Reply With QuoteWhere's Skyman?!
Ehm, just curious to what happened with the Cambodian situation ?
The President of The United States In Thailand
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Bush arrives in Thailand
BANGKOK (AFP) - US President George W. Bush arrived Wednesday in Bangkok for talks with Thailand's prime minister and a separate meeting with Myanmar dissidents, before heading to Beijing for the Olympics.
Bush, who arrived after a visit to South Korea, was set to meet with Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej for dinner, officials said.
Before leaving for Beijing on Thursday, Bush was scheduled to give a speech here on US relations with Asia and meet with exiled dissidents from military-ruled Myanmar.
In an advance copy of the speech, Bush opposes China's detention of dissidents, in a pointed message on human rights on the eve of the Beijing Olympics.
Bush says the speech is not meant to "antagonise" China, and he expresses optimism about the future of the world's most populous nation while repeatedly underlining America's "deep concerns over religious freedom and human rights" in China.
But much of Bush's stay in Bangkok will be aimed at pressuring the junta in Myanmar.
In addition to his meeting with dissidents at the US ambassador's residence, First Lady Laura Bush plans to visit a camp and a clinic for Myanmar refugees living along the Thai border.
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Samak welcome, Bush arrival remarks (full text)
www.bangkokpost.com
Here is an official transcript of remarks by US President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej when they met at Government House shortly after the arrival in Bangkok of Mr Bush:
PRIME MINISTER SAMAK:We are pleased to welcome President Bush visit to Thailand on the auspicious occasion of the celebration of 175th anniversary of Thai-US relations. As Thailand has now assumed the Asean chairmanship, we will use the opportunity to strengthen our engagement and cooperation with the US both bilaterally and through Asean.
President Bush and I had just a very good discussion on several issues of common interest. We discussed the strengthening of the close military and the security cooperation which benefit both countries and the region. A case in point is our military close partnership during the tsunami and post-Cyclone Nargis to facilitate access of American relief and assistance to the affected countries.
We will continue our discussion on the other regional issues over the dinner this evening. President Bush expressed his appreciation for Thailand's humanitarian role in sheltering displaced persons from neighboring countries for over 30 years. I also thanked the President for the United States' understanding on the Preah Vihear issue.
We agreed to enhance the Thai-US relation by focusing on education, public health, sciences, security and law enforcement cooperation. Our two countries share a long and special connection. President Bush - former President Bush Senior and Mrs. Barbara Bush came to Thailand to pay tribute to His Majesty the King on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of accession to the throne in December 2006.
Looking towards the future we agreed that our alliance and friendship will remain firm and close as in the past 174 years, we need to continue working closely together to further strengthen our relationship and goodwill for the benefit of our two countries and the region.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you, Mr Prime Minister. Sawtdee Khrab. (Laughter.) Thank you, Mr Prime Minister, for welcoming Laura and me, and our daughter, Barbara, to your beautiful country. I want to thank you very much for welcoming us on behalf of His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen. We appreciate the opportunity to come back, and we honour the friendship that has been in existence for 175 years.
I want to thank you very much for being such a strong ally in the war against terror. Our nations are strengthening our security and defense cooperation. Thailand continues to host Cobra Gold, which is one of the largest annual multilateral training exercises in Southeast Asia.
Thailand's troops have helped the people of Iraq and Afghanistan as they battle extremists and strengthen their democracy, and I want to thank you for those contributions, Mr Prime Minister. America and Thailand are coordinating our law enforcement, counterterrorism and counter-proliferation activities so we can do a better job of protecting our citizens from danger.
The United States and Thailand are working to expand freedom with good governance. I want to thank you very much and congratulate the people of Thailand for restoring its democracy. Through the Asia Pacific Democracy Partnership, our nations are working together to strengthen democratic values and institutions throughout the region. As the Chair of Asean, we support your efforts to reduce trade barriers, and to expand economic opportunity, and help Southeast Asia grow in hope.
The United States and Thailand work together to fight disease. I don't think our citizens understand this, Mr Prime Minister, but we've dedicated $35 million to help prevent and treat HIV/Aids here in Thailand, and we're happy to do so. Looking forward to going tomorrow to the clinic where we get to see the efforts of the initiative, it's called the Mercy Center - and I appreciate you arranging that for me to go see, Mr Prime Minister.
