OPINION

Turning Bangkok into Geneva of Asia
By Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation

 

BANGKOK: -- The capital with the world’s longest name is gradually transforming into Geneva of Asia. Is it for real? It is an inspiration of the current military government that the City of Angel will soon become the city of international organizations and conventions filling with civil servants, campaigners and advocators.

 

It is an irony that this government would have such a noble plan. And, most importantly, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-Ocha is deadly seriously about it. He envisages Bangkok as a hub for international organizations and convention in the years to come. In his view, Bangkok should be able to compete with well-known niche cities of the world such as New York, London, Paris or Tokyo. And Geneva has been chosen.

 

Given the country’s checkered records on democracy, human rights and freedom of expression, this could be an uphill task.

 

At present, Bangkok hosts nearly 60 international organizations – most of them belonged to UN-related agencies and regional organizations with privileges and immunities described in the Vienna Convention of 1961. It was granted on a case by a case basis.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/opinion/kavi/30305229

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-01-30

This week Geneva, last week Venice, next week Scunthorpe?

Unless they blow it up, start over from scratch, and a more evolved group of humans step in to run it, they can keep dreaming.

 

Otherwise, the red light districts will always be a hit.

Where the Swiss Alps, the snow, mountain goats, milk maidens? Last thing Bangkok reminds me of is Geneva. 

when they give these presentations and speeches the only other folks listening are underlings or other officials.

just like in school....  where ajarn do the talking in the classroom and only the ajarn himself or herself is listening to himself or herself..... or a passing ajarn listens in somehow..... everyone else is busy with their playphones or a comic book.

afterwards there ****is**** a quiz... but multiple guess and only vaguely related to whatever was said. 

both are a kind of role play. see? farlang can understand. 


 


 

Edited January 29, 20179 yr by maewang99

when they give these presentations and speeches, the only folks at all seriously listening to them are underlings or other government officials or they clip the stories for a scrapbook.

well, that's just like in school.... is it not? where ajarns do all the talking and only the ajarn himself or herself is listening.... to himself or herself..... or a passing ajarn listens in somehow.....

it's role play. same as in school.

 


 

You've got a bit of a thing about teachers haven't you?

Did you perchance get turned down for a teaching job?

I thought Bangkok was going to be the next Venice, underwater. The hub of climate change should be the PM's first priority.

Ah yes, the beautiful lake, the fountain, the backdrop of the Jura mountains on one side, the Alps on the other. The cafes and architecture, the pristine air..............................................

next headline''thai language dominants the world''......oopps they already predicted this....the thickness here just keeps getting thicker

"Given the country’s checkered records on democracy, human rights and freedom of expression, this could be an uphill task. "

 

Or a delusional task not worth contemplating at all. 

Great to have some light-hearted humour to start the week. PM Prayut never fails to provide a good laugh.

Well, at least they already yodel when they talk.

Edited January 30, 20179 yr by jaywalker

Nice try! Bad luck!

1 hour ago, MaiChai said:

Where the Swiss Alps, the snow, mountain goats, milk maidens?

 

Plenty of all in Nana....except the alps.

 

You mean a pleasant but boring country with the rule of law?

1 hour ago, MaiChai said:

Where the Swiss Alps, the snow, mountain goats, milk maidens? Last thing Bangkok reminds me of is Geneva. 

What happened to the difference between potatoes and rice?

13 minutes ago, mok199 said:

next headline''thai language dominants the world''......oopps they already predicted this....the thickness here just keeps getting thicker

Two planks come to mind!

In his view, Bangkok should be able to compete with well-known niche cities of the world such as New York, London, Paris or Tokyo.

Niche cities? lol.

In his view, just how does he think his fair capital can compete with the alphas? Should be more realistic and look closer to home; KL or Singapore for instance. I guess it's easier to be pie in the sky when something is unattainable.

2 hours ago, JAG said:

This week Geneva, last week Venice, next week Scunthorpe?

 Hoboken.

When was the last time they cancelled a human rights group's press conference at the Correspondent Club, or the Swiss army and police raided the BBC office in Geneva?

555555

1 hour ago, trogers said:

What happened to the difference between potatoes and rice?

Same, same,  but different.

The only generic likeness I have seen with my own eyes

are the water spout on Lake Geneva, being the same but mak mak bigger than

the water spouts spun off the back of a long boat prop shaft

 

 

one place flaunts their Gold inwardly, and the other externally

Edited January 30, 20179 yr by tifino

The Thai mind never ceases to amaze me!

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Bangkok should be able to compete with well-known niche cities of the world

Wherein Thai will be the international language!

Has Prayut been talking to Trump lately about "Greatness?"

That reminds me, when's F1 coming again? 

The first think I thought of when reading this "article" was clean and well maintained, obstacle free footpaths, flowing traffic, road users who obay the rules of the road, the list is endless. 

It ain't going to happen. 

Thailand........hub of fantasies.

Says the man who said that the Thai language should be the international language, or something like that...

I think this will happen in the year the Thai language surpasses English, which we know is coming according to the Government.