In the new year, 'think better to do better'
Dec 1, 2009
In four weeks, the New Year will be upon us. Usually, around this time of the year, I dust off reading material from my library shelf, looking for something that will energize me for the new year ahead.
A Christmas present from my wife, given several years ago as I settled into my retirement from teaching, "Think Better," by Tim Hurson, a specialist of a firm that provides training, facilitation and consultation in productive thinking and innovation, is, again, what I read: "Your future will depend less on what you know and more on what you think."
A lifelong student, I try to learn something new every day. Since my retirement, each day seems extra special and precious -- for which I give much thanks. I smile as I read what Winston Churchill, who led Britain to victory against the Axis powers in World War II, said: "It is a good thing for an uneducated man to read books of quotations."
My regular readers know I am a real quotations buff. Some may see them as platitudes, but I find a kernel of truth in those I share in this column. As each presents a way of looking at the world, I learn from them. As 19th century American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, "Our best thoughts come from others."
Mekong under threat from climate and dams
Click here to listen to the audio program (Windows Media)
The Mekong River is vital as a source of transport, irrigation and fisheries for the millions who live along its banks.
Originating in Tibet, the Mekong river passes either through or by China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. But it is under threat from hydro-electric dams and from climate change
Presenter: Sen Lam
Speaker: Milton Osborne, visiting fellow at the Lowy Institute in Sydney and author of a new paper on the Mekong River
OSBORNE: In terms of climate change, we are still some distance away from seeing a dramatic change, so far as can be determined by the scientific work that is being done to date. One of the big concerns is, if there is a significant rise in sea level, this will certainly affect in a very significant and negative fashion, the Mekong Delta, which is the major agricultural production area for Vietnam. A very small rise in sea level would led to much of the Mekong Delta being inundated. The longer term concern is the glaciers which feed the Mekong River in the highlands of Tibet are melting and that is going to remove the snow melt that feeds the river. But at the same time as that is occurring, with the expectations of climate change, the possibility is that there will be increased precipitation, which could led in 20 years time to increased flooding on the Mekong. So it's a paradoxical sort of development that is occurring in this second case.
LAM: Indeed, so it's a question of too much water and too little water?
OSBORNE: That could be the concern, but are directed into climate change. The more immediate concerns in relation to the river relate to the possibility first of all, that dams will be built on the course of the river below China. There is no actual certainty about when those dams will be built, but there are plans to build up to 11 dams on the river below China and there is the already established problem that is going to arise from the dams China has built. It's already built three and it's planning to build at least another two. In fact another two are currently under construction.
LAM: Indeed, as you point out that China does control a large proportion of the Mekong River and it's of course enormously more powerful than the other regional countries. Are countries like Laos and Cambodia, for instance, talking to China about managing the river, or is China in a position to just simply do whatever it wants?
OSBORNE: Well, in very bold times, China is in a position and has taken the position that it will decide what is done on that section of the river that runs through its territory. And as you rightly say, 44 percent of the river's overall length is in China. There has been very little consultation between China and the downstream countries and in fact, until very recently, the Chinese have been reluctant even to let people from the governments of Laos and Cambodia and Vietnam visit China to examine the dams the Chinese have built.
LAM: What about the role of the Mekong River Commission? Is it an effective body or is it in need of change and reform?
OSBORNE: The Mekong River Commission is unfortunately, very poorly understood by many people who criticise it. It's regarded incorrectly by its critics as a body that has the right to determine what is done by governments in relation to the Mekong River. But that is not the case at all. It is a body which has a very important role, particularly through its Secretariat in providing scientific and technical information about the river, but it has no powers to mandate what any individual government or group of governments should do in relation to the Mekong River.
LAM: But as far as you know, has it made representations to either China or any of the other regional countries?
OSBORNE: No, and it would not under its charter really have the right to do so.
LAM: And Milton Osborne, on a micro-level, fish stocks I understand, in particular, are being threatened.. but are there technical solutions to this?
