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Boy studying at home in Darbang, Nepal.
Project Result:
Nepal: Decentralized Rural Infrastructure and Livelihood Project (DRILP) - Loan 2092 (2010)
Helping Women and Building Infrastructure in Nepal
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A lot of people give the printing press and it's dominance of the flow of information of the era credit for the birth of our republic.
It's been a tool in the struggle for freedom and justice since it was invented.
The printing press democratized and it decentralized the distribution of information.
It was a potent tool in the right hands.
Dynasties and dictators fell... and 'democracies' were born.
It really came to change the game forever.
All because information was available to the masses.
Iron Fist had risen to power in the printing press era.
At the end of it really.
I completely respected him as an adversary throughout this whole thing... but his 'playbook' was probably written on a mimeograph machine.
You remember those funny blue copies you used to get in school?
The ones you'd sniff?
Thanks to The Mole I pretty much had a copy of Iron Fist's playbook.
Having 'the playbook' helped me to understand my adversary in a much better way.
But Iron Fist didn't understand this thing called the 'internet.'
He'd told The Mole that when they had breakfast.
'I can't believe that anyone can just get on there and say things' he complained.
His real complaint was that he had no control over it.
I did.
I knew where this battle would be fought from the beginning.
And Sun Tzu told me how to win it.
Secretly I became the editor for a local Deadwood website called 'topix.com.'
It was a community forum and as editor I had control over the news articles that were placed there.
I also became an editor for a few other sites.
I even started a website of my own just to capture the IP addresses of the players in this game.
I learned how search engines worked and how I could use them to advantage.
I'd taken the 'high ground' before Iron Fist and his crew'd even known where the battle would take place.
In the beginning I was just one pissed off guy workin' it all out by myself... but using the magic of the internet I found ways to hit 'Goliath' from every angle.
And I was able to gain a lot of real support and enlist other people to fight for the cause.
In the 'Art of War' Sun Tzu said that if you don't have a big army you gotta drag branches behind your chariots so you make more dust so your enemy THINKS you've got a bigger army than you do... when you make campfires at night... you make a lot more than you need... so it looks like you're a lot more powerful.
Scares the shit out of them.
The internet did that for me.
I was highlighting passages from the Art of War... a book more than a thousand years old... and I was applying them to this new technology that was completely foreign to my enemy.
It would allow me to become the master of the battlefield.
They never figured it out for the most part.
Sometimes I wanted them to...
Like the time I found the website called 'churchsigngenerator.com' where you could make church signs say anything you want.
I would manufacture photographs of church signs that were critical of the administration and what they'd done to my family.
Then I'd post those pictures on the web.
Iron Fist's crew thought I had all of this 'support' from different churches.
No politician wants to be on the wrong side of the church people.
The day before the trial I let it slip out... that the signs were bogus... and man did they cry foul.
They told me with their own church sign.
I kept 'em running in circles there... and it was a good arena to test out strategies... do psyops and throw dirt to see what stuck... to see what made ripples and to see what made waves.
Right before major events would transpire... events that I'd been tipped off about... I'd predict them... or taunt them about it... especially when someone was about to be taken down.
I always signed those posts 'The Hunter.'
And after a while, when The Hunter said something was gonna go down, they knew it was.
Sometimes 'The Hunter' even knew tommorow's headlines today.
'He' was just another piece on this chessboard where this all played itself out.
I really owe the internet a lot.
Without it I'd probably never have been able to get the story to the print, radio and television media.
It was on the Topix site I edited that the dime got dropped about the water in a cryptic posting that I knew was some really hot information.
All the post said was 'is it just me or does the water in Deadwood taste like it's half well water, half city water?'
The second I'd read it I knew it was the bomb.
It was the bomb diggity alright.
Nuclear style.
And somebody I'll probably never know handed it right to me.
Without me even askin'.
I'd heard rumblings about the secret use of the well months before...
but I thought maybe they were just rumors.
That posting struck me as a confirmation of the rumors that I'd heard.
I picked up that dime and I made a few phone calls myself to the right people.
That's when I decided to go have a look-see at the well.
Santorini is one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea. It was devastated by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century BC, forever shaping its rugged landscape. The whitewashed, cubiform houses of its 2 principal towns, Fira and Oia, cling to cliffs above an underwater caldera (crater). They overlook the sea, small islands to the west and beaches made up of black, red and white lava pebbles.
Akrotiri, a Bronze Age settlement preserved under ash from the eruption, provides a frozen-in-time glimpse into Minoan life. The ruins of Ancient Thera lie on a dramatic bluff that drops to the sea on 3 sides. Fira, the island's commercial heart, has the Archaeological Museum of Thera and boutique shops. It also has a lively bar scene and tavernas serving local grilled seafood and dry white wine, made from the Assyrtiko grape. Oia is famous for sunsets over its old fortress [Santorini Google Travel]
Bangkok (English pronunciation: /ˈbæŋkɒk/) is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (กรุงเทพมหานคร, pronounced [krūŋ tʰêːp mahǎː nákʰɔ̄ːn] or simply Krung Thep. The city occupies 1,568.7 square kilometres (605.7 sq mi) in the Chao Phraya River delta in Central Thailand, and has a population of over 8 million, or 12.6 percent of the country's population. Over 14 million people (22.2 percent) live within the surrounding Bangkok Metropolitan Region, making Bangkok an extreme primate city, significantly dwarfing Thailand's other urban centres in terms of importance.
Bangkok traces its roots to a small trading post during the Ayutthaya Kingdom in the 15th century, which eventually grew and became the site of two capital cities: Thonburi in 1768 and Rattanakosin in 1782. Bangkok was at the heart of the modernization of Siam - later renamed Thailand - during the late 19th century, as the country faced pressures from the West. The city was at the centre of Thailand's political struggles throughout the 20th century, as the country abolished absolute monarchy, adopted constitutional rule and underwent numerous coups and several uprisings. The city grew rapidly during the 1960s through the 1980s and now exerts a significant impact on Thailand's politics, economy, education, media and modern society.
The Asian investment boom in the 1980s and 1990s led many multinational corporations to locate their regional headquarters in Bangkok. The city is now a major regional force in finance and business. It is an international hub for transport and health care, and has emerged as a regional centre for the arts, fashion and entertainment. The city is well known for its vibrant street life and cultural landmarks, as well as its notorious red-light districts. The historic Grand Palace and Buddhist temples including Wat Arun and Wat Pho stand in contrast with other tourist attractions such as the nightlife scenes of Khaosan Road and Patpong. Bangkok is among the world's top tourist destinations. It is named the most visited city in MasterCard's Global Destination Cities Index, and was named "World's Best City" for four consecutive years by Travel + Leisure magazine.
Bangkok's rapid growth amidst little urban planning and regulation has resulted in a haphazard cityscape and inadequate infrastructure systems. Limited roads, despite an extensive expressway network, together with substantial private car usage, have led to chronic and crippling traffic congestion, which caused severe air pollution in the 1990s. The city has since turned to public transport in an attempt to solve this major problem. Five rapid transit lines are now in operation, with more systems under construction or planned by the national government and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
HISTORY
The history of Bangkok dates at least back to the early 15th century, when it was a village on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, under the rule of Ayutthaya. Because of its strategic location near the mouth of the river, the town gradually increased in importance. Bangkok initially served as a customs outpost with forts on both sides of the river, and became the site of a siege in 1688 in which the French were expelled from Siam. After the fall of Ayutthaya to the Burmese Empire in 1767, the newly declared King Taksin established his capital at the town, which became the base of the Thonburi Kingdom. In 1782, King Phutthayotfa Chulalok (Rama I) succeeded Taksin, moved the capital to the eastern bank's Rattanakosin Island, thus founding the Rattanakosin Kingdom. The City Pillar was erected on 21 April, which is regarded as the date of foundation of the present city.
Bangkok's economy gradually expanded through busy international trade, first with China, then with Western merchants returning in the early-to-mid 19th century. As the capital, Bangkok was the centre of Siam's modernization as it faced pressure from Western powers in the late 19th century. The reigns of Kings Mongkut (Rama IV, 1851–68) and Chulalongkorn (Rama V, 1868–1910) saw the introduction of the steam engine, printing press, rail transport and utilities infrastructure in the city, as well as formal education and healthcare. Bangkok became the centre stage for power struggles between the military and political elite as the country abolished absolute monarchy in 1932. It was subject to Japanese occupation and Allied bombing during World War II, but rapidly grew in the post-war period as a result of United States developmental aid and government-sponsored investment. Bangkok's role as an American military R&R destination boosted its tourism industry as well as firmly establishing it as a sex tourism destination. Disproportionate urban development led to increasing income inequalities and unprecedented migration from rural areas into Bangkok; its population surged from 1.8 to 3 million in the 1960s. Following the United States' withdrawal from Vietnam in 1973, Japanese businesses took over as leaders in investment, and the expansion of export-oriented manufacturing led to growth of the financial market in Bangkok. Rapid growth of the city continued through the 1980s and early 1990s, until it was stalled by the 1997 Asian financial crisis. By then, many public and social issues had emerged, among them the strain on infrastructure reflected in the city's notorious traffic jams. Bangkok's role as the nation's political stage continues to be seen in strings of popular protests, from the student uprisings in 1973 and 1976, anti-military demonstrations in 1992, and successive anti-government demonstrations by the "Yellow Shirt", "Red Shirt" and "Light blue Shirt" movements from 2008 onwards.
Administration of the city was first formalized by King Chulalongkorn in 1906, with the establishment of Monthon Krung Thep Phra Maha Nakhon (มณฑลกรุงเทพพระมหานคร) as a national subdivision. In 1915 the monthon was split into several provinces, the administrative boundaries of which have since further changed. The city in its current form was created in 1972 with the formation of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), following the merger of Phra Nakhon Province on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya and Thonburi Province on the west during the previous year.
NAME
The etymology of the name Bangkok (บางกอก, pronounced in Thai as [bāːŋ kɔ̀ːk] is not absolutely clear. Bang is a Thai word meaning "a village situated on a stream", and the name might have been derived from Bang Ko (บางเกาะ), ko meaning "island", a reference to the area's landscape which was carved by rivers and canals. Another theory suggests that it is shortened from Bang Makok (บางมะกอก), makok being the name of Elaeocarpus hygrophilus, a plant bearing olive-like fruit.[a] This is supported by the fact that Wat Arun, a historic temple in the area, used to be named Wat Makok. Officially, however, the town was known as Thonburi Si Mahasamut (ธนบุรีศรีมหาสมุทร, from Pali and Sanskrit, literally "city of treasures gracing the ocean") or Thonburi, according to Ayutthaya chronicles. Bangkok was likely a colloquial name, albeit one widely adopted by foreign visitors, whose continued use of the name finally resulted in it being officially adopted with the creation of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
When King Rama I established his new capital on the river's eastern bank, the city inherited Ayutthaya's ceremonial name, of which there were many variants, including Krung Thep Thawarawadi Si Ayutthaya (กรุงเทพทวารวดีศรีอยุธยา) and Krung Thep Maha Nakhon Si Ayutthaya (กรุงเทพมหานครศรีอยุธยา). Edmund Roberts, visiting the city as envoy of the United States in 1833, noted that the city, since becoming capital, was known as Sia-Yut'hia, and this is the name used in international treaties of the period. Today, the city is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (กรุงเทพมหานคร) or simply as Krung Thep (กรุงเทพฯ). Its full ceremonial name, which came into use during the reign of King Mongkut, reads as follows:
Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit
กรุงเทพมหานคร อมรรัตนโกสินทร์ มหินทรายุธยา มหาดิลกภพ นพรัตนราชธานีบูรีรมย์ อุดมราชนิเวศน์มหาสถาน อมรพิมานอวตารสถิต สักกะทัตติยวิษณุกรรมประสิทธิ์
The name, composed of Pali and Sanskrit root words, translates as:
City of angels, great city of immortals, magnificent city of the nine gems, seat of the king, city of royal palaces, home of gods incarnate, erected by Vishvakarman at Indra's behest.
The name is listed in Guinness World Records as the world's longest place name, at 168 letters. Thai school children are taught the full name, although few can explain its meaning as many of the words are archaic, and known to few. Most Thais who recall the full name do so because of its use in a popular song, "Krung Thep Maha Nakhon" (1989) by Asanee–Wasan and will often recount it by singing it, much as an English speaker might sing the alphabet song to recite the alphabet. The entirety of the lyrics is just the name of the city repeated over and over.
GOVERNMENT
The city of Bangkok is locally governed by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). Although its boundaries are at the provincial (changwat) level, unlike the other 76 provinces Bangkok is a special administrative area whose governor is directly elected to serve a four-year term. The governor, together with four appointed deputies, form the executive body, who implement policies through the BMA civil service headed by the Permanent Secretary for the BMA. In separate elections, each district elects one or more city councillors, who form the Bangkok Metropolitan Council. The council is the BMA's legislative body, and has power over municipal ordinances and the city's budget. However, after the coup of 2014 all local elections have been cancelled and the council has been appointed by government on September 15 2014. The current Bangkok Governor is Police General Aswin Kwanmuang, who was appointed by the military government on October 26 following the suspension of the last elected governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra.
Bangkok is subdivided into fifty districts (khet, equivalent to amphoe in the other provinces), which are further subdivided into 169 subdistricts (khwaeng, equivalent to tambon). Each district is managed by a district director appointed by the governor. District councils, elected to four-year terms, serve as advisory bodies to their respective district directors.
The BMA is divided into sixteen departments, each overseeing different aspects of the administration's responsibilities. Most of these responsibilities concern the city's infrastructure, and include city planning, building control, transportation, drainage, waste management and city beautification, as well as education, medical and rescue services. Many of these services are provided jointly with other agencies. The BMA has the authority to implement local ordinances, although civil law enforcement falls under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Police Bureau.
The seal of the city shows Hindu god Indra riding in the clouds on Airavata, a divine white elephant known in Thai as Erawan. In his hand Indra holds his weapon, the vajra.[19] The seal is based on a painting done by Prince Naris. The tree symbol of Bangkok is Ficus benjamina. The official city slogan, adopted in 2012, reads:
As built by deities, the administrative center, dazzling palaces and temples, the capital of Thailand
กรุงเทพฯ ดุจเทพสร้าง เมืองศูนย์กลางการปกครอง วัดวังงามเรืองรอง เมืองหลวงของประเทศไทย
As the capital of Thailand, Bangkok is the seat of all branches of the national government. The Government House, Parliament House and Supreme, Administrative and Constitutional Courts are all located within the city. Bangkok is the site of the Grand Palace and Chitralada Villa, respectively the official and de facto residence of the king. Most government ministries also have headquarters and offices in the capital.
GEOGRAPHY
The Bangkok city proper covers an area of 1,568.737 square kilometres, ranking 69th among the other 76 provinces of Thailand. Of this, about 700 square kilometres form the built-up urban area. It is ranked 73rd in the world in terms of land area by City Mayors. The city's urban sprawl reaches into parts of the six other provinces it borders, namely, in clockwise order from northwest: Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Chachoengsao, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon and Nakhon Pathom. With the exception of Chachoengsao, these provinces, together with Bangkok, form the greater Bangkok Metropolitan Region.
PARKS AND GREEN ZONES
Bangkok has several parks, although these amount to a per-capita total park area of only 1.82 square metres in the city proper. Total green space for the entire city is moderate, at 11.8 square metres per person; however, in the more densely built-up areas of the city these numbers are as low as 1.73 and 0.72 square metres per person. More recent numbers claim that there is only 3.3 m2 of green space per person, compared to an average of 39 m2 in other cities across Asia. Bangkokians thus have 10 times less green space than is standard in the region's urban areas. Green belt areas include about 700 square kilometres of rice paddies and orchards in the eastern and western edges of the city proper, although their primary purpose is to serve as flood detention basins rather than to limit urban expansion. Bang Kachao, a 20-square-kilometre conservation area in an oxbow of the Chao Phraya, lies just across the southern riverbank districts, in Samut Prakan Province. A master development plan has been proposed to increase total park area to 4 square metres per person.
Bangkok's largest parks include the centrally located Lumphini Park near the Si Lom – Sathon business district with an area of 57.6 hectares, the 80-hectare Suanluang Rama IX in the east of the city, and the Chatuchak–Queen Sirikit–Wachirabenchathat park complex in northern Bangkok, which has a combined area of 92 hectares.
DEMOGRAPHY
The city of Bangkok has a population of 8,280,925 according to the 2010 census, or 12.6 percent of the national population. However, there are only 5,692,284 registered residents, belonging to 2,672,423 households. A large number of Bangkok's daytime population commutes from surrounding provinces in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region, the total population of which is 14,565,547. Bangkok is a cosmopolitan city; the census showed that it is home to 81,570 Japanese and 55,893 Chinese nationals, as well as 117,071 expatriates from other Asian countries, 48,341 from Europe, 23,418 from the Americas, 5,289 from Australia and 3,022 from Africa. Immigrants from neighbouring countries include 303,595 Burmese, 63,438 Cambodians and 18,126 Lao.
Although it has been Thailand's largest population centre since its establishment as capital city in 1782, Bangkok grew only slightly throughout the 18th and early 19th centuries. British diplomat John Crawfurd, visiting in 1822, estimated its population at no more than 50,000. As a result of Western medicine brought by missionaries as well as increased immigration from both within Siam and overseas, Bangkok's population gradually increased as the city modernized in the late 19th century. This growth became even more pronounced in the 1930s, following the discovery of antibiotics. Although family planning and birth control was introduced in the 1960s, the lowered birth rate was more than offset by increased migration from the provinces as economic expansion accelerated. Only in the 1990s have Bangkok's population growth rates decreased, following the national rate. Thailand had long since become highly centralized around the capital. In 1980, Bangkok's population was fifty-one times that of Hat Yai and Songkhla, the second-largest urban centre, making it the world's most prominent primate city.
The majority of Bangkok's population are of Thai ethnicity,[d] although details on the city's ethnic make-up are unavailable, as the national census does not document race.[e] Bangkok's cultural pluralism dates back to the early days of its foundation; several ethnic communities were formed by immigrants and forced settlers including the Khmer, Northern Thai, Lao, Vietnamese, Tavoyan, Mon and Malay. Most prominent were the Chinese, who played major roles in the city's trade and became the majority of Bangkok's population - estimates include up to three-fourths in 1828 and almost half in the 1950s. However, Chinese immigration was restricted from the 1930s and effectively ceased after the Chinese Revolution in 1949. Their prominence subsequently declined as most of younger generations of Thai Chinese have integrated and adopted a Thai identity. Bangkok is still nevertheless home to a large Chinese community, with the greatest concentration in Yaowarat, Bangkok's Chinatown. The majority (91 percent) of the city's population is Buddhist. Other religions include Islam (4.7%), Christianity (2.0%), Hinduism (0.5%), Sikhism (0.1%) and Confucianism (0.1%).
Apart from Yaowarat, Bangkok also has several other distinct ethnic neighbourhoods. The Indian community is centred in Phahurat, where the Gurdwara Siri Guru Singh Sabha, founded in 1933, is located. Ban Khrua on Saen Saep Canal is home to descendants of the Cham who settled in the late 18th century. Although the Portuguese who settled during the Thonburi period have ceased to exist as a distinct community, their past is reflected in Santa Kruz Church, on the west bank of the river. Likewise, the Assumption Cathedral on Charoen Krung Road is among many European-style buildings in the Old Farang Quarter, where European diplomats and merchants lived during the late 19th to early 20th centuries. Nearby, the Haroon Mosque is the centre of a Muslim community. Newer expatriate communities exist along Sukhumvit Road, including the Japanese community near Soi Phrom Phong and Soi Thong Lo, and the Arab and North African neighbourhood along Soi Nana. Sukhumvit Plaza, a mall on Soi Sukhumvit 12, is popularly known as Korea Town.
ECONOMY
Bangkok is the economic centre of Thailand, and the heart of the country's investment and development. In 2010, the city had an economic output of 3.142 trillion baht (98.34 billion US dollars), contributing 29.1 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). This amounted to a per-capita GDP value of ฿456,911 ($14,301), almost three times the national average of ฿160,556 ($5,025). The Bangkok Metropolitan Region had a combined output of ฿4.773tn ($149.39bn), or 44.2 percent of GDP. Bangkok's economy ranks as the sixth among Asian cities in terms of per-capita GDP, after Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Osaka–Kobe and Seoul.
Wholesale and retail trade is the largest sector in the city's economy, contributing 24.0 percent of Bangkok's gross provincial product. It is followed by manufacturing (14.3%); real estate, renting and business activities (12.4%); transport and communications (11.6%); and financial intermediation (11.1%). Bangkok alone accounts for 48.4 percent of Thailand's service sector, which in turn constitutes 49.0 percent of GDP. When the Bangkok Metropolitan Region is considered, manufacturing is the most significant contributor at 28.2 percent of the gross regional product, reflecting the density of industry in the Bangkok's neighbouring provinces. The automotive industry based around Greater Bangkok is the largest production hub in Southeast Asia. Tourism is also a significant contributor to Bangkok's economy, generating ฿427.5bn ($13.38bn) in revenue in 2010.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is located on Ratchadaphisek Road in inner Bangkok. The SET, together with the Market for Alternative Investment (mai) has 648 listed companies as of the end of 2011, with a combined market capitalization of 8.485 trillion baht ($267.64bn). Due to the large amount of foreign representation, Thailand has for several years been a mainstay of the Southeast Asian economy and a centre of Asian business. The Globalization and World Cities Research Network ranks Bangkok as an "Alpha−" world city, and it is ranked 59th in Z/Yen's Global Financial Centres Index 11.
Bangkok is home to the headquarters of all of Thailand's major commercial banks and financial institutions, as well as the country's largest companies. A large number of multinational corporations base their regional headquarters in Bangkok due to the lower cost of the workforce and firm operations relative to other major Asian business centres. Seventeen Thai companies are listed on the Forbes 2000, all of which are based in the capital, including PTT, the only Fortune Global 500 company in Thailand.
