Starting a Tee Shirt business?

Hello people, I would like to start on a business that sells T - shirt with my own designs.
1.I want to manufacture my own T - shirt without having to open any factory. ( best is to buy bulks of clothes and ask factories to turn it into T-shirts. Preferably in countries like China, Vietnam, Thailand ETC ) is this doable?
2. Printing of T-shirt, what are the option available, ranging from the cheapest and where can I have it done ?
Thanks a lot!

Start by describing why someone would buy from you instead of Cafe Press.
I don't know who they buy from, where they manufacture, but they sure are cheap.

Thailand -- WTF? Discontent Blows

 

We have refrained from the recent discussions of the current problems  in Thailand. But as things turn violent, and begins affecting tourism in one of our favorite foreign destinations, we feel we might shed some light on what has developed there. It's not easy as we prefer to leave disorder behind in order to relax.

Additionally, discussions of politics often make us think of the writings of Jonathan Swift, or lines from The Holy Grail like, "Listen, strange women lyin' in ponds distributin' swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony."

All kidding aside, the fact is - Thailand has a great image, a lush and peaceful place, the type of destination where newlyweds take beach-front honeymoons. But that's an image that has overshadowed a decade of serious tensions that finally hit front pages this month.

The visions now consuming this popular vacation destination may surprise us, but it's no surprise to the Thai people. The economic growth in the 80s and 90s left a large portion of the population on the curb during the drive for a globalized modern economy.

The population of the rural north and northeast, who make up the majority of the Thai population, have seen the least of the rewards during the process. Some Thai's actually suffer far worse income inequality than the Philippines. This is in spite of  Thailand's image as modern, while the Philippines may be viewed as somewhat third world. However, the bulk of the current  anger is pinned on regional cliques and division of class.

Certainly Thailand's poor have harbored resentment, but they mostly felt alienated from the palace, the army, and the civil service, which favors networks established in Bangkok schools, Bangkok companies, and Bangkok army training. All being the country's collective power institutions.

With a decade of resentment and alienation building in the rural  areas,  increasing politically empowered developed. The advent of the Internet, local area radio stations, 1997's constitutional reform, and increased access to secondary education have informed the  rural's concerning their rights, and enabled comparison of situations affecting the classes.

With this shift, after more than six decades of successive military regimes, the movement towards real democracy enabled a united rural poor to elect a leader to better represent their concerns. In all, the changes diminished the advantages previously enjoyed only by the elites,and propelled Thaksin Shinawatra, a northern populist politician to the position of prime minister. This happened in 2001 and again in 2005.

Thaksin was a billionaire telecommunications tycoon, with a clear vision of government power to build his collection of companies. He launched social programs, like low-cost health care and start-up loans to villages. Both had an impact. Poverty was diminished and delivered Thaksin larger majorities for elections.

Thaksin's popularity was a threat to the power of the military and the palace likely because of his penchant for killing targeted political opponents, intimidation of the Thai media, and undermining institutions such as the courts, the military and the palace.

Thaksin's undermining of the palace didn't go un-noticed by King Bhumibhol Adulyadej and his supporters.  The king was Thailand's constitutional monarch, supported by the same power elite and middle class who were most affected by Thaksin's policies. With more than 60 years on the throne, King Bhumibhol Adulyadej was more than a royal figurehead. He had developed political influence through  political maneuvering and networking among Thailand's elite and the military establishment. In September 2006 the military, resonding to calls for Thaksin's ouster, bypassed the ballot box, deposed the prime minister in a coup.

Big mistake. Thaksin was a democratically elected politician. Deposing him by military action just didn't pass the sniff test. It didn't matter that his overthrow was modestly supported by Thailand's most important foreign partner the United States. Afterward, the political situation declined rapidly. Thailand's courts disqualified two short-lived pro-Thaksin governments. Those disqualifications involved  questionable judicial methods and spurred Thaksin's 's supporters to a larger, more envolved force. Although Thaksin was reduced to an exiled promoter (and  financial backer), the red shirted pro-Thaksin forces had become a real social movement on their own. No longer were the just seeking amnesty for their former prime minister.

Now protesters, rallied against the ruling government, are demanding a new election, (which probably would be a win for them) to speed up programs boosting political and economic power for the disenfranchised poor in the provinces, and discussions on how to deal with the powers of urban-elite. Some dare suggest (Thailand punishes anyone who criticizes the king, queen, or crown prince) that the power of the palace should be diminished since King Bhumibhol Adulyadej's successor, the crown prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, does not enjoy the same respect shown the king, nor will he be likely to develop such respect.

The current situation is highly unpredictable and further acts of violence are likely.  Travelers already in Bangkok should stay indoors and monitor travel advice and local media. Other travelers  in Thailand should, wherever possible, take transport services which do not involve Bangkok. This advice does not apply to passengers traveling to  Bangkok airport on their way by air to other destinations, either within Thailand or internationally.

What's the outlook? Thailand needs reconciliation. The elites in Bangkok must realize that will have to yield  some of there political and economic power. The rural poor and their representatives must realize that being the majority does not usurp minority rights. The rule of law must prevail and support democratic institutions, like the courts and the civil service. Thaksin's rule did not promote theses ideas, and Thailand's strict rules against criticism of the monarchy has not and does not allow for much needed open debate about the future of the monarchy. All will take time. <object width="350" height="292">
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Thailand: No talks until 'Red Shirts' end rally, says govt

 

Image via Wikipedia

 

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