FAITH

I guess you all must have known by now that Bangkok’s international airport is under siege by an anti-government protest group. People’s Alliance for? Democracy or PAD vows not to leave unless the democratically-elected government packs their suitcase.

This is the new peak of our political deadlock that has been going on for a while. Seizure of the Government House since late August doesn’t seem to be working. So, the most important airport of the country has become the natural next target.

You might be wondering why our authorities have allowed this to happen. Well, Thailand is one complicated country baby. I hope that one day I will be able to give all the details without worrying about anything.

Anyway, I’ve been hurt long enough. Hurt from seeing my beloved motherland being betrayed. Hurt from witnessing her being raped while I am unable to do anything to rescue her.

But now, I’m not gonna hurt any more. I’ve come to a realization that my being hurt for her equates into a hideous insult to her. I mean, that all along I regarded her as a victim when she’s fucking NOT.

She is a beautiful, kind-hearted and forgiving mother who, however, won’t take shit from any ungrateful child for too long. She’s INDEPENDENT. Nofuckingbody owns her. It’s been proven in history, time and time again. Whoever (let me repeat…Whoever) thinks that they can do anything and try to claim her will be more than sorry. Mark my word! Soon enough, they will see, feel, and witness their ass, whether it be big, flat, sagging, or stretch-marked, kiiiiicked big time. Mark my word.

Faithful Joe

Loy Krathong Festival

Tomorrow night (Nov 12) will be a night to remember. Thousands of people across Bangkok (and millions throughout Thailand) will be out and about for a spiritual yet romantic little outing. We will all chip in to decorate our rivers, canals, ponds, swamps, pools etc w/ a gorgeous thing.

“Loy” means to float. “Krathong” refers to a small raft holding a lit candle, burnt incense and of course ornate flowers which could be lotus, banana leaves, orchids, jasmine, roses, or daffodils. Anything goes.

On this night in early November, everybody knows it’s time to be humble in a flamboyant style. The moon is full. The tide is high. The rainy season is bidding goodbye. The cool period of the year is saying Hi. Let’s apologize.

But to whom?

To the Goddess of Water, for any wrong doing that has been done to her during the past year, whether it be - taking water for granted, taking fish and other water animals away from Her, …….or peeing into Her, oops.

To be eligible for Her forgiveness, one needs to send a beautiful gift on this full moon night.

Unlike folks in small villages where a temple pond is the only place to go, people of Bangkok will have many choices to choose from. Wisit and friends might be planning to launch their Krathong’s on the Chao Phraya River. Warunee has probably set her eye on a canal close to her house. Surasak should just go to a pond in the Lumpini Park ‘cause it’s a minute from his work. Munlika will stick w/ the swimming pool of her condominium as every other year.


But take note: lovers must never float their Krathong’s at the front pond of my school, Chulalongkorn University. We believe it has a breakup curse. But, if that’s your goal, hail a cab!

Besides the apology, everybody is free to make a wish for whatever they feel they deserve, and let me tell you, for some people, it is strictly worldly. More money, another promotion, men wishing for bigger boobs on their next girlfriend, chicks secretly asking her man’s hairline to stop receding. Me? Let me think.

A monthly hot fling!

You would probably be right if you have already started to feel sorry for the Goddess of Water.

Back to the raft, Thailand has almost come full circle. A few years back, styrofoam was ubiquitous. Nowadays, whatever is being used, it must be natural. So most people use banana trunk as in the picture below.


The three cut slices belong to one of my colleagues. She’s not gonna buy but make them all herself. One is for her. Another is for her boyfriend. The other will be for another man her boyfriend doesn’t need to know.

Trust me it’s gonna be a hectic night for Peggy.

Joe

P.S. Special thank to www.thaiworldview.com

TIGHT

A week after the end of Oct and a lot of people seem to have recovered from the reckless spending spree that revitalized and jeopardized Bangkok.

Myself included.

Having spent all of our extra cash from our monthly pay, we will now have to stay lean every single day. Well, until November ends. Until then, we’ve got to describe this period as TIGHT.

But, this doesn’t mean we will be totally denied any fun which, in many cases, is totally free when it comes to Bangkok. Look at our police officers.

That’s right. You didn’t misread anything.

When my mother first moved to Bangkok last year, she didn’t quite know her way around. So, it was more often than not that she ended up violating this and that traffic rule. You know, you can’t make a u-turn here, turn left there and the police will chase and place a ticket upon you. Those types of things.

But, she always ended up escaping any form of punishment by the officers. What they would give her is a sighhh saying “Auntie, don’t do this again. It is not as simple as your home town.” And, she was let go. Auntie? I’ll explain this cultural stuff in a future post.

True, such leniency towards the elders makes our guys in khaki uniform cool in some people’s eyes. But what will really arrest your eyes cannot be anything but the really tight outfits that accentuates the shape and form of the officers themselves.

It is something that I grew up w/ and, hence, have taken for granted. But, as foreign guest after foreign guest commented in unison about how TIGHT it is, I began to notice.

From what I understand, the tight uniform is supposed to keep our boys shape-conscious. Good appearance is definitely part of the whole package of this section of civil servants. That will inspire admiration and cooperation from the general public and of course, intimidate the crooked.

Whatever. None of these dudes inspire or intimidate me. But many of them sort of excite me. Look at the same guy from behind.


Well, officer, tell me how I can direct your official attention my way. What offence should I commit so you could pronounce me a trouble maker? Just tell me so you would have a valid reason to handcuff me!

Curious Joe