Countdown to tuk tuks, miang, and... protests?!?

So, I just realized this morning that... yet again, in a month, I shall be in a foreign country.

This realization came to me when I was walking one of my best friends (from LA) to the BART station, this morning. This past weekend, she had been wonderful enough to visit me up in the Bay area for my 21st birthday - which was great! Hitting up an Irish pub for my first 'legal exposure' to those 'drinks o' sin,' haha... Lots of walking around SF, eating tons of Mediterranean food, trying out different wines, and in general... enjoying the weather spending time with my closest friends.

Anyhow.

Although my friend has traveled several times before, she has always done it in groups, family, etc... so while I was fixing chocolate-chip-pancakes this morning for the two of us, the usual bottom-less tummy of my friend couldn't even finish one pancake, for feeling a little anxiety about riding on the BART and taking a shuttle by herself to the airport. Even though I assured her that it took only 10 minutes or less to even walk to the station, and only about 30 min. to BART to the shuttle, 12 min. for the shuttle to the airport.... she was still unsure, trusting her iPhone that said that it'd take 17 minutes to walk to the BART... and about 45 minutes on the BART... etc. etc.

She got there about 1 and a half hours early for her flight....

So, of course, I chuckled to myself, thinking - yeah, I told you so!

But, you know what? Those sorts of things, you really do just have to experience for yourself, and while I was amused a bit by my friend's anxieties.... in the end, I was really proud of her for doing something on her own. It took her a bit of a push, but, she still did it. Sometimes those pushes come unwillingly or forcibly, but.... in the end, you gain some insight from it, and in turn, become somewhat of a more independent and mature person. Branch out of the comfort zone, and.. who knows? You'll either adapt or stay strong to your own identity.

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In any case. I realize that a lot of times, I do like to just try new things, push myself to (a moderate?? haha) limit, and just... see how I survive. Perhaps I'm just acting like my one guinea pig?? haha.

Anyhow. Thailand's just one of those little pushes I'm giving to myself, I guess, and I can't wait to live it.

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So, about two months ago or so, my sister sent me this article that just, literally, made me drool.

You see, I'm the type of person who plans trips according to meals. This past weekend, for example, I was giving my friend a tour of SF, but! Before starting off our journey, asked the oh-so-dire question of: what would you like to eat for dinner?

Here was plan A: start off at Embarcadero, walk along the pier, perhaps eat some seafood for a snack, go to Ghirardelli Square, Lombard St., then end up in either N.Beach or Chinatown or Union Square for dinner.

Here was plan B: start off in Union Square to do more window shopping, walk up Chinatown and N. Beach... Lombard St, Ghirardelli... then end up in Fisherman's Wharf to have clamchowder bread bowls for dinner.

In the end, we chose plan A - but, you see what I mean? FOOD is important to me.

A friend mentioned to me once that she sometimes forgets to eat.

------> WHAT?!??????

I was appalled, to say the least.

Anyhow. back to my brilliant sister who sent me this article about a particular type of Thai street food, 'Miang' : http://eatingasia.typepad.com/eatingasia/2010/03/miang-can.html

Let's just list some common ingredients:

Peanuts, lime, chili sauce, wild pepper leaves, ginger, pickled cabbage, fried pork skin, cilantro, rice vermicelli, eggplant, mint..

ummmm...... yeah. I'm stoked.

Interesting turns of events...

So, I just read this article in Wall Street, titled "Thai Protests Draw Protests in New Twist," an appropriate name, indeed...

Despite many people's beliefs that the Red-Shirts consist of the entire population, and that everyone wants Abhisit to step down, there seem to be quite a few pro-government protesters, as well!

In fact, the Yellow-Shirts (of the PAD party, who are known also for their airport seige, a year ago) are suggesting that they might start protesting (pro-government) next week!

Other people just seem to be fed up with all the protests, and just label themselves as being part of the "no-color" group.

The protests occuring in Thailand, though I know are so much bigger in comparison, made me think about all of the financial/anti-fee/anti-privitization protest that were (or are!) going on on the Berkeley campus, or, for all UC campuses, for that matter. Sure, it's awful that our tuitions are going to be raised, and it's even more terrible that people who really do come from low-income families might not be able to come to school, next year.

But, sometimes I wonder if all the protesting is actually effective?

Yeah, the protest are a platform for us to voice our opinions, display our emotions, and show what type of people we are... people who want others to notice our agony and passion for our cause and assist in facilitating change. But, what it comes down to, is that we just need to have a a sitdown with the top officials of this crazy bureacracy (or IS it, anymore??) and just.. talk some sense into them.

The point that I really wanted to get to , was that there were a couple articles in the Daily Californian (Daily Cal, student newspaper for Berkeley) commenting on how disruptive all the campus protests are, and if anything.. are just hurting the university even more.

