Friday, December 18, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
The King's Birthday Celebrations
Over the last few days Thailand has stopped to celebrate the 82nd birthday of HRH King Bhumibhol, the longest reigning monarch in the world. The official birthday was on Saturday 5th December 2009 but the celebrations kicked off Friday evening with a huge concert in the national stadium in Bangkok. This was broadcast live on all TV stations and was led by the Prime Minister, Mr Abhisit, and his colleaugues from the world of politics and the great and the good and lots of ordinary Thais, clothed in pink. Could you imagine Gordon Brown and his colleagues leading a chorus of the National Anthem and other patriotic songs in honour of Elizabeth II?
The King is revered here. It is an irrelevance that the law makes criticism of the monarchy a serious offence. A law to the same effect in the UK wouldn't change anything and there would probably be an uprising if it was implemented. Of course it is self-evident that you can not legislate to change how people feel. So the law here doesn't make the King more revered. This is simply down to the role King Bhumibhol has played over the years in Thai society and as a result the King is adored. I have never heard a Thai person utter a bad word about the King though I have heard criticisms of others. So congratulations, Your Majesty, and long may you reign.
Saturday was marked by more events, marches, processions, fireworks and bright lights. Most public buildings and many private ones are draped with portraits of the King and other offerings and items in his honour. A lot of people wore pink including myself as a mark of respect and I was aware of people smiling approvingly at me.
What a brilliant touch to make Father's Day the same day! So us guys also feel a bit like a king especially us fathers! I got breakfast in bed and a very nice photo of me holding Benedict. The celebrations have proven to be so popular that Mr Abhisit has called for them to continue for a further two days.
The King really is one of the reasons that sets Thailand apart, why it is so different from so many places. There are other reasons, as I am learning from my experience as a teacher, but the King and the love ordinary Thais have towards this man is the starting point. It was jolly nice to have Monday off work as well. So, once more, long live the King!
The King is revered here. It is an irrelevance that the law makes criticism of the monarchy a serious offence. A law to the same effect in the UK wouldn't change anything and there would probably be an uprising if it was implemented. Of course it is self-evident that you can not legislate to change how people feel. So the law here doesn't make the King more revered. This is simply down to the role King Bhumibhol has played over the years in Thai society and as a result the King is adored. I have never heard a Thai person utter a bad word about the King though I have heard criticisms of others. So congratulations, Your Majesty, and long may you reign.
Saturday was marked by more events, marches, processions, fireworks and bright lights. Most public buildings and many private ones are draped with portraits of the King and other offerings and items in his honour. A lot of people wore pink including myself as a mark of respect and I was aware of people smiling approvingly at me.
What a brilliant touch to make Father's Day the same day! So us guys also feel a bit like a king especially us fathers! I got breakfast in bed and a very nice photo of me holding Benedict. The celebrations have proven to be so popular that Mr Abhisit has called for them to continue for a further two days.
The King really is one of the reasons that sets Thailand apart, why it is so different from so many places. There are other reasons, as I am learning from my experience as a teacher, but the King and the love ordinary Thais have towards this man is the starting point. It was jolly nice to have Monday off work as well. So, once more, long live the King!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Ill Health
Alas some ill health has caught up with me recently. Put on meds again for high blood pressure following a number of high readings as I have struggled to fight off some respiratory infections. At one level this is depressing but at another not too big an issue : I am well aware of what I need to do to get off the meds. Quit coffee, eat better, exercise and take it easy!
I am ok on the meds. It's just a personal vanity thing really. I don't like the idea of being sick! However with Luna and Benedict I have a greater responsibility so better that I avoid heart attacks, strokes and premature death. So I'll use the meds short term to get my BP under control and then see if I can establish a regular exercise routine.
I have also been sleeping these last few nights with the aircon off. This has really made a big difference for the better to my respiratory system and I suspect this is the way forward if I want to avoid colds and coughs.
I guess I am busy and am probably overdoing it in some respects. I don't sit still for long! Part of the joy of being here and having the life I do. I'll need to try and take it a little bit easier, spend a bit more time at home.
Otherwise things are pretty good. Benedict is 5 months old and continues to astonish me. I want to live for ever as I am positively thrilled at the prospect of watching this little boy grow and develop! Work wise things are moving sweetly towards our Christmas break. We have a few public holidays and extra-curricular activities this month that take the emphasis off classroom teaching. Add in some mid-term exams and in truth we are coasting!
Recently we had a few days at the school camp in Suan Peung, a mountain resort west of Ratchaburi. Great fun and we managed to spot a Burmese shrike in the resort grounds. Nick Upton reckons this is "interesting' this far south. What do you know?!
I am hoping to buy a decent camera in the next couple of weeks. I have sent to the UK for funds so hopefully I'll be able to record my life more graphically in its various guises. OK more later about the King's Birthday and Fathers Day.
I am ok on the meds. It's just a personal vanity thing really. I don't like the idea of being sick! However with Luna and Benedict I have a greater responsibility so better that I avoid heart attacks, strokes and premature death. So I'll use the meds short term to get my BP under control and then see if I can establish a regular exercise routine.
I have also been sleeping these last few nights with the aircon off. This has really made a big difference for the better to my respiratory system and I suspect this is the way forward if I want to avoid colds and coughs.
I guess I am busy and am probably overdoing it in some respects. I don't sit still for long! Part of the joy of being here and having the life I do. I'll need to try and take it a little bit easier, spend a bit more time at home.
Otherwise things are pretty good. Benedict is 5 months old and continues to astonish me. I want to live for ever as I am positively thrilled at the prospect of watching this little boy grow and develop! Work wise things are moving sweetly towards our Christmas break. We have a few public holidays and extra-curricular activities this month that take the emphasis off classroom teaching. Add in some mid-term exams and in truth we are coasting!
Recently we had a few days at the school camp in Suan Peung, a mountain resort west of Ratchaburi. Great fun and we managed to spot a Burmese shrike in the resort grounds. Nick Upton reckons this is "interesting' this far south. What do you know?!
I am hoping to buy a decent camera in the next couple of weeks. I have sent to the UK for funds so hopefully I'll be able to record my life more graphically in its various guises. OK more later about the King's Birthday and Fathers Day.
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