thongchai Winichakul in his book Siam Mapped: A History of the Geo-Body of a Nation. The concept of Thai nationhood at the time included imposing “modern” notions of gender identity and sexual orientation through state institutions such as the military, the police, and school which remained to this day. Through this “modernization”, the Thai moral construct was propagated to be inherently intertwined with Thai gender roles — modeled after the Victorian middle-class movement in Europe in order to portray Thailand as a “civilized nation”– which is reflected in personal sense of virtue. Supposedly, adhering to an indoctrinated gender role naturally serves to reflect good morals and character in Thai society. A deviation from the Thai indoctrination of gender roles, in this sense, would allow individuals to shy away from morality, exemplary character, and the Thai nationhood. It is interesting to see how once socially flexible concepts of sexual orientation, gender identity, and morality in ancient Thailand was shaped into an austere and rigid pre-conceived declaration of righteousness by modernity in the pursuit of nationhood. In our pursuit of being civilized we became uncivilized, as it were. According to LGBTQ+ activist, TEDx speaker, organizer of the first-ever Chiangmai Pride Parade in 2009, and Amnesty-acclaimed human rights defender, Sirisak “Ton” Chaited, the gender-inclusive monasticism #ทุกคนต้องบวชได้ #ทุกเพศต้องบวชได้ campaign was initiated because “religious freedom is a basic human right”. For Ton, “religion is generally used as a tool for segregation and is more often than not the root cause of discrimination unto an individual or community; a systemic issue embedded in almost each and every society, including ours”. Continues at https://www.thaienquirer.com/29087/thai-lgbtq-history-through-the-looking-glass-religious-freedom-and-lgbtq-rights-in-thailand/

From The Thai Enquirer Bangkok’s daily Covid case count has reached a new high for a second consecutive day, and it has been trending upwards, the Center COVID-19 Situation Administration Center (CCSA) announced on Tuesday. “Bangkok added another 1,692 cases today, which is a new high for the capital,” said Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, CCSA’s spokesman. This surpasses Bangkok’s previous record of 1,628 cases set on Monday, the same day the number of new cases in Thailand topped 5,000, a record-high for the country. “It seems like the number in Bangkok is continuing to increase… and it is now on an upward trend,” Taweesin added. In the past 24 hours, the CCSA reported 4,662 cases and 36 related deaths nationwide. As of April 1, there had been 225,652 cases and 1,876 deaths from Thailand’s third wave, which began at entertainment venues in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces. A total of 47,481 people are currently being treated at hospitals. Among them, 1,846 are in critical condition, including 527 on ventilators. https://www.thaienquirer.com/29111/bangkok-covid-19-reaches-new-high-a-second-day-in-a-row/ ========================================================= From The Thaiger Chief medic says Delta variant will become dominant strain in Bangkok The Department of Medical Sciences says it expects the Delta Covid-19 variant to become the prevalent strain in Bangkok within the coming months. The variant was first reported in Thailand in April, when it was detected in migrant workers in the Laksi district of the capital. The spread of the variant has sparked concern globally due to it being highly contagious and potentially more resistant to vaccines. The Bangkok Post reports that a record 331 cases of the variant were reported in the capital last week, taking the total number of Delta variant infections to 822. DMS chief Supakit Sirilak says there is every indication it will come to be the dominant strain. “All figures foretell that Bangkok will eventually be dominated by the Delta (variant) in the next few months, but please don’t worry. People should follow (containment) measures to prevent disease infection, including by rushing to get vaccinated.” https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/chief-medic-says-delta-variant-will-become-dominant-strain-in-bangkok

That's certainly an odd anecdote you've selected. You describe a black woman from America (who you say you stumbled upon at a BTS station) who can't speak or read Thai as an example of what's wrong with Thai public education? Hmmm.... That's (how can I put it charitably) convenient? It's also a twofer: you get to disparage both a black woman and the US in the same anecdote. Perhaps you might have described problems directly related to Thailand's management of its public education. But I guess a yarn about a "stout African American lady" from Louisiana was just too rich to pass on. Gimme a break. Somehow this doesn't come as a complete surprise. When you can't envision a solution then you--and your like-minded Thai friends-- assume none can possibly exit.

