Eric was conjuring up dinner in the kitchen of his Pattaya apartment. Me, I was enjoying the gin and tonic he'd just prepared as an aperitif. A fragrant mini pyramid incense was burning dutifully from across the room. A French film could be heard from TV5. Even though the language sounded, as usual, really smart and sophisticated, I couldn't have been more unconcerned with what was happening there.
Even though the thought of the Italian dish and fine wine was exciting, I was still hung up on my splendid session at the Pattaya Gay Beach that past afternoon. You can't know for sure if you and your favorite bikini have caught a lot of eyes there, but it certainly feels good to believe they have. Maybe this is something a thirty-year-old has to cling to for a few more years. Just maybe.
The ambience of Eric's cozy apartment was giving me all the comfort in the world that everything was alright. His political point of view, particularly regarding Thai politics, however, was not.
Fireworks were gracing the starless sky of Pattaya, singing praises for His Majesty the King on his 81st birthday. Despite her colonial outlook and feel, Pattaya remains defiantly Thai and devoted to the Father of the Kingdom. The man-made spectacle was majestic and I was impressed with the celebratory note permeating the cool breeze of this tourist town (well on her way to becoming a city.)
I would have one more day to play the role of a visitor from Bangkok. No matter how impressive Eric's culinary skill may turn out to be, I would have to make sure my stomach remained flat for my final day on Pattaya's decadent beach. Before heading back to work, back to Bangkok, back to reality.
The airport had just been re-opened, but not everybody was relieved. A lot of people seemed convinced it was only a hiatus. More fights and lawlessness, in one form or another, would come when due. These unhappy people could be right, but I am hopeful that they were wrong. I am somewhat disappointed that people can't seem to enjoy the moment without thinking of some awful thing that in the end might not even happen. As for me, I prefer not to borrow any trouble but to deal with it as it comes. If in fact it does.
Eric's description of the Thai conflict was “very typical.” New power busily tightening its grip on society. Old counterpart desperately seeking ways to stop it. We all have seen what the old money was capable of, haven't we? It is interesting to note that the Suvarnabhumi International Airport was built by the government of the emerging regime. I am not gonna tell you which side Eric is on. Yes, he is a foreigner but he does take sides. Anyway, there was always a hint, wasn't there ? - he said that PAD's seizure of the airports was just one small thing.
Naturally, as we hadn't seen each other for a while, I was curious to see more of the mind of this ex boyfriend of mine. So, I sought his opinion on Barrack Obama. American friends, guests, and acquaintances of mine, and of course ex's seemed to be infatuated w/ this guy. My French ex couldn't have looked more bored when answering my simple question. He was simply wondering what would be the slightest difference between Monsieur McCain and Monsieur Obama? America would always have her way over any individual she called the President.
Here they came. The much-anticipated pasta and red wine. Le chef du jour was intent on observing my outward show of appreciation. And I totally did! If only he would put all his points of view aside. Let's just eat and savor the moment.
After everything, I am still hopeful about my country, her politics and all that crap. And I'm not gonna live a life of servitude, a life of being chained to a dubious future that so far exists only in our silly imagination. Once again, I'll deal with that when, and if, it comes.
Oh, I remember now. My bikinis were still soaking in the bathroom sink. I'd better wash and hang them now. Who knows? Looking fabulous on the Pattaya Gay Beach tomorrow might lead me to something that really matters. Don't count me out just yet. One day I might be able to truthfully type such words as my Chinese ex, my Russian ex, my Iraqi ex, my Iranian ex, my North Korean ex, my Cuban ex, etc. Let's see if there will be only America that continues to dominate the planet.
Hopeful Joe
Showing posts with label PAD. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PAD. Show all posts
2008/12/07
2008/10/14
Happy Ending
My good friend Ed from New York City is treating me to a session at a spa here in Bangkok tomorrow. Facial, manicure and massage. But not just a massage, rather a massage with a ‘happy ending’ if I so desire. And I must confess that in all my years of traveling to and living in Thailand I have never availed myself of a massage with a happy ending. I think I’ll pass tomorrow also, not that I am prudish or anything.
