It didn't take more than 24 hours since I wrote about the manipulations in Thai politics and how the events have unfurled into an uglier scene. Bangkok international airport is closed and there is the prospect of an emergency being declared. What a shame for a peace-loving people...at least that was the impression I have of Thais when I met them throughout the years. Shouldn't they be focusing on economic issues which are more pressing than worry about blockades and political triumphs? If nothing else the events shows how mankind has a neck of overlooking the nicer things in life and turning issues into destruction and carnage.
I remembered the times when I was visiting Thai as the regional bureau correspondent with a foreign news agency. A Canadian chap, married to a Thai, was my ground man and he took me from the airport to the hotel. We visited many companies to introduce our organisation and the services we rendered. Thereafter, I made contacts with several Thai professionals and spoke with them regularly to gather information for my reportage. Bangkok is a dusty city but it has its own charm. Amidst the criss-crossing of vehicular traffic and the maze of side alleys lined with itinerant hawkers and others peddling their wares, the people are warm and friendly. They are a cheerful lot and gets more boisterous when they are engaged in an animated conversation. The city wakes up early and by about 7am the streets are crawling with people. Twelve hours hence, at 7pm another group of people throng the streets - they are the revellers and diners as well as shoppers looking for bargain. Famous Patpong and its bar top dancers are a must see for some. But there's more to Bangkok than just girls. The temples, river boats, Muay Thai and fortune telling give it the vibrancy and a mystical charm unlike other cities in Asia.
Singapore is too orderly, too sanitized so much so it looks like a "clean room" in a high-tech factory. I guess in that context it's "uniquely Singapore". Malaysia is too pretentious in trying to promote a charm which other than Malay is not indigenous to the country. Indian and Chinese cultures are bundled into "Malaysia, truly Asia". I am amazed at how this tagline came about. It's meaningless.
What can mankind do in order to live peacefully and enjoy the life that has been given us? Surely we have more important matters to deal with than to worry about a band of politicians manoeuvring to rule the country. Surely the APEC meeting is something that Thais should be focusing on more than worrying about who helms the government of the day - after all they have their King. Let's begin by looking at how can we encourage trade, tourism in order to create jobs, improve standard of living and promote knowledge through education and training. Let's keep that for the next posting on this blog.