Income inequality is a major issue in Bangkok, especially between relatively unskilled lower-income immigrants from rural provinces and neighbouring countries, and middle-class professionals and business elites. Although absolute poverty rates are low - only 0.64 percent of Bangkok's registered residents were living under the poverty line in 2010, compared to a national average of 7.75 - economic disparity is still substantial. The city has a Gini coefficient of 0.48, indicating a high level of inequality.
CULTURE
The culture of Bangkok reflects its position as Thailand's centre of wealth and modernisation. The city has long been the portal of entry of Western concepts and material goods, which have been adopted and blended with Thai values to various degrees by its residents. This is most evident in the lifestyles of the expanding middle class. Conspicuous consumption serves as a display of economic and social status, and shopping centres are popular weekend hangouts. Ownership of electronics and consumer products such as mobile phones is ubiquitous. This has been accompanied by a degree of secularism, as religion's role in everyday life has rather diminished. Although such trends have spread to other urban centres, and, to a degree, the countryside, Bangkok remains at the forefront of social change.
A distinct feature of Bangkok is the ubiquity of street vendors selling goods ranging from food items to clothing and accessories. It has been estimated that the city may have over 100,000 hawkers. While the BMA has authorised the practice in 287 sites, the majority of activity in another 407 sites takes place illegally. Although they take up pavement space and block pedestrian traffic, many of the city's residents depend on these vendors for their meals, and the BMA's efforts to curb their numbers have largely been unsuccessful.
In 2015, however, the BMA, with support from the National Council for Peace and Order (Thailand's ruling military junta), began cracking down on street vendors in a bid to reclaim public space. Many famous market neighbourhoods were affected, including Khlong Thom, Saphan Lek, and the flower market at Pak Khlong Talat. Nearly 15,000 vendors were evicted from 39 public areas in 2016. While some applauded the efforts to focus on pedestrian rights, others have expressed concern that gentrification would lead to the loss of the city's character and adverse changes to people's way of life.
FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
The residents of Bangkok celebrate many of Thailand's annual festivals. During Songkran on 13–15 April, traditional rituals as well as water fights take place throughout the city. Loi Krathong, usually in November, is accompanied by the Golden Mount Fair. New Year celebrations take place at many venues, the most prominent being the plaza in front of CentralWorld. Observances related to the royal family are held primarily in Bangkok. Wreaths are laid at King Chulalongkorn's equestrian statue in the Royal Plaza on 23 October, which is King Chulalongkorn Memorial Day. The present king's and queen's birthdays, respectively on 5 December and 12 August, are marked as Thailand's national Father's Day and national Mother's Day. These national holidays are celebrated by royal audiences on the day's eve, in which the king or queen gives a speech, and public gatherings on the day of the observance. The king's birthday is also marked by the Royal Guards' parade.
Sanam Luang is the site of the Thai Kite, Sport and Music Festival, usually held in March, and the Royal Ploughing Ceremony which takes place in May. The Red Cross Fair at the beginning of April is held at Suan Amporn and the Royal Plaza, and features numerous booths offering goods, games and exhibits. The Chinese New Year (January–February) and Vegetarian Festival (September–October) are celebrated widely by the Chinese community, especially in Yaowarat.
TRANSPORT
Although Bangkok's canals historically served as a major mode of transport, they have long since been surpassed in importance by land traffic. Charoen Krung Road, the first to be built by Western techniques, was completed in 1864. Since then, the road network has vastly expanded to accommodate the sprawling city. A complex elevated expressway network helps bring traffic into and out of the city centre, but Bangkok's rapid growth has put a large strain on infrastructure, and traffic jams have plagued the city since the 1990s. Although rail transport was introduced in 1893 and electric trams served the city from 1894 to 1968, it was only in 1999 that Bangkok's first rapid transit system began operation. Older public transport systems include an extensive bus network and boat services which still operate on the Chao Phraya and two canals. Taxis appear in the form of cars, motorcycles, and "tuk-tuk" auto rickshaws.
Bangkok is connected to the rest of the country through the national highway and rail networks, as well as by domestic flights to and from the city's two international airports. Its centuries-old maritime transport of goods is still conducted through Khlong Toei Port.
The BMA is largely responsible for overseeing the construction and maintenance of the road network and transport systems through its Public Works Department and Traffic and Transportation Department. However, many separate government agencies are also in charge of the individual systems, and much of transport-related policy planning and funding is contributed to by the national government.
ROADS
Road-based transport is the primary mode of travel in Bangkok. Due to the city's organic development, its streets do not follow an organized grid structure. Forty-eight major roads link the different areas of the city, branching into smaller streets and lanes (soi) which serve local neighbourhoods. Eleven bridges over the Chao Phraya link the two sides of the city, while several expressway and motorway routes bring traffic into and out of the city centre and link with nearby provinces.
Bangkok's rapid growth in the 1980s resulted in sharp increases in vehicle ownership and traffic demand, which have since continued - in 2006 there were 3,943,211 in-use vehicles in Bangkok, of which 37.6 percent were private cars and 32.9 percent were motorcycles. These increases, in the face of limited carrying capacity, caused severe traffic congestion evident by the early 1990s. The extent of the problem is such that the Thai Traffic Police has a unit of officers trained in basic midwifery in order to assist deliveries which do not reach hospital in time. While Bangkok's limited road surface area (8 percent, compared to 20–30 percent in most Western cities) is often cited as a major cause of its traffic jams, other factors, including high vehicle ownership rate relative to income level, inadequate public transport systems, and lack of transportation demand management, also play a role. Efforts to alleviate the problem have included the construction of intersection bypasses and an extensive system of elevated highways, as well as the creation of several new rapid transit systems. The city's overall traffic conditions, however, remain bad.
Traffic has been the main source of air pollution in Bangkok, which reached serious levels in the 1990s. However, efforts to improve air quality by improving fuel quality and enforcing emission standards, among others, have been largely successful. Atmospheric particulate matter levels dropped from 81 micrograms per cubic metre in 1997 to 43 in 2007.
Although the BMA has created thirty signed bicycle routes along several roads totalling 230 kilometres, cycling is still largely impractical, especially in the city centre. Most of these bicycle lanes share the pavement with pedestrians. Poor surface maintenance, encroachment by hawkers and street vendors, and a hostile environment for cyclists and pedestrians, make cycling and walking unpopular methods of getting around in Bangkok.
BUSES AND TAXIS
Bangkok has an extensive bus network providing local transit services within the Greater Bangkok area. The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) operates a monopoly on bus services, with substantial concessions granted to private operators. Buses, minibus vans, and song thaeo operate on a total of 470 routes throughout the region. A separate bus rapid transit system owned by the BMA has been in operation since 2010. Known simply as the BRT, the system currently consists of a single line running from the business district at Sathon to Ratchaphruek on the western side of the city. The Transport Co., Ltd. is the BMTA's long-distance counterpart, with services to all provinces operating out of Bangkok.
Taxis are ubiquitous in Bangkok, and are a popular form of transport. As of August 2012, there are 106,050 cars, 58,276 motorcycles and 8,996 tuk-tuk motorized tricycles cumulatively registered for use as taxis. Meters have been required for car taxis since 1992, while tuk-tuk fares are usually negotiated. Motorcycle taxis operate from regulated ranks, with either fixed or negotiable fares, and are usually employed for relatively short journeys.
Despite their popularity, taxis have gained a bad reputation for often refusing passengers when the requested route is not to the driver's convenience. Motorcycle taxis were previously unregulated, and subject to extortion by organized crime gangs. Since 2003, registration has been required for motorcycle taxi ranks, and drivers now wear distinctive numbered vests designating their district of registration and where they are allowed to accept passengers.
RAIL SYSTEMS
Bangkok is the location of Hua Lamphong Railway Station, the main terminus of the national rail network operated by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). In addition to long-distance services, the SRT also operates a few daily commuter trains running from and to the outskirts of the city during the rush hour.
Bangkok is currently served by three rapid transit systems: the BTS Skytrain, the underground MRT and the elevated Airport Rail Link. Although proposals for the development of rapid transit in Bangkok had been made since 1975, it was only in 1999 that the BTS finally began operation.
The BTS consists of two lines, Sukhumvit and Silom, with thirty stations along 30.95 kilometres. The MRT opened for use in July 2004, and currently consists of two line, the Blue Line and Purple Line. The Airport Rail Link, opened in August 2010, connects the city centre to Suvarnabhumi Airport to the east. Its eight stations span a distance of 28 kilometres.
Although initial passenger numbers were low and their service area remains limited to the inner city, these systems have become indispensable to many commuters. The BTS reported an average of 600,000 daily trips in 2012, while the MRT had 240,000 passenger trips per day.
As of 2016, construction work is ongoing to extend BTS and MRT, as well as several additional transit lines, including the Light Red grade-separated commuter rail line. The entire Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan in Bangkok Metropolitan Region consists of eight main lines and four feeder lines totalling 508 kilometres to be completed by 2029. In addition to rapid transit and heavy rail lines, there have been proposals for several monorail systems.
WATER TRANSPORT
Although much diminished from its past prominence, water-based transport still plays an important role in Bangkok and the immediate upstream and downstream provinces. Several water buses serve commuters daily. The Chao Phraya Express Boat serves thirty-four stops along the river, carrying an average of 35,586 passengers per day in 2010, while the smaller Khlong Saen Saep boat service serves twenty-seven stops on Saen Saep Canal with 57,557 daily passengers. Long-tail boats operate on fifteen regular routes on the Chao Phraya, and passenger ferries at thirty-two river crossings served an average of 136,927 daily passengers in 2010.
Bangkok Port, popularly known by its location as Khlong Toei Port, was Thailand's main international port from its opening in 1947 until it was superseded by the deep-sea Laem Chabang Port in 1991. It is primarily a cargo port, though its inland location limits access to ships of 12,000 deadweight tonnes or less. The port handled 11,936,855 tonnes of cargo in the first eight months of the 2010 fiscal year, about 22 percent the total of the country's international ports.
AIRPORTS
Bangkok is one of Asia's busiest air transport hubs. Two commercial airports serve the city, the older Don Mueang International Airport and the new Bangkok International Airport, commonly known as Suvarnabhumi. Suvarnabhumi, which replaced Don Mueang as Bangkok's main airport at its opening in 2006, served 52,808,013 passengers in 2015, making it the world's 20th busiest airport by passenger volume. This amount of traffic is already over its designed capacity of 45 million passengers. Don Mueang reopened for domestic flights in 2007, and resumed international services focusing on low-cost carriers in October 2012. Suvarnabhumi is undergoing expansion to increase its capacity to 60 million, which is expected to be completed by 2016.
HEALTH AND EDUCATION
EDUCATION
Bangkok has long been the centre of modern education in Thailand. The first schools in the country were established here in the later 19th century, and there are now 1,351 schools in the city. The city is home to the country's five oldest universities, Chulalongkorn, Thammasat, Kasetsart, Mahidol and Silpakorn, founded between 1917 and 1943. The city has since continued its dominance, especially in higher education; the majority of the country's universities, both public and private, are located in Bangkok or the Metropolitan Region. Chulalongkorn and Mahidol are the only Thai universities to appear in the top 500 of the QS World University Rankings. King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, also located in Bangkok, is the only Thai university in the top 400 of the 2012–13 Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
Over the past few decades the general trend of pursuing a university degree has prompted the founding of new universities to meet the needs of Thai students. Bangkok became not only a place where immigrants and provincial Thais go for job opportunities, but also for a chance to receive a university degree. Ramkhamhaeng University emerged in 1971 as Thailand's first open university; it now has the highest enrolment in the country. The demand for higher education has led to the founding of many other universities and colleges, both public and private. While many universities have been established in major provinces, the Greater Bangkok region remains home to the greater majority of institutions, and the city's tertiary education scene remains over-populated with non-Bangkokians. The situation is not limited to higher education, either. In the 1960s, 60 to 70 percent of 10- to 19-year-olds who were in school had migrated to Bangkok for secondary education. This was due to both a lack of secondary schools in the provinces and perceived higher standards of education in the capital. Although this discrepancy has since largely abated, tens of thousands of students still compete for places in Bangkok's leading schools. Education has long been a prime factor in the centralization of Bangkok and will play a vital role in the government's efforts to decentralize the country.
HEALTHCARE
Much of Thailand's medical resources are disproportionately concentrated in the capital. In 2000, Bangkok had 39.6 percent of the country's doctors and a physician-to-population ratio of 1:794, compared to a median of 1:5,667 among all provinces. The city is home to 42 public hospitals, five of which are university hospitals, as well as 98 private hospitals and 4,063 registered clinics. The BMA operates nine public hospitals through its Medical Service Department, and its Health Department provides primary care through sixty-eight community health centres. Thailand's universal healthcare system is implemented through public hospitals and health centres as well as participating private providers.
Research-oriented medical school affiliates such as Siriraj, King Chulalongkorn Memorial and Ramathibodi Hospitals are among the largest in the country, and act as tertiary care centres, receiving referrals from distant parts of the country. Lately, especially in the private sector, there has been much growth in medical tourism, with hospitals such as Bumrungrad and Bangkok Hospital, among others, providing services specifically catering to foreigners. An estimated 200,000 medical tourists visited Thailand in 2011, making Bangkok the most popular global destination for medical tourism.
CRIME AND SAFETY
Bangkok has a relatively moderate crime rate when compared to urban counterparts around the world.[119] Traffic accidents are a major hazard, while natural disasters are rare. Intermittent episodes of political unrest and occasional terrorist attacks have resulted in losses of life.
Although the crime threat in Bangkok is relatively low, non-confrontational crimes of opportunity such as pick-pocketing, purse-snatching, and credit card fraud occur with frequency. Bangkok's growth since the 1960s has been followed by increasing crime rates partly driven by urbanisation, migration, unemployment and poverty. By the late 1980s, Bangkok's crime rates were about four times that of the rest of the country. The police have long been preoccupied with street crimes ranging from housebreaking to assault and murder. The 1990s saw the emergence of vehicle theft and organized crime, particularly by foreign gangs. Drug trafficking, especially that of ya ba methamphetamine pills, is also chronic.
According to police statistics, the most common complaint received by the Metropolitan Police Bureau in 2010 was housebreaking, with 12,347 cases. This was followed by 5,504 cases of motorcycle thefts, 3,694 cases of assault and 2,836 cases of embezzlement. Serious offences included 183 murders, 81 gang robberies, 265 robberies, 1 kidnapping and 9 arson cases. Offences against the state were by far more common, and included 54,068 drug-related cases, 17,239 cases involving prostitution and 8,634 related to gambling. The Thailand Crime Victim Survey conducted by the Office of Justice Affairs of the Ministry of Justice found that 2.7 percent of surveyed households reported a member being victim of a crime in 2007. Of these, 96.1 percent were crimes against property, 2.6 percent were crimes against life and body, and 1.4 percent were information-related crimes.
Political demonstrations and protests are common in Bangkok. While most events since 1992 had been peaceful, the series of protests alternately staged by the Yellow Shirts and Red Shirts since 2006 have often turned violent. Red Shirt demonstrations during March–May 2010 ended in a crackdown in which 92 were killed, including armed and unarmed protesters, security forces, civilians and journalists. Terrorist incidents have also occurred in Bangkok, most notably the 2015 Bangkok bombing at the Erawan shrine, and also a series of bombings on the 2006–07 New Year's Eve.
WIKIPEDIA
Anamnagar -32 Kathmandu Nepal
Phone: 4246351, 4232340
www.polyclinic.com.np | contact@polyclinic.com.np
This brief introduction is to appraise the honoured general public, Lions members cooperatives and corporate sectors about a Community Hospital which has a cherished goal to provide efficient and qualitative medical services in a sustained way.
Institutional Background:
The Anaamnagar Polyclinic and Community Hospital (ANPCH), a private hospital was established in 2000 A.D (2057 B.C). It has introduced the services of highly qualified, experienced, competent as well as dedicated young professionals to implement as institutional health service provider. After achieving a great success in the past, we have come forward to see and venture in an expansive way in this field. The Hospital believes that quality health service is possible even by the private sector, so we firmly aware that the spirit of achievement drives us towards another success.
The central thrust of ANPCH is social awareness, strengthening institutional capacities through the process of various stackholders. It gives priority to those grass root levels and implementation of which would directly benefit to a large section of general public in health sector.
Vision:
ANPCH shall take care on the overall matters which will directly have impacts on health, private sector quality, speed and efficiency, decentralization, innovation and entrepreneurship and long-term commitment to the people in this sector. We serve in particular the sectoral areas of concentration to product medical manpower as required to our nation.
Mission:
To establish 50 beded hospital and health institution like: Nursing college and other technical & health institution within three years This organization is planning to oprate the medical collage and to provide innovative & quality health services systems. Our mission is not a task to be carried out by ourselves only but it’s a dream that we have dared to share therefore, we appeal every supporting line agencies and stackholders to work together to succeed this mission.
Goal:
The overarching goal of ANPCH is to empower woman, children and other sections of our society. It is working with local stackholders and concernd line agencies abroad through the creative collaborations and meaningful partnership
Objectives
To provide qualitative health service and to produce medical human resources.
Strategic Priorities:
ANPCH will extend facilities to all the sectors of society not only within the boundary of our country but across its’ border. It will lend its expertise to the government and non government agencies whenever it is required in order to strengthen the commitment and deliverance of the said agencies.
We have various projects, such as established Nursing collage, health institution, health research foundation and to establish medical collage within three years is offing. Our strategic priorities will be to provide local community based health services with an excellent quality.
Tentative estimated cost to established 50 beded Hospital.
1. Hospital furniture and accessory 20,00000.00
2. Equipment for OT1,20,00000.00
3. ICU and CCU60,00000.00
4. Operating cost and house rent ( Annual )24,00000.00
5. Administrative cost ( Annual )30,00000.00
Grand Total NRS. 2,54,00000.00
Budget resources to establish 50 beded hospital.
1.50 percent of total project cost will be invested by founder chairperson.
2.50 percent of total project cost shall be covered by the issuance of shares of the hospital or loan to be borrowed by financial institution .
Present Income of hospital.
Details LIST OF HOSPITAL CHARGE
OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT FEES
SERVICEPRICE (Rs)
Free check up (Every Saturday)20 (only registration charge)
General check up by Medical Officer100 including
Check up by Consultant250 “ with TDS
EMERGENCY & GENERAL SURGICAL PROCEDURE
SERVICEPRICE (Rs)
Emergency Consultant Fee150 including 5%
Observation on Emergency250 “
Wound Dressing-N/ Doc/ Con50/100/250 “
Special Dressing by Doctor300 “
Suture50 per stitch “
Suture removal- N/ Doc/ Con25/50/100 “
Injection charge10 “
Catherization150 “
Enema 200 “
Blood Pressure check up20 “
Diagnostic Aspiration200 “
Gastric Lavage200 “
Oxygen per hour200 “
Nebulisation100 “
Crepe bandage- N/ Doc/ Con100/150/250 “
Normal plaster Intermittent plaster400 “
Intermittent plaster700 “
Plaster1100 “
Plaster removal300 “
ENT Nasal packing by Nurse/ Doctor300/400 “
Ear syringe200 “
I & D- Local400 “
I & D- Anesthesia2000 “
Suprapubic puncture- N/ Doc/ Con500/700/1000 “
FAMILY PLANNING, MATERNITY & GYNAE SURGERY
SERVICEPRICE (Rs)
Norplant Insertion/ Removal1000/500 5% extra
Copper T Insertion/ Removal500/200 “
Tubectomy – GA/LA8000/2000 “
Vasectomy3000 “
Ring Pressary Insertion/ Removal300/200 “
Dilation & Currete- N / Doc /Con2000-3000 “
Normal Delivery- Consultant10000 “
Normal Delivery- Consultant- Nurse & Medical Officer (Package)7000 “
Instrumental Delivery- Consultant (Package)11000 “
Instrumental Delivery- Nurse & Medical Officer (Package)9000 “
MINOR OPERATION
SERVICEPRICE (Rs)
Hernia adult- LA (Doc) (operation charge)6000 “
Hernia adult- GA (Con) (operation charge)9000 “
Hernia child- LA (Doc) (operation charge)5000 “
Hernia child- GA (Con) (operation charge)7000 “
Hydrocele adult- LA (Doc) 5000 “
Hydrocele adult- LA (Doc)7000 “
Hydrocele child- LA4000 “
Hydrocele child- GA6000 “
MDA (Adult block)5000 “
Intermittent ENT surgery7000 “
Intermittent ortho surgery7000 “
L/N Biopsy2500 “
Fistulectomy9000 “
I & D Surgery GA6000 “
Dilate & Curette-A5000 “
I & D- Breast abcess LA3000 “
I & D- Breast abcess GA7000 “
Gall bladder stone10000-12000 “
MAJOR OPERATION
SERVICEPRICE (Rs)
Cessarian Section- N/Con (Operation Charge)10000/13000
Hysterectomy (Operation Charge)15000
Laparectomy Chole- (Operation Charge) 13000/15000
Appendix – N/Con (Operation Charge)10000/13000
Ortho Surgery (Operation Charge)15000
Kidney & Uterine stone (Operation Charge)15000-18000
Laproscopy (Operation Charge)8000
INVESTIGATIONS
SERVICEPRICE (Rs)
X-ray (Normal)180
Special X-ray-KUB200
ECG300
Echocardiogram1200
Audiogram300
Pregnancy test100
Endoscopy (Vedio)1000
Endoscopy (Fiber)700
Endoscopy (Treatment Procedure)1000
Protoscopy200
Clonoscopy1500
Ultra sonogram (Usg)500
HSG (X-ray) by consultant1200
IVU (X-ray) 1500
USG Vascular Study/ Artery1500
ollicular Study1000
BED CHARGES
SERVICEPRICE (Rs)
Single Deluxe Cabin800
Double Deluxe Cabin600
Single Cabin500
Double Cabin300
Semi- General200
Special- General300
Triple Cabin300
Post Operative Room300
Require medical equipments and surgical instruments necessary materials.