But there is a happy ending that I would like to get. If you have read some of my previous guest posts you’ll know that I have been coming to Thailand for 15 years. For the most part it was magical and captivating. It was just over 4 years ago that I decided to move and live here full time. I was drawn to the more peaceful, open, tolerant society. Sure, I knew there would be problems, that it wouldn’t be perfect. But in my mind I felt that I had brokered a deal for a new life with a ‘happy ending’. I’ve had to question all this over the past couple of weeks as Thai society has literally come undone with violent street demonstrations.
It’s my opinion that Thailand is still one of the safest countries in the world to live and you’d have to look far and wide to find a city on the scale of Bangkok that offers more personal safety. If you avoid the protest area around the Government House you’ll be in no danger whatsoever, almost anywhere in Bangkok. But the realization that Thailand is changing, and not for the better, has deeply saddened me. Opposing sides in the conflict have drawn a line in the sand. Compromise seems not to be in the picture. Lives have been lost, hundreds have been injured. Is it too late for Thais to return to their Buddhist teachings and look for the ‘middle path’? Certainly, if both sides were willing to do this the violence would stop and meaningful dialogue would follow that would hopefully lead to a solution. Thai or farang, we all must be very disappointed that we are not getting the happy ending that we so desired. I for one hope that both sides will come to their senses soon and that no more lives will be lost.
At BangkokSong we won’t promise you a happy ending. But we will promise you a visit that is an accurate reflection of Thailand today. Isn’t that what travel is all about?
Randall
But there is a happy ending that I would like to get. If you have read some of my previous guest posts you’ll know that I have been coming to Thailand for 15 years. For the most part it was magical and captivating. It was just over 4 years ago that I decided to move and live here full time. I was drawn to the more peaceful, open, tolerant society. Sure, I knew there would be problems, that it wouldn’t be perfect. But in my mind I felt that I had brokered a deal for a new life with a ‘happy ending’. I’ve had to question all this over the past couple of weeks as Thai society has literally come undone with violent street demonstrations.
It’s my opinion that Thailand is still one of the safest countries in the world to live and you’d have to look far and wide to find a city on the scale of Bangkok that offers more personal safety. If you avoid the protest area around the Government House you’ll be in no danger whatsoever, almost anywhere in Bangkok. But the realization that Thailand is changing, and not for the better, has deeply saddened me. Opposing sides in the conflict have drawn a line in the sand. Compromise seems not to be in the picture. Lives have been lost, hundreds have been injured. Is it too late for Thais to return to their Buddhist teachings and look for the ‘middle path’? Certainly, if both sides were willing to do this the violence would stop and meaningful dialogue would follow that would hopefully lead to a solution. Thai or farang, we all must be very disappointed that we are not getting the happy ending that we so desired. I for one hope that both sides will come to their senses soon and that no more lives will be lost.
At BangkokSong we won’t promise you a happy ending. But we will promise you a visit that is an accurate reflection of Thailand today. Isn’t that what travel is all about?
Randall
2008/10/11
Dream World
The alarm clock shook me out of a dream early one morning. It was 5.30 am, and I needed to get up right away or I would be late for Dream World.
To continue w/ the tradition, my company was set to celebrate an anniversary in a grand style. This year was her 40th.
There are two reasons why I agreed to part w/ my Saturday morning, precious idyllic time that makes up my day off. 1) I wanted to please my boss by joining the event and 2) I needed something to lift up my spirit after being so disturbed w/ another deadly clash in Bangkok a few days ago.
Dream World could be the place.
A few thousand employees and their family were given a free ticket and food allowance to descend upon and enjoy Bangkok’s Disneyland. Too bad, I couldn’t bring my husband along. It is clearly said in the conditions that the spouse has to be recognized under Thai law. Well, this is what happens when the laws are yet to acknowledge your bedroom behavior and mating preference.
