The news is getting worse. Apart from people being killed we hear of mass arrests of the monks who have been leading the protests. It is hard to see a way forward from here. If Brown and Bush mean what they say it would be good to see them lay out the moves they will make.
So how about economic sanctions on those countries that do not take economic sanctions themselves against Burma. Even if this not enough to convince China it should help with those Asean countries like Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.
If there is again an escape into the jungle by protesters, let's have a promise of aid, including arms, and asylum for those asking for it.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Crocodile Tears for Burma
So Gordon Brown and George Bush both show their compassionate side in our next door neighbour's problems. Funny that the one country where regime change would be welcomed by all sectors of society except the military is not the one that gets invaded. Maybe the Burmese Unical oilfields are too small.
Unless some of the younger army officers decide that their prospects are better under a democratic government there will be real tears soon. The Burmese generals have never been slow to kill their own people.
Even if the Chinese will not listen, Britain, America and the EU could lean on the governments of India, Thailand and Singapore and make sure the generals have nowhere to spend or keep their money. Let's also have some Western financing for the Karens and the student groups to keep on fighting.
Unless some of the younger army officers decide that their prospects are better under a democratic government there will be real tears soon. The Burmese generals have never been slow to kill their own people.
Even if the Chinese will not listen, Britain, America and the EU could lean on the governments of India, Thailand and Singapore and make sure the generals have nowhere to spend or keep their money. Let's also have some Western financing for the Karens and the student groups to keep on fighting.
Klong Saen Saeb History
I came across another BMA history poster, this time for Klong Saen Saeb. These are rather good although this one is harder to understand than the others. Click on the picture at the bottom to see the original and below is my copy.
Khlong (canal) Saen Saep is a canal that has been extended from Khlong Mahanak flows to the eastern side of bangkok, and passes through the following district's area of Vadhana, Suan Luang, Bang Kapi, Bueng Kum, Khanna Yao, Min Buri, Khlong Sam Wa, Nong Chok, Amphoe Bang Nam Priao, and flows into the Bang Pakong River in Chachoengsao Province. The canal is devided into 2 parts; the Khlong Saen Saep Tai (South) that starts from Khlong Mahanak at Wat Borommaniwat up till Hua Mak, Khlong Tan, and Khlong SaenSaep Neua (North) starts from Hua Mak passes through the end reach of Khlong Samsen (Khlong Tan), then passes through Bang Khanak and flows into the Bang Pakong River. There is no evidence of when Khlong Saen Saep (South) was dug but it is estimated that it was made during the time period after Khlong Mahanak was dug during the reign of King Rama I and before the digging of the end reach of Khlong Saen Saep (some areas ity is called Khlong Bang Khanak) which was during the reign of King Rama III in 1837. This was the time that Thailand was at war with Cambodia and Vietnam. During that time sending of provisions and food was slow and not prompt. Therefore King Rama III graciously ordered Phraya Sri Phiphat (That Bunnak) - later was Somdet Chao Phraya Borrommahaphichai Yat, to lead Chinese workers in digging up the khlong. The khlong started from Hua Mak up till Bang Khanak, a total length of 53.519 Kilometres, and had a width of 6 wa and a depth of 4 sork and took altogether 3 years to be completed. The total amount was 96,000 Baht. this khlong has great importance to the economy as well because it connects the Chao Phraya River to the Bang Pakong River and reduces the distance between Prachin Buri, Chachoengsao and Rattanakosin. H.M. King Rama V ordered that the top of the khlong be widened from 6 wa to 9 wa and an extra 6 sork was also added to each side of the khlong.
Khlong (canal) Saen Saep is a canal that has been extended from Khlong Mahanak flows to the eastern side of bangkok, and passes through the following district's area of Vadhana, Suan Luang, Bang Kapi, Bueng Kum, Khanna Yao, Min Buri, Khlong Sam Wa, Nong Chok, Amphoe Bang Nam Priao, and flows into the Bang Pakong River in Chachoengsao Province. The canal is devided into 2 parts; the Khlong Saen Saep Tai (South) that starts from Khlong Mahanak at Wat Borommaniwat up till Hua Mak, Khlong Tan, and Khlong SaenSaep Neua (North) starts from Hua Mak passes through the end reach of Khlong Samsen (Khlong Tan), then passes through Bang Khanak and flows into the Bang Pakong River. There is no evidence of when Khlong Saen Saep (South) was dug but it is estimated that it was made during the time period after Khlong Mahanak was dug during the reign of King Rama I and before the digging of the end reach of Khlong Saen Saep (some areas ity is called Khlong Bang Khanak) which was during the reign of King Rama III in 1837. This was the time that Thailand was at war with Cambodia and Vietnam. During that time sending of provisions and food was slow and not prompt. Therefore King Rama III graciously ordered Phraya Sri Phiphat (That Bunnak) - later was Somdet Chao Phraya Borrommahaphichai Yat, to lead Chinese workers in digging up the khlong. The khlong started from Hua Mak up till Bang Khanak, a total length of 53.519 Kilometres, and had a width of 6 wa and a depth of 4 sork and took altogether 3 years to be completed. The total amount was 96,000 Baht. this khlong has great importance to the economy as well because it connects the Chao Phraya River to the Bang Pakong River and reduces the distance between Prachin Buri, Chachoengsao and Rattanakosin. H.M. King Rama V ordered that the top of the khlong be widened from 6 wa to 9 wa and an extra 6 sork was also added to each side of the khlong.