When you adopt that conclusion in a discussion about achieving equality, it doesn't leave much room for hope and all this windy talk is nothing more than an academic debate. But judging from what I've seen you express over time, I believe you do see some solutions, and one in particular that we all seem to have touched upon at one time or another: change the public education system which rates among the worst in SE Asia. At the moment, only those families with sufficient income to send their children to private schools can prepare them to succeed in university. So, I'd argue, that the ruling class has designed it this way as a means of insuring that only their sons and daughters inherit the levers of all forms of power--commercial, government, social, electoral, judicial, higher education. And the only way to change that is for citizens demand those changes. Otherwise, you tacitly accept the premise that they are nether capable or deserving of equal access.

From Vietnam Express In Japan, "Thua Me Con Di" is currently available on over eight video on demand platforms, including Rakuten TV, Fuji TV On Demand, VideoMarket, Paravi, HikariTV, Crank-In! Video, U-Next, and GYAO. It was released in Vietnam in August 2019, and chosen for "A Window on Asian Cinema", a category for the latest and most talked about films by directors in Asia at the 2019 Busan International Film Festival in South Korea. The directional debut of Trinh Dinh Le Minh, the movie depicts the drama of Van and his boyfriend Ian, who’ve just returned to Vietnam from the U.S. The couple is initially unable to come out about their relationship because of the taboo involved, especially in rural Vietnam. This leads to friction between them, and Van is forced to explain the nature of their relationship to his mother. "Thua Me Con Di" (Goodbye Mother) is among the top five best selling foreign films on the Japanese video on demand platform Rakuten TV. Arriving in Japan in January, the movie has become one in the Top Five Best Selling Foreign Film in the first half of 2021, together with Hollywood blockbusters like "Tenet" and "Wonder Woman: 1984," according to Skyline Media, distributor of "Thua Me Con Di" in Japan. It has also received a lot of kudos from Japanese audiences, with a 4.9/5 star rating on Rakuten TV. https://e.vnexpress.net/news/life/culture/vietnamese-lgbt-themed-movie-becomes-hit-in-japan-4300203.html

From The Thaiger Koh Larn off the coast of Pattaya could be reopening to tourists in the near future. As Thailand prepares to reopen to foreign tourists by October, the Chon Buri island will serve as a pilot project for the area’s reopening. Pattaya Mayor Sontaya Khunpluem says the city is in favour of the Thai government’s 120-day reopening plan, a goal announced by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha earlier this month. No proposed reopening date has been reported, but earlier reports list Pattaya to reopen in September. A vaccination campaign has been launched on the island in an effort to inoculate 70% of people on the island, a requirement for reopening. The Koh Larn reopening pilot project is included in an economic and tourism recovery plan for Pattaya, which was hit hard by the lack of foreign tourists during the pandemic, the mayor says. Local officials plan to revive domestic tourism in the area before the reopening for international tourists. https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/tourism/koh-larn-to-pilot-pattayas-reopening-to-tourists

If the government is afraid of its people, it should be trying to figure out why--unless, of course, it's satisfied with it. China has made great economic strides but rules by fear as a matter of preference. Well that's a far from accurate description how Thailand elects its leaders. The House of Representatives consists of 500 members, of which 350 are directly elected. The other 150 is elected through party lists given to the election commission by the political parties before election day. In the current system as laid out by the 2017 constitution, known as "mixed member apportionment (MMA)", the voter casts a single vote for his or her constituency MP, which is then also used in the calculation of the party list seats. This differs from the previous 2007 constitution, where the vote for constituency MP and party list MP were separate. Special elections can be called if the candidate fail to pass the commission's standards (known as yellow-cards) or if a vacancy occurs. The commission also have the authority to annul or ban candidates based on their standards (red-cards). The last election for the House occurred in 2019, with a special election being held in Chiang Mai after the winning candidate was disqualified. The current 250 senators of the Senate of Thailand were not elected, but were appointed by the National Council for Peace and Order, the military junta which ruled Thailand from 2014 to the 2019 general election. The 2017 constitution does not include elections for the Senate. That's all a far cry from the goal of allowing each citizen to directly elect their leaders. We may face a global crisis, but deviating from the right for voters to directly elect their leaders is not the answer. Only the voters should decide that matter, not a select group of appointed elite members of those societies. Th choice is clear: you either put your trust in each man and woman or you trust a group of the economically and politically privileged. In the end, that's the only way to achieve true democratic institutions.

