tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313069753393877260.post7786045516717208328..comments2024-01-24T16:25:58.472+07:00Comments on Somtow's World: Don't Blame Dan RiversUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger355125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313069753393877260.post-19795445351544290792010-06-16T13:25:00.705+07:002010-06-16T13:25:00.705+07:00I suggest that Dan Rivers get a job with Fox News ...I suggest that Dan Rivers get a job with Fox News where they don't report the news - they make it up. It would be a good fit.<br /><br />Mike - Thailand FarangAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313069753393877260.post-12189753344152310382010-06-11T20:49:25.996+07:002010-06-11T20:49:25.996+07:00Thank you for your clear analysis of these events....Thank you for your clear analysis of these events. I have one question: Who exactly are the yellow shirts ,and who controls them?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313069753393877260.post-46407216760642168892010-06-05T22:22:23.112+07:002010-06-05T22:22:23.112+07:00The writer Somtow is careful to say he's not t...The writer Somtow is careful to say he's not taking sides but his views do not reflect that. He's clearly anti-Thaksin and redshirts. He didn't cast the yellow shirts' takeover of the airport that paralysed Thailand in the same light as the redshirts' protest - in fact neglected to mention it at all.<br />And he glossed over reasons for the sackings of PMs Samak and Somchai, the former for what can best be described as an utterly frivolous, laughable reason - hosting a cooking show and getting paid for it. What conflict of interest can that possibly be, except in the eyes and schemings of the Bangkok Elite, the yellow shirts and the retired generals? Bribery charges at an election, including funding, is very easily thrumped up and extremely difficult to fight in the Thai context of the time, not that it is ever easy in the context of any country except in the few very open and very matured democracies.<br />He says Abhisit is more likely to bring about reform to Thai society, given time, than Thaksin and suggested that what has been happening is not about rich versus poor but about the middle class. Really? A prevailing view is that Abhisit is incapable without the backing of all the "unseen" powers in Bangkok, and his handling of the whole affair - his offers and withdrawal of them, his meeting to "negotiate" terms which turn out to be purely for the cameras and propaganda - shows him to be, yes western educated, but far from an inclination towards western democratic reform.<br />And yes Somtow refers philosophically "....from Magna Carta to the Bastille to the American Civil War to the Russian Revolution, there is this Platonic Model against which these big historical movements are always compared. There is a bad guy — often a dictator — who can be demonized. There is a struggling proletariat. The end comes with "liberty and justice for all". <br />We all know who the proletariat is. But which model does Somtow have in mind? And who is the dictator?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313069753393877260.post-21038226017536339532010-06-05T00:38:01.889+07:002010-06-05T00:38:01.889+07:00You might be interested in this study about how, w...You might be interested in this study about how, when you care about an issue, all reporting seems biased:<br />http://www.spring.org.uk/2010/02/why-the-media-seems-biased-when-you-care-about-the-issue.phpAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313069753393877260.post-70022066564742456222010-05-31T16:49:39.915+07:002010-05-31T16:49:39.915+07:00Dear K. Somtow,
Wow great article and honestly ...Dear K. Somtow,<br /><br /> Wow great article and honestly I couldn't have said it better myself. I have found that there is a chronic problem with the media reporting in Thailand. I think the worst is when reporters, such as Dan Rivers, whom believe they can understand the language well enough to not have a translator. I am fluent in both Thai and English and I have found that many reporters in Thailand have reported blatantly wrong information. Even things like statistics and numerical figures have been reported incorrectly. I have to agree though that these reporters are simply trying to find the most sensational story. I mean what is more exciting than a "class war"?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313069753393877260.post-55508144198205138462010-05-29T16:24:36.529+07:002010-05-29T16:24:36.529+07:00For reference, this response to criticisms against...For reference, this response to criticisms against CNN/BBC may perhaps interest readers, especially since it mentions Somtow's article: http://uk.asiancorrespondent.com/bangkok-pundit-blog/rational-responses-to-cnn-and-media-biasAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313069753393877260.post-59544327349542749442010-05-29T10:07:02.576+07:002010-05-29T10:07:02.576+07:00Dear Somtow,
I read your exellent article 'an...Dear Somtow,<br /><br />I read your exellent article 'an open letter to the reds' and then this 3rd class piece of typically borish one sided ridicual of anything not central thai.<br />To think for some reason that there may be only 12 foreigners whom are able to speak,read and comprehend the central thai dialectfluently including its nuances is once again a typical supremist view.<br />I speak Thai and the Issan dialect and promise you that all the main red speakers are fluent in both as is half the army and police.<br />The foreign press have well paid stringers who are not going to lie and lose their jobs.<br />The fact is all reports from local media are one sided and any govt insinuation no matter waht it concerns is not investigated but written as gospel,time will tell us of the atrocities committed especially in lumpini park on day one of the final operation 'no figures for that yet' why anybodys guees,maybe the public is not ready for that yet.<br />Maybe one day the official govt lnguage will be Issan if the birth rate figures are anything to go by,wouldnt that be one for the books.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313069753393877260.post-57298729287833910972010-05-27T20:28:00.731+07:002010-05-27T20:28:00.731+07:00Are you for real?????????????
