I chose to post about Bangkok for a number of reasons. For one, this is the most interesting place i've ever been. Two, it is nothing like anything you can imagine in the United States, and the basic fundamentals of psychology and sociology do not apply there as they do here at home. It is foreign, it is bizarre, sometimes frightening, and almost too much fun. As far as selected topics go, i was shooting towards terrorism but ended up with a relatively random assortment of headlines.
Bangkok started out as a small port city in about 1350, now the official population is 7 million documented residents. The actual population is estimated to be 15 million, with 20 million commuters working in Bangkok that live outside of the cities official census boundaries. The rapid growth in population and economy of the city has cause some problems. Transportation is a key focus of the thai government and people. Bangkok has subways, roads (obviously), trains, skytrains, and numerous canals allowing for aquatic transit. A big push for the past century has been to accomodate those in transit, which is to this day a cause of stress and growth within the city. The Asian Financial Crisis of 1997, which was effectively a crash in the Asian market, left many Asian countries in, well, a financial crisis. For Bangkok, the early 90's was a time when the policymakers decided to solve the transportation proplem with an elevated railway (not the skytrain, which serves the central city, but an elevated train system that would connect suburbs, city and all those within its range). Construction began, and great pillars were erected to carry the steel tracks, but in 1997 the funding for the project ran dry, and no rails ever came. To this day construction has not resumed and all that is left of the project are the enormous pillars (imagine an elevated highway, but the pillars are easy twice the size, and with no road) seemingly erected for nothing. Thousands of dollars and man hours wasted on monoliths of concrete and steel.
The population increase in Bangkok throughout time has also led to the development of many surrounding urban areas, which we would refer to in American terms as "sub-urban" areas. These so called suburbs are just differently specified economic districts of the same conglomerate city. As Bangkok has grown, it has swallowed the surrounding cities and provinces. The outskirts of the official city trail off in numbers of skyscrapers and consist of only 4-8 story buildings. Outside of the urban area, residences are made of palm leaves and straw. Like we learned in class, suburbanization is a primarily first world phenomenon.
Thailand is an export based economy, with textiles, clothing, handguns, etc. being the primary economic contributor. Currently, the economy is booming, though it has slowed slightly from past years. Thailand's cheap labor and booming market have opened up the country to great foreign investment, which thusfar has benefited the country. Thailand, unlike some other Asian countries, has a free market economy which has proven positive for economic growth within the buisiness sector. The economy is also people based considering the amount of jobs in the manufacturing industry available. This does not hold true outside of the urban area of Bangkok, with the exception of rice farming, as there are few buisiness oppurtunities available.
At present, social unrest within the city is centered around the upcoming elections following last year's coup to overthrow the previous government. There is much anticipation at the outcome of these elections, and many fear that corruption will overtake the government. Officials in Thailand are notorious for buying votes, and running corrupt campaigns as well as sabotaging opposing parties.
I do not feel that urban planning was ever an issue in Bangkok. As far as i can tell from wandering around the streets, basements and skyrises, there is and never has been any sort of direction for growth and development. In American society we give the government so much control of the structure of our own lives that we would be apalled by the thought of letting growth take on the shape that it wants. In America, we turn to lawsuits for things like open manhole covers, broken sidewalks and bare electical cables running along 6 foot high cielings. In Bangkok, this is the way things are. The government tries to give people the infrastructure needed to make development possible, and leaves the rest in the hands of the buisinesses and citizens. This does not make for the most sensible living conditions, and probably undermines the general safety of the people as a whole, but it is an effective strategy for making money while providing the public with enough freedom to strike out on their own.
This is a city where mandatory military service can be waived for 200 american dollars, you can eat a gourmet meal at 3 am., and you can buy decent pot from an 80 year old woman on a motorcycle. One thing is for sure when you leave U.S. borders, nothing is as it seems, and everything you know and take for granted about western sociology and human interaction is false. I cant wait to go back...
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
The labor union of the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) has threatened a full on strike if the current government approves a restructuring plan that would cost the jobs of over 9000 workers. The proposed system will replace the bus attendants with a high tech ticket exchange system. This will cost approximately 7500 jobs for the bus attendants and another 2000 for office staff. Discharged employees will be offered early retirement. It is predicted that the labor union of the BMTA will do as the State Railway of Thailand union did earlier in the year and simultaneously take "sick leave", rendering the bus lines crippled. The strike caused the SRT a loss of about 10 million baht, and stranded over 10,000 passengers as well as cargo.
