One year closes and another starts. Just like the big Hollywood film director who shouts …Cut….Action…
As far as movies go Thailand 2008 was an epic blockbuster full of comedy, farce and horror. Based on the classic The Wizard of Oz, the yellow brick road in Thailand 2008 led to Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Demonstrators marred Thailand 2008 and now with punters staying away the eventual loss will run into millions and millions of dollars.
Thailand now needs a period of stability followed by a General Election. Let the winner rejoice and the loser walk away to learn how to attack, defend and counterpunch according to the rules. Most of all the loser must learn to break when the referee calls. Whatever your colour, be it red or yellow, the Thai nation may have to accept that to have a future that is bright, the future may have to be Orange.
My days of rubbing on the mosquito and lao khao repellent and dancing off to the village New Year Eve party have long gone. My heart and my wallet especially, cannot take the strain of being greeted by so many long lost friends. Friends who have lost their Wiltshire accents, fallen on hard times and long for another drink. How my heart bleeds for them but this morning the wounds from my wallet fester no more. New Year and countdown was spent with Wonderful Wi and a few of her family, we shared a bottle of Chateau De Loei 2005 Rose, Beer Leo and JD. The occasional village drunk worked out the advanced operating system of our garden gate and staggered through.
After proving that Alzheimers Disease is not only a Western illness with repeated ” Happy New Year long lost friend ” slurred offerings, I sent them away with their alcohol to blood milligram level slightly higher and their knowledge of modern gate systems vastly improved, I bade them goodnight and one last technology reminder ” slide the gate shut on your way out….Happy New Year.”
Countdown was concluded with 600 baht of my money going up in smoke and breaking into bright lights. Before shutting the door on 2008 I must say a big thank you to Mike, Peter and Martin for making Beyond The Mango Juices entry onto the Thai blog scene a smooth, friendly and enjoyable passage. Thank You.
One final thought to give you something to think about. Women use them to tie back their hair, every village food bag is sealed with one and birds are knocked out of trees with the use of them. How far would Thailand fall if there was a World elastic band shortage….Lights…Camera…Action……….Happy New Year.
© 2009, Martyn. All rights reserved.
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Ha good analogy, in the pre-war film there a red road road (no mention of where it was heading) as well. So who plays the cowardly lion? Suppose the wicked witch from the West would have to be Thaksin
Just so long as you didn’t burn the house down with the pyrotechics (what a horrific disaster in Bangkok). In France they’ve actually banned the private sale of fireworks because of the dangers, rather ironic when I think back to the Loy Krathong festival in Chiang Mai a few weeks back; with rockets whizzing a couple of feet over your head occasionally, and home-made bangers that were big enough to blow up Abhisit’s armoured car.
HD you have a way with words! I still can’t undo the elastic bands, but of course that may be a sign of the aging process.
For the record we sat outside on NYE under a starlit sky with the neighbours and their dogs (Sitar BTW is now definitely 3rd gender) slurped a few ales and avoided the village drunk. I saw him next day making his way home!
Hate to ask this but when do you head back to sunnier climes?
red road road road? Pass the Jack …….
Mike I am heading home on the 7th. Whenever I want an elastic band I can never find one, amazing. Have a good flight home.
Pete I bought some fireworks a few years back when I was up country. I turned my back for a few seconds, turned around and the kids had lighted rockets and bangers in their hands which they released at the last possible second.I sneaked off, shut the front door and prayed.
How long do you normally spend in Thailand and how long in England every year? (Feel sorry for you stuck in the UK….and yep, I know, I know, I’m rubbing it in
Sawatdee pii mai, by the way!
Michelle
Michelle – Overall the ratio is 2 months Thailand and 10 in England. Nice to hear from you but please understand my internet time is limited on holiday but next week back in England I will catch up with all my favourite sites. Thanks.
You must really look forward to those 2 months! Right now, I haven’t left Thailand, other than two 3 day trips to Malaysia, in 2 years. Seems the longer I’m here, the less I want to leave. Before that, I was spending about 6 weeks in the US every year and 10 1/2 months in Thailand. Hopefully, at some point, you too can get that ratio