Photos of Siam from LIFE

Google is now hosting an archive of photos from LIFE magazine. I did a search for Siam and it displayed photos of Siam cobras and the cremation of King Ananda in 1950.


Siam cobra


Cremation of King Ananda, Siam 1950

Ajarn Sulak arrested

I just received the news that Ajarn Sulak Sivaraksa has been arrested for lese majeste. I don't know any details apart from what has been published in news reports on the internet. The BBC reports:

One of Thailand's best-known social activists has been arrested on charges of insulting the monarchy.

Sulak Sivaraksa is often described as the founder of Thailand's movement of non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

The 76-year-old was detained in connection with a speech he made last December. He has been released on bail.

I will update the blog again if I receive any more substantial news.

Update: Report from The Nation:

Somchai said that what Sulak had said in a public speech last December in Khon Kaen was very mild. Somchai also said the military had had a role in this by raising ultra-royalist fervour in recent weeks and this might explain why Sulak had been arrested.

Sulak was later given bail and flew to London last night for a pre-arranged engagement; he will return to Bangkok in November to fight the charge.

From Reuters: Arrest of Thai academic raises free speech fears