Firstly, the protests on campus disincline both professors and students from attending class, that day - which cut short our days of academia even more, and if anything, are just cutting more value from the high tuitions that we're already being obligated to pay.

Secondly, damages from protests, setting up alarms systems, the need to have police there JUST in case, etc. etc. is just costing the university SO much money.

If anything, I sympathize with those who are energetic and passionate enough to go out on the streets, march all day, yell out their frustrations and hopes for a better future.

But, in the end, I feel like only diplomatic, "peaceful" measures will actually produce results.

Penny for your thoughts? :/

Welcoming a Fresh Start

So, before starting off today's blog.... here's some stuff that has been happening, recently:

* The protests have conglomerated in the more commercial areas of Bangkok, forcing many businesses to close early/close for the whole day. At least the protesters have food court options?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8621964.stm

* Amongst the people who have died in the protests have been a Japanese cameraman (for Reuters) while he was filming a dispute between the police and the red shirts. Very unfortunate, indeed, but the fact that a person in the media's life was actually taken, and a foreigner, nonetheless.... might finally give more press attention to the protests that are going on, at least to the rest of the world?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8616339.stm

* Here's a good background blurb by the BBC on the protests. I should have read this before I did all of my back-and-forth research on all of the PM's, corruption scandals, etc! (see previous post!)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7584005.stm

* On a much lighter note... the past 3 days in Thailand were supposedly less violent, especially since... the past 3 days were a national holiday in Thailand!

Get ready for it...

3...

2..

1!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

April 13-15 in Thailand marks the Songkran Festival, which was apparently brought originally from the Burmese, who adapted it from the Indian's Holi Festival (Which, many Berkeleyans, at least, associate with gathering in Lower Sproul Plaza to throw coloured powder and water at each other, ending in an explosion of tie-dye not only on your clothes, but on your face, hands, legs, HAIR... you name it!).

Besides going to the Buddhist monasteries ("Wat"s) to pray and give food to the monks to pay respects, Songkran seems to include a LOT of water-splashing/throwing, mainly for cleansing. Apparently, people commonly pour water (sometimes scented with herbs, flowers..) over the Buddha statues within their household shrines, collect that water which is now "blessed," and pour it over the more respected individuals of their families (elders, etc.) to give good fortune. The water throwing definitely seems welcomed, especially since April is apparently the hottest month of the year in Thailand.

Some cool sayings? Yes? Let us begin...

* สวัสดีปีใหม่ or สุขสันต์ปีใหม่ - Sa Wat Dee Pee Mai! or Suk San Pee Mai!

- Happy New Year!

* สุขสันต์วันสงกรานต์ - Suk San Wan Songkran!

- Happy Songkran Day!

So! Cheers to a new year, and... hope that the government and red shirts finally begin negotiations...

Boring, but important, considering recent events

Time course of political events within the past 10 years...

Feb. 2001 - Sept. 2006 : Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Thai Rak Thai Party

* Thaksin Shinawatra

- founded the Thai Rak Thai Party in 1998

- first Prime Minister to serve a full term!

- "introduced a range of partly effective policies to alleviate rural poverty; highly popular, they helped reduce poverty by half in four years," as well as univeral healthcare, a drug suppression campaign...

- BUT! Faced allegations of corruption, authoritarianism, treason, selling national assets to international investors, tax evasion...

- Re-election in 2005 was a high success

* Protests in 2006 by the People Alliance for Democracy (Yellow Shirts) to unseat Thaksin

- Stands for uncorrupt politics, promoting justice, rule of law, very "nationalist" - almost fascist?

- Yellow, for the royal color - claiming they are defending the monarchy against the disloyalty of Thaksin

* A military junta (the Council for National Security) overthrew Thaksin's government in a coup while Thaksin was abroad in Sept. 2006

* Thaksin is now NOT welcomed back to Thailand... is now a citizen of Montenegro?!

- The Thai Rak Thai party was banned/dissolved --> But, some people formed into the People's Power Party!

Oct. 2006 - Jan. 2008 : Prime Minister/General Surayud Chulanont

* General Surayud Chulanont

- Worsening of perceived levels of government corruption!

- "raised the military budget by 35% and was accused of economic mismanagement, rampant human rights abuses, and flip-flopping on numerous policies," + economic growth rate was the lowest,

Jan. 2008 - Sept. 2008 : Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej , People's Power Party

* People's Power Party formed from members of the formal Thai Rak Thai Party

* Samak Sundaravej

- Leader of the PPP

- Accused of being a proxy for Thaksin (the exiled former PM)

- Before 2006, was a notable T.V. chef?!