But, it’s good that there is someone my age in our small department. And, it’s even better that most of my colleagues have past their “theme-park prime,” and yet their children are still too young for many sections of the park. So the assistant accountant and I teamed up and explored the place before it is too late for us as well. Our only hope before the game started was that we wouldn’t come to the realization that our time also had already been. If only Dream World could promise more hope for two 30 year olds.
Hurricane, Haunted Castle (which was lame, lame, lame), Vikings, Snow Town, Raptor, Mountain Space (for which we queued for an hour but which last 2 minutes), Grand Canyon (where we got thoroughly soaked), Super Splash (which wasn’t planned at all before we got wet,) Sky Coaster, Bump Car (very reminiscent of those junior high years), and the Giant House, inspired by Jack & the Beanstalk (much to my surprise, I really enjoyed seeing such overscale things).
But, my personal favorite was Snow Town. It was not the thick ice and artificial freezing temperature sending a chill down my spine. It was the slide board that did it! I kept thinking about the consequences if the board capsized and my face slid against the ice. I know…..very morbid indeed.
If my eyes didn’t lie or my sense of perception still functioned, I would say I saw at least 20,000 revelers yesterday. The vast majority were Thais, and tourists couldn’t possibly have exceeded 500. So, if you want a break from those international tourism sites and happen to travel w/ kids, this is the place!
The only downside for me was the food. But to be fair, good food is never the domain of most fairs, is it?
Dream World may be nothing compared to Disneyland, but you’ll definitely witness and be part of something Thais are especially good at – having fun.
On a side note, maybe my company should buy a ticket and food coupon for PAD protesters as well. It is high time they realized that something else matters as much as “democracy,” and it’s spelled w/ an F, U, and N.
How to get there:
From the centre of Bangkok, take a direct van from the Victory Monument. The fare is 35 Baht or about 1 dollar. You can easily get to Victory Monument using the BTS Skytrain, getting off at the station of the same name.
From Don Muang Airport, take the outbound Bus No 538. The fare is surely less than 1 dollar.
From Suvarnnabhumi Airport, take the Bus No 559. The fare is also a non issue.
See also their site (if you read Thai) at http://www.dreamworld-th.com/
Joe
To continue w/ the tradition, my company was set to celebrate an anniversary in a grand style. This year was her 40th.
There are two reasons why I agreed to part w/ my Saturday morning, precious idyllic time that makes up my day off. 1) I wanted to please my boss by joining the event and 2) I needed something to lift up my spirit after being so disturbed w/ another deadly clash in Bangkok a few days ago.
Dream World could be the place.
A few thousand employees and their family were given a free ticket and food allowance to descend upon and enjoy Bangkok’s Disneyland. Too bad, I couldn’t bring my husband along. It is clearly said in the conditions that the spouse has to be recognized under Thai law. Well, this is what happens when the laws are yet to acknowledge your bedroom behavior and mating preference.
But, it’s good that there is someone my age in our small department. And, it’s even better that most of my colleagues have past their “theme-park prime,” and yet their children are still too young for many sections of the park. So the assistant accountant and I teamed up and explored the place before it is too late for us as well. Our only hope before the game started was that we wouldn’t come to the realization that our time also had already been. If only Dream World could promise more hope for two 30 year olds.
Hurricane, Haunted Castle (which was lame, lame, lame), Vikings, Snow Town, Raptor, Mountain Space (for which we queued for an hour but which last 2 minutes), Grand Canyon (where we got thoroughly soaked), Super Splash (which wasn’t planned at all before we got wet,) Sky Coaster, Bump Car (very reminiscent of those junior high years), and the Giant House, inspired by Jack & the Beanstalk (much to my surprise, I really enjoyed seeing such overscale things).But, my personal favorite was Snow Town. It was not the thick ice and artificial freezing temperature sending a chill down my spine. It was the slide board that did it! I kept thinking about the consequences if the board capsized and my face slid against the ice. I know…..very morbid indeed.
If my eyes didn’t lie or my sense of perception still functioned, I would say I saw at least 20,000 revelers yesterday. The vast majority were Thais, and tourists couldn’t possibly have exceeded 500. So, if you want a break from those international tourism sites and happen to travel w/ kids, this is the place!
