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Published on March 19, 2008

Yeah, that seems to be the dream of Harry Connick Jr, the New Orleans singer-pianist who travelled a long way from home to entertain his fans in Bangkok on Tuesday night as part of his Asian tour.

Becoming the ambassador should not have been part of his one-night concert, but Connick brought it up following a dinner with US Ambassador Eric John on the night before the concert.

Connick has enormous envy for the ambassador. This came through after his personal impressions of life in Thailand.

"I have done everything a human being can do in the last 24 hours," he said. Arriving in Bangkok a day before the concert, he visited a temple that boasted the beautiful reclining Buddha. Then he went to the floating market and enjoyed phat thai, as well as 15 bottles of orange juice.

He also enjoyed a foot massage which so relaxed him that he almost fell asleep.

Connick provoked laughter when he said that he was ready to trade his life in the US for the life in Thailand after all the fun that he's had.

Then, as if it had just popped up in his head, he said he should be the US ambassador to Thailand.

"I can do that. I can do that," he said repetitively, as if to assure himself of the possibility. The only obstacle is that he has never worked for the US government, which, according to John, was necessary for the appointment.

Former US ambassador Ralph Boyce would agree. Boyce was appointed ambassador after years of government service. Boyce is known as an enthusiast for Thai culture. He can even speak the language and loves the easygoing life here. Boyce resigned to join Boeing and now he is stationed in Singapore, which is less than a two-hour flight from Bangkok.

This may dash Connick's hopes. But if the artist is really serious about spending his life in Thailand, it is not beyond possibility.

He does not need to be the ambassador to live here, as Thailand is ready to welcome anybody who is willing to cherish Thai culture.

Achara Deboonme

achara_d@nationgroup.com