We're also working on avian flu. I think it's very important for our nations to prepare for the worst. Obviously, we're hoping for the best. And so we've got a good, strong initiative on avian flu.
We're working together to help the people of Burma. We responded very quickly when Burma was struck by the terrible cyclone, and I want to thank you very much for your leadership on that issue. After all, yours was the place where much of the world aid came to be distributed to the poor people there that were deeply affected by the storm.
We want to see prosperity and freedom restored to Burma. Tomorrow, Laura is going to the Thai-Burmese border to visit a resettlement camp where Burmese refugees are receiving health care and humanitarian aid. She's looking forward to the trip, and I'm looking forward to hearing her report from the trip.
So Mr Prime Minister, I want to thank you very much for your hospitality. I want to thank you for feeding my delegation. (Laughter.) We're looking forward to eating some good Thai food - which is very famous throughout the world. Please give my very best regards to His Majesty and Her Majesty.
PRIME MINISTER SAMAK: I will.
PRESIDENT BUSH: And thank you very much for being so gracious.
PRIME MINISTER SAMAK: All right. Thank you.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_....php?id=129377
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U.S. President George W. Bush shakes hands with Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej after a joint statement at the Government House in Bangkok August 6, 2008.
*******/Larry Downing (THAILAND)
Where's Skyman?!
Ehm, just curious to what happened with the Cambodian situation ?
In The News: Thai-Cambodian Standoff
my right arm suffer from tennis elbow syndrom because I need to work in front of computer for almost 10 hours a day. So I rested but now I'm OK.Originally Posted by signatory
Where's Skyman?!
Ehm, just curious to what happened with the Cambodian situation ?
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Thai PM visits disputed temples ahead of new border talks
SI SA KET, Aug 18 (TNA) -- Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Monday visited two disputed ancient temples of the poorly-delineated border with neighbouring Cambodia ahead of a fresh round of talks between the foreign ministers of the two countries aimed at reducing tensions along the common border.
As a well-known chef, PM Samak prepares launch for Thai troops in Preah Vihear temple.
Accompanied by a number of senior officials, including army chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda, Mr. Samak flew by helicopter to Ta Muen Thom ruins which sits in Thailand's northeastern province of Surin, according to Thailand, while Cambodia claims it is in its northern Uddor Meanchey province.
The Cambodian government has stepped up its claims of ownership over several other ancient Khmer temples, including the Ta Muen Thom ruin, after the Preah Vihear temple was listed by UNESCO's World Heritage Committee as a World Heritage site early last month. The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia, but the surrounding land remains dispute by the two countries.
Mr. Samak, also defence minister, later visited sites in Surin's Phanom Dong Rak border district and advised local farmers who came to greet him to grow cassava and sugarcane to use for producing ethanol.
He also told a local government officer to continue organising the annual fair at Ta Muen Thom ruin held every April as it would strengthen unity between Thai people living in the district with Cambodians who visit the fair.
Mr. Samak and his delegation flew on to Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district and inspected a military detachment guarding Preah Vihear temple, telling them that troop reductions between Thailand and Cambodia would be made presently.
Currently, both countries maintain 10 soldiers each at Preah Vihear and another 20 each around the temple, he said. Thailand will deploy 300 soldiers while Cambodia will have 500 soldiers posted along the two countries' common border.
In future both countries will deploy an equal number of soldiers along the length of entire border, Mr. Samak said.
His visit to the two areas came just one day before Thai Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong will meet for the second time Tuesday in the Thai resort town of Cha-am in Phetchaburi to find ways on easing tensions along the border. (TNA)
Political News : Last Update : 16:52:31 18 August 2008 (GMT+7:00)
http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=5810&t=2
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As I said earlier, PM Hun Sen now won the election. So it's no need for military standoff again.
Hua Hin talks open way for peaceful resolution of Thai-Cambodian border tensions
HUA HIN, Aug 19 (TNA) -- Thai Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag and Hor Namhong, his Cambodian counterpart are meeting in this Thai seaside resort Tuesday, following informal talks Monday evening and it was expected that their meetings would take place throughout the day on Tuesday.