* People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD)

- Re-established in March, 2008

- After Samak declared he wouldn't resign in response to protest threats, the PAD occupied Sundaravej's Government House, forcing him to work out of a military command post

- Raided Phuket International Airport, resulting in 118 flights canceled/diverted, affecting 15,000 passengers

* In the end.. Samak lost his position as PM, since... Once he became PM, he also resumed his T.V. chef job, but.... the government "ruled that it was unconstitutional for Samak to maintain his television career, to work in a private company while holding the office of Prime Minister, and disqualified him from office" !!!

Sept. 2008 - Dec. 2008: Acting Prime Minister Somchai Wongasawat- People's Power Party

* Somchai Wongasawat

- Thaksin's brother in law?!

* People's Alliance for Democracy

- Nov. 2008 - "Operation Hiroshima"

- Seized Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) for about a week

- Closure of Bangkok Don Muang Airport - domestic passenger terminals, for about a week

* People's Power Party

- Disbanded by the Constitutional Court on Dec. 2, 2008 - stripping party executives of their political rights for five years!

- Thus... b/c Somchai was in PPP, had to resign from being PM.

Dec. 2, 2008 - Dec. 17, 2008 : Chaovarat Chanweerakul - People's Power Party

*Chaovarat Chanweerakul

- was in PPP,

- was still a senior cabinet member while Somchai was PM, but... was technically not a party "executive", so, was still a viable PM candidate

- but... others criticized this, since he wasn't an executive, couldn't be PM, anyway?, thus... a very short lived PM-hood...

Dec. 17, 2008 - NOW: Abhisit Vejjajiva - Democrat Party

* Abhisit Vejjajiva

- Interesting note... "Abhisit's first act as Prime Minister was to send SMS texts to tens of millions of Thai mobile phone users. The message, signed "Your PM", asked people to help him solve the country's crisis. Interested phone users were asked to send back their postal codes, at a cost of three baht. Abhisit was criticized for violating privacy regulations in the mass SMS. The National Telecommunication Commission says that mobile phone service providers may not exploit client information, including phone numbers, without their consent. However, it did not seek actions against Abhisit.^[65][66]"

- Already some scandals, corruption, recalling of ambassadors, tenser relations with Cambodia,

- Pretty tight censorship - of internet sites that seem offensive to the monarchy, blocking of several foreign internet sites and TV programs

* Sondhi Limthongkul (PAD leader) Assasination Attempt - April 2009

- Sondhi's son blamed the government (Abhisit) as being behind the attempt

* Thaksin accused Abhisit and others for the coup that overthrew him

* National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship

- "Red Shirts"

- Claims that Abhisit took over the government, illegitimately

- Anti-PAD

- "It calls for the Thai Parliament to be dissolved so that a general re-election can be held. The UDD allies itself with the For Thais Party. They accuse the country's elite — the military, judiciary, certain members of the Privy Council, and other unelected officials — of undermining democracy by interfering in politics."

- Mainly rural and urban supportors ...

* 2010 Protests

- Started mainly on March 14 in Bangkok, to call for elections - began peacefully

- Pouring of blood on the Government House and other places in Bangkok...

- April 8 - A state of emergency was called by Abhisit

- April 10 - Protests took a violent turn: 21 people killed, at least 800 injured

--> BBC video on the latest...

RAMA!

Despite the fact that I've always wanted to visit Thailand, one of the reasons that I even looked for and applied to study in another country (which ended up being Brazil) for last summer was: that, particularly starting in 2008, SO many protests - i.e., the approximately week-long Bangkok airport seizure - were going on, and my parents deemed it unsafe to go to Thailand.

Considering the revival of the media's attention on the protests currently going on in Thailand and the fact that I AM going to Thailand, no matter what my parents say, I think it is only appropriate for me to finally read up more on what actually is going on behind all of this political unrest. As usual.. I'm going to be relying on Wikipedia and current news articles on the internet....

The current government of Thailand is structured as a constitutional democratic monarchy (it was an absolute monarchy prior to 1932)- the Prime Minister is the Head of Government while the Hereditary Monarch is the Head of State (as well as Head of the Armed Forces, Upholder of the Buddhist Religion, and Defender of the Faith). Just for reference, other countries that are consitutional democratic monarchies are: Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Belize, Cambodia, Canada, Denmark, Japan, Jordan, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Morocco, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and of course, the UK

So, basically, the king has very little actual power, but instead, is more of a symbol of Thai identity and unity. The current king, King Bhumibol Adulyadej (82 years old) aka Rama IX, is the longest reigning current monarch in the world (and in all of Thai history) with a reign of 63, going on 64 years May! And.. despite the thought that he shouldn't have too much political action, Bhumibol (with the help of his popularity) has helped mediate... or even express his own thoughts.. or perhaps even meddle... in several political moments of Thailand, including:

• During his long reign he has seen over 15 coups, 16 constitutions, and 27 changes of prime ministers.
• 1992 - Thailand's transition to democracy
• 2006 - before an election, the People's Alliance for Democracy petitioned Bhumibol to appoint a replacement prime minister and cabinet. What I liked about this, though, was that Bhumibol declined, responding that "Asking for a Royally-appointed prime minister is undemocratic. It is, pardon me, a mess. It is irrational." Well said, I think.
• But... then again, later in 2006, when a coup actually happened, Bhumibol told civil servants to follow a particular commander..... hmm..

