Further Travels in Thailand Needed

Perusing through the Lonely Planet this afternoon, I realized that I’ve actually seen very little of my adopted country. Prior to moving to Thailand sixteen months ago, I’d only visited twice — the first time was an 18-hour layover in Bangkok at the height of the 2003 SARS pandemic and the second was a 20-day holiday a two-and-a-half years later.

During my first visit, I remained stuck at the airport desperately trying to find a flight back to the States that didn’t require me to be quarantined (I’d just spent several weeks in China, plus a couple of days at the Metropole Hotel in Hong Kong where sixteen people had become infected with SARS). I’d vowed to return and when I did I made my way to Phuket, still reeling from the 2004 tsunami, ending with several days in Bangkok.

Thai Voters ‘Approve New Charter’

From BBC News, posted 19 August 2007:

Thailand’s military coup leaders have won a referendum on a new constitution by a large margin, taking around 70% of Sunday’s vote, exit polls suggest.

It was the first vote to be held since Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted by the army last year and replaced with Gen Surayud Chulanont.

About 60% of voters turned out, according to the election commission.

Thaksin supporters had urged a No vote, saying the new constitution had been drafted by an illegitimate government.

But Prime Minister Surayud said the result marked a victory.

No Alcohol Ban for Referendum

From The Nation, published 18 August 2007:

Phuket - Entertainment venues will be allowed to operate right throughout the weekend, regardless of the referendum on the draft constitution on Sunday, with no restrictions on the sale of alcohol.

Phuket Provincial Pol Superintendent Maj Gen Decha Budnampetch told the Gazette on Thursday that bars and nightclubs could open for business as normal, as police would not seek their “cooperation” in refraining from the sale of alcohol as done for elections.

The national government announced an extra holiday on Monday, August 20, to encourage the public to vote.

15,350 Soldiers Deployed to Protect 2,558 Polling Stations in Deep South

From The Nation, published 18 August 2007:

The Fourth Army Area has deployed 15,350 soldiers to keep security at 2,558 polling stations in three southern border provinces and four districts of Songkhla.

Maj Gen Kasikorn Khirisri, deputy commander of the Fourth Army Area, said the soldiers would protect the polling stations on around the clock basis.

Vote Your Conscience

From The Nation, published 18 August 2007:

PM Surayud says it is for people to make the choice, reiterates promise to hold general election this year

The Kingdom was relatively calm yesterday as Thais prepared for a historic weekend that will shape their immediate political future after more than two years of turbulence.

Interim Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont called on his compatriots to vote according to their conscience, though with a conspicuous promise that a general election would “definitely” take place this year if the constitution draft passes tomorrow’s referendum.

Science Day

Today my school held it’s annual Science Day with a fair combining the Thai and English Programmes. Each class level hosted a booth (manned by the teachers) where the students had to perform an interactive activity. EP Primary 3 adapted my idea of creating geodesic shapes from gumdrops and toothpicks; we had to use balls of clay, however, as gumdrops seem to be a rarity in Thailand.

Our booth proved to be extremely popular and I was unable to stroll around the floor to examine what the other classes presented — I manned our station for the entire duration (almost three hours) and never once did I have less than twenty kids clamoring to create a miniature piece of architecture. After they had constructed their masterpiece, I would handstamp their “passports” (they were required to visit at least six booths) and praise their efforts all the while dismantling previously-made clay-and-toothpick structures.

Mother’s Day Weekend

Last Friday, our school celebrated HRH the Queen’s birthday with a Mother’s Day celebration. All week, the kids had been creating numerous cards and letters to present to their mothers on the auspicious day. They also gave their moms flowers (mostly jasmine) in a ceremony that also included a few songs as well as traditional Thai dances. A fellow teacher had previously told me that Mother’s Day is an opportunity for the children to shed tears and, indeed, I saw many of the students crying. There is a tremendous amount of respect conveyed on mothers in this country (the Queen is even considered to be the mother of all Thai people). On their birthdays, children write letters thanking their moms for the sacrifice of giving birth and providing for them.

I wasn’t able to see much of the ceremony — just a few brief glimpses from the third- and fourth-floor balconies — as the students remained in the classroom until it was their turn to greet their mothers. The children finally descended the stairs around 10:30 and were allowed to go home following the ceremony (shortly after eleven). I did take a few photos of my students with their mothers with the intention of making prints to give to them at a later date. Unfortunately, most of these were lost in my recent hard drive crash (I do plan to try and have these files recovered at some point.)

Fears Rise Over Potential Dengue Outbreak

From Phuket Gazette, published 15 August 2007:

PHUKET CITY: A nine-year-old boy is suspected of becoming the latest victim of dengue fever in Phuket. If the disease is confirmed, he will be the third person in Phuket killed by the disease this year.

The boy, Aniwat Madtai, lived in Koh Kaew and died at Vachira Phuket Hospital August 4.

The tests to determine if dengue hemorrhagic fever was the cause of death will take two weeks, officials at the hospital said.

Dr Wanchai Sattayawutthipong, chief of Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO) told the Gazette that there has been an outbreak of dengue fever in Thailand this year.

Thai Police Too Macho for Hello Kitty Armbands

From MSNBC.com, posted 10 August 2007:

Posted: Friday, August 10, 2007 12:17 PM

Bangkok, Thailand

By Ian Williams, NBC News correspondent

I always found it hard to imagine Thai policemen wearing Hello Kitty armbands as a mark of shame for wayward officers.

Evidently most policemen did too, because Thailand’s top cops decided Friday to abandon the idea.

It seems there was a rebellion in the macho ranks, as well as outrage on Hello Kitty Web sites.

Referendum Holiday

From The Nation, published 8 August 2007:

The Cabinet has agreed to declare August 20, the day after the referendum on the draft constitution, an official holiday.

The holiday was declared to encourage voters to cast ballots in their provinces.However, deputy government spokeswoman Netpreeya Choomchaiyo said the Cabinet had asked the Finance Ministry to consider whether the day should also be a bank holiday.

The Bank of Thailand has declared it a normal working day.