Flowers for soldiers
http://news.yahoo.com/page/bangkok_coup
Thailand's Muslim coup leader could soothe Islamic unrest
YALA, Thailand (AFP) - Thailand's southern Muslims, who widely despised ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, say they hope the Muslim general who overthrew him will follow through on his offer to hold peace talks with Islamic separatists.
"I hope that (General Sonthi Boonyaratglin) will be able to solve the problem in the south as he himself is Muslim and can reach out to villagers," said Kordiya Mapae, 45, a Muslim worker in Yala province.
The three Muslim-majority provinces bordering Malaysia have been plagued by separatist violence and other unrest since January 2004, and Thaksin's decision to impose emergency rule there in 2005 was widely criticized.
Ousted Thai PM: 'I am a jobless man'
BANGKOK, Thailand - Ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra lay low in London as the junta that overthrew him purged his followers Thursday and took steps to possibly go after the vast assets of the tycoon turned politician.
Thailand's capital back to work
The people of Thailand have returned to work less than 36 hours after a military coup ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Tanks and tourism
UK holidaymakers heading to Thailand despite the coup. As tanks continue to fill the streets of Bangkok, UK tourists appear to be going about their holidays relatively unaffected. Tour operators say they have no plans to cancel flights to Thailand, and UK holiday companies insist that "it's very much business as usual".
We're not as stupid as he thinks we are | ROBIN GRIFFITHS, MISSIONARY, ONGSIT, KANCHANABURI PROVINCE | Robin Griffiths
We have lived through about ten different coups since we moved to Thailand in 1973.We are about 160 miles (260km) north-west of Bangkok in Kanchanaburi province.Mr Thaksin had a lot of support around here, basically because of the handouts he gave the village people. They were giving out rice and free mobile phones to schoolchildren.
This was before the April elections, although it's been going on since then too.
But people were beginning to see through it.
One of our neighbours said recently: "We're not as stupid as he thinks we are. He's not going to bribe me with his giveaways". But two years ago, this man was a big Thaksin supporter.
Coup, Yes we like it (so far)
19th September while I was watching a comedy show.. that program was suddenly stopped and replaced by a blue screen with some text..
I didn't have a clue that what was coming. Heard a rumour but I didn't think it would be real. But yes, it was.
It's the coup.
I logged on to MSN and talked to friends. Everyone stayed up that night as if they knew. Nobody seemed to be really shocked about it though. I mean.. we were surprised. But more like.. "Oh.. they just did it? oh oh.. OK!"
First announcement came. Just after Thaksin's "half" announcement that he ordered a commander to be transfered to some other position.. that was really TOO LATE
And it stayed blue like that forever. We had to follow news from radio kept waiting for more announcements. As soon as 2nd announcement aired. I heard some people outside blowing horns..riding around on their motorbikes and shout "Yessss!!!! Thaksin GET OUTTTTTTT!!"
Reactions
From those in Bangkok
First on MSN everyone was checking news with one another. Rumours spread everywhere. Some real some crappy (As crazy as .. Thaksin would come back with his own private army, something like that) But finally it was confirmed that it was the coup.
Most of people I know they're relieved. Finally it's the end of all this craziness. 18 months we've been waiting for!!
Next day I went out to see the mood around the city. I shit you not. People looked so happy, everybody got smiles on their faces. Families took children out to take photos with army and tanks! (yeah, for real) They're bringing flowers to give to soldiers too.
This never happened in Thailand. Everytime it's a coup. Ofcourse people stay home and hold a grudge for a military. But this coup is different. Turned out that 83% of us are supporting this decision.
Reactions
From friends abroad, and foreign friends traveling in Thailand at the moment.
First I got text messages on my mobile phone.. messages on MSN.. email.. from everywhere I have friends there.. europe, china, india, US even Serbia. Asking if I was still OK. Then I realized that it must be looking really bad on the news in their countries. Since I live here, things look totally calm even closer to a celebration time. Having tanks running around doesn't mean we're having kind of civil war.