Fighting oppression can indeed make some people angry. But if the gays who were attacked at the Stonewall Inn didn't get angry, we probably wouldn't even be discussing gay pride today. Human rights is something worth fighting for. Whether you're seeking voting equality, racial equality or sexual equality, no one said it was going to be easy. It often involves risk and admonishment. Lee Kwan Yew's method is to rule his subjects essentially by fear. So I automatically eliminate the Singapore model. And ruling a city state is much easier than a country as large and diverse as Thailand. As for what's achievable, that remains an unknown. But what is definitely known is that you'll never find out unless you try. As to how do you go about actually achieving it, you begin by giving all citizens the right to directly elect their leaders. That's ground zero. I don't think this quote will ever go out of fashion: "Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.…" Winston Churchill, 11 November 1947

It's been long acknowledged that the elites of Thai society enjoy a certain impunity when it comes to the law. Most readers can recall the incident when Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya, heir to the Red Bull beverage fortune, ran down and killed a Bangkok motorcycle cop. The hit-and-run took place in August 2012, when Mr Vorayuth rammed his car into a motorcycle driven by Pol Snr Sg Maj Wichian Klanprasert of Thong Lor police station. According to a Bangkok Post article published on June 15 of this year, Mr Vorayuth postponed his court appearances more than five times before finally fleeing abroad in 2012. While Mr Vorayuth was overseas, a speeding charge against him was dropped after its one-year statute of limitations expired in 2013. Meanwhile, a second charge -- failing to stop to help a crash victim -- expired on Sept 3, 2017. Two charges remain active -- the first, for drug use after cocaine was found in his system following a drug test. The charge expires on Sept 3 next year. The second charge -- reckless driving causing death -- will remain valid until 2027. The OAG (Office of the Auditor General) had initially dropped the charge, but later decided to pursue it after a public uproar. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2132255/at-least-10-may-face-probe-over-boss-acquittal-role Earlier this month, The Thaiger reported the following news: Killer’s sentence reduced from 10 years to 3, plus community service 4 years ago, 56 year old Suthep Pochanasomboon, was convicted of killing 17 year old Nawaphol Poengpai after an argument about a parking space. Now, Suthep’s sentence has been commuted by the Supreme Court to 3 years. The shooting which led to Suthep’s temporary incarceration happened close to the Ang Silla market, which is in the Chon Buri Province. Suthep had honked his horn at Nawaphol and his friends for blocking an intersection with a van. They argued. Suthep swore, honked his horn, flashed his lights. At some point, Suthep was punched in the face several times. Eventually, the van was moved. However, this was not enough to satiate Suthep. He followed the van, honking again. Nawaphol and his friends then pulled over and made their way to Suthep’s car. Suthep says he feared for his family’s safety and shot Nawaphol. Suthep was originally found guilty of killing Nawaphol. The Supreme Court felt that Suthep could have fired his gun into the air to scare off Nawaphol and his friends. However, he elected to shoot the teenager in the chest. However, the court also determined Suthep acted in self-defence because he had been assaulted earlier when the two parties had first interacted. Part of Suthep’s reduced sentence is he will have to perform 30 hours of community service and take anger management classes. He was also fined 2,000 baht for having a gun in public. They did not mention whether he is allowed to drive. He is out on probation. SOURCE: Chiang Rai Times Thai PBS https://thethaiger.com/news/national/killers-sentence-reduced-from-10-years-to-3-plus-community-service

For those unfamiliar with SOTUS, it was a popular Thai TV series in 2016-2017. According to Wikipedia, it is an adaptation of the novel SOTUS: พี่ว้ากตัวร้ายกับนายปีหนึ่ง by Bittersweet. The title SOTUS refers to the S.O.T.U.S. [th] system which Kongpob (Prachaya Ruangroj) and his fellow freshmen have to undergo to be recognized by the hazing team, led by third-year student Arthit (Perawat Sangpotirat), as their official junior students. As the activities unfold, the two groups go through a series of conflicts and reconciling, and the friendship and love among them gradually flourish. In early March 2017, a sequel of the series entitled SOTUS S: The Series was announced where both Perawat and Prachaya will reprise their roles. The sequel premiered on 9 December 2017 and was followed by a spin-off on Our Skyy (2018)

Equality for gays can't be achieved by parades or dot parties alone. At some point it requires legislation to ensure those rights to be treated as equals. It's a human rights issue at its core. Far from ruining your discussion, talking about the political implications of attaining equality is indeed necessary. It provides the actual context in which equality can be assured. For equality to be permanent, at some point those rights must be enshrined in law. Pretending that gay pride is not as much a political issue as it is a social issue is short sighted at best.

