Thai stress test - relax - it's only politics

The Thai Department of Mental health published the following advise to help  Thai's in these times of political turmoil.

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BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Department of Mental Health has encouraged all Thais to check their mental health via an easy test of five questions and find ways for stress reduction accordingly upon the ongoing political tension.

Mental Health Department Director-General, MD Chatri Banchuen, stated that Thai people should beware of their own minds and not fall as victims of stress and tension.

He then recommended all Thais to take a mini-test to see if they are prone to stress leading to violent expressions or not.

The questions ask respondents to see if they are certain with five statements or not. The statements are as follows:
             1) I am always frustrated upon political discussion. 
             2) I must argue with those having different political opinions.

   3) I am engrossed in political issues more than personal ones.

    4) I am always afraid of potential violent incidents in Thailand.

           5) I always try to persuade others to agree with my political opinions.

Respondents will receive every two points for answering ‘yes’, one point for answering ‘uncertain’, and zero point for answering ‘no’.

Respondents scoring a total of 0-2 points can be interpreted as having normal political emotion and eligible to learn information from all sides.

Respondents with 3-5 points can be interpreted as having a moderate level of political emotion with own political stance, and able to accept different opinions.

However, they are prone to stress if they are too engrossed in politics, and so are advised to relax more.

Respondents with 6-10 points can be interpreted as having a strong level of political emotion and are at risk to high levels of stress. They are suggested to avoid any provoking situation or people and relax more.

The director-general stressed that mental health must be given priority during both normal and crisis periods. He said good mental health, serenity, and peace could be created if mental health is well managed.

MD Chatri said any people feeling uncomfortable or requiring mental health assistance can dial 1323 hotline around the clock.

Note from Doug: Considering all the political stuff going on the USA it might be recommended for us to also follow these guide lines also..  Na probably not!

-- NNT 2010-03-26

2 more blasts hit Thailand

2 more blasts hit Thailand

Hydrofoil - Saigon to the beach at Vung Tau for the day

Note: all photos are clickable for best viewing

Your in Saigon, tired of dodging motor bikes and the constant hum of activity the city generates.  So hop on down to the Saigon river, plunk down 160,000 dong and in a flash, OK, an hour and a half and your in Vung Tau.  A pleasant little town on the sea with beaches and lovely ocean views. A cheaper option would be to get a bus at the station across from Ben Thanh Market but it takes around three and a half hours.  I've never taken the bus over there but know that from other experiences, its a good way to get a look at life in Vietnam but can be very uncomfortable.

A couple weeks ago a Vietnamese friend and her niece made a trip out there with me on the Hydrofoil.  I really enjoyed the ride, while you can't see much from inside, as its enclosed and air-conditioned but there are a couple areas mid ship where you can poke your head out.  Gives you a up close look at the goings on of the harbor, tugs, ocean going container ships, strange little motorized barges, ferries, small and large fishing boats along with all the shore side activities.   While my excitement wasn't shared with my Vietnamese friend, she said she felt sick the whole way.  While her nice, unaffected by my exuberance and her aunts ills, slept. 

The boats are pretty ratty looking when you see them up close, thinking there probably Russian built in the 1970's. It's pretty obvious not much has been invested in maintaining there appearance.  You see that a lot here in Vietnam.

There are two boat company's Vina and Petro Express but the boats and fares are the same.   Though there schedules are a little different with about 6 departures a day.

  

Yup, lovely ocean views to be had, just don't look to close as the beaches are awash with trash.   Really sad as it wouldn't take much to make em great but the visiting Vietnamese don't seem effected by it.  There are bath houses where you can change and shower off the after your swim for a nominal fee.   They also offer liquid to clean the tar off you feet . 

Thai folks (red shirts) vs the government - update

I need some new photos

The protest by the United front for Democracy (UDD) / Red Shirts rolls into its second week. With little results to show in its quest to remove prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and force the formation of a new government in Thailand.

Vejjajiva has barricaded himself in a fortified army barracks, refusing direct talks with Red Shirt leaders.  He travels when needed by helicopter so he can stay untouchable by the protesters.

The Red Shirts position is that Vejjajiva and his party gained power unconstitutionally in 2008 when the government dissolved Mr. Thaksin's party and so the present government is illegal.  Though they seek non violent change but are willing to give there blood for the cause.  Latterly drawing there own blood and using it in there protests.

Last Saturdays protest dew an estimated 65,000 protesters as the Red Shirts attempted to draw from the rank and file in Bangkok. 

Today the government extended the Internal Security act and will use armed solders at check points, government buildings and military bases.  Up to now the 30,000 plus security forces were unarmed but due to a couple of gernade incidents this has changed.

On a different topic, I'm writing this in Saigon where the Vietnamese government has blocked access to Facebook.   Though my postings on Blogger show up there.  I can get at Facebook via a proxy server but can't add or edit content.  Governments - can't live with them and can't live with out them.

Lunar New Year, Viertnam's Tet - second part

Large open trucks transport troops of young acrobats, dressed in dragon costumes, for impromptu performances on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City.