Why he hate Thaksin
Things like this, you never walked in our shoes, you never know.
It's a long story to tell you why we hate this man guts. He seemed to be pretty good in the beginning. But he turned out to be most corrupted man in history. Everyone sees what's going on in the south around islamic provinces, There's bombs, people got killed every single day, our Royal family showing their concern by visiting victims there.
Thaksin NEVER. All he f**king cares is visiting his comfy home town Chiangmai where lot of people still support him and even hanging signs everywhere in Chiang Mai that if his opponents come they will have to taste their "feet" and "fist"
Things got worst when one day at Siam Paragon when Thaksin was there and some people shouting at him "Tyrant! get out!" that's it. He got his people beating those folks up! Those are including 60 year-old man, a woman, and young studen in uniform. This drives people so mad. So he said that everything should be played by rules. But what is this? He got civilians beaten up because they're speaking out their minds? They have their rights to do it you know that. Do anything but violence!!
I can't call him anything else but mafia.
A week later he came up with new stuff. Someone caught a guy with his car full of bombs. Around 2km. away from Thaksin's house. And try to make us believe that this man meant to kill PM. We were... YEAAAAH RIGHT.. 2km away from his house? And a guy he caught is apparently Thai Rak Thai Lover? (his family was in shock that he got caught in charge of carbomb. They insist that THIS GUY LOVES Thai Rak Thai and hate the mops those want Thaksin to step down)
It was completely a set up. I'm not buying it.
5 years in power. He fucked things up. Countless. The worst thing is his style split Thais in two. His lovers, and his haters. And don't you let these 2 sides discuss in public. It will end up with blood, really. Nobody talked that they like Thaksin or they hate Thaksin in public coz you might get hurt from thinking out loud.
I've got so many questions from friends (non-Thais) and I found it totally difficult to explain to them why this is a right decision of the army to take control. I've talked to my Thai friends and they all said the same that.. Probably you will have to be born as Thais to understand why.
Many countries comdemn this coup. But I wonder, what do they fucking know about situation here? Thaksin was elected but it doesn't mean he can abuse his power like that. I'm telling you here.
We're supporting this coup.
Anyway, now it's a rumour that one of those leaders in The Democratic Reform Council is one of Thaksin's fellows. THAT would be big issue if it's true.
I'm so sick and tired of this political games..damnit.
moment of truth
This is real challenging.. The moment of truth.
Do SOMETHING or just keep looking at it for hours.
Empty Photoshop screen.. damn.. as blank as my head right now
Penne Gang Kiew Wan...damn again..
Factories | Fabian | Karoke | Park
Factories
Went to take photos for my client on past Friday. I thought I had reached Burma border. Damn it was SO FAR. And I didn't know that there was such a big market for "bicycles" in Thailand? Their factories produce colors (pigments..more like..for industrial), Plastic parts (most for bicycles), and yes, they make bicycles.. as a main business for now. (I didn't see anything else but bicycles there) Even the "manager" who had to meet us to sign some paper. He came to office (from factory) by electric bicycle. So funny to see some guy in suit riding such a sweet-color bicycle just to get around the factory.
One of them is sort of "Graphic" department. It means 3 designers sitting behind their Macs (but they wear uniforms just like other workers) in very small office room. And they DON'T talk. I wonder if it's like that everyday or it's just when I was there so they wanted to look serious enough to be photographed? Thousands of workers work at that place.
Colors catalog
Warehouse. Perfect workplace for glue sniffing addicts
Serious machines
Can't imagine how boring to work there.
If all the "graphic design" department looked like this. I'd prefer to work in a rice field.
Fabian
Alright! so, another guest :-) Seems to be German week or something? :-P Nah, eventhough it was quite and exhausting week because of some crazy people who came Krungthep and MY profile. But at least Fabian is cool. (Thank Buddha)
Paradox : actually that time on those screen they were showing game show that help people getting out of their "debt" So ironic. Coz that mall is for so-called Hi-So people.