Amazing how quickly the gloomy forecast for Boeing and AIrbus has turned the corner. From Bloomberg News United Air Seen Finalizing Its Largest-Ever Narrow-Body Jet Deal United Airlines Holdings Inc. is poised to buy more than 200 Airbus SE and Boeing Co. jetliners, one of the largest purchases in its history, as the U.S. carrier revamps its single-aisle fleet with more efficient planes, according to people familiar with the plans. While terms are still being finalized and the order size is in flux, the total deal has expanded from that first reported by Bloomberg News earlier this month, said the people, who asked not to be identified as the talks are confidential. United is expected to take upwards of 150 of Boeing 737 Max jetliners and more than 50 Airbus A321neos, they said. The deal will be showcased during investor and media events scheduled for Tuesday by the Chicago-based carrier. The order highlights the vigor with which demand for new jets has snapped back in the U.S. following the historic collapse in air travel last year as the coronavirus pandemic swept the globe. United ordered 50 of Airbus’s long-distance A321XLR model in 2019 and has accelerated deliveries from previous Max orders to capitalize on Americans’ surging demand for leisure travel. Even with a slew of 737 orders, a parallel deal for Airbus’s A321XLR to replace Boeing 757s, United’s oldest and largest single-aisle jets, would come as a blow to the U.S. planemaker and add to pressure to fill the mid-range gap in its commercial jet line-up. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-26/united-air-seen-finalizing-its-largest-ever-narrow-body-jet-deal?srnd=premium

I don't think anyone disagrees with that observation. However, I inclined to point out a flaw in the following rationale: Thinking that enlightened leadership will somehow emerge out of the current undemocratic morass that exists only to perpetuate rule by a small minority of the economically privileged is leaving a hell of a lot to luck. If I had to choose, I'll always opt for the will of all the people to vote for their leaders. It may not guarantee enlightened leaders, but at least it allows the less privileged to have their say in the matter. Otherwise, you assume that commoners are unfit to make weighty decisions that are now being made almost exclusively by hi-so elites concentrated in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Most of us come to Thailand to spend some quality time with guys, almost all of whom come from lower economic backgrounds. I'm not comfortable with the idea that they may make great partners in bed but can't be trusted to vote for whom they choose. They're not stupid. They can't possibly do any worse than the current crew that rules the roost.

From Channel News Asia The Hong Kong High Court's landmark ruling allows same-sex couples to now co-own subsidised housing AFP/Philip FONG HONG KONG: Married same-sex partners will be allowed to own subsidised housing together in Hong Kong after a landmark High Court ruling on Friday (Jun 25), a major stride for LGBT rights in the financial hub. Hong Kong does not recognise same-sex marriage but individual couples can challenge discriminatory policies in court. Hong Kong's subsidised housing policies, which do not acknowledge same-sex partners as a tenant's family member, "constitute unlawful discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation", the Court said. The case was a second victory for gay couple Henry Li and his deceased partner Edgar Ng against the city's government, after a 2020 ruling allowing same-sex couples equal rights to inheritance. Ng, who suffered from depression, took his own life in December. The case was filed before his death in 2019 but hearings began in April 2021. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/hong-kong-court-ruling-overturns-anti-lgbt-housing-policy--15090296

From The Thaiger Thai embassies offering COEs for Sandbox travellers from Monday, June 28 The final stumbling block – the issue of Certificates of Entry for people keen to take advantage of the Phuket ‘Sandbox’ – appears to be sorted out. The way is now clear for fully vaccinated travellers to re-enter Thailand via the Phuket Sandbox plan. The plan is also being rolled out for the trio of Gulf Islands – Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao – in a version called ‘Safe and Sealed Routes’ from July 15. Now, Royal Thai embassies in some countries are posting information that travellers can apply for a COE from next Monday, June 28. Click on this link to read HERE. The final part of the Sandbox puzzle, confirmed by the Thai cabinet last Tuesday, was its signing into law as part of the Royal Gazette. That was expected on Thursday or Friday, but, following the update to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, is now expected over the weekend. For people who had already booked flights and accommodation on Phuket for July, they were unable to complete their paperwork as foreign Thai embassies were not able to issue the necessary Certificate of Entry. Many readers told The Thaiger that the embassies were either impossible to contact or, if they did respond, said they knew nothing of the Phuket Sandbox. Continues at https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/tourism/foreign-embassies-offering-coes-for-sandbox-travellers-from-monday-june-28