In 2006, the PM ask...Are you for real?????????????<br /><br />In 2006, the PM asked the Police to end the occupation of the Government House by the PAD.<br /><br />The result was that a few PAD protesters who were missing limbs already for many years and were stationned at the gates got hurt by a GAS granate from the police.<br /><br />Abhisit immediatly invoked the PM to take responsability and leave the government. The police was descredited for their actions and were even refused treatment at the Chula hospital.<br /><br />Now, Abhisit wants to receive cooperation from the same police to disperse the Red Shirts and is crying like a little mother-sorry-boy that the same police refuse too help him.<br /><br />ROTFLMAO<br /><br />This guy is so yellow that he would be called a Chinese.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313069753393877260.post-39034256359547128662010-05-27T04:53:22.098+07:002010-05-27T04:53:22.098+07:00What utter nonsense you write. But I do support y...What utter nonsense you write. But I do support your right to issue such nonsense. I believe in free speech unlike your beloved Apisit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313069753393877260.post-60401877275705967602010-05-26T17:58:39.998+07:002010-05-26T17:58:39.998+07:00I think the guy who wrote the long and truncated i...I think the guy who wrote the long and truncated in parts comments and keep mentioning Thaksin is far from understanding the message K.Somtow has communicate. Please don't pretend you are intellectual.<br /><br />My recommendation would be to register an english course of British Council or AUA and reading theis article twice. Somtow actually hadn't really taking any side.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313069753393877260.post-47523974695993500242010-05-26T14:45:34.490+07:002010-05-26T14:45:34.490+07:00K. Somtow,
Appreciate your opinion and would lik...K. Somtow, <br /><br />Appreciate your opinion and would like to see the debate with yourself and the foreign journalists. While you may be right on some issues the facts do indicate that you are wrong in several areas e.g. a) 88 people died of which the vast majority were red shirts. b) Seh Daeng was assassinated. c) The government censorship of the media e.g. shutting down of the red TV could be viewed as censorship, arresting of the editor of the Thaksin Magazine.<br /><br />There are several other points e.g. The reds called Terrorists but the Yellows called protestors.<br /><br />Dan Rivers views were based on his opinion. If he felt the situation was dangerous then that was his opinion, while you thought it was not serious. Given that 88 people were killed and over 2000 were injured i am unsure how anyone could not think it was serious. But as the saying goes "Opinions are like AHole, everyone;s got one".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313069753393877260.post-79234283526718731922010-05-26T11:45:34.459+07:002010-05-26T11:45:34.459+07:00Biggest Crock of SH*T I have ever read!
You are d...Biggest Crock of SH*T I have ever read!<br /><br />You are definitely a Yellow shirt..... Kaset P. is FM, Leading PAD are in the Democrat Party.... They held a "2nd Coup" protected by the Army in taking over the Airport and Marches down Silom, Sukhumvit etc.... Why didnt the army disperse them?<br /><br />LET ME CLEAR THE AIR! I AM NOT A RED SHIRT, I DO NOT LIKE THAKSIN, BUT I TELL YOU THIS, YOUR CRAP you are saying is a whitewash of what started this all.....<br /><br />In a Democratic country you vote someone out of office.... Somchai W's party was disbanded for being a front to Thaksin, well, Newin's front men allowed Democrats to become PM......<br /><br />You avoid the real issues where the Yellow, Army and Democrats were wrong and blame the reds.....<br /><br />This is FACT! Democrats and the Army are afraid of elections, another fact stated by the people in power accusing the NE and North of being uneducated.... IS THAILAND A DEMOCRACY OR NOT?<br /><br />Dont say Abhisit was elected, Without Newin's group he couldnt be PM. One political party was banned for 5yrs for the same offence!<br /><br />Yor crap is what has divided Thailand!Timhttp://www.antiyellow.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313069753393877260.post-30066475473868980302010-05-26T11:17:20.418+07:002010-05-26T11:17:20.418+07:00thank you so much for this wonderful article.. i t...thank you so much for this wonderful article.. i think you completely hit the nail on the head.<br />it's such a western mindset, an archetype they can so easily slot us in the pigeonhole.<br />even the most "culturally aware" of americans/westerners sometimes just can't seem to resist. it's a much cooler story when it's the proles trying to fight for the rights against a tyrant, a la "1984".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313069753393877260.post-51505545800648510742010-05-26T08:25:52.651+07:002010-05-26T08:25:52.651+07:00I thought it was an intelligent post but after rea...I thought it was an intelligent post but after reading the conclusion it was like I haven't read anything. Your Director in Cambridge was spot on.<br /><br />The real irony is, your irony didn't sound like it is.