Sunday, September 30, 2007: Sunday Sunset (Updated with Bomb)
I love to sit on the balcony and watch the sun set while the lights of the city come on.
9:15 pm Sandy just roused me from my battles with the EA-1 to tell me that a bomb has gone off in the City. I'll update as we learn more.
9:37 pm Apparently the bomb was in a telephone booth. I'm not sure if it was near the barracks/army offices or near Lumpini Park Stadium. There seems to be some debate as to when it went off. One channel says at 8:15 pm the other at 8:45 pm. I believe at least one of the bombs that went off last New Years Eve was in a phone booth.
9:43 pm And yet another channel says it went off at 9:00 pm.
9:45 pm What we know so far is the bomb was discovered/reported at around 6:00 pm and that two bomb squad guys were injured when it went off. One of them is seriously injured. Still no word on the actual target.
9:50 pm There is still nothing on the internet on this. Very little information on the TV. I'll update once more before I go to bed.
10:06 pm The story so far is that some fellow was fiddling about in a phone booth near some military offices over in the Lumpini area. The fellow messed around for ten minutes then when he left there was something on fire in the phone booth. Two soldiers came over and put out the fire then noticed a 'device'. They called the Police bomb squad and the thing went off when the bomb squad was trying to disarm it. They are reporting that the bomb was "home made" and it sounds like it was far below the standards of the bombs in the south. It is possible this was some Thai Rak Thai moto taxi type with a hate-on for the Army. The Islamists would be more likely to target a crowd or something Buddhist. At this point no one really knows the motive or who was behind it. I'm sure some ideas will be floating around by tomorrow morning. I'll update before I head out.
Saturday, September 29, 2007: A Burmese Exile's Prayer
To you from our friend Zaw.
Before I go to bed tonight, I will pray hard to Lord Buddha that I will wake up as a Japanese in the morning. All my life, I have been a Burmese and I have always thought that all the human lives have equal values in this world after reading “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights”. It was a rude awakening for me and I only realized it in the last few days.
Matter of fact, I just learned that a Japanese life is worth more than thousands of Burmese lives. It is evident from the reaction of the Japanese government after a Japanese journalist was killed in Rangoon. The Japanese government has long been aware of the fact that Burmese people go through these abuses at junta’s hand everyday. Summary executions, forced labor, forced relocation, forced conscription of child soldiers and many other atrocities. But Japanese government has been indifferent in their policy of engaging with the military junta and supporting them.
Suddenly, even the Deputy Foreign Minister is going to Burma for an investigation for the death of the Japanese journalist. Please don’t misunderstand me, myself along with all the Burmese appreciate the efforts of Nagai San to expose the living hell that the Burmese live day in day out, to the outside world. Our condolences go to his family. It is sad that an innocent Japanese life had to be lost because the government of Japan had ignored all the facts for decades knowingly.
I will also pray for all the other Burmese to wake up as Japanese tomorrow. Lord Buddha please have mercy on all of us Burmese and let us wake up as Japanese tomorrow.
Zaw Tun
Foreign Affairs Committee Member
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF BURMA
Wednesday, September 26, 2007: BTS Delays
An amazing sky this morning
There was a massive delay on the BTS today. This sort of thing wasn’t uncommon on the TTC but I’ve never ever seen it here prior to this morning. I got to the station to discover the platform crowded and a train sitting waiting to go. There was no more room to get on so like everyone else I stood and waited.
Not a massive bunch by Japanese standards but for our station its usual
Eventually the doors closed and the train moved on and the slow process of clearing the mob began. Each train that would arrive would be full, it might let off a few people and then a few people would squeeze on but then it would sit for ten minutes until the chimes would sound and the doors would close. I waited about 40 minutes before I got on a train and headed out.
