Not Another Coup?

Road scenes, Bangkok, Thailand

What’s the problem with Thailand? 12 military coups in 8 decades, that’s what the news say. But I kinda see this one coming, with the long standoff between the yellow and the red shirts. I dunno how else they’re gonna settle this without some sort of intervention, military or King. Anyway, let’s hope it returns to normal soon. They’re our neighbours, my cousin brother and family live there (in Bangkok), and it’s one of our more frequent destinations.

Here’re some pictures of Bangkok, or Krung Thep, in Thai (i.e. City of Angels), in a more peaceful time. …I’m back to my picture-posting days. The Company secured 2 big projects (and 2 small projects) last month, now everything here is like a frantic rush!


Family photo at the Grand Palace, Bangkok – I’ve lost count on how many times I’ve been here before, but this is Anu’s and Justin’s first time. As usual, we got ourselves a super sun tan by the end of the day








More scenes from the Grand Palace


Anu, at Jim Thompson’s House – Jim Thompson was an American architect, entrepreneur and ex-military man whom people claim, ‘single-handedly saved the Thai Silk industry from extinction’ in the years following the Second World War. He made Bangkok his home, set up the Thai Silk Company and built a traditional Thai mansion made up of a number of interconnected houses, beside one of Bangkok’s many ‘khlong’ (canals). His home served as his headquarters, and a place for potential buyers to view his silk fabrics. It also showcased his vast antique collection. In 1967, while on a holiday in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia, he disappeared without a trace, after going out for a stroll. He was never seen again. His home is now a Museum, and houses a gift shop and a retail store for the silk company he founded. It’s an interesting house, made up almost completely of wood, with slanting Thai styled windows and doors, and hosts an interesting collection of curios and furniture. It’ll be more wonderful if we could take pictures of the house interior though.


The River Taxi Station at Pratunam, a busy ‘khlong’ (canal) in the middle of Bangkok – we took a river taxi from Jim Thompson’s House back to this area near our hotel


Central World, Bangkok, opposite the hotel where we were staying in


A Buddhist shrine (I think it’s the Erawan Shrine), at a busy junction near where we stayed – shrines like this are common all over Bangkok, and you’ll see them by the side of the road, in front of 5-Star hotels, by prestigious commercial buildings, inside Shopping Malls, etc


A ‘chedi’ (stupa) in front of the Siam Paragon Shopping Mall




Siam Ocean World in the Siam Paragon Shopping Mall, reputedly the largest aquarium in South East Asia

A Rat Ate My Backpack

Stupid rat!

Recently made a 3 week trip back to Malaysia and India. Visited both our families, wife’s and mine. Took advantage of Justin’s school Spring Break holidays. It’s now or after the birth of our second child, as when Justin breaks for summer, it’d be too late (and too big) for Anu to fly.


Anu and Justin, at the brand new international airport at Mumbai, India, about to board the plane back to Dubai

Nothing much happened. Had a string of tasks lined up, so it was like a friggin errand trip.

In Malaysia, we visited families in Butterworth, Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur, …OK, just a li'l bit of KL. We spent a total of ONE night in KL, and went back to Ipoh the next day… short of time, plus the family in KL’s caught up in some sort of a family crisis then. Got some flak from Anu and Jipek for making them sit so long in the car for the trip to KL. Justin didn’t seem to mind though. Managed to watch ONE movie with dad and mom, Captain America, in Butterworth. And visited ONE friend, Ajit’s family, in Ipoh.


Justin at the 1919 Restaurant, Ipoh – that plate of rice, with steamed tofu in soy sauce, was the fastest Justin finished a plate of rice, ever, in his four years of existence


Justin, his ‘chau ko-po’ and Bear-Bear, the toy dog, OK, it’s real


More scenes from Jack’s house at Kota Kemuning, Selangor – that Chinese character on the wall happens to be one of Justin’s name, Xin.


In front of Jack’s house, Kota Kemuning


Anu at a Chinese restaurant in Gurney Plaza, Penang


Water feature at the Ipoh Swimming Club

In Silchar, I found that my trusty old backpack (rucksack, whatever) from my university days in the UK, a Mountaincraft backpack with a lifetime warranty, has become a pile of shreds and tatters, compliments of a bloody rat. Half of the straps bitten off, holes all over. This backpack has been with me since 1994! Has travelled with me in like 2 dozen countries in Europe and Asia. Felt like I’ve lost an old friend… RIP backpack, may the rat end up the same way as you did.

Pesky rat also munched big holes in our bank passbooks, and ate some insurance receipts. We hope that’s all it ate. Also discovered that termites made a nest out of Justin’s Mothercare cot. But luckily termites don’t have teeth like friggin rats do. So cot is still intact, save for some tiny little holes. Gave it away to Anu’s sister’s newborn daughter, Mahie.

Silchar was dusty hot when we arrived, no problems with me as I’m used to dry weather. Besides, there’re less mosquitoes when it’s like that. A day plus later, Silchar had a hailstorm (or more like a series of hailstorms) that blew off signboards and uprooted trees, and Ta-Da! …no friggin power for 24 hours (ok, …almost). We were in Fulertal, so we spent our time chilling out in the Barak River… Hailstorm fell two betel nut trees in our Silchar house compound, but no damage to the house. And that’s about it folks!


Hailstorm in progress, Itkhola, Silchar, Assam – ‘antiquated’ version, made with my blackberry phone, easy process, especially with the amount of rickshaws around in Silchar


Caught by the camera – Justin sabotaging the cake, on the occasion of Anu’s sister’s wedding anniversary. Justin’s not a big fan of cakes, but he likes messing with it, and everyone’s too busy to notice


Taking a dip in the Barak River, Fulertal – Justin with his mama (uncle) and maiju (aunt), Anu’s brother and sis-in-law

Oh, and a congratulatory note to the people of India for voting in a strong government. It’s about time they got rid of the ineffective and corruption-tainted present government of theirs. Let’s hope things get better now.