OSBORNE: Well, I have to take the guidance provided by scientists so far as technical issues are concerned. And scientists have looked very carefully at whether or not it is possible to overcome the barriers that dams built on the river will provide, if these dams do come to be constructed, to see whether there're ways of mitigating the dams' fact of preventing migration by fish. There are some 900 species of freshwater fish in the Mekong, which at least 80 percent are migratory, moving over long distances. So that if you have dams in the river that block the migration, this will have a dramatic and devastating effect on fish. And the importance of fish becomes very clear when you know that in Cambodia, well over 70 percent of the Cambodian population's protein intake comes from fish taken out of the Mekong and its associated system.
read more “Mekong under threat from climate and dams”
The Mekong River is vital as a source of transport, irrigation and fisheries for the millions who live along its banks.
Originating in Tibet, the Mekong river passes either through or by China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. But it is under threat from hydro-electric dams and from climate change
Presenter: Sen Lam
Speaker: Milton Osborne, visiting fellow at the Lowy Institute in Sydney and author of a new paper on the Mekong River
OSBORNE: In terms of climate change, we are still some distance away from seeing a dramatic change, so far as can be determined by the scientific work that is being done to date. One of the big concerns is, if there is a significant rise in sea level, this will certainly affect in a very significant and negative fashion, the Mekong Delta, which is the major agricultural production area for Vietnam. A very small rise in sea level would led to much of the Mekong Delta being inundated. The longer term concern is the glaciers which feed the Mekong River in the highlands of Tibet are melting and that is going to remove the snow melt that feeds the river. But at the same time as that is occurring, with the expectations of climate change, the possibility is that there will be increased precipitation, which could led in 20 years time to increased flooding on the Mekong. So it's a paradoxical sort of development that is occurring in this second case.
LAM: Indeed, so it's a question of too much water and too little water?
OSBORNE: That could be the concern, but are directed into climate change. The more immediate concerns in relation to the river relate to the possibility first of all, that dams will be built on the course of the river below China. There is no actual certainty about when those dams will be built, but there are plans to build up to 11 dams on the river below China and there is the already established problem that is going to arise from the dams China has built. It's already built three and it's planning to build at least another two. In fact another two are currently under construction.
LAM: Indeed, as you point out that China does control a large proportion of the Mekong River and it's of course enormously more powerful than the other regional countries. Are countries like Laos and Cambodia, for instance, talking to China about managing the river, or is China in a position to just simply do whatever it wants?
OSBORNE: Well, in very bold times, China is in a position and has taken the position that it will decide what is done on that section of the river that runs through its territory. And as you rightly say, 44 percent of the river's overall length is in China. There has been very little consultation between China and the downstream countries and in fact, until very recently, the Chinese have been reluctant even to let people from the governments of Laos and Cambodia and Vietnam visit China to examine the dams the Chinese have built.
LAM: What about the role of the Mekong River Commission? Is it an effective body or is it in need of change and reform?
OSBORNE: The Mekong River Commission is unfortunately, very poorly understood by many people who criticise it. It's regarded incorrectly by its critics as a body that has the right to determine what is done by governments in relation to the Mekong River. But that is not the case at all. It is a body which has a very important role, particularly through its Secretariat in providing scientific and technical information about the river, but it has no powers to mandate what any individual government or group of governments should do in relation to the Mekong River.
LAM: But as far as you know, has it made representations to either China or any of the other regional countries?
OSBORNE: No, and it would not under its charter really have the right to do so.
LAM: And Milton Osborne, on a micro-level, fish stocks I understand, in particular, are being threatened.. but are there technical solutions to this?
OSBORNE: Well, I have to take the guidance provided by scientists so far as technical issues are concerned. And scientists have looked very carefully at whether or not it is possible to overcome the barriers that dams built on the river will provide, if these dams do come to be constructed, to see whether there're ways of mitigating the dams' fact of preventing migration by fish. There are some 900 species of freshwater fish in the Mekong, which at least 80 percent are migratory, moving over long distances. So that if you have dams in the river that block the migration, this will have a dramatic and devastating effect on fish. And the importance of fish becomes very clear when you know that in Cambodia, well over 70 percent of the Cambodian population's protein intake comes from fish taken out of the Mekong and its associated system.
Former Constitution Drafter Slams Hun Sen for Criticizing Thai Prime Minister
...Hun Sen is trying to create a dispute between the two countries in an effort to achieve something...
A former member of the constitution drafting committee has criticized Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia for condemning the Thai prime minister.