1.)Echocardiograph
2.)Generator (Big/Small)
3.)Water Purifier and Treatment Plant
4.)Cardio Monitor
5.)Endoscopy
6.)Emergency Pickup Van / Ambulance
7.)Indoor Beds (General bed – 35, Semi folding – 20) & Deluxe Bed – 10) in Sets
8.)Gyene / Obs (OT Table, OT light, delivery table, suction machine, refrigerator, cupboard, medicine, instruments )
9.) Washing machines, hot water system
10.) Death body room, ground plaster which maintain level from the main road.
11.) Window screen, bed sheets, aprons, pillow cover, pillow, towels etc.
12. Instrument trolleys
13. Dressing Trolley
14. Mayo's Tables
15. Instrument Racks
16. Instrument Cupboards
17. Dressing Drums of different Sizes
18. Ambu Bags with Mask (Pediatric and Adult)
19. Laryngoscopes with 3 Blades (Pediatric and Adult}
20. E.N.T. Tubes of sizes:
(Cuffed from 5 to 3 to 5.5 i.e. 8 sizes);
(Non- Cuffed from 3 to 5.5 i.e. 6 sizes)
i.e. Spinal Sets (3): Kidney Tray (small) 1 Straight Artery Forceps 1, Eye Towel 1, Gauze/ Cotton.
OT Sets
Equipments in the operating theatre:
1. Operating Table. 2. Operating Light. 3. Suction Machine. 4. Cautery Machine.
5. Anesthetic Machine.6.ECG Monitor/patient monitor with SP02 and BP assessment facility.7. Ventilator. 8. Incubator.9. I/V Stands
Anaesthetic Agents/Drugs:
1. Inj. Sodium Thiopentone. 500mg- 2 vials
2. Inj. Scoline.3. In; Pavulone,4. Inj Neostigmine. (5ml)5. Inj Vecuronium.
6. Inj Betaloc.7. Inj Midazolam.8. Inj Ketamine.9. Inj Sensorcaine Heavy.
10. Inj Arropine-11. Inj Adrenaline-12. Inj Perinom13. Inj Phenergan
14. Inj Pethedine(50mg/100mg)15. Inj Fortwin16. Inj Sodaium Bi-carbonate.
17. Inj 2% Xylocaine18- Inj 2% Xylocaine with Adr.19. Inj l%Xylocaine
20. Inj 0.5% Xylocaine21. Inj Xylocard.22. Inj Hydro cortisone
23. Inj Dexamethasone.24. Inj Gentamycin25. Inj.Mephenteramine (Termin)
26. Inj Syntocinon27. Inj Methargin28. Hatochane (250ml.)29. Spinal Needles 23G, 24G, 25G30. ECG Electrodes
31. Other antibiotics as required.
I/V Infusions
1. Dextrose Normal Saline 2. 5% Dextrose 3. Normal Saline 4. 2/3^ Dextrose in 1/3rd Normal Saline 5. Ringers Lactate 6. Haemaccel 7. I/V Sets (Paediatric and Adult)
8. l/V Cannula 16Gto24G. 9. Water for Injection. 10. Syringes 3cc, 5cc, 10cc, 20cc. 50cc. 11. Bladder Irrigation Syringe 12.) Perineal Sheets (3ft x 5ft)
(With 10" x 3" hole at 1/3rd Part)
13.) Eye towel 2ft x 2ft (With 4" hole at 1/3"' place end)
14.) Big Wrapper with tag (4ft" 4ft) (Double Layer)
15.) Wrapper without tag (3ftX 3ft) Inside (Double layer)
16.) Inside Wrapper (30"x 30")
17.) Medium wrappers with tag 3ft x 3ft) (Double layer)
18.) Wrappers for Dressing etc (2ft x 2ft) (Double Layer with tag)
19.) Leggings 20.) Glove Covers
21.)Caps and Masks (for Drs.)
22)Pyjamas and Shirts (for Drs.)
23.)Pyzamas and shins (for Staff)
24.)Caps and Mask (for Start)
25.)Scrub Gowns (green) 4,5ft long
26.)Ordinary Gowns (green)
27.)Patient Gowns (Different from staff) 8.)Hand Towels
28) Drapes 3ftx4ft (single layer)
29.) Laparotomy sheets (8ft x 5ft) (with hole at 1/3rd pan) 1ft x 3”")
30.) Extra towel (single layer)
Suture Materials ( Johnsons and Johnsons)
1. Chr.Catgul 1/2; Circle(RB) No.1 to 4.0.
2. Chr. Catgut3/8th ' circle (Cu) No. 1 to 4.0.
3. Mersilk '/; Circle (RB) No. 1 to 4.0.
4. Mersilk 3/8th Circle (Cu) No.1 to 4.0.
5. Ethilon (RB) Needle No. 1 to 5.0.
6. Ethilon (Cu) Needle No. 1 to 5.0.
7. Protene (RB) Needle No. 1 to 4.0.
8. Prolene (Cu) Needle No. 1 to 4.0.
9. Vicryl (RB) Needle No, 1 to 4.0.
10. Vicryl (Cu) Needle No. 1 to 4.0,
11. Free Needles (RB) 1/2 Circles No. 8 to 14.
12. Free Needles (Cu) 3/8th Circle No. 8 to 14.
13. Mersilk Free Reels No 1, 1.0 and 2.0.
Retractors
Balfour's Self retaining Retractor
Doyen's suprapubic retractor
Morris retractor
Langenback Retractor small/medium
Deavers of sizes( ½’’ to 3’’)
Kellys Rt. Angie Retractor
Mastoid Retractors
Single hook retractors, Skin hooks Retractors
Scissors
Mayo scissors( St.), Mayo Scissors (Curved). Medium Scissors (Sharp and Blunt tip)
Vulsellum
Other/ Extra Instruments
Cusco's Vaginal Specullums Proctoscopes ( 3 Sizes)
Volkmann's curettes(3 Sizes)
B.P. handle No. 3,B.P. handle No. 4,B.P. handle No. 7
Dissecting (Toothed Long) Dissecting (Non-Toothed Long) Cervical Punch Biopsy Forceps,Towel Clips Backhaus,S S Trays (assorted sizes) L, M, S
Buckets 12L, 65L, Bowls (Plastic), Bowls (S S), Dust Bins
LSCS SET
Major set Plus, Green Armytage forceps, Sponge holding forceps, Wriglis Obstetric forceps, Hysterectomy Clamps, Kochers (Long Curved 8" Kochers (Long Straight)
Abdominal Hysterectomy Set
Major set Plus, Hysterectomy Clamps, Vulselluro, Uterine Dressing Forceps, Myomectomy screw
Vaginal Hysterectomy
Major set Plus,Vaginal Speculum (Auvards)
OTHER MATERIALS
Foleys Catheter 12G/4G, I6G, 18G
Urine collecting Bag
3 Way Foly's 18, 20, and 22G.
T Tubes 14G, 16G. 18G
N.G Tubes 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 18G
Chest Drainage Tubes 24,26,28,30G
Plain Caaiheter ( Various Sizes)
Sofi-atole (Vaseline Gauze)
Surgicare Dressing ( 3 Sizes)
Corrugated Rubber Drain
Abgel
Romovac Drain
K.Y. Jelly, Xylocaine 2% Jelly, Leucoplast (Plaster), Elastoplast, Paper Tape (2 Sizes)
POP Plaster( 4" and 6" )
Antiseptics/Chemical gents
Spirit, Savlon, Betadine Scrub (500ml), Betadine Lotion (500ml), Virex, Formaline Tab lets
Formaline Solution cone.Cotton,Gauze Than
Contact Person :
Bhakta Bahadur KC (Chairman)
Anamnagar Polyclinic & Community Hospital
House No. 745, Anamnagar-32
GPO Box. 8978 CPC 90
Kathmandu, Nepal
contact@polyclinic.com.np www.polyclinic.com.np
Phone 977-1-4256351, 977-1-4232340, Fax 977-1-4219221
Bangkok (English pronunciation: /ˈbæŋkɒk/) is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (กรุงเทพมหานคร, pronounced [krūŋ tʰêːp mahǎː nákʰɔ̄ːn] or simply Krung Thep. The city occupies 1,568.7 square kilometres (605.7 sq mi) in the Chao Phraya River delta in Central Thailand, and has a population of over 8 million, or 12.6 percent of the country's population. Over 14 million people (22.2 percent) live within the surrounding Bangkok Metropolitan Region, making Bangkok an extreme primate city, significantly dwarfing Thailand's other urban centres in terms of importance.
Bangkok traces its roots to a small trading post during the Ayutthaya Kingdom in the 15th century, which eventually grew and became the site of two capital cities: Thonburi in 1768 and Rattanakosin in 1782. Bangkok was at the heart of the modernization of Siam - later renamed Thailand - during the late 19th century, as the country faced pressures from the West. The city was at the centre of Thailand's political struggles throughout the 20th century, as the country abolished absolute monarchy, adopted constitutional rule and underwent numerous coups and several uprisings. The city grew rapidly during the 1960s through the 1980s and now exerts a significant impact on Thailand's politics, economy, education, media and modern society.
The Asian investment boom in the 1980s and 1990s led many multinational corporations to locate their regional headquarters in Bangkok. The city is now a major regional force in finance and business. It is an international hub for transport and health care, and has emerged as a regional centre for the arts, fashion and entertainment. The city is well known for its vibrant street life and cultural landmarks, as well as its notorious red-light districts. The historic Grand Palace and Buddhist temples including Wat Arun and Wat Pho stand in contrast with other tourist attractions such as the nightlife scenes of Khaosan Road and Patpong. Bangkok is among the world's top tourist destinations. It is named the most visited city in MasterCard's Global Destination Cities Index, and was named "World's Best City" for four consecutive years by Travel + Leisure magazine.
Bangkok's rapid growth amidst little urban planning and regulation has resulted in a haphazard cityscape and inadequate infrastructure systems. Limited roads, despite an extensive expressway network, together with substantial private car usage, have led to chronic and crippling traffic congestion, which caused severe air pollution in the 1990s. The city has since turned to public transport in an attempt to solve this major problem. Five rapid transit lines are now in operation, with more systems under construction or planned by the national government and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
HISTORY
The history of Bangkok dates at least back to the early 15th century, when it was a village on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, under the rule of Ayutthaya. Because of its strategic location near the mouth of the river, the town gradually increased in importance. Bangkok initially served as a customs outpost with forts on both sides of the river, and became the site of a siege in 1688 in which the French were expelled from Siam. After the fall of Ayutthaya to the Burmese Empire in 1767, the newly declared King Taksin established his capital at the town, which became the base of the Thonburi Kingdom. In 1782, King Phutthayotfa Chulalok (Rama I) succeeded Taksin, moved the capital to the eastern bank's Rattanakosin Island, thus founding the Rattanakosin Kingdom. The City Pillar was erected on 21 April, which is regarded as the date of foundation of the present city.
Bangkok's economy gradually expanded through busy international trade, first with China, then with Western merchants returning in the early-to-mid 19th century. As the capital, Bangkok was the centre of Siam's modernization as it faced pressure from Western powers in the late 19th century. The reigns of Kings Mongkut (Rama IV, 1851–68) and Chulalongkorn (Rama V, 1868–1910) saw the introduction of the steam engine, printing press, rail transport and utilities infrastructure in the city, as well as formal education and healthcare. Bangkok became the centre stage for power struggles between the military and political elite as the country abolished absolute monarchy in 1932. It was subject to Japanese occupation and Allied bombing during World War II, but rapidly grew in the post-war period as a result of United States developmental aid and government-sponsored investment. Bangkok's role as an American military R&R destination boosted its tourism industry as well as firmly establishing it as a sex tourism destination. Disproportionate urban development led to increasing income inequalities and unprecedented migration from rural areas into Bangkok; its population surged from 1.8 to 3 million in the 1960s. Following the United States' withdrawal from Vietnam in 1973, Japanese businesses took over as leaders in investment, and the expansion of export-oriented manufacturing led to growth of the financial market in Bangkok. Rapid growth of the city continued through the 1980s and early 1990s, until it was stalled by the 1997 Asian financial crisis. By then, many public and social issues had emerged, among them the strain on infrastructure reflected in the city's notorious traffic jams. Bangkok's role as the nation's political stage continues to be seen in strings of popular protests, from the student uprisings in 1973 and 1976, anti-military demonstrations in 1992, and successive anti-government demonstrations by the "Yellow Shirt", "Red Shirt" and "Light blue Shirt" movements from 2008 onwards.
Administration of the city was first formalized by King Chulalongkorn in 1906, with the establishment of Monthon Krung Thep Phra Maha Nakhon (มณฑลกรุงเทพพระมหานคร) as a national subdivision. In 1915 the monthon was split into several provinces, the administrative boundaries of which have since further changed. The city in its current form was created in 1972 with the formation of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), following the merger of Phra Nakhon Province on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya and Thonburi Province on the west during the previous year.
NAME
The etymology of the name Bangkok (บางกอก, pronounced in Thai as [bāːŋ kɔ̀ːk] is not absolutely clear. Bang is a Thai word meaning "a village situated on a stream", and the name might have been derived from Bang Ko (บางเกาะ), ko meaning "island", a reference to the area's landscape which was carved by rivers and canals. Another theory suggests that it is shortened from Bang Makok (บางมะกอก), makok being the name of Elaeocarpus hygrophilus, a plant bearing olive-like fruit.[a] This is supported by the fact that Wat Arun, a historic temple in the area, used to be named Wat Makok. Officially, however, the town was known as Thonburi Si Mahasamut (ธนบุรีศรีมหาสมุทร, from Pali and Sanskrit, literally "city of treasures gracing the ocean") or Thonburi, according to Ayutthaya chronicles. Bangkok was likely a colloquial name, albeit one widely adopted by foreign visitors, whose continued use of the name finally resulted in it being officially adopted with the creation of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
When King Rama I established his new capital on the river's eastern bank, the city inherited Ayutthaya's ceremonial name, of which there were many variants, including Krung Thep Thawarawadi Si Ayutthaya (กรุงเทพทวารวดีศรีอยุธยา) and Krung Thep Maha Nakhon Si Ayutthaya (กรุงเทพมหานครศรีอยุธยา). Edmund Roberts, visiting the city as envoy of the United States in 1833, noted that the city, since becoming capital, was known as Sia-Yut'hia, and this is the name used in international treaties of the period. Today, the city is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (กรุงเทพมหานคร) or simply as Krung Thep (กรุงเทพฯ). Its full ceremonial name, which came into use during the reign of King Mongkut, reads as follows:
Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit
กรุงเทพมหานคร อมรรัตนโกสินทร์ มหินทรายุธยา มหาดิลกภพ นพรัตนราชธานีบูรีรมย์ อุดมราชนิเวศน์มหาสถาน อมรพิมานอวตารสถิต สักกะทัตติยวิษณุกรรมประสิทธิ์
The name, composed of Pali and Sanskrit root words, translates as:
City of angels, great city of immortals, magnificent city of the nine gems, seat of the king, city of royal palaces, home of gods incarnate, erected by Vishvakarman at Indra's behest.
The name is listed in Guinness World Records as the world's longest place name, at 168 letters. Thai school children are taught the full name, although few can explain its meaning as many of the words are archaic, and known to few. Most Thais who recall the full name do so because of its use in a popular song, "Krung Thep Maha Nakhon" (1989) by Asanee–Wasan and will often recount it by singing it, much as an English speaker might sing the alphabet song to recite the alphabet. The entirety of the lyrics is just the name of the city repeated over and over.
GOVERNMENT
The city of Bangkok is locally governed by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). Although its boundaries are at the provincial (changwat) level, unlike the other 76 provinces Bangkok is a special administrative area whose governor is directly elected to serve a four-year term. The governor, together with four appointed deputies, form the executive body, who implement policies through the BMA civil service headed by the Permanent Secretary for the BMA. In separate elections, each district elects one or more city councillors, who form the Bangkok Metropolitan Council. The council is the BMA's legislative body, and has power over municipal ordinances and the city's budget. However, after the coup of 2014 all local elections have been cancelled and the council has been appointed by government on September 15 2014. The current Bangkok Governor is Police General Aswin Kwanmuang, who was appointed by the military government on October 26 following the suspension of the last elected governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra.
Bangkok is subdivided into fifty districts (khet, equivalent to amphoe in the other provinces), which are further subdivided into 169 subdistricts (khwaeng, equivalent to tambon). Each district is managed by a district director appointed by the governor. District councils, elected to four-year terms, serve as advisory bodies to their respective district directors.
The BMA is divided into sixteen departments, each overseeing different aspects of the administration's responsibilities. Most of these responsibilities concern the city's infrastructure, and include city planning, building control, transportation, drainage, waste management and city beautification, as well as education, medical and rescue services. Many of these services are provided jointly with other agencies. The BMA has the authority to implement local ordinances, although civil law enforcement falls under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Police Bureau.
The seal of the city shows Hindu god Indra riding in the clouds on Airavata, a divine white elephant known in Thai as Erawan. In his hand Indra holds his weapon, the vajra.[19] The seal is based on a painting done by Prince Naris. The tree symbol of Bangkok is Ficus benjamina. The official city slogan, adopted in 2012, reads:
As built by deities, the administrative center, dazzling palaces and temples, the capital of Thailand
กรุงเทพฯ ดุจเทพสร้าง เมืองศูนย์กลางการปกครอง วัดวังงามเรืองรอง เมืองหลวงของประเทศไทย
As the capital of Thailand, Bangkok is the seat of all branches of the national government. The Government House, Parliament House and Supreme, Administrative and Constitutional Courts are all located within the city. Bangkok is the site of the Grand Palace and Chitralada Villa, respectively the official and de facto residence of the king. Most government ministries also have headquarters and offices in the capital.
GEOGRAPHY
The Bangkok city proper covers an area of 1,568.737 square kilometres, ranking 69th among the other 76 provinces of Thailand. Of this, about 700 square kilometres form the built-up urban area. It is ranked 73rd in the world in terms of land area by City Mayors. The city's urban sprawl reaches into parts of the six other provinces it borders, namely, in clockwise order from northwest: Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Chachoengsao, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon and Nakhon Pathom. With the exception of Chachoengsao, these provinces, together with Bangkok, form the greater Bangkok Metropolitan Region.
PARKS AND GREEN ZONES
Bangkok has several parks, although these amount to a per-capita total park area of only 1.82 square metres in the city proper. Total green space for the entire city is moderate, at 11.8 square metres per person; however, in the more densely built-up areas of the city these numbers are as low as 1.73 and 0.72 square metres per person. More recent numbers claim that there is only 3.3 m2 of green space per person, compared to an average of 39 m2 in other cities across Asia. Bangkokians thus have 10 times less green space than is standard in the region's urban areas. Green belt areas include about 700 square kilometres of rice paddies and orchards in the eastern and western edges of the city proper, although their primary purpose is to serve as flood detention basins rather than to limit urban expansion. Bang Kachao, a 20-square-kilometre conservation area in an oxbow of the Chao Phraya, lies just across the southern riverbank districts, in Samut Prakan Province. A master development plan has been proposed to increase total park area to 4 square metres per person.
Bangkok's largest parks include the centrally located Lumphini Park near the Si Lom – Sathon business district with an area of 57.6 hectares, the 80-hectare Suanluang Rama IX in the east of the city, and the Chatuchak–Queen Sirikit–Wachirabenchathat park complex in northern Bangkok, which has a combined area of 92 hectares.
DEMOGRAPHY
The city of Bangkok has a population of 8,280,925 according to the 2010 census, or 12.6 percent of the national population. However, there are only 5,692,284 registered residents, belonging to 2,672,423 households. A large number of Bangkok's daytime population commutes from surrounding provinces in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region, the total population of which is 14,565,547. Bangkok is a cosmopolitan city; the census showed that it is home to 81,570 Japanese and 55,893 Chinese nationals, as well as 117,071 expatriates from other Asian countries, 48,341 from Europe, 23,418 from the Americas, 5,289 from Australia and 3,022 from Africa. Immigrants from neighbouring countries include 303,595 Burmese, 63,438 Cambodians and 18,126 Lao.
Although it has been Thailand's largest population centre since its establishment as capital city in 1782, Bangkok grew only slightly throughout the 18th and early 19th centuries. British diplomat John Crawfurd, visiting in 1822, estimated its population at no more than 50,000. As a result of Western medicine brought by missionaries as well as increased immigration from both within Siam and overseas, Bangkok's population gradually increased as the city modernized in the late 19th century. This growth became even more pronounced in the 1930s, following the discovery of antibiotics. Although family planning and birth control was introduced in the 1960s, the lowered birth rate was more than offset by increased migration from the provinces as economic expansion accelerated. Only in the 1990s have Bangkok's population growth rates decreased, following the national rate. Thailand had long since become highly centralized around the capital. In 1980, Bangkok's population was fifty-one times that of Hat Yai and Songkhla, the second-largest urban centre, making it the world's most prominent primate city.
The majority of Bangkok's population are of Thai ethnicity,[d] although details on the city's ethnic make-up are unavailable, as the national census does not document race.[e] Bangkok's cultural pluralism dates back to the early days of its foundation; several ethnic communities were formed by immigrants and forced settlers including the Khmer, Northern Thai, Lao, Vietnamese, Tavoyan, Mon and Malay. Most prominent were the Chinese, who played major roles in the city's trade and became the majority of Bangkok's population - estimates include up to three-fourths in 1828 and almost half in the 1950s. However, Chinese immigration was restricted from the 1930s and effectively ceased after the Chinese Revolution in 1949. Their prominence subsequently declined as most of younger generations of Thai Chinese have integrated and adopted a Thai identity. Bangkok is still nevertheless home to a large Chinese community, with the greatest concentration in Yaowarat, Bangkok's Chinatown. The majority (91 percent) of the city's population is Buddhist. Other religions include Islam (4.7%), Christianity (2.0%), Hinduism (0.5%), Sikhism (0.1%) and Confucianism (0.1%).
