According to Der Spiegel there are 2,941 cables from the US Embassy in Bangkok and another 278 from the Consulate in Chiang Mai – slightly higher figures are also quoted elsewhere. BP has previously blogged about some issues to look out for in the Wikileaks cables. Due to the sensitivity and for legal reasons, it is not possible to blog about and link to all cables, but there is now a steady stream of Wikileaks cables on Thailand being released by ThaiCables. Some of the cables are only a partial extract. Below are some links to some cables with some brief excerpts:

1. THAI MARKET TURNS TO AFRICAN RUBIES AS SMUGGLING (July 2008)

Summary

1. (SBU) The long and porous border of the Mae Sot area with Burma, and proximity to the Burmese gem mines, have made this region historically a center for the smuggling of Burmese gems. However, imported African rubies now dominate local markets in Mae Sot. Retailers say Burmese rubies are too expensive compared to African ones and believe stricter Burmese controls are directing Burmese production into the Rangoon auctions, especially in high-end gems. In addition, China’s appetite for jade has caused the Thai border trade in jade to all but dry up.

2. THAI PRIME MINISTER SKIPS LUNCH DATE WITH ASSEMBLY OF THE POOR (March 2005)

1. (U) SUMMARY: Newly sworn-in Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra disappointed a three-day gathering of mostly rural villagers from the Assembly of the Poor NGO by going on vacation in Japan rather than stopping by for lunch. The 900-strong peaceful demonstration in front of Thailand’s Parliament attracted some media attention and some prominent political opposition figures, but was mostly ignored by Members of Parliament. A nearly nonstop array of speakers addressed the protesters and called for greater public participation in decision-making on large scale development projects and for Thaksin to make good on promises he made in his first administration. END SUMMARY.
…
A MISSED OPPORTUNITY?

6. (SBU) Comment. Less than one week after stating in his inaugural address that he would seek greater public participation in the democratic process in Thailand, Thaksin has missed an excellent opportunity to make good on his words. While his snub of the lunch offer from the grassroots Assembly of the Poor has not resulted in massive criticism or rowdy demonstrations, he has let down a group of down-home country Thai folks committed to their families and communities and to participating in the future of Thailand. New Democrat Party Leader did not miss his chance to demonstrate that he will keep an ear open to their critiques of Thaksin administration policies. End Comment.

BP: The beginning of the (then) end for Thaksin was after he won the 2005 election and power went to his head.

3. TELEVISION IN THAILAND: WHO HOLDS THE LEASH (Mar 2006):

13. (SBU) COMMENT. Two months ago, we would not have anticipated the remarkable shift that has occurred in televised news coverage. Despite the government’s complete control of the broadcast media’s licenses, journalists and talk show hosts continue to press the boundary — offering coverage that recently would have been unthinkable. To date, the TV stations have not moved to crack down. In contrast, the only talk show hosts to be fired recently were two virulently pro-government commentators who were canned for making disparaging remarks about much revered Privy Council President Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda.

15. (SBU) Nevertheless, it is far too early to tell whether this move away from self-censorship will endure. So far, the media has been testing the waters on a single issue, the anti-Thaksin movement and the political crisis that it has generated. Admittedly, this is a huge story but it will eventually come to an end. And when it does, whatever government replaces the current caretaker administration will still own the airwaves.

BP: ThaiPBS has been an improvement, but Channel 11 is still the same. Since then the influence of the TV media has moderately declined with increasing access to new sources of information

4. RURAL SUFFICIENCY ECONOMY (April 2009)

1. (SBU) Summary: Despite Thailand’s emergence in recent years as a major trading economy in Asia, the King’s encouragement of a self-reliant ”sufficiency economy” has attracted support in the countryside. Government programs support village recycling and low-carbon impact agricultural practices. A number of villages are moving away from chemical fertilizers for environmental reasons, confident they have found comparable organic alternatives. In the upper South region, sufficiency economy tourism is a growing phenomenon, with villagers eager to teach, and learn, about the best ways to increase garden production and introduce bio-fuel alternatives. Some believe that a more robust, self-reliant and simple rural economy can absorb redundant labor from factories closed by the economic recession. End summary.

2. (SBU) Comment: While many of the ”sufficiency economy” practices Econoff [BP: Economic Officer] observed were impressive in their ingenuity and some may hold promise for widespread application, the effort to re-invigorate traditional village life as an alternative to a more secular industrial society will be a tough row to hoe. Moreover, the government’s efforts to promote the sufficiency economy may be a distraction from needed debate on improving real agricultural productivity and competiveness with other regional players. Laid-off workers likely to return to the villages are those with close family ties; it is very unlikely that there will be a massive re-migration back to the countryside. Nevertheless, as a matter of social policy, it is a phenomenon that may attract increased attention in tough economic times. End comment.

BP: Andrew Marshall (formerly of Reuters) and now with a new site entitled Zen Journalist has a new article – scheduled to be released on Wednesday, June 15 – about some of the more sensitive matters of WikiLeaks cables it is clear that the Wikileaks cables for Thailand that Wikileaks hasn’t released directly have been obtained by others. Over the coming weeks, more are likely to be released….