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| "The Rounds" Friday, November 28, 2003
Mekhong Kurt * * * * * * * * * * A Further Call to Action: Write The Bangkok Post to Voice Your Displeasure Last time I wrote about the pending unwilling departure of Bernard Trink, "Nite Owl" columnist for decades. and urged you to write the newspaper protesting his unceremonious sacking at the end of this year. But it's far worse than I originally knew. Trink e-mailed Christopher G. Moore, who in turn let me know, that November 14th was Trink's last day -- 6 weeks before year's end. Now the word is out that Harold Stephens' excellent travel column, which was available on the web version of the newspaper, has also been axed, as been Stephens himself. There are 2 threads to consider here. From a journalistic point of view, the more important is the failed editorial judgement that led to the sackings of 2 widely respected, veteran columnists. Trink came here a young man, still wet behind the ears, and made a life and name for himself, both well-deserved. Stephens is a combat veteran who was not so green as Trink, but who, like Trink, went on to make himself a home in Asia, about which he has written around 2 dozen books. The second is the distinct suggestion of anti-Americanism. If the whiff of prejudice I detect indicates a new anti-American attitude at the newspaper, it is bitterly ironic, as Americans founded and supported the newspaper in the first place, as I understand it. Given that both Trink and Stephens are American, it's hard not to suspect the existence of an anti-American attitude amongst the editors of The Bangkok Post. I urge every one of you to take a few moments to write the newspaper to voice your displeasure over these senseless sackings and to urge the powers-that-be to reconsider their idiotic decisions regarding Trink and Stephens. To write the Editor, write editor@bangkokpost.net. To write Postbag, write postbag@bangkokpost.net. To write the Realtime Editor, write realtime@bangkokpost.net. To write Trink directly, write niteowl@bangkokpost.net. To comment via a simple click about Stephens, visit this URL: webdevelopment@bangkokpost.co.th. Again, I hope AtoZ'ers will flood the paper with letters howling in protest! The Bangkok Post is rapidly ascending to claim the throne of being the blandest, tamest newspaper in the entire region, perhaps of the world. Even The China Daily, the English-language mouth-piece of the Chinese Communist Party and government, shows more fire than the Post does these days. I further urge all of you to follow my lead and not only refuse to buy The Bangkok Post but to resist any desire to look at its free online edition. In other words, let's go for their wallets -- their advertisers will be sure to let them know. Finally, if a product or service advertised in The Bangkok Post is available from a source that is *not* advertised there, please consider using the alternate vendor, not the one advertised in The Bangkok Post. [Footnote: I wrote the above 2 days ago. I just the Friday online edition of the paper, and Trink has a column there this week, so the situation is confusing, to say the least. Also, yesterday I got a reply from the Internet editor of the paper's online edition discussing Harold Stephens, the axed travel columnist for the online eidtion; she made it clear she is displeased with the decision, adding that if enough people write in protesting, perhaps upper management will reconsider. My original e-mail and her reply are here, for anyone interested.] * * * * * * * * * * American Thanksgiving Report I spent the American Thanksgiving holiday celebrating at the Texas Lone Staar, where proprietor George Pipas serves a free traditional meal every Thanksgiving. This year's serving included turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes with brown gravy, cranberry sauce, and candied yams. Just after the scheduled 3:00 P.M. serving time I did a quick head count, and found nearly 60 customers there. George told me this morning there were 94 plates served, so there was some turnover. A friend who went with his wife and 6 other people to Bourbon Street Restaurant for Doug's Thanksgiving buffet said Doug really outdid himself this year, especially with the salad bar, which even included Caesar salad. Both he and wife waxes eloquent about how delicious the food was. Still other friends went to Chequers for the holiday. One friend said when it came time to order dessert, he was having trouble choosing between the pumpkin pie and apple pie, and told the waiter so, who left without a word -- only to return with a slice of both! Needless to say, my friend was delighted. I haven't heard other reports yet, but I'm sure the scenario was repeated across the city. * * * * * * * * * * And Christmas Is Just Around the Corner It's always hard to believe how quickly Christmas rolls around again. But the Yuletide Season is indeed upon us; various places will have their decorations up by the end of the working day today, and some went one better, getting theirs up several days ago. The Emporium has their always stunning ones up, as they have had for a few days already. The basic lighting scheme there sounds odd -- pink. But when I first saw it the other night, I found it beautiful. Thanksgiving was always my late Father's holiday, because that was the only day of the year he could be completely sure his dad would take off work. Granddad died before I was born, so I never got a chance to ask him why, and my Dad didn't know. So Thanksgiving was always special in my home when I was growing up. Even so, Christmas has always had a magical appeal unparalleled by any other holiday of the year for me. Memories of Christmas Past transport me, as they do millions of others, back to the innocence of childhood. One Christmas, my desperately wanted Schwinn bicycle was there when I sneaked into the living room in the last dark