INTG Convenor 148th INTG Meeting – A talk by Dan Reid The minutes for this meeting are based on a handout compiled by Dan Reid which is partly a copy of his column in the Bangkok Post dated May 4th 1997 along with other related material. Received a good many responses from readers re my item last week that ‘Why We … Read more
143rd INTG Meeting – A talk by Ron Renard Summary of the Talk Ron Renard, formerly of Payap University and now working with UNDP, spoke about his experience working on a Highland people’s development program with UNDP. He talked about the difficulties and challenges encountered in setting up the project and also provided background information about highland peoples in the … Read more
141st INTG Meeting – A talk by Niels Mulder Paraphrasing Bourdieu, schools are brainwashing machines that condition the imagination of the innocent to think in ways the nation-state desires. Because of this, textbooks provide all the answers to what it officially means to be a Thai; they explain the polity, its history and current state … Read more
127th INTG Meeting – A talk and slide presentation by Hans Bänziger The talk, illustrated by a fine collection of vivid slides showing minute detail and punctuated by the unique and educational humor of Hans, went like this: The Lady Slipper is a deceptive flower, inducing insects to pollinate her without offering nectar as a reward. It … Read more
126th INTG Meeting – A talk by Sirichai Narumit Ajaan Sirichai told of Chiang Mai past [loved], present [raped] and future [hopefully, a marriage of love]. “This city used to be so charming, so well known for its quality.” 1996 will be Chiang Mai’s 700th anniversary, and these are today’s statistics: Up to 50 years ago, Chiang Mai … Read more
123rd INTG Meeting – A talk by Donald Swearer Donald Swearer’s research has focused on the chronicles of sacred mountains and other religious sites in Northern Thailand, such as ‘Phra Chao Liep Lok’ [the Lord Buddha wanders or tours the world], dating from the 15th century on. Buddha tamnan cover a wide variety of texts and take their … Read more
108th INTG Meeting – A talk by Ron Renard Summary of the Talk In the early Southeast Asian world there were basically two classes of people: the Tai who lived in cities and towns (and considered themselves civilized) and the Kha who lived in the forest (and were considered by the Tai to be uncivilized). … Read more
103rd INTG Meeting – A talk by M.R. Smansnid Svasti M.R. Smansnid, or Nunie, was brought up in England before returning to Thailand and was already aware of forest destruction before meeting Ajaan [Phra] Pongsak – until recently the abbot of Wat Pa-lad on Doi Suthep. Dense forests in the mountains allow rains to soak into the soil, and … Read more
