The week that was in Thailand news: Let’s hope they’re coming home

[rooster59]

The week that was in Thailand news: Let’s hope they’re coming home

 

 

Once in a while a news story comes along that captures a nation and enthralls others outside the borders of a country. It is usually a human interest story, one of struggle with an unpredictable outcome. It is often a breaking story with twists and turns that will satisfy the understandable appetite for the well-connected people of the modern world.  

 

The story of the football team boys and their coach trapped in the Chiang Rai cave has been – and at the time of writing continues to be – one such story that has captured the imagination of both Thailand and the wider world.

 

Who could have imagined among their party when they entered the cave last Saturday that they were set to be part of a drama that for millions would be as central to their lives as the World Cup that these football mad youngsters are missing.

 

One can only hope from afar that the Mu Pa team and their leader are soon to be reunited with their stricken families. Human beings – and children are no exception – have remarkable resilience and while they will be hungry and fearful it is to be hoped that they remain positive and hang on until the rescue teams are able to devise a way to reach them and bring them to safety.

 

Reading the news of the rescue attempts so far has filled me with memories of previous times of crisis in Thailand over the last four decades. It was tough to read the insensitive and frankly absurd comments of several ignorant posters who claimed that the Thais would not ask for outside help because of their notions of face.

 

This is and has always been patent rubbish. Following the tragedy of the Asian Tsunami on Boxing Day in 2004 almost three dozen foreign countries contributed to the effort to help the victims find their missing loved ones. Sure, like in all disasters no matter how big or small, mistakes were made in the aftermath but ultimately it was the cooperation of the Thais and their foreign friends that helped in the recovery. Try watching this if you have any doubts about that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2T8rcmJL64

 

The present story has similarities with that of the Chilean miners who were so triumphantly brought to the surface some years ago. Hopefully, with the help of the UK and US teams in particular this will have a similar happy outcome. I sense that local knowledge is vital in this scenario.

 

What has not been helpful is the media circus and that of every Tom, Dick and Somchai who wants to get their mug on TV or be seen to be helping. If the Thais can learn one thing from this it is that when situations like this occur it is better to secure the location and have limited access rather than have to deal with an unseemly free for all.

 

The stories of mediums predicting this and that, the obvious anguish of the parents and relatives and the visits of high profile politicians are all stories lapped up by a slathering media for an equally voracious public – but the priority should be the welfare and rescue of the ones at the heart of the crisis and nothing else.

 

I would happily read nothing more of this story than that they have all finally been brought out alive.

 

That some posters resorted to Thai bashing on this story is not just mean it is disgusting. Forum moderators should keep a close eye on such individuals. Thaivisa forum is itself a free for all at times in which the rules of both the law and common decency become blurred amid some notion that biased and opinionated ideas are somehow valid because of free speech.

 

At the very least many posters should take a hard look at their comments – perhaps take on board those directed against them from others of a saner nature – and realize that in their own small way they are adding to the problems of such a situation. Try to be positive and not negative – it is amazing how such attitudes tend to improve the direst of situations.

 

One such area is prayer. Now you won’t meet a more devout atheist than Rooster but is it really helpful to use the forum to belittle those that gain succor and comfort from praying for the victims? Let everybody do as they see fit and try to create a positive energy in which good things might happen.

 

With 15 stories on the cave rescue in one newsletter morning this week it has been hard to find much else in the news to fill this column and certainly my mood is hardly one where the quips and flippancy of my usual Sunday sermon are likely to pop their nose above the parapet.

 

But here goes…

 

The pocket general came back from his European jolly armed with the pieces of paper that meant trade deals in our time. The particular nature of these deals with the French and UK governments was not specified but then they didn’t need to be. The results of the deals will soon be self-evident due to the smiles of the general’s pals, happy with their new toys.

 

Big Too himself put on his face of concern in a visit to the cave hall with social media memes suggesting he should do everyone a favor and delve deeper into the eerie darkness. However, with the amount of people in his entourage there barely seemed to be enough room, let alone the chance of actually getting lost.

 

Prayut had earlier been basking in the glory of appearing on the front of Time magazine in Asia, a publication that deputy Prawit thought was a catalog for Rolexes. Prawit was thus furious that the chief got all the attention after the affair of those myriad timepieces the DPM managed to obtain from dead and dying friends.

