Brave New Thailand

Emailed a reader: “Did you see the proposed new prior permission required before each program is broadcast rules for all TV and radio programming in Thailand that were laid out today? Unbelievable …. if Thaksin had proposed anything near this, the PAD/yellow crowds would be in the streets.” Here’s the Bangkok Post’s editorial on the Unnecessary censorship. And the email goes on:

“I remember years ago in Burma wanting to send a fax and being told that I needed to take each page I wished to fax to the government ministry who would translate and review each proposed page to fax and either give me permission to fax each page at a certain date and time, or tell me to amend and redact certain words or sentences or not allow me to send the fax at all …”

“Does Thailand really wish to follow Burma’s example! This is a very sad day for Thailand and I am sure the international press coverage will be another nail in the positive image of Thailand that most of the world still carries around in their heads …” All I can say about the frustrating state of affairs of a Thailand moving in circles is this:

Color-blinded

Our pretty boy prime minister, Abhisit „Mark“ Vejjajiva, just took his first holiday since assuming his post in December. Deservedly so. Mark and his family did what the kingdom needs. Someone has to be holidaying. Thailand’s Q1 tourist arrivals are halved compared to 2008. Blame it on the world’s economy, infectious swines and Thai politicians covering up their shark teeth with smiles.

Life’s no longer a beach in the kingdom. That is, former strongman Thaksin Shinawatra’s life is exactly that. On the run, the former wonder boy seems to enjoy an extended holiday. Rumors have it that he’s about to buy a mortgaged island known as „Hawaii“ off the Mediterranean Mini-Republic Montenegro – off „black mountain,“ literally translated. If that’s no omen.

With his “Hawaii” offering three sandy beaches spread over 840 meters, the bad boy of the nation would finally enjoy the freedom to count all the passports he accumulated on the run. While back home the kingdom tries to organize for the record third time (!) the Asean+6 summit. Talk about Thais’ famous flexibility. Word is that foreign leaders want to bring own bodyguards in fear of another Pattaya fiasco. Wouldn’t you feel insulted?

But with Thaksin holidaying somewhere on earth and his red shirts still having some explaining to do the kingdom is again safe. For the moment. While the kingdom’s politics of color don’t simplify the general state of disorientation. We have the yellows, the reds, the blues and now the whites, all of them representing an own power clique. Drop the yellows, and you got the Thai flag.

Don’t we all need a break. Nearly color-blinded by now I’m off to a home away from home: to Bangkok’s New York-style French eatery Minibar Royale, a latest romping place of Bangkokian socialites. No problems over here at the Royale, this perfect little, multicultural Thai world.

I see no yellow, no red, no blue. Drop the politics and Thailand remains tempting, alive and strong.

Censorship? So much cannot be reported in Thailand. And people still know exactly what’s going on.