So I was speaking to some friends online, and two of them asked about the whole political situation in Thailand. I'm nowhere near an expert on the matter, but I'll try to sum up the situation as succinctly as possible, primarily for my own benefit.

First, The Kingdom of Thailand has a King (surprise!), Rama IX. To say he's popular is an understatement, he is absolutely adored by everyone, and is seen as a father figure. He's the current longest serving head of state. There's also the military. They are also very popular, and along with the King, show stability in an uncertain political environment.

So, backing up to 2001, there's this politician called Thaksin Shinawatra. He won by appealing to rural voters, an up-until-then untapped source of votes. He also spent a lot of money on infrastructure projects that, well, some were more successful than others. But unfortunately, there was a lot of cronyism as the contracts were doled out to his friends and family. Furthermore, speaking negatively against the King was and still is illegal in Thailand, but he started to enforce it more strictly and with some loose interpretation. Eventually, all this started to boil over into protests and riots. While Thaksin was at the UN in New York, the military stepped in, said "Alright, stop it. We're running things from now on." Thaksin ran away to Dubai. The military took a year or so to draft a new constitution, and had another election. There was this other guy elected, fairly unremarkable. Then for the next election, a candidate named Yingluck Shinawatra (incidentally, a Kentucky State University grad) appeared.

Yup, same last name, the sister of Thaksin. She also went with a populist agenda, suggesting and then implementing a (some would say unsustainable) rice subsidy. This was of course crazy popular in rural areas, so she won. Bangkok and the other cities weren't keen on this, as that money had to come from somewhere, and it was from them. In addition, all the corruption and cronyism her brother started came back. Eventually the two groups came to identify themselves as Yellow Shirts (Urban) and Red Shirts (Rural), and there were protests for and against the current government for a long time in Bangkok. Just like last time, things started to boil over. After an investigation, Yingluck was convicted of corruption charges, as was the Deputy PM and a bunch of others. Basically so many people in the government were arrested, it couldn't really function anymore. Once again the military stepped in, took control, and that leads us to now. I don't know too much about the current leader, other than the times I've seen him on TV (subtitled) he seems like a levelheaded guy with some good ideas. The King has given the new, temporary government his blessing, but, it all remains to be seen. Regardless, things are apparently more stable than it has been in a long time, so we'll see if that remains when they make the transition back to a Democracy this year.

So, enough history. After having Chinese friends cook for me... maybe 3 or 4 times since I've been here, it was finally my turn. So I had a bunch of friends over, and the menu was: 1) Pumpkin French Fries 2) Thai Chicken Curry 3) Spaghetti 4) Cincinnati Chili 5) Oreo Chocolate Truffles. Overall I feel it was a success, and I just finished the last of the leftovers.

I've been up to a few things, but not really quite as exciting as New Years. I went to an art show, which was nice, but really just an excuse to drink. There was also a VERY overpriced hippie market selling "vintage" stuff. Really it was just new stuff that's been done with a retro look and thrown down stairs a few time. It was near the train station, which had a bunch of cats that apparently live in the ticket office at night, as they had no problem moving back and forth through the talky-hole... thing.

Right, for slightly more interesting times, we met a fellow named Koray, from Turkey. He's a super awesome dude who was travelling her for a few weeks, and really put Istanbul on my map of "places to teach next". I had a coworker in China who taught there in the past, and he spoke very well of it aside from it being a lot of work. But, good gods, I've done so little work here maybe it would be a good thing. We went to the Currency Museum, which is apparently a thing right next to Khao San Road. And surprisingly, it was totally free, and super super nice. Those things never go together in Thailand. It was small, but they were expanding, because I think it's brand new. There was a show in a cave with vibrating rocks, so... that's nice. You could also hold up a part of your brochure in front of coins, and a projector would show an animated overlay of the coin face. This is nothing short of black magic, and totally cool. I should've taken a video. Anyway, they do it with a Xbox Kinect, and I was very impressed. After we went over to Wat Intharawihan, which I had visited on my first weekend in Bangkok - But I had totally forgotten that it exists. Essentially it's a free (yay!) giant Buddha. Man, like that's unique in Thailand. (eye roll) That evening we all went to the bar and played Cards Against Humanity. Which, man. I never realized this, but even people fluent in English like Ella and Koray could have trouble with that game. It's super focused on American pop culture. Like, how would anyone outside the US know who Maury Povich is? Also, I got really drunk. Honestly it's the first time I consider myself "drunk" in Thailand. Sure I've gone out drinking, had a buzz, but I was always borderline "Eh, I could drive if I waited an hour or so." Not this time. It was full on drunktown, which, man, that's been a long time. Still doesn't come close to LIT night at Ryan's those 4, 5 years ago.