Thailand's foreign ministry spokesman Tharit Charungvat said the talks were moving in a positive direction.
Relative calm and normalcy have returned to the ill-defined Thai-Cambodian border as the foreign ministers of the two neighbours welcomed one another to a new round of discussions aimed to put to rest differences that have contributed to bad feeling on both sides of the border.
While both countries retain small token military forces in some of the ancient Preah Vihear temple along the border, the large numbers of combat-ready troops who crowded the ancient temple environs a few weeks ago have since been pulled back, and those who remain are 'friends' again.
In 1962 the International Court of Justice ruled that the Preah Vihear temple is part to Cambodia, but the surrounding land remains in dispute.
Landmines from several wars still produce casualties among Cambodian and Thai farmers and anyone attempting to cross the border. The landmines are seen as part of the reason that the border has never been fully demarcated.
Mr. Tharit said that the situation had improved greatly and that the tensions that were previously clearly apparent have largely eased.
The Thai foreign ministry spokesman said he expected the situation to be entirely normalised soon. (TNA)
Political News : Last Update : 13:43:29 19 August 2008 (GMT+7:00)
http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=5822
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Thai-Cambodian border talks agree on full troop redeployment
HUA HIN, Aug 20 (TNA) -Thai Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong on Tuesday agreed to adopt a provisional arrangement over the disputed Preah Vihear temple pending the survey and demarcation of the area in question.
In a joint press conference after a full day of talks in this Thai resort town, Mr. Tej announced both parties have agreed on a full redeployment of troops in the area, among other measures.
Mr. Hor said Cambodia would pull out its troops from the temple area, but would maintain only some police there for security.
Both agreed to adopt a provisional arrangement pending the survey and demarcation work to be carried out by the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), which is expected to be convened in October.
Asked whether Phnom Pehn would withdraw its written request for the United Nations Security Council to deal with the dispute, the Cambodian foreign minister said he personally wanted to do so soon, but that the matter is up to the Cambodian government's decision.
Likewise, the Thai foreign minister reaffirmed that the arrangement must comply with the Thai constitution.
It is expected that the next round of the Foreign Ministers' Meeting will take place after the Joint Boundary Commission is convened in October.
Asked when Cambodia would allow tourists to visit the Preah Vihear temple, the Cambodian foreign minister said Phnom Penh would consider it when troops of both sides are pulled out of the temple area.
Thai Foreign Minister Tej said he could not give details regarding the troop withdrawal because it is a duty of military officers of both countries to further negotiate the matter. (TNA)
http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=5836
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Last edited by Skyman; 08-21-2008 at 09:10 PM.
Yay, no more risk of war.
BTW Skyman..... whats with the onion on your avatar?
I think It's lovely. Just like when you watch Japanese anime and when the character feel sadly surprise and the crow fly at the back.
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Gripen - The Face of Success
Beautiful Brochure From Gripen International. On page 26 - 29, it cover RTAF Gripen.
THAILAND - Eastean promise.
http://www.gripen.com/NR/rdonlyres/7...uccess2008.pdf
Heh and I had never even noticed it was a onionI think It's lovely. Just like when you watch Japanese anime and when the character feel sadly surprise and the crow fly at the back.
But I did notice Saab has made an error in the text about Thailand... it says you're getting Saab 2000
BTW, got any photos of RBS 70 in Thai use ?
Last edited by signatory; 08-24-2008 at 11:18 AM.
Oh yes they did the mistake. Just see that.Heh and I had never even noticed it was a onion
But I did notice Saab has made an error in the text about Thailand... it says you're getting Saab 2000
So let strict on the text. Give us Saab 2000. Give us Saab 2000. Give us Saab 2000.
RBS-70.
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Beijing 2008
BTW, congratulation to Thailand team in Beijing 2008. Even we fail to reach the expected goal but we can earn 2 Golds and 2 Silvers. Thailand rank 31th in World table. Number 4 in Asia and number 1 in ASEAN.
Lieutenant Somjit Jongcohor of Royal Thai Army. 33. The gold medal winner of flyweight 51 kg division boxing in Beijing 2008. As a reward, he will be promoted to Captian when he come back to Thailand.
