Welcome,to the wonders of Thailand no matter what you read

Welcome to Thailand

Your thinking, Thailand, but a long flight away and hey how about that political unrest I've read about.

Okay, with regards to flying to Thailand it's always going to be long, around 15 hours to Hong Kong or Inchon, Korea, then a plane change, about 3 more hours to Suvarnabhumi international, Bangkok and then it takes another half an hour to get you into Bangkok.

Though, if you've heard about recent political unrest in Thailand not to worry.  The protest by the Patik Siam, lead by retired general Boonlet Kaewprasit directed at undermining the leadership of prime minister Yinluck, fizzled.  The turn out of 10,000 was no where in size to past protests of a 100,000 plus.  The general, a self proclaimed royalist leader is said to have been so dejected by the size of the turn out he dissolved the organization and walked a way from the movement. 

Meanwhile, the Prime minister Yinluck Shirawatra, the younger sister of exiled prime minister Taksin Shirawatra who was removed from office  in the coup of 2006 is by most accounts doing a great job.  Yinluck running on the Puea Thai party ticket was elected prime minister by a land slide in the 2011 election and became the 28 Th prime minister of Thailand. However, other than having a brother in politics had  no previous political experience. So some were unsure that while in office that she wouldn't be any more than a surrogate for her exiled brother.  All though time has proved her meddle and her leadership abilities and has maintaining a political stable Thailand since election.  She survived a no confidence vote by the Thai Parliament of 308 - 159. 

BTS Sky Train over Sukhumvit

So you still have that long airplane ride but once in the kingdom your life will be safe and that wonderful Thai way is a waiting you.

 

 

 

As always, your hero (Doug)
is here for you.

Odds an ends from Saigon

Linh presenting me with a birthday cake
commemorating my 68 Th birthday
at Thao's in Saigon, where I rent a room.

Always find it interesting reading the "Vietnam News" the only news source in English published in Vietnam.  Gives a guy a look into the governance in action.  

 

Item 1. 

 

Lets take a look at government organizations and there names -  Reading an article on prostitution you have the Deputy Head, HCM Cities, Social Evils Fighting and Prevention Department and as close as I could figure these are the guys who look for prostitutes.  Then you have the "Ministry of labor, Invalids and Social affairs"that track and direct the police.

 

With the net result of 1000 arrested, 700 convicted and 7 that they weren't sure if they had broke the law.  No mention of the time period, the sentences of the convicted and hey what's the deal with the 7 they were unsure of whether they were prostitutes or not.

 

Item 2.

 

Vietnam attended a UN meeting of the "International Telecom Union" in Dubai about Internet control.  Vietnam, along with Russia and unmentioned  other countries are seeking international control of the Internet. 

 

According to the "Vietnam News" most of the Union's ideas are secret but it was leaked that Russia is pushing to give individual countries the rights to control Internet content and accessibility. While the Arab nations are seeking a rule that Internet users are be registered and identified..  On a some what positive note, the US was against all this.

 

Item 3.                                        





                                                                         



Yup, that's a heliport on the side of the middle building
and there haven't been any choppers here since the
US pulled out 30 some years ago.

                                                                                           

 

 

About the slow down in housing sales. I have this quote "Prices (housing) are not high, incomes are low. 

As always, your hero (Doug)
is here for you.