I would also prefer that a gay pride demonstration focus on equality. Unfortunately, given deepening social and political divisions, holding events aimed at altering public opinion of any kind would be impossible without politics creeping into the message. When you consider the polarized views on constitutional reform and the growing dissatisfaction with how the government is handling the Covid crisis, there's not much room for light. Taipei has a different social order. Although there remains political divisions among the citizenry, a certain cohesiveness exits because of the common foe across the Taiwan Strait. And the distribution of wealth is not extreme as it is in Thailand. In an atmosphere like this, it's a lot easier to celebrate equality without having to compete with other issues that could subvert the main intent.

From The Diplomat Students and representatives from Viet Pride at event at Danang University of Architecture. By Hugh Bohane The gay former Icelandic Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir said, “It is absolutely imperative that every human being’s freedom and human rights are respected, all over the world.” Sigurðardóttir’s message, delivered while defending LGBTQ+ rights at a 2014 Pride festival, would certainly have been welcomed by LGBTQ+ communities as far away as Vietnam, a country that still, like much of Asia, hasn’t fully advanced LGBTQ+ rights as yet. It has been over a year since columnist Thoi Nguyen’s article “The Fight for LGBT Rights in Vietnam Still Has a Long Way To Go” was published in The Diplomat and it is fair to say that prejudice, discrimination, and stigma against the LGBTQ+ community still looms large, despite the ongoing efforts of local activists. Nguyen’s piece gave a concise history into how far LGBTQ+ rights have come since homosexuality was declared a “social evil” by state-run media in 2002. While same-sex weddings have been allowed since 2015, couples aren’t fully recognized or protected under a loophole in the law regarding personal and property matters. To honor Pride month, The Diplomat decided to follow up on Vietnam’s LGBTQ+ family and interviewed a selection of members of the community to find out how they have been faring throughout the pandemic. Dave Khanh*, who wished to remain anonymous, is a 26-year-old working part-time as a professional dancer and English tutor. Khanh is gay and recently spoke to The Diplomat over Zoom. “Hopefully, gay marriage will be fully legalized in the next 10 years when the younger generations have more power and say,” said Khanh. “It is still quite challenging being gay in Vietnam, especially in the Northern and Central areas, whereas in the South, like in Ho Chi Minh City, it is a bit more open.” Khanh confided about having a “rough time” in high school, where he was sometimes bullied for feminine mannerisms and underwent what he referred to as a form of “psychological trauma.” He went on to say that he isn’t ready to come out to his parents but said he will soon. Even today in Vietnam, it isn’t uncommon for parents to send their children to see a doctor if they think they are gay or a lesbian. A 2020 Human Rights Watch report outlining details of homophobia and stigma in Vietnam concluded with the need for necessary changes to occur. “The first steps will include correcting the persistent widespread notion that homosexuality is an illness and needs a cure,” the report stated. Even more disturbing is the prevalence of suicide within Vietnam’s LGBTQ+ community. “One of my lesbian friends tried to commit suicide… not long ago because of the family and societal pressure she was under,” Khanh said. Continues with photos https://thediplomat.com/2021/06/vietnam-lgbtq-pride-in-the-time-of-coronavirus/

