THE WEEK THAT WAS Chuwit the chief Pit Bull as Thailand’s “most wanted” return in droves

[webfact]

 

OPINION | by Rooster

 

Many, many thanks to the hordes of posters who commented on my last “The Week That Was” column in November and on other platforms across the internet about how much you missed me.

 

There were ten of you, I think.

 

Also thanks to the massed thousands who never comment but who simply had to have missed me…

 

I’d maintained an almost unbeaten streak over more than six years of Sunday and then Saturday columns before my three month break.

 

It wasn’t planned; it crept up on me like the foam in the London Tube in an early series of Doctor Who while the Brigadier tried not to panic.

 

 

Depression. Pure and simple a health crisis, a sickness as real and damaging as anything physical. And when I began emerging from the tunnel, circa New Year, I felt like continuing to withdraw from everything except my innermost family on a continuing sanity sabbatical.

 

I’m okay now and while no one can rule out a next time when it comes to mental illness, I think I know myself better. And I think Mrs R - for better or worse - does too.

 

Funnily enough what started the slippery slide was football, I blame Qatar, sorry Catarrh. The World Cup completely wrecked my sleeping patterns. I’ve gotta watch things live.

 

I was grabbing an hour here, two hours there. Disastrous.

 

Then came a husband and wife disagreement over a financial issue. This involved Rooster doing a complete U-turn - always a hazardous undertaking in Thailand - but ending up on a far better road.

 

But not before my relationship turned more shivery than several weeks in Snowtown at Dreamworld.

 

Structure was still provided by my day job, translating stories from the Thai media for the edification of the ASEAN NOW faithful. This has enabled me to keep abreast if not two of the Thai news.

 

And what a three months it’s been.

 

Leading the way has been Chuwit Kamolvisit - other platforms have been shamelessly copying my monikers for him, especially “Whistleblower-in-Chief”.

 

My, has he got his teeth into the RTP. In true plod style, they failed to appreciate that this was the age of social media and Chuwit had them tied up in the mesh of their own lies and misdemeanors.

 

 

Still unabashed, they decided that discretion was the better part of brazen valor. Essentially they decided if you can’t beat ‘em join ‘em.

 

Chuwit was almost courted. Big Joke was sent. “What’s this about Mr and Mrs Woo? Oh dear, dear. Casinos on Ratchadapisek? Really, Khun Chuwit, we must investigate. All that “grey stuff” and Lamborghinis washed down with kratom tea and “ice”, David and Victoria’s Secret.I thought that was the Beckham’s….Well, I never, thanks awfully “pheuan” our phii nong will be delighted with both of us…..”

 

Chuwit could do no wrong. His final coup-de-grass (thank goodness for that in a mental health crisis) was to go to a checkpoint following all the shenanigans over the revelations of Charlene An and Singaporean Sky who were extorted in Huay Khwang.

 

Chuwit found nothing except honest cops doing their duty for prachachon Thai (the Thai people). He put his arm around a humble corporal just doing his job on the beat, promising his utmost to leverage politicians to get them extra pay..

 

It goes without saying that he really thinks the RTP are a bunch of incorrigible scoundrels who will never change.

 

But here he was playing the peacemaker on Facebook. And lest we forget per capita more people in Bangkok are on that platform than anywhere else in the world. The Thai world sees him as a savior, a bit like Big Joke himself.

 

 

Let’s face it they don’t have much opposition for public popularity with figures like Prayut and Anutin in the race, even an ample figure like Prawit.

 

Chuwit has got his claws and jaws into the RTP like a Pit Bull and all that plod can do is tickle his tummy and hope he calms down.

 

This advice is roughly what “Pittie” owners say is vital to stop them biting your children’s head off.

 

The death of the ex-jockey the other week who had his intestines ripped out as he was dragged into Bobby’s cage should be a wake up call regarding dangerous breeds and abusive owners. Should be.

 

But it won’t. Not until a celebrity or an ophthalmologist is chewed by a Chihuahua.

 

 

Anyway, Bobby is now going to a military training school for dogs that was also in the news as the scene of a serious mental health crisis for a very important person prior to the festive (and high) season.

 

Rooster has made the point that dogs in Thailand are sometimes  treated better than people. But let’s leave that there.

 

Other main news in the hallowed halls of ASEAN NOW concerned the return of Thailand’s most wanted.

 

No, not the throngs of international criminals once again beating a path to Thailand’s door, dusting off their Pattaya and Phuket condotels post pandemic with immigration somehow missing the word “warrant” on their computer screens as they passed through airports undetected.

