Nick Fang’s Say

My first memories of Thailand are from a road-trip that my family took to Pattaya when I was just single-digits in terms of age. It was organised by the Automobile Association and I remember being stuck in the car for long periods of time, which wasn’t so fun for a six-year-old. But I also remember it being a beautiful country, with fantastic vistas, warm people, hot food and an amazing combination of a chilled-out vibe and an underlying vibrancy that is unique in the world.

In the years since, I’ve of course returned to the “Land of smiles” many times, for work, holidays with the guys to tailor suits at Pinky’s in Bangkok, for fencing competitions and the SEA Games, and it’s always been a favourite travel destination of mine. I’ve been for a vacation with my father, and numerous times with my mother and even one memorable trip with my two cousins from Canada. Tom yum, MBK plaza, noisy markets, pristine beaches, even the wonderfully tacky and cliched sleaze-pit of Patpong, are just some of the patchwork of fond memories that I have of Thailand.

So I was saddened by the recent troubles in the Thai capital. Not surprised, mind you, but saddened nonetheless. It seems that the country is destined to be plagued by political strife that will, regular as clockwork, pop up every half-year or so, to create chaos and mayhem for the regular folk, the economy and even the occasional tourist.

Which is a damn shame, if you ask me. It’s a country that has much to offer, and deserves much better. I’m not too sure what the solution is. Red, yellow, white, blue…there’s always going to be a significant group that will be disenchanted and unhappy no matter who’s on top. Fair and democratic elections? I guess they would help, but I am keeping my fingers crossed that they are peaceful and safe elections as well.

Scenes like this don’t fill me with confidence that it will happen anytime soon. But on a more positive note, it appears that the markets have already factored in the turmoil as just a reality of the country’s backdrop, and most experts say that investment will still flow into Thailand, maybe just a bit more slowly when things get hot and heavy. Growth will still be slower than it could be though, a pity for the country and its neighbours.

And the Thai folk are nothing if not resilient. A hundred bullets, one in the chest and one in the head and Sondhi’s doctors say he’s “out of danger” that same day? Now THAT’S tough.

Here’s wishing all my Thai friends a safe future and a sustainable peace in the long term.