Happy 2015! New Years in Bangkok was spent with some friends on Khao San Road, to my chagrin. I love Khao San, but I was afraid it would be a total mess of people on New Years, which was correct. While the night was mostly a haze, I do remember having immense difficulties getting home. Anyway, was still a crazy night, and as good of a way as any to ring in the New Year. Prior to that, let's get up to speed on other stuff:

1) Ella and I went to Mega Bang Na, which is mostly the home of IKEA and the largest mall I have ever seen in my life. It's like 4 giant malls stuck together. Of course the regular IKEA hijinx was in force, as well as some Swedish meatballs and ligonberry juice. (Swedish food - check)

2) Went to Chinatown to see a few things I've been wanting to get around to, The Dragon Flower Temple and Wat Chakrawatrachawat Woramahawihan. I swear that is it's real name. Like, how do Thai people refer to these places in casual conversation? I can't imagine them saying "Hey Steve, how's your job at Wat Chakrawatrachawat Woramahawihan going? Oh yeah, right on. I hear there's a good restaurant next to Wat Chakrawatrachawat Woramahawihan. Is Wat Chakrawatrachawat Woramahawihan still having that festival next month?"

4) A lot of cooking has been going on! At my place with Ella, and I apparently have been fully indoctrinated into Bangkok's Chinese community, as I went to two dinner parties recently. One was a group dumpling making party, which, after getting practice making those twice, I should start to get good at it. Buuuut not so much.

And as promised last time, I did wind up going to Pattaya. I've been here before, with my friend Tommo. This time was more chill, thank god. Anyway, essentially Pattaya is this seaside town who's entire economy is based on old white guys thinking that 20 year old Thai girl is digging him for his personality. It's a giant armpit of gogo bars, beaches that were beautiful 25 years ago, and Russians. God so many Russians, it's weird. But Pattaya has been trying to shake off it's reputation as a sex tourism hot spot, and has been promoting the other, touristy things to do there. Apparently it's worked, and I don't have quite the negative outlook on Pattaya I did previously. It's still a cesspool, but at least a cesspool with some nice lawn chairs.

So after waking up early and catching a bus in, we rented a scooter and headed off to the Three Kingdoms Park. I feel this takes some explaining, but the Three Kingdoms is a historical fiction Chinese novel, mostly known to anyone in the west (and my dumb ass included) as the Dynasty Warriors video game series. It was actually a beautiful park, made by a Chinese Thai businessman. He's dead, but had an amazing life and wrote an open letter they inscribed on this stone tablet. I found it strangely inspirational and resonating, because he really sounded like a smart, generous, and level headed guy. I think if more people thought like him the world would be a lot better. So, right on man. I'm gonna paste it at the end of the blog for myself, mostly. Maybe you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

The next spot was Pattaya's Floating Market, which I have also been to before, but apparently they've raised the admission price a lot. So much for that. We were on our way to the next destination, when suddenly, our scooter died. Out of gas. Apparently, the gauge was not busted. We just got it on near empty. Thanks, lady. We pushed it to a gas station, only to find the gas station was closed. A super nice lady volunteered to take me to get gas on her scooter. We tried 3 different gas stations - first one was out that kind of gas. Second was closed. Third was open, but didn't have any cans and wouldn't let me put it in a giant water bottle. Finally the fourth one, which also didn't have any cans, but the dude working there went to the dumpster and got a bunch of water bottles. Thanks dude, who actually knows what he's doing. So, with the hour long detour finished, it was off to lunch at a meat pies and chips restaurant (English food - check). Which, if I have to pick one good thing about Pattaya, it has really amazing food. It's an eclectic worldwide collection of who knows what, like the Russian - Japanese restaurant we went for dinner. But, I'm getting ahead of myself.