<br /><br />CNN, BBC, etc. should cover both sides of the story and there is no excuse if they failed. Dan Rivers should be axed as he failed to deliver fair news eporting to the masses.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313069753393877260.post-5754856580467824932010-05-25T22:00:32.009+07:002010-05-25T22:00:32.009+07:00I agree with Allen.I agree with Allen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313069753393877260.post-47736960662622829322010-05-25T18:48:59.060+07:002010-05-25T18:48:59.060+07:00Hi, this is the first of your columns that I have ...Hi, this is the first of your columns that I have read, and it's a breath of fresh air. Finally, someone who wants to look at reality the way it is instead of taking sides.<br /><br />The fact that CNN applies simplistic Western models to such problems probably goes deeper than the Philippines. Western virtue of the little guy versus the big guy, or rooting for the underdog, goes back to David and Goliath.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313069753393877260.post-1543438425544730732010-05-25T10:23:05.701+07:002010-05-25T10:23:05.701+07:00I am one of your newest fans. Someone posted this ...I am one of your newest fans. Someone posted this on Facebook to gain understanding of the CNN coverage, and this was my comment:<br /><br /><br />"I looked up the orig source of this piece, since the insights are spot-on. The key to this essay however is in her last line, which is so Thai in its humility: "It is our fault for not providing the facts...."<br />http://www.somtow.org/2010/05/dont-blame-dan-rivers.html<br />In other words, she made excuses for CNN.<br /><br />The thing is, the international... See More media have a responsibility to get a good sense of the history, culture, and angst of a people. It is not as if there are absolutely no English sources. The Nation and its editors, the Bangkok Post, and many Thais in government and civil society can speak Thai. The tweets of The Nation's editors and expats like Richard Barrow were very helpful.<br /><br />Sadly it seems CNN really did shoddy work.<br /><br />I reside in Thailand but was in Shanghai 16-23 May with blocked access to twitter, facebook, youtube (that's another story, of course!). I relied on whatever was sent to me by email by my family and friends.<br /><br />I have to say that based on the CNN coverage, the protesters were getting enshrined on some kind of holy cause and the government was out to kill them all.<br /><br />If Dan Rivers is your friend, you've got to let him know this was no People Power Philippines.<br /><br />PS As soon as Lance Armstrong's alleged drug use started up, CNN promptly forgot about Bangkok, did you notice?"<br /><br />The one who posted it is a photojournalist from the Philippines.<br /><br />Thanks for this essay. Just change the title to, "Why we have to be understanding and tolerant of shoddy CNN coverage."Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08614943105659400722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313069753393877260.post-27386280468763321952010-05-25T04:33:10.272+07:002010-05-25T04:33:10.272+07:00I saw your note via Facebook a couple of days ago ...I saw your note via Facebook a couple of days ago and liked it very much na ka. You make a lot of good comparisons and obviously you have a good grasp of the background and historical perspective of the situation in Thailand. The only thing I wanted to add is that this is not the first time I've seen poor and crass reporting by CNN. So, when I started seeing notes going around criticizing CNN's reporting of the current situation in Thailand I wasn't too surprised. I hope that CNN does something to improve the quality of their news out of this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313069753393877260.post-68342907800922755292010-05-25T00:04:12.459+07:002010-05-25T00:04:12.459+07:00I'm truly ashamed of the BBC's coverage of...I'm truly ashamed of the BBC's coverage of the conflict and their lack of understanding about the deeper political issues which should have been fully researched while journalists were on their way in-country. <br /><br />It makes me worry about all the other foreign reports - Pakistan, Afganistan, Iraq, Iran, China, Nepal to name but a few where exactly the same 'underdog-fighting-for-justice' syndrome seems to be prevalent.<br /><br />This is the Land of Smiles and the people make it the perfect country. The girls from my office were volunteer cleaners while the office was shut last week - so ashamed were they about the actions of a relatively small group of their countrymen.<br /><br />I'm sad to say that we now face an Irish, IRA-type urban warfare situation with random bombings and killings that will destroy this county's economy for many years.<br /><br />JBAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313069753393877260.post-59665228577704172142010-05-24T14:41:54.246+07:002010-05-24T14:41:54.246+07:00"Don't blame Dan Rivers, et al, who are o..."Don't blame Dan Rivers, et al, who are only doing what they are paid to do: find the compelling story within the mass of incomprehensible data, match that story to what the audience already knows and believes, and make sure the advertising money keeps flowing in."