Prapawadee Jaroenrattanatarakul. The gold medal winner of women's 53kg weightlifting in Beijing 2008. She will apply for the job in Royal Thai Army after the game and RTA is looking to accept her request.
Last edited by Skyman; 08-24-2008 at 11:55 PM.
oh my, how did they get from 39 or 240 to 2000?
So skyman, you still watch those japanese cartoon show?
I still watch Doraemon, mate.oh my, how did they get from 39 or 240 to 2000?
So skyman, you still watch those japanese cartoon show?
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Griping about the Gripen
The House armed services committee has the air force's newest fighter squarely in its sights, writes Surasak Tumcharoen
Although the military has already signed the 19-billion-baht deal to buy six JAS 39C/D Gripen combat aircraft from Sweden, a group of civilian MPs are arguing the contract should be cancelled. They say the ageing US-made F-5 Tiger fighters which the Gripens will replace could be refurbished and upgraded for far less, and continue to do an adequate job.
The House armed services committee chairman Somchai Phetprasert raised the issue.
He said the the public was aware of the purchase of the first six of the multi-role jets, with the first scheduled for delivery in 2011.
The order was placed and signed for by air force commander-in-chief ACM Chalit Phukpasuk, he said.
But it was not so well known that the air force planned the gradual procurement of a dozen of the Gripen jets, not just six, with the additional planes due to arrive after 2013.
Under the government-to-government agreement, the Swedish manufacturer, Saab, will initially deliver four one-seat and two two-seat fighters under the 19-billion-baht deal. The budget had been approved over a five-year period, with 10% to be paid in the current fiscal year.
The JAS 39C/D aircraft have a 27mm Mauser cannon and can carry US-made Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and Maverick air-to-surface missiles. They reach a speed of Mach 2 and have a combat radius of 800 kilometres.
They were destined for deployment at Air Base 71 in Surat Thani province, where they would replace the F-5 fighters.
The House committee chairman, who was a police colonel before he entered the political arena a decade ago, said his committee might bring up the Gripen jet purchase for debate.
They would not concentrate on the earlier question of whether the deal breached Article 190 of the constitution because it did not receive prior approval from the House of Representatives.
Mr Somchai said his committee would focus on whether the Swedish jets were compatible with current air force facilities, equipment and personnel.
Did the deal include maintenance and spare parts for the planes after 2013, when the five-year purchase deal was complete, he asked.
Mr Somchai said it also remained to be seen how cost-effective the Gripen fighters would ultimately be, given the incredibly high price of US$93 million each.
That compared with only $42 million for each of 26 Gripen fighters ordered by South Africa.
Mr Somchai said most air force pilots and crew were trained in the use of American weapon systems, software and aviation technology. Many had undergone intensive training courses in the United States so they fly the US-made aircraft deployed at various air bases nationwide.
Besides the ageing F-5 jets, there were the F-16 Falcon fighters which, according to the House committee chairman, many senior air force officers believed were even more reliable than the Gripen fighters.
He called for the rebuilding of the existing F-5s, especially the squadron deployed at Air Base 71 in Surat Thani province, which is to be decommissioned.
He said other aircraft throughout the country would also gradually be taken out of service because of lack of funds for maintenance and repairs.
Mr Somchai feared the cost of maintaining the airworthiness of the Swedish aircraft would be a far bigger drain on the tax purse.
When testifying before Mr Somchai's panel at parliament, air force officers had admitted that existing repair and maintenance programmes for the F-5s would have to be terminated to meet the costly payments for the Gripen aircraft, along with some logistic support projects.
Support programmes for the F-16 fighters, the most modern combat-ready planes in service with the air force, might also have to be downsized.
Mr Somchai said the US was not happy with the decision to buy the Gripens, and he doubted the Americans would continue to supply missiles and other weaponry for the Swedish jets in the years ahead.
Air force chief Chalit Phukphasuk, however, has rejected all criticism of the Swedish jets and the plan to buy them.
The Gripen jets use shorter runways for landing and takeoff than the American planes, ACM Chalit told Bangkok Post earlier this year.