The next stop was to Wat Phra Yai,which is on top of a hill giving a great view of the city. Next to it we randomly found a Chinese temple honoring Dr. Sun Yat-Sen. Considering his face was plastered everywhere over Taiwan, I found it to be a weird nostalgic throwback. Anyway, it did have a nice view. We took our photos, and then went off to Art in Paradise. Similar to the one in Phuket, it's basically a 3D sort of art gallery where you can be involved in the photos. It's fun, and a good way to get some interesting Facebook profile pic material. Getting pretty hungry at this point, dinner was at the aforementioned Russian - Japanese restaurant. We got borscht, which I have heard so much about but have never had. It was rounded it off with some potato pancakes and sauerkraut (Russian food - check). We had a walk through Walking Street to take in the nonsense, but didn't stop anywhere. Off to bed for the next day.

Which, the next day was a visit to the Sanctuary of Truth. It's to the north of town, and is a massive, massive wooden temple overlooking the ocean. It costs an astounding 400 baht to get in, but I was hoping we could just get a pic and then leave. Turns out they're wise to this, and the temple is not visible from the gate. A lady told us the price, which we said was way too expensive - that we just want to see it, we didn't need to go in. She instead said they have a viewing package at 50 baht each. Sold! We got to see bunnies, horses, pheasants, and geese at their weird little park, and got a nice view of the temple. We even got to go right up to it, although I think we skipped past the ticket check point. We could have gone inside because nobody was there to stop us. But, the inside looked empty and I didn't want to push our luck with those cheap tickets. After that was a nice lunch on the beach, and checking out some malls. We found one called Mike Shopping Mall (ha!) along with a Ripley's Believe it or Not, and Madame Tussaude's. Also incredibly expensive to go in (seeing a trend in Pattaya?), but the outside had a few samples that were good for pics. Anyway, back to Bangkok! That evening, Heather's mom and mom's friend were in town, so we all grabbed dinner and went bowling with some other friends. It turned out to be quite a gathering of 13 or so. And so ends my all-to-short New Years holiday. It's back to work tomorrow, but hey, fun while it lasted.





Dear Descendants,
How are you at your time of reading this letter? I am fine except that I live on Sunset Boulevard and must prepare myself when the sun in me sets and I must journey into the unknown. I can go onwards only when I have completed what I have set out to do in this lifetime. I have done everything except for the pagoda.

My legacy to you is to last a lifetime, and your children's' lifetime. There is wisdom in heeding to the teachings of your ancestors. Hold my teachings to your heart and they will be your guiding light, in good as well as difficult times. You will be charged with my vibrant energy and my unending zest for life.

Where do I start? I start with the now of May 1991. The Persian Gulf war between Iraq and the Allied Forces led by the United States has ceased, while Thailand just had her martial law lifted since the February 23, 1991 coup d'etat toppled the Chartchai Choonhavan government. The National Peacekeeping Council under General Sunthorn Kongsompong and General Suchinda Kraprayoon has appointed Anand Panyarachun as the prime minister and the caretaker government until the next election. What happens in our country and in the world is very important. Stay informed because we are all interrelated in small and big ways.

In politics, have friends in high places, but do not enter politics, nor side with one party against another. I tell you this so that you will have no enemies. All the parties are working for the good of the country; that is all that is important. It's the same for religion. All religions teach people to be good and avoid evil. Therefore say not that one religion or ideology is better than another, but give homage to all good and great leaders and allow free thinking in your home.

Thailand is a prospering country with very high economical growth in the last five years. We have become a newly industrialized country (NIC). We have also entered into the computer age as well as the age of pollution. There is a price to be paid for development and modernization. Nothing comes free-of-charge. I have created 50 or so companies and factories. In doing so, I have made many baskets that are independent and viable on their own. Do not consolidate them. Have many nests, not just one, so that if something happens to one, the others are still all-right and unaffected. In other words, do not put all your eggs in one basket.

I pass on to you a vast business empire. Take good care of this great inheritance and maintain these companies on a steady, stable, and non-risk balanced growth policy. Operate the business not on credit, but on cash according to the resources it has on hand. If you want to take risks, do it on your own money; do not take from the "Gongsie" (holding company) to do so.

The fortunes of life are uncertain. If you have extra money and your good friend is in need, lend him the money, but do not make "guarantees" for him. Along this same line, teach your children the value of money. Allow them to learn to help themselves to earn their own keep. Do not provide more than what is necessary for them. Instill in them the values of diligence, sincerity and perserverance...

Above all be grateful to your parents and ancestors for all that you have. I would not want you to be complaining about what you do not have, like a weak person looking for excuses to continue to loaf. Work with what you have and when you have made enough, work to give it back to the society and country that gave it to you.

Good luck and have fun,
Kiarti Srifuengfung
May 1991, Bangkok