Business as Usual at the Pool

Here we are on Coup Day Plus Three. Unfortunately I haven't time for my take on the politics of the military coup because, thanks to government-owned T.O.T.'s blocking of all things Typepad, I only can view and update my blog during hasty visits to spots with free wi-fi between grocery shopping, ferrying my brood around to visit friends, finding Nathan decent "school shoes" that don't cost an exorbitant amount or feature large images of Ultraman or any of his compatriots (verboten by the school), engaging in the domestic project known as "Lyle's first spring-cleaning of document files since 2001", and finding time to, say, bathe.

Coup or no coup, I've had enough of T.O.T. I'm switching to True internet service next week.

Meanwhile, here is an email we received Wednesday morning, soon after dawn broke, bringing relief after a confusing night filled with rumour, half-truths, and tension. The message exemplifies the plucky "show must go on" attitude adopted by most of the people, Thai and farang, I've encountered since Tuesday night. Phrases in brackets are mine, not to poke fun at Alec's swim teacher, but rather to echo in a raw, unexpurgated manner my thoughts as I first read the email -- remember, this was before the coup panned out non-violently.

WEDNESDAY SWIMMING DURING THE COUP. SEPTEMBER 2006

Dear Lyle,

With the Coup that has occured we understand that this will disrupt all things including swimming. [You think?] All schools are closed and children / people are told to stay home.......We have decided that since many / most of our clients live in the buildings that we teach in, we WILL DO classes anyway. [So, people who drive through the city to get to class, you can choose: Keep your kid at home and miss the class you paid for in advance, or risk kid's life in the name of getting your bahts' worth!]

We regret the inconvience for those that do not reside in the buildings where we do teach [i.e. don'tcha wish now you'd splashed out on the posh flat with a big pool downstairs?], and fully understand if you do not come.....[You woos!]

Hope to see you all there. If you do miss class - then please remember that the make up class will be on offer in late november [on a day when your kid's best friend will celebrate his/her birthday and feel heartbroken if your kid instead take a swim class, so kiss those baht goodbye!]. Should the coup turn worse we may change our opinion ["may"?!], but for now we are still swimming! [Yea! Get psyched!]

Best regards,
Sam

We went to class.

(For more illustrations of this equanimical approach, please visit Lana in Phuket's site and a Thai mum's site.)

Today at 6p.m. there will be a demonstration to protest the coup, at the exceedingly posh shopping mall Siam Paragon, of all places. These are some brave people to risk jarring the whole "Hasn't this been a pleasant coup?" mentality. Let's pray that their demonstration is allowed to proceed and that the soldiers in the vicinity keep their wits about them and their fingers off the trigger.

Comments

[The Girl]

The Siam Paragon - I bet they never expected a demonstration. From what I remember from the AIDS conference in 2004 - the Thais seem to really enjoy their right to assemble and protest. At least the Paragon is air conditioned ;o)!