Because I arrived at Curahee a full hour later than normal I only had time to run and do a few things before I had to head out again. I did catch a rushed breakfast at the Swan though.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007: World Trade
Tonight after I made a visit to Pantip Plaza Sandy met up with me and we walked over to World Trade which is now called Central World Plaza or something like that. They changed the name a few years ago but everyone still calls it the same thing. I’m not sure if the name change was due to the take over by the Central Group who own lots of malls or if it was because every time some anti-US or anti-globalization protest was held the non-Thai organizers would have it at “the World Trade Center” under the misguided notion that it was where the stock exchange is when in fact it is simply a big mall based around a Japanese department store and the location of the yearly beer festival. (I usually call it the "World Tard Center" due to a text message spelling error I once received)
Sandy and I used to walk there every Sunday and have lunch either at MK or a restaurant called Banana Beach. We stopped going when they began renovating the place and the Siam Paragon opened up. The last time I was in the place was well over a year ago when the renovations began. It’s been so long since we’ve been there that in the time that has passed not only have they completely rearranged the insides of the place they’ve build another new mall up on New Petchaburi road.
We walked down off of Petchaburi and crossed the Khlong. Sandy made the usual stop at one of the shrines in front of the mall. They’ve added a second shrine that is to some Hindu deity that is some how the patron of love so there were lots of roses left around it by those wishing to find love, induce it or cure their broken hearts.
Once inside we were soon lost. All the usual shops were moved except a few on the higher floors so it was like coming into a totally new mall. We did make our way up to the floor that Banana Beach is on and had an excellent dinner there. The inside of the restaurant was all changed but the staff was much the same and the food still outstanding. I had a spicy beef salad. Too spicy too eat, too tasty not to eat.
Monday, September 24, 2007: Monday Run
I was up and out early today. I missed Curahee on Friday so today was one of thsoe difficult "I missed a day" work outs. The run was good. They seemed to have fixed the running machines in time for all the Marines or what ever they are from Cobra Gold to show up. I managed the 5.5 km in 30 minutes again. This is becoming the standard time and distance now. Which means I can possibly make 6 kms in 30 minutes if I up my speed a bit. I still haven't got to the 5 km mark in 25 minutes but I'm close. I got through all the other things well enough as well. I felt a bit light headed by the end of it all but I had a wonderful breakfast at the Swan though and that sorted me out.
Tonight Sandy was off to Yoga and the gym. I waited around for the water delivery people to arrive but they never did. Apparently they 'forgot". Sandy made a stop at Big C on the way home and bought us 7 twelve packs of bottled water. That should last us about a week and a half. She also got me a Subway which was much needed by the time she got back.
Sunday, September 23, 2007: Betterish
I have been down with the devil bug since Thursday. I'm not sure if it is a mild case of the mighty M coming to visit or just some other nasty business. In any event I've had a massive headache in the usual M fashion for several days. No amount of pills helps and I am not taking the anti-Ms due to the problems they were causing me last year with my eyes.
Things lifted last night and I ventured out for the first time since Thursday. Sandy and I took a trip over to the Esan food round up a few streets over. Its been a year or more since I've joined her there. They've totally redone the place and opened up a proper restaurant in one of the buildings beside the section of sidewalk where they used to be located. There are still tables and chairs on the sidewalk beside the road but its nice to have the option to sit under a roof.
Walking over we had a laugh at one of the fountains located at the courner of Walk and Don't Walk. They installed three fountains there back during the 2004 APEC summit but I don't think I've seen all three of them function at the same time more than twice. Usually one will work and the other two not, or none will work or one will have been destroyed by a car or something. Tonight one was on but the water pressure was too high and one stream was flooding the road and spraying the traffic parked waiting for the light to change. The motocyclists were not amused.
We had a good meal. Sandy got some mango salad which was too hot to eat but too good not to eat. I had sticky rice and grilled beef. Outstanding.
Saturday, September 22, 2007: Book Day
It's been 30 years since I began writing a journal. I will be adding entries from my first diary in honor of that and they can be found in the archive section below the media diet. I will post up notices in Tea Stains as I update the archive. in keeping with today's anniversary here is my first entry from 1977.
Thursday, September 22, 1977
Nothing much happened today. I went to the Eye Doctor today and I'm going to get new glasses next week or so. I think I like this new girl at school. Her name is Beth.