 

The magazine was not exactly banned in Thailand but several retailers took the decision not to stock it clearly worried that it contained references to higher positions than that of the prime minister or his fugly deputy.

 

Meanwhile AirBnB was once again in the news saying that all will be revealed soon as they have a cunning plan to present to the Thai government after several law cases have questioned their legality in the kingdom.

 

Some forum curmudgeons with their usual predictability mentioned brown envelopes but knowing AirBnB their plan will be to shaft their rental partners by announcing that earnings in Thailand will be subject to tax. That may appease the authorities for the meantime before they find other ways to shut the business down permanently to protect the hotels clad in khaki.

 

Khaosod published an excellent analysis of the current legal situation of short term rentals from an unusual species – a coherent Thai lawyer. His view was such that given the likelihood of legal precedents being largely unenforced the situation was in a kind of limbo in which renters could carry on regardless.

 

This will not please condo owners – especially the foreigners who see it as their right to enjoy the solitude of daytimes at the pool when no Thai would be seen dead browning themselves.

 

I dabbled with AirBnB for a while renting out rooms on a nightly basis in my own duplex. But after a succession of unpleasant Cheap Charlies mostly from downtown Hyderabad I bailed out and rediscovered my own home 24/7. I found renting my own home when I was in it with a screaming child was definitely a bridge too far.

 

And that child was just the missus.

 

The only other story coming close in interest to the cave was the shenanigans on the overcrowded BTS in Bangkok. Apparently something or other on the same frequency was interfering with the running of the wagons.

 

That was a new one on me, a child of the seventies brought up on Reginald Perrin’s excuses to his secretary Joan about being late because of the railways.

 

No, the problems in Krung Thep were not “leaves in the junction box” but that strange word frequency.

 

I kept thinking that British Rail would never have that problem – they didn’t have enough trains or drivers to ever be thought of as frequent. And wisely they never did do with their trains what London Transport did with their buses and get them all to arrive at the same time in a spirit of vehicular solidarity.

 

Apropos trains, my area of Bangkok is in the midst of a complete transformation as the Green Line cometh. I shall be grateful for it for a number of reasons. It is set to completely change the retail and restaurant prospects of the Ratchayothin area and may finally get me off my motorbike when travelling further into town.

 

Perhaps like Mr Perrin’s arrival at Sunshine Desserts, one day I can tell my secretary of some frivolous excuse for being late based on an invented premise devised by my devious mind as we flash past Mo Chit on the way to Sukhumvit.

 

“Fourteen minutes late, Noi…..Som Tam in the couplings”.

 

In addition the new line will likely see my property rise in value. Now that’ll be a novelty…..

 

I have spent the entire week trying, and failing miserably, to show other over 55s from all around the world how to play professional Scrabble at the Senior World Championships in Kuala Lumpur. I am afraid while I have had my moments most of them have been senior ones.

 

However, the chance to spend an extended length of time in KL has afforded Rooster the chance to make comparisons with my beloved Bangkok. KL has its points but frankly I could do without the early morning call every day from some neighborhood dude obsessed by Allah.

 

And so to this week’s solitary Rooster Award. The “Suck Up To Kim But Leave Us Alone Award” goes to the loony in the White House for suggesting that manufacturing Harley Davidsons in Thailand would be the beginning of the end.

 

No, that was when all those people voted for you.

 

Where has this so called business mogul been hiding? Does he not realize that people like the Germans make British cars and Thailand might have a highly regarded and widespread manufacturing industry?

 

Certainly if he saw the transformation of Triumph motorcycles he might change his tune. My actor mate Mario has loads of old British made Triumphs and he is constantly having to be careful not to slip on his own oil spills. The new ones made down near Pattaya look great by comparison and ooze quality rather than oil.

 

Finally, spare a thought for those Germans this week and their untimely exit from the footballing world stage. And no jokes please about not mentioning the VAR.

 

England’s hopes remain slim. Despite the efforts of Rooster’s hero Citizen Kane, if our team does ensure “football is coming home” I shall be among the happiest men alive.

 

But I’d trade it all for the boys in the cave to come home instead.

 

Rooster.

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2018-06-30

[Andrew Dwyer]

Wise words as always Rooster and, i for one, will say a little prayer for these children before i sleep.

Edited June 30, 2018 by Andrew Dwyer

[greenchair]

Well, you are very optimistic. 