''Gripens are more suitable for operations over the sea,'' said ACM Chalit.
The fighters would be the frontline protector of the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. They would also be available for use in the far southern provinces where an insurgency has raged since 2004.
''The Gripens will provide air cover for the Thai navy,'' he said.
''They will not be here as part of an arms race. They will be here for defence purposes.''
http://www.bangkokpost.com/260808_Ne...008_news30.php
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This is a political-driven move. (ACM Chalit is ex-Junta and armed services committee of the house is Thaksin ally) It has a little impact since PM always showing that he do not want to clash with miliary. (Government needs military to prevent another coup)
The earlier attempt to brought Gripen case to the constitutional court is fail too because they see no way how they can destroy this deal. So they need to come up with the new attack like the reason they have mentioned. (Silly reason)
Don't worry much.
Thanks for the RBS-70 pics Skyman...
Mr Somchai.. what a poster boy for politicans ! (Either stupid or lying.. )
Skyman, FMV told me there's no pics available on the Thai visit to Gotland 2 weeks ago.. if some still come up they will send me... but I doubt it.
Hi,
Is anyone knows some pictures of the Thaļ army with reissued japanese helmets, after the world war II ?
This helmet exactly :
Thanks a lot.
In History: Thai troops in World War I & II
I don't have much photo about the Thai Helmet in WWII. Basically, Thai troop used Japanese equipments in that time because Japan forces uses to sign the defense pact with them.
I try to find some photo but I got only of these.
In addition. This is Thai helmet in WWI.
Thai soldier in Germany during WWI. This photo was taken in 1918. Thai soldier joint WWI with ally force.
Thai volunteer force in WWI marching passed Arc de Triomphe in Paris in the WWI victory ceremony. The flag in this photo is keeps in National Museum.
Siamese Tank crew in 1930
In 1933
Hope this help.
In The News
AEROSPACE
Iran satellite gets Thai help
******* AND BANGKOK POST
TEHERAN / Thailand has helped Iran put a joint research satellite into space. It went into orbit yesterday after being launched atop a Chinese rocket.
The launch was announced by Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Soleimani on Iranian television.
He said Iran, China and Thailand had worked together on the satellite, which was equipped with cameras and was aimed at boosting cooperation in coping with natural disasters such as earthquakes.
In Bangkok, Information and Communications Technology Minister Mun Patanotai said Thailand cooperated with China, Iran, Pakistan, Mongolia, Bangladesh and South Korea to develop a small multi-mission satellite (SMMS) for non-military purposes.
The satellite, with a low earth orbit and weighing only 510kg, has the capa bility of tracking natural resources, disasters, agriculture management, doing geographic surveys and scientific testing.
Thailand was responsible for developing telecommunication equipment with a Ka-band frequency for the satellite.
The countries cooperated under the Asia-Pacific Multilateral Cooperation on Space Technology amd Application pact.
The Iranian announcement came only a few weeks after Iran said on Aug 17 it had put a dummy satellite into orbit on a domestically made rocket for the first time. US officials said the attempted launch was a failure.
China is among six world powers seeking to convince Iran to halt nuclear work the West fears is aimed at making bombs, but it has been reluctant to consider steps that might hurt its energy ties with the world's fourth-largest oil exporter.
Iran caused international concern in February by testing a domestically made rocket as part of its satellite programme, the Explorer 1. It said it needed two more similar tests before putting a domestically made satellite into orbit.
The long-range ballistic technology used to put satellites into space can also be used for launching weapons.
The West believes Teheran is seeking to develop more advanced missile technology so it can launch atomic warheads. Iran denies any such intention and says its nuclear programme is peaceful.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who visited Beijing on Saturday, last month said Iran planned to launch a telecommunications satellite.
The head of Iran's aerospace organisation, Reza Taghipour, said Iran was working with Russia and other Asian states to launch a satellite.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/080908_Ne...008_news21.php
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Basicly, as far as I know from news here, this is a join project between Thailand and China (and some country) for 15 years. SMMS is a small low-orbit geographical sattellite.
Cool, I hope we get Shin corp back.
Thaksin have jumped bail to UK. Whats going to happen to his properties left behind in Thailand?
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