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2BANGKOK.COM'S NEWS AND VIEWS
OCTOBER 2003
Painting the Honda building on Sathorn Road - October 31, 2003
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
US won't invade Burma - October 29, 2003
Washington has no plans for military intervention in Burma, the US Ambassador to Thailand said yesterday.
BTW: During the recent U.S. military actions there were two main schools of thought in the expat Burmese community. One that the US was right to overthrow the oppressive governments in Afghanistan and Iraq and should do the same in Burma. The other was that the US was wrong to overthrow the oppressive governments in Afghanistan and Iraq, but it should still invade Burma right away.
Where did those Royal Barge pics come from? - October 28, 2003
Thanks to Nils, Prompan, Somchai, Thong and many others for sending the much-circulated pics of the awesome Royal Barge Procession. These originals came from Manager Daily.
Thailand officials impressed with The Palm Projects in Dubai - October 28, 2003
If you are familiar with anyone who can be termed a 'Thai official,' you will know that first-class fact-finding junkets are one of their constant activities. Here is a story about some officials visiting the incredible Palm project in Dubai. We are wondering if the present administration will come up with a similar 'country-defining' project for Thailand.
All about the Malaysia Hotel - Bangkok Post, August 8, 2003
Do you know how the hotel got its name?
Chaos theory explains why two buses show up at once - Nature, September 29, 2003
The Death Highway - October 28, 2003
Shinji tells the story of the road to Three Pagodas Pass: According to contemporary newspaper reports, some 30 road workers were attacked and killed at km-marker 43, apparently by Thai, Hmong and Karen CPT insurgents wanting to stop the road from penetrating Um Pang district (one of the main communist strongholds in Thailand in the 1960s and 70s).
Bitter CNN anchors - October 28, 2003
This has nothing to do with Thailand, but is amusing. If you have noticed the trendy and vacuous shows CNN Asia has been rolling out recently, you love this extremely bitter comment CNN anchor Jonathan Mann made with the microphone still on at 8:30am Bangkok time: "You know you've really reached the pinnacle of your career when you're the warmup act for Living Golf."
All about PTTEP - October 25-26, 2003
This is from PTTEP's calendar: the company Profile, list of projects, and map.
Letter from King of Siam to President Buchanan, February 14, 1861 - Smithsonian Institute, October 23, 2003
The Smithsonian forwarded us a copy of the famous letter from King Rama IV to President Buchanan offering elephants to the U.S.
Translation of letter from King of Siam to President Buchanan, February 14, 1861 - Transcription (Excerpts) - The true translation of the preceeding Siamese Royal letter into English Somdetch Phra Paramendr Maha Mongkut
By the blessing of the highest Superagency of the whole Universe. The King of Siam-the Sovereign of all interior Tributary Countries adjacent and around in every direction-viz.-To
His Most Respected Excellent Presidency
The President of United States of America who having been chosen by the Citizens of the United States as most distinguished, was made President and Chief Magistrate in the affairs of the Nation for an appointed time of office viz.-Buchanan Esquire who had forwarded an official letter to us from Washington dated at Washington 10th May Anno Christi 1859 which was Wednesday 10th night of Waxing moon in the Lunar month of Visakh, the 6th month reckoning from the commencement of the cold Season in the Year of Goat-1st Decade of the Siamese Astronomical Era 1221, with a package of Books, 192 volumes in number which came to hand in the year following or to whomsoever the people have elected anew as Chief ruler in place of President Buchanan. & & &
Sendeth friendly Greeting!
Respected and Distinguished Sir,
At this time We are very glad in having embraced an excellent opportunity to forward our Royal letter under separate envelope together with complimentary presents-viz. A sword with a photographic likeness of ourselves accompanying herewith. . .
On this occasion, occurred in February Christian Era 1861 corresponding to the lunar time being in connection of the Siamese month of Magh and Phagun, the 3rd and 4th month from the commencement of the cold Season in the Year of Monkey, second decade Siamese Astronomical Era 1222-a ship of War, a sailing vessel of the United States' Navy, the "John Adams" arrived. . . . Captain Berrien with the officers of the ship of war came up to pay a friendly visit to the Country, and has had an interview with ourselves, hence, to him we have entrusted our Royal Letter in separate envelope which accompanies this and the presents specified in that letter.
We are assured that Captain Berrien will deliver them in safety to you who are President of the United States when our letter would reach Washington: During the interview in reply from Captain Berrien to our enquiries of various particulars relating to America, he stated that on that continent there are no elephants. Elephants are regarded as the most remarkable of the large quadrupeds by the Americans so that if any one has an elephants' tusk of large size, and will deposit it in any public place, people come by thousands crowding to see it, saying, it is a wonderful thing. . . .
Having heard this it has occurred to us that, if on the continent of America there should be several pairs of young male and female elephants turned loose in forests where there was abundance of water and grass in any region under the Sun's declination both North and South called by the English the Torrid Zone-and all were forbidden to molest them; to attempt to raise them would be well and if the climate there should prove favorable to elephants, we are of opinion that after a while they will increase till there be large herds as there are here on the Continent of Asia until the inhabitants of America will be able to catch them and tame and use them as beasts of burden making them of benefit to the country. Since Elephants being animals of great size and strength can bear burdens, and travel through uncleared woods and matted jungles where no carriage and cart roads have yet been made. . . .On this account we desire to procure and send elephants to be let loose in increase and multiply in the continent of America. But we are as yet uninformed what forests and what regions of that country are suitable for elephants to thrive and prosper; Besides we have no means nor are we able to convey elephants to America, the distance being too great. . . .