But there they are another night. 

Really hope tomorrow brings news.

[chickenslegs]

Unfortunately it is only possible to give 1 'like' to your article this week Rooster. I would like to give a few more to the first half of this week's TWTWIT.

 

Very well said. Thank you.

[Odysseus123]

7 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

Unfortunately it is only possible to give 1 'like' to your article this week Rooster. I would like to give a few more to the first half of this week's TWTWIT.

 

Very well said. Thank you.

I agree-a very good article indeed.

[Tradewind777]

Excellent, sensitive to the time and yes let’s hope and pray those poor kids and their coach give Rooster a great and happy story from Chiang Rai next week to report on.

Edited July 1, 2018 by Tradewind777
Typo

[biggles45]

"Following the tragedy of the Asian Tsunami on Boxing Day in 2004 almost three dozen foreign countries contributed to the effort to help the victims find their missing loved ones"

 

I seem to recall immigration insisting that all the volunteers had to have work permits!! 

[NoshowJones]

1 hour ago, biggles45 said:

"Following the tragedy of the Asian Tsunami on Boxing Day in 2004 almost three dozen foreign countries contributed to the effort to help the victims find their missing loved ones"

 

I seem to recall immigration insisting that all the volunteers had to have work permits!! 

I have no love of Thai immigration, but surely even they would not stoop that low. This was one

time when common sense should have applied other than any laws.

[TPI]

I accept that people in dire need sometimes grasp at straws, but calling rain that stops when a Monk turns up "divine intervention" seems to be a step too far? Prayers and hopes with all of the people involved with the rescue.....good news in the next few days??

[puukao]

My heart goes out to everyone affected by this travesty.  I can only very, very, very, very slightly imagine the grief, lack of sleep, stress, anxiety, etc.... over a son being in this situation.  To say it's overwhelming is a massive understatement.

 

Stay strong everyone, and keep positive, hopeful thoughts flowing......

 

god bless.  

Edited July 1, 2018 by puukao

[Justfine]

I suspect they drowned on day 1. 

[Rinrada]

Latest News all found and OK...gao..

[Argus Tuft]

VERY emotional here

 

[Rinrada]

Agree

 

[roo860]

I suspect they drowned on day 1. 

Great that you were wrong!
[emoji106]

Sent from my SM-G920F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[swanny321]

Fantastic result, luck they took packed lunches.

[Justfine]

6 hours ago, roo860 said:

 

Great that you were wrong!


Sent from my SM-G920F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

 

Happy to be wrong. Hollywood movie coming next.

 

 

[MartinL]

On 7/1/2018 at 10:59 AM, biggles45 said:

"Following the tragedy of the Asian Tsunami on Boxing Day in 2004 almost three dozen foreign countries contributed to the effort to help the victims find their missing loved ones"

 

I seem to recall immigration insisting that all the volunteers had to have work permits!! 

 

On 7/1/2018 at 12:27 PM, possum1931 said:

I have no love of Thai immigration, but surely even they would not stoop that low. This was one

time when common sense should have applied other than any laws.

 

There's a story today in one of UK's 'finest newspapers' ? that Thai "police" have been up to their tricks again this time, too.

 

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/983347/thailand-cave-rescue-british-divers-police-red-tape-Tham-Luang-Cave

 

Don't know the truth of it, of course, but "police" have got previous form with that sort of behaviour, as biggles45 reminded us. 

[NoshowJones]

9 minutes ago, MartinL said:

I

9 minutes ago, MartinL said:

 

 

There's a story today in one of UK's 'finest newspapers' ? that Thai "police" have been up to their tricks again this time, too.

 

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/983347/thailand-cave-rescue-british-divers-police-red-tape-Tham-Luang-Cave

 

Don't know the truth of it, of course, but "police" have got previous form with that sort of behaviour, as biggles45 reminded us. 

 

There's a story today in one of UK's 'finest newspapers' ? that Thai "police" have been up to their tricks again this time, too.

 

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/983347/thailand-cave-rescue-british-divers-police-red-tape-Tham-Luang-Cave

 

Don't know the truth of it, of course, but "police" have got previous form with that sort of behaviour, as biggles45 reminded us. 

I'd better remember that if I ever pass a house on fire and see someone trapped at the window, or someone drowning, I should not try and rescue them, as I want to be a good immigrant and obey the laws.