 

No, Thailand’s most wanted are foreign tourists and principally Chinese tourists. Now that Mr XI (when is there going to be Mr XII) has accepted he is a modern day King Canute when it comes to Covid, his peeps are once again free to roam the earth behind their Group Tour flags. Or even as so-called FIT, fully independent travelers.

 

Many of them are definitely fit after all. Last week there were 140 on a single day. That’s almost one person for every 10 million Chinese….

 

The Indians are also back in force with the AN Facebook trolls as well as some mischief makers on the forum reveling in their gold necklaces going amiss on Beach Road.

 

 

The pandemic seems like a very bad dream now (though its residual angst and tendency to induce inertia were also to blame for my sanity wobble). But many people are still wearing masks near my Ratchayothin Roost. It seems fashionable. Then there’s always the PM2.5. better keep them on. Keeping up appearances. “Greng jai phu yai khao” (Don’t wanna upset the elders, not the done thing).

 

I have decided that I need to set a good example by not wearing one unless I’m physically sick and need to go out or visit a dentist or hospital. That makes sense to me.

 

I want to tell my children's school administrator that kids learn as much by looking at lip movements as listening to the spoken word. I fear my words will fall on deaf ears.

 

Just hear me now, please please ditch the masks. Not least of all, I want to fully see those beautiful Thai faces again.

 

Banks have been having a bad time recently with several stories of employees “at a well known bank” diverting customers' money towards their online gambling habit.

 

In other RTP news BJ’s smirk could barely be concealed as he announced that 100+ of his former comrades at the IB must carry the can for the opening of the can of worms in the Police Escorts to Pattaya saga. There’s a few big fry amongst the small but ultimately even BJ will have to treat the IB with kid gloves a la Chuwit.

 

BJ was also giving it the big one this week as he slammed the Bang Len cops in Nakhon Pathom for their incompetence in the disappearance of the infant Tor. He said the young parents know what happened.

 

Elsewhere this week the UK police said they are coming to Thailand to interview people in connection with the Thai woman who was found dead in the Yorkshire Dales many years ago. Before the pandemic her identity was confirmed by DNA evidence from the parents.

 

UK plod will find a man they need to speak to in Kanchanaburi, I believe, and he will deny involvement in his wife’s disappearance. I have been privy to some interesting tidbits in this case from relatives and friends I have contacted over the years.

 

But I strongly believe that while the police will never forget this case they will not be able to get enough evidence to prosecute.

 

Monday was a bad one for Canadians with Canucks featuring in both afternoon lead stories. One claimed he was robbed on the Patong beach though some restaurant owners doubted this.

 

 

Another, a bar owner in Phuket is at the center of allegations that he murdered a Thai woman who died in a nail salon.

 

Flower vendors in Sriracha complained that rose customers on Valentine’s Day were scarce - everyone was buying online with home delivery thrown in.

 

Another example of the lingering consequences of the pandemic - Motorcicus Deliverus buzzing round big cities to service people too lazy to move from their couches.

 

In Pathum Thani police finally managed to trace a man from the Na Songkhla family who got out a knife and stole two phones from an angler he had been chatting to about fishing.

 

As Rooster observed: “He proved relatively easy to catch as (during their friendly chat) he’d exchanged Line IDs” with his attacker.

 

Although not strictly in the last seven days I loved the story from Koh Lan about an e-cig and ganja vending machine. A great case for the new Pattaya chief Thanapong to cut his teeth on.

 

 

In international news the Superbowl played out Monday morning Thai time with a great win for the Kansas City Chiefs over the Philadelphia Eagles .

 

Rihanna’s half time show was spectacular. It was revealed after that she is pregnant with her second child.

In Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that she would be stepping down. She had followed a man whose name sounded like salmon.

 

What’s next, Mr McCod? Or are there none of those left these days.

 

Anti-penultimately, to paraphrase former Radio 2 presenter Jimmy Young, I would like to recommend an inspiring and touching documentary made by Channel News Asia about the Thai Scrabble scene.

 

It follows Napat (Aoo) from youth tournaments to Baltimore, Bank who has no arms who wants to improve under the tutelage of a Scrabble guru, the aspirations of a secondary student called Oum who wants to make the national team and the sage words of a former Thai world champion, now an architect.

 

Most of these people are known to me personally and hopefully some will be competing at Central Rama 2 this weekend. I’m also hoping that a 61 year old Brit might be able to turn the tables….

 

Finally, it's always worth putting our own difficulties in life in perspective. Others often have it much worse.

 

Friends and former colleagues have been going through messy and painful divorces, with threats and personal attacks. Several people in my circle of friends have also died or had heart attacks. A sure sign of the encroaching years.

 

Also my son’s kindergarten teacher in Bangkok in 1998-99 was murdered by her son, also a former colleague of mine, in the Cotswolds recently.