The only downside for me was the food. But to be fair, good food is never the domain of most fairs, is it?
Dream World may be nothing compared to Disneyland, but you’ll definitely witness and be part of something Thais are especially good at – having fun.
On a side note, maybe my company should buy a ticket and food coupon for PAD protesters as well. It is high time they realized that something else matters as much as “democracy,” and it’s spelled w/ an F, U, and N.
How to get there:
From the centre of Bangkok, take a direct van from the Victory Monument. The fare is 35 Baht or about 1 dollar. You can easily get to Victory Monument using the BTS Skytrain, getting off at the station of the same name.
From Don Muang Airport, take the outbound Bus No 538. The fare is surely less than 1 dollar.
From Suvarnnabhumi Airport, take the Bus No 559. The fare is also a non issue.
See also their site (if you read Thai) at http://www.dreamworld-th.com/
Joe
2008/10/07
democracy and STATIONERY
At lunchtime, my mom called and updated me on the nastiness at the parliament.
Around two, I surfed Bangkok Post, BBC, International Herald Tribune, and CNN so I would know what they said about the current situation in my city.
At 6.30 I read news on BBC about a car bomb that left one woman dead somewhere near where the police had clashed w/ the protesters.
At 7, I left work and headed for B2S at Central World Plaza. I spent more than a thousand Baht there for cute stationeries. Well, I just got promoted and the desk I’m assigned to needs Joe’s touch.
It was almost 10 pm when I got home. My husband cooked me dinner and we ate. Randy again was pissed at Thaksin for allegedly being behind this violence. He’d read somewhere that the ousted prime minister and his wife, Pojaman, are applying for political asylum in the UK and using this turmoil as ground for remaining there. I was pissed that I had to do the dishes after a long day at work.
Also, Randy updated me that Paul, our good friend, will be coming back from the UK to his life in the City of Angels. We’re so happy to hear his dad is doing well so our friend can be where he prefers to be.
Tomorrow, I’m gonna be busy “decorating” my desk and again dealing w/ colleagues who don’t seem happy w/ my new position. Whatever! Life goes on no matter what.
Riot police, tear gas, injured protesters, government house and parliament under siege, power struggle between old and new money, growing or crumbling “democracy,” dirty dishes after dinner, fan freaking tastic colleagues. Oh my gosh, I looove the fluorescent blue staples!!!
Joe
Around two, I surfed Bangkok Post, BBC, International Herald Tribune, and CNN so I would know what they said about the current situation in my city.
At 6.30 I read news on BBC about a car bomb that left one woman dead somewhere near where the police had clashed w/ the protesters.
At 7, I left work and headed for B2S at Central World Plaza. I spent more than a thousand Baht there for cute stationeries. Well, I just got promoted and the desk I’m assigned to needs Joe’s touch. It was almost 10 pm when I got home. My husband cooked me dinner and we ate. Randy again was pissed at Thaksin for allegedly being behind this violence. He’d read somewhere that the ousted prime minister and his wife, Pojaman, are applying for political asylum in the UK and using this turmoil as ground for remaining there. I was pissed that I had to do the dishes after a long day at work.
Also, Randy updated me that Paul, our good friend, will be coming back from the UK to his life in the City of Angels. We’re so happy to hear his dad is doing well so our friend can be where he prefers to be.
Tomorrow, I’m gonna be busy “decorating” my desk and again dealing w/ colleagues who don’t seem happy w/ my new position. Whatever! Life goes on no matter what.
Riot police, tear gas, injured protesters, government house and parliament under siege, power struggle between old and new money, growing or crumbling “democracy,” dirty dishes after dinner, fan freaking tastic colleagues. Oh my gosh, I looove the fluorescent blue staples!!!
Joe
2008/08/30
Another Tough Time
The city of Bangkok seemed normal today. Tourists were everywhere. The subway and skytrain that I took were packed. The malls were busy. Bangkok "dolls" still had her boyfriend or her lady in waiting follow them around the town w/ a digital camera. I went around doing my banking as I had done any other Saturday (in Thailand, many banks have their branches in the malls and are open 7 days a week, very convenient.)
