Note: Rather unusually, this post has a political content that I usually keep for myself or for friends and close relatives. Politics is too serious to be discussed on the Internet and a 600-word post can only gloss over events, beliefs and concepts that would need books on their own.

The last few days have been rather hectic between work and the preparation of my journey to Thailand. I had to cancel and book again my flight due to the closure of the 4th largest airport in South East Asia because of the political unrest in the Land of Smile. But I finally made it and I am writing this from Bangkok.

As usual, and thanks to the air conditioning, I arrived with a cold and a cough but avoided the sore throat this time. Bangkok has not changed much. Previously unfinished condominiums are now completed and new one are croping up and it seems that flowerbeds are springing up everywhere. A new shopping mall, Chamchuri Square has open tagging itself as an Edutainement centre. I have yet to check what that means but the nearby Chulalongkorn University will definitively provide an unending stream of bored students to its ice cream parlours and other eateries (Check the worth reading Gnarlykitty blog). There, girls & boys can enjoy the pleasure of online chatting on the latest laptops whilst painting their nails, combing their hair and checking their persistent acne using their webcam or mobile phone video (I am not making this one up!); yes, I do have something against (some) Thai students…

Thai politic is still in turmoil. Abhisit of the Democrat minority party has been elected as new Thai Prime Minister by a mostly pro-Thaksin Parliament following the very rapid demise, in time for the king’s birthday, of the previous Thaksin loyalist Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat. First reactions in my close entourage were positive; “he is a very handsome guy”, “he dresses very well”, “he has a good education” and “he is very polite” which in Thai politics are all signs of being a competent man.

Within minutes, Red-shirts (pro-Thaksin) were in the street but this time the police did not let them do what they allowed their Yellow shirts counterpart do, i.e. gridlock the country for more than a week with tremendous economic repercussions. They are currently en route to lay siege to Parliament.

The closure of the airport had had an impact on the local economy and it is clear that there were less tourists than usual but it seems the business is already picking up. The global economic crisis seems to have more impact on the economy. Prices have gone up by 5 to 10 Bath on food. The MBK shopping mall which usually attract a large crowd at the weekend was not as busy as usual and it showed most in the food court that was nearly empty. The government is subsidising electricity which is now free up to the first 300 Baht and half price after that in the countryside (I don’t know if the same apply in town). But Starbucks coffees are still full with students… Like everywhere else the crisis only seems to affect one side of the society.

Bangkok is also electing a new Governor in January. Khun Pluem, one of the candidates credited with some serious voting intentions, is said to want “prostitutes” to register and pay tax. In the past, Pluem was quoted saying that prostitutes have ruined Bangkok’s rteputation. I would rather say that prostitution or what drives it has ruined Thai women’s (and men) reputation, but certainly not that of Bangkok, afterall Pattaya with foreigners and some border towns with Thai do much better when it comes to sex-work.

Interestingly and very much remarkably, candidates have left the uniform in the wardrobe and present themselves in a smart city life outfit on campaign posters. This is a sign of change suggesting Thailand is no more finding respect in a rigid military aura but in a more progressive business-orientated look. Done with the old school, let’s move into the 21st century. This remains to translate into a real positive difference.

More later…

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