Chan Mai Phen Rai

Was awakened by a surprise call from a dear Thai friend this afternoon... her country in turmoil, and she needed to get away for a while. She wanted to know if I can host her over the weekend. Told her I would be more than happy. Then she broke down. It seems everything's falling apart, so much in-fighting... within and outside of her. She feels like a walking civil war in the midst of an external civil war. What to say now... It must be a terrible feeling. Internal strife is bad enough, but to see your people fighting like that... it's a double whammy.

She subsequently messaged me to say say she changed her mind about visiting but thanked me for hearing her out. She decides to go up north to chill out with some close friends. Looks like I may have to make the trip sooner than thought to check how things are with my friends and ex-staff there. Bangkok holds such poignant memories for me. Beautiful place, beautiful culture, beautiful people. How did it ever come to this?!

Here's to you, land of smiles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5yVUhYGrgQ&feature=related

Thanks baby, for the lovely song :)