In reference to this opinion of ours if the President of the United States and Congress who conjointly with him rule the country see fit to approve let them provide a large vessel loaded with hay and other food suitable for elephants on the voyage, with tanks holding a sufficiency of fresh water, and arranged with stalls so that the elephants can both stand & lie down in the ship- and send it to receive them. We on our part will procure young male and female elephants and forward them one or two pairs at a time.
When the elephants are on board the ship let a steamer take it in tow that it may reach America as rapidly as possible before they become wasted and diseased by the voyage.
When they arrive in America do not let them be taken to a cold climate out of the regions under the Sun's Declinations or Torrid Zone-but let them with all haste be turned out to run wild in some jungle suitable for them not confining them any length of time.
If these means can be done we trust that the elephants will propagate their species hereafter in the continent of America.
It is desirable that the president of the United States and Congress give us their views in reference to this matter at as early a day as possible.
In Siam it is the custom of the season to take elephants from the herds in the jungles in the months of Phagun and Chetre = 4th & 5th generally corresponding to March and April.
If the president and Congress approve of this matter and should provide a vessel to come for the elephants, if that vessel should arrive in Siam in any month of any year after March and April as above mentioned, let notice be sent on two or three months previous to those months of that year, in order that the elephants may be caught and tamed. Whereas the Elephant that have been long captured & tamed and domesticated here are large-and difficult to transport- and there would be danger they might never reach America. . . .
Given at our Royal Audience Hall Anant Samagome in the Grand Palace . . . at Bangkok Siam on Thursday the 5th night of the waxing moon in the lunar month of Phagun the 4th month from the commencement of the Cold Season in the Year of Monkey 2nd Decade Siamese Astronomical Era 1222 corresponding to the Solar date of 14th February Anno Christi 1861 which is the 11th year, and this day is the 3564th day of our Reign.
[Ileg.] from the worthy & good friend of [ileg.] United States of America & her Government
Mongkut
Major Rex
Have you ever seen a truck this overloaded? - October 22, 2003
Here is an overloaded Somali truck. The most we have ever seen in Thailand is this truck carrying a water tower.
Abandoned places - October 21, 2003
Don Entz points out: These is totally cool, especially if you're into architecture.
Abandoned places - Forgotten New York - Remnants of the 64-65 World's Fair
Thai-styled airport - October 18, 2003
Martin Strong points out the cool Thai-styled Sukhothai Airport.
Indian safety charts - October 18, 2003
Boing Boing blog points out: Hilarious safety charts from India warn kids of rooftop kite-flying and banana-peel slippage.
Satellite exploration of Thailand - October 16, 2003
An interesting new site with some good links. For instance Thailand's Nightscape.
'Bangkok's sinister world of shame' - New Zealand News, October 17, 2003
One of the first of the many 'local color' stories that APEC reporters will file about our town. This one is a furious and overly vivid account about how Western men are pigs in Bangkok: Our Western world has spat them out - lonely, unattractive, below par, the old and fat, the socially incompetent, the slow. In Thailand they are wealthy, attractive and powerful... For the first time in his life he has a bevy of beauties surrounding him. They laugh enthusiastically at his drunken jokes. She pretends to like him long enough to get paid, and he suspends disbelief.
UPDATE: Wesley informs us that the article was in fact written by the wife of the New Zealand Ambassador to Thailand, not really an APEC article.
Fire at Empire Tower - October 16, 2003
Reuters: Police said the blaze erupted on the 45th floor of the 59-storey Empire Building, which houses the offices of the Thai-German chamber of commerce, Samsung, KPMG, Taiwan's unofficial embassy and a subsidiary of Belgium's Tractebel...
"The building's fire alarm system did not work," said Natcha Ongwongskul, a 28-year-old official of the Thai-German chamber who was among more than 40 employees who descended the stairs from the 25th floor. "The building operator called people on each floor to evacuate," she saidRight: Shortly after the alarm sounded yesterday at Empire Tower, this photo of the building was taken. There was no external smoke visible.
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
Crystal torch damage seen as bad omen - Bangkok Post, October 13, 2003
The shattering of the crystal torch on the Oct 14 memorial structure, opening tomorrow, is taken as a bad omen by activists. They say it signifies the precarious and bitter state of democracy here.
The torch was to be hoisted on top of the upside-down cone-shaped monument at the Kok Wua intersection, marking the landmark 30th anniversary of the Oct 14, 1973 uprising...
A corner of the Kok Wua intersection has served as a memorial for the Oct 14 uprising for two years, but the public does not seem interested. It was opened on the 28th anniversary but has attracted little attention since.
Below: More sights from the October 14 commemoration.
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
Last day for stamp show - October 12, 2003
Last day for the World Philatelic Exhibition at Hall 5 Impact Center, Muang Thong Thani. Highly recommended! Highlights include an extremely interesting exhibit of classic stamps--like the famous one with an upside-down airplane. There's also an exhibit of vintage Thai mailboxes (like the models here). You can also buy stamps direct from dozens of the world's postoffices--don't miss the disturbingly retro designs available at the North Korea Post Office booth. The Mongolian Post Office is also interesting. Lowlights include several Thai stamp companies selling lovely framed posters of Adolph Hitler and other Nazi stuff.
Last veteran of WWI dies at 106 - Bangkok Post, October 10, 2003
Yod was born in May 1897. In 1917, Yod was one of 1,284 soldiers who volunteered to fight with the Allies in France. In 1918, he served as a mechanic in the French army, based near Marseilles, before returning home the following year.
