Thailand has recently taken a giant step towards promoting a new generation of dairy farmers with its introduction of “skimmed milk” into school children’s vocabulary. The theoretical process of removing cream from milk and then returning a smaller amount to produce a low fat skimmed milk has been omitted from the schools curriculum in favour of  ”drink and think” practical lessons.

Thailand’s Food And Drug Administration (FDA) recently revealed that tests carried out on free school milk showed that the fat yield was below the FDA required standard of 3.2%. So is a fat cat licking the cream and could the Milky Bar Kid come riding to the rescue of Thailand’s school children.  

“The Milky Bar kid is strong and tough, and only the best is good enough, the creamiest white, the milkiest bar, the goodness that’s in Milky Bar!” The chocolate bar kid of years gone by would be best advised not to try and unwrap this mystery that is currently curdling away in Thailand’s news stories.

Thailand’s Free School Milk Program was introduced in 1985 to provide extra nutrients to kindergarten and elder children up to 12 years of age. Tests are said to have reduced malnutrition in the children and also seen an average height gain exceeding previous recorded levels.

The milk scandal centres on Chumphon, considered as the gateway to south Thailand and an area of good beaches and excellent diving amenities. It appears some people may have been diving into the milk funds. It also seems that 16 of the 18 free milk scheme suppliers for the area may not actually exist and that local bodies had been forced to buy from the remaining two contractors on the list.

FDA lab results on milk samples sent to schools in Chumphon have confirmed that the product was substandard. An Agriculture minister suggested that milk powder and water may have been added by producers before distribution into the free milk scheme. Clearly a shake up or better still a milkshake is needed, before Thailand’s parents can feel assured their children are receiving the goodness and nutrition that the free milk scheme set out to provide.

Milk was also in the news on Sunday night in America. Hollywood heartthrob Sean Penn picked up an Oscar for Best Actor with his portrayal of San Francisco gay rights activist Harvey Milk. The movie Milk profiles the true story of  Harvey Milk, the first openly gay politician to be elected into Californian office in 1977. His short political career ended 11 months later when he was assasinated by ex city supervisor Dan White.

Late on Sunday night after collecting his prestigious award Sean Penn said ”I think it’s a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect on their great shame and their shame in their grand children’s eyes if they continue that support. We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone.”   I’m glad I didn’t pen that, but it takes me nicely onto my next Thailand news spot.

Chiang Mai Gay Pride 2009 was due to be held at the Tawan Trendy Mall last Saturday. Events including a Miss Gay Pride beauty contest were called off when red shirted ”Rak Chiang Mai 51″ supporters (photo unrelated) stormed the shopping mall and refused to leave.

The Gay Pride 2009 parade was due to march from Buddha-sathan to Tawan Trendy Mall where a stage had been set up to host events. Organisers called off the march fearing violence from the protesters who were objecting to the event on the grounds of it tarnishing Chiang Mai’s reputation. The parade was to promote public awareness towards HIV and Aids.

A coalition of red shirted protesters and gay marchers would surely be too much for any government to handle. With 21 army companies providing police back up for Tuesdays UDD (United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship) rallies at Government House, a coalition of pink shirted protesters could prove to be a masterstroke. The Sweethearts Club and United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (SCUDD) would certainly enjoy being tightly pressed up against some young soldiers should the rally turn nasty. Their handbags would also provide a source of food stock should the rally run to any length of time.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva would be best advised not to show up at Government House, his “youthful good looks” may prime a few SCUDD missiles inside the shorts of some gay protesters. SCUDD, UDD and PAD, what the Milky Bar Kid would make of it all should he ride into town, heaven knows.

Credit

Photograph    Milky Bar Kid      Channel 4

Photograph      Sean Penn      by © mbdaily

Photograph    Protesters      by © tingtong44

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