Few and far betweens

PM Samak was asked to resign because he breached the constitution, he had private employment during his term of PM.  

The cooking show, Tasting and Grumbling (what a catchy name) was the ultimate down fall of his political term as PM. Apparently, he was asked to appear on 4 episodes, and was paid 20,000 baht per episode.

*gasps* 20,000 baht!

Quite frankly, that is considered peanuts compared to what I was given a quotation to hire emcees for a talk show….I agree – taking money from a private firm is bad, very bad…but..er hmm…how about as honoraria? debatable no?

But that’s besides the point, it is quite amazing (AMAZING THAILAND!) that they can oust him based on this charge. Rather that using any of the bazillion-and-one reasons to have him removed, he was caught red handed wearing an apron and frying chillies.

Nigella Lawson, I love you, if you do get into politics, please remember to give up your Nigella empire – yes that’s right,  Nigella Express and Nigella Feasts have to get axed too.

In my opinion, finding a man who enjoys cooking is quite a feat. Few and far between.

Thank you for punishing a man who has a passion in cooking, so much so that he unknowingly sacrificed his power and position for it.

Cheers to few and far betweens.

Bangkok is Safe

Bangkok is safe. Thailand is safe.

Even though we are now under a state of emergency, life goes on as per usual, no signs of social unrest. Like I said yesterday, Thailand operates in bubbles, as long as you do not go right to the heart of the protests, then you’ll be fine.

For tourist travelling here, the only concern you should have is traffic due to strikes, but as for today (the 1st day of the strike) there is no real problem.

No bombing, no riots, no military crack downs.

I only advise not to book with Thai Airways because they are being stupid and delaying flights as a show of support to the PAD. As for the shut down of smaller international airports (Krabi and ChiangMai) if you are en route, they will most likely direct the flight to Bangkok’s International Suvarnabhumi Airport and I HOPE that the flight carrier would arrange for bus transport to your original destination.
If you are stuck in the airport when there are protests, I believe they will send you to Bangkok to catch your flight.

Living in Thailand is safe, but you need to acquire patience to handle these small nuances.

Living in political instability

For the past week, there have been protests in Bangkok led by a group called PAD – People’s  Alliance for Democracy. They should be called – People’s Anti-Democracy.

First off, I’m okay and safe, my family are okay and safe. If you are checking on me, thank you I’m fine.

As I was writing to my relatives this morning, Bangkok operates in bubbles. Here in the business district, there is no inkling of protests – except for the affect on the Thai economy and stock market. But physically, no sign of distress. Near my home? life goes on as per usual. Sunny bright days in Bangkok.

I’ve been reading alot about the political turmoil, and the reason why I am saying that the PAD is actually anti-democratic is that they need to use violence/coercion to overthrow the government, if they ever tried to request for a referendum (which…is an on going process believe it or not) the majority of Thailand – her Rural people, will vote in favour for the PPP (People’s Power Party) because their policies favour the rural folk, not to mention the sweet money the rural folk get from the PPP to vote in their favour.

PAD peaceful protest? Storming of government houses, the television station, this is far from peaceful. A few days ago I read in the Bangkok Post a few days ago, a really stupid article about the PAD requesting 100 underpants donations, because the protesters have not gone home for the past 4-5 days and they need to wear new undies (for hygenic reasons) —- Me: “…….”

The protesters are breeding filth and germs and if they lasted camped out for much longer, there can even be an epidemic spread. Oh, and for 100 baht, anyone can get a PhD certificate(in political science I believe..)granted by the PAD – to certify that within the past few days of joining the protests they have learnt sooo much that they are granted a honorary certificate from Ratchadamnoen University. 10,000 to 50,000 certificates have been purchased.

Granted, I’m not saying that Thaksin was the greatest PM ever – in fact I fully agree that he was corrupt. As for Samak (PM), I’m not sure if he’s corrupt, but he is a big mouth NATO (No Action Talk Only) or more like…a WAST (Wrong Action Stupid Talk) <–term just created.  Honestly ? which country is so blessed to have a PM/President that is heaven sent from God? There will always be lobbyist to support or to denouce the current government. In Thailand’s case, with the PAD they had alot of centralised power, and connections to ask …43 state labour unions to go on strike! of which…

• The Thai Airways Union to stir up !@&(!*&@ delaying their international flights..
• EGAT (electricity) and the Metropolitan Works Authority (water) to stop suppling utilities to Government agencies..not to mention communications..
• 80% of Bangkok buses will stop running.

Great. thats so fabulous. I am very disgusted with all these labour unions, especially Thai Airways and the Transportation. Its not about showing your support, which you are free to do, but they must understand the repercussions of their actions. If Thai Airways is planning to brand itself as a top quality service airline, and airline that cares about their customers, they are doing an extremely fab job. As for the transportation, all innocent apathetic Thais will be affected. Yes, all these unions want to pull leverage, but at whose expense?

The government did not use force against the protesters. It was the protesters themselves that clashed. Two parties  – UDD (United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship) and PAD – one pro government (UDD) and one anti government (PAD).

The protests are a breeding place for mob aggression, after several days of protests, tireness and frustration, fights broke out:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/09/02/headlines/headlines_30082253.php

Note that the protesters with the batons beating other protesters are not in police uniform – they are civilians.

The government only declared a state of emergency after the death of one protester.

I don’t see how Thailand can ever help itself out of the mess it makes. You have protesters who are 1/2 paid to be there, and 1/4 following the trend and fighting for a cause they know nothing about (because its cool. believe it or not, I know someone who knows someone who is like that), and 1/4 genuinely know what’s going on. The PAD protests and protests but they never have a proposition as to what is better.

As a fully trained adjudicator, I would fail the opposition party, as all their claims – have no substanial basis to overthrow the current government. The people are unhappy.

Everyone is unhappy. Look at the United States, run by a very special President – George W. Bush. You don’t see the Democrats on the street causing chaos and asking to overthrow the Republican party. If the leader was democratically elected then he should rightfully serve his full term, despite how shitty he is.

November 30th marks the end of the State of Emergency. Let’s see how this progresses…