 

A case of severe mental illness on behalf of the son, it is believed.

 

Rooster

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2023-02-18

 

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[Tropicalevo]

Welcome back and stay well.

[ThailandRyan]

Wishing you good health Rooster, depression and mental illness is not a game as many people think it is. It is serious and leads to crisis for not only the I dividual but family members also. As a trained mental health professional I have observed the toll it takes. It gets to the best of us. Stay strong.

[Artben]

I now look forward to the weekends.

 

[Speedhump]

So happy you're well now. I know depression, came out of absolutely nowhere 22 ago, must have been building over time I suppose. Sitting in the car one day driving wife and kids, feeling fine (I thought) then tears started streaming down my face. I suddenly felt crushed and completely sad. Could talk to no-one for days except wife and kids without crying, a week or so in bed sleeping. Then just normal again after seeing the doc and asking for help (he said after I asked that he doesn't prescribe unless actually asked specifically for help, he was a great and empathetic doc) . I'm always the calm, strong jokey one, no idea how it happened. Never returned thank god but totally weird. What I'm saying is if anyone feels they're going under please see your doctor and discuss whether you should have a strictly limited time on antidepressants. If I can fall then bloody well anyone can. 

[Tarteso]

Wellcome back, Rooster????

[AussieinThaiJim]

I’m glad to see your on the road to recovery. Take time to smell the roses.

it’s great to see you back.

[MyFriend You]

Aaaah, My Friday's have been restored, I once again have Lord Rooster to look forward too.  Do take care of yourself, The mind and body have a way to let us know 'enough is enough'  it's time for a break.   I am proud to have been 'one of the ten' that inquired.    Tally Ho, and Peace brother.

[PaDavid]

Add me to the list of those who missed you. Every week I double-check to make sure I haven’t missed your column. I hope your recovery continues. Mental health problems are a <deleted>. 

[ismopismo]

The "Rooster" mysteriously, after 6 years posting his weekly personal, social, political and often emotional, sarcastic, humorous and ranting diatribe  has surfaced. Good to have you back. Be safe, be well. ✌️????

[Chetzee]

a very welcome return ....... black dog an awful thing when it rears its head ...... ....  

[Stevemercer]

Best wishes to you and your family. Great to hear from you again.

 

[Krungbin]

Delighted to read you again Rooster! Great to have you back and, please, take good care of yourself!

[G Rex]

Welcome back Rooster.  Glad that you are looking after No. 1.   It is so important- and yet neglected by many (or simply denied).

 I too enjoy your weekly perspective. Cheers ???? 

[Lacessit]

Welcome back, Rooster.

[Grusa]

Welcome back!

[kidneyw]

You definitely sound more upbeat than last time. Good news.

[geisha]

Well I don’t know if I was one of the ten, but I certainly missed you ! Glad to have you back, happy to know you are well, and as one of our posters says «  if you come to the end of your tether, tie a knot, and hang on «  !!!

[Freed1948]

I missed your column, but not you so much.

[RoastBeef]

Good to see back fella. 

Stay well. 

[khaowong1]

Welcome Back.. missed you. 

[Fortean1]

Welcome back and in the saddle again, Rooster !  I was going to inquire.  Be good to yourself.

 

Terry

( a few miles south of Hua Hin )

[yankyoakum]

welcome back, did miss your musings....

[herfiehandbag]

Glad you're better.

[dundas]

I missed your columns, I'm glad that you were able to have a sanity break and that you're back. Looking forward to many more. 

 

[BostonRob2]

Many thanks for the positive vibes. Also thanks to my ASEAN NOW employers for the lack of pressure to come back too soon. Hopefully I can now go on another long run!

 

Cheers.

 

Rooster

[snawa]

11 hours ago, BostonRob2 said:

Many thanks for the positive vibes. Also thanks to my ASEAN NOW employers for the lack of pressure to come back too soon. Hopefully I can now go on another long run!

 

Cheers.

 

Rooster

Welcome back Mr R.

[Mr Grumpy]

Welcome back Rooster…. I had feared that you had perhaps “hit too close to the mark” with a few of your diatribes and had joined the “club” of the disappeared. What a relief to see you have resurfaced… Take care. Hopefully your mind has now cleared and remains clear. Love you or hate you, you are needed. I’ve yet to decide which camp I’m in so please keep going until I decide…. :)

[1happykamper]

You're back!! I've missed your wit.

 

????????????????????????????????????

[Stargeezr]

Welcome back Rooster, I missed you and the Bangkok and Thailand news.

  It was not the same with just getting Pattaya and Phuket news stories.

Harvey M.