Change (TV seires)

Change (TV series) is about the Japan politics and how the politician served as the Prime Minister keeps the promise he made to the public during election campaign. Asuka Keita, who was a primary school teacher, has no interest in politics. The naive and idealistic teacher is propelled to the premiership by the political fixers of the ruling party, who think his popularity can save their flailing organization. Naturally, he rises above the murk of the political world and delivers change Japan can believe in. This series leads to understand politics more clearly, acknowledge the proper role and responsibility of government, and more importantly rethink how to reshape Thai politics system.

Which Thai politicians do you think is most suitable with the characteristic of each cast in drama?

Kantei
office of the Prime Minister

Thai Khu Fah
Government House building

National Diet building

Thai parliament building

Asakura Keita

Abhisit Vejjajiva

Kanbayashi Shoichi

Newin Chidchob

Kakiuchi Tatsuhiko & Nihei Sakae

Sanan Kachonprasart & Banharn Silpa-archa

Ubukata Tsuneo

Ong-art Klam-paiboon

Onoda Asao

But the last one,Onoda Asao, I have never found any Thai MPs who have character looks like him because he confessed, felt remorse, and took responsibility for a scandal. Fortunately, there is only one politician-Apirak Kosayodhin. He is the former governor of Bangkok. Just a month after winning a second term, he decided to step down after the anti-graft agency indicted him in connection with the fire-engine purchase scandal.

If you have another suggestion, please give any comments.

pictures courtesy of various sources on the internet.

New Poliitcs Party?

In the raining, members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) have given their resounding approval for the group's formation of a political party and contest Thailand's next general election. Entering the electoral fray will be an ironic step of PAD, as its platform dubbed "New Politics". The PAD has come up with three possible names for new party including Candles of Dhamma Party, the People's Alliance for Democracy Party, and New Politics Party.

Electoral fraud has been a main problem for a long time, particularly in rural areas of Thailand. Some of rural people, who are illiterate or uneducated, usually sell their rights to votes to corrupt politicians. It is well-known that money is the most essential factor for determining which party wins the general election. Any party or coalition have to show a majority in the House to form the cabinet. They often embezzle some of public fund for their own benefits. An individual or corporation usually offers a politician a financial inducement to achieve a desired outcome. The money is partially spent on preparing for the next election campaign. It is a vicious cycle. I think providing the equal opportunity in education is the way to get rid of this cycle and eliminate the significant discrepancies between urban and rural communities. Transparency International undertakes an annual "Corruptions Perception Index" (CPI). The ranking system of the CPI is designed so that countries that are perceived to be the least corrupt are given the highest scores out of ten. In 2008, Thailand has been scored 3.5 and risen from 84th to 80th in the rankings of the least corrupt countries, partial thanks to action against corruption by gutter politics of PAD.

The aim of the new party is to eradicate corruption in politics, increase transparency, and elevate the moral standard. PAD needs to prove that new politics is possible or even can change Thai politics for the better. Additionally, Prime Minister and Ministers must work myself to the bone and do desperately for the sake of this country's citizens. The government should have a decisive role to stop the bribery. Changing politics and society is up to everyone.

พรรคนามพันธมิตร ต้องยึดติดในหลักการ
ครั้งเก่าเมื่อวันวาน ที่ต่อต้านความฉ้อฉล
ริเริ่มการเมืองใหม่ นำเมืองไทยให้หลุดพ้น
ให้หลุดจากวังวน จากสินบนสินรางวัล
มุ่งเน้นความโปร่งใส ให้ห่างไกลคอร์รัปชัน
นำหน้าด้วยธงธรรม์ เดินมุ่งมั่นอย่าสับสน
สร้างเสริมการศึกษา สร้างปัญญาให้ผู้คน
ให้แก่ทุกชั้นชน ทุกแห่งหนอย่างเท่าเทียม

pictures courtesy of oknation blog

Doodle 4 Google

If you log in google homepage, you will see the very beautiful google logo shown above. It is the the picture of the winner of second annual Doodle 4 Google competition. It is a competition among K-12 students throughout the nation to reinvent Google's homepage logo. Google company invited them to doodle around the theme "What I Wish for the World". The winner of competition is budding artist Christin Engelberth, who is 12 year-old Texas girl. "A New Beginning" shows on Google.com all day Thursday, May 21. For Google, the many different versions of its logo do not detract from the company image. Rather, they support the perception that this company has knowledge of different worldwide cultures. Google's charming logo doodles have become a signature feature of the search engine homepage with the idea of overlaying the corporate logo with other motifs for season, special time or current event. Additionally, her 24-hour exhibit on Google homepage , she also earned a $15,000 scholarship, a laptop, a trip to Google's New York office, and a $25,000 technology grant for her school. I suggest Thai government or private organization should set up a program like this to encourage a child's imagination and creativity. As we know children are the future of nation and if they are not well educated, the country never can stand in the first row of development. They are a powerful force in the development and stability of the nation.

pictutres courtesy of google.com and appscout.com

Three Cups of Tea

As Haji Ali explained to Mortenson, "Here(Afghanistan and Pakistan) we drink three cups of tea to do business. The first you are a stranger, the second you become a friend, and the third you join our family, and for our family we are prepared to do anything - even die."

In 1993, Greg Mortenson, to honor his deceased sister Christa's memory, attempted to climb K2, the world's second highest mountain. But he and other climbers failed to reach its summit. He got lost during descent and then became weak and emaciated. Fortunately, he was taken in and nursed back to health by the impoverished local people. During recovery he found that the children have no place to learn. So, they write with stick in the sand. It was for the reason that he promised to return one day to build a school for them. As of 2008, he has established over 78 schools in rural and often volatile regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan, which provide education to over 28,000 children, including 18,000 girls, where few education opportunities existed before. The gift of education is a priceless gift that changes lives or even societies. He was recently nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Three cups of tea has been a New York Times bestseller since its January 2007 release, and was Time Magazine Asia Book of The Year.

pictures courtesy of flickr..com

After raining

Yesterday, it started raining pretty heavily in the morning. I thought it rained all day but in the afternoon I was able to enjoy the sun. Unfornuately, the bus was about 20 minute late becuase there was an accident on highway. So, I took these pictures from the area around to kill the time while waiting.

เมฆยามฟ้าหลังฝน ในบัดดลพลันจางหาย
แสงแดดปรากฎกาย ออกทักทายทั่วทุกหน
เปรียบเหมือนทำสิ่งใด อย่าหวั่นไหวอย่ากังวล
ทำดีต้องอดทน ต้องมีคนที่มองเห็น

Vesak Day

Vesak Day is a traditional holiday of the Buddhist community. This year is on the 8 th May in Thailand. Vesak is the major Buddhist festival of the year as it celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha, which occurred on the same day-but in different years. This celebration is called Vesak being the name of the month in the Indian calendar. More than 2500 years ago, the Buddha's teaching continued to guide and give meaning of lives to millions of people across the word. The principle of Buddhism illuminated the way by which mankind could cross, from a world of superstition, or hatred and fear, to a new world of light, of true love and happiness. The heart of the teachings of the Buddha is contained in the teachings of the Four Noble Truths :-

1. The Dukkha or suffering

2. The Origin or Cause of suffering

3. The End or Cessation of suffering

4. The Path which leads to the cessation of all sufferings

ดอกไม้อ่อนระโหย ร่วงหล่นโรยตามเวลา
บ้างก็ลมพัดพา หล่นลงมาจากกิ่งก้าน
ไม่อาจอยู่หยัดยืน ไม่อาจฝืนไม่อาจต้าน
การเปลี่ยนที่ผันผ่าน จากเบ่งบานสู่ร่วงโรย

