Another great article by the Asia Times. This one concerns the recent moves to deal with ITV, now owned by Temasek - essentially the investment fund run by the Singapore Government. The current moves hint at would could happen with other parts of Shin Corp. These sentence is quite telling:
But iTV’s nationalization likely represents the first of a series of controversial moves to dismantle and then redistribute to politically preferred players the Shin Corp’s various communications assets operated under state concessions.
All this is pretty interesting given that it continues to show the Government wants to deal with the ills of the Thaskin regime but I am just not sure if this is the right way to go at it. Even more intriguing given the book I am currently reading - the big one u can’t buy in Thailand. U know the one. Anyway. More to chew on. On a lighter note - Safari in Patpong was really heaving on Friday night.
I read the ‘book you can’t get in Thailand’ last year and found it very interesting and revealing. A friend had purchased it overseas and brought it to me when he visited Thailand. I removed the overleaf cover when reading this book in Bkk public places to avoid untoward attention to its subject.
SImilar to the Iraqi fiasco, replacing a corrupt political leadership only results in continuing corrupt practices by different actors.
Looking forward to returning to Bangkok in a couple of months.
View all comments by DJ
I have not left the house with it to be safe but it is a very interesting read. I can hardly put it down.
Let us know when u get to town.
View all comments by smitty
Last time I was in Singapore I was amused to see “That Book” prominently displayed in the airport bookstores. The Singaporeans don’t care about pissing off the Thais do they?
View all comments by Arthur
I think what is happening is a quiet - but respectful disagreement between the 2 countries. That behavior seems very Asian. Sell a book the other country has banned but keep it all hush hush. Interesting…
It’s a great read BTW and I don’t think negative at all.
Just factual. The history is really amazing.
View all comments by smitty
YEAH. That Swiss guy is in trouble for sure.
I think other countries have the law but do not enforce so much.
In the past people have been convicted but years later allowed to leave Thailand but not come back.
It will be interesting since the Thai media is trying to pretend it is not happening but there is no way to keep people from knowing. The guy is old so it seems unlikely they would let him rot in Jail.
Something to watch for sure!
View all comments by smitty