Sunday, September 24, 2006

On the 6th day of Coup

If I can write about my rabbit in my previous blog, that means I have not been run over by the military tanks yet and that all is pretty peaceful here.

Everyday life is as-per-normal. Other then the herd of people flocking to the military concentrations for once in a life time picture taking sessions, everything else is as it is. Traffic jams, shopping, clubbing etc.

New rules are being introduced into the Kingdom during this period. Didn’t really catch them but if I translate correctly, its something like shops are not allowed to stockpile on food. Any shops caught doing things such as ordering huge amount of rice will be heavily fined. This is probably to prevent over-demand due to unnecessary panic. I think they rather stockpile on beer first, then rice.

Another rule that I saw on TV was that we are not suppose to gather in groups of more then 5 to discuss about the political situation. Hmm… kinda used to this already since we have similar rules in Singapore. And why would I want to discuss it anyway? I rather talk about car modifications.

Coup Around my House
On the streets around my house, the soldiers are still around. Yeah they love the King, they have yellow ribbons. For those who love the Queen, light blue ribbons. All over the edge of Bangkok, there are military tanks. Quite an eye-opener. I was one the way back from up-country when greeted by a bank of tanks parked beside the main road. Huge big-ass tanks. Noting like our small ones in Singapore. And as usual, these tanks are worshipped by people stopping along the roads for flower/food/water giving sessions. That means traffic jam.

And I asked the Thais, what are the tanks doing, positioned on all the inbound roads to Bangkok, pointing outwards? They told me maybe to blast Taksin into thin air on sight, or probably as a just incase. Taksin has many support from the other provinces, they told me. The military is in position just incase some organized mobs or scattered military groups supporting Taksin decided to march into the city. Military group supporting Taksin? I never heard of that. Could be one of those Uncle-Taxi driver talk. But nevertheless, these are what Thais think.

Friday, September 22, 2006

Puff Bunny

Shaking Rabbit
Sometimes, after my wabbit had dinner, it would sit still and shake its head from side to side. It thinks it is an owl.

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Anti-Singapore in Thailand

Temesak bought into AIS (Telco in Thailand) = start of all Taksin things. Nowadays whenever I go for meetings, the room full of Thai people will say out loud “Uh-oh… here comes Mr Temasek!! Watch out.”

Thank you ah, Singapore.

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Happy Military Coup

Well… today.. scary day? No.. its more like a holiday. After the TV declared a holiday, I slept till 3pm. Situation report:

The TV returned to broadcasting normally sometime in the morning. The telecommunications seems restored, but calls to Malaysia are difficult.

Everyone seems to be happy. The TV interviews with common people seem to contradict the expected situation of a military coup. Some on TV even said why the military had taken so long to react to Taksin. Other seems pretty happy about the coup and had been expecting it. On the streets, civilians are enjoying the holiday. Bringing food and water to the soldiers, photo taking session, flowers presented to soldiers. I have not seen any news report of anyone against the coup so far. It seems like it’s an all against Taksin thing now.

The shops closed early. Big departmental stores such as Carrefour closed at 9. Central closed at 8. It’s not scary like how military coups are like else where. It’s a happy mode. No one blowing each other brains out. And if only everyday Bangkok could be naturally this less congested. No traffic, not marauding crowds in shopping center.

What an opportunity for me to rest. I slept and woke and went for dinner. Around the corners wherever government offices are, soldiers are positioned. Some of them seemed pretty happy enjoying the eye candy of scantly clad nite club girls where they are position.

See… Thailand is not like Singapore. If the general public is unhappy, no force can keep them quiet. Thai people have more balls then Singaporeans for sure. Mobs, rallies, etc, they fight for what they believe to be right. And now the military is on their side.

For my view on the situation.. I got no idea what’s happening lately really, I’m not political. I’m a working tourist. I’m smiling, what an experience.

Whats happenng in Thailand?

The whole nite, the TV station was playing nothing but songs related to the King. TV station overtaken by Army. There were occasional speech made but i had no idea what they tokking about. Then i have to read CNN to get an idea. Today is a holiday. All banks closed. All people directed off the streets... Curfew?? Some say have to be home before 6pm. But what's really going on i dunno. Going to the office soon. Out of town, away from the center of Bangkok.

Chaos in Bangkok

They blocked all the TV. TV is now full of strange Thai dunno what songs. They even seem to block all mobile comms for a while. There was no possible mobile connection... I cant call anyone. But strangely, SMS and Internet seems to work.

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Hot Spring Trip

My rabbit grew so fat… it’s outgrowing the cage. And so I bought a bigger cage for her, fearing she would bore to death in her tiny space. I assembled the cage happily, put her in, and closed the door. And magically she walked right out of the cage.

Wet Rabbit
Fugging realized that rabbits are like cats…. Can squeezed through very small gaps. The bars are too far apart. And so have to soak rabbit in water to determine actual size. Wasted money.. kept big cage in store for future.

Changmai Hot Spring
Anyway, I just had a long seminar up north. That’s where I encountered hot springs. Thought I could soak in it in the cold northern weather, but was advised by Thais that I could get my testicles cooked. If me and friends were to soak in there, we can exchange testicles for taste after. This hot springs we discovered between Changmai and Changrai. They offered eggs on sale for us to soak them in the spring. Eat them after they are cook.

Changmai Hot Spring
And so the above shows me living out my dreams.. Drove into the mountains on a cold morning, having my coffee in my white ceramic mug. Life’s good. I’m smiling.

Saturday, September 09, 2006

Not all Robbers Are Smart

Nakon Nayok Toilet
Picture above taken on one of my impromptu holiday trips. Shitting under the stars, just one of the resort's styling in Thialnd. And when it rained, I bathed in a mixture of rain water. Now we know where Singapore zoo got its open toilet concept from. Thailand is full of such open toilets, even in the petrol pumps.

Now back to amazing news I saw on TV. Near my home recently, there was a robbery case. Two robbers held a man at gun point and robbed his gold chain. The robbers split after that, one ran on foot. The other holding the gun, went onto the road and hijacked a car driven by a lady. He got in the car and pointed the gun at the lady, forced her into the passenger’s seat while he took over.

The robber has not much of brains, or maybe he’s not from Bangkok. The alternate meaning of Bangkok = I Love Traffic Jams. The car was in a middle of an evening jam and it wasn’t moving much. The police had only to stroll up casually and arrested him. I’m not sure about the gun’s authenticity and why he didn’t use it. Maybe robber so stupid he forgot to load bullets.

Monday, September 04, 2006