From The Thaiger Update: Under the “Phuket Sandbox” and “Samui Plus” travel models, travellers not only need to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to be eligible to enter Thailand under the schemes, but they also need to be travelling from countries classified by Thailand’s Department of Disease Control as a low to medium risk for Covid-19. The DDC posts a new list on the 1st and 16th of every month. The information is mostly in Thai. Click HERE to go to the DDC website. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/the-list-of-high-medium-low-risk-countries-for-travelling-to-thailand-now ======================================== From Reuters Shut construction sites, seal off camps to contain virus BANGKOK, June 25 (Reuters) - Thailand will close hundreds of construction sites and prevent workers from leaving their camps for a month, its prime minister said on Friday, in an effort to tackle the country's worst coronavirus outbreak so far. The order followed the emergence of more clusters in construction camps in the capital, which has 575 such sites in total housing about 81,000 workers. Since May, 37 clusters have been found in Bangkok camps. Sites in some provinces near Bangkok and four in the south near Malaysia will also be closed from next week. "Let's implement this for a month. Things should improve then," Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha told reporters. The labour ministry will compensate for the costs of halting construction projects, he said. Labour minister Suchart Chomklin said police will inspect camps for safety and make sure no one leaves, while authorities aim to test everyone inside. Many camp residents are migrant workers. Details of measures targeting specific businesses and areas are expected to be announced before Monday, Prayuth said, adding that he wanted to avoid a blanket lockdown. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thailand-shut-construction-sites-seal-off-camps-contain-virus-2021-06-25/ =================================== From AFP Thailand races to roll out coronavirus jabs to prisoners Barefoot Thai prisoners rolled up their sleeves to get coronavirus jabs into tattooed arms Friday, as the kingdom seeks to tackle a mass infection outbreak in its overcrowded jails. Authorities have been trying to contain a recent virus surge in the penal system, where some inmates have less space to sleep than the inside of a coffin. There have been more than 35,000 positive cases inside prisons and inmates have been encouraged to wear masks even when they sleep at night. The government has begun rolling out an initial batch of 300,000 Sinopharm doses across the kingdom's jails. Inmates at Chonburi Central Prison, two hours southwest of Bangkok, lined up Friday morning to receive their jabs. "Overcrowding in prisons is a factor making it difficult to prevent this kind of disease," the institution's director, Chan Vachiradath, told AFP. He said the nearly 6,300 inmates at his prison had so far remained coronavirus-free, but staff are on guard. Every prisoner had to undergo a swab test before their vaccination and priority was given to elderly inmates and those suffering underlying medical conditions that made them more vulnerable to severe virus cases. Thailand has around 311,000 prisoners, according to International Federation for Human Rights figures from earlier this year -- more than two and a half times the system's official capacity. Four out of five prisoners are serving time for drug charges because of harsh anti-narcotics laws that can see offenders jailed for a decade for possessing just a few methamphetamine pills. https://news.yahoo.com/thailand-races-roll-coronavirus-jabs-085328809.html

I agree on much of the history but we diverge as we look forward. The fact that 19 coups have occurred tells us that they still haven't got it right yet: the "have" minority still continues to dominate the political scene. And I continue to believe that nothing that occurs in regards to changing a system of government is free of politics. Culture and religion may be factors--important factors--but they are also political in their very nature. When you seek to alter a government due to religion or culture, politics always infringes. Looking west, I was encouraged that the gay community in Warsaw managed to overcome strong cultural, religious and political opposition and held a Gay Pride march this past week. That it came when Poland is embroiled in a controversial law that demonizes homosexuals demonstrates the tenacity and power of resistance.

I don't reject the idea that discrimination--of all kinds--is deeply rooted in Thai culture as it is the culture of many other nations. But I don't believe that it can't change and evolve. We can find anecdotal evidence to support either side of the argument I suppose but I prefer to view the glass half full. I agree that many of the young people will go on to adopt norms similar to that of their parents but others will go on to reject them. Cultural is fluid over time and not set in stone. Young people are more courageous than their elders. That's why nations send their youth to fight wars because they tend to be stronger and more fearless. Those same qualities can be assets used to battle discrimination. So I hope that these young people will surprise us and prove that they're capable of changing their society. It's admittedly an aspirational view but one I choose to hold on to even more as Thais come to grips with the country's political unrest.

From Vietnam News A scene from Ròm movie with the actor Trần Anh Khoa (left). — Photo idolvnnet.com HÀ NỘI — Trần Anh Khoa, the young actor who played the titular character in Ròm has been awarded the best actor award at the 18th Asian Film Festival which concluded in Rome, Italy on Wednesday. The organisers praised Khoa for his instinctive, energetic and agile acting to play a character who is constantly moving in a hectic life in the city. On behalf of Khoa, who is still in Canada, a representative of the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy received the award and said they appreciated the recognition and encouragement of the organising board for the Vietnamese film industry, especially for young and promising talents. Set in a squalid tenement for working-class Saigoneers, the movie revolves around số đề, an illegal gambling game that piggybacks on Việt Nam’s official lottery operation. Ròm and a gaggle of other street kids make money from selling lottery result slips and taking bets for số đề bookies as “runners”. The Asian Film Festival in Italy was organised by the Robert Bresson Film Foundation, which selected the best East Asian films in terms of art and genre. https://vietnamnews.vn/life-style/979862/khoa-wins-best-actor-award-for-rom-at-asian-film-festival.html Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFLHDs1MUGw