Other interesting notes: Acts deemd insulting to the king is a criminal offence (YouTube was blocked in Thailand because of a king-insulting video clip, 3 years ago?!).... Bhumibol's also been involved in several social and economic development projects, is the wealthiest Royal in the world, suffers from lumbar spine stenosis, can pardon prisoners (including 25,000 on 60th anniversary of being king!), and is the only Thai King to hold a patent (for a waste water aerator, and several rainmaking related things?!). An American journalist (Paul Handley?) wrote a biography for Bhumibol called The King Never Smiles, which was banned in Thailand because it has "contents which could affect national security and the good morality of the people" !!

Interesting, indeed...

Anyhow... although I know that I've only just given a brief interesting intro for Thai politics..... due to the onslaught of my midterms (3 midterms this week!!), I am afraid that I have to call it a day, and will resume this story another time~

City of the Deity

So, being in spring break mode puts me in a very difficult decision about weighing my priorities...

Although, I must admit that I woke up pretty early this past couple o' days in order to get as MUCH homework (due RIGHT after spring break! gah!) done as possible, but am now being a bit of a procrastinator in terms of studying for MIDTERMS (that are RIGHT after spring break, double gah!).

In any case. I decided it's time for me to do a little bit more research on where I'm actually going this summer...

Although I'll be staying in a dormitory at an institute outside of Bangkok, I'll be commuting everyday to conduct research at Chulalongkorn University, which is in Bangkok! So, even though I might be a little worried about the daily commute, at least I'll be going to the center of Thailand, everyday, to see what's up!

First of all, Bangkok - the capital of Thailand - is known in Thai as Krung Thep Mahanakhon, which translates to: City of the Deity. It is the largest urban area in Thailand, with a "population of approximately 6,355,144 residents while the greater Bangkok area has a population of 11,971,000 (January 2008)." It has two airports, as well as Skytrain, Metro, Railway, and Bus systems.

Politically, Bangkok is divided into 50 districts (khet), each having a district leader appointed by the governor.

In terms of Demographics, most of Bangkok is ethnically naturally Thai, but is growing in immigrant populations from China, India, Japanese (the largest population in Asia outside of Japan, apparently!), Americans, Europeans, etc. etc...

Apparently the majority (92%) are Buddhist, followed by Muslim, Christian, Hindu... and I found this a bit comical, 41 Jewish people. I love how detailed information (whether it be trustworthy or not) that Wikipedia provides, haah!

Anyways. I'll do more "research" later, probably a special on Thai street foods (my number ONE thing that I'm SUPER excited about, besides the other aspects of Thai culture and temples!).

For now, I'm going to step outside and enjoy my long awaited spring break. :)

Sources used:

• Wikipedia - Bangkok

Sa nook!

So, as usual... I am compelled to NOT focus all 24 hours of my day to studying, so.. here I am updating~!

Slowly the fact that I'm going to Thailand is becoming more real to me. I already sent in some passport info (complete with the photo of me and my blue-streaked hair, oh.. yeah..) to apply for the VISA, so... all I need to do is to wait for the preliminary application stuff!

I think I've gotten over the fact that I'll miss my friends terribly over the vacation, but, I got to suck it up, I guess? Anyhow. I guess what SHOULD be concerning me is... HOW in the WORLD am I going to communicate? I mean, sure - most people know some basic English, but.. really, is this going to get me by? Unlike my past summer in Brazil, where I already knew some Spanish, to help me understand some phrases in Brazil to ease me into the Portuguese-learning-process.... Thai is going to be a COMPLETELY different story!

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So, let's begin with some basic things that I've found on this pretty useful website, complete with voice clips! :) Let's see if I actually use these or will be corrected when I go to Thailand..

www. thailanguage.com

For a lot of these phrases, add "kha" at the end if you're a female. For Male version, put "khrap," hehe!~

• Sa Wat (สวัส) - Blessing, Good Fortune
• Dee (ดี) - (is) good
• Sa Wat Dee (สวัสดี) - Hello, goodbye, good morning.... greetings~!
• Wat DEE! (หฺวัดดี)- just, an informal HEY, hello!
• Reuu?? (หรือ) - Really?? used also to indicate a question
• Sa baai dee reuu?(สบายดีหรือ) - How are you?
• Yin dee thee dai ruu jak (ยินดีที่ได้รู้จัก)- Pleased to meet you
• Sa nook (สนุก)- Fun!
• Khaawp jai ja (ขอบ-ไจ-จ้ะ) - Thank you!