Fabian studying Thai :-D
Ya know!?
Karaoke
We went to Karaoke last night (me, p' Mong and Fabian). After a dinner at MK. That was not planned though. I thought it would be another 'cool' way for non-Thais to learn Thai too (especially that he can read Thai already, just needs to practice) It was great! (yeah! Karaoke is da best!) And he'll start taking a class with p' Mong tomorrow~! Hope it will work out :-D But I'm sure it will. He's fast learner.
Park
Went to the park today, viewed some photos that he just got them printed here. Pretty cool pictures taken in Denmark :-) Ate Khao Mok Gai at Roti Mabata resto, yeah ..again. Can't help it.. I like it THAT much.
When Fabian was rolling his tobacco. A waiter at Roti place nodded to his friend like "look look.. this farang is ROLLING" I had to tell him that "It's not a joint!" before he would think too far.
Well, quite a chill-out day actually. Done some email design for Adam (turned to be that it's not actually what he wants, good to know. It's good for learning new things. It's completely different from designing whole websites), Went to the park, sat down on green grass looking at people practicing Capoeira with Thai traditional music as background (LIVE!) such a weird combination. But it's pretty cool mixed :-)
Aerobic Dancing!
I wonder how long it takes those people to memorize all the moves for that aerobic dance? they look like the dance army! Some people wore "California Wow!" Tshirt. I don't wonder why she stopped going to California and came here instead. That place is just soooo commercialized, way too much. Too greedy. Exercising in the park is FREE! and you meet nicer people. Only sucky thing is.. it depends on weather. Rain = No exercise.
Prathetthai ruam luad nua chat cheua Thaiiii..
It's always hilarious to see some foreigners went totally freaked out when seeing everyone stands up in the park at 6 PM sharp for a national antheme. It's VERY THAI thing which I think it's very cool. Even I'm sure that some people don't actually LOVE nation that much. But it's kinda automatic when you hear the theme, you gotta stand up and stop doing anything else..hehe
Amazing Thailand. Antheme twice a day, don't we just love our country?
Tomorrow "To do list"
- Go to the bank, waste another 300 Baht to get new ATM!
- Pay credit card bill
- Pay phone bill!
- Pay internet bill! (shit.. so many bills)
- Go to post office
- Go to bookstore
- See Movie at Lido! gotta see it! gotta seeeeeee~~!
- Tracking Jib for website back-end
- Start working on actual layouts for PMG website.
shit.. I wish I had 50 hours/day
It's important to save the frog.
I went to see movies today. First one is Thai film "Seasons Change" by GTH which it was pretty OK. At least soundtracks are really beautiful.
Second one is "An inconvenient truth" which is really moving and I think it's most horrifying film ever be seen. And everyone should watch it! Even movie is full of facts and data but every second it makes you feel like "What the fuck are we doing to our planet??" it's just so .. I dunno.. it's really sad that most of people don't even think it has anything to do with them. Even worse about the fact that Bush was the one who was elected. Not Gore.
And all those facts and data shown in movies. They're all really terrifying. After you see them and you still feel like "Oh ..so what?" you must be reall really ignorant and selfish.
Resource : http://www.climatecrisiscoalition.org/
The Antarctic Peninsula 1986-2002, (c) University
of Innsbruck. Source:European Space Agency
Triftgletscher in the Berner Oberland of Switzerland until recently filled the entire basin seen here in the foreground. Thinning of the tongue during the 1990s accelerated and as of 2001 a lake started to form in front of it. The ice became buoyant and rapid break-up of the snout is now underway. JA Photos : Michael Hambrey (MH), Jürg Alean (JA) | Resource
"Humanity is sitting on a ticking time bomb. If the vast majority of the world's scientists are right, we have just ten years to avert a major catastrophe that could send our entire planet into a tail-spin of epic destruction involving extreme weather, floods, droughts, epidemics and killer heat waves beyond anything we have ever experienced." : Al Gore