Please do interpret this post as an attempt to hijack the thread, which has provided much historical context for understanding homosexual trends in Thailand and elsewhere. But as Pride Month draws to a close I thought posting some images that show that young Thais--and those young at heart--may not forever have their thinking about what it means to be gay dominated by an influential group of traditionalists. I'm not aware of anywhere in Bangkok this is more in evidence than Samyan Mitrtown, the high-rise complex at Rama IV and Phayathai Rd. Located adjacent to two leading universities, it's busy day and night with students and young people, many from the families who may harbor some of he views of sexuality that Prof. Jackson describes. Even if you walk through the mall during the 11 months of the year when it's not celebrating Pride, it's impossible not to feel the vibe that tells you this is a safe place for gays. I think it demonstrates that you don't have to have a parade to demonstrate that it's OK to be gay in Bangkok. The media has carried many stories about gay men and women who are comfortable in their sexuality and these are the folks that have a strong influence on the country's youth. Artist Ken Khiaosanthia: "I might have a different perspective from others when it comes to defining pride. For me, Pride Month is just another month of the year and it doesn't convince me to be prouder of myself or have more self-esteem. There's nothing so special about it. But don't get me wrong, what I'm trying to say that I'm proud of who I am every day. I have never believed that my sexuality or being part of the LGBTQIA+ community makes me any different, extraordinary or inferior to any others. I don't talk about my sexual preference with my parents and don't need approval from them for being queer. Why? I believe that whether you're LGBTQIA+ or not, you can be a successful person. Fashion designer Nisamanee Lertvonapong: "I'm proud of myself for being different. When I was a kid, I always thought that being different was wrong. Other kids bullied me just because I was not like them. When I grew up, what everyone saw as 'misbehaviour' is what has made me successful today. There's nothing wrong with being afraid to be different. We were raised in a society that discourages us from being rebels against the standard. But imagine if everyone looks and thinks the same. That's weirder. A tip from me, you must believe in your unique personality. It's a gift that makes you special and stand out from others. I'm proud to be a member of the LGBTQIA+ community." Our best hope is that when the youth of Thailand come of age and begin to take over the levers of power in their country, their more balanced view of sexuality will be free of the oppression that politics and culture manifested over earlier generations.

From CNBC CDC safety group says there’s a likely link between rare heart inflammation in young people after Covid shot A CDC safety group said there’s a “likely association” between a rare heart inflammatory condition in adolescents and young adults mostly after they’ve received their second Covid-19 vaccine shot, citing the most recent data available. There have been more than 1,200 cases of a myocarditis or pericarditis mostly in people 30 and under who received Pfizer’s or Moderna’s Covid vaccine, according to a series of slide presentations published Wednesday for a meeting of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Myocarditis is the inflammation of the heart muscle, while pericarditis is the inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart. The agency said there have been 267 cases of myocarditis or pericarditis reported after receiving one dose of the mRNA vaccines and 827 reported cases after two doses through June 11. There are 132 additional cases where the number of doses received is unknown, the CDC said. Roughly 300 million of the shots had been administered as of June 11, the agency said. “This is still a rare event,” Dr. Tom Shimabukuro said at the meeting. For both vaccines combined, there were 12.6 heart inflammation cases per million doses. The cases were more frequent among Moderna’s vaccine recipients at 19.8 cases per million versus eight cases per million for Pfizer’s, he said. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/23/cdc-reports-more-than-1200-cases-of-rare-heart-inflammation-after-covid-vaccine-shots.html =============================== From Bangkok Post WHO confirms Sinovac: Thailand proceeds as planned with 100 million doses by end of year The World Health Organization (WHO) on June 1, 2021, validated Coronavac COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, giving its assurance that the vaccine meets international standards for safety, efficacy and manufacturing. The Sinovac vaccine has also been approved by the Thai FDA for Emergency Use Authorization in preventing mild to serious illness and death from COVID-19. The vaccine is produced by the Beijing-based pharmaceutical company, Sinovac Biotech. Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist, WHO, said, “The vaccines that will be used in the national roll out in Thailand – AstraZeneca and Sinovac – are effective. WHO has approved both vaccines for adults aged 18 and above, including elderly people, to prevent patients from getting sick or dying from COVID19. These vaccines have saved tens of thousands of lives around the world already. WHO also recommends that all eligible people living in Thailand get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as it is offered.” Dr. Soumya added, “The risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 is much higher than any serious side effects from the vaccines that have been reported. As for the effectiveness percentage, it is impossible to compare between the two vaccines because the studies were conducted in different test conditions under different circumstances.” Dr. Sopon Iamsirithavorn, Director, Division of Communicable Diseases, Department of Disease Control (DDC), Ministry of Public Health, explained the vaccination plan: “Thailand has a clear policy that everyone, including foreigners residing in Thailand, will receive the vaccine and the budget has been planned. The top concern is to reduce severe illness and death and contain the spreading of disease.” https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2137283