Apart from Yaowarat, Bangkok also has several other distinct ethnic neighbourhoods. The Indian community is centred in Phahurat, where the Gurdwara Siri Guru Singh Sabha, founded in 1933, is located. Ban Khrua on Saen Saep Canal is home to descendants of the Cham who settled in the late 18th century. Although the Portuguese who settled during the Thonburi period have ceased to exist as a distinct community, their past is reflected in Santa Kruz Church, on the west bank of the river. Likewise, the Assumption Cathedral on Charoen Krung Road is among many European-style buildings in the Old Farang Quarter, where European diplomats and merchants lived during the late 19th to early 20th centuries. Nearby, the Haroon Mosque is the centre of a Muslim community. Newer expatriate communities exist along Sukhumvit Road, including the Japanese community near Soi Phrom Phong and Soi Thong Lo, and the Arab and North African neighbourhood along Soi Nana. Sukhumvit Plaza, a mall on Soi Sukhumvit 12, is popularly known as Korea Town.
ECONOMY
Bangkok is the economic centre of Thailand, and the heart of the country's investment and development. In 2010, the city had an economic output of 3.142 trillion baht (98.34 billion US dollars), contributing 29.1 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). This amounted to a per-capita GDP value of ฿456,911 ($14,301), almost three times the national average of ฿160,556 ($5,025). The Bangkok Metropolitan Region had a combined output of ฿4.773tn ($149.39bn), or 44.2 percent of GDP. Bangkok's economy ranks as the sixth among Asian cities in terms of per-capita GDP, after Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Osaka–Kobe and Seoul.
Wholesale and retail trade is the largest sector in the city's economy, contributing 24.0 percent of Bangkok's gross provincial product. It is followed by manufacturing (14.3%); real estate, renting and business activities (12.4%); transport and communications (11.6%); and financial intermediation (11.1%). Bangkok alone accounts for 48.4 percent of Thailand's service sector, which in turn constitutes 49.0 percent of GDP. When the Bangkok Metropolitan Region is considered, manufacturing is the most significant contributor at 28.2 percent of the gross regional product, reflecting the density of industry in the Bangkok's neighbouring provinces. The automotive industry based around Greater Bangkok is the largest production hub in Southeast Asia. Tourism is also a significant contributor to Bangkok's economy, generating ฿427.5bn ($13.38bn) in revenue in 2010.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is located on Ratchadaphisek Road in inner Bangkok. The SET, together with the Market for Alternative Investment (mai) has 648 listed companies as of the end of 2011, with a combined market capitalization of 8.485 trillion baht ($267.64bn). Due to the large amount of foreign representation, Thailand has for several years been a mainstay of the Southeast Asian economy and a centre of Asian business. The Globalization and World Cities Research Network ranks Bangkok as an "Alpha−" world city, and it is ranked 59th in Z/Yen's Global Financial Centres Index 11.
Bangkok is home to the headquarters of all of Thailand's major commercial banks and financial institutions, as well as the country's largest companies. A large number of multinational corporations base their regional headquarters in Bangkok due to the lower cost of the workforce and firm operations relative to other major Asian business centres. Seventeen Thai companies are listed on the Forbes 2000, all of which are based in the capital, including PTT, the only Fortune Global 500 company in Thailand.
Income inequality is a major issue in Bangkok, especially between relatively unskilled lower-income immigrants from rural provinces and neighbouring countries, and middle-class professionals and business elites. Although absolute poverty rates are low - only 0.64 percent of Bangkok's registered residents were living under the poverty line in 2010, compared to a national average of 7.75 - economic disparity is still substantial. The city has a Gini coefficient of 0.48, indicating a high level of inequality.
CULTURE
The culture of Bangkok reflects its position as Thailand's centre of wealth and modernisation. The city has long been the portal of entry of Western concepts and material goods, which have been adopted and blended with Thai values to various degrees by its residents. This is most evident in the lifestyles of the expanding middle class. Conspicuous consumption serves as a display of economic and social status, and shopping centres are popular weekend hangouts. Ownership of electronics and consumer products such as mobile phones is ubiquitous. This has been accompanied by a degree of secularism, as religion's role in everyday life has rather diminished. Although such trends have spread to other urban centres, and, to a degree, the countryside, Bangkok remains at the forefront of social change.
A distinct feature of Bangkok is the ubiquity of street vendors selling goods ranging from food items to clothing and accessories. It has been estimated that the city may have over 100,000 hawkers. While the BMA has authorised the practice in 287 sites, the majority of activity in another 407 sites takes place illegally. Although they take up pavement space and block pedestrian traffic, many of the city's residents depend on these vendors for their meals, and the BMA's efforts to curb their numbers have largely been unsuccessful.
In 2015, however, the BMA, with support from the National Council for Peace and Order (Thailand's ruling military junta), began cracking down on street vendors in a bid to reclaim public space. Many famous market neighbourhoods were affected, including Khlong Thom, Saphan Lek, and the flower market at Pak Khlong Talat. Nearly 15,000 vendors were evicted from 39 public areas in 2016. While some applauded the efforts to focus on pedestrian rights, others have expressed concern that gentrification would lead to the loss of the city's character and adverse changes to people's way of life.
FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
The residents of Bangkok celebrate many of Thailand's annual festivals. During Songkran on 13–15 April, traditional rituals as well as water fights take place throughout the city. Loi Krathong, usually in November, is accompanied by the Golden Mount Fair. New Year celebrations take place at many venues, the most prominent being the plaza in front of CentralWorld. Observances related to the royal family are held primarily in Bangkok. Wreaths are laid at King Chulalongkorn's equestrian statue in the Royal Plaza on 23 October, which is King Chulalongkorn Memorial Day. The present king's and queen's birthdays, respectively on 5 December and 12 August, are marked as Thailand's national Father's Day and national Mother's Day. These national holidays are celebrated by royal audiences on the day's eve, in which the king or queen gives a speech, and public gatherings on the day of the observance. The king's birthday is also marked by the Royal Guards' parade.
Sanam Luang is the site of the Thai Kite, Sport and Music Festival, usually held in March, and the Royal Ploughing Ceremony which takes place in May. The Red Cross Fair at the beginning of April is held at Suan Amporn and the Royal Plaza, and features numerous booths offering goods, games and exhibits. The Chinese New Year (January–February) and Vegetarian Festival (September–October) are celebrated widely by the Chinese community, especially in Yaowarat.
TRANSPORT
Although Bangkok's canals historically served as a major mode of transport, they have long since been surpassed in importance by land traffic. Charoen Krung Road, the first to be built by Western techniques, was completed in 1864. Since then, the road network has vastly expanded to accommodate the sprawling city. A complex elevated expressway network helps bring traffic into and out of the city centre, but Bangkok's rapid growth has put a large strain on infrastructure, and traffic jams have plagued the city since the 1990s. Although rail transport was introduced in 1893 and electric trams served the city from 1894 to 1968, it was only in 1999 that Bangkok's first rapid transit system began operation. Older public transport systems include an extensive bus network and boat services which still operate on the Chao Phraya and two canals. Taxis appear in the form of cars, motorcycles, and "tuk-tuk" auto rickshaws.
Bangkok is connected to the rest of the country through the national highway and rail networks, as well as by domestic flights to and from the city's two international airports. Its centuries-old maritime transport of goods is still conducted through Khlong Toei Port.
The BMA is largely responsible for overseeing the construction and maintenance of the road network and transport systems through its Public Works Department and Traffic and Transportation Department. However, many separate government agencies are also in charge of the individual systems, and much of transport-related policy planning and funding is contributed to by the national government.
ROADS
Road-based transport is the primary mode of travel in Bangkok. Due to the city's organic development, its streets do not follow an organized grid structure. Forty-eight major roads link the different areas of the city, branching into smaller streets and lanes (soi) which serve local neighbourhoods. Eleven bridges over the Chao Phraya link the two sides of the city, while several expressway and motorway routes bring traffic into and out of the city centre and link with nearby provinces.
Bangkok's rapid growth in the 1980s resulted in sharp increases in vehicle ownership and traffic demand, which have since continued - in 2006 there were 3,943,211 in-use vehicles in Bangkok, of which 37.6 percent were private cars and 32.9 percent were motorcycles. These increases, in the face of limited carrying capacity, caused severe traffic congestion evident by the early 1990s. The extent of the problem is such that the Thai Traffic Police has a unit of officers trained in basic midwifery in order to assist deliveries which do not reach hospital in time. While Bangkok's limited road surface area (8 percent, compared to 20–30 percent in most Western cities) is often cited as a major cause of its traffic jams, other factors, including high vehicle ownership rate relative to income level, inadequate public transport systems, and lack of transportation demand management, also play a role. Efforts to alleviate the problem have included the construction of intersection bypasses and an extensive system of elevated highways, as well as the creation of several new rapid transit systems. The city's overall traffic conditions, however, remain bad.
Traffic has been the main source of air pollution in Bangkok, which reached serious levels in the 1990s. However, efforts to improve air quality by improving fuel quality and enforcing emission standards, among others, have been largely successful. Atmospheric particulate matter levels dropped from 81 micrograms per cubic metre in 1997 to 43 in 2007.
Although the BMA has created thirty signed bicycle routes along several roads totalling 230 kilometres, cycling is still largely impractical, especially in the city centre. Most of these bicycle lanes share the pavement with pedestrians. Poor surface maintenance, encroachment by hawkers and street vendors, and a hostile environment for cyclists and pedestrians, make cycling and walking unpopular methods of getting around in Bangkok.
BUSES AND TAXIS
Bangkok has an extensive bus network providing local transit services within the Greater Bangkok area. The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) operates a monopoly on bus services, with substantial concessions granted to private operators. Buses, minibus vans, and song thaeo operate on a total of 470 routes throughout the region. A separate bus rapid transit system owned by the BMA has been in operation since 2010. Known simply as the BRT, the system currently consists of a single line running from the business district at Sathon to Ratchaphruek on the western side of the city. The Transport Co., Ltd. is the BMTA's long-distance counterpart, with services to all provinces operating out of Bangkok.
Taxis are ubiquitous in Bangkok, and are a popular form of transport. As of August 2012, there are 106,050 cars, 58,276 motorcycles and 8,996 tuk-tuk motorized tricycles cumulatively registered for use as taxis. Meters have been required for car taxis since 1992, while tuk-tuk fares are usually negotiated. Motorcycle taxis operate from regulated ranks, with either fixed or negotiable fares, and are usually employed for relatively short journeys.
Despite their popularity, taxis have gained a bad reputation for often refusing passengers when the requested route is not to the driver's convenience. Motorcycle taxis were previously unregulated, and subject to extortion by organized crime gangs. Since 2003, registration has been required for motorcycle taxi ranks, and drivers now wear distinctive numbered vests designating their district of registration and where they are allowed to accept passengers.
RAIL SYSTEMS
Bangkok is the location of Hua Lamphong Railway Station, the main terminus of the national rail network operated by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). In addition to long-distance services, the SRT also operates a few daily commuter trains running from and to the outskirts of the city during the rush hour.
Bangkok is currently served by three rapid transit systems: the BTS Skytrain, the underground MRT and the elevated Airport Rail Link. Although proposals for the development of rapid transit in Bangkok had been made since 1975, it was only in 1999 that the BTS finally began operation.
The BTS consists of two lines, Sukhumvit and Silom, with thirty stations along 30.95 kilometres. The MRT opened for use in July 2004, and currently consists of two line, the Blue Line and Purple Line. The Airport Rail Link, opened in August 2010, connects the city centre to Suvarnabhumi Airport to the east. Its eight stations span a distance of 28 kilometres.
Although initial passenger numbers were low and their service area remains limited to the inner city, these systems have become indispensable to many commuters. The BTS reported an average of 600,000 daily trips in 2012, while the MRT had 240,000 passenger trips per day.
As of 2016, construction work is ongoing to extend BTS and MRT, as well as several additional transit lines, including the Light Red grade-separated commuter rail line. The entire Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan in Bangkok Metropolitan Region consists of eight main lines and four feeder lines totalling 508 kilometres to be completed by 2029. In addition to rapid transit and heavy rail lines, there have been proposals for several monorail systems.
WATER TRANSPORT
Although much diminished from its past prominence, water-based transport still plays an important role in Bangkok and the immediate upstream and downstream provinces. Several water buses serve commuters daily. The Chao Phraya Express Boat serves thirty-four stops along the river, carrying an average of 35,586 passengers per day in 2010, while the smaller Khlong Saen Saep boat service serves twenty-seven stops on Saen Saep Canal with 57,557 daily passengers. Long-tail boats operate on fifteen regular routes on the Chao Phraya, and passenger ferries at thirty-two river crossings served an average of 136,927 daily passengers in 2010.
Bangkok Port, popularly known by its location as Khlong Toei Port, was Thailand's main international port from its opening in 1947 until it was superseded by the deep-sea Laem Chabang Port in 1991. It is primarily a cargo port, though its inland location limits access to ships of 12,000 deadweight tonnes or less. The port handled 11,936,855 tonnes of cargo in the first eight months of the 2010 fiscal year, about 22 percent the total of the country's international ports.
AIRPORTS
Bangkok is one of Asia's busiest air transport hubs. Two commercial airports serve the city, the older Don Mueang International Airport and the new Bangkok International Airport, commonly known as Suvarnabhumi. Suvarnabhumi, which replaced Don Mueang as Bangkok's main airport at its opening in 2006, served 52,808,013 passengers in 2015, making it the world's 20th busiest airport by passenger volume. This amount of traffic is already over its designed capacity of 45 million passengers. Don Mueang reopened for domestic flights in 2007, and resumed international services focusing on low-cost carriers in October 2012. Suvarnabhumi is undergoing expansion to increase its capacity to 60 million, which is expected to be completed by 2016.
HEALTH AND EDUCATION
EDUCATION
Bangkok has long been the centre of modern education in Thailand. The first schools in the country were established here in the later 19th century, and there are now 1,351 schools in the city. The city is home to the country's five oldest universities, Chulalongkorn, Thammasat, Kasetsart, Mahidol and Silpakorn, founded between 1917 and 1943. The city has since continued its dominance, especially in higher education; the majority of the country's universities, both public and private, are located in Bangkok or the Metropolitan Region. Chulalongkorn and Mahidol are the only Thai universities to appear in the top 500 of the QS World University Rankings. King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, also located in Bangkok, is the only Thai university in the top 400 of the 2012–13 Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
Over the past few decades the general trend of pursuing a university degree has prompted the founding of new universities to meet the needs of Thai students. Bangkok became not only a place where immigrants and provincial Thais go for job opportunities, but also for a chance to receive a university degree. Ramkhamhaeng University emerged in 1971 as Thailand's first open university; it now has the highest enrolment in the country. The demand for higher education has led to the founding of many other universities and colleges, both public and private. While many universities have been established in major provinces, the Greater Bangkok region remains home to the greater majority of institutions, and the city's tertiary education scene remains over-populated with non-Bangkokians. The situation is not limited to higher education, either. In the 1960s, 60 to 70 percent of 10- to 19-year-olds who were in school had migrated to Bangkok for secondary education. This was due to both a lack of secondary schools in the provinces and perceived higher standards of education in the capital. Although this discrepancy has since largely abated, tens of thousands of students still compete for places in Bangkok's leading schools. Education has long been a prime factor in the centralization of Bangkok and will play a vital role in the government's efforts to decentralize the country.
HEALTHCARE
Much of Thailand's medical resources are disproportionately concentrated in the capital. In 2000, Bangkok had 39.6 percent of the country's doctors and a physician-to-population ratio of 1:794, compared to a median of 1:5,667 among all provinces. The city is home to 42 public hospitals, five of which are university hospitals, as well as 98 private hospitals and 4,063 registered clinics. The BMA operates nine public hospitals through its Medical Service Department, and its Health Department provides primary care through sixty-eight community health centres. Thailand's universal healthcare system is implemented through public hospitals and health centres as well as participating private providers.
Research-oriented medical school affiliates such as Siriraj, King Chulalongkorn Memorial and Ramathibodi Hospitals are among the largest in the country, and act as tertiary care centres, receiving referrals from distant parts of the country. Lately, especially in the private sector, there has been much growth in medical tourism, with hospitals such as Bumrungrad and Bangkok Hospital, among others, providing services specifically catering to foreigners. An estimated 200,000 medical tourists visited Thailand in 2011, making Bangkok the most popular global destination for medical tourism.
CRIME AND SAFETY
Bangkok has a relatively moderate crime rate when compared to urban counterparts around the world.[119] Traffic accidents are a major hazard, while natural disasters are rare. Intermittent episodes of political unrest and occasional terrorist attacks have resulted in losses of life.
Although the crime threat in Bangkok is relatively low, non-confrontational crimes of opportunity such as pick-pocketing, purse-snatching, and credit card fraud occur with frequency. Bangkok's growth since the 1960s has been followed by increasing crime rates partly driven by urbanisation, migration, unemployment and poverty. By the late 1980s, Bangkok's crime rates were about four times that of the rest of the country. The police have long been preoccupied with street crimes ranging from housebreaking to assault and murder. The 1990s saw the emergence of vehicle theft and organized crime, particularly by foreign gangs. Drug trafficking, especially that of ya ba methamphetamine pills, is also chronic.
According to police statistics, the most common complaint received by the Metropolitan Police Bureau in 2010 was housebreaking, with 12,347 cases. This was followed by 5,504 cases of motorcycle thefts, 3,694 cases of assault and 2,836 cases of embezzlement. Serious offences included 183 murders, 81 gang robberies, 265 robberies, 1 kidnapping and 9 arson cases. Offences against the state were by far more common, and included 54,068 drug-related cases, 17,239 cases involving prostitution and 8,634 related to gambling. The Thailand Crime Victim Survey conducted by the Office of Justice Affairs of the Ministry of Justice found that 2.7 percent of surveyed households reported a member being victim of a crime in 2007. Of these, 96.1 percent were crimes against property, 2.6 percent were crimes against life and body, and 1.4 percent were information-related crimes.
Political demonstrations and protests are common in Bangkok. While most events since 1992 had been peaceful, the series of protests alternately staged by the Yellow Shirts and Red Shirts since 2006 have often turned violent. Red Shirt demonstrations during March–May 2010 ended in a crackdown in which 92 were killed, including armed and unarmed protesters, security forces, civilians and journalists. Terrorist incidents have also occurred in Bangkok, most notably the 2015 Bangkok bombing at the Erawan shrine, and also a series of bombings on the 2006–07 New Year's Eve.
WIKIPEDIA
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ACTION WEEKS AGAINST GENTRIFICATION
06.06.-21.06.2009 in Berlin
Concept
Wie letztes Jahr sollen die Action Weeks wieder nach dem Grundsatz DIY (Do It Yourself) ablaufen. Dies bedeutet, dass ihr für das gelingen der Action Weeks verantwortlich seid. Wir planen keine Aktionen, die Aufgabe Protest gegen kapitalistische Stadtumstrukturierung sichtbar zu machen, übergeben wir an euch. Organisiert euch, macht kreative Aktionen, bietet Workshops an, bleibt spontan und unberechenbar! Das DIY Konzept geht Hand in Hand mit der dezentralen Ausrichtung der Action Weeks. Nutzt die große Fläche die Berlin euch bietet und macht euch so schwerer angreifbarer für den Repressionsapparat. Dabei ist die aktionistische Ebene euch überlassen. Direkte Aktionen sind genauso willkommen wie lockere Info- oder Vernetzungsveranstaltungen in Parks oder Mieterläden. Critical Mass und theorielastige Workshops schließen sich nicht aus! Wir freuen uns auf einen vielfältiger Protest! Dafür stellen wir die Infrastruktur mit Radio, Infopunkt, EA, Prisoner Support, Website, Ticker, Vokü etc… Den Rest überlassen wir in gespannter Erwartung euch!
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This year we also organized the Action Weeks following the DIY (Do it yourself) concept. It means that we dont plan any direct action. Bringing the creative protest against capitalist restructuring of the city to the streets is your part. Organize yourself, plan direct action, offer workshops, stay spontanious and therefor hard to repress. DIY also requires a decentralized form of protest. Use all the space Berlin is offering and make the action weeks an unpredictable event. On what level you get involved or protest is completely your choice. We want a broad protest where direct action, critical mass, workshops on theory, net-working sessions in the neighbourhood don‘t contradict but support and foster each other! To make this all work and to ensure a minimum level of organization we will provide the basic infrastructure with places to sleep, radio, website, ticker, infopoint etc…The rest is up to you!
This is our City! Lets take it back!
###
Tout comme l‘ an dernier lors des „Action days“, ces Action Weeks -semaines d‘action contre la gentrification- se déroulent en D.I.Y. (Do It Yourself-Fais-le toi-meme). Ce qui veux dire que nous ne planifions aucune action directe. C‘est à chacun d‘initier dans la rue des actions créatives contre la restucturation capitaliste de la ville. Organise-toi, imagine des actions diectes, propose des ateliers, reste spontané, et donc difficile à réprimer. Le D.I.Y. requiert aussi une forme décentralisée de protestation. (si si, ca se dit) Utilise tout l‘ espace qu‘offre Berlin, et fait des actionweeks un évènement imprévisible. A quel point tu veux y prendre part, et comment, c‘est toi qui vois.
On souhaite une protestation multiple, diversifiée, ou les actions directes sont tout autant bienvenues que les ateliers de discussion, rencontres connectant individus et projets, de manifs/blocages à vélo type „Critical mass“, etc , et que ces différentes actions ne se contredisent pas, mais se soutiennent et se fécondent mutuellement! Et pour que ca marche, les participants pourrons béneficier d‘une infrastructure basique: endroits où dormir, radio, sites internet, points info ou infokiosques, legal team, soutient aux prisoniers, page web actualisée sur les actions en cours, cuisines autogérées (Vokü), etc… Pour tout le reste, à toi de jouer!
actiondays.blogsport.de/concept
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Action Days 2009 Mobi Video
This year we also organized the Action Weeks following the DIY (Do it yourself) concept. It means that we dont plan any direct action. Bringing the creative protest against capitalist restructuring of the city to the streets is your part. Organize yourself, plan direct action, offer workshops, stay spontanious and therefor hard to repress. DIY also requires a decentralized form of protest. Use all the space Berlin is offering and make the action weeks an unpredictable event. On what level you get involved or protest is completely your choice. We want a broad protest where direct action, critical mass, workshops on theory, net-working sessions in the neighbourhood don‘t contradict but support and foster each other! To make this all work and to ensure a minimum level of organization we will provide the basic infrastructure with places to sleep, radio, website, ticker, infopoint etc…The rest is up to you!