He believes that Hun Sen's remarks were politically motivated, aiming to discredit the Thai government.
Tavorn Chansom, a former member of the 2007 constitution drafting committee from Buri Ram province, has made a comment regarding Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's harsh criticism of Thailand's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.
Hun Sen has accused Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya of insulting Cambodia, and has even claimed that the Cambodian people will never find happiness if both of them are still in power.
Tavorn said that Hun Sen's remarks were inappropriate, and have a hidden agenda that attempts to discredit Abhisit.
Tavorn also believes that Hun Sen is trying to create a dispute between the two countries in an effort to achieve something as Hun Sen has appointed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic advisor, and has refused to extradite Thaksin to Thailand to face charges here, despite the standing extradition treaty between the two countries.
The former member of the constitution drafting committee also claimed that Hun Sen is trying to do anything to diminish Abhisit's leadership.
Tavorn urges Abhisit to exercise patience and to keep the country's best interests in mind.
He also believes that the diplomatic crisis will be over soon, as many are keeping a close eye on the situation.
read more “Former Constitution Drafter Slams Hun Sen for Criticizing Thai Prime Minister”
A former member of the constitution drafting committee has criticized Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia for condemning the Thai prime minister.
He believes that Hun Sen's remarks were politically motivated, aiming to discredit the Thai government.
Tavorn Chansom, a former member of the 2007 constitution drafting committee from Buri Ram province, has made a comment regarding Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's harsh criticism of Thailand's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.
Hun Sen has accused Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya of insulting Cambodia, and has even claimed that the Cambodian people will never find happiness if both of them are still in power.
Tavorn said that Hun Sen's remarks were inappropriate, and have a hidden agenda that attempts to discredit Abhisit.
Tavorn also believes that Hun Sen is trying to create a dispute between the two countries in an effort to achieve something as Hun Sen has appointed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic advisor, and has refused to extradite Thaksin to Thailand to face charges here, despite the standing extradition treaty between the two countries.
The former member of the constitution drafting committee also claimed that Hun Sen is trying to do anything to diminish Abhisit's leadership.
Tavorn urges Abhisit to exercise patience and to keep the country's best interests in mind.
He also believes that the diplomatic crisis will be over soon, as many are keeping a close eye on the situation.
Suriyasai: Thaksin Uses Thai Engineer for Political Gain
The secretary-general of the New Politics Party has raised suspicions about the Thai engineer's mother for seeking assistance from the Pheu Thai Party.
He also believes that Thakin is using the engineer for political gain.
Secretary-General of the New Politics Party Suriyasai Katasila has made a comment about Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's criticism of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
Suriyasai believes that Cambodia is prepared to confront Thailand on many issues.
He has also said that the cancelation of a 1.4 billion Baht loan from Thailand, the closure of Cambodian territorial waters to Thai fishing boats, and the rejection of an invitation to participate in World AIDS Conference in Thailand are clear indications of the deteriorating diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Suriyasai has also called for Abhisit to start telling people the truth in order to prepare for contingency and that the prime minister needs to choose the country's interests over the diplomatic etiquette.
Suriyasai has also claimed that it is clear that Hun Sen is willing to be Thaksin's political tool by trying to create turmoil in Thailand and using people's lives to serve his own self-interest.
Suriyasai has raised suspicions about Simarak Na Nakhon Panom , the mother of the Thai engineer jailed in Cambodia, for seeking assistance from Pheu Thai Party.
The secretary-general of the New Politics Party has said that if Thaksin is really sincere about helping, then why the Thai engineer has been in prison for weeks.
Also, he said Simarak has criticized the government for proceeding too slowly with the case, even though the Ministry of Foreign Affairs just arranged for the mother to meet with her son last week.
He stated that all of these strange behaviours are leading Thai people to believe that the case might be a hoax.
Suriyasai has also guessed that eventually, the Thai engineer will be granted amnesty and Thaksin will be given all the credit.
He believes this could lead to the risk of many more Thai citizens being used as political tools.
read more “Suriyasai: Thaksin Uses Thai Engineer for Political Gain”
He also believes that Thakin is using the engineer for political gain.
Secretary-General of the New Politics Party Suriyasai Katasila has made a comment about Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's criticism of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
Suriyasai believes that Cambodia is prepared to confront Thailand on many issues.