From The Thaiger The Bank of Thailand on Wednesday lowered the country’s economic growth projection for 2021 to 1.8 per cent, down from 3 per cent predicted in March, but kept the policy rate unchanged. The Monetary Policy Committee at the central bank reduced its estimate of gross domestic product (GDP) growth in response to a downturn in international tourists and lower domestic demand impacted by the third wave of Covid-19 pandemic. Projected tourist arrivals for this year plunged to only 700,000 from the 3 million expected earlier in March, despite the fact that Thailand is planning to open its border by October. “Employment in the service sector and the self-employed is more vulnerable and may even recover more slowly,” said the committee assistant-governor Titanun Mallikamas. The MPC also unanimously voted to maintain the benchmark policy rate at 0.5 per cent, given that the third wave of the Covid-19 epidemic has slowed the Thai economy to grow unevenly and less than expected, with a chance of a new wave of infections in the future. https://www.thaienquirer.com/28925/central-bank-lowers-gdp-projection-as-pandemic-drags-on/

The possibility of embassies of foreign governments intervening in the distribution of vaccines to their citizens living in Thailand was discussed on the board a few months back. I recall that numerous problems were brought up that made that scheme difficult. But France and China have found ways to muddle through the dilemma. Chinese nationals in Thailand were able to be vaccinated under Beijing’s “Spring Sprout” global immunisation programme. China had donated 500,000 doses of its Sinovac vaccine to Thailand, and then Thailand then agreed to vaccinate Chinese expats. Around 150,000 Chinese nationals live in Thailand. French nationals ages 55 and older will receive their free inoculation of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine at one of the 8 Bangkok Hospital locations including Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and Koh Samui. Meanwhile, the US continues to claim that it is unable to do so. The Chargé d’Affaires has sent the following letter to US nationals who have inquired about the possibility with the embassy: "The U.S. Department of State is unable to provide vaccines to the millions of Americans who reside outside of the United States.For those who wish to return to the United States to be vaccinated....Meanwhile, as Thailand pursues its vaccination program, I will continue to advocate for your equitable access, keeping in mind that many Thai citizens are also waiting for their own vaccines." Full article available from The Thaiger https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/us-is-unable-to-provide-covid-19-vaccines-to-americans-who-live-overseas ============================== From the Thai Enquirer Chula professor criticizes government's obsession with Sinovac A leading professor at Chulalongkorn University has come out this week to criticize the government for its continued obsession with acquiring Sinovac vaccines. The professor joined Thai Enquirer to outline her grievances, the same one she shares with millions of other Thais. It might not have been as clear in the beginning, but the inefficiency of this [Sinovac] vaccine has been reported in numerous, real-life cases from many countries, from Indonesia to Brazil, said Professor Siripan Nogsuan, an Associate Professor and the Head of the Department of Government, Faculty of Science at Chulalongkorn University. Professor Siripan said that the main question she has for the government is twofold: why are they still choosing Sinovac over other vaccine alternatives when it’s clear that it is more expensive, and has a much lower efficacy rate? It seems that the Ministry of Public Health, which announced that it was planning to procure at least 28 million more doses of the Sinovac vaccine on Friday, haven’t adequately explained their reasoning, Siripan told Thai Enquirer by phone. “What we, as citizens, need is explanation and answers,” said Professor Siripan. “Why do the government, and the doctors leading the Covid-19 disease control situation, think Sinovac is a better option? What is the basis of their argument and how did they come to this conclusion?” https://www.thaienquirer.com/28886/leading-chula-professor-criticizes-governments-sinovac-obsession/