This is our City! Lets take it back!
www.liveleak.com/view?i=d04_1240858834
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Aufruf [pdf] / Call: wba.blogsport.de/images/aufruf_actionweeks_2009.pdf
Freiraum-ActionWeeks in Berlin im Juni 2009
Die Liste der Freiräume, die in Berlin akut von der Gentrifizierung bedroht sind, bleibt unverändert lang. Nach wie vor sind in Berlin um die zehn Projekte mehr oder weniger gefährdet. Von spektakulären Einzelerfolgen wie der Besetzung des Bethaniens oder der Rettung der Köpi letztes Jahr abgesehen ist die Situation also konstant scheiße. Jeder verlorene Freiraum ist ein schwer zu ersetzender Verlust und jede Räumung muss verhindert werden.
Das Erkämpfen neuer Freiräume war in den letzten Jahren selten erfolgreich. Dabei gibt es in Berlin weiterhin viele leer stehende Häuser und Flächen, die auf ihre Besetzung warten. Und jede Besetzung ist ein weiteres Sandkorn im Getriebe der kapitalistischen Aufwertung der Stadt.
Die letzten Action Days haben das Thema Freiräume und Stadtaufwertung der radikalen Linken sowie breiten Öffentlichkeit schlagkräftig ins Bewusstsein gerufen. Das dezentrale „Do It Yourself“-Konzept ging auf und ließ die staatlichen Repressionsorgane ohnmächtig dastehen. Durch viele unberechenbare und spontane Aktionen wurde den Bullen kaum Angriffsfläche geboten. Ein Polizeisprecher verkündete öffentlich: „Die Autonomen wissen, dass sie ob unserer Personalsituation den längeren Atem haben.“ – Wir bedanken uns für diesen strategischen Hinweis und wissen ihn zu berücksichtigen.
Deshalb rufen wir die ActionWeeks 2009 in Berlin aus!
Es gibt auch dieses Jahr viel zu erkämpfen. Die aktuellen Freiräume müssen erhalten bleiben, neue Freiräume müssen geschaffen werden, die allgegenwärtige Stadtaufwertung muss auch weiterhin mit vielfältigen Mitteln bekämpft werden. Wir reihen uns damit ein in die immer größer werdende Bewegung gegen die Privatisierung und Kapitalisierung Berlins und anderer Städte.
Zum Abschluss des zweiwöchigen Ausnahmezustands rufen wir zur öffentlichen Massenbesetzung der neuen Freifläche des ehemaligen Flughafens Tempelhof auf. Wir laden euch ein, vom 06.06. bis 21.06. nach Berlin zu kommen:
Do It Yourself – But Do It Together
Besetzt Häuser und Plätze
Verhindert Räumungen
Stört die neoliberale Ordnung
Holt euch die Stadt zurück
Und wie immer, Kapitalismus angreifen
Wir Bleiben Alle!
ActionWeeks 2009 in Berlin vom 06.06. bis 21.06.
Infos, Orga, Pennplätze, etc.: actiondays.blogsport.de
Wir Bleiben Alle! – Kampagne: wba.blogsport.de/
Verbreite diesen Aufruf! Übersetzungen bitte an wba-internet [ät] riseup.net
actiondays.blogsport.de/concept/
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Timetable
(Kursiv sind Veranstaltungen markiert zu denen wir mit hin mobiliseren, die aber nicht direkt Teil der Action Weeks sind.
Cursive events are not really part of the Action Weeks, but we still want people to consider the event, because we support the ideas.)
Einen schöneren Zeitplan gibt es hier (Stand 05.06.): [pdf]
actiondays.blogsport.de/images/Zeitplan1.3..pdf
Timetable mit allen Terminen ab dem 12.6. als Word-Datei: [doc]
actiondays.blogsport.de/workshops/
Website der Theorie AG mit Beschreibungen, Flyern und sonstigen Infos: [link]
stadtraum.spacequadrat.de/dwiki/doku.php
English Timetable: [pdf]
actiondays.blogsport.de/images/TimetableEnglish_01.pdf
Sa / Sat, June 6th
15h, Potsdam Hauptbahnhof: Freiraumdemo [Link]
So / Sun, June 7th
12h, KÖPI: Brunch
15h, KÖPI: Auftakt VV
Mo, June 8th
15h, KÖPI: Metallworkshop
15h, Flughafen Schönefeld: Kundgebung gegen Massenabschiebung!
Am Montag dem 08. Juni findet die größte Abschiebung seit Jahren statt. Aus diesem Grund geht es vormittags zum Flughafen Tegel und um 15h zu einer Kundgebung nach Schönefeld. Es wird dazu aufgerufen, dezentrale Aktionen zu machen, sich am Prostest zu beteiligen und natürlich viele Menschen mitzubringen!
Weitere Infos gibts hier…
18h, Rigaer 105: Internet Security
20h Kadterschmiede: Infoveranstaltung
Soziale Kämpfe und Repression in Frankreich“. In Frankreich eskalieren Bildungsproteste, der Staat überzieht Squats und Einzelperonen mit Terrorismusverfahren. Bei einer Exploson starb eine Aktivistin. In Straßbourg sitzen
noch Gefangene vom NATO-Treffen, immer wieder Konfrontationen in den Vororten. Infos wie das alles zusammenhängt und zur aktuellen Situation gibts auf dieser Veranstaltung. Eintritt frei.
Die/Tue, June 9th
9h, Landgericht Littenstr 14: Kundgebung für Liebig 14
In 4 Prozessen der zweiten Instanz wird über die Rechtmässigkeit der Kuendigungen entschieden, der Prozess findet im 3.OG in Raum 3810 Landgericht Littenstr.14.
15h, KÖPI: Metallworkshop
16h, Kadterschmiede: Verstecktes Theater
18h, Ort folgt: Squat Tempelhof Antirep
19h, Heilehaus: Out of Action Gesprächsangebot
19.30h, XB Liebig: Vokü/Videos
(Video-)Beam in die Vergangenheit autonomer Proteste. Anlauf- und
Verschnaufpunkt für Aktivist_innen im Rahmen der Action Weeks.
Austauschen, vernetzen, planen, essen, chillen… daneben.info
20h, Rigaer 105: Repressions-WS:
Muster repressiver Gewalt im Raum/ Selbst-und Fremdschutz“
Kommt es auf Demonstrationen oder öffentlichen Versammlungen zu repressiven Situationen, gilt es, sich und sein näheres Umfeld -nicht nur vor physischem Schaden- zu schützen. Überträgt sich dieser Impuls auf mehrere Personen, entstehen oft „eingespielte“ Interaktionsmuster im Raum. Diese im eigenen Sinne erkennen, vermeidet Blessuren…
Mi/Wed, June 10th
15h, KÖPI: Metallworkshop
16h, Kadterschmiede: Stencil & Ad-Busting Workshop
17h, Brunnen 6+7: Basteln gegen Gentrifizierung
17h, Frauenknast Pankow (Arkonastr. 56 in Berlin-Pankow – S/U-Bhf. Pankow): Kundgebung in Solidarität mit Alex
Am 20. Mai 2009 wurde die Antifaschistin Alexandra R. auf einerKundgebung verhaftet. Laut Aussagen von Zivilbeamten soll sie beobachtet worden sein, wie sie versucht haben soll, ein Auto anzuzünden. Zwei Tage vorher war sie wegen „nicht dringenden Tatverdachts“ (wegen des selben Tatvorwurfs) freigelassen worden. Dies erzeugte in der Boulevardpresse einen Aufschrei der Empörung. Die „Hassbrennerin“, wie sie der Berliner Kurier in diffamierender Weise nannte, „solle gefälligst weggesperrt werden“. Schnell wird deutlich, dass Polizei und Presse unter dem Druck stehen, einen Sündenbock für die mittlerweile fast zweijährige Welle an PWK-Brandanschlägen vorzuführen. Wir lassen Alex nicht allein und fordern: „Freiheit für Alex und alle anderen Gefangenen!“.
18h, XB Liebig: Anti Sexismus
20h, New Yorck im Bethanien: EA/Rechtshilfe
Do/Thur, June 11th
16.30h, RAW: Demo
Wir wollen, wo wir wohnen
Für eine Entwicklung des Revaler Vierecks mit den AnwohnerInnen und NutzerInnen!!!
Wer gestaltet die Stadt, wenn nicht die, die darin leben???
Dazu rufen der RAW-tempel eV und Zirkus Zack für eine lustige und bunte Kiezdemo mit vielen Kindern auf!
Donnerstag 11. Juni, 16.30 Uhr, Revaler Strasse, Tor 2, eine Runde durch den Kiez
Anschließend wieder ‚Neues vom Garagendach’ am Tor 2 18:30-19:30
NachbarInnen, kommt vorbei und mischt Euch ein!
Englisch:
We want, where we live
We claim a development of Revaler Viereck with participation of the neighbourhood and the projects on RAW!!!
Who designs the city, if not the inhabitants???
RAW-tempel eV and Zirkus Zack call for a colourful and humorous demo through the quarter with many kids!
Thursday, June 11th, 4:30 p.m., Revaler Str. 99, gate 2
Afterwards like every Thursday ‘News from the Garage Roof’ at gate 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Neighbours come along and participate!
17h, S+U Tempelhof: Fahrraderkundung
19 Uhr, Humboldt-Uni | Seminargebäude am Hegelplatz Dorotheenstr. 24 | Raum 1.101 (s.u.): AK-Hopo, Perspektiven des Bildungsstreiks:
Mit der Aktionswoche “Bildungsstreik 2009” vom 15. bis 19.6. werden Studierende gemeinsam mit SchülerInnen, Auszubildenden, Lehrpersonal und Hochschulbeschäftigten ihren Widerstand gegen die neoliberale Zurichtung des Bildungssystems zum Ausdruck bringen. In der Veranstaltung sollen die Perspektiven des Bildungsstreiks diskutiert werden: Wie lässt sich der Widerstand gegen die Krise der Bildungsinstitutionen verbreitern? Wie lassen sich Forderungen und Alternativen für ein sozial gerechtes und demokratisches Bildungssystem realisieren? Wo liegen Anknüpfungspunkte für Bündnisse mit anderen gesellschaftlichen Gruppen (Beschäftigte, Erwerbslose, sozialen Bewegungen etc.)? In welchem Verhältnis stehen der Bildungsstreik und die Proteste gegen die herrschende Krisenpolitik?
19.30h, New Yorck im Bethanien: Anti Räumungs Vollversammlung
Die Brunnen183 soll am 18.6. geräumt werden. Das finden wir scheiße. Um Widerstand zu koordinieren und letzte Infos zu verteilen, findet diese VV statt. Nicht abgesprochene dezentrale Protestaktionen sind natürlich trotzdem gern gesehen!
20h, Bunten Kuh (Bernkastelerstr. 78 in Berlin-Weissensee – Tram 12, 24 Rennbahnstr.): Antirepressions-Infoveranstaltung.
Der EA (Ermittlungsausschuss) lädt ein, um anhand der letzten Ereignisse (1. Mai u.a.) praktische Tips im Umgang mit Staat und Repression zu vermitteln und eure Fragen zu beantworten.
21h, Subversiv: Film und Punkrocktresen
Passend zu den Action Weeks gibt es im Rahmen der wöchentlichen Kneipe im
Sub einen Film über die Räumung des Ungdomshuset in Kopenhagen und danach
Punk aus der Konserve und Getränke am Tresen.
As we have action weeks this week’s bar night at Subversiv will show a
movie about the eviction of Ungdomshuset in Copenhagen followed by hanging
out at the bar listening to punk.
Fri, June 12th
16h, Kottbusser Brücke:
Fahrrad-Demo gegen MediaSpree, steigende Mieten, Luxus für wenige und Verdrängung für viele, und den ganzen Stadtumstrukturierungsscheiß [link]
17h, JVA Plötzensee (Nähe S-Bhf. Beusselstrasse): Knastkundgebung für 1.-Mai-Gefangene
Seit dem 1. Mai 2009 sitzen etliche junge Leute in Berliner Knästen. Ihnen wird die Beteiligung während und nach der revolutionären 1.-Mai-Demonstration in Berlin-Kreuzberg vorgeworfen. Die Vorwürfe sind teilweise sehr hart, u.a. „schwerer Landfriedensbruch“ bis hin zu „versuchtem Mord“. Der Revolutionäre 1. Mai 2009 zog wieder mehrere Tausend Menschen auf die Straße, die ihren Unmut gegen Kapitalismus und Krieg lautstark äußerten. Einige müssen nun dafür sitzen.
18h, KÖPI: Start des Vernetzungswochenendes
Inoffizieller Start des Vernetzungswochenendes der Projekte Willkommensrunde/ kurze Projektvorstellung, Vorschlag des Zeitplans, Bierchen trinken, VOKÜ
19h, Yaam: „Dein Kiez außer Kontrolle“ Konzert/Infoveranstaltung [link]
21h, Schnarup-Thumby: Squat Tempelhof Infotresen
Sa / Sat, June 13th
10h – 13.30h und 18h – 22h, KÖPI: Vernetzungstreffen
--> 10h Brunch
--> 11h Auftakt VV des Vernetzungstreffen der Projekte: Vorstellungsrunde, Idee des Treffens, Zeitplan
--> 12h Diskussionsrunde zum Thema Freiräume und Utopie versus Realität
--> 13h selbstorganisierte Projekte -ismen und Umgang mit Grenzüberschreitungen
13.30h – 21h, SfE (Gneisenaustrasse 2a)
Workshops im Rahmen der Action Weeks Im Rahmen der Aktionswochen vom 6. bis zum 20. Juni werden verschiedene Workshops organisiert und angeboten.
Wir betrachten das Konfliktfeld Stadtraum als Klammer für unterschiedliche soziale Kämpfe. Die Analyse der Prozesse und Konflikte im Kontext der kapitalistischen Stadterneuerungspolitik wirft Fragen auf über Verwertungslogiken im Stadtraum, dem Ablauf von Aufwertungsprozessen, Konzepten der Stadt-und Sicherheitspolitik und konstruktiver Kritik an Freiräumen.
Durch Analyse, Kritik und Utopien sollen die Veranstaltungen den Aktionswochen einen theoretischen Hintergrund bieten und die überregionale Vernetzung fördern.
Samstag 13.06. von 14-22 Uhr in der SfE, Gneisenaustr. 2a:
Workshoptag mit David Harvey, André Holm, Volker Eick, Paul Martin Richter (Mediaspree versenken!), Sigmar Gude (TOPOS)
Programm als Flyer: [pdf]
14h, S Bhf Adlershof: Demo zum Abschiebeknast in Grünau [link]
19.30h, KÖPI: Autonome VV
So / Sun, June 14th
10h – 16h, KÖPI: Vernetzungswochenende
--> 12h Kleingruppendiskussion: besetzen, mieten, kaufen, sanieren, bauen und finanzieren
--> 13h Vorstellung der in Gründung und bedrohten Projekten, Besetzungs-, Antiräumungsstrategien, Kampanien und Möglichkeiten der Unterstützung
--> 15h Vokü-Food for Action
--> 16h Abschluss VV
13h, Görlitzer Park: Umsonstflohmarkt
14h, Görlitzer Park: Aktionstraining von Squat Tempelhof
15h, Mehringdamm Ecke Gneisenaustrasse: Demo
Soli-Demo zur mexikanischen Botschaft. Am 14.6. jährt sich zum dritten Mal der Beginn des Aufstands von Oaxaca (Mexico). Wir gedenken der Opfer der Repression, die zur vorläufigen Niederschlagung des Aufstands führte, fordern die Freilassung der politischen Gefangenen, aber erinnern auch daran, dass die APPO noch nicht geschlagen ist und wir weiter solidarisch sind, mit der libertären Bewegung in Oaxaca. (AB Oaxaca rebelde)
18h, KÖPI: Kopenhagen nach der Räumung 2007
20h, Kommandatur AKZ KÖPI: AKTIONISTISCHE SIEBDRUCKEREI (Workshopangebot Plakat + Textildruck)
juhu wir machen unsere eigenen Shirts, Flyer, Flaggen, Schablonen…..
bringt Eure Entwürfe / Ideen mit
(+ zwar am Besten schwarz gedruckt auf Transparentpapier)
-Rückfragen / Anmeldungen + wat sonst noch:
kommandatur@koepi137.net
[ACTION!-Silkscreenworkshop 20 to 24 o`clock; poster and textile….. bring your own ideas!
(the best black and white on transparent paper)
questions: kommandatur@koepi137.net]
Mo, June 15th
10h – open end, Brunnen183: Bau – Action
15h, KÖPI: Metallworkshop für angewandten Widerstand
16h, RAW: Workshop zur Projektentwicklung
„Wie komme ich von der Idee zum realen Projekt?“
Im Rahmen des Workshops wollen wir Ansätze zur Beantwortung dieser Frage gemeinsam entwickeln. Von der grundsätzlichen Definition eines Projektes, über seine Ausgestaltung und Entwicklung, bis hin zu Möglichkeiten der Finanzierung und Umsetzung, werden die wesentlichen Arbeitsschritte kurz umrissen. Aktuelle Ideen oder Projektvorschläge der TeilnehmerInnen sind willkommen und werden nach Möglichkeit aufgegriffen.
Anzahl TeilnehmerInnen: maximal ca. 20 Personen
Durchführung: Andrea Taha
18h, Rigaer 105: Internet Security
19.30h, Herzbergstr. 32: Squat Tempelhof Infoveranstaltung
Die / Tue, June 16th
15h, KÖPI: Metallworkshop für angewandten Widerstand
16h, Kadterschmiede: Verstecktes Theater
19h, Heilehaus: Out of Action Gesprächsangebot
19.30, SfE: Squat Tempelhof Infoveranstaltung
20h, Kommandatur AKZ KÖPI: AKTIONISTISCHE SIEBDRUCKEREI (Workshopangebot Plakat + Textildruck)
juhu wir machen unsere eigenen Shirts, Flyer, Flaggen, Schablonen…..
bringt Eure Entwürfe / Ideen mit
(+ zwar am Besten schwarz gedruckt auf Transparentpapier)
-Rückfragen / Anmeldungen + wat sonst noch:
kommandatur@koepi137.net
[ACTION!-Silkscreenworkshop 20 to 24 o`clock; poster and textile….. bring your own ideas!
(the best black and white on transparent paper)
questions: kommandatur@koepi137.net]
Mi / Wed, June 17th
12h, Alexanderplatz: Schulstreik Demo
15h, KÖPI: Metallworkshop für angewandten Widerstand
16h, Kadterschmiede: Stencil & Ad Busting
18h, XB Liebig: Antisexismus
20 Uhr, Rigaer 105: WBA Theorie AG, Management of Public Spaces am Beispiel Tempelhof:
In Berlin werden öffentliche Räume immer weiter umdefiniert. Kommerzialisierung, Überwachung, Konsumzwang, Sicherheitsdienste, glatte und stromlinienförmige Gebäude- und Parkstruturen lassen wenig Freiheiten. Tempelhof ist in diesem Zusammenhang als Paradebeispiel zu sehen. Erst wenn der Zugang und die Nutzung des Geländes kontrollierbar ist, wird der Zaun aufgemacht. Solche Politiken sind nicht dafür geeignet nachhaltige Regelungen für öffentliche Räume zu schaffen und gefährden den Einschluss von großen Bevölkerungsteilen, da ihr Interesse als nicht legitim gilt. Das Resultat wären angstvolle statt einschließende öffentliche Räume. In 2h wollen wir mit euch über diese Tendenzen und Gegenstrategien sprechen.
Do / Thur, June 18th
7h, Brunnen183: Räumung verhindern! Danach, davor, dabei: dezentrale Aktionen!
19h, Vetomat (Scharnweberstr. 35): Offenes Antifa-Café „Grenzenfreier Sommer“
Vom 8. bis 10. Juli wird der G8-Gipfel in Italien stattfinden. Aktivist_innen aus Frankreich und Großbritannien laden vom 23.-29. Juni zu Aktionen an der Grenze zwischen den beiden Staaten in Calais auf. Dort hat GB die Überwachung der Grenze auf französisches Territorium vorverlagert, was es Menschen ohne entsprechende Papiere massiv erschwert, nach GB zu reisen bzw. dort einen Asylantrag zu stellen. Diese Grenze ist ein Ort der internen Kontrolle der EU und dient der Regulierung von Migration. Auch in Lebsos wird es im August ein „No Border Camp“ geben, dass sich jedoch insbesondere mit den EU-Außengrenzen beschäftigen wird. Lesbos ist ein zentrales Eingangstor für Tausende Flüchtlinge und Migrant_innen, die nach Europa wollen. Sie stapeln sich in kleinen Plastikbooten, bei ihrem Versuch, die Wassergrenze Türkei-Griechenland zu überwinden. Neben Lampedusa und Mellila macht sich hier besonders das rassistische europäische Grenzregime bemerkbar. Wie sich das Grenzregime entwickelt hat und welche antirassistischen Netzwerk existieren möchten wir im Rahmen einer Mobilisierungsveranstaltung, insbesondere für das Lesboscamp, mit euch erörtern. Referent_innen des Frassanito-Netzwerkes und Fels Intersol werden für die Infos sorgen, wie sorgen für nen netten Film.
20h, Schwarzer Kanal: Queer Variété
Fri, June 19th
16h, Infoladen Daneben: Berlin für Auswärtige
19 Uhr, Rigaer 105: WBA Theorie AG, Interventionsebenen sozialer Kämpfe
Interventionen gegen kapitalistische Stadtumstrukturierung: Wir wollen in diesem Workshop einen Überblick über verschiedene Formen zur aktiven Verschlechterung des Investitionsklimas geben. Auf welchen Ebenen müssen diese ansetzen? Welche Wirkungen sind beabsichtigt und sinnvoll, welche weniger?
