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Published on December 2, 2007

The day always takes the form of a sherry morning, a luncheon expertly cooked by the inspirational Jean-Claude of the Blue Partridge - this time his lamb au jus vert avec pomme frappe was quite heavenly and the cream horns to follow had a lightness quite out of this world - then we chat and have fun in the afternoon.

Imagine my horror then, when after several hands of Canasta, at which Dolly always excels, doubtless due to her double first in Mathematics and Classics, the conversation without warning turned to the political situation here in Thailand and the looming election. This was a very considerable and unwelcome surprise to me, as normally we confine out chit-chat to recipes. Lady Veronica started by saying that her husband Wilberforce was very troubled about the state of affairs, apparently he was quite out of sorts and drinking a bottle of his Dow's 1908 Vintage Port every evening. Seemingly, accordingly to Lady Veronica, he is convinced the election would be won by something called the People Power Party, which is very friendly to the exiled ex-prime minister and wants him to come back and be in charge again. Janice then piped up that the reason the generals had their coup in the first place was to get rid of this man, and if he comes back what will happen then?

Well, by now my head was spinning, but Lady Veronica ploughed on. The generals, she said, would be at risk if the exiled ex-prime minister returned, and that he was the real man running the People Power Party. According to Lady Veronica, a very bellicose man who is pretending to be the leader of the People Power Party has said he wants the Army dissolved because the generals don't like him. Well, as if that weren't enough, Lady Veronica then assured us that the generals are outwardly saying that if the people elect the People Power Party, that's that.

This was all too much for me, so I had a sip of the rather delicious Blue Mountain coffee, which had just been served, and stepped outside for some fresh air, which was possibly a mistake, as it did not taste in any way fresh. I returned to hear Lady Veronica deliver her coup de grass: she said she could not believe that the generals would allow the exiled ex-prime minister to return, because if they did they would all be charged with treason.

By now I was at wits end so I asked Jean-Pierre to serve the petit fours and this seemed to calm all down and we got on with some serious recipe discussions.

Catherine Chobley-Dickson

Bangkok

Samak's Thaksin ties taint possible premiership

Re: "Get ready to vote, stay home and watch a lot of soaps", Opinion, December 1.

In three weeks time the Thai people will go to the polls to vote in a new "democratic" government. Demographics dictate that the largest combined regions are the North and Northeast and therefore the Thaksin-Samak People Power Party has a very good chance of securing its place as the new government, with the minor parties sweeping up the spoils.

In this scenario, is there is a real possibility of another coup? Would Samak continue with his lunacy and again announce that he will proceed with his executive pardon for Thaksin Shinawatra? Would all hell break loose if he did?

There's another important "if". Samak publicly declared himself from the outset to be Thaksin's nominee. Does that technically disqualify him from becoming Thai prime minister? Does it further disqualify him from any political office? And has Banharn Silapa-archa traded in his deal with the Democrats to become the perfect nominee to work for Thaksin's pardon without looking like a paid surrogate? Remember, he still has to repay his "debt of gratitude" to Samak.

It cannot be believed that Samak could control bickering within his "Pardon-Thaksin Party" without calling for help from London, but perhaps he can officially continue to hold the title of "head cook" for the next Thai cabinet, even though cooking gas has gone up Bt9 per month for the average household and soap operas are apparently of far more interest that politics.

James Groveway

Bangkok

'Cats' an entertaining and welcome addition to city

Re: "Secrets of 'Cats'", Weekend, November 23.

I wonder if your theatre critic Pawit and I went to the same performance of "Cats". I went to the one at Ratchadalai Theatre with the stunning costumes, wonderful set and special effects, great songs and entertaining singers. Try as I might, I couldn't find a single reference to any of the costumes, sets, special effects, songs or singers on stage at the Ratchadalai Theatre in Pawit's review. Instead, I found a brief and extremely subjective history of "Cats", followed by Pawit's eavesdropping in the elevator, followed by his wish list of shows he wants for Thailand.

For those who'd like to know, "Cats" was extremely entertaining and a good night out and perhaps Pawit should be doing his bit to support live theatre in Bangkok, something we sadly lack.

Ian Johnnston

Bangkok

A poetic tribute to His Majesty the King

This heartfelt poetic tribute to His Majesty the King was written to commemorate respectfully His Majesty's 80th birthday. Long Live His Majesty!

Unification

Anointed bathing rites of purification

Holy water from bejewelled conch

Poured over palms wrists tied

Together spun lisle eternal blessings

Royal regalia pure gold sheathed

Commemorative fans warding off demons

Originally crafted from palm-leaf talipot

Pleated folds fanciful handiwork motifs

Upturned slippers symbolise Mount Meru

Interwoven Brahmin Buddhist traditional lore

Great victory diadems precious star-sapphires

Set atop Indra's transcendental abode

Pesky fly whisk fashioned from

Sacred albino elephant tail hair

Staff carved from Cassia wood

Inlaid cast iron warrior sword

Transparent seven-tiered umbrella silky fringe

Obeisant believers professing allegiance oath

Benjaracha quintet adorning candlelight procession

Ancestral memorials waxen everlasting flame

Charles Frederickson

Bangkok

Trash piling up on streets due to lack of rubbish bins

Thank you to all of the public and private street sweepers who make an effort to keep the towns clean. These anonymous sweepers in Bangkok ensure that on average about 20 per cent of the time the streets look pleasantly clean. The provincial towns are a much cleaner story.

How long has it been since the Bangkok bombings?

Why haven't the street garbage bins been put back?

Without these bins, people in Bangkok have learned how to use every corner, tree, bush, traffic sign and phone booth as "discreet" disposal sites for their trash.

Some places have put bins displaying outside advertising outside of their businesses and a major convenience store chain has begun putting transparent bins outside of its outlets, but this does not seem to be a general policy and I am afraid it is too little, too late.

It will take a large effort to get Bangkokians to kick their habit of dumping everywhere. An alternative to replacing the bins would be to increase by four the number of street sweepers.

Gerrit

Bangkok