New Year (2009) New Hope

Hi,

I am writing my thoughts more than a month after the year began is not on purpose. It was just that I was busy with work and the reading of the various news about the happenings on the current economic crisis around the world.

Still, I decided to go on a honeymoon trip to Bangkok that my wife Mageswari and I wanted to go since our wedding three years ago but was not able to due to various personal, financial and work-related reasons.

It was good timing - economic downturn, the drastic drop in the crude oil price, tourism being down in Thailand due to the long political protest that crippled the Suvarnabumi airport. These lead to competitive prices and bargains.

It was a 4 days and 3 nights trip. We stayed in Arnoma Hotel which is located at the heart of the Bangkok city and surrounded by many shopping complexes and of course the famous Pratinam Market which is a haven for the bargain hunters.

Although my wife have travels yearly with her teacher collegues (organised by her childcare centre principal), it was her first time to Bangkok. It was my first overseas trip via flight (after a 12-year gap) and also to Bangkok.

The city, overall left a good impression in my mind. It was clean, the people were friendly, the city was vibrant. We did go for some sightseeing : floating market, Chaophrya River and the temple along it, cobra show, elephant ride, and woodcarving centre. The jam during the peak hours, especially mornings, noons and evenings were bad, but the drivers were many times more skillful than Singapore drivers. For the four days I stayed, I did not encounter a single vehicle accident in the roads. In Singapore, every three or four hours there will be one vehicle accident.

There were many shrines placed all over the city especially infront of the houses, and buildings and they were well-maintained. The city was clean too.

ANother thing that impressed me was the Thai people's patriotism and national pride. On the second day at about 6.30pm (Bangkok time), the Thai national anthem was played out of nowhere and suddenly the whole city froze and people stood up with respect. We too stood still. I observed the people's faces and the pride and joy that appeared on their faced while listening to their national song increased my respect for the Thai people. I was just wondering if Mahjula Singapora was played in Singapore on an evening (during peak hours) will the people of Singapore stand up and freeze like the Thais ? I doubt even the national servicemen will stand up and freeze with pride and joy. Will the MPs and Ministers stand up and freeze ? May or may not, but that will be interesting to see. Unless the Singaporeans were offered goodybags, lucky draws or a law or campaign is imposed, they will not bother about giving respect to the national anthem. Of course not all people are like that. There will be Singaporean who will stand up for the national anthem with pride and joy.but how many will that be ?

Will I be one of those few ? Yes, of course. It is my nation and I have to lead my example for the younger generation before I comment, and I was raised such. Thanks to my parents, teachers and guides.

Moving away from that, I think, even though our country is in the first world status, our people (especially many in the majority race) got more to learn from the Thais. I am not being racist here but just being frank and factual. The business-like competitive environment that has created the image of a concrete jungle with the people forced to compete for money (the survival of the fittest syndrome) for a living have created such bad attitudes in many people. I think we need to loosen up abit and adjust our mindset to be abit more cultured. We need to be a more caring society. The heartware need to be built and nurtured without the need for campaigns and laws to abide by. The adults need to be set the right examples, especially those in the important positions in the society. We need to get rid of the handing out of the goody bags and luckydraws.

That was how much the trip opened my eyes.

Good trip with of course good shopping too :)

Just wanted to share my thoughts and views.

Best regards.

Kumaran RN