  

I'm not sure what this is all about but these guys risk their necks and really put on a show.  Not sure if my photos make it clear but many of the dragon dances are performed with one guy standing on another's shoulders.  They hustle through there acrobatic routines then haul each other back into the bed of the transport truck and are off.   

Nguyen Hue street in downtown Saigon is transformed into a stylised, Vietnamese country side setting for the New Year.  Many women dress up in traditional ao dai's, as in the above photo, for the occation.

so what's up in Bangkok now - protests, protests

An M-79 grenade fired into a battalion, injuring 2 soldiers


BANGKOK: -- Two soldiers were injured on Monday after an M-79 grenade was fired into an army battalion opposite National Broadcast Television (NBT) station near the Victory Monument. The soldiers were now being treated at the Phra Mongkul Hospital.
-- The Nation 2010-03-15

Lets see, wondering how you know the kind of grenade that blows up in front of you and why it didn't do more damage?  Though I'm glad it didn't take any lives, it just seems a might strange.


Red shirts threaten to deface Government House with their own blood


BANGKOK: -- Natthawut Saikua, a red-shirt leader, announced at 1:40 pm Monday threatened to pour 1 million cc of blood of 100,000 red-shirt people around the Government House.

Natthawut said the red-shirt people would collect their blood and pour the blood at every gate of the Government House at 6pm.
-- The Nation 2010-03-15

I'm wondering about this report also, think its lacking context.  Just seems to portray the red shirts as crazes, which they ain't.

Sorry though still no first hand information on the goings on in Bangkok  from Victor,  I'm thinking kidnapped.  But not to worry about Victor  - I'm sure the Thai lady or ladies, like Vietnamese and Cambodian ones will bring him back minus the camera money a little tired but looking very relaxed.

So what's up in Bangkok now?

The red shirts have arrived in Bangkok, maybe not a million but ten's of thousands.    No violence so far, which is no surprise to me, most Thia's are just not like that, especially in the countryside. 

Now the government that's another story, they have a military and volience is what military do.   However, Thai vs Thai physical violence is hard to picture.

My concern is the "United Front for Democracy" wants Abhist Vejjajiva to step down  and open a new election and what goes down when it doesn't happen.  We have the elitists of Bangkok vs the workers from the countryside, what would Mao do in a situation like this and that is worrisome.

I've dispatched my best and only man, Victor, who is actually a fellow crazy who also hangs out here and is now in Bangkok, to buy a camera and get us photos.  At the moment he reports all is well on Sukumvit but he is ever vigilant and has shifted to a bar stool near the door.

Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year - part 1

As another Tet holiday, welcoming in the Lunar New year slides past as life gets back to the normal craziness, here in Ho Chi Minh City.

Tet is the biggest of all holiday's ever in Vietnam; something like combining all the US holidays into one big event and then still celebrated all of them again as they came up at their regular time.

In Tet you have the gift giving, decorating and preparation components, much like Christmas in the USA but much bigger. Officially it’s a three day holiday but many people are given a week off and many restaurants and stores close for three days and some stay closed for the whole week.

Vietnam has also caught onto Christmas, embracing the social aspects of it, if not the religious parts, as another opportunity for gift giving, special decorations and holiday music. Also, the western New Year’s is celebrated, much the same as we do in the states, fireworks, parties and all that. Though, Tet still remains the mother of all holidays.

One of the components of Tet is the concept of "Lucky money". This is where special red colored New Year’s envelopes with small denomination of money inside, say - 20,000 dong, are given to younger /older Vietnamese and helpers on New Year’s eve or New Year’s day, by people like me. The enclosed bills must be crisp and clean, probably symbolizing the fresh start of the New Year. I've read that this practice is so popular it has caused shortages of currency at the banks. While I don't fully understand the reasoning behind "lucky money" I'm here to tell you – if you want to create a stir, hand out some of those red envelopes, that’ll do it.

Getting the New Year off to a good start is first and foremost in the minds of most Vietnamese. New clothes are bought, food is stored for the three days of the holiday, houses are cleaned and the spruced up, as my landlord repainted the entrance way to our building a couple days before Tet it is good form to make an attempt at resolving any personal disagreements to halt bad feelings following you into the New Year.

Cleaning is done before Tet to insure that good luck is not inadvertently swept out while cleaning during Tet. Vietnamese believe that digging and drawing water should not be done during Tet to allow the ground and water a chance to enjoy the holiday.

Tet can be very boring for foreigners, many of the stores and restaurants are closed and the streets were deserted here in Saigon. Many people that live and work in the city are from the countryside, Tet is a time for families and many have long holidays over the period so they head home. More affluent Vietnamese may take this time to travel to a holiday destination in country or to another country.

In Tet you have the gift giving, decorating and preparation components, much like Christmas in the USA but much bigger. Officially it’s a three day holiday but many people are given a week off and many restaurants and stores close for three days and some stay closed for the whole week.



I’m lucky, as I have Vietnamese friends who look after me and take me along to family celebrations and meals. So for me the Tet weekend is a great time to be in Saigon, lots of good meals, beautiful flower markets, Tet displays like the one on Nguyen Hue St. to visit, a fantastic fireworks display on New Years Eve and the streets are just about peaceful.