He has also said that the cancelation of a 1.4 billion Baht loan from Thailand, the closure of Cambodian territorial waters to Thai fishing boats, and the rejection of an invitation to participate in World AIDS Conference in Thailand are clear indications of the deteriorating diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Suriyasai has also called for Abhisit to start telling people the truth in order to prepare for contingency and that the prime minister needs to choose the country's interests over the diplomatic etiquette.
Suriyasai has also claimed that it is clear that Hun Sen is willing to be Thaksin's political tool by trying to create turmoil in Thailand and using people's lives to serve his own self-interest.
Suriyasai has raised suspicions about Simarak Na Nakhon Panom , the mother of the Thai engineer jailed in Cambodia, for seeking assistance from Pheu Thai Party.
The secretary-general of the New Politics Party has said that if Thaksin is really sincere about helping, then why the Thai engineer has been in prison for weeks.
Also, he said Simarak has criticized the government for proceeding too slowly with the case, even though the Ministry of Foreign Affairs just arranged for the mother to meet with her son last week.
He stated that all of these strange behaviours are leading Thai people to believe that the case might be a hoax.
Suriyasai has also guessed that eventually, the Thai engineer will be granted amnesty and Thaksin will be given all the credit.
He believes this could lead to the risk of many more Thai citizens being used as political tools.
Chavalit slams PM on Cambodia row
Puea Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh has slammed Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva for saying there could be someone trying to "instigate a situation" after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed his unhappiness with Mr Abhisit and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.
Mr Abhisit should not say anything like this which could affect relations between the two countries without information to back it up, he said.
Gen Chavalkit refused to comment on Mr Hun Sen's aggressive stance.
He believed the government was trying to mend the situation, but it would take time to heal the conflict between the two governments.
read more “Chavalit slams PM on Cambodia row”
Mr Abhisit should not say anything like this which could affect relations between the two countries without information to back it up, he said.
Gen Chavalkit refused to comment on Mr Hun Sen's aggressive stance.
He believed the government was trying to mend the situation, but it would take time to heal the conflict between the two governments.
Mother of detained Thai visits son in Phnom Penh
BANGKOK, Dec2 (TNA) – The mother of a Thai engineer detained in Cambodia left Thailand Wednesday to see her son in a Phnom Penh jail for the second time, with her trip being facilitated and paid for by the opposition Puea Thai Party, allied to fugitive ousted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra
Simarak Na Nakhon Panom and Pongsuree Chutipong, mother and brother of 31-year-old Siwarak Chutipong, left Suvarnabhumi Airport early Wednesday. The family members were seen off by Prompong Nopaparit, spokesman of the Puea Thai Party.
Mrs Simarak said that she has no hidden agenda in seeking help from the Puea Thai Party, but she said she is impatient and reluctant to disturb the government further on her family matter.
She said she must use all means which could help her meet her son, regardless of whether help would come from the government or the opposition, but she denied the accusation that her family matter is linked to political issues.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will pay bail costing between Bt50,000-200,000 this Friday," said Siwarak's mother.
Mrs Simarak said she will stay the night in Phnom Penh and bring personal items to her son, and she will return to Cambodia again on Monday as the court ruling is scheduled on the following day.
"The last time I met him, he looked shabby and weary," said Mrs Simarak. "He asked me to bring him sleeping pills but I could not do that."
Mr Siwarak, employed by Thai-owned Cambodia Air Traffic Services (CATS), was arrested by Cambodian police November 12 on charges of passing to Thai diplomats information on the flight details of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin for his recent visit. The Khmer authorities considered the information as privileged and as affecting the stability of the state.
While seeing off the mother and brother, the Puea Thai spokesman said that he was not going to Phnom Penh with them as he is afraid that the matter will become a "game of politics".
Mr Prompong said that his party Mrs Simarak asked for its help, adding that Thaksin legal adviser Noppadon Pattama coordinated Mrs Simarak’s second visit and sponsored all expenses.
He said Mr Siwarak’s mother and brother are scheduled to return to Bangkok Thursday evening, but they may postpone their return flight as they want to witness the bail request procedure of the Thai Foreign Ministry scheduled for Friday.
