It was medium-to-late-drinking-time on a Tuesday last month when,
suddenly, there were sobering moments all over this time zone. Reality
seemed to be suspended. Here at Thapae Gate, Chiangmai, over 50 people
suspended their weekly quizz night at True Blue as the news came over the
TV. Some late revellers rolled in and started to make bad jokes about bad
Hollywood movies. Very fast, they were appraised of reality and sat down
in awe as the awful truth sank in.
I was elsewhere, seeking a familiar bar which was suddenly, unexpectedly
closed. The owner and staff, with no TV, had dashed off round the corner
to watch the ongoing tragedies on someone else's screen. I followed and
while I absorbed those unbelievable facts, two young farang continued to
enjoy their pool game under the big TV carrying the terrible scenes. English
was not their native language, and later they also said "We thought
it was just another film - a re-make of 'Towering Inferno' or something.
Sorry!" Whether or not you think it's my place to comment here, in
a column devoted mostly to having a good time around the nightery entertainment
of Chiangmai, I have to change my rules as this event was exceptional and,
prayerfully, unique. The world's rules were broken over New York, Washington
and Pennsylvania that day.
Whatever those morons who perpetrated their heinous acts wanted to achieve,
they have achieved exactly the opposite. This is a wake-up call to the
whole of the west to unify, take better defensive care and do our best
to find out why small but rich and resourceful extremists hate us so much.
I applaud the US government pausing, thinking and talking, avoiding the
gung-ho "Let's nuke the bastards NOW!" knee-jerk reaction, spitting
fire in all directions. Thoughtful, unified, reason will hopefully prevail
- and I drink to that!
Other stuff
Well, I guess other stuff pales into insignificance, but life goes on
and I'd best fulfil my duty of updating you with night-time news, especially
as my colleague Ric Klein has taken time off, feeling that their aren't
many Reasons to Relax this month. Don't blame him.
Last month, Ric wrote about the emergence of Loi Kroh as an up-and-coming-smart
street with new up-market places and I agree, with reservations.
No names, no pack drill, but one place near the top on the left, vacated
recently, seems to have troubles re-opening. Like so far the new man isn't
sober enough to get it up. The shutter, I mean. Another two had a visit
from Chiangmai's finest recently and a few folk were escorted off to free
but uncomfortable accommodation. Don't let this put you off, folks. If
you smoke only tobacco and behave yourselves, you'll stay trouble-free,
welcome and - well - free!
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The men in brown have been around all night all right, but the Interior
Minister's aim of closing down everyone by midnight seems to have been
patchy to say the least. Taproom owners and the police might like to know
that Chiangmai law actually says closing at 1.00am. Only the boites with
noisy girls on the sidewalk seem to be targetted, anything looking remotely
restaurant-respectible, or safely secluded down the sois, seem allowed
to stay open till 2.00am if they wish.
JUST LIKE THE REAL THING?
Click for larger photograph
Almost! This metal bas relief of a Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero-Sen actually
represents an aircraft of the 64th Sentai, wich was stationed here at Chiangmai.
Framed in dark Thai timber, each piece is numbered and only 1000 pieces
will ever be produced. Made by Thai craftsmen with care.
· Right next door to Apocalypse Cantina and Chiangmai
Saloon, the 24 hour camped-out presence of the revolting red onion
farmers doesn't help trade. They started as a half day sit-down demo against
low crop prices, right in front of the smart Thai Rak Thai HQ of PM Thaksin
Shinawatra, which closed half a day before they arrived! The farmers' revolt
began at the Provincial Hall months ago, and for their sake as well as
neighbouring trade, it ought to be resolved soon.
'It's from a Canadian journalist and
I commend you to find and read his whole text. It's entitled 'America,
the good neighbour'.
Night
Fowl
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