My ankle is swollen but it is starting to get better. David Yeadon says he is going to get Louise with water bombs. My friend at school Lawrence is trying to get Beth to like him
Friday, September 21, 2007: Sick
I am ill. It started on Thursday and was bad enough today that I skipped running. Julian came over last night and stayed. Today she and Sandy went with to their Sisters. I was out of action so I didn't join them and stayed at the SOL. Tonight I watched "The Blues Brothers" which I haven't seen in many years. My favorite part of the movies remains to be Cab Calloway singing "Mini The Moocher". I would love to have been able to see him back in his prime.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007: Silly Guitar
I saw this ridiculous looking guitar at The Music Society guitar shop and thought I'd share it with you.
Monday, September 17, 2007: Blaming the Plane
The big news here continues to be the crash in Phuket. I am personally amazed anyone survived it. The Western Press seems to be focusing on the type and age of plane. That, in my opinion has nothing to do with the crash. Anyone who's ever landed on an island, especially Phuket knows that coming in is turbulent due to the various winds that come of the ocean, and the landing is difficult because of the shortness of the runway.
Coming in during heavy rain is a truly scary thing to do. A "heavy rain" here has no western comparison. Even the heaviest summer cloud burst is like a shower next to the rains that can hit in tropics. They often happen with little or no warning and can render visibility to zero. I doubt very much that any plane, new or old would have performed much better in that situation.
Sunday, September 16, 2007: Plane Crash In Phuket
Sandy texted me at around 5:00 pm and told me there was a plane crash in the island of Phuket. The plane was landing in bad weather and crashed on landing. At this point the death toll is 87 with 42 survivors. The plane had split in two when it came down and then burst into flames.
Monday, September 10, 2007: Home Again
Sandy was in a car accident on the way to meet me at the airport. She's fine although she bruised her shoulder and was a bit shaken by it. Apparently a municipal Utility truck was parked on the road with out having turned on its warning lights. The taxi Sandy was the third in a three car pile up because of this oversight. The first car hitting the truck as so on. She was fine though and got to the airport in time.
I had the pleasure of landing during a storm. This wasn't the hardest landing I've had but it was the scariest decent so far. The plane was rocking and rolling like the tall ships of old and my location close to the cockpit allowed me to listen to various alarm claxons sounding. We did land fine though and all was well. Sandy and I found each other in the vastness of the Airport and then took a taxi back to the SOL where Julian was waiting.
Friday, September 7, 2007: David or Steven?
I don't use my first name in Asia as the "L" and the "R" present enormous pronunciation problems for the locals. That being said there is a common problem I run into when using my second name. A typical example occurred today while booking a hotel room.
Me: It's Mr. David
Hotel Staff: Mr. Steven
Me: No, David
Hotel Staff: Mr. Steven
Me: No, David, David
Hotel Staff: Steven
Me: No, David, like David and Goliath
Hotel Staff: Steven
Me: No David. Daaay Vid...
Hotel Staff: Steee ven
Me: No. David.
Hotel Staff: Steven
At which point I gave up and was booked as Mr. Steven. I'll sort it out in when I get there.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007: Wednesday Run
It was a fine morning despite a restless night of less than enjoyable sleep. I remember waking at one point and thinking “I’ll never be able to wake up tomorrow”. However I did wake up and put a can of ice coffee down my neck as soon as I had fed the fish which seemed to do the trick.
I managed to run 5.62 kms in thirty minutes which is a new record for me. I believe I can make it to the might 6 km mark except the running machines continue to malfunction. I believe they have been set so that no one over the weight of 50 kilos can run on them. I continue to complain to the staff who continue to do nothing. These problems affect all three machines which only adds to the frustration.
Afterwards I skipped the sauna portion of the day and headed straight for the Black Swan. I didn’t have much in the way of super last night so I was truly hungry. Breakfast is always good there but it’s even better when you are starved.
Sandy seems to be coming down with something. I hope it’s not the flu I had last week.