21.30h, Versammlungsraum im Mehringhof (Gneisenaustr. 2a): Late-Night Infoveranstaltung zu Squat Tempelhof
20h, New Yorck im Bethanien: EA Rechtshilfe
Mo – Fri, 15.6. – 19.6.
Bundesweiter Bildungsstreik!
Sa / Sat, June 20th
tba: Squat Tempelhof! [Link]
So / Sun, June 21st
12h, KÖPI: Brunch
15h, KÖPI / Tempelhof: Abschluss VV
actiondays.blogsport.de/workshops
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Auswertung der Action Weeks 2009
7. Februar 2010
Danke an die autonome Gruppe die uns im besten diy-stil diese Auswertung der Action Weeks 2009 hat zukommen lassen!
Unserer Auswertung der Actionweeks 2009
Ganz nach dem Motto „lieber spät als nie“ kommt hier unsere Auswertung der Actionweeks 2009, die im Juni des letzten Jahres in Berlin stattfanden.
Der Text wurde bereits im Spätsommer geschrieben, konnte jedoch aufgrund einiger Problemchen noch nicht veröffentlicht werden. Dementsprechend sind einige Ereignisse, die uns gewisse Dinge etwas anders betrachten lassen, noch nicht mit eingeflossen. Trotzdem denken wir kann es nicht schaden den Text jetzt noch nach zuschieben, da es allgemein viel zu wenig schriftliches gibt, was sich mit den Aktionen und Entwicklungen im Kampf gegen Gentrifizierung auseinandersetzt.
Rückblick
Uns geht es hier um eine kleine Auswertung dieser zwei Wochen, um unsere Grenzen kennenzulernen und die Bereitschaft zu wecken, immer weiter über diese hinaus zu gehen, um Kritiken und Selbstkritiken zu formulieren, sowie eine Einschätzung zu geben, wie es weiter gehen könnte. Unser Fokus richtet sich eher an die militanten Aspekte dieser Tage, will sich aber nicht darauf beschränken und einen weiter gefassten Bogen ziehen.
Diese zwei Wochen waren sehr intensiv, mit langen Tagen und Nächten, die oft stressig und erschöpfend waren, uns aber auch einiges neues gebracht haben: seien es neue Bekanntschaften im Kampf oder die Bestätigung, dass autonome, anarchistische und emanzipatorischen Kräfte in dieser Stadt noch lebendig sind und es auch schaffen wenigstens zeitweise ihren Feinden in die Suppe zu spucken.
Im Großen und Ganzen denken wir, dass die Sachen, die im letzten Jahr gut gelaufen sind, auch dieses Jahr funktioniert haben. Leider war es auch andersherum genauso, dass was nicht so richtig geklappt hat, lief wieder schief. Was meinen wir mit solch einer verkürzten Aussage?
Heisse Nächte, ruhige Tage
Wie sich schon im letzten Jahr gezeigt hat, gibt es eine Vielzahl von Menschen in dieser Stadt, die mit ihren Kampfformen gerne über die Gesetzesgrenzen hinaus gehen. Verschiedenste militante, direkte Aktionen fanden im letzten Jahr statt, dies wurde in diesem Jahr noch verstärkt wiederholt: militante Aktionen gehören zum Alltag vieler Menschen in dieser Stadt, nicht nur während der Actionweeks, und sind zum Glück und zu unserer Freude zur Alltäglichkeit geworden. Luxuskarren brennen, Steine fliegen gegen kapitalistische Symbole, Farbbeutel markieren Gerichte und auch die Bullen bekommen ab und an ihren Anteil. Es folgt keine Woche, in der nicht über stattgefundene, direkte Aktionen berichtet wird, oftmals passieren diese auch täglich. Neben den Berichten darüber, werden auch öfters die Themen und Motivationen erwähnt, die zu solchen Aktionen führen, wenn nicht gar Teile der Erklärungen zitiert werden: die Medien können darüber nicht mehr schweigen, wie sie es sonst in der Vergangenheit oft gemacht haben. Wahrscheinlich passierte dies unter dem Druck des Repressionsapparates, wo die Angst vorherrscht mit Berichten Werbung für direkte Aktionen zu machen, was wiederum zu einem Nachahmungseffekt führen würde. Insofern war es für uns keine Überraschung zu sehen, wie die vielen militanten Zellen oder Individuen dieser Stadt die Actionweeks wieder zum Anlass genommen haben, um ihre aktive Ablehnung gegen die herrschenden Zustände zum Ausdruck zu bringen.
Trotz der massiven Präsenz der Bullen in den Kiezen, wo üblicherweise direkte Aktionen stattfinden, hat es jede Nacht gekracht und gescheppert. Egal, ob in Tempelhof bei der DHL, im Prenzlauer Berg bei Luxuswohnquartieren und Lofts oder bei in der ganzen Stadt verteilten Naziläden. Die Fläche und Größe der Stadt wurde dieses Mal besser genutzt und sich nicht auf wenige Bezirke beschränkt: viele haben die Notwendigkeit erkannt, die Bullen überraschen zu müssen. Dadurch wurde sich der Repression entzogen und eine Unberechenbarkeit und Unkontrollierbarkeit für die Bullen, welche uns größere Handlungsspielräume gibt, erreicht. Wenn es nur in den üblichen Kiezen geknallt hätte, wären mit hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit mehr Personen verhaftet worden. In Anbetracht der Anzahl der Aktionen, die stattgefunden haben, bleiben die Verhaftungen einzelne Fälle. Den schikanierten Personen gilt übrigens unsere Solidarität, genauso wie allen anderen, die Probleme mit dem Repressionsapparat haben.
Im generellen hat sich innerhalb der letzten Jahren gezeigt, dass die Bullen mit dezentralen Konzepten nicht klarkommen. Ein Konzept, das ihren stumpfen Apparat überfordert. Dort müssen wir weiter ansetzen, um für uns die bestehenden Handlungsfelder zu erweitern und neue zu eröffnen.
Sehr begrüßenswert ist auch der qualitative Anstieg der Auswahl der Ziele: während im letzten Jahr eher viele Nobelkarossen gebrannt haben (was auch gut ist und uns weiterhin als notwendig erscheint), wurden dieses Jahr eher gezieltere, besser vorbereitete Aktionen durchgeführt, die auch andere Themen in die Actionweeks miteinbezogen und damit verknüpft und dadurch für eine Erweiterung gesorgt haben, die aufzeigt, dass wir nicht nur einen Teil des Kuchen, sondern die ganze Bäckerei wollen. Die Auswahl der Themenfelder reichte von Antimilitarismus, Anti-Sicherheit und -Überwachung und aktiver (anstelle von karitativem) Antirassismus, um nur einige zu benennen.
Die Möglichkeiten der Kommunikation durch Erklärungen wurde in vielen Fällen genutzt, leider lässt dies ansonsten eher zu wünschen übrig.
Wir haben uns vor allem über einen kleinen Erfolg gefreut, welcher nicht unbedingt auf die Actionweeks zurückzuführen ist, sondern auf einen lang anhaltenden Atem im Bezug auf direkten Aktionen, die sich auf ein spezielles Bauprojekt beziehen. Und zwar, dass die kontinuierlichen Angriffe auf das Luxusprojekt Carloft zu seinem andauernden Leerstand führen. Dies offenbart die Notwendigkeit weiter auf dieser Schiene zu fahren: ein klares, abschreckendes Beispiel für zukünftige Investoren. Dadurch werden sich andere überlegen, ob Berlin wirklich ein gemütlicher Spielplatz für Investoren ist. Auch geht es darum zu zeigen, dass direkte Aktionen nicht nur symbolische Wirkung haben, sondern sich damit auch konkrete „Erfolge“ erzielen lassen.
Wenn wir sagen, dass uns die Nächte gehört haben, müssen wir auch zugeben, dass wir tagsüber unser Potenzial nicht wirklich genutzt haben. Wie meistens üblich in dieser Stadt (und anderswo in Deutschland), rächt sich der Repressionsapparat bei jeder angemeldeten Demonstration und Kundgebung. Gewalttätige Räumungen wie etwa die am Michaelkirchplatz oder die Aggrobullen bei der Tempelhofbesetzung zeigen auf der einen Seite ihr hohes Organisationsniveau und ihre Brutalität, auf der anderen Seite aber auch ihr Bewusstsein ohnmächtig gegen militante Anschläge (in den meisten Fällen jedenfalls) zu sein und ihre Frustration deswegen. Fakt ist, dass sobald wir auf die Straße gegangen sind, und uns innerhalb eines berechenbaren und vorhersehbaren Rahmens bewegten, wir uns in die Hände einer darauf vorbereiteten Polizei begeben haben. Es ist kein Zufall, dass bei diesen Gelegenheiten die höchsten Quoten an Festnahmen zu verzeichnen waren. Deshalb bleibt hier die altbekannte Frage, wie wir besser gegen diese Angriffe vorgehen können: die Entschlossenheit der Demo am 1. Mai war ein guter Ansatz, der sich aber nicht ohne eine große Masse reproduzieren lässt. Wir würden an dieser Stelle von uns (wir inbegriffen) mehr Unberechenbarkeit und Bewegungsfähigkeit erwarten, um die Bullen zu überraschen und ihr ausgemachtes Spiel zu verderben. Dass heißt z.B. auf neu auftretende Situationen schneller zu reagieren und kreativ zu sein. Im schlimmsten Fall, bleibt uns die ganze Nacht, um unsere Antworten zu formulieren.
Das organisatorische Drumherum
Die Orga-Struktur, die von den WBA-AktivistInnen zur Verfügung gestellt wurde, war zum Großteil die selbe wie im letzten Jahr : PiratInnenradio, Infoticker, Infopoint, Stadtpläne der Kieze, in diesem Jahr war auf jeden Fall die Schaffung einer Antirepressionsgruppe zu begrüßen. Wie WBA selber auch gesagt hat, sie stellen die Struktur, andere machen Aktionen. Die Struktur hat auch dieses Jahr im großen und ganzen wieder gut funktioniert (vor allem haben wir uns über die öffentliche Empörung über den angekündigten PiratInnensender amüsiert…), dass gleiche kann leider nicht zu den halböffentlich angekündigten Aktionen gesagt werden. Im allgemeinen sind nicht wahnsinnig viele Leute z.B. bei den Besetzungen (am Michaelkirchplatz und in Friedrichshain) erschienen, was auch sicherlich mit der Tatsache zu tun hat, dass die Mobilisierungen nicht komplett öffentlich waren (dafür gibt es auch gute Gründe). Die Fahrraddemo war auch nicht so gut besucht, an diesem Tag war es sicherlich eine unglückliche Wahl die Termine zeitnah zu legen, zusätzlich gab es noch die Kundgebung vor dem Knast für die 1. Mai-Gefangenen – auch diese war unglaublich schlecht besucht.
Allgemein haben Möglichkeiten gefehlt, an denen Leute, die nicht unbedingt in Strukturen (halböffentliche oder klandestine) organisiert sind, aus welchen Gründen auch immer, teilhaben konnten. Dadurch blieb die Wahrnehmung der Actionweeks fast nur auf die nächtlichen Aktivitäten beschränkt, was natürlich auch nicht schlecht ist, aber dennoch einen sehr einseitigen Eindruck über diese Kämpfe hinterlässt. Eine bunte Mischung aus vielfältigen, breiten Aktionen kann der Vermittlung und Wahrnehmung also nur förderlich sein und eher einen Mitmach-Effekt erreichen.
Eine weitere Tatsache, die wieder einmal sehr auffällig war, ist das obwohl zu dezentralen, selbstorganisierten Aktionen aufgerufen wird, sich immer noch viele aufgrund verschiedenster Gründe nicht wirklich einbringen. Dies müssen wir weiter ausbauen und aber auch uns immer wieder bewusst machen, dass es z.B. für viele jüngere GenossInnen nicht immer einfach ist selbstständig etwas auf die Beine zu stellen. Die Möglichkeiten zur Beteiligung und unsere Konzepte sollten verbessert und überdacht werden. Es muss nicht immer gleich der große Brandanschlag sein, sondern es ist auch wichtig eine Vielzahl von Low-Level-Aktionen durchzuführen, wie etwa das Werfen von Farbbeutel, wo sich viele Leute beteiligen können, auch ist das Risiko nicht so groß und die Leute werden angestachelt militant aktiv zu werden.
In diesem Kontext sollte vielleicht auch wieder überlegt werden, ob es überhaupt Sinn macht, für die Actionweeks auf internationaler Ebene aufzurufen, sowie ob die Verlängerung von fünf auf 14 Tage tatsächlich für unsere Ziele förderlich war: Personen, die sich hier nicht wirklich gut auskennen, sind wie die bayerischen Bullen am 1. Mai in Kreuzberg: sie kennen die Stadt und ihre Gegebenheiten nicht und wie es am besten ist sich hier zu bewegen. Es ist deshalb schwierig sie in bestimmte Konzepte einzubinden, wo für sie dann nur die offiziellen, angekündigten Aktionen blieben, von denen es aber viel zu wenig gab.
Die Tempelhof-Besetzung
Ein paar Gedanken zum spektakulären Versuch der Besetzung des ehemaligen Flughafen Tempelhof: die Aktion war eine der wenigen, die vorher breit angekündigt wurde und viele Möglichkeiten für unorganisierte Menschen bot.
Mit einer erfolgreichen Besetzung haben wir eigentlich zu keinem Zeitpunkt gerechnet, was spätesten klar wurde als sich abzeichnete das Politik und Bullen keinen Aufwand scheuen werden, um die Besetzung zu verhindern, um nicht noch eine weitere Schlappe einzufahren. Aber wahrscheinlich liegt genau darin der politische Erfolg dieser Aktion; denn wie konnte deutlicher gezeigt werden welche Interessen die Herrschenden verfolgen, als durch eine militärische Verteidigung einer Wiese, welche Anwohner_innen nutzen wollen.
Es war viel los an dem Tag, allerdings hat es unserer Meinung nach an Dynamik und Entschlossenheit gefehlt, weil es hätte doch einige Stellen und Möglichkeiten gegeben zur Zaunüberwindung, oder um zumindest den anwesenden Bullen einen Denkzettel zu verpassen. Die Stimmung war zum Teil sehr schleppend, was wir bei denjenigen, die keine feste Bezüge zu unserer Bewegung haben, verstehen können, jedoch in unseren Zusammenhängen eher kritisieren wollen und uns fragen, wieso wir nicht intensiver versucht haben die Situation zu unseren Gunsten zu nutzen…
Immerhin hat sich durch diesen Anlass gezeigt, wieso Berlin so viele Schulden hat: wenn 2,5 Millionen Euro bezahlt werden, um eine Wiese zu schützen, dann kann es bald nur zum Bankrott kommen, weil wir glauben, dass wir und viele andere weiter in der Angriffsposition bleiben werden, was hoffentlich sehr teuer werden wird.
Zu guter Letzt….
Wir hoffen, dass die Fehler, welche wiederholt gemacht wurden, reflektiert und Möglichkeiten diese zu verhindern diskutiert und entwickelt werden.
Wir denken, dass Qualität immer vor Quantität kommen sollte und dass wir aufpassen müssen, dass wir nicht aus einer gefühlten Stärke unsererseits, welche auf der gesteigerten Anzahl militanter Angriffe beruht, zu Übermut tendieren. Dementsprechend sollte die Steigerung von Actiondays 08 und Actionweeks 09 nicht unbedingt der Actionmonat 2010 sein, sondern es sollte vielmehr eine Strategie her, welche uns befähigt solche Aktionstage mit Taten und Worten zu füllen, welche dazu beitragen die Kämpfe gegen Stadtumstrukturierung und Kapitalismus noch mehr aus der Isolation zu holen. Dies können wir nur erreichen wenn es mehr Kommunikation miteinander gibt, wenn verschiedene Gruppen gemeinsam planen und sich die Aktionen trotz aller Vielfalt besser aufeinander beziehen. Wenn beispielsweise eine militante Aktion einen gemeinsamen Schwerpunkt mit einer öffentlichen Aktion teilt, können unsere Inhalte dadurch viel mehr Menschen erreichen. Dabei denken wir auch an die Einbindung der
selbstorganisierten Initiativen, welche in letzter Zeit reihenweise entstanden sind, in die Vorbereitung. Allgemein denken wir, dass die Möglichkeiten unsere Inhalte zu verbreiten und öffentlich zu machen noch lange nicht ausgeschöpft sind. Macht euch Gedanken, wir sind uns sicher es gibt viele gute Ideen….
An dieser Stelle wollen wir auch mal die Ausdauer der Menschen, die sich Monat für Monat auf die WBA-VV setzen und die ganzen AG`s reißen, würdigen. Unserer Meinung nach hat die Kampagne trotz einiger Kritik die wir haben (die natürlich uns alle betrifft) viel dazu beigetragen, die Themen Freiräume/Gentrifizierung in die Öffentlichkeit zu tragen. Deshalb appellieren wir auch an alle sich in der Kampagne einzubringen, sich in Aktionsgruppen zusammenzuschließen und sich an Konzepten, welche auf der Idee der Selbstorganisierung und der Verantwortung aller beruht zu beteiligten.
Wir blicken gespannt auf das neue Jahr und werden uns mit viel Wut im Bauch und mindestens genauso viel Energie in die anstehenden Auseinandersetzungen stürzen und hoffen, dass es viele andere ebenfalls tun werden.
Eine Autonome Gruppe
actiondays.blogsport.de/2010/02/07/auswertung-der-action-...
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Brazil nut fruits ready to be hacked open to extract the nuts.
Photo by Marco Simola/CIFOR
For more information about CIFOR's work on Brazil nuts in Peru, see Harvesting brazil nuts in Peru www.blog.cifor.org/16623/harvesting-both-timber-and-brazi...
For more information on CIFOR's research on Brazil nuts in Peru, please contact Manuel Guariguata (mailto:m.guariguata@cgiar.org)
If you use one of our photos, please credit it accordingly and let us know. You can reach us through our Flickr account or at: cifor-mediainfo@cgiar.org and m.edliadi@cgiar.org
No Rights Reserved - CC0 - This work is dedicated to the public domain. creativecommons.org/about/cc0
I am part of NAFO, the North Atlantic Fellas Organization that promotes western support and solidarity with Ukraine and opposes the Russian invasion by the fascist Putin regime. We engage in decentralized open-source intelligence gathering to aid Ukraine, identify Russian operations and war crimes, debunk Russian propaganda including Russian-sympathizer propaganda and lies by western "conservatives" and rally support among our lawmakers and ordinary citizens.
Make no mistake: Russia under Putin is the ENEMY, and we will probably have to fight them on the battlefield. Hopefully, Ukraine will defeat them without direct US/NATO armed intervention, but we must be prepared and willing to fight if necessary. If we must fight, Putin's supporters (including lots of RepUGLYcans) must be regarded as traitors and dealt with as such.
The common symbol and avatar of NAFO is a cute Shiba Inu dog, often dressed in Ukrainian Army uniforms. In this picture (which I claim Fair Use but did not create), some NAFO "fellas" are hanging around a HIMARS system and clearly want to have access to the longer range ATACMS rockets so Ukraine can strike back at Russian missile launching sites. It would NOT be escalation because Russia is already using all kinds of missiles to strike Ukrainian civilian targets and occasionally even military targets. Slava Ukraini! Heroyam slava!
Santorini is one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea. It was devastated by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century BC, forever shaping its rugged landscape. The whitewashed, cubiform houses of its 2 principal towns, Fira and Oia, cling to cliffs above an underwater caldera (crater). They overlook the sea, small islands to the west and beaches made up of black, red and white lava pebbles.
Akrotiri, a Bronze Age settlement preserved under ash from the eruption, provides a frozen-in-time glimpse into Minoan life. The ruins of Ancient Thera lie on a dramatic bluff that drops to the sea on 3 sides. Fira, the island's commercial heart, has the Archaeological Museum of Thera and boutique shops. It also has a lively bar scene and tavernas serving local grilled seafood and dry white wine, made from the Assyrtiko grape. Oia is famous for sunsets over its old fortress [Santorini Google Travel]
Brazil nut fruits ready to be hacked open to extract the nuts.
Photo by Marco Simola/CIFOR
For more information about CIFOR's work on Brazil nuts in Peru, see Harvesting brazil nuts in Peru www.blog.cifor.org/16623/harvesting-both-timber-and-brazi...
For more information on CIFOR's research on Brazil nuts in Peru, please contact Manuel Guariguata (mailto:m.guariguata@cgiar.org)
If you use one of our photos, please credit it accordingly and let us know. You can reach us through our Flickr account or at: cifor-mediainfo@cgiar.org and m.edliadi@cgiar.org
A vehicle negotiating the rugged terrain of Nepal's Himalayan mountains.
Project Result:
Nepal: Decentralized Rural Infrastructure and Livelihood Project (DRILP) - Loan 2092 (2010)
Helping Women and Building Infrastructure in Nepal
Read more on:
ABOUT A FREE REPUBLIC OF MUNICIPALITIES OF MEXICO
Not prepared to live without political campaigns proposed real significance, therefore, important and urgent to address what is federalism and municipal autonomy. If federalism is to centralize powers soon dispersed, as happened in the United States, can also be used to decentralize power unit originally as Mexico, then why not go throw the stale chimera. I refer to this goal is not reached in the town where they develop on their own concept of autonomy, freed from the shackles that Constitutional Article 115 states.
Or break the straitjacket that the legislatures that have local councils have the power to suspend, revoke the mandate of some of its members, and even reported missing, is the clearest language of castration, and co antithesis of the so-called municipal autonomy hanging like a sword of Damocles over the head of the local authorities.
The City first appeared in the public law of Rome. With the passage of time and taking advantage of the weakness of the monarchy during the Middle Ages, the ancient city, now with Germanic influence strengthened its independence especially in Spain. Since then it has become a natural bearer of freedom.
Would not understand the idea of free city in Mexico without first knowing the modern idea of the federal system. This form of government has been determined by the United States of America.