before false dawn. Another Christmas my Dad outdid himself with a present he made for all of us -- me, my sister, our Mother, and even himself. He spent untold hours at night secretly making a house -- out of kitchen match sticks! I forget the details now, but I remember there were other structures around the house. I spent many happy hours just looking at it. Now, like other adults, I re-live Christmas through the children I see. And for any of you who have never been to Asia, don't kid yourselves: the Asians have cottoned onto the secular aspects of Christmas in a huge way. That shouldn't be surprising; 2 of my closest American friends in the States are Jewish, and they thrill at Christmas more than just about anyone else. Because I was raised in the Episcopal Church, there are memories associated with the religious aspects of the holiday for me; Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve was my favorite one, especially if I got the honor of being an acolyte serving during the mass. I've not been associated with any religion, let alone denomination, in years, but those fond memories remain. I know I'm likely not the first to do so, but let me extend Season's Greetings to one and all as 2003 draws to a close. * * * * * * * * * * Visas, Visas, Visas . . . Sigh The concerns over visas continue. One writer of a letter to one of the local papers claims that last week he was told point-blank by a visa officer in the consular office of the Thai embassy in Vientiane that foreigners are not welcome in Thailand in most cases, other than as tourists (who leave quickly) or as heavy-weight investors. It's difficult to understand the rationale of such a statement, assuming it is true. (In fairness, I don't understand my own government's negativism towards *all* visa applicants, given that my homeland -- America -- is mostly an immigrant nation.) Geographically, Thailand is perfectly situated to take a commanding position in Southeast Asia in an unequal pentagon with corner points here, Indonesia, Australia, Tokyo, and Beijing. But there appear to elements within the government (and society at large) determined to keep Thailand a feudal, isolated land. I personally feel that's tragic, given that international stimulation could help to improve the lot of the average Thai -- not Bangkokian, middle- and upper-class Thais only, but the farmers in Isaan and elsewhere. This anti-foreign attitude reminds me of the narrow-mindedness of, say, the Ku Klux Klan in America. In this largely homogenous society, such an attitude has distinct racist overtones. But there is an explanation, I think. "Education reform" has been a constant theme of government after government during my decade here, but nothing has happened -- and, I believe, nothing is likely to happen so long as the monetary elite control the Kingdom. It isn't in the best interest of the elite for ordinary citizens to acquire analytical skills -- skills that would enable them to see the anti-foreign babblings for what they are -- babblings. One good example of this is the constant hue and cry bleated by the elite against foreign ownership of land. But even the elite have no answer when the question is posed to them "Do you think an evil foreigner can 'steal' Thai soil and carry it with him (or her) back to another country?" But by stirring fervent nationalism the elite are able to keep control, using foreigners as a convenient excuse for every conceivable wrong. Precious little is said, for example, about the dark *local* forces that control the flesh trade -- but plenty is blared about the bad foreigners who are customers of that trade. Likewise the drug trade. Etc. etc. etc. The logic is to make staying here difficult for a foreigner, someone who just might accidentally enlighten a Thai person. The Thai Rak Thai party, the controlling party in the current coalition that is led by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has inarguably done a number of good things for the people of Thailand, and have to be credited with those accomplishments. But the conflicting signals regarding official attitudes towards foreigners is unsettling, to say the least. The P.M. himself led the effort to institute the "million-baht card," a privilege card granting foreigners very generous benefits, including visa ones -- the Immigration Bureau is in the process of setting up procedures for holders of a Thailand Elite Card, as it is officially called, to have a 5-year, unlimited multi-entry visa, granting them a 90-day visa on arrival and the option of renewing the visa for additional 90-day periods right here in the Kingdom, with no need to leave. Yet there are numerous opponents of these measures, some with considerable clout. Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore have out-gunned Bangkok regarding foreigners, making life easier for the *ordinary* foreigner than it is in Thailand. Even that "People's Paradise," mainland China, is racing ahead to make living in the country reasonably easy in terms of visa. Singaporean Prime Minister Goh has suggested that P.M. Thaksin is the natural next leader of ASEAN, a statement that gives Thaksin considerable credibility to step into the now-vacant shoes of recently-retire Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir, who evolved into the de facto leader of ASEAN once former Singaporean P.M. Lee Kwan Yu stepped down some years ago. We foreigners can only hope that Khun Thaksin will consider the examples of Malaysia and Singapore then lead an effort to make Thailand a foreigner-friendly country -- not just one aimed at removing as much money from foreigners as possible. Rumors of Sexist Regulations Street rumors (often the most accurate intelligence sources, by far) have it that Constitution or no Constitution, regulations are being considered to restrict ladies from entering any establishment serving alcohol if they aren't at least 21 years old