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, the remainder of some 30 billion baht shall go back to Thaksin. “Probably the best possible solution among all,” as someone said. A compromise à la Thai; a decision that will not really please the government, but appease some anti-government forces.

The split in society is reflected by the verdict. People can take a break for the time being. Just don’t ask how they wanna hand over those nearly 900 million dollars to a fugitive – the verdict’s a trap? Seriously, the money’s not yet paid out, but in his live address following the seven-hour reading of the verdict a somber Thaksin repented his stubbornness to ever have entered politics and he thanked his supporters for not protesting in front of the court house. Yes, he slams the “political verdict.” Many lost everything in Thailand. He could have. The verdict may well signal a turnaround in Thai politics. Things seem to settle down. Part of Thaksin’s argument is gone.

The verdict is the expected compromise – a clear sign that well Thaksin, you’re guilty of everything, but here you go you crook, get your billion. You’re not only guilty. The judges used the words it would be “not fair” to confiscate the whole lot – a criminal deserving leniency? The fugitive’s not too guilty after all? The rules of the game change constantly and quickly, but it’s safe to say I think that the groundwork is laid for the next, more mature phase of the conflict: the long-awaited, so difficult mutual convergence. It will take time, but this verdict was necessary for it.

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February 26, 2010 | Filed Under History, News & Media, Politics | 5 Comments 

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 against the security of the kingdom, public order or good morals. CS LoxInfo Plc.” This being mainly a lifestyle and cultural blog.

aB.com respects the kingdom’s laws and is well aware that the illegal content they are looking for is related to terrorism, child pornography, defamatory material and material which is an infringement on individuals. Not really stuff you read on aB.com. Well, a loyal reader contacted LoxInfo. Within 24 hours he was reassured there is no inappropriate content on aB.com and they undid the blocking promptly. Here is what had happened:

A reader complained to LoxInfo via email and an exchange of emails ensued which he was kind enough to forward me. It remains unclear what exactly the “inappropriate content” was that led to the blocking of this site, but it is encouraging to see that the concerned parties responded quickly, professionally and efficiently.

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February 23, 2010 | Filed Under Gadgets & Technology, News & Media, On Our Own | 24 Comments 

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 more active methods is blooming in Thailand: yoga, or more specifically: Rocket Yoga. Get to the fitness nirvana faster.

Larry Schultz? Says something? Argh you ignorant soul. This is Larry Schultz. And Larry Schultz recently brought his Rocket Yoga teachings to Bangkok for the first time. And guess where. At Bangkok’s top yoga studio Absolute Yoga Bangkok. An unintentional namesake of this site. There they find peace of mind by body activity, here by mental work …

Anyway, Larry Schultz has been teaching yoga for 30 years and has influenced yoga practitioners around the world. Bangkokian fellow yoga practitioners felt indeed lucky to have him here. In case you missed this express way to salvation, here’s a short cut. You might wanna give Rocket Yoga or any yoga for that a try. Yoga is booming here. Khun Ben and Khun David, participants at the workshop, sent us this little report with photos by Patrick Thorpe:

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February 22, 2010 | Filed Under Culture & Arts, Health, Body & Mind, Sports & Fun | 1 Comment 

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.” Well, I don’t trust the “Thai spring” yet. There’s no Thai spring far and wide and I wouldn’t be surprised if all of a sudden reactionary hard-hitting forces take over again, killing all dissent and throwing the kingdom back into even darker ages. Common sense is hard to find in these divisive times. Just look what’s going on with our costly dowsing rods aka GT200.

They’re a con, a fraud, a crime, reports the Bangkok Post, but our honorable army defiantly insists they’re working. It’s encouraging to say the least that there’s an open conflict between the civilian and army leadership. Our dear prime minister, all diplomat, implicitly called the dowsing rods a fraud. Without actually being aware of it even our dear army chef confirmed they’re hardly working. The device had performed some 300 rounds successfully over the past few years, Anupong Paojinda was quoted as saying. Some 535 devices are used in the violence-plagued south. Do the math. Meaning, roughly every second device worked once over the past few years …

There’s actually no difference between a soldier trying to detect bombs holding a GT200 and a Big Mac … This is Thailand. If you dare to and have the backing you can just stand there and say something is true even though the whole world knows it is not. Anyway, this blatant mockery of sanity and reason makes it an even bigger pleasure to introduce Chef Tummy, an American and chef dedicated to adventurous Thai cooking who will hopefully become a regular writer on aB.com with his focus on Thai food culture. Trying to stay sane we have to have some more positive content on this site. Got a politics hangover? It’s good to stay away from politics – Thai politics! – once in a while. And Chef Tummy may have an answer or two:

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February 19, 2010 | Filed Under Being Farang, Culture & Arts, Food & Drink, TTT - Top Thai Things, Travel & Tourism | 3 Comments 

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 met Matthew the last time in Chiang Rai he had just fathered another – I think his second – girl with an Akha hill tribe woman. He was one of the Akha and his most bitter fight he fought against Christian missionaries threatening hell and promising heaven while distributing strange translations of the Bible. A fight Matthew’s pursuing to this day, even back in the U.S., his “exile.”

Matthews not cagey about his own belief. At the bottom of his Akha Heritage Foundation website you read: “The Choice – After considering the facts as a human rights activist, when it comes to choosing between following the teachings of Christianity or following Jesus Christ, I have decided to follow Jesus Christ.” So why is he all over those Idaho Baptist missionaries who tried to kidnap some 30 “orphans” in earthquake-devastated Haiti? Matthew draws parallels with missionary work in Thailand.

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February 11, 2010 | Filed Under Being Farang, Culture Shock, News & Media, Society | 8 Comments 

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 pretenders. But hey, I still feel good, and this is why:

Am eating nothing but bread and homemade cheese products made from pure natural ingredients only, with no preservatives or artificial additives, produced from fresh, straight-from-the-farm organic milk – and yes, made in the heart of Bangkok. I’m living on Thai cheese and yogurt these days. And it feels great.

Once in a while you just have to ignore these political clowns out here and enjoy the beautiful sides Thailand has to offer. One of them is fresh Thai cheese. Yes, I’m a cheese addict, and to know that from now on I can get natural homemade cheese at decent prices delivered to my doorsteps is kind of the best news of this year so far.

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February 8, 2010 | Filed Under Being Farang, Food & Drink, TTT - Top Thai Things | 12 Comments 

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