Phasuk Phongpaichit in an essay on social movements in Thailand opens with this statement:
"Since around 1990, we have seen an outburst of demonstrations, protest marches and new organizations by people of various walks of life. In 1978 there were 42 demonstrations and protests marches, rising to 170 in 1990 and to 988 in 1994 (Prapat: 34, 35, 39) These protests have not been just one-shot events. In most cases participants have organised into a movement to demand their rights, or to fight to protect the environment and their livelihood on a long-term basis."
Such social movements include many organizations protecting womens rights to gain full control over their bodies and sexuality, rural farmers against the creation of dams destroying fish hatcheries and their livelihoods, the northern hill farmers right to maintain control of natural resources and cultural identities, environmental movements by fisherman to protect the coasts, and physicians movements against corruption in the health ministry. There has been argument that such protesting movements and the creation of NGOs distract attention from the establishment of political parties that have the true power to address social issues. I'm not sure if i agree with this philosophy, due to the fact that such a variety of issues are being brought to attention with these small scale movements. We can see that nearly all of the movements in the country are in fact very important issues drawing on social self-determination and basic human rights. It is also apparent that many of these movements are directed at governmental bodies themselves, as well as their policies. This suggests that the presence of NGOs and social movements independent of a political party can truly press the issues regardless of any established political ties or involvment.
Over half of the movements in Thailand over the past 20 years have had environmental agendas. These have attempted to stop the continuous pollution in the oceans, dispose of urban waste in a non-hazardous fashion, and the proper compensation of the owners of natural resources (namely the rural poor).
Phasuk Phongpaichit in an essay on social movements in Thailand opens with this statement:
"Since around 1990, we have seen an outburst of demonstrations, protest marches and new organizations by people of various walks of life. In 1978 there were 42 demonstrations and protests marches, rising to 170 in 1990 and to 988 in 1994 (Prapat: 34, 35, 39) These protests have not been just one-shot events. In most cases participants have organised into a movement to demand their rights, or to fight to protect the environment and their livelihood on a long-term basis."
Such social movements include many organizations protecting womens rights to gain full control over their bodies and sexuality, rural farmers against the creation of dams destroying fish hatcheries and their livelihoods, the northern hill farmers right to maintain control of natural resources and cultural identities, environmental movements by fisherman to protect the coasts, and physicians movements against corruption in the health ministry. There has been argument that such protesting movements and the creation of NGOs distract attention from the establishment of political parties that have the true power to address social issues. I'm not sure if i agree with this philosophy, due to the fact that such a variety of issues are being brought to attention with these small scale movements. We can see that nearly all of the movements in the country are in fact very important issues drawing on social self-determination and basic human rights. It is also apparent that many of these movements are directed at governmental bodies themselves, as well as their policies. This suggests that the presence of NGOs and social movements independent of a political party can truly press the issues regardless of any established political ties or involvment.
Over half of the movements in Thailand over the past 20 years have had environmental agendas. These have attempted to stop the continuous pollution in the oceans, dispose of urban waste in a non-hazardous fashion, and the proper compensation of the owners of natural resources (namely the rural poor).
Sunday, November 11, 2007
A security guard in Bangkok was arrested this week for the murder of 10 coworkers. The man allegedly beat his 10 victims to death because he caught them sleeping on the job. Over the past year, the guard also confessed to severely beating 8 other guards. He explained to police that upon finding the guards asleep he would try to rouse them, and if they cotinued to sleep, he would then beat them over the head with a one meter wooden or metal rod. Rough, eh?
A line of pink shirts designed by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn caused pandemonium at the shops as hundreds of shoppers turned out to buy them. One store reported that the stock of about 320 shirts sold out in 2 hours. Pandemonium!
A Thai engineering company recieved a 48 billion baht contract for power and infrastructure development in Lagos, Nigeria. Globalization is not just the first world exploiting the third, oh no! Underdeveloped nations of the world, UNITE!
A line of pink shirts designed by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn caused pandemonium at the shops as hundreds of shoppers turned out to buy them. One store reported that the stock of about 320 shirts sold out in 2 hours. Pandemonium!
A Thai engineering company recieved a 48 billion baht contract for power and infrastructure development in Lagos, Nigeria. Globalization is not just the first world exploiting the third, oh no! Underdeveloped nations of the world, UNITE!
Sunday, November 4, 2007
The Thai department of labor has stopped sending workers to Kuwait after a brawl with Egyptian laborers broke out in a camp this week. Some 200 Egyptian workers surrounded a Thai encampment, the subsequent brawl left 6 Thais hospitalized.
Thailand had proposed to regain an economic growth rate of 8% based on an increase in the export and tourism industries. Growth in the country is greatly perpetuated by increasing foreign investment.
On a side note, Thailand is a very large exporter of handguns! You learn something new everyday. I just left my girlfriend and i'm trying to drink myself into complascence. I can't write anymore!
Thailand had proposed to regain an economic growth rate of 8% based on an increase in the export and tourism industries. Growth in the country is greatly perpetuated by increasing foreign investment.
On a side note, Thailand is a very large exporter of handguns! You learn something new everyday. I just left my girlfriend and i'm trying to drink myself into complascence. I can't write anymore!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Thailand is classified as a lower middle income developing nation. In southeast Asia it has the second largest economy, surpassed only by Indonesia. The economy is primarily export dependent, with exports accounting for about 60% of the gross domestic product, which is about $230 billion. As of October 26th, 2007, the exchange rate is 37 thai baht to one U.S. dollar. Thailand is the 4th richest nation in the area, following Singapore, Brunei, and Malaysia. Thailand has a strong automotive and electronics manufacturing industry, which comprise the majority of the countries exports. Agriculture is the traditional Thai industry, but the past few decades have shown a decrease in agriculture with the growth of exports. Tourism is a significant contributor to the Thai economy. Economic growth after the recent coup has slowed to about 4% annually, down from 5-7% with the previous administration. This is in part due to a slowing of foreign investment because of the country's political uncertainty. Since the 1970's, the country's economy had grown an average of 9% annually, then slowed in the late 90's. The current growth rate represents a slump in the overall economy.
Bangkok and its surrounding areas are the center of economic activity, with the "infertile" northeast being the poorest part of the country, and the recent insurgency in the south contributing greatly to the decline in economic growth. Currently the transportation, power generation, and communications industries are state-owned, though the government is considering privatizing them in the wake of the current financial crisis.
About 49% of the Thai work force is employed in the agricultural industry, which is dominated by the cultivation of rice. The U.S. is Thailands largest exporter.
Polls discover that only 40% of the population know that the election is scheduled for Dec. 23rd.
Thailand's beloved king has been hospitalized for the past few weeks, but reports say that his condition is improving and he has been able to walk after a period of immobilization.
Bangkok and its surrounding areas are the center of economic activity, with the "infertile" northeast being the poorest part of the country, and the recent insurgency in the south contributing greatly to the decline in economic growth. Currently the transportation, power generation, and communications industries are state-owned, though the government is considering privatizing them in the wake of the current financial crisis.
About 49% of the Thai work force is employed in the agricultural industry, which is dominated by the cultivation of rice. The U.S. is Thailands largest exporter.
Polls discover that only 40% of the population know that the election is scheduled for Dec. 23rd.
Thailand's beloved king has been hospitalized for the past few weeks, but reports say that his condition is improving and he has been able to walk after a period of immobilization.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Flooding continues in Thailand this week. A farm in North Thailand flooded realeasing 11 crocodiles into nearby canals. Men armed with shotguns patrol the rivers to account for the missing reptiles.
A survey of Thai citizens found that two out of three individuals were willing to accept bribes for votes in the upcoming election, while 8 of 10 said they would not report corruption if they were asked to accept a bribe. This follows with the probationary governments fears that the election will not be a truly democratic one.
Fact- 7-11 is the largest convenience store chain in Thailand. There are more 7-11's in Bangkok than Starbucks in Seattle, some are even right across the street from each other. This week the chain formerly known as CP 7-Eleven Plc has changed its name to CP All in an effort to expand its market to other retail stores as well as the classic 7-11, though the convenience stores will maintain their original logo. The U.S. based trademark owner is the only 7-Eleven subsidiary that uses 7-Eleven as their corporate name. As an aside, the authorized operator of 7-Eleven in Taiwan goes by the corporate name President Chain, and also operates Starbucks and a courrier buisiness within the country. The Thai CP All is looking to expand its influence in Southeast Asia and hopes to recieve the 7-Eleven operator contract in Veitnam. Now, the company controll about 4,200 7-Eleven's in Thailand, and hopes to increase that number to 7,000 within the next few years.
The economic growth forecast is percieved to be between 4.3 and 4.8%, up from the initially projected 4% after exports exceeded what had been expected.
In area news, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas is scheduled to meet with Indonesian president this week to discuss the crisis in the Middle East and press the Palestinian cause. Indonesia is the most populous Muslim country in the world, with 235 million people, and more than 95% of whom are Muslim. Indonesia does not recognize Israel as a legitimate nation...
A survey of Thai citizens found that two out of three individuals were willing to accept bribes for votes in the upcoming election, while 8 of 10 said they would not report corruption if they were asked to accept a bribe. This follows with the probationary governments fears that the election will not be a truly democratic one.
Fact- 7-11 is the largest convenience store chain in Thailand. There are more 7-11's in Bangkok than Starbucks in Seattle, some are even right across the street from each other. This week the chain formerly known as CP 7-Eleven Plc has changed its name to CP All in an effort to expand its market to other retail stores as well as the classic 7-11, though the convenience stores will maintain their original logo. The U.S. based trademark owner is the only 7-Eleven subsidiary that uses 7-Eleven as their corporate name. As an aside, the authorized operator of 7-Eleven in Taiwan goes by the corporate name President Chain, and also operates Starbucks and a courrier buisiness within the country. The Thai CP All is looking to expand its influence in Southeast Asia and hopes to recieve the 7-Eleven operator contract in Veitnam. Now, the company controll about 4,200 7-Eleven's in Thailand, and hopes to increase that number to 7,000 within the next few years.
The economic growth forecast is percieved to be between 4.3 and 4.8%, up from the initially projected 4% after exports exceeded what had been expected.
In area news, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas is scheduled to meet with Indonesian president this week to discuss the crisis in the Middle East and press the Palestinian cause. Indonesia is the most populous Muslim country in the world, with 235 million people, and more than 95% of whom are Muslim. Indonesia does not recognize Israel as a legitimate nation...
Sunday, October 14, 2007
A cave flood at a park in Southern Thailand claimed the lives of six European tourists and their two Thai guided this week. The cave is located about 400 km south of Bangkok. There was only a single survival of the ordeal, 21 year old Helena Christina Carol of Britain, who had been trapped in the cave for over 20 hours. Among the deceased were both Swiss and German tourists. Water in the cave rose to the cieling after 3 hours of heavy rain. This has been a very bad monsoon season for the country, with many fatalities due to the increase in rain. Scientists have suggested that the increase in precipitation is due in part to global warming, and predict that conditions will worsen over time.
Apichart Sukhakkhanant, chairman of the Thai Election Commission warned political parties to refrain from any form of vote-buying in the upcoming December elections. He continued to say that any such infraction will result in the exclusion of such parties from the election. There are over 80 political parties that will participate in the election, though it is predicted that the majority of votes will be devoted to only two (slightly reminiscent of American elections, only with a bit more noise in the votes, and possibly less corruption).
In other news, the fortune telling buisiness in Thailand is booming due to an increase in availability through internet and telephone services. Fortune telling has been a long-time cultural practice in the face of uncertainty, and with internet fortune tellers, Thai people can access these revelations from the comfort of their own homes- for a price! Shineedotcom, a fortune telling company with over 200 professionally employed fortune tellers has reported an average of over 2 thousand calls a day at 15 baht per minute (this is about 35 cents a minute depending on the current exchange rate). Approximately 30% of calls are from returning clients.
Apichart Sukhakkhanant, chairman of the Thai Election Commission warned political parties to refrain from any form of vote-buying in the upcoming December elections. He continued to say that any such infraction will result in the exclusion of such parties from the election. There are over 80 political parties that will participate in the election, though it is predicted that the majority of votes will be devoted to only two (slightly reminiscent of American elections, only with a bit more noise in the votes, and possibly less corruption).
In other news, the fortune telling buisiness in Thailand is booming due to an increase in availability through internet and telephone services. Fortune telling has been a long-time cultural practice in the face of uncertainty, and with internet fortune tellers, Thai people can access these revelations from the comfort of their own homes- for a price! Shineedotcom, a fortune telling company with over 200 professionally employed fortune tellers has reported an average of over 2 thousand calls a day at 15 baht per minute (this is about 35 cents a minute depending on the current exchange rate). Approximately 30% of calls are from returning clients.
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