The Thai measurements in the above piece work out as follows. A Wa is about 2 metres which is fingertip to fingertip with spread arms. A Sork is from the elbow to fingertip, a bit less than half a metre.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Sunday's Walk
I printed satellite pictures of two possible walks before getting in the truck. I used neither as I stopped before getting to them because it looked interesing at another point. I accessed Klong Saen Saeb via a short piece of footpath along Klong Lo Lae. This is closer to Minburi than Bangkapi in Bangkok and to the east of the Bangkok Ringroad. In the map below the red dots show the walk.
The main canal is wider than our local Klong Prawet Burirom at least as far as the watergate just before Minburi. After that it does narrow by about a half. I walked east but the path run out before the watergate. Turned and went as far west as the path on the southern bank goes. This was opposite a mosque and there was a bit more footpath on that bank but now way of getting there easily. Not much to report on this walk as it was quiet and not many people were about.
After I drove to the other side of the watergate and parked at Wat Bumpennua. The bridge crossing the canal is unusual and very Chinese looking.
The main canal is wider than our local Klong Prawet Burirom at least as far as the watergate just before Minburi. After that it does narrow by about a half. I walked east but the path run out before the watergate. Turned and went as far west as the path on the southern bank goes. This was opposite a mosque and there was a bit more footpath on that bank but now way of getting there easily. Not much to report on this walk as it was quiet and not many people were about.
Looking east towards the watergate from the eastern end of the footpath
Looking west towards the ring road from the western end of the footpath
After I drove to the other side of the watergate and parked at Wat Bumpennua. The bridge crossing the canal is unusual and very Chinese looking.
Bridge over the Klong Saen Saeb at Wat Bumpennua
Saturday's Football
A good result on Saturday, 2-0 against Leicester, puts Charlton into second place in league. If they keep on at this rate we should be promoted back to the Premier with ease. Having said this, we still have to play the other better clubs in the division like West Brom, Coventry and Watford and it's still a long way to go.
Friday, September 21, 2007
New Local Walk
I have been meaning to do this walk for a while. It's close to where I live so no driving. All up I was back home in just over an hour. I had been putting it off because it's not much of a canal, more just a wide ditch and it has pathways only in sections.
Anyway in the map below you can see it shown in blue dots. I had walked as far as I could on the southern end before and then realized, after I crossed under the motorway, that I had also walked the last couple of hundred meters on the northern end before. About the most interesting thing on this walk was having to take my shoes off to paddle through two flooded sections. The night-time rains have been heavy this last week. I did notice some more traditional style Thai houses by the side of this canal. There are far more of these than I would have thought a year ago.
Anyway in the map below you can see it shown in blue dots. I had walked as far as I could on the southern end before and then realized, after I crossed under the motorway, that I had also walked the last couple of hundred meters on the northern end before. About the most interesting thing on this walk was having to take my shoes off to paddle through two flooded sections. The night-time rains have been heavy this last week. I did notice some more traditional style Thai houses by the side of this canal. There are far more of these than I would have thought a year ago.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
More Football
Good to wake up this morning and find from the BBC site that Charlton beat Norwich 2-0 in the Tuesday night game. We are now third in the table but this might be a bit flattering. Let's hope this is "doing well while playing badly" and that we haven't seen the best yet. This year they really should be the "Chelsea" of the division with the most expensive squad.
Yesterday and today still busy. Did get out late morning and have my often used walk, 50 minutes along Klong Banma from the top of my street. Still wondering about that new watergate. I will add a picture below. There are now two large pumps on the lake side of the gate and a watchman living in a small shelter.
Yesterday and today still busy. Did get out late morning and have my often used walk, 50 minutes along Klong Banma from the top of my street. Still wondering about that new watergate. I will add a picture below. There are now two large pumps on the lake side of the gate and a watchman living in a small shelter.
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