Saturday, September 1, 2007: A Strange Trip to Paragon
Today was the first day I've ventured out since last Saturday. I had many things to do as there were many things left undone due to my week of illness. I headed out at around 10:30 am and eventually made my way back to Siam Paragon by BTS and had a nice lunch at The Other Hound Cafe or what ever it's called. It is the sister cafe to the Grey Hound Cafe at the Emporium but I think the food is much better as is everything else about it. I does have an outstanding burger although it is still the standard "child's portion" size so popular in this country.
After I ate I did the usual rounds and headed to Starbucks. It was unfortunately too packed so I decided I'd go to the smaller one in Siam Discovery as it would probably not be as busy. It was then I discovered the reason for so many (some oddly dressed) people at the Paragon.
It was "Japan" festival in the court yard between Siam Paragon and Siam Center. This included many small booths selling a variety of "Japanese" things, a stage featuring some sort of Pop Music foolishness and apparently a "Japanese Costume Contest".
The crowds are amazed at the Japanese-ness of the day
Now having done Aikido for many years in Canada I am familiar with the Western romantic views of "Japan". Westerners tend to think of the Japanese as a quaint, wise folk, who lead simple lives and sip tea. Many of the martial artists I trained with had all sorts of mystical views to which our Sensei would often remind them "Aikido is not a religion, I am not a religious man. I like beer. Aikido is fight! Knock down!" after which he would demonstrate on us for several hours before taking us to get drunk.
In any event I saw a few people dressed (very few) in traditional Japanese outfits. There were also a few booths dedicated to traditional Japanese items and food. But the bulk of the day was dedicated to what Japan is really about. Teen pop culture, Science Fiction and cosplay (costume play).
Thai dressed as Nazi at Japanese Festival. Do the math.
What does this have to do with Japan you ask? Well for starters there was a reason that Imperial Japan and Nazi Germany were allies; they were both fascist states. As a former Torontonian I am all too familiar with the annual late August hand ringing over the Atomic Bombs being dropped. You will find that in places like China, Korea, the Philippines (and anywhere else the Japanese invaded) the general view even today is that the Americans didn't drop enough Atomic Bombs on them. People seem to forget that in 1936 the Japanese Army killed as many civilians in Nanking as were killed by the atomic bombs except they did it over the course of six week and with bayonets, swords and guns.
Today dressing up like a Nazi is almost as popular as dressing up as soldier of the Imperial Japanese Army and going to fascist rallies. Something that I think people in the West might also be unaware of. This fellow and his pals being Thai probably have no real understanding of what they are wearing, what it really means to those who lost family in the War or why I personally would like to punch anyone wearing Nazi outfits in the head.
Now before you get all excited, it's a probably a guy.
Thailand in my opinion has the most beautiful women in the world. It is an unfortunate fact that some of them are men. With some effort in observation you can tell the difference and not fall for the "trap". One general rule of thumb when costumes are involved is the men will go more "sexy" while the females will go more "girlie". When in doubt, well that's your call not mine.
Asian Goth girls certainly do look better than their Western counterparts
Talk about lost in translation. My view of Goth Chicks is based on the ones I would see reading Anne Rice novels at Cafes in the Annex. By Western standards these girls are too attractive and far too happy to be "Goth". Also I am not sure of the "cat ears" which seemed to be very popular.
The Last Androgynous Samurai
Now I was unaware of Japanese's proximity to Middle Earth but it would appear that if you turn right after you get to the Bay of Belfas and head south you end up the Elf Prefecture.
Quest for Eyeliner
What amazed me most about these fellows was how they struck this pose instantly when I asked if I could take their picture, as if they'd spent as much time rehearsing it in front of a mirror as they did putting their outfits together.
Sadly I hadn’t charged my camera’s battery in a week so I was unable to get photos of some of the other outrageous get ups that I saw. One my power was exhausted I headed into Siam Center and made my way across to Siam Discover where I stopped at the Starbucks for a while and read.
Afterwards I walked back to the SOL via Coco Walk stopping briefly at The Music Society shop before heading home.