That's a part of the city oblivious to something that matters more. Another part of Bangkok sings a totally different tune.
Right now as we speak, there is a huge ongoing protest against the government, at the Government House. The disgruntled people call themselves PAD (People's Alliance for Democracy). But, they have been barking against the democratically-elected government.
Last night the police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd, only to see more of them. Labor unions shut train services across the country, in addition to 3 airports in the south. Madness!!!!
By tomorrow evening, we will know if Prime Minister Samak will stay or not. He is reported to be meeting w/ His Majesty the King right now. Whatever His Majesty graciously advises, the premier will have to oblige.
Personally, I am not particularly fond of the chili cart being upset. The government has been in office for less than a year and the economy keeps growing while we have seen the nearly impossible; the unemployment rate sank from last year 1.5 to currently 1.4.
Still, PAD can't stand the fact that the government is linked to the ousted former prime minister. Heard of Thaksin Shinawatra? He's now in England, reportedly trying to seek a political asylum there. PAD want the government out. Some people just don't know when to stop.
But my husband is in favor of the unruly citizens. He compares and contrasts it to the lack of actions by one nation that should have spoken in a grand manner against her leader for stealing the election twice and hurling the country into a nasty, trapped war. Sounds familiar?
Randy went on w/ his reasons to validate the chaos and convince me that it is all ok. I just want my fabulous, peaceful Bangkok (the whole of her) back as soon as possible.
Looks like "as soon as possible" is really naive on my part. But I will uphold my naivety by hoping that the government will not use any more tear gas or any force but allow the freedom of (mad) speech to blossom until the backing resources are depleted.
We'll see who's gonna last - police who work in shifts or the fools who strand themselves in front of the house of government. You know, Thai people in general are very fickle and get bored very easily. The way I see it, it's a game of wait and see on both sides, a strategy of trying to wear your opponent out. Well it's working, at least on me - I'm worn out on this whole issue already!
Starry-eyed Joe
That's a part of the city oblivious to something that matters more. Another part of Bangkok sings a totally different tune.
Right now as we speak, there is a huge ongoing protest against the government, at the Government House. The disgruntled people call themselves PAD (People's Alliance for Democracy). But, they have been barking against the democratically-elected government.
Last night the police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd, only to see more of them. Labor unions shut train services across the country, in addition to 3 airports in the south. Madness!!!!
By tomorrow evening, we will know if Prime Minister Samak will stay or not. He is reported to be meeting w/ His Majesty the King right now. Whatever His Majesty graciously advises, the premier will have to oblige.
Personally, I am not particularly fond of the chili cart being upset. The government has been in office for less than a year and the economy keeps growing while we have seen the nearly impossible; the unemployment rate sank from last year 1.5 to currently 1.4.
Still, PAD can't stand the fact that the government is linked to the ousted former prime minister. Heard of Thaksin Shinawatra? He's now in England, reportedly trying to seek a political asylum there. PAD want the government out. Some people just don't know when to stop.
But my husband is in favor of the unruly citizens. He compares and contrasts it to the lack of actions by one nation that should have spoken in a grand manner against her leader for stealing the election twice and hurling the country into a nasty, trapped war. Sounds familiar?
Randy went on w/ his reasons to validate the chaos and convince me that it is all ok. I just want my fabulous, peaceful Bangkok (the whole of her) back as soon as possible.
Looks like "as soon as possible" is really naive on my part. But I will uphold my naivety by hoping that the government will not use any more tear gas or any force but allow the freedom of (mad) speech to blossom until the backing resources are depleted.
We'll see who's gonna last - police who work in shifts or the fools who strand themselves in front of the house of government. You know, Thai people in general are very fickle and get bored very easily. The way I see it, it's a game of wait and see on both sides, a strategy of trying to wear your opponent out. Well it's working, at least on me - I'm worn out on this whole issue already!
Starry-eyed Joe
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