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Land of Smiles grins again

By Brendan John Worrell (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2008-12-03 10:44

With the dissolution of the ruling Thai party's authority by court order yesterday citizens across the nation, and many from around the globe, let out a collective chuckle of cynicism.

Once again chaos had seemingly been reined in after much fanfare and the smooth flow of crippled air traffic looks set to resume some time soon.

But pity the innocent thousands who stranded only days ago had to be shuttled out by emergency foreign carriers in scenes more reminiscent of a war zone evacuation.

Utilizing military runways amid mismanagement on a massive scale many tourists and business travelers are now waking up to the reality that their insurance coverage may not pay the bill for the past weeks mayhem.

It's a kick in guts for many after having already suffered days in an overcrowded departure lounge.

Not impressed – Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith suggested people should seriously consider their need to travel to Thailand because of the continuing political uncertainty.

I think if I was the global tourism minister I'd be telling the whole world to boycott the Land of Smiles for half a year to give the local's time to go to the mirror and take a good look at themselves.

For concerned local politicians who pledge their love to the country and the regions wider development some definite introspection needs to take place.

Protestors also need to sit down and stop drinking so much Red Bull and acting like flag waving football hooligans. It makes great press photos for Time Magazine but I wouldn't want to take my wife or mother to Bangkok at present and that's a shame because the local shop owner in Sukhumvit is the one that suffers at the end of the day. Not the folks up the top pulling the strings.

All that desperately needed revenue that Thailand accrues from tourism, trade and conferences is getting lost to neighboring Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and China's Hainan island as customers look elsewhere for stability amid the tropics.

Many believe Shinawatra Thaksin now has to do the right thing and face the music. As an ex-policeman with a PhD in Criminal Justice his continual meddling and refusal to return to Thailand has only exacerbated a deteriorating situation that has evolved since he first sold off the nation's largest telecommunications firm to foreign interests - a move at one time shrewd considering his family owned majority share in this national asset.

The fine line between public and private interests unfortunately bit him on the bottom and the blood isn't dry on the domestic front. Seeking exile abroad or getting one's brother in law to rule a malcontent roost is not solving the problem.

Respect for the nation's court order to serve a two year sentence plus an appeal to his supporters to work towards the nation's rebuilding would be the mark of a grand statesman who soon turns 60.

Only a fortnight ago he divorced from his wife and just this week the UK revoked his visa. It's a tough call but pundits recall Thaksin himself was never one to shirk from battle.

Next Monday all six parties in the coalition government will seek a parliamentary vote to choose a new prime minister.

The crisis isn't over yet though the return of the once hailed hero from Chiang Mai may restore some order and sanity in a region beloved the world over for its people and nature, though in recent times tarnished by division and political power plays.

Contact the author: brendanjohnworrell@hotmail.com