American federalism was born and before and after the War of Independence (1775 to 1783). He met a congress of representatives of the assemblies of the seven colonies, adopted the "Plan of Union of Albany, whose architect was Benjamin Franklin. That first original program and the federal government in the year 1754 is considered the starting point of all subsequent developments. But this conference was not accepted by the colonial assemblies, as they should not cede any power to tax and rates.
On the initiative of the chamber of Massachusetts in October 1765 met in New York the First Congress intercolonial revolutionary tendencies of the law that censored tone. That was the first concept of Americanism, as the representative of South Carolina said: "We must stand firm in the vast field of natural rights. Here there must be citizens of either New York or New England, but we are all Americans.
When England tried to punish Massachusetts, the other colonies made common cause with it, which set the tone for the first continental congress and mature constitutionalism in America. Unlike the spontaneous naturalness that gave life to the federal pact in U.S., Mexico and existed as a unitary state when they are copied and adopted the American form of government in 1824.
At the consummation of Mexico's independence in 1821, several states were emerging in the independent living, but a unitary state that corresponded to the former viceroyalty. Members of the first constituent assembly meeting in 1822, sent its representatives to the new united previously declared unitary state, including the institutions of Central America (which had not belonged to New Spain) and then send its representatives to that meeting.
Iturbide dissolved the Constituent first rebellion erupted in the House led by Santa Ana Mata Waking the ambition of the provincial councils of the Constitution of Cadiz. But it's the fall of the empire of Agustín de Iturbide and reinstalled the component, where some provinces demanded the introduction of the new federal system.
The Second Constitutional Congress issued its Constitutive Act on January 31, 1824. Where he recorded the first genuine constitutional decision of the Mexican people and it first appeared, in fact and in law the states. Prior law did not exist. Nor in fact existed, because the threats of secession by some provinces such as Oaxaca, Jalisco and Zacatecas immediately preceding the adoption of the system can not be interpreted as de facto integration of independent states that were never established, but as a means of pressure and form of rebellion, and later in our history has always repeated that the authorities of a state declared that it "reaffirms its sovereignty." In sum, rather than the states that have given life to the "ACT" as in United States of America, here the "ACT" begat states.
As explained above if federalism is to centralize powers soon spread, should be used to decentralize powers previously consolidated, following the most pure root of our history. For what really bring the federal states and municipalities?
Dissect federalism is a form of decentralization. There are three degrees: the commune or municipality, which has some administrative autonomy within the framework and under the supervision of the central state, the autonomous province which is given political autonomy, but the constitution of which it is imposed by the dominant state, the state member Land or enjoys constitutional autonomy.
The municipality is also a free phenomenon of decentralization. But until now has failed to govern themselves Why? The law establishing the local bodies and the competition brings is issued by the legislatures of the states. Then the town is devoid of self-legislation.
This is a real insult to municipal autonomy, because he was discriminated against and excluded the possibility of granting its own law. Even the so-called autonomous status as the side of Police and Good Government can not be regarded as legislation in spite of its generality, but as a development of the laws issued by the central legislative body, making it clear that the issuance of the municipal organic law in no case the responsibility of the municipal body is in itself a contradiction to the nature of the town free from the time that the Constitution placed the town in the free base of the territorial division and political and administrative organization of the states.
Contrapunto and constitutional chaos that inevitably naked in paragraph III of Article 115 provides constitutional when "that municipalities are vested with legal personality for all legal purposes." That juncture, however, should serve as first steps towards municipal decentralization, to the disappearance of the federal state.
What is madness? What then was the first act of government of Hernán Cortés when he stepped on land that would be Mexican. The foundation of Veracruz, an unbounded territory where there was not anything other than glowing dunes and people who govern, then established the first free town of Mexico in what would be the American continent with its own town, who give the conqueror, in the absence of the king, the titles of captain and justice more generally, it gave the authority to undertake that no conquest.
The town's name was only a territorial and administrative division, was never a political entity like that of Spain, and as such did not exist in colonial times and has not been possible to create it later. In sum, the town was born from a legal fiction and fulfilled its original purpose was diluted in the mists of the history of Mexico.
The federal constitutions forgot the existence of the municipalities and the constitutions were centralists who cares for and organize them to life. The constitutive act, the constitution of 1824, the Reform Act of 1846, and the constitution of 1857 did not devote a single article or to the municipalities. Those from Independence until the triumph of the republic, denied that the disorder suffer.
The constituent of Querétaro for the first time, been concerned to bring the Constitution the principle of freedom municipal nevertheless suffered from an element that was essential: financial autonomy. This situation caused discrepancies, disoriented and divided constituents to 17. The haste with which they were held to constituent assemblies of the Queretaro left substantial gaps: defending the town against the state through a system of guarantees and financial autonomy for the town reach its constitutional freedom.
This situation has been exploited by the constitutions of the states to undermine the town and has a Valladar to access democracy. Since then there have been various reforms to Article 115 which only have the text-up, without releasing the actual chains that prevent the town reach a real autonomy. The minimum requirements (water and sewerage, public lighting, clean public markets and slaughter plants, pantheons, track, streets, parks and gardens, public safety and transit) are a straightjacket, precluding Torales problems such as economics, exploitation and preservation of natural resources, operation of ports and marine platform, target cultural resources, environmental programs integrated territorial restructuring designed to extend the legal estate of the municipalities, preservation, dissemination and promotion of cultural heritage, issuing franchises municipal expansion and recruitment of resources to their wealth and power to legislate and codify a right to gather in an urban Corpus Juris the current dispersed and inadequate on these issues that are beyond the minimum obligations and therefore do not reach category of constitutional values. Anyway, nothing to do with the gifts that you receive today.
The flight from the country of 15 million impoverished farmers is proof that the federal state and its status quo, there are no closed roads, the states have historically been a simple and terrible pepenador tax administrator, who has shelved his political role to become a state of repression Contumazá to the masses of impoverished peasants and workers by recurrent crises, ruled by interim executives. (Chiapas and Guerrero, Oaxaca, B. California, Tabasco, Veracruz, Quintana Roo are incontrovertible examples of this). A generator, expensive, heavy and inefficient bureaucracy, becoming an enemy of smooth municipal autonomy.
The broad spectrum of federalism would try an exercise that is designed not so far, then it is plausible to propose THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE FEDERATED STATES AND IN ITS PLACE, THE BUILDER "FREE REPUBLIC OF MUNICIPALITIES OF MEXICO", to give its real dimension to decentralization pursued both entities and there is no intermediate authority between them, after constitutional reforms required.
This would have an initial impact: to strengthen the cultural, political, social and economic status of regions and localities, beyond mere territorial divisions, administrative and political letterhead. Fortunately, the village has retained its roots, the customs of their region to be truly universal, persisted over time, as in the Huasteca, but have never picked precisely for these reasons.
A useful tool would be to take the best of globalization as it is cutting-edge technology in communications, for two purposes: To strengthen our identity, enter the virtual world trade and galvanize our conception of homeland, to prevent crises or runaway organized live and which threaten to pulverize the country, as the Plan Puebla _Panamá, which aims to harness the immense riches of the underground city, so please go step by the folly and greed.
Do not let pass this lesson you have given us the U.S. economy, which might well avoided attempting to other regulatory options taken from our own historical and political prosapia.
fabricantedespejos.blogspot.com/2008/10/eliminacin-del-fa...
A worker shells Brazil nuts, Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios, Peru.
For more on the lives of Brazil nut harvesters, watch this video: www.blog.cifor.org/16627/snakes-thieves-and-falling-nuts-...
Photo by Marco Simola/CIFOR
For more information on CIFOR's research on Brazil nuts in Peru, please contact Manuel Guariguata (mailto:m.guariguata@cgiar.org)
If you use one of our photos, please credit it accordingly and let us know. You can reach us through our Flickr account or at: cifor-mediainfo@cgiar.org and m.edliadi@cgiar.org
90.Baoule Dance Mask, Cote de Ivorie..................................................................................$280.00
The Baoule
Ivory Coast
The Baoule, estimated to number I million at the beginning of the a century, form part of the Akan group of the Ivory Coast. They occupy a part of the eastern Ivory Coast that is both forest and savanna land. The Akan created a series of kingdoms and city-states that progressively occupied the entire forest region all the way to the Gulf of Guinea. During the eighteenth century, the queen, Abla Poku, had to lead her people west to the shores of the Cornoe, the land of the Senufo. In order to cross the river, she sacrificed her own son. This sacrifice was the origin of the name Baoule, for baouli-ineans "the child has died." (I. N. Loucou, 1984) Since the regime was rnatrilinear, at the queen's death her niece succeeded her and ruled over the kingdom of Sakassou, which brought together the tribes that had followed the queen in her exodus. Yet, as the political system was a decentralized one, the relations of Sakassou were limited to the payment of tributes, to appealjudgments, and to matters of religion. The effective authority of the queen did not reach beyond the village in which she resided and her role was nothing more than one of prestige. The regional powers were entrusted to members of the royal Wareho clan.
They exploited the regions rich in gold, and developed a new civilization, a synthesis of the Akan and the conquered autochthones. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the administrators, A. Nebout and then a few years later M. Delafosse, judged the Baoule to be in a "state of perfect anarchy, tempered by traditions, customs, and common sense." According to Delafosse, Baoule society was characterized by extreme individualism, great tolerance, a deep aversion toward rigid political structures, and a lack of age classes, initiation, circumcision, priests, secret societies, or associations with hierarchical levels.
Each village was independent from the others and made its own decisions under the presiding presence of a council of elders. Everyone participated in discussions, including slaves. It was an egalitarian society.
Baoule social organization is founded on the extended family, which forms an aulo. If there are several families in the same village, the richest, most eloquent, or shrewdest man is chosen to manage the matters of common interest with the council of notables. There is no distinction between paternal or maternal relatedness, nor is there preferential marriage, with the exception of certain taboos, such as, for example, the prohibition of marriage with a member of another aulo for four generations to come if a union already has taken place between those two aulo. The political unit is the village, but the chief does not have the power to impose an unpopular decision, nor does he have the means to enforce it. When the French arrived, women often occupied the role of village chief. Delafosse observes in this regard that the Baoule language does not have a word for "chief" in the ordinary sense, unless it means head of the family.
Numerous legends have been collected concerning the creation of the world, the flood, the changing of the course of the Bandama River, the crossing of the Comoe, and the conquest of the Baoule territory. The anirnal-hero is a male spider, greedy, sly, anct mean, but in the end he is always punished.
The Baoule believe in an intangible and inaccessible creator god, Nyarnien. Asie, the god of the earth, controls humans and animals. The spirits, or Amuen, are endowed with
supernatural powers.
The real world is the opposite of the spiritual world, bloto, from whence come the souls at birth and to which they shall return at their death. Religion is founded upon the idea of death and the immortality of the soul. Ancestors are the object of worship but are not depicted. Earlier, a death was never considered to be natural: and thus it was necessary to unmask the one responsible. Duiing the course of the ritual, two men would carry. the corpse on their heads: guided by the spirits, the feet of the dead person would bump into the guilty party, who would then have to undergo a trial by poison. Women and slaves would be sacrificed to the deceased one's double, if he were a notable. The heir was the brother or sister born of the same mother as the deceased, for one "can never be sure that one is the son of one's father."
Rituals evolve: the creation of a new cult may be decided upon following a dream or during a trance of possession during which the spirit reveals itself and tells the "chosen" one about the ritual, the rules, and the objects which must be acquired or produced, specifying hairdo, age, posture, and scarifications, if it concerns a statuette. (S. Vogel, 1981)
Wooden sculptures and masks allow a closer contact with the supernatural world. Baoule figures answer to two types of devotion: one depicts the "spiritual" spouse who, in order to be appeased, requires the creation of a shrine in the personal hut of the individual. A man will own his spouse, the bloto bian, and a woman her spouse, the blolo bla, which they carry around everywhere they go. Other figures are sculpted to give shelter to the natural spirits, the Asie usu.
A great mobility of people and works of art has been observed among the Baoule, and a move is the occasion for commissioning a sculpture or importing a new type of dance which a village member may have seen during a trip. Artists may have been trained in a certain studio and produce works in different styles. They travel and work for clients who sometimes come from far away.
Masks correspond to three types of dances: the gba gba, the bonu amuen, and the goli. They never represent ancestors and are always worn by men.
Guro in origin, the gba gba is used at the funerals of women during the harvest season. It celebrates beauty and age, hence its refined features. This double mask represents the marriage of the sun and the moon or twins, whose birth is always a good sign.
The bonu amuen protects the village from external threats; it obliges the women to a certain discipline; and it appears at the commemorations of deaths of notables. The bush spirits have their own sanctuaries where they receive sacrifices. When they intervene in the life of the community, they take the shape of a wooden helmet that represents a buffalo or antelope and which is worn with a raffia costume and metal ankle bracelets; the muzzle has teeth which incarnate the fierce animal that is to defend the group.
The very characteristic, round-shaped "lunar" goli is surmounted by two horns. It was borrowed from the Wan for a celebration adopted by the Baoule after 1900. Celebratirg peace and joy, they would sing, dance, and drink palm wine. In the procession, the goli preceded the four groups of dancers, representing young adolescents. The goli would be used on the occasion of the new harvest, at the visit of dignitaries, or at the funerals of notables.
Not inherited, the sculptor's profession is the result of a personal choice or of a desire manifested in a dream or during a possession trance. Certain types of Standardized objects are no longer made for specific ritual purposes-for example, gongs or pulleys are fabricated and stored.
Baoule statuary is characterized by a certain realism; one can distinguish canons of beauty, as the Baoule see them: round calves for the women, long hands with tapered fingers, small buttocks. The harmonious coiffure is made up of innumerable fine braids. The beard is neat and sometimes braided. The patina is smooth. The Baoule have also created monkey figures that more or less resemble each other. Endowed with a prognathic jaw and sharp teeth and a granular patina resulting from sacrifices, the monkey holds a bowl or a pestle in its paws. Sources differ on its role or function: some say it intervenes in the ritual of divination, others that it is a protection against sorcerers in the male associations, or a protective divinity of agragrian rites, or a bush spirit. This cult does not predate the conquest of Samori, and is thus relatively recent. Baoule statuary is quantitatively very important, but great masterpieces are rare.
M. Boyer, "Miroirs de l'Invisible: La Statuaire Baoul6," in Arts dafrique Noire, no. 44 and 45,1982-83. J. N. Loucou, Histoire de la Cdte-dIvoire (Abidjan, Ivory Coast: CEDA, 1984). A. Nebout, "Notes sur les Baoul6," in A Travers le Monde, 1900, reprinted in Arts dapique Noire, No. 15, 1975. S. M. Vogel, For Spirits and Kings: African Artfrom the Tishman Collection (New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1981). - ,"People of Wood: Baule Figure Sculpture," in Artjournal, XXXIII/l, Fall 1983.
is an island nation located in the Pacific Ocean, north of New Guinea. It is a sovereign state in free association with the United States. The Federated States of Micronesia were formerly part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, a United Nations Trust Territory under U.S. administration. In 1979 they adopted a constitution, and in 1986 independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association with the United States.
The Federated States of Micronesia is spread across the Caroline Islands in the wider region of Micronesia, which consists of hundreds of small islands divided between several countries. The term Micronesia may refer to the Federated States or to the region as a whole.
History
The ancestors of the Micronesians settled over four thousand years ago. A decentralized chieftain-based system eventually evolved into a more centralized economic and religious empire centered on Yap.
Nan Madol, consisting of a series of small artificial islands linked by a network of canals, is often called the Venice of the Pacific. It is located near the island of Pohnpei and used to be the ceremonial and political seat of the Saudeleur dynasty that united Pohnpei's estimated 25,000 people from about AD 500 until 1500, when the centralized system collapsed.
European explorers—first the Portuguese in search of the Spice Islands (Indonesia) and then the Spanish—reached the Carolines in the sixteenth century, with the Spanish establishing sovereignty. It was sold to Germany in 1899, conquered by Japan in 1914, before being seized by the United States during World War II and administered by the US under United Nations auspices in 1947 as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
During World War II, a significant portion of the Japanese fleet was based in Truk Lagoon. In February 1944, Operation Hailstone, one of the most important naval battles of the war, took place at Truk, in which many Japanese support vessels and aircraft were destroyed.
On May 10, 1979, four of the Trust Territory districts ratified a new constitution to become the Federated States of Micronesia. Palau, the Marshall Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands chose not to participate. The FSM signed a Compact of Free Association with the United States of America, which entered into force on November 3, 1986, marking Micronesia's emergence from trusteeship to independence. The Compact was renewed in 2004.
Geography
The Federated States of Micronesia consists of 607 islands extending 1,800 miles (2,900 km) (2,900 km) across the archipelago of the Caroline Islands east of the Philippines. The four constituent island groups are Yap, Chuuk (called Truk until January 1990), Pohnpei (known as "Ponape" until November 1984), and Kosrae (formerly Kusaie). These four states are each represented by a white star on the national flag. The capital is Palikir, on Pohnpei.
The country has seven official languages: English, Ulithian, Woleaian, Yapese, Pohnpeian, Kosraean, and Chuukese.
The other languages spoken in the country are Pingelapese, Ngatikese, Satawalese, Kapingamarangi Language, Nukuoro Language, Puluwatese, Mortlockese, and Mokilese
Oficial name:
Federal states of Micronesia
Area:
702 km2
Inhabitants:
100.000
Languages:
Chuukese [chk] 38,341 in Micronesia (1989 census). Chuuk Lagoon, Caroline Islands, some on Ponape. Also spoken in Guam. Alternate names: Chuuk, Truk, Trukese, Ruk, Lagoon Chuukese. Dialects: East Lagoon, Fayichuck. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Micronesian, Micronesian Proper, Ponapeic-Trukic, Trukic
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English [eng] 5,341 in Micronesia (2000). Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
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Kapingamarangi [kpg] 3,000 (1995 SIL). Population includes 1,500 on Kapingamarangi and 1,500 in Porakiet village on Ponape. Kapingamarangi and Ponape islands, Caroline Islands. Alternate names: Kirinit. Dialects: Lexical similarity 55% with Nukuoro, 54% with Rarotongan, 53% with Samoan, 51% with Paumotu, 50% with Tahitian. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Central Pacific, East Fijian-Polynesian, Polynesian, Nuclear, Samoic-Outlier, Ellicean
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Kosraean [kos] 8,000 in Micronesia (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk). Kusaie Island, Caroline Islands. Also spoken in Nauru. Alternate names: Kusaie, Kosrae. Dialects: Lelu-Tafunsak, Malen-Utwe. Lexical similarity 26% with Ponapean. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Micronesian, Micronesian Proper, Kusaiean
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Mokilese [mkj] 1,050 (1979 Bender). Fewer than 500 on Mokil Atoll. Mokil (Mwoakiloa) Atoll, east of Carolines, and on Pohnpei Island. Alternate names: Mokil, Mwoakilese, Mwoakiloa. Dialects: Lexical similarity 79% with Pingelapese, 75% with Ponapean. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Micronesian, Micronesian Proper, Ponapeic-Trukic, Ponapeic
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Mortlockese [mrl] 5,904 (1989 census). Population includes 1,692 in Upper Mortlock, 1,757 in Mid Mortlock, 2,455 in Lower Mortlock, about 1,000 elsewhere. Mortlock Islands, 70 miles southeast of Truk, Caroline Islands. A large group of Lower Mortlock speakers are on Ponape Island. Alternate names: Mortlock, Nomoi. Dialects: Upper Mortlock, Mid Mortlock, Lower Mortlock. 75% intelligibility of Pulapese, 18% of Satawal, 8% of Woleaian. Lexical similarity 80% to 85% with Chuukese, 83% with Puluwat, 82% with Satawal, 81% with Carolinian, 78% with Woleaian, 72% with Ulithi. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Micronesian, Micronesian Proper, Ponapeic-Trukic, Trukic
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Namonuito [nmt] 944 (1989 census). Magur, Ono, Onari, Piserarh, Ulul islands, Carolines. Alternate names: Namon Weite. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Micronesian, Micronesian Proper, Ponapeic-Trukic, Trukic
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Ngatik Men's Creole [ngm] 700. Population includes 500 on atoll (1983 Poyer), 200 on Ponape. Ngatik (Sapuahfik) Atoll, east of the Caroline Islands. Alternate names: Ngatikese Men's Language, Ngatikese. Dialects: A creolized language from the Sapuahfik dialect of Ponapean and English whose genesis is the direct result of a massacre in 1837 of adult males on Ngatik by British traders. Classification: Creole, English based, Pacific
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Nguluwan [nuw] 50 (2000 Osamu Sakiyama). Ngulu atoll, between the Yap Islands and Belau Islands. Dialects: Phonology from Ulithian and grammar and lexicon from Yapese. Classification: Mixed Language, Yapese-Ulithi Nearly extinct.