<br /><br />No blame on Mr.Rivers. He is only filing in materials for CNN docudrama. We'll be seeing CNN soap in no time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313069753393877260.post-3431672275609496862010-05-24T10:30:25.576+07:002010-05-24T10:30:25.576+07:00To Mr.Tony Maddox,all Executive od CNN News and to...To Mr.Tony Maddox,all Executive od CNN News and to whom it may concern:<br /> I,my family and almost all people that I knowhave been watching and reading news from CNN News for many years. But lately we have been following the situation in Thailand closely.CNN reporter Mr. Dan Rivers seem to report the news about the situation in Thailand unfairly( some time to the point it's untrue or manypulating the fact) Mr. Dan Rivers seem to report in such a way that always favors the Red Shirt group that support the billionaire,corrupt,figitive,expriminister of Thailand,Thuksin Shinawatra. But on the other hand he seems to be unfair to anybody or group that oppses the billionaire Thuksin Shinawatra. Mr Dan Rivers seem to be ofviously subjective in the way he does his reports.<br /> We who are watching, reading or in the situations and we know what really's happenning in Thailand always are surprised about Mr. Dan Rivers in formations in his reports. Where did he get his information? Why did he report in such unfair ways? Why did he seem to favore the billionair Thuksin Shinawatra(side)? <br /> We have try to forgive his mistakes for some years. But we have had enought of his behavior. May be Mr.Dan Rivers has such a good life in Thailand he had forgotten how to report fairly. May be he should go back to report in Iruq where he did his work before.<br /> We ask all Executive of CNN News look in to this matter. Is this behavior ecceptable for CNN News reporters? <br /> "Mr Dan Rivers you know what you are doing"<br /> Truely yours<br /> your customersAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313069753393877260.post-23955523179532292302010-05-24T10:02:44.332+07:002010-05-24T10:02:44.332+07:00Excellent analysis and subtle sarcasm. Please allo...Excellent analysis and subtle sarcasm. Please allow me to sahre it with my network. Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313069753393877260.post-90356362651559864972010-05-24T01:57:39.570+07:002010-05-24T01:57:39.570+07:00------> the army hasn't been shooting women...------> the army hasn't been shooting women and children ... or indeed anyone at all, except in self-defense. Otherwise this would all be over, wouldn't it? It's simple for a big army to mow down 5,000 defenseless people. <--------<br /><br />Where did you get this crazy idea from?<br />That would be a massacre if they did. And the government would never be able to cover it all up. That's why live bullets were used on some protestors, TO MAKE SURE THAT IT DID NOT LOOK LIKE A MASSACRE.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313069753393877260.post-87942694478755548272010-05-24T01:38:16.139+07:002010-05-24T01:38:16.139+07:00Don't blame Dan Rivers, he is only doing what ...Don't blame Dan Rivers, he is only doing what he is paid to do. Yeah, right! Did you mean..he received the funding from Thaksin? <br />I've questioning his objectivity for quite a long time, until this day he's still showing he is taking side and that side is Thaksin & Red Shirt Thugs, those thugs have just burnt down so many buildings in Bangkok and other provinces. But Dan Rivers never condemns or criticizes those terrorist act of Red Shirts & its hardcore teams, is it fair to the Govt., the military, police & Thai people? C'mon be fair & balanced, will you? <br />Bad reporting is his fault. He should do better research, unless Thaksin's money is blinding him just like those Red Shirt Thugs! ( I believe it is !!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7313069753393877260.post-32070680262025394752010-05-23T10:22:45.506+07:002010-05-23T10:22:45.506+07:00Fascinating appraisal of the situation. I agree co...Fascinating appraisal of the situation. I agree completely with you about the nature of journalism in this context; nightly news, "special report from "war zone" bangkok", not only is that the easy pick for a stressed foreign journo deciding which angle is juiciest, but also once one major media entity has taken that line, others will follow and expand on any idea no matter how sensational it becomes. It's only a journalist who is employed to produce a well informed, several page feature article that would go to any trouble at all to utilize varied sources of information and to translate interviews/written material. In order to see any change at all in how the media reports "breaking" international news, we would have to change the very nature of the media business. Just as you say, the advertising and pressure for ratings drives it, where as quality, true investigations into issues should be paramount. <br />I have found that whomever I speak to about this problem, no one can give me a very unique perspective on the issue that does not fall back onto some overly simplified propagandist's point from either side. So I thank you very much for such a well thought out appraisal of the situation. Underdog's are everyone's secret favourites, but they are too easily cheered for.Sam Quinlannoreply@blogger.com