Here are some items from the last several days that I wanted to point out, at least belatedly:
- On Aung San Suu Kyi and reforms in Myanmar:
The AP provides the context on Aung San Suu Kyi’s parliamentary swearing in today:
Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was sworn in to Myanmar’s military-backed parliament Wednesday, taking public office for the first time since launching her struggle against authoritarian rule nearly a quarter century ago.
The opposition leader’s entry into the legislature heralds a new political era in Myanmar, cementing a risky detente between her party and the reformist government of President Thein Sein, which inherited power from the army last year.
Meanwhile, representatives of Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have an op-ed in today’s WSJ headlined “Burma’s Reform Is Still on Parole.”
- On Chiranuch “Jiew” Premchaiporn:
The AP says:
A Thai judge postponed a verdict that had been expected Monday for a webmaster accused of failing to act quickly enough to remove Internet posts deemed insulting to Thailand’s royalty.
Judge Nittaya Yaemsri said more time was need to process documents in the case, which has drawn global criticism because many see it as an assault on freedom of speech. A new court date was set for May 30.
Here’s more from the Bangkok Post
- On David Thomson and Bangkok’s Nahm restaurant:
Australian Chef David Thompson’s restaurant here in Bangkok, Nahm, has come in at number 50 on the newest list of the “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.”
(Previously at Newley.com: Here’s an earlier post on Thompson and the issue of foreigners cooking Thai cuisine. And here’s an audio slide show I made about Thompson in 2009.)
- And finally, speaking of Thai food:
Thanks to my good friend Dan S. for Tweeting the photo, above, of Bangkok Center Grocery in New York City.
If you’re interested in the Thai language, you might like to know that the image prompted a a back-and-forth on Twitter, embedded below and on Storify here, about the establishment’s name and its spelling in Thai:
(Image: @NewYorkFitness.)