and escorted by a male. Further, it is being circulated that even barmaids won't be able to take a drink with alcohol in it, the "logic" being that for them to do so suggests they are "service girls" -- which is, of course, exactly what they are. Having said that street intelligence is usually the most reliable, I should add that this particular bit of intel is suspect, in my book -- too many dark forces stand to lose if such regulations come into effect. * * * * * * * * * * Business Picking Up Based on my limited observations, it appears traffic in the night entertainment areas is picking up a little. Some bars in Washington Square, Queen's Park Plaza, Sukhumvit Soi 22, Sukhumvit Soi 33, and Soi Cowboy have rising custom as we move into the peak of the tourist season, rising custom I've seen for myself. Friends report the same is happening at Soi Nana, Soi Zero, and Patpong. As I've said again (and again and again), Thailand remains one of the best value-for-money tourist destinations in East Asia. One can have a pleasant holiday for maybe US$20 per day for a decent room and the same amount in pocket money. There aren't that many destinations left in the world where that's possible. So, if your looking for a last-minute place to flee the upper northern latitudes' cold weather, give Thailand a bit of thought. * * * * * * * * * * Thailand Stands to Gain from U.S.'s Intent to Alter Its International Position This week U.S. President George Bush announced the administration is re-visiting the U.S.'s global position in light of the altered world. The collapse of the Soviet Union over a decade ago and the introduction of a terrorism-focused viewpoint post-9/11 are the fundamental reasons for this reassessments. It doesn't matter if ones loves Bush, hates him, or doesn't give a damn: the fact is that he rewards those he perceives as friends. And he certainly regards Thailand as a friend -- the Prime Minister in particular, who made it possible for U.S. forces to use Thai soil as a secret staging point in Iraq War II. Like it or not, the U.S. remains the biggest gorilla on the planet, the sole superpower, and home to the largest economy anywhere on the globe. And that will be the situation for some years to come; the coming of "The Asian Century" remains more uncertain than most commentators are willing to admit. Reactionary forces retain considerable power in China and could derail that nation's efforts to join the ranks of the world's great nations at any moment, something with which the Communist leadership has yet to confront and correct. The Japanese are still hopelessly inward-looking and largely despised by their Asian neighbors for their World War II atrocitities, so they remain unable to take on a truly global mantle. That means the lesser powers, of which Thailand is one, have to consider their options over, say, the next 3 decades or so very carefully. During that time-frame the U.S. is likely to remain in the dominant military and economic position, so any smaller country is well-advised to consider the benefits -- military and economic -- of being identified as a friend of America. Thailand is well-positioned to come through such a review favorably. One can argue that America shouldn't be the world's policeman, and argue with considerable justification. But who else has the clout to go nose-to-nose, say, with North Korea, a country ruled by madmen and possibly nuclear-armed? Even our friends in Empire -- the U.K. and the Commonwealth -- cannot offer the same influence America can. Whatever else one says about Khun Thaksin, he's *not* stupid and undoubtedly realizes the truth of this. Thailand has no meaningful real enemies in the military sense and is still able to offer some (if not many) labor advantages to foreign businesses. Further, Americans -- being Americans -- will be favorably inclined towards the idea of visiting and investing in Thailand if the American government officially endorses Thailand as a friend of America. Much as I dislike the current coalition, Thailand deserves this, thanks to that same coalition. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Where Is *Your* Name??? So you've been a slacker and still haven't signed up for the free BangkokAtoZ.com Updates Mailing List??? ;-) Well, get with the program and sign up right now to be notified via e-mail whenever we add something to the site -- that way, you don't even have to visit the Updates Page to see if there's anything new -- we'll let you know by e-mail. If you want to sign up, just go to the sign-up page. I'm pleased to say that more and more of you are signing up, and I urge all of you not to hesitate! * * * * * * * * * * Where is *Your* "Traveller's Tale"??? Got a "Traveler's Tale"? -- send me a line! Just send me a *query* note at MekhongKurt@BangkokAtoZ.com. * * * * * * * * * * Linking to BangkokAtoZ.com If anyone reading this has a website and would like to place a link there for BangkokAtoZ.com, you can copy-and-paste the banner and text link below into your site; they are live links to this site's homepage:
I'll appreciate an e-mail telling me the URL of where you placed it. If you want me to put a link on BangkokAtoZ.com for your site, do tell me where you have placed our link, and I'll give you a link in a comparable position, of the same nature (i.e., banner-for-banner, text-for-text). * * * * * * * * * * Enough for one go . . . Until next time -- Mekhong Kurt
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Copyright © 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 by Kurt T. Francis, except as noted otherwise. Materials by Christopher G. Moore, Dean Barrett, Richard K. Diran, Sonia Pressman Fuentes, and Hardy Stockmann are copyrighted © by those respective authors. All rights reserved. Please see the Copyright Notice for further information. Click here for our Privacy Statement Please direct all inquiries to mekhongkurt at bangkokatoz.com |