THAILAND

Thailand considers invoking the Internal Security Act (March 9, 2010)

The UDD (United Front for Democracy) or mostly know as the Red Shirts due to their signature red shirts, are calling for the resignation of the present Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and new elections. Many of the group support ex Prime MinisterThaksin Shinawata, now in self imposed exile after the coup of 2006.

To this end they will rally in Bangkok on Sunday, involving up to a million people, mostly from the outlying areas of Thailand. Starting on Friday (12/03/10) they will arrive in Bangkok aboard buses, trucks, farm tractors and on foot for Sunday's demonstrations. The group has the potential of choking off Bangkok's roads and shutting down travel in and around the city.

The Thai government is rolling out the troops, up to 100,000 to enforce the peace. Though the red shirts have proclaimed their intent is for a peaceful protest but with this many people massed together in such an emotional charged atmosphere, who knows what might happen. Though in general Thai's are a peaceful sort and are respectful of outsiders so farang shouldn’t be in danger. Though the wise person is always aware of their surrounding and should skirt around any trouble spots.

The government is expected to invoke the Internal Security Act today, which as close as I can figure is a nice way of saying Marshal Law. Schools in some areas in Bangkok will be closed as of Thursday.

All this has the potential of effecting serious political change in Thailand or maybe turn out as in the old saying -“same, same but different”.

Bangkok, Thailand supreme court's ruling on Thaksin's assets

The Thai Supreme Court has handed down in decision on ex Primer Thanksin Shinawata's assets still held in Thailand.   It will seize 1.4 billion out of the 2.2 billion total assets .

Thailand had mobilized 20,000 security forces, with 6,000 of them placed on guard in Bangkok, along with 168 security check points but so far there hasn't been a need to put them in action.

Dr. Weng Tojiraken one of the leaders of the United Front for Democracy (UDD) mostly represented by the red shirts put off  the talked about  demonstration and announced: "I'm not fighting for Mr. Thaksin, I'm fighting for my country to be a genuine democratic system."

Thai politics can be a bit confusing and ever changing so guess we will wait and see what happens next.

Thaksin Shinawata vs Thai government - Doug

Remember way back last April when the red shirts in their protesting fervor shut down Suvambhumi International Airport in Bangkok. OK, red shirts who are you, Thai supporters of ousted primer Thaksin Shinawata - officially representing the "United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship"party. Which was also the "Thai rack Thai" party till the present Thai government abolished the it afer the coup that tossed Thksin from office.

Friday, tomorrow (2/26) will be a big new red shirts protest, in the past these rotests have drawn up to 100,000 people.

Tomorrow could  even be a bigger deal as the Thai Supreme Court is due to hand a ruling on, if the government can confiscate Thaksin's total 2.2 billion of assets still in Thailand.

Now all this might seem a little scary, especially if your a tourist getting ready to visit Thailand. Not to worry, foreigners are not normally drawn into the fray and the action is focused in specific parts of town and so easy to stay away from.. I was in Bangkok last year just as the protests were winding down and I didn't see any evidence of violence.  Doug

Odds and Ends from ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

What's a communist country in SE Asia like Vietnam to do when your country is over flowing with people and your looking around for things to do - so you strengthen ties with North Korea, aid Lao with police and military matters, add new investments in Cambodia and help in redrawing those pesky boarder lines.  Wonder what the long range plan is?

The Vietnamese Bank for Social Policy has announced a new loan program to help the poor - 8,000,000 dong ($430. us) and 10 years to pay it back at 3% interest.

Last Month the Vietnamese Communist Party celebrated its 80 th birthday     - Happy Birthday!

So your thinking - hey, would have got that flu shot but was just a bit short on cash last month. You were just at the wrong place at the wrong time. The US is in the process of providing 7.9 million in flue vaccine aid to Vietnam, so there you are.

My laundry is included into the monthly price of my room as everyone that knows me knows, along with "they even iron my boxers". Though if your staying in the Pham Nhu Lao backpackers area here in Saigon and aren't like me and have laundry that needs - according to the sign posted in front of a shop I saw, it will cost you 7,000 dong (.38 us) a kilo. Now does that include ironed boxers?

Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs. Just liked the name.

A new section of a highway in Tien Gieng Provence, still uncompleted, was opened to help with Tet's heavy traffic, here are the rules -

• maintain speed of over 70 km per hour


• slow trucks or trucks larger than 4.2 x 2.8 m not allowed

Not sure who enforces the speeds and measures the trucks but just in case there are rules. The highway is 8 lanes and 62 km long, to handle speeds up to 120 km an hour at a cost of 535 million US...


More on the road theme - as in most coutures, major holidays and here its Tet, are the most dangerous time to be on the roads. I pulled these figures from the "Vietnam Today" newspaper, their wording:

• killed about 300


• injured more than 400


• unreported accidents with victims being hospitalized 14,000

An old Vietnamese saying I pulled out of the same paper from an article on corruption - "A clean fast is better than a dirty breakfast"