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Nukuoro [nkr] 860 (1993 Johnstone). Population includes 125 on Ponape. Nukuoro Island, Caroline Islands. Alternate names: Nukoro, Nuguor. Dialects: Lexical similarity 55% with Kapingamarangi. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Central Pacific, East Fijian-Polynesian, Polynesian, Nuclear, Samoic-Outlier, Ellicean
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Pááfang [pfa] 1,318 (1989 census). Hall Islands (Nomwin, Fananu, Marilo, Ruo), Carolines. Dialects: Indications of convergence with Chuukese. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Micronesian, Micronesian Proper, Ponapeic-Trukic, Trukic
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Pingelapese [pif] 2,500 in Micronesia. 500 on Pingelap, about 2,000 on Ponape. Population total all countries: 3,000. Pingelap and Ponape. Also spoken in Guam, USA. Alternate names: Pingelap, Pingilapese. Dialects: Lexical similarity 81% with Pohnpeian, 79% with Mokilese. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Micronesian, Micronesian Proper, Ponapeic-Trukic, Ponapeic
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Pohnpeian [pon] 29,000 (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk). Population includes 24,000 on Pohnpei, 3,425 on outer islands, 275 elsewhere. Pohnpei Island, Caroline Islands. Alternate names: Ponapean. Dialects: Kiti, Ponapean, Sapwuahfik. Lexical similarity 81% with Pingelapese, 75% with Mokilese, 36% with Chuuk. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Micronesian, Micronesian Proper, Ponapeic-Trukic, Ponapeic
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Puluwatese [puw] 1,364 (1989 census). Polowat, Pollap, Houk (Pulusuk), and Tamtam islands, Carolines. Alternate names: Puluwat. Dialects: Puluwatese, Pulapese, Pulusukese. 64% intelligibility of Satawalese, 40% of Woleaian, 21% of Ulithian. Pulap speakers may need separate literature. Lexical similarity 88% with Satawalese and Carolinian, 83% with Mortlock, 82% with Woleaian, 81% with Chuukese, 72% with Ulithian. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Micronesian, Micronesian Proper, Ponapeic-Trukic, Trukic
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Satawalese [stw] 458 (1987 Yap census). Satawal Island, Carolines. Dialects: 60% intelligibility of Ulithian and Woleaian. Lexical similarity 95% with Carolinian, 88% with Woleaian and Puluwat, 82% with Mortlockese, 79% with Chuukese, 77% with Ulithian. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Micronesian, Micronesian Proper, Ponapeic-Trukic, Trukic
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Ulithian [uli] 3,000 (1987 UBS). Ulithi, Ngulu, Sorol, Fais islands, eastern Caroline Islands. Dialects: 85% intelligibility of Woleaian, 57% of Satawalese, very low intelligibility of Pulapese and Chuuk. Lexical similarity 74% to 80% with Woleaian, 77% with Satawalese, 74% with Carolinian, 72% with Puluwatese and Mortlockese, 68% with Chuuk. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Micronesian, Micronesian Proper, Ponapeic-Trukic, Trukic
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Woleaian [woe] 1,631 (1987 Yap census). Woleai (Wottegai), Falalus, Seliap (Sulywap), Falalop (Falalap), Tegailap (Tagalap), Paliau, Mariang, Eauripik, Faraulep, Elato, Lamotrek, Ifaluk islands, eastern Caroline Islands. The first 5 listed are inhabited. 22 islands total, Yap State. Dialects: Woleaian, Lamotrek. 84% intelligibility of Satawalese, 81% of Ulithian, 50% of Sonsorol, very low of Pulapese and Chuukese. Lexical similarity 88% with Satawalese and Carolinian, 82% with Puluwatese, 80% with Ulithian, 78% with Mortlockese, 75% with Chuukese. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Central-Eastern Oceanic, Remote Oceanic, Micronesian, Micronesian Proper, Ponapeic-Trukic, Trukic
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Yapese [yap] 6,592 (1987 Yap census). Yap Island, 10 islands, Caroline Islands. Classification: Austronesian, Malayo-Polynesian, Central-Eastern, Eastern Malayo-Polynesian, Oceanic, Yapese
Capital city:
Palikir
Meaning country name:
A name coined from the Greek words mikros (small) and nesos (island) — "small islands".
Description Flag:
The flag of the Federated States of Micronesia was adopted on November 10, 1979. The blue field represents the Pacific Ocean, while the four stars represent the four island groups in the federation: Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae and Yap.
A similar design with six stars was in use from 1965 for the flag of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the extra stars representing Palau, the Marshall Islands and Northern Mariana, which chose not to participate in the Federation. (Kosrae was then part of Pohnpei so both were represented by one star.)
Coat of arms:
The same has the Trust Territories
Motto: "Peace Unity Liberty"
National Anthem: Patriots of Micronesia
Tis here we are pledging,
with heart and with hand,
Full measure of devotion
to thee, our native land,
Full measure of devotion
to thee, our native land.
Now all join the chorus,
let union abide.
Across all Micronesia
join hands on every side,
Across all Micronesia
join hands on every side.
We all work together,
with hearts, voice and hand,
Till we have made these islands
another promised land,
Till we have made these islands
another promised land.
Internet Page: www.fsmgov.org
Micronesia federal state
eng | arg | ast | cym | glg | ina | ita | lat | lld | oci | roh | scn | spa | swa: Micronesia
eus | fao | fin | jav | lin | nor | sme: Mikronesia
bre | mlg | sqi: Mikronezia
crh | kaa | uzb: Mikroneziya / Микронезия
deu | ltz | nds: Mikronesien / Mikroneſien
fra | jnf | nrm: Micronésie
hrv | lit | slv: Mikronezija
hun | slk | tet: Mikronézia
dan | swe: Mikronesien
dsb | hsb: Mikronesiska
kin | run: Mikroneziya
por | srd: Micronésia
ron | rup: Micronezia
tur | zza: Mikronezya
afr: Mikronesië
aze: Mikroneziya / Микронезија
bam: Mikirɔnezi
bis: Maekronisia
bos: Mikronezija / Микронезија
cat: Micronèsia
ces: Mikronésie
cor: Mikronesi
epo: Mikronezio
est: Mikroneesia
frp: Micronèsie
fry: Mikroneezje
fur: Micronesie
gla: Na Meanbh Eileanan
gle: An Mhicrinéis / An Ṁicrinéis
glv: Yn Vynneeys
hat: Mikwonezi
ibo: Maikrọnisia
ind: Mikronesia / ميكرونيسيا
isl: Míkrónesía
kmr: Mîkronêzî / Микронези / میکرۆنێزی
kur: Mîkronezya / میکرۆنەزیا
lav: Mikronēzija
mlt: Mikronesja
mol: Micronezia / Микронезия
msa: Micronesia / ميكرونيسيا
nld: Micronesië
pol: Mikronezja
que: Mikrunisya
rmy: Mikroneziya / मिक्रोनेज़िया
slo: Mikronezia / Микронезиа
smg: Mikronezėjė
smo: Maikoronesia
ton: Maikolonisia
tuk: Mikroneziýa / Микронезия
vie: Mi-crô-nê-xi-a
vol: Smalaseänuäns
vor: Mikroneesiä
wln: Micronezeye
wol: Mikroneesi
abq | alt | bul | kir | kjh | kom | krc | kum | rus | tyv | udm: Микронезия (Mikronezija)
che | chv | mon | oss: Микронези (Mikronezi)
bak: Микронезия / Mikroneziya
bel: Мікранезія / Mikraniezija; Мікранэзія / Mikranezija
chm: Микронезий (Mikronezij)
kaz: Микронезия / Mïkronezïya / ميكرونەزيا
kbd: Микронезие (Mikronezie)
mkd: Микронезија (Mikronezija)
srp: Микронезија / Mikronezija
tat: Микронезия / Mikroneziä
tgk: Микронезия / میکرانزیه / Mikronezija
ukr: Мікронезія (Mikronezija)
ara: مايكرونيزيا (Māykrūnīziyā); ميكرونيزيا (Mīkrūnīziyā); مايكرونيسيا (Māykrūnīsiyā); ميكرونيسيا (Mīkrūnīsiyā)
fas: میکرونزی / Mikronezi
prs: میکرونیزیا (Mīkrōnēziyā)
pus: ميکرونېزيا (Mīkroneziyā)
uig: مىكرونېزىيە / Mikronéziye / Микронезия
urd: مائیکرونیسیا (Mā'īkronesiyā); مائیکرونیشیا (Mā'īkronešiyā); مائکرونیشیا (Mā'ikronešiyā)
div: މައިކްރޮނީށިއާ (Ma'ikronīŝi'ā)
heb: מיקרונזיה (Mîqrônezyah)
lad: מיקרוניסיה / Mikronesia
yid: מיקראָנעזיע (Mikronezye)
amh: ሚክሮኔዢያ (Mikronežiya)
ell: Μικρονησία (Mikronīsía)
hye: Միկրոնեզիա (Mikronezia)
kat: მიკრონეზია (Mikronezia)
ben: মাইক্রোনেশিয়া (Māikronešiyā)
pan: ਮਾਈਕਰੋਨੀਸ਼ੀਆ (Māīkronīšīā)
kan: ಮೈಕ್ರೋನೇಷ್ಯ (Maikrōnēṣya)
mal: മൈക്രോണീഷ്യ (Maikrōṇīṣya); മൈക്രൊനേഷ്യ (Maikronēṣya)
tam: மைக்கிரோனீசியா (Maikkirōṉīčiyā)
tel: మైక్రొనీషియా (Maikronīṣiyā)
zho: 密克羅尼西亞/密克罗尼西亚 (Mīkèluōníxīyà)
jpn: ミクロネシア (Mikuroneshia)
kor: 미크로네시아 (Mikeuronesia)
mya: မုိက္ခရုိနီးရ္ဟား (Maiʿkʰáẏonìšà)
tha: ไมโครนีเซีย (Maikʰrōnīsiya)
khm: មីក្រូណេស៊ី (Mīkrūṇesī); មីក្រូណេសៀ (Mīkrūṇesie)
Three people working at a palm oil processing facility. This place was right next to the highway, to facilitate the passing buyer.
Photo by Mokhamad Edliadi/CIFOR
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Terraced fields carved along the slopes of Nepal's mountains. The Decentralized Rural Infrastructure and Livelihoods Project aims to reduce rural poverty in 18 very poor remote hill and mountain districts of Nepal.
Project Result:
Nepal: Decentralized Rural Infrastructure and Livelihood Project (DRILP) - Loan 2092 (2010)
Helping Women and Building Infrastructure in Nepal
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Santorini is one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea. It was devastated by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century BC, forever shaping its rugged landscape. The whitewashed, cubiform houses of its 2 principal towns, Fira and Oia, cling to cliffs above an underwater caldera (crater). They overlook the sea, small islands to the west and beaches made up of black, red and white lava pebbles.
Akrotiri, a Bronze Age settlement preserved under ash from the eruption, provides a frozen-in-time glimpse into Minoan life. The ruins of Ancient Thera lie on a dramatic bluff that drops to the sea on 3 sides. Fira, the island's commercial heart, has the Archaeological Museum of Thera and boutique shops. It also has a lively bar scene and tavernas serving local grilled seafood and dry white wine, made from the Assyrtiko grape. Oia is famous for sunsets over its old fortress [Santorini Google Travel]
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Bitcoin (₿) is a cryptocurrency, a form of electronic cash. It is a decentralized digital currency without a central bank or single administrator that can be sent from user-to-user on the peer-to-peer bitcoin network without the need for intermediaries. Transactions are verified by network nodes through cryptography and recorded in a public distributed ledger called a blockchain. Bitcoin was invented by an unknown person or group of people using the name Satoshi Nakamoto and released as open-source software in 2009. Bitcoins are created as a reward for a process known as mining. They can be exchanged for other currencies, products, and services. Research produced by the University of Cambridge estimates that in 2017, there were 2.9 to 5.8 million unique users using a cryptocurrency wallet, most of them using bitcoin. Bitcoin has been criticized for its use in illegal transactions, its high electricity consumption, price volatility, thefts from exchanges, and the possibility that bitcoin is an economic bubble.Bitcoin has also been used as an investment, although several regulatory agencies have issued investor alerts about bitcoin.
ABOUT A FREE REPUBLIC OF MUNICIPALITIES OF MEXICO
Not prepared to live without political campaigns proposed real significance, therefore, important and urgent to address what is federalism and municipal autonomy. If federalism is to centralize powers soon dispersed, as happened in the United States, can also be used to decentralize power unit originally as Mexico, then why not go throw the stale chimera. I refer to this goal is not reached in the town where they develop on their own concept of autonomy, freed from the shackles that Constitutional Article 115 states.
Or break the straitjacket that the legislatures that have local councils have the power to suspend, revoke the mandate of some of its members, and even reported missing, is the clearest language of castration, and co antithesis of the so-called municipal autonomy hanging like a sword of Damocles over the head of the local authorities.
The City first appeared in the public law of Rome. With the passage of time and taking advantage of the weakness of the monarchy during the Middle Ages, the ancient city, now with Germanic influence strengthened its independence especially in Spain. Since then it has become a natural bearer of freedom.
Would not understand the idea of free city in Mexico without first knowing the modern idea of the federal system. This form of government has been determined by the United States of America.
American federalism was born and before and after the War of Independence (1775 to 1783). He met a congress of representatives of the assemblies of the seven colonies, adopted the "Plan of Union of Albany, whose architect was Benjamin Franklin. That first original program and the federal government in the year 1754 is considered the starting point of all subsequent developments. But this conference was not accepted by the colonial assemblies, as they should not cede any power to tax and rates.
On the initiative of the chamber of Massachusetts in October 1765 met in New York the First Congress intercolonial revolutionary tendencies of the law that censored tone. That was the first concept of Americanism, as the representative of South Carolina said: "We must stand firm in the vast field of natural rights. Here there must be citizens of either New York or New England, but we are all Americans.
When England tried to punish Massachusetts, the other colonies made common cause with it, which set the tone for the first continental congress and mature constitutionalism in America. Unlike the spontaneous naturalness that gave life to the federal pact in U.S., Mexico and existed as a unitary state when they are copied and adopted the American form of government in 1824.
At the consummation of Mexico's independence in 1821, several states were emerging in the independent living, but a unitary state that corresponded to the former viceroyalty. Members of the first constituent assembly meeting in 1822, sent its representatives to the new united previously declared unitary state, including the institutions of Central America (which had not belonged to New Spain) and then send its representatives to that meeting.
Iturbide dissolved the Constituent first rebellion erupted in the House led by Santa Ana Mata Waking the ambition of the provincial councils of the Constitution of Cadiz. But it's the fall of the empire of Agustín de Iturbide and reinstalled the component, where some provinces demanded the introduction of the new federal system.
The Second Constitutional Congress issued its Constitutive Act on January 31, 1824. Where he recorded the first genuine constitutional decision of the Mexican people and it first appeared, in fact and in law the states. Prior law did not exist. Nor in fact existed, because the threats of secession by some provinces such as Oaxaca, Jalisco and Zacatecas immediately preceding the adoption of the system can not be interpreted as de facto integration of independent states that were never established, but as a means of pressure and form of rebellion, and later in our history has always repeated that the authorities of a state declared that it "reaffirms its sovereignty." In sum, rather than the states that have given life to the "ACT" as in United States of America, here the "ACT" begat states.
As explained above if federalism is to centralize powers soon spread, should be used to decentralize powers previously consolidated, following the most pure root of our history. For what really bring the federal states and municipalities?
Dissect federalism is a form of decentralization. There are three degrees: the commune or municipality, which has some administrative autonomy within the framework and under the supervision of the central state, the autonomous province which is given political autonomy, but the constitution of which it is imposed by the dominant state, the state member Land or enjoys constitutional autonomy.
The municipality is also a free phenomenon of decentralization. But until now has failed to govern themselves Why? The law establishing the local bodies and the competition brings is issued by the legislatures of the states. Then the town is devoid of self-legislation.
This is a real insult to municipal autonomy, because he was discriminated against and excluded the possibility of granting its own law. Even the so-called autonomous status as the side of Police and Good Government can not be regarded as legislation in spite of its generality, but as a development of the laws issued by the central legislative body, making it clear that the issuance of the municipal organic law in no case the responsibility of the municipal body is in itself a contradiction to the nature of the town free from the time that the Constitution placed the town in the free base of the territorial division and political and administrative organization of the states.
Contrapunto and constitutional chaos that inevitably naked in paragraph III of Article 115 provides constitutional when "that municipalities are vested with legal personality for all legal purposes." That juncture, however, should serve as first steps towards municipal decentralization, to the disappearance of the federal state.
What is madness? What then was the first act of government of Hernán Cortés when he stepped on land that would be Mexican. The foundation of Veracruz, an unbounded territory where there was not anything other than glowing dunes and people who govern, then established the first free town of Mexico in what would be the American continent with its own town, who give the conqueror, in the absence of the king, the titles of captain and justice more generally, it gave the authority to undertake that no conquest.
The town's name was only a territorial and administrative division, was never a political entity like that of Spain, and as such did not exist in colonial times and has not been possible to create it later. In sum, the town was born from a legal fiction and fulfilled its original purpose was diluted in the mists of the history of Mexico.
The federal constitutions forgot the existence of the municipalities and the constitutions were centralists who cares for and organize them to life. The constitutive act, the constitution of 1824, the Reform Act of 1846, and the constitution of 1857 did not devote a single article or to the municipalities. Those from Independence until the triumph of the republic, denied that the disorder suffer.
The constituent of Querétaro for the first time, been concerned to bring the Constitution the principle of freedom municipal nevertheless suffered from an element that was essential: financial autonomy. This situation caused discrepancies, disoriented and divided constituents to 17. The haste with which they were held to constituent assemblies of the Queretaro left substantial gaps: defending the town against the state through a system of guarantees and financial autonomy for the town reach its constitutional freedom.
This situation has been exploited by the constitutions of the states to undermine the town and has a Valladar to access democracy. Since then there have been various reforms to Article 115 which only have the text-up, without releasing the actual chains that prevent the town reach a real autonomy. The minimum requirements (water and sewerage, public lighting, clean public markets and slaughter plants, pantheons, track, streets, parks and gardens, public safety and transit) are a straightjacket, precluding Torales problems such as economics, exploitation and preservation of natural resources, operation of ports and marine platform, target cultural resources, environmental programs integrated territorial restructuring designed to extend the legal estate of the municipalities, preservation, dissemination and promotion of cultural heritage, issuing franchises municipal expansion and recruitment of resources to their wealth and power to legislate and codify a right to gather in an urban Corpus Juris the current dispersed and inadequate on these issues that are beyond the minimum obligations and therefore do not reach category of constitutional values. Anyway, nothing to do with the gifts that you receive today.
The flight from the country of 15 million impoverished farmers is proof that the federal state and its status quo, there are no closed roads, the states have historically been a simple and terrible pepenador tax administrator, who has shelved his political role to become a state of repression Contumazá to the masses of impoverished peasants and workers by recurrent crises, ruled by interim executives. (Chiapas and Guerrero, Oaxaca, B. California, Tabasco, Veracruz, Quintana Roo are incontrovertible examples of this). A generator, expensive, heavy and inefficient bureaucracy, becoming an enemy of smooth municipal autonomy.
The broad spectrum of federalism would try an exercise that is designed not so far, then it is plausible to propose THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE FEDERATED STATES AND IN ITS PLACE, THE BUILDER "FREE REPUBLIC OF MUNICIPALITIES OF MEXICO", to give its real dimension to decentralization pursued both entities and there is no intermediate authority between them, after constitutional reforms required.
This would have an initial impact: to strengthen the cultural, political, social and economic status of regions and localities, beyond mere territorial divisions, administrative and political letterhead. Fortunately, the village has retained its roots, the customs of their region to be truly universal, persisted over time, as in the Huasteca, but have never picked precisely for these reasons.
A useful tool would be to take the best of globalization as it is cutting-edge technology in communications, for two purposes: To strengthen our identity, enter the virtual world trade and galvanize our conception of homeland, to prevent crises or runaway organized live and which threaten to pulverize the country, as the Plan Puebla _Panamá, which aims to harness the immense riches of the underground city, so please go step by the folly and greed.
Do not let pass this lesson you have given us the U.S. economy, which might well avoided attempting to other regulatory options taken from our own historical and political prosapia.
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Brazil nut fruits ready to be hacked open to extract the nuts.
Photo by Marco Simola/CIFOR
For more information about CIFOR's work on Brazil nuts in Peru, see Harvesting brazil nuts in Peru www.blog.cifor.org/16623/harvesting-both-timber-and-brazi...
For more information on CIFOR's research on Brazil nuts in Peru, please contact Manuel Guariguata (mailto:m.guariguata@cgiar.org)
If you use one of our photos, please credit it accordingly and let us know. You can reach us through our Flickr account or at: cifor-mediainfo@cgiar.org and m.edliadi@cgiar.org
Laxmi Khatri exploring her tomato farm in Darbang, Nepal.
Project Result:
Nepal: Decentralized Rural Infrastructure and Livelihood Project (DRILP) - Loan 2092 (2010)
Helping Women and Building Infrastructure in Nepal
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Dil Maya Magar a cabbage farmer of Thade has a bumper crop. Women play a key role in farming life in Nepal. The ADB supported Community Managed Irrigated Agriculture Sector Project, provided the opportunity for women’s meaningful participation in irrigation reform and decision making.
Aerial view of the landscape around Halimun Salak National Park, West Java, Indonesia.
Photo by Kate Evans/CIFOR
If you use one of our photos, please credit it accordingly and let us know. You can reach us through our Flickr account or at: cifor-mediainfo@cgiar.org and m.edliadi@cgiar.org
Santorini is one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea. It was devastated by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century BC, forever shaping its rugged landscape. The whitewashed, cubiform houses of its 2 principal towns, Fira and Oia, cling to cliffs above an underwater caldera (crater). They overlook the sea, small islands to the west and beaches made up of black, red and white lava pebbles.
Akrotiri, a Bronze Age settlement preserved under ash from the eruption, provides a frozen-in-time glimpse into Minoan life. The ruins of Ancient Thera lie on a dramatic bluff that drops to the sea on 3 sides. Fira, the island's commercial heart, has the Archaeological Museum of Thera and boutique shops. It also has a lively bar scene and tavernas serving local grilled seafood and dry white wine, made from the Assyrtiko grape. Oia is famous for sunsets over its old fortress [Santorini Google Travel]
A man working at a palm oil mill on the outskirts of town Doaula, Cameroon.
Photo by Mokhamad Edliadi/CIFOR
If you use one of our photos, please credit it accordingly and let us know. You can reach us through our Flickr account or at: cifor-mediainfo@cgiar.org and m.edliadi@cgiar.org
Woman picks beans in her farm in Pattale Village, Nepal. Pattale Village provides amazing views of the mountains. Nepal’s mountainous terrain make it difficult for the villagers to have access to water for their basic needs and irrigation for their farms. The Decentralized Rural Infrastructure and Livelihood Project gave way to rural infrastructure, community involvement and support for livelihood restoration activities.
Project Result:
Nepal: Decentralized Rural Infrastructure and Livelihood Project (DRILP) - Loan 2092 (2010)
Helping Women and Building Infrastructure in Nepal
Read more on: