Why is this song banned in Thailand?

In checking the latest list of Banned sites in Thailand:


they seemed to blocking this video:


Maybe cause it's referred to as the suicide song? Or Diamanda Galas did something wrong? The weird thing is that it's just this version. The Sarah McLachlan version didn't seem to attract the same attention. First time I'd heard the song, but what a sad, powerful song. Thanks MITC for introducing it to me.

The King's new B737

link

11 High Resolution Bangkok Panorama Photos

Click on any image to get the full high resolution image. All are between 2,000 and 19,904 pixels wide. From Flickr. More Bangkok panorama photos...

12.5% more expats, more condos

From thailand-property-guide.com - the number of expatriates in Bangkok with work permits grew to 67,412 in 2006, a 12.5% increase year on year according to statistics by the Alien Occupational Control division of the Department of Employment.
Last year there was only a limited amount of new supply in apartments, and there were only about 330 units completed last year. But the number of condominium units grew by over 4,000 units. That will continue to be the case in the next two to three years,”
As for two-tiered pricing for Thais and Foreigners, there really isn’t a Thai rental market. Given that Thais have the freedom to buy and sell what they choose, unlike foreigners, those with high salaries and incomes just won’t go out and rent 75,000 a month apartments. So there is no Thai market above Bt15,000 a month.

I'am watana. I fuck you.

Passed along by a friend:

So, I get into my apartment last night and there's a piece of paper laying on my floor that someone shoved under the door - see below.

The guy who wrote the note, Watana, is the building manager and he's kind of a wishy-washy little idiot. Apperently after a party, a friend of mine decided to to futz with the camera when he was in the elevator, leading the building manager, one Mr Watana, to leave the following under my door on Tuesday.

Still blocked, still unacceptable

A good article about the continued censorship of YouTube (Taksin's mouthpiece) by the Thai Juanta (unelected government).

The YouTube block remains. But of far more concern to Thais who want to see a return to democracy is the regime's blocking or intimidation of Thailand-based Web sites that provide a forum for political discussion. The YouTube affair has drawn greater public attention to the information ministry's Internet calling card -- an Orwellian emblem in the shape of an eye, which is superimposed on blocked sites.

In Thailand, freedom of speech was guaranteed by the country's popular 1997 constitution. Unfortunately, it was ripped up by the coup leaders who condemned it as too weak to protect the nation from despots. Many opponents of the creeping censorship in Thailand argue that government agencies are acting illegally in blocking Internet sites. Cynics say that's why the Computer-Related Offenses Commission Act is being drafted.

On another way to look at this, Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom guilty of les majeste? Due to his ban of the video, the total views reached 66,553 before the video was pulled. Had the and the minister of information and technology silently banned the single video, they might not have caused so many to see it. However an all out ban has now cause the search terms "youtube banned thailand" to return over 1,000,000 hits in Google and over 900 news stories worldwide.

Songkran dancers busted

In the breaking news of the day, more "coyote dancers" got busted!

"Police broke up the show "after a good citizen" reported that the girls were dancing while wearing few clothes, and in an arousing manner. "

With bombs going off a shopping malls, it's good to know that 'good citizens are on guard for terrorist threats and arousing dancing.

YouTube still blocked

It seems the Thai Government is trying to figure out how to block single videos, rather than the whole site.

"I don't want to hear a lecture on free speech ... I am a proponent of free speech but this is just culturally insensitive and offensive," he said, adding that he would not block access to materials that are anti-government. "But we will not tolerate materials that offend the monarchy."

On the other hand, how convenient is it for the anti-Taksin camp, that the government blocked the Taksin YouTube speaches?

Thailand Blocks YouTube again!

They did it before.. now they are doing it again.... This time at least the whole world knows about it.

This blogger has to say it is not without reason. Google, do the right thing and take down the offending video! Thailand, do the right thing and don't block a whole website cause of one video!


If you are upset, you can do something.... FACT

Pattaya motorbike crash

Pattaya motorbike lesson #1: Never hold your can of beer and drive a motorbike at the same time.