Archive for February, 2010
Golden Verdict
It’s the best of possible outcomes to avert further mayhem. It’s no guarantee against further mayhem, but no side can claim victory and no side can pretend total defeat after the Thai Supreme Court’s handing down of a partial seizure of fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra’s frozen 76 billion baht. The state gets 46 billion plus plus,
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Of This Site’s Blocking & Unblocking
The Thai cyber patrol can actually be quite responsive and kudos to LoxInfo. Last week I got messages from readers that this site was blocked by their ISP LoxInfo. Instead of absolutelyBangkok.com a familiar frame showed up: “This URL has been blocked by a court order OR it could have an affect on or be
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Rocket Yoga. Get There Faster.
Back in my year in India when I was looking for enlightenment one of the toughest part was the goddamn meditation. To sit quiet for a few minutes that’s OK. But for hours! They are saints back there in India, and I’m not. But there are ways to find inner peace, and one of those
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Apolitical Thai Hangover Causes & Cures
The real art these days in Thailand is to say something by not saying it. What cannot be said can still be said, just chose a careful wording. Some say though that some are still too cautious. As a trusted friend advised: “The boundaries have been stretched enough to allow you more space to roam.”
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Haiti = Thailand Missionary Lies
It seems like another life, back then in the late 90s when I was touring Thailand’s northern hill tribe areas with Matthew McDaniel and his legendary indestructible Jeep. Matthew McDaniel was the self-proclaimed savior and defender of the Akha. Matthew was arrested by Thai authorities in 2004 and kicked out of the country. When I
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Thai Cheese? You Bet
There is a limit to what the human mind can absorb. Especially in Thai politics. Hearing the names of Abhisit, Thaksin and the likes just gives me a bad mood these days. The latest newsletter by the one sent into exile a year ago on February 6th was a lonely bright light amid cheats and
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The Vongthip Letter Feb ’10
Holding on: Following the burst of corruption scandals and in anticipation of the impending no-confidence debate, PM Abhisit had to replace/reshuffle five cabinet members in 1/10. Since the new year, PM Abhisit seemed to have become remarkably bolder in his move against corruption and arm-twisting demands from his coalition partners. He has also become more
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Why Morals
Leaping into the morality debate ring, as someone recently wrote. Momma always told you to be nice and not to lie. There will be consequences, you were told. And indeed. You cheat, you get cheated. You betray. In a moment you’re the betrayed. Morality, a key concept of Western thought, is a much more flexible
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