lotus picture courtesy of flickr.com

Salt

What do you think about salt? You may think it has been used just as a kind of seasoning. Actually, salt is not just a condiment. Salt or sodium choride is essentially required for life, which is the major determinant of extracellular fluid. More importantly, salt is a key turning point in the fight for India's independence. In the history of this country, the British East India Company had created a salt monopoly. Then, the British instituted a salt monopoly , set salt prices and prohibited the private sale of salt. Gandhi chose the salt tax for an example of injustice to the people of India because every peasant and aristocrat understood the necessity of salt in everyday life. On March 12th 1930, Gandhi and followers began a 320-kilometer walk to the sea at Dandi , where they would defy the law by scooping up a handful of salt and mud. He announced “With this salt I am shaking the foundations of the [British] empire.” The salt march, exemplifying his tactic of non-violence protest, gave India’s struggle for liberation. It sparked large scale acts of civil disobedience against the British by millions of Indians.

pictures courtesy of flickr.com

Blossom of Spring

I took pictures on Saturday along Farmington Avenue and North Main Street in the town of West Hartford. At this time of the year, everyone can enjoy the blossom everywhere. In the above pictures, both yellow and red flowers enjoy the sunlight. I hope to see the yellow shirt and red shirt factions leave Thaksin behind and join hands together to push the nation forward.

สักวาดอกไม้ที่เบ่งบาน พร้อมรับขานฤดูที่เปลี่ยนผัน
ต่างอวดโฉมอวดช่ออวดประชัน อวดสีสันท้าแสงที่แรงกล้า
อวดความงามภายใต้ท้องนภา ดูน่าชมน่ามองชวนเพลินตา
โลกได้มอบของขวัญอันลำค่า ยากจะหาสิ่งใดเทียบเคียงเอย

New Thai politics

I think most Thais want to reshape the old-style politics, based on conflict of interests and dominated by financiers. The objectives of reform should focus on improving moral standard and promoting transparency in politics. Most importantly, the government should provide the education opportunity and improve academic performance for all citizens and encourages everyone to participate in politics. Democracy gives voice people a voice in determining how this country should move. We must use our right to express opinions on matters of public concern. It is our duty to protect the public interest, isn't it.

หลายคนมีคำถาม ถึงนิยามการเมืองใหม่
บางคนยังข้องไข เป็นอย่างไรช่วยบรรยาย
การเมืองจากพื้นฐาน คนในบ้านทั้งหญิงชาย
การเมืองที่จุดขาย ทุกทุกฝ่ายร่วมแรงใจ
ร่วมคิดร่วมปรึกษา สร้างปรัชญาการเมืองไทย
การเมืองที่โปร่งใส ไม่ว่าใครตรวจสอบได้
เห็นชาติมาเป็นหนึ่ง ไม่เห็นซึ่งแก่ผู้ใด
ไม่รับสินน้ำใจ ให้ร้างไกลความฉ้อฉล
มุ่งเน้นการศึกษา เสริมปัญญาให้ผู้คน
ให้หลุดจากวังวน ให้หลุดพ้นแนวคิดเก่า
รู้ถูกและรู้ผิด รู้ถึงสิทธิ์ของตัวเรา
เลิกฟังแบบหูเบา ไม่มัวเมาเชื่อตามใคร
ถ้าฟังอย่างฉลาด ก็สามารถตัดสินใจ
ไม่หลงตามสิ่งใด เกิดเป็นไททางความคิด
การเปลี่ยนก็จะไว เหมือนเปลวไฟที่จุดติด
ประเทศจะถูกทิศ ไม่เดินผิดเหมือนที่เคย

"Parliamentarians promise to work for the sake of the citizens and are chosen by the citizens. And the Prime Minister works the hardest for the sake of the people while carrying duties and responsibilities on his shoulders. People who bow their heads during election then act like royalty after winning are not real politicians! People who don't use words that can be understood by everyone are not real politicians! People who prioritize their own interest over the happiness of the people are not real politicians. And most of all, not knowing what the people hate, what they desire,and what they want to believe in. Someone who doesn't know those cannot be a real Prime Minister."

Quote from:Japanese drama Change

pictures courtesy of The Guardian and Daylife