Election Day - February 2 tomorrow.
On the day I biked into Bangkok I saw the protesters that we're trying to rid the current ruling government of power and went on to buy a 'shutdown bangkok' T shirt on the train from a hawker. Not because I supported them because I didn't know if I did or not, however if it meant I supported people who thought the current lot are corrupt and are shafting the people and living decadent lives then I do. Now my problem is that I don't know where or if I can wear this shirt? I don't want to upset anyone, I don't want to be grabbed by the Talibans and neither do I want to be beheaded by the king so I thought I'd better look into to current political unrest and see if I can resolve it diplomatically, that way I can work out if i should leave the T-shirt in my bag unworn?
The democratic elections are on February 2 and basically the current temporary government want you to vote for them. They came into power on a temporary basis after a coup in 2006 when the brother of the current PM got ousted and is now exiled in Dubai following allegations that he was corrupt and nicked most of the brass from the pot. His sister is now in charge of the current lot and wants her brother to be allowed back probably so that they can both have a share of the wealth and spend it on luxury items like football clubs and knickerbocker glorys....they have the support of the rural areas who don't seem to mind them squandering their hard earned taxes.
The other gang who want an end to this corruption are supported by the educated middle classes who have an eye on the finances and aren't too happy with their taxes being spent on gold taps and lavish topless parties for family pets so they have been trying to rally round in the city to put a spanner in the works and drum up a bit of support for a change.
They also have the support of the army I think?
The old king who is reportedly worth about 30 billion quid seems to be keeping his head down as he isn't going to be able to spend what he has in the last few years of his life and probably has everything he needs by now, slippers, pipe, sky telly...
It's strange though that with all this wealth I can't think of many major Thai businesses that could generate and make investment in this country, Thai Airways of course, the alcohol giant Chang maybe? So where is all the money? Who finances Bangkok? They don't manufacture do they? Grow and export rice? Is Investment from outside countries? China?
China are investing heavily in Laos so is the profit going back there?
What is Thailand famous for producing that makes them loads of cash? Tourism...
There obviously is money and tourism must bring in a big lump but within and outside of the city there appears to be mass poverty with people living in third world conditions. In rural areas an uneducated population tend to fields with little mechanisation probably for slim profits. They have had no major wars so where is the wealth and why does it not appear to be getting to the people? Most of the new schools I have seen have been built with money donated from the king.
My brain needs to de-frag......
I will post this as I watch on tv live feed of it kicking off in Bangkok and people getting shot....Aghhhhh!
Previous blog post title inspired by...Maccabees : MED 2 points
Didn't give u much time on this one but ...breaking news!
On the day I biked into Bangkok I saw the protesters that we're trying to rid the current ruling government of power and went on to buy a 'shutdown bangkok' T shirt on the train from a hawker. Not because I supported them because I didn't know if I did or not, however if it meant I supported people who thought the current lot are corrupt and are shafting the people and living decadent lives then I do. Now my problem is that I don't know where or if I can wear this shirt? I don't want to upset anyone, I don't want to be grabbed by the Talibans and neither do I want to be beheaded by the king so I thought I'd better look into to current political unrest and see if I can resolve it diplomatically, that way I can work out if i should leave the T-shirt in my bag unworn?
The democratic elections are on February 2 and basically the current temporary government want you to vote for them. They came into power on a temporary basis after a coup in 2006 when the brother of the current PM got ousted and is now exiled in Dubai following allegations that he was corrupt and nicked most of the brass from the pot. His sister is now in charge of the current lot and wants her brother to be allowed back probably so that they can both have a share of the wealth and spend it on luxury items like football clubs and knickerbocker glorys....they have the support of the rural areas who don't seem to mind them squandering their hard earned taxes.
The other gang who want an end to this corruption are supported by the educated middle classes who have an eye on the finances and aren't too happy with their taxes being spent on gold taps and lavish topless parties for family pets so they have been trying to rally round in the city to put a spanner in the works and drum up a bit of support for a change.
They also have the support of the army I think?
The old king who is reportedly worth about 30 billion quid seems to be keeping his head down as he isn't going to be able to spend what he has in the last few years of his life and probably has everything he needs by now, slippers, pipe, sky telly...
It's strange though that with all this wealth I can't think of many major Thai businesses that could generate and make investment in this country, Thai Airways of course, the alcohol giant Chang maybe? So where is all the money? Who finances Bangkok? They don't manufacture do they? Grow and export rice? Is Investment from outside countries? China?
China are investing heavily in Laos so is the profit going back there?
What is Thailand famous for producing that makes them loads of cash? Tourism...
There obviously is money and tourism must bring in a big lump but within and outside of the city there appears to be mass poverty with people living in third world conditions. In rural areas an uneducated population tend to fields with little mechanisation probably for slim profits. They have had no major wars so where is the wealth and why does it not appear to be getting to the people? Most of the new schools I have seen have been built with money donated from the king.
My brain needs to de-frag......
I will post this as I watch on tv live feed of it kicking off in Bangkok and people getting shot....Aghhhhh!
Previous blog post title inspired by...Maccabees : MED 2 points
Didn't give u much time on this one but ...breaking news!
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