IT WAS a tale of two Phukets, two very different versions of Paradise.
Within one small segment of the island, surrounded by tight security, officials were announcing the final touches to a human rights watchdog plan that will perhaps eventually give Asean some guts.
Just a few hundred metres away, enjoying himself near a beach and oblivious to the fuss, a French tourist who said his name was Matthieu Da Foam asked a Phuketwan reporter: ''What are all the soldiers doing here?''
And so it was that the first phase of Phuket's week in the spotlight of international affairs concluded, not so much with a bang (and thank goodness for that) as a whimper.
It could be that eventually, sometime in the next five years perhaps, Asean will develop the bulldog human rights bite it needs to become more than just a loose association of self-interested states.
While the group deserves support, there is still a long way to go before rights within the region become the concern that many think they should be.
Phuketwan would have asked a question at yesterday's final press conference, but less than 30 minutes was allowed for active participation by the media, and that was largely taken up with official pronouncements.
Then the session had to end abruptly to make way for a book launch.
Having talked to each other for such a lengthy period, apparently Asean's collective view was that there was not a lot of time to respond to the media.
The question we wanted to ask Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya was this:
What was discussed by the Asean foreign ministers specifically about the fate of the Rohingya, and what is to happen to the 77 surviving Rohingya boat people still being held in Thailand, six months after they were first detained?
That question, of course, remains more about Thailand and human rights than Asean and human rights.
As for Asean itself, there was the usual long list of positive projections after the 10 countries sat down and talked for a day or two.
The fact that the meeting takes place is certainly a positive.
However, the 10 member-nations of Asean remain a short catalogue that runs the gamut of types of governments from rogues to genuine leaders of vision.
Some of us, with our questions unanswered, would like to see real progress towards a paradise, where all people have rights and where governments who ignore those basic principles are treated with appropriate contempt.
We may have to wait some time yet. Meanwhile, enjoy your holiday, Mr Da Foam.
AFP A strong push by Indonesia to give teeth to Southeast Asia's first ever human rights body nearly scuttled its endorsement by the region's foreign ministers, officials said Monday. Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda told counterparts that his country couldn't accept the proposed terms of reference for the body, one diplomat said. He said Wirajuda felt that the final draft of the framework for the establishment of the body focused too much on the ''promotion'' of human rights and less on their protection.
AFP According to a draft seen by AFP, the Asean rights body will lack powers to punish violators such as military-ruled Myanmar, and can at best require its 10 member nations to provide reports on their internal rights situations. Rights groups said in a joint letter to Thailand's Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya that the new body's remit would ''fall far too short of international standards'' and asked to meet Kasit to discuss their points.
Bangkok Post Thailand's gross happiness index plummeted to 5.92 early this month from 7.15 a month ago, according to a study by Assumption University. The study revealed that people were least happy with the political situation, giving it only 2.87 points out of 10, followed by the government's administration of the country (3.61), and economic situation on a national level (4.06). points.
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Within one small segment of the island, surrounded by tight security, officials were announcing the final touches to a human rights watchdog plan that will perhaps eventually give Asean some guts.
Just a few hundred metres away, enjoying himself near a beach and oblivious to the fuss, a French tourist who said his name was Matthieu Da Foam asked a Phuketwan reporter: ''What are all the soldiers doing here?''
And so it was that the first phase of Phuket's week in the spotlight of international affairs concluded, not so much with a bang (and thank goodness for that) as a whimper.
It could be that eventually, sometime in the next five years perhaps, Asean will develop the bulldog human rights bite it needs to become more than just a loose association of self-interested states.
While the group deserves support, there is still a long way to go before rights within the region become the concern that many think they should be.
Phuketwan would have asked a question at yesterday's final press conference, but less than 30 minutes was allowed for active participation by the media, and that was largely taken up with official pronouncements.
Then the session had to end abruptly to make way for a book launch.
Having talked to each other for such a lengthy period, apparently Asean's collective view was that there was not a lot of time to respond to the media.
The question we wanted to ask Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya was this:
What was discussed by the Asean foreign ministers specifically about the fate of the Rohingya, and what is to happen to the 77 surviving Rohingya boat people still being held in Thailand, six months after they were first detained?
That question, of course, remains more about Thailand and human rights than Asean and human rights.
As for Asean itself, there was the usual long list of positive projections after the 10 countries sat down and talked for a day or two.
The fact that the meeting takes place is certainly a positive.
However, the 10 member-nations of Asean remain a short catalogue that runs the gamut of types of governments from rogues to genuine leaders of vision.
Some of us, with our questions unanswered, would like to see real progress towards a paradise, where all people have rights and where governments who ignore those basic principles are treated with appropriate contempt.
We may have to wait some time yet. Meanwhile, enjoy your holiday, Mr Da Foam.
AFP A strong push by Indonesia to give teeth to Southeast Asia's first ever human rights body nearly scuttled its endorsement by the region's foreign ministers, officials said Monday. Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda told counterparts that his country couldn't accept the proposed terms of reference for the body, one diplomat said. He said Wirajuda felt that the final draft of the framework for the establishment of the body focused too much on the ''promotion'' of human rights and less on their protection.
AFP According to a draft seen by AFP, the Asean rights body will lack powers to punish violators such as military-ruled Myanmar, and can at best require its 10 member nations to provide reports on their internal rights situations. Rights groups said in a joint letter to Thailand's Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya that the new body's remit would ''fall far too short of international standards'' and asked to meet Kasit to discuss their points.
Bangkok Post Thailand's gross happiness index plummeted to 5.92 early this month from 7.15 a month ago, according to a study by Assumption University. The study revealed that people were least happy with the political situation, giving it only 2.87 points out of 10, followed by the government's administration of the country (3.61), and economic situation on a national level (4.06). points.
Phuketwan Latest News
Phuket Rampage: Knife 'Held at Tourists' Throats'
Latest Police have arrested three men accused of a Phuket City rampage during which, security camera footage reveals, they held a knife to the throats of a tourist couple in a lift.
Phuket Rampage: Knife 'Held at Tourists' Throats'
Phuket 'Kill You' Rampage Wake-Up Call for Police
Crime Alarm Three men have terrified residents of a stylish upmarket apartment block in Phuket City, raising issues about police manpower and the pursuit of crimes involving expats.
Phuket 'Kill You' Rampage Wake-Up Call for Police
'Zig-Zag' Airport Scam: More Details Revealed
Latest A scam at Bangkok's international airport occurs more often than officials believe, the BBC reports after questioning police and an alleged ''middleman'' named Tony.
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Latest Two aid groups are alarmed because they have been denied access to a group of Rohingya boat people for six months. One has died, raising concerns about survivors.
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Update Red Shirts leave by bus for pandas, Governor pays for fuel; Phuket open for tourism as usual yet newspaper describes ''Asean lockdown''' in erroneous report about the island.
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SOUND Phuket Opening Party: Photo Special
Updating Photo Special Bangkok hi so and Phuket so so met to enjoy a treat of an evening when SOUND Phuket opened its doors and the eyes and ears of hundreds of fans in Patong.
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Updating report A student nurse on holiday on Phuket has died leaving question marks about what caused her sudden demise. A grieving father is looking for answers.
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