The Poseidon Link
Poseidon was the Greeks’ god of the sea and, as “Earth-Shaker,” of earthquakes. Poseidon is also a Bangkok icon of the other kind. But first: For observers interested in Thai politics there wouldn’t be much sense of direction without the takes of Bangkok Pundit, a “complete political junkie” who’d “rather listen to ASTV 24/7″ than writing about non-politics, as he once told me.
In a latest post on the Abhisit I cabinet line-up, quietly deploring the quality we once again get, there’s a juicy reference posted by a commentator: “The more interesting choice is Pornthiwa Nakasai at Commerce. Supposed owner, or daughter of the owner, of Poseidon. Maybe we’ll have another bubble economy.” Now what does that tell us.
A quick Google search reveals some bits and pieces about Pornthiwa of the Phum Jai Thai party, the reformed Matchima Thipataya. She has a background in the entertainment business, says The Nation, discreetly. The Post claims Mrs. Pornthiwa’s background includes running the Poseidon massage parlor in Bangkok.
An “entertainment” background to head the Ministry of Commerce with no direct experience of her portfolio may give a direction where Thailand is heading into under Abhisit I. There’s hope? Khun Pornthiwa may positively surprise us as an anti-Purachai promoting a less strict understanding of the former’s strict social order.
Luckily Poseidon is not only producing soapy bubbles and such. It’s a most professionally run industry leader serving as a sample for others of how to successfully run an “entertainment complex.” But what about commerce you may ask slightly puzzled.
The Commerce Ministry as a sop to one of “those” coalition partners. Don’t we all sense that Pornthiwa’s presence in the Abhisit motley cabinet may cause a Poseidonian earth rattle or two.
Chuwit anyone?
+++ Didn’t our contributor, noirish artist Chris Coles, just dwell upon this very Poseidon.
Inspired/spotted by a reader
Indeed. “Chuwit, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.”
In Chuwit we trust.
Anyway, thanks for the reminder … I didn’t catch this one. Was too busy with the new ICT Minister (check her out … it’s tasty).
I’m going to enrich my “Frankenstein” gallery.
Very cute. I mean after you’ve read VERY THAI three times and think there’s nothing left to learn, along comes a Commerce Minister who ran the world’s largest hi-end brothel. It just makes you love living in Bangkok even more!
And the rest of the world’s politics seem so boring …
If a man like Chuwit runs the establishment, it is ok but this is a woman so it is something unusual which should be mentioned in the Guiness Book. I was once in Poseidon being asked to accompany by a regular who is a top businessman (but I don’t have the same deep pocket as his). Basically the place is divided into two sections, the massage parlor itself and the lounge where one can order snacks and drinks while chatting with the hostesses (the same quality/level as what you can find in the asiansweetheart.blogspot.com. So this is the place where I spent my time while waiting for my friend to do his “business.” I think it’s only a matter of time before Chuwit fires his first salvo and all hell breaks loose. To be sure, the new cabinet has a credibility problem even before it starts.
Both Reuters and AP are continuing to soft-peddle Mrs. Pornthiwa’s background.
http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-37107520081219?sp=true
“New Thai cabinet faces flak on many fronts”
By Nopporn Wong-Anan (Additional reporting by Pracha Hariraksapitak)
“‘People who will be handling economic ministries must be professionally accepted. They must not be rookies,’ [Board of Trade chairman] Pramon [Sutivong] said, singling out Industry and Commerce as particular areas for concern.” (…) “The proposed ministers have backgrounds in nursing and running cocktail lounges respectively, but come from the minor parties propping up his slender parliamentary majority.”
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g3j-vAVG1fg3kEfnogTiH8_4EXvwD956GEBO0
“Thailand’s new government endorsed by king”
By AMBIKA AHUJA
“Abhisit also appointed the wives of two Thaksin allies who received five-year bans from politics after the 2006 coup. Commerce Minister Pornthiwa Nakasai used to manage cocktail lounges owned by her family, and Information Minister Ranongrak Suwanchawee is a former nurse. ”
Cocktail Lounges? Calling the Poseidon massage parlour a cocktail lounge is like calling an aircraft carrier a floating mess hall and points up an astonishing degree of journalistic malfeasance.
- A.F.
[...] The Poseidon caper is pretty funny. Good to see exploitation of women by women still in vogue. [...]
Poseidon is a brothel house.
Massage parlor? That is rubbish. Fcuk house it is!
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