"The influence of Mr Thaksin helped facilitate the matter," said Mr Prompong. "Puea Thai Party chairman Gen. Chavalit Yongchaiyudh is also ready to help by asking for amnesty for Mr Siwarak if he is convicted.
read more “Mother of detained Thai visits son in Phnom Penh”
Simarak Na Nakhon Panom and Pongsuree Chutipong, mother and brother of 31-year-old Siwarak Chutipong, left Suvarnabhumi Airport early Wednesday. The family members were seen off by Prompong Nopaparit, spokesman of the Puea Thai Party.
Mrs Simarak said that she has no hidden agenda in seeking help from the Puea Thai Party, but she said she is impatient and reluctant to disturb the government further on her family matter.
She said she must use all means which could help her meet her son, regardless of whether help would come from the government or the opposition, but she denied the accusation that her family matter is linked to political issues.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will pay bail costing between Bt50,000-200,000 this Friday," said Siwarak's mother.
Mrs Simarak said she will stay the night in Phnom Penh and bring personal items to her son, and she will return to Cambodia again on Monday as the court ruling is scheduled on the following day.
"The last time I met him, he looked shabby and weary," said Mrs Simarak. "He asked me to bring him sleeping pills but I could not do that."
Mr Siwarak, employed by Thai-owned Cambodia Air Traffic Services (CATS), was arrested by Cambodian police November 12 on charges of passing to Thai diplomats information on the flight details of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin for his recent visit. The Khmer authorities considered the information as privileged and as affecting the stability of the state.
While seeing off the mother and brother, the Puea Thai spokesman said that he was not going to Phnom Penh with them as he is afraid that the matter will become a "game of politics".
Mr Prompong said that his party Mrs Simarak asked for its help, adding that Thaksin legal adviser Noppadon Pattama coordinated Mrs Simarak’s second visit and sponsored all expenses.
He said Mr Siwarak’s mother and brother are scheduled to return to Bangkok Thursday evening, but they may postpone their return flight as they want to witness the bail request procedure of the Thai Foreign Ministry scheduled for Friday.
"The influence of Mr Thaksin helped facilitate the matter," said Mr Prompong. "Puea Thai Party chairman Gen. Chavalit Yongchaiyudh is also ready to help by asking for amnesty for Mr Siwarak if he is convicted.
Thai mother travels to Cambodia to visit arrested son
BANGKOK, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Mrs. Simaluck Na Nakhon Panom, the mother of a Thai man having been arrested in Cambodia Wednesday traveled to Cambodia to visit the detained son.
Mrs. Simaluck's son, Siwarak Chothipong, who worked as an engineer at the Cambodia Air Traffic Services Co Ltd (CATS), has been arrested in Cambodia from Nov. 11, according to an arrest warrant of the prosecutor of the Phnom Penh Municipality Court.
Cambodia has charged Siwarak of having had confidential information affecting Cambodia's national security.
Also, a younger brother of Siwarak accompanied the mother traveling to Cambodia, which is their second trip after Siwarak has been detained in a prison in Phnom Penh, the Thai News Agency reported.
The Thai mother flew to Cambodia with dry foods and clothes for the detained son.
Meanwhile, the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh, which has prepared some money worth from 50,000 baht (1,506 U.S. dollars) to 200,000 baht (6,027 U.S. dollars), has been in the process of seeking a quick release of Siwarak on bail.
read more “Thai mother travels to Cambodia to visit arrested son”
Mrs. Simaluck's son, Siwarak Chothipong, who worked as an engineer at the Cambodia Air Traffic Services Co Ltd (CATS), has been arrested in Cambodia from Nov. 11, according to an arrest warrant of the prosecutor of the Phnom Penh Municipality Court.
Cambodia has charged Siwarak of having had confidential information affecting Cambodia's national security.
Also, a younger brother of Siwarak accompanied the mother traveling to Cambodia, which is their second trip after Siwarak has been detained in a prison in Phnom Penh, the Thai News Agency reported.
The Thai mother flew to Cambodia with dry foods and clothes for the detained son.
Meanwhile, the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh, which has prepared some money worth from 50,000 baht (1,506 U.S. dollars) to 200,000 baht (6,027 U.S. dollars), has been